Friday, August 29, 2008

Another Walgreens Coupon Day

I can't believe they put out another $off coupon! This time it is $10 of a $40 purchase. Click here to print this coupon.

This is a great way to purchase the September FAR items! There are over $40 worth. Check out the Double Dip deals that are also great with this coupon.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

The Drugstore Game vs. The Warehouse Club

Mercedes from Common Sense With Money was a guest blogger on another site.

Check out her blog here! She discusses the actual prices at Sams/Costco/etc. vs. the Drugstores Walgreens/CVS.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Walgreens Double Dip Days

It's time for Double Dippin' again at Walgreens - this Friday (8/29) and Saturday (8/30)!

Chemistry Shampoo or Conditioner
$7.99
Aug - $3.00 IVC
Sept – FAR
$1/1 Mfg (given to Wag BAs)

Garnier Fructis Hair (Sham., Cond. or Styler)$3.49
Aug - $1.00 IVC
Sept - Buy $20 get $10 Rebate
$1/1 Mfg 05/04 RP exp. 11/30
$2/1 Mfg (tearpad – found at DG)

3.49 x 6 = 20.94
less 6 x $2 tearpads =8.94
less 6 x $1 IVC =2.94 plus tax, get back $11 for Sept rebates on WAG GC.

Garnier Nutritioniste Skin renew Anti-Puff eye roller
$11.99 Each
23.98 for 2
2 - $5.00 Aug IVC -10.00
2- $2.00 IP -4.00
Total $9.98 with a $10.00 Sept Rebate

M&M's
2/$6
Aug - $1.00 off of 2 bags IVC
Sept - Buy 4 Bags get $5.00 Rebate

Nutripals
$5.99
Aug - $1.00 IVC
Sept - $1.00 IVC
Coloring Book - $1.00 IVC
$1/1 Mfg from 8/24 Insert
(YMMV - some stores do not allow you to use both IVCs)

Cocoa Via
1.00/1 5 ct. August IVC
1.50/2 5 ct. September IVC
(YMMV - some stores do not allow you to use both IVCs)

Benefiber Stick Packs
$9.99
August IVC 2.00
Sept IVC 5.00
and I think there is an insert q for 2.00/any
(YMMV - some stores do not allow you to use both IVCs)

Glade Odor Eliminator
$3.59
Aug - $1.50
Sept - $1.00
$1.50/1 Mfg from 8/24 Insert
(YMMV - some stores do not allow you to use both IVCs)

L'Oreal Advanced RevitaLift Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate
FAR for September
Week of 8/24 L'Oreal anti-aging skin care is 25% off
16.49
-4.12 ( 25% off )
12.37
-3.00 (mfg from 7/20)
9.37
lowers your oop and you get 12.37 back on FAR
13.60 if you put on a Wag giftcard


Sale: 2 x 2-pk of Glade Scented Oil Refills for $4.49 ea., $8.98 total
Use: September ESR 2 x $1/1, - $2
Use: 1 x B1G1 Free MQ (8/24 SS), -$4.49
Use: 1 x $1/1 MQ (7-27-08SS), -$1
Rebate (August #29): $1.50/1 (limit 2), - $3 (This is the same rebate as the Scrubbing Bubbles, so if you already claimed that one, this scenario won't work)
Total: -$1.51 OVERAGE

Sale: Buy 4 x Oust Air & Surface for $3.99 ea., $15.96 total
Use: September ESR 4 x $1/1, - $4
Use: 2 x B1G1 Free (8-24-08SS), - $7.98
Use: 2 x $1/1 MQ (7-27-08SS), - $2
Rebate (August #30): $1/1 (limit 4), - $4
Total: -$2.02 OVERAGE

Sale: 8 x Glade Scented Oil Warmers, B1G1 Free (2/$4.79), total $19.16
Use: 4 x B1G1 Free MQ (8-24-08SS), -$19.16*
Rebate (September #34): $1/1 (limit 4), - $4
Total: -4.00 OVERAGE

Sale: Glade Plugins Scented Gel Warmer for 2/$3, Buy 4/$6
Use: 2 x B1G1 Free MQ, -$3
Rebate (September # 33): $1/1 (limit 4), - $4
Total: -$1.00 OVERAGE

*Could try using $4/1 MQ (8-03-08SS) as well along with the B1G1 MQ's, but hey, that's um... YMMV.

