CVS Shopping Trip 7/24/2011

After my $10 gas card and $15 ECB.....I paid $37.52 for the above pictured items!!!  I purchased 3 boxes of Claritin Reditabs 10ct, Opti-Free Contact Solution (Value Pack), 2 boxes of cereal, 2 boxes of Rice Krispie Treats, 8pk Bounty Paper Towels, 4 pk Charmin Toilet Paper, 1 Skintimate Shave Gel, 3 New Skintimate Shave Cream, 2 Crest Pro-Health Whitening Toothpastes, 3 Softsoap, 2 pkg Crystal Light Flavor Packets, 8ct Paper Mate Pens, 1 Birthday Card & 3 M&Ms.  Here's how...

• I purchased 3 boxes of Claritin Reditabs for Andrew.  These were priced at $9.99 and are part of the free gas deal.  I bought 3 boxes and used 3 $4/1 coupons.  I paid $17.97 for all 3 boxes and received a $10 gas card!  I did have to pick up M&Ms to get to the $30 limit for the gas card (I was $0.03 short)  The M&Ms were buy 2 get 1 free.  They were $1.08 each.
• Opti-Free Contact Solution $14.99.  Buy 1 receive $5 ECB.  I used a MC for $3/1.  I paid $11.99 and received $5 ECB back for a final cost of $6.99 for this value pack!
• Post Cereal on sale 2/$4.  I used MC $1/2 and bought 2 boxes of cereal for $3 or $1.50 per box.
• Rice Krispie Treats on sale for $1.79.  I bought 2 boxes.
• 8 pk Bounty Paper Towels $7.99.  I used MC $1/1 for a final cost of $6.99.
• 4 pk Charmin Toilet Paper on sale for $2.99.  I used $0.25/1 for a final cost of $2.74.
• Skintamite Shave Gel on sale for $2.19.  I used MC for $0.75/1 for a final cost of $1.44.
• Skintamite Shave Cream.  This is a new product marked at $2.19.  I bought 3 and used MC $1.50/1 and 2-$1/1 coupons for a final cost of $1.02 each.
• Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste on sale for $2.99 and receive $2 ECB.  I bought 2 and used 2 MC for $0.75/1 for a final cost of $0.24 each.
• Softsoap Deal.  Buy 3 any Softsoap and receive $3 ECB.  I bought 2 Softsoap Pampered Hands for $2 each and used 2 MC $1/1 and 1 Softsoap Shea Butter and used a MC $0.35/1.  I paid $3.65 and received $3 ECB for a final cost of $0.65 for all 3!
• 2 pkg Crystal Light Flavor Packs.  These are on sale 2/$5 plus I used MC $1/2 for a final cost of $2 each.
• 8 ct PaperMate Pens priced at $1.99 and receive $1.99 ECB for FREE pkg of pens.
• Birthday Card for $0.99

I paid $62.52 out of pocket and received $10 gas card and $15 ECB.  Final price for everything when considering the gas card and ECBs=$37.52!  My total savings today was $77.02!!!

More School Supplies at Staples

More school supply shopping today.  I only paid $7.74 for everything pictured above!  I did pick up some toilet paper only because it was marked down to a great price.

• Charmin Basic 16 pk Double Rolls are priced at $4.99. 
• 2-12pk #2 pencils for $4 or $2 each
• 1 Box 24 ct Crayola Crayons $1
• 1-4 pk Dry Erase Markers $3
• 1 pkg Washable Crayola Markers $4
• 1 pkg Crayola Twistable Colored Pencils $6
• 2 pk Yellow Highlighter $0.01
• 1 pkg #2 pencils $0.01
• Crayola Colored Pencils 24 ct $4
• 1 pkg Multi-Colored Highlighters $2

I used a coupon from the Staples ad in the Sunday paper for $5/$25 purchase.  Then I used $16.70 Staples Rewards that I had.  I paid a whopping $7.74 out of pocket for all the above listed items!!!

Zhu Zhu Pets and More!!!

My All Time Favorite Shopping Trip!!!

This was my all-time favorite shopping trip!  Probably because the boys were so happy and had so much fun shopping with me.  Where did we shop?  CVS of course.  Let me start with the best deal:  CVS has all Zhu-Zhu pets and accessories priced 5 for $10!  $2 each!!!  The CVS manager at our store is awesome!  He saw the boys and I (of course, he recognizes me from shopping there once a week) and confirms the price.  There were limited Zhu-Zhu accessories on the shelf.  He personally went to the back and brought the entire cart (probably 8 ft tall) of Zhