CVS Savings Week of 8/8

This week at CVS ended up breaking my order into two transactions.  I decided that since I have stopped nursing, I would like to go back on Alli.  CVS had the refill kit (120 pills) for $49.99.  I ended up paying $37.29 after using my coupons.  I used a $5 off $25, and the $11 ECBs I earned last week.  Now to the real CVS shopping which took place on my second order.

Spent:  $12.44
Saved:  $27.75
Earned:  $7 ECBs
Used: $5 off $25
Items Purchased:
4 2-liters of Diet Coke
2 packs of Huggies wipes (216 wipes in each)
1 Schick Hydro 5 razor
1 Schick shave gel

The wipes were $6 each and if you spent $10 in Huggies products you received $3.00 ECBs. I also had coupons for $2.00 off each so I spent $8.00 out of pocket but received $3 back. This made the wipes $2.50 each.

The razor was another ECB special, with the purchase of 1 you received $4.00 in ECBs. The razor was $8.97 but I also had a $5 off coupon.  This made the razor $3.97 out of pocket and then I received $4 for next time.  I was also lucky enough to grab a razor with a tear off coupon that gave me a free shave gel with the purchase of the razor.  I was able to pick this up for free, it had originally be $4.29.

Diet Coke was not a planned item for me, however I received a $1 of 2 from the Extra Care machine.  Coke was on sale 2 for 3 and I found a bottle that had a coupon for a free 2 liter when you purchase 3.  I grabbed 4 and ended up getting all 4 for $3.50 or $0.88 each.

I decided to go ahead with my Walgreens ban and it made my shopping this week much less stressful.  I

Coupon Savings Week of 8/1 - My Second Week Back in the Game

This week can be easily summed up as cereal week for me.  I was able to get some great deals on cereal and replenish our supply that has diminished since March. I ended up with 19 boxes of cereal!  To some of you this may seem excessive, however my family goes through cereal rather quickly.  The boys usually have it for breakfast and a before bed snack (sometimes I join them).  Daphne loves trying out her new teeth by eating dry cereal.

This week again reminded me how much I enjoy couponing and being able to save my family money.  Our basement storage area is getting so full that we will need to add another set of shelves.  I realize how fortunate we are to need more space for food storage, there are families out there that can barely get anything to eat.  The food pantry at our church needed donations. It felt wonderful to be able to go into my basement and fill bags of food and personal items to donate.  I am trying to be very mindful of when the amount of an item is getting out of control and then donate some of what I have purchased.  Most of the items I donate were free or less than $1 so it is very little out of pocket for me but can make a huge difference for someone else.

This month I mostly donated meal kits, cereal, pasta, and deodorant.  When I first started couponing I was able to get at least 20 bars of deodorant in the first few weeks.  There is no way we would use all of that.  I also accumulated a nice stockpile of cereal and pasta.  All of the pasta was free and the cereal was fairly inexpensive.  After shopping this week the storage area is looking full and in a few weeks will be ready for another round of donations.  I am going to try to donate to the food pantry once a month.

Liam and Evan love to help me bring all my purchases down to the basement for storage.  Liam is old enough now that he can go down to the "store" and pick what he wants.  He always goes down and asks if anyone else wants something.

The only difficult part of having such a great supply of food is that I seem to be the only one that knows what is down there.  I think if everyone in the family knew what we had, we would be enjoying the fruits of my labor much more. Anyone have tips for how to spread the word?

I made it to Meijer, Walgreens, Kroger, CVS and Target this week.  Giant Eagle always throws me off since their ads run Thursday to Wednesday. It did make it nice since I didn't have to stop by there yesterday.  I can easily run to Giant Eagle during lunch next week to pick up the few things that I need.

This week I spent $126.93 on all of our home, grocery and personal care needs.  I saved $204.20. Summaries, spending breakdown by store, and what I purchased can by found below in my earlier posts.

CVS Week of 8/1 - Found a few surprises!

CVS
Spent:  $15.82
Saved:  $18.40
Earned: $11 ECBs
Received:  coupon for $5 off $25 or more and offer for $4 off $20 for updating my email addres
Items Purchased:
10 bottles of Vitamin Water Zero
2 Thermacare Back wraps
3 packs Dentyne Gum

I went to CVS planning to buy just the back wraps because I need them but don't like to purchase them because they are so expensive.  This week they were 2 for $12.98 + you received $5 in ECBs.  I had one $3 off coupon, in hindsight I should have printed a second coupon to save even more but it slipped my mind.

As I was going through my coupons before shopping I found 2 $1.00 off Dentyne gum that were expiring on 8/7.  I figured I could use those to get a pretty good deal on gum. Since CVS was my first stop, I checked the prices there first.  I bought on pack of Dentyne Pure for $1.29. With my coupon it was only $0.29.  Dentyne had the other gum B1G1 free so I was able to get a 2 pack for $0.29 with my coupon. This is only $0.15 per pack!

