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Friday, January 29, 2010

FREE Garnier Fructis Shampoo/Conditioner!

I told myself I was not going to go get 8 free bottles of Garnier Fructis shampoo/conditioner at Rite Aid on Sunday... It's bad to lie to yourself, isn't it? I'm sorry, but I can't resist FREE. FREE beckons me, calls to me, BEGS me to go take it! So I will. Here's the deal.

Garnier Fructis 2.50 each (starting Sunday at Rite Aid)
Grab 8 of them = $20

- $5 off $20 Video Values coupon (make sure the cashier scans this coupon first!)
- $8 x $1/1 off Garnier Fructis Rite Aid Video Values coupon
- $7 x $1/1(RP 1-10) Garnier Fructis MQ (you can use 8, but this will result in overage which might not go over well with the cashier, so use your judgment here)
= FREE! (or $1 MM)

About Video Values Rite Aid coupons. Go here to see what it's all about, but basically, you watch a quick commercial, and then win a coupon to print at the end. Earn 20 video credits, and you get that sweet $5/20 coupon (takes 15-20 min to earn). The best part, you can print MULTIPLE copies of each coupon INCLUDING the $5/20 to use on all your upcoming RA trips!

*A Quick Note- I really like this deal, because even for those of you who don't clip coupons from the paper yet, you can still get a good deal on this, since you can sign up TODAY for the Video Values coupons. The shampoo won't be free for you, but it will be $7 for 8 bottles, which is not bad for getting your feet wet and starting to see if you want to pursue "this couponing thing"!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

No shopping lately

I miss blogging about my deals every day! Unfortunately, I just haven't been shopping. Money is a bit low since we are saving for a big move (in 30 days- yikes!!) so we've just been living off of what I've already bought. I DID go snag some free Gatorade at Giant yesterday (on sale for $1 and I had $0.50/1 coupons), but nothing other than that.

I'm really bummed about the lack of funds this week b/c there are some really good diaper/wipe sales going on! I posted about the Pampers deal at Target, but also at Walgreens, if you buy $25 of Huggies, you get $5 RR, and I saw my friend do this deal for baby wipes!

Oh well, the one thing you have to remember in this business is that THERE WILL ALWAYS BE ANOTHER DEAL!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Great Diaper Deal at Target!

There is a great deal on Pampers at Target this week. Buy 3 packs at $8.99, get a $5 Target gift card. If you use the $2 Target Pamper coupons and $2 manufacturer coupons on Pampers (both from the 12/06/09 inserts), you get them for $4.99 ea, so only $9.98 for 3 packs of diapers after the giftcard!

Friday, January 22, 2010

Target Trip

I went to Target tonight to buy some formula and baby food. Here is what I got:

1 tub Pampers baby wipes
2 12.5oz cans formula
1 24oz can of formula
10 cans ready-feed formula (32 oz each, one can feeds DD for one day)
1 Pedialyte
4 Gerber infant cereal
10 Earth's Bes Organic baby food jars
3 2-Pk Gerber baby food

Total before coupons/formula checks: $122.03

Total paid (after coupons/formula checks): $43.17

With this purchase, I am happy to announce that I have enough baby food and formula to last DD now until at least the end of February/early March, if not a bit longer. Also, I will not be purchasing anything that is not a deal I can't pass up as we now have a sufficient stockpile of everything (except perishables) to last us at least the next 6 weeks, so m shopping will slow down a bit.

Rite Aid $35 Visa Card Rebate (#1)

Right now Rite Aid is offering a $35 Visa card rebate when you buy $100 worth of select P&G products. You all know me, so you know I'm not actually going to spend $100 of my own money, LOL. Luckily, you can use coupons AND do it in multiple transactions, so here was my first transaction I did yesterday:

$6.99 - 1 Always 44ct pad
$3.99 - 1 Always 18ct pad
$3.99 - 1 Dayquil 12 ct

-$3.99 BOGO Always coupon
-$2.00 Vicks Dayquil coupon

Total: $9.53

BUT, I will get back $3.99 for the Dayquil from my Health FSA, $3 in Single Check Rebates (thru Rite-Aid), so, I spent $2.54, with $14.97 counting towards my $100 rebate!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Giant- Spent $42.64 Saved $78.74

Thanks to the P&G deal I posted about on Friday, I did pretty well at Giant today:

3 packs of 24 double roll Charmin (24 double rolls each = 144 rolls OR enough toilet paper to see me through May)
2 Tide 2x Laundry detergent
21 Ronzoni SmartTaste Pasta (basically, enough spaghetti pasta for at least a month, maybe a bit longer)
1 Ensure 6 pack

Total before coupons: $118.93

Total after coupons: $42.64

PLUS, with the P&G deal, I got a coupon for $10 off my next order. The sweetest thing about it: the person in front of me left a coupon for "FREE Eggs with $10 purchase". He said he didn't want it (I made sure to ask), so I gladly took it!

I'll be going again this evening!

Friday, January 15, 2010

GREAT Catalina at Giant this week!

This week at Giant, they are offering a GREAT deal!

Buy $30 P&G Products and receive a coupon for $10 off your next shopping trip! Click here to find their weekly circular!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

A Small Sample

A few people have asked for a pic or two of my stockpiles. I have decided to oblige with these two pics.



This is what I've bought for baby food/formula in the last two weeks. Spent about $30 oop for all this- including the formula you see.



My current HBA (health & beauty) stockpile. This is what was left after Christmas and what I've bought over this last week. Look closely, as you can't see everything at first glance. Also, keep in mind I've got another (small) box of stuff in storage, and I gave away about 12 small giftbags of various shampoo, shave gel, toothpaste, etc for Christmas.

Rite Aid Trip 1/11

First off, happy birthday to my wonderful husband of almost 4 years! LOVE YOU!

Went to Rite Aid yesterday to attempt this scenario from Deal Seeking Mom. Turns out, they didn't have the smaller sizes needed, so I had to use the rest of my gift card and spend some more money oop, but didn't do too bad.

1 Lubriderm Lotion
1 Aveeno Lotion
1 Aveeno Conditioner
1 Clean & Clear Foam Cleanser
1 Clean & Clear Astringent

Total before coupons: $33.03
Total after coupons: $12.27 (Used $6.31 left on gift card) spent $5.96.

So, $5.96, BUT with the Johnson & Johnson $10 rebate, I'll have made $4.04!

Also did two more trips to Harris Teeter to finish up Super Doubles. I have so much stuff, I don't even know what to do. Totals updated!

Lastly, my lovely friend Jeannette was so kind as to send me $15 in rebate checks she received from SC Johnson! I will add that to my savings.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Updated totals!

Did some shopping this weekend- Too many trips to post them all as I've hit Harris Teeter every day along with CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens. Will post about my Rite Aid trip that I will make tonight, tomorrow! I did update my totals ---> (see "About my Budget").

Friday, January 8, 2010

Rite Aid Update

Yesterday in the mail, I received a nice letter from Rite Aid, thanking me for being a customer and taking the time to report a not-so-good experience in addition to a good experience at a different store later in the day. Included in the letter was a $10 Rite Aid gift card!

So, I'll still be shopping at Rite Aid. I should add that both times I called, they asked for specific details about my experience including the names of employees there so they could pass the feedback along, so make sure you are honest in your feedback to them!