Sale: Glade Scented Oil Candle for $5.99 ea.
Use: September IVC $2
Use: MQ (7-20-08SS), $2
Rebate (August #32): $2/1 (limit 2),
Total: -.01

Thanks to all the wonderful members of HCW for these scenarios!

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Today Only - Old Navy Jean Sale




Jeans sale at Old Navy

I can't seem to find where this is advertised, but I saw it on TV last night and this morning.

All jeans $12
Childrens sizes $7

These jeans run $29.50 regularly. That is a great deal - so HURRY out before it is over!

I bought two pair and had a $20 gift card from by Bday. With tax, I paid $5.73 for two pair of brand new Old Navy jeans. Can't beat that!

Friday, August 22, 2008

Walgreens $5/$20 Coupon - Friday & Saturday Only!






Hooray! Walgreens has just issued another $5 off your $20 purchase. This coupon is good for today and tomorrow only - so start putting your scenarios together. If you haven't taken advantage of the FAR items, this is a great way to start. I will be posting my scenarios shortly....

You can go here to print the Walgreens coupon. There are also a few school/office supply coupons.

Also - just a reminder. The coupons states that the $20 has to be after coupons/discounts/etc.










Scenarios:
$12.99 Perfection Sewing Kit
$ 4.49 Dove Shampoo
$ .50 Dove Conditioner (2/$4.99 sale)
$ 2.99 Carmex Lip Moisturizer
$ 1.50 Dial Yogurt Handsoap
$ 1.50 Dial Yogurt Handsoap
$ .39 Filler Item (need to be at $20 after coupons) Lot of these in the ad this week
Less
$ 2.00 Cheerios $1/1 printables
$ 4.00 Dove Mfg $2/1
$ 1.50 Dial Handsoap B1G1 catalina
$ .60 Dial Mfg from inserts
Total $15.24

Receive $2 RR from the Carmex and $10 + 10% Walgreens Rebate
________________________________________________

$10.00 Ragu Jar Sauce
$12.99 Perfection Sewing Kit
Less
$ 2.00 Ragu Mfg 2- $1/3
$ 5.00 Walgreens Coupon
Total $15.99

Receive $4 RR from the Ragu and $10 + 10% Walgreens Rebate
_____________________________________________

$ 5.99 Bertolli Frozen Dinner
$ 5.99 Bertolli Frozen Dinner
$12.99 Perfection Sewing Kit
Less
$ 2.50 Bertolli Mfg 2- $1.25/1
$ 2.00 RR from Carmex Deal
$ 5.00 Walgreens Coupon
Total $15.47

Receive $5 RR from the Bertolli and $10 + 10% Walgreens Rebate

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Another Way to Collect Coupons










This is my free sample shoebox that is overflowing. I have been signing up for free samples since I started couponing. Money Saving Mom posts links to samples every so often. Some of the things we have received never made it to this box. (Like diapers, pullups, cereal, snacks, & many feminine hygiene products)

The best part about the free samples is that a lot of them come with coupons. Typically these coupons are of higher value than the ones we get in the newspaper inserts. Just another way to get those coupons!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Walgreens Trip - 8/17 Ad

This week I purchased:

Stoneware Bowls 4 @ .50ea
Weight Watcher sugar Free candy 2 @ 1.79ea
Walgreens teething Gel 1 @ 3.99
BioInfusions Shampoo 1 @ 5.99
Dove Shampoo/Cond 2 / 4.99
Scrubbing Bubble Action Scrubber 1 @ 5.79

Total before coupons $26.34

Less:
7day Q for Bowls (.39ea) - .44
7day Q for WW candy (2/$3) -.58
B1G1 Mfg Q for WW Candy -1.79
Mfg Q for Srubbing Bubbles -2.75
Mfg Qs for Dove (from sample) 2 @ 2.00ea

Total after coupons with tax $17.82
Used Flex card to pay for Teething Gel
Used Gift card to pay for the remaining balance

Will receive Walgreens rebates for the BioInfusion Shampoo (5.99) and the Scrubbing Bubbles (1.50) plus the 10% bonus!