The surprise for me this week was Vitamin Water being 10 for $10.  I usually wouldn't pay $1 for a bottle of water but if you bought 10 you received $5 ECBs.  Jason and I both like the water so I know we will drink it and at $0.50 per bottle it is easier for me to buy them.

Lastly, I received the $1 ECB for using my Green Bag Tag.  If you shop at CVS and aren't using this, you are missing out.  You purchase the tag and have it scanned every time you make a purchase, including picking up prescriptions in the drive through.  For every 4 scans you receive $1 ECB.

Coupon Savings Week of 5/16 - CVS

I had a horrible experience at CVS this week.  It was so bad that I ended up calling the number on my receipt and completed the survey.  The cashier was completely rude and snippy with me.  I tried to take advantage of the B1G1 on Cover Girl lip gloss by using the CVS sale along with the B1G1 coupon to end up getting them for free.  She wouldn't ring them up for me.  She then took all of my coupons and organized them in some funky order before scanning.  It ended up that my $4 off a $20 order was at the end,  I specifically put the coupon first because I wasn't sure if after all my other coupons the order would still be over $20.  It wasn't but she took the $4 off anyway. This was when she got really nasty with me.  Once it got below $20, I told her that I gave her the coupons in a certain order so I could use my $4 off.  She basically yelled at me and said she would go ahead and take it off.

Check out summary:
Total spent:  $14.58
Total savings: $17.00

Order Summary:
1 jumbo pack Huggies diaper jeans
1 jumbo pack Pampers
1 Listerine Smart Rinse

I couldn't resist the diaper jeans. I think they are so stupid but CVS had sent me a $2 CVS coupon so I was able to stack that with the $3 Huggies coupon, so I figured what the hell might as well see what the fuss is about. 

I also had a $3 CVS coupon for the Pampers and I stacked that with a $1.50 off coupon so the diapers were pretty reasonable.

I bought the Smart Rinse for $5.99 and used a $2 coupon I got from the dentist.  Liam had some major tooth issues and he is almost out of his mouthwash so I couldn't wait for an advertised sale. I was able to find a bottle that included a free travel size so it wasn't too bad of a deal for $3.99.

Coupon Savings Week of 3/21 - CVS

I was able to make it to CVS today since my Granny came over to watch the kids while their swing set was being constructed in the back yard.  I only had a few things on my list, but wanted to make sure I picked them up before the sale and ECBs on these items ended. 

I had to get one unplanned item and that was children's cold medicine.  Evan has been sick for days and I was running low on Triaminic.  Thankfully, I had a $1.50 off coupon and CVS had an instant coupon of $2.00.  Still the medicine cost me $8.50!  I will be sure to keep my eyes out for good stock up prices on medicine for the kids so I don't have to pay retail when they get sick.


Order Summary:
Spent: $23.56
Saved:  $25.94

ECBs earned:  $11.99

Purchased:
2 Jumbo packs Pampers Cruisers Size 4
1 bottle Crest Pro-Health mouthwash
1 tube Colgate toothpaste
1 bottle Triaminic day time
1 bottle Triaminic night time

The diapers were on sale for $8.97 a pack and I earned $3.00 ECBs on the purchase of each pack.  I also had a $2.00 off coupon.  This made the diapers $3.97 a pack after coupons and ECBs. 

The mouthwash was on sale for $3.99, I had a $2.00 off coupon and received $2.00 ECBs.  This means I made $0.01 on the purchase of the mouthwash.

The Colgate was $3.99, I had a $1.00 off coupon and received $3.99 ECBs.  This means I made $1.00 on the purchase of the toothpaste. 

I made sure to scan my bag tag so I am now only 2 scans away from $1.00 of Extra Care Bucks.  For those that don't know.  If you purchase a bag tag at CVS and have it scanned each time you make a purchase, even when picking up prescriptions, you will earn $1.00 every 4 times you have the bag scanned.  I keep my bag tag with my Extra Care card so I don't forget to have it scanned.

Coupon Savings Week of 3/14 - CVS

Order Quick View: 
Spent:  $23.73

Total Savings: $58.53

Earned: $6 ECB

Purchased:
4 Degree for Women
2 Degree for Men
1 Aussie Volume Conditioner
3 6 packs of Scott mega paper towels
2 Purex 3 in 1 laundry sheets

I finally remembered to buy a reusable bag and bag tag this week!  With my first scan, I am only 3 away from $1 in extra care bucks.

I didn't do as well as I would have liked at CVS.  Mostly because of the $2.00 spent on the bag and tag. I also bought the Purex 3 in 1 sheets that were B1G1. They were $10.39 each and even though one was free and I had $2.00 off, it was still $8.39.  I don't typically use this type of laundry soap but found them a godsend when we went to Myrtle Beach. They were much easier to pack and use than liquid soap and dryer sheets.

I was able to get a nice supply of Scott paper towels as well.  They were on sale for $4.99 each and I had $1.00 off. For $3.99 a pack I was able to get 6 of the mega rolls that are pick your size.  The purchase limit on these was 3 so that's what I bought.