Day 2 of HT SD- Spent $28.55, Saved $106.22

Day Two of Harris Teeter Super Doubles- Here is the breakdown:

3- Cans of formula- $50 at retail, but w/formula checks and coupons I paid $17
(one 26oz can and two 13oz cans)
2- Packages of beef
1- Package of hamburger
4- Package of Gerber baby food
1- Gallon of Milk
2- Herbal Essences Shampoo/Conditioner
2- V8 Fusion 46oz
1- Arm & Hammer Toothpaste
1- Olay Soap Bar 2-Pack
9- Jello Gelatin
3- Marie Callendar HomeStyle Creations
3- Pasta Roni
2- Cans of chicken meat
1- Prego pasta sauce
1- 3pack of Ivory bar soap

Total before coupons and sales: $134.77
Total after coupons and sales: $28.55

So, basically, I paid for formula, milk, and meat. The rest was free or under $0.50. I'm especially proud of the formula b/c for $17, I got enough formula to last DD for at least 2 weeks, which is awesome!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Spent $9.10, Saved $70.72

Can I just say that I LOVE HT Super Doubles?!? I went last night and rocked it. Here is the breakdown:

2- Packs of Ziploc EZ Zip Expandable Bags
6- Pasta Roni
2- Arm & Hammer laundry detergent
1- Olay Soap Bar 2-Pack
9- Jello Gelatin
3- Marie Callendar HomeStyle Creations
3- V8 Fusion 46oz
1- Campbell's Select Harvest soup
2- Crest Whitening Expressions toothpaste
2- Herbal Essences Shampoo/Conditioner

Total before coupons and sales: $79.82
Total after coupons and sales: $9.10

When I walked up to the register with my cart and coupons, the cashier said "Think you're going to save a lot of money today?" And I said "Yes, I probably won't pay more than $10 bucks." She looked at me like I was crazy, so after I paid I said "You didn't believe me, did you?" Hehehee

My friend, Jess, went with me, spent $11 and saved $67. We're going back today for day two!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Just had to post this:

Picture of my little cutey. I can't believe she'll be 6 months old in a little over two weeks.

Where are my V8 Fusion fans?

I LOVE V8 Fusion juice. I really do. And I'm SOOOOO excited to tell you that you can get it at Harris Teeter this week for $0.50/bottle!

Go here to print your two coupons. Take it to Harris Teeter where they are having it on sale 2 for $5, give them the coupons (which will double thanks to Super Doubles) to pay $1 for two bottles!

FREE Glade Candles!

Who doesn't LOVE free stuff?

I did this transaction at WAGs yesterday:

$10- ($2.50 ea) 4 Glade glass candle holders
$10- ($2.50 ea) 4 Glade candle refill packs
-$1.50 Any Glade scented oil candle item coupon
-$1.50 Any Glade scented oil candle item coupon
-$1.50 Any Glade scented oil candle item coupon
-$1.50 Any Glade scented oil candle item coupon
-$2.50 FREE Glade refill wyb (when you buy) candle holder coupon
-$2.50 FREE Glade refill wyb candle holder coupon
-$2.50 FREE Glade refill wyb candle holder coupon
-$2.50 FREE Glade refill wyb candle holder coupon
+ $1 Tax

Total: $5! (Total without coupons: $34.78 at regular prices, $21 at sales prices)

I'm going to use this receipt to submit for the $5 SC Johnson Rebate (click here for details).

$5 - $5 = FREE!

The candle holders are actually really nice, and since my MIL (mother-in-law) LOVES candles, I've got gifts for her birthday, Mother's day, and a couple other gift-giving occasions throughout the year!

Also made a run to Giant- Bought 8 boxes of Cheerios, 2 Green Giant steamable veggies, and splurged on a magazine. Spent $15.55.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Free Stuff Giveaway?!

While going through my coupons today, I noticed another BOGO Nivea Lip Care Coupon! That means I can get two more- FREE!

So, I was thinking, maybe one of my readers could benefit from my good fortune as well. Maybe if I get some comments on some of my blog posts, I would be willing to give away a free Nivea Lip Care! Hmmm, the possibilities... :)


SUPER DOUBLES at Harris Teeter!

Starting tomorrow, Harris Teeter will be doing Super Doubles through 1/12! (They will double coupons up to $1.98!) See here for more discussion on this, as well as a preview for what is on sale (and what you may be able to get for free!)