Monday, August 18, 2008

Cheerios - $0.99 Box

This week only 8/17 - 8/23 Walgreens has General Mills cereal on sale for $1.99each. Cheerios are included in this deal!

Use the $1/1 printable coupons from Cheerios to get them for $0.99/box. You can go here and here to print out two $1/1 coupons.

Thanks to MoneySavingMom for this tip!

And also from MSM - Check out this cute blog post by the husband of a couponer!

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Walgreens Formula

I had a few of the $3/10 coupons only good at the Elm Street Walgreens left. They expired 8/16 - so I went to use them. This is a brand new Walgreens and the coupons are part of their Grand Opening.

I found out that the cashiers had these at the register and were freely using them with customers. Also, they had no problem with me doing multiple transactions to keep using the $3 coupon. I could have stood there all day if they had enough formula, but unfortunately they didn't (and I only had 2 $5RR).....

I did the following twice:

Walgreens Brand Formula 2 @ $13.99ea.
Less $5 RR from cereal deal -5.00
Less 7day ad coupon (11.99 sale) -4.00
Less IVC from Easy Saver ($5/2) -5.00
Less $3/10 Grand Opening Q -3.00

Total w/ Tax $11.58 for two cans of formula!!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Walgreens - 8/10 Ad

This week is a slow week at Walgreens, but there were a few items we really needed...

Here is what I got this week:

3 boxes Kleenex (7day coupon in ad for .89ea)
Bandaids Ultra 20pk 2 @ 2.99ea
Walgreens Sinus Med. 2 @ 2.50ea
Saline drops 1 @ 2.99ea
Bic Pens 8pk Blue 2 @ .50ea
Bic Pens 8pk Blk 2 @ .50ea

Total before coupons $20.74

Used 2 - $1/2 Bic Stationary Products
2 - $1/1 Bandaid Ultra products
1 - $1/3 Kleenex
2 - $1/1 Bandaids (Walgreens IVC from the coloring book)

Total after coupons/discounts $12.92
I paid for this with my Flex plan card - so technically 0.00 OOP
And I received $3 RR for the bandaids.

PS - Is it obvious that I have a cold??

UPDATE: The walgreens coloring book can be seen here
I have used several of these coupons already. I just keep it folded up and so far I have gotten the same cashier each time I used one. She just scans it and lets me keep them. I found the coloring book in with others in the toy aisle. It has also been reported that they are by the Pharmacy. And some people have gotten one free just by asking the Pharmacist/Technician if they have a children's coloring book. The coupons are good until 3/31/09 - so it is really worth the 99cents. (I have used at least $7 that I can think of off-hand so far)

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Target - Finally.....

I haven't had a lot of success with Target so far in my "Saving Adventures". Every once in a while I find a good sale on diapers or clearance clothing.

Today I think I finally did well at Target!

Here is what I purchased:

2 - 20lb. Purina One Dog Food $36.00
4 - Glade PlugIn Oil Warmers $14.55 (The shelf said $4.09 for one scent and $4.14 for the other scent, but the $4.09 ones rang up $3.47)
3 - Various Gerber Graduates $5.00 (On sale 3/$5)
1 - Lunchable (for me) $1.69

Total $57.24

Less 10% shopping day from Target (5.24)
Less 4 - $4/1 Glade warmer Mfg Q (16.00) (From 8/3 SS Insert)
Less 2 - $4/1 Purina Dog Food Mfg Q (8.00) (From GiveABowl.com)
Plus Tax

Total OOP $29.51
And I received a $5 Target Gift Card!

Purina Dog Food - On sale this week for $18 (not a good sale, but a sale and this is almost always where we purchase dog food) - purchase 2 and receive a $5 Target Gift Card

GiveABowl.com is really cool! If you answer a short survey, you will be able to print a $4 coupon for Purina Products. (Hit back then refresh and you can print 2) When you register, you get to choose an Animal shelter to "Give A Bowl" to. For each $4 coupon redeemed, (they have a code on them and are tracked) Purina will donate a "bowl of food" to the shelter you selected!

Friday, August 8, 2008

Almost Free Movie Tickets

Axe has a promotion this month at Walgreens.