Aussie haircare products were on sale for $2.99 and you received $1 ECB with your purchase.  I used a $1 off coupon so this was like getting conditioner for $0.99.  Not the best price but I wanted to try the product.

Lastly, I purchased more deodorant.  Most of what I got for free or $0.50 each over the past two weeks has been Right Guard for men.  I have no issues with using mens deodorant but when presented with the opportunity to get some Degree for women at a good price, I jumped at it! Degree was 2 for $5.  I had coupons that gave $3 off of two.  This took the price to $1.50 each.  CVS was also offering $5 ECB for $15 spent.  I had 3 $3 coupons so I bought 6 sticks at 2 for $5.  With the coupons and ECB the price for all 6 was $1.00, roughly $0.17 a stick.

I was also able to use my $9 in ECB from last week to make the total for my order (with tax) $23.73. I earned another $6.00 in ECB to use if there is anything good next week.

Coupon Savings Week of 3/7 (Part 1)

I was able to stop at CVS and Kroger before heading home today. Did pretty well at Kroger since I had $20 from last week to put toward my order for this week. I also used the three order method this time to maximize my money toward the next order.

This week was all about stocking up on fruit snacks. I bought some last week and the kids have been loving them. Also, if you buy 5 or more you get $3.50 toward your next order. I had two orders with 6 fruit snacks each (my coupon was $0.50 off two) so this let me get $10.50 toward my next order.

In total I spent $19.71 out of pocket at Kroger and I received $10.50 toward my next shopping trip so the actual money spent was $9.21 for all three Kroger orders detailed below.

At CVS I used $3.50 in Extra Care Bucks that I earned last week and spent $22.89 out of pocket. I earned $11 in Extra Care Bucks for my next order so the actual money spent was $11.89 for the items purchased at CVS.

Kroger - Order Number 1:
Spent: $1.84
Total Savings: $25.55
Received $3.50 for my next order
What I purchased:
6 boxes Betty Crocker fruit snacks
2 Betty Crocker mashed potato packets
3 Betty Crocker Warm Delights

Kroger - Order Number 2:
Spent: $17.13
Total Savings: $17.86
Received $3.50 for my next order
What I purchased:
2 Betty Crocker Warm Delights
2 Betty Crocker Mashed Potato packets
6 boxes Betty Crocker fruit snacks
1 bottle of Tide detergent

Kroger - Order Number 3:
Spent: $0.74
Total Savings: $17.20
Received $3.50 for my next order
What I purchased:
6 boxes Betty Crocker fruit snacks

Total Items for All Three Kroger Orders:
6 Betty Crocker Warm Delights
4 Betty Crocker Mashed Potato packets
1 bottle of Tide detergent
18 boxes Betty Crocker fruit snacks

CVS:
Spent: $22.89
Total Savings: $30.74
Earned $11 in Extra Care Bucks to use on my next order
What I purchased:
2 bottles of Cascade liquid dishwasher detergent
1 bottle of Tide detergent
1 Venus Embrace razor kit
1 Hershey bar (Evan was with me)
4 boxes of Raisin Bran

Coupon Savings Week of 2/28 (Part 1)

Kroger is having a great sale this week. I am spending the extra money we have and stocking up on what I can. Ideally once I have a nice stockpile of non-perishable goods, I will be able to spend $30-$70 a week on great deals and replenishing depleted items.

I still have a few items to pick up at Meijer and Walgreens. I might stop back by Kroger tomorrow to stock up on a few more items and use the $9.00 I earned for my next order. I was amazed when the register total before the scanned coupons was $157.00, once all the coupons were applied my total was $67.

The total savings includes coupons, bonus coupons, and card savings.

Kroger:
Spent: $67.49
Total Savings: $144.00
Received $9.00 for my next order
What I purchased:
4 bags Green Giant Steamed Vegetables
4 boxes of Fruit Roll Ups
5 6-packs of Trix Yogurt
3 boxes of GoGurt
11 Betty Crocker Warm Delights
6 bags of Chex Mix (various flavors)
9 cans of Progresso Light Soup
1 Betty Crocker Frosting
4 Betty Crocker Mashed Potato Pouches
4 boxes Fiber One Muffin Mix
6 bags Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters
1 pack Jennie O Turkey Sausage (free with mail in rebate)
3 boxes Chex Mix Bars
1 Tide Detergent
1 Tide Stain Booster
4 boxes Nature Valley Granola Bars

CVS:
Spent: $11.49
Total Savings: $8.55
Extra Care Bucks Earned: 3.50
What I purchased:
4 packs of Bower Bar Energy Gels (for Jason)
1 bottle Excedrin Back and Body
1 Gain Laundry Detergent

Giant Eagle:
Spent: $35.27
Total Savings: $41.71
Received $2.00 for my next order
What I purchased:
10 boxes Kellog's Frosted Mini-Wheats
4 12-packs Diet Dr. Pepper
4 boxes Super Pretzels
3 boxes Special K Granola Cereal
3 boxes Betty Crocker Muffin Mix
2 Coffee Mate Creamers