Quick trip to CVS

I got an e-mail from CVS for $5/$30 and wanted to put it to good use.

I went through their ad and my coupons to see what I had, since I have a lot of coupons expiring today and came up with a quick trip.

My plan was to get:

2 Gillette Shampoos (4.99 each, earn 3 ECBs) - $2 MQ

1 Gillette Fusion Gamer razor (7.99 each, earn 4 ECBs) - $4 MQ

2 Centrum Cardio (BOGO 50% off, $9.99 & $4.99) - $3 MQ

1 Clairol Nice & Easy (5.99) - $2 MQ

1 Sudafed (6.49) - $1.50 MQ

This would have given me the Gillette shampoos and razor free after coupons and ECBs. However, my CVS didn't have any of the razors so I just left that off of my order, since I still was spending the $30 before coupons. So here's what I got:

I had $5 in ECBs and a $10 gift card to help bring down my OOP.

Total after coupons, ECBs and gift card + tax: $6.41.

I really like the part of the receipt that states:

"Today You Saved 32.50"

The cashier was impressed and said she wants to go shopping with me!

I earned $6 ECBs for my next trip.

More free batteries

I did a quick run to Winn-Dixie yesterday to pick up the milk I forgot and got more Rayovac batteries. I'm out of coupons, so my stash (about 50 packs) should last me a while ... I hope!

Free Rayovac Batteries

Winn-Dixie has Rayovac batteries on sale this week 10/$10. Match that up with a $1 MQ for some free batteries.

I snagged myself 20 packs today, and still have more coupons. I need to go back to the store and get some milk (the only thing I forgot to get when I was at the store today) and I'll pick up some more!

Confession!

I'm sticking to my resolution of not buying stuff I don't need, and trying to stick to the blogging resolution (more blogging!) But I have a confession to make... I have an expensive habit! I'm addicted to The Republic of Tea's Daily Green Tea, Honey Ginseng flavor. There I've said it and I feel so much better. It's a little expensive, and no, there are no coupons anywhere for it!

I have been able to find it at World Market at the same price ($9.50) as it is online, but I don't have to pay shipping.

Saturday Shopping

Saturday is generally my day to do shopping. Last week I only went to one store, Walmart, because I needed to stock up on some stuff and I had a few coupons that were expiring. I also wanted to see what Christmas stuff Icould get on sale.

My total before coupons was $99.20, after coupons $81.46. Probably more than I should have spent, but I hadn't gone shopping in a couple of weeks. I did get a couple of things for free - 7 lb bag of Iams dog food (coupon from Iams) and Crest Weekly Clean (coupon from Vocalpoint). I also got 2 cans of Progresso soup for $.40 each (priced $1.50 - $1.10 IP).

I got 5 packs of shatterproof ornaments for $.75 each.

Today I didn't want to run around to too many stores, so I did three transactions at 2 different CVS's and 1 Walgreens.

The only reason I did the 2 CVS trips was because I had a coupon that I received in the mail from CVS for $4.00 off 2 Theraflu. Unfortunately, I didn't read the coupon carefully enough at home because I thought it was $4.00 off of 1 but noticed that it was for 2 at the store. I knew that there was another CVS close to the Walgreens, so I stopped by my house and grabbed another coupon I had at home.

CVS Trip #1:


2 Febreze candles ($3.99 - $2 MQ) These were fillers. *Regularly $7.99
1 Huggies Pull-Ups ($9.49 - $2 MQ)
1 CVS Fabric Softener ($3.99) - This was a filler.
3 Johnson & Johnston First Aid Kits ($.99 x 3 - $3/2 MQ) - FREE (coupon was adjusted down to $2.97)

Used: ECBs $7.29 and $7.50

Total: $1.54
Paid using gift card from MyPoints

Total OOP: Zero! Balance on gift card: $1.97

CRTs:
Save $3 on $15 Cosmetics Purchase
Save $1.50 on any Viologie Hair Care
Save $3 on Photo Calendars - order at photo counter
Save $1 on Advil Cold & Sinus 20 ct.

ECBs earned:
None

CVS Trip #2:


2 Theraflu caplets (2/$10 - $4 CVS coupon - $2 IP - $1.50 MQ)

Total: $3.04
Paid with gift card: $1.97

Total OOP: $1.07

CRTs:
$1,000 survey

ECBs earned:
None

Walgreens Trip:

2 Reynolds Wrap ($.99 weekly saver price)
2 Quaker Oatmeal ($1.99 weekly saver price - $1 MQ)
2 Softsoap ($.99 weekly saver price - $.50 MQ)
2 Splenda with fiber ($4.29 - $.55 MQ) *These were not included in the weekly saver price
1 Splenda granulated ($2.99 weekly saver price - $.55)
2 Arm & Hammer laundry detergent ($6.99 BOGO)
2 Electrasol Gel Tabs ($3.49 - $2.50 MQ) *Earns $1.50 Easy Saver Rebate*
2 Hunts Tomato sause (3/$1 weekly saver price)

Total OOP: $26.92

WAG Coupon Savings: 10.83
WAG Advertised Savings: 11.99
MFG Coupon Savings: 9.65
TOTAL SAVINGS: 32.47

Since the amount I paid is less than the amount of savings, I'm gonna call it a good shopping trip!

I also got a MQ redeemable at Walgreens for $2 off three (3) packages of Quaker Instant Oatmeal or Quaker Old Fashioned or Quick Oats.

Reflection! - Part II

In trying to implement my desire to do more blogging, I've come to realize that I need to get myself back to a state of organization that I haven't seen in many, many years.

I started this past weekend by going through a couple of the piles of papers that I have accumulated. I know that organization will simplify my life, I've just not been able to keep up with it. That being said, this 4-day weekend is probably going to be consumed with paper!!

This is a task that is going to require a lot of upkeep and decision making on my part, which is why I'm making it one of the many resolutions that I have for 2009.

Reflection!

I have not done a lot of posting over the last few weeks. I've even cut back on the amount of shopping I've been doing. Which leads me to wondering what I want to make as my New Year's resolution, and I think I've come up with a couple of things...

I want to blog more. I've got a pretty good stockpile of razors, shampoo, conditioner, lotion and smell good stuff (candles) right now, so I'm going to search for deals that will reduce my food budget and see what can be "bought" for free! Even if I'm not going to buy anything myself, I'm going to try to post deals that I find.

I REALLY want to reduce my food budget. It's really hard for me because we don't have a Kroger, Safeway, Aldi or any other discount food store. I will see what deals are in the Winn-Dixie, Target, Wal-mart, CVS and Walgreens and share what I find.