Purchase 3 Bodywash or BodySpray - Receive 1 movie tickets
Purchase 4 Bodywash or BodySpray - Receive 2 movie tickets

The great thing is - the trial sizes are working for this promotion. So as listed in my 7/31 shopping trip - I received 2 movie tickets. I wanted to explain this wonderful deal in more detail for you:

I purchased 4 Axe Bodywash trial size at 1.59 each (6.36 total + tax).
A catalina will spit out of the machine at the end of your transaction that says "Congratulations you received a movie ticket". Go the the website listed, enter the code and you will be able to print two movie tickets.

You can search by zip code to find participating theaters in your area. We have several around us. My sister has already used her tickets with success at St. Charles 18 Cinema. Chris and I are going tonight to use ours!

So, it is almost like a Buy 1 ticket get 1 free since it cost approx. $7. But can you beat two tickets to the movies for $7. Hurry to your Walgreens and get in on this deal!

UPDATE 8/11/08 - The trial sizes are reportedly not working anymore. You can still get movie tickets by purchasing the full size Axe products.

How I got started.....

Okay, I knew this question was coming.... I just wasn't completely sure how to answer it. It just has kind of evolved since around April. I will give a shot at explaining more about how I am able to get all this great stuff so cheap!

The first step is to make sure you have a Subscription to the Sunday Post Dispatch (or access to the coupons from someone else!) You can also purchase the Sunday paper at Dollar Tree for $1 on Sundays. The Post Dispatch is where I get the majority of my manufacturer coupons.

The second step is RESEARCH! Start watching the weekly ads for sales on the items you usually purchase. I personally shop at Walgreens, Walmart, and Target. It is very rare that I go anywhere else. And, since I have started couponing, I rarely go to Target and Walmart anymore. The key is to never buy anything that isn't on sale. (When you first get started, you will have to, but just wait...) When an item is on sale, it is also the best time to use a coupon on it. It just so happens that Walgreens has the sale ad, 7-day store coupons in the sale ad, a monthy Easy Saver coupon booklet, and monthly rebate deals. On top of all that, you can add a manufacturer's coupon. That is pretty much how this all works.

I started out on MoneySavingMom.com - She does a wonderful job of explaining how Walgreens works. (She also has a lot of information about CVS, but I don't have that store here) On the left-hand side of her blog is a section titled "Beginners Start Here". So, that is what I did. Here is the link to Walgreens 101

Each week MoneySavingMom posts deals from CVS, Walgreens, and some others. I started by reading her Walgreens deals and getting the Free-After-Rebate Items to start my gift card balance.

It didn't take long for me to find HotCouponWorld. Now I spend the majority of my planning time on this website, but I wouldn't have understood very much of it had I not started with MoneySavingMom.

There is enough reading at Walgreens 101 to get everyone started. I will post again soon more details of my saving adventures!

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Another Walgreens trip this week

What would my lunch break be like without a trip to Walgreens.....

This is what I got today. (The Fuel for School rebate begins today, so I couldn't purchase this stuff yesterday)

Kellogg's Special K w/ Berries 2@ $2.50ea
Raisin Bran Crunch 2@ $2.50ea
Keebler Fudge Stripe cookies 2@ $2.00ea
Kelloggs NutriGrain bars 2@ $2.50ea
Kellogs PopTarts 2@ $2.00ea
Snickers 2@ $ .50ea (I had to add these to use my RR - have to have the right number of coupons per items and I had too many coupons)

Total before coupons $24.00

Total Mfg coupons $5.00
Used 2 $5 RR 10.00

Total with tax after coupons $9.63

I will send in for the Fuel for school Rebate - $10.00
I also received 2 more $5 RR

Monday, August 4, 2008

Walgreens Trip - 8/3 Ad

Here is what I bought for this week's trip:

Puffs 3box pack $2.49
Glade Air deodorizer 2@ $2.99ea
Windex 2@ $2.50ea
Glade Candle 1.99
6pk Highlighters 2@ 2.50ea
10pk Pens 2@ 1.50ea
Lifesavers (B1G1) 2@ 1.99

Total before coupons $25.45

Total Walgreens coupons $10.64
Total Mfg Coupons $ 6.75

Total after coupons with tax $8.52
Used my Walgreens Gift card - so $0 OOP
Will receive $3 in rebates!