Other normal doubling restrictions apply as outlined in their coupon policy.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Rite Aid Has Redeemed Themselves

Thanks to the Gainesville store.

I went to the Gainesville Rite Aid tonight on my way home. COMPLETELY different experience than earlier! The girl said "hi" to me when I came in, she told me two different places to look for Nivea, they were out of Stayfree but she took my name and number and said they get a shipment on Saturday and she would call, and she gave me a raincheck. She even complimented my choice of Nivea (little did she know I took all but one, and the only reason I didn't take the last one was b/c it wouldn't have been free without another one, LOL). It was fabulous. So, I called customer service back and had them put a report in her file about how nice she was.

So, I will continue to shop at the Rite Aid in Gainesville, and will avoid the McLean store like the plague.

Used the last of my giftcard to buy a Listerine mouthwash for $2.50, but I will get a SCR of $3, so I really MADE $0.50 off that transaction.

Did a second transaction to buy 10 Nivea lip care- paid $1.84 after coupons, saved $32.91!!!

CVS Challenge 2010 Begins!

Last week I posted here about showing everyone how to do CVS deals like me. I challenged myself to start with $20 and not pay anymore (unless tax) for things for the rest of the year. It's going to be difficult, but I'm going to try. Here is what I did today!

CVS is currently having an ECB sale where if you spend $10 on Nivea Products, you get $5 back. It just so happens that in yesterday's paper, there were several Nivea coupons:

-Nivea Lip Care, buy any one .17oz and get one Nivea Lip Care .17 oz. free valid up to $3.99
-$5/2 Nivea Body Lotion (13.5 fl oz, 250 ml), any
-$2/1 Nivea Body Lotion (13.5 fl oz, 250 ml), any
-$2/1 Nivea Body Wash for Women (16.9 fl oz, 500 ml), any

Here was my transaction:

2 Nivea Body Wash ($5.99)
1 Revlon (cleananced cosmetic!) ($2)
1 Revlon (cleananced cosmetic!) ($2)
-$2 Revlon Color Cosmetic product (from 12/13 paper)
-$2 Revlon Color Cosmetic product (from 12/13 paper)
-$2/1 Nivea Body Wash for Women
-$2/1 Nivea Body Wash for Women
Total: $8.73 (BUT, I received $5 ECB for the Nivea deal).

Also, CVS gives you ECB at the end of each quarter based on how much you spent during that quarter. I got a nice coupon for $4 ECB on my receipt for my Fall spending!

So- spent $8.73, have $9 ECB to roll into next week!

I also made a small trip to Giant today during lunch, picked up 6 boxes of Pillsbury brownies and 2 things of floss for $3.25.

Rude at the Rite-Aid in McLean!

So, I went back and showed them the policy. The manager maintained that she'd done it right and told me that I was wrong. Then, I just asked for a return and she said fine. She gives me my money back, and then BEFORE I EVEN LEAVE THE COUNTER, she starts talking to the cashier about me! About how I don't know what I'm talking about (nevermind that I showed her Rite-Aid's own coupon policy that proves she is wrong). I will not be shopping at THAT Rite Aid again.

I just got off the phone with customer service rep Steven (who was very nice) and he assures me that this is not a habit in Rite-Aid stores.

Going Back to Rite-Aid... For a Refund

One of the lovely ladies over at Hot Coupon World (see links) directed me to Rite-Aid's coupon policy. (Let me take a moment to saw I LOVE HCW and highly, Highly, HIGHLY recommend you join up there if you haven't already).

This is the OFFICIAL Rite- Aid Coupon Policy (as applies to my situation):

"If a customer presents a Buy One Get One Free coupon for the purchase of two items that are on a Buy One Get One Free promotion; we accept the coupon, essentially making both items free." Not half off, not half off a half minus the half plus half or whatever crazy "half" interpretation you come up with. FREE. (With tax)

So, looks like I'm going back to Rite-Aid to get some money back.

Rite-Aid Trip... Disappointing

Using coupons does not always work out the way you want it to, and with success sometimes comes failure.

Rite-Aid this morning went horribly, horribly wrong.

Rite-Aid has a sale where all Stayfree products are BOGO free, and all Nivea Lip Care are BOGO free. Yesterday's paper came out with BOGO coupons, so, in a perfect world, I would have paid only tax for 6 Stayfree and 6 Nivea. This was my plan.

Went in at 7:15. Got 6 Stayfree, 6 Nivea Lip care, and 1 Listerine. Went to register. Cashier said computers were down so they had to do everything manually and could only take cash. I say that's fine, as I have cash. Well, the cashier (who was very nice, btw) kind of freaked a bit at my coupons (BOGO for Stayfree and Nivea), so she called the manager. What SHOULD have happened, was I SHOULD have paid ONLY $5.37 (BOGO sale plus BOGO coupons SHOULD equal paying only tax plus price of Listerine).

The manager decided that the ad meant that the Stayfree and Nivea Lipcare should be entered as half off, and that my coupon applies to one of the halves. So, two of my Stayfree were $6.99- she entered them in as $3.49 each and took off one, so I paid $3.49 for two. And on this went. I finally got out of the store at 8:00am. What was supposed to be a quick transaction ended up being 45 minutes. Good thing I didn't use all my BOGO coupons.

My total was $20.41 and I'll submit the receipt for the $3 SCR (Single Check Rebate that Rite-Aid does monthly). I'm not that upset about it, b/c full price would have been $60.25, so I saved 66%, but it's disappointing.

It's important to remember two things when transactions don't work out:

1) You never win by losing your temper.
2) Courtesy gets you further than rudeness.

So even though I was overcharged, I kept my head, remained polite, and I've learned my lesson for next time.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

SFW 1/2/10

Went to SFW today for their $1/lb chicken sale. It's a good thing I went early b/c the sale started today and there was hardly anything left. I saw 8 packages, and I took 4, which amounted to 18lbs of chicken. DH assures me he can make it stretch for at least two weeks. Here is a breakdown of what I spent:

$17.84 lbs of chicken
$7.79 hair color (No, I did not use a coupon, but I really wanted to treat myself to a new hair color since I haven't really changed anything since getting pregnant with DD, but in my defense, I got the cheapest brand that had the color I wanted)
$0.84 tax.

Total: $26.47, but again, I used the giftcard I got for Christmas (thanks Aimee!) so I spent nothing oop.

Total left on giftcard: $12.76

Friday, January 1, 2010

First Trip of the New Year

Hit Giant tonight. Here is what I got:

1- All Laundry Detergent
2- Pillsbury Brownie Mix
2- Pillsbury Frosting
3- Pasta Roni
4- Progresso Veg Classics soups
2- Green Giant Veggie Steamers
1- Ronzoni Smart Taste thin sphagetti pasta

Total before coupons/sales: $32.04
Bonus Card Savings: $11.71
Coupon savings: $10.10
Tax: $0.54

TOTAL PAID: $10.77
However, I used the $50 gift card I got for Christmas (thanks Aimee!), so I paid nothing oop.

Happy New Year! Time for a New Start!

Happy New Year to all my family, friends, and readers! I'm so excited that 2010 is here at last!

As many of you know, it was my goal to do a $2500 spending challenge for 2010. I am sticking to that, and I am also adding another new goal for 2010. I want to put an extra $2500 in savings by the end of the year.

Here are the guidelines for my challenge:

-Money from mail-in-rebates (MIRs) can either be put in savings or re-invested back into my grocery budget.
-I am starting 2010 off with a $50 Visa giftcard I got for Christmas, $50 in MIR money I am expecting at any time, and a decent stockpile of laundry detergent and HBA items (such as shampoo, razors, and toothpaste).
-Each time I go shopping, I will make a list of what I spent, what I saved, and what I got.
-I will keep totals throughout the year of what I spend and save.

Here's to a great 2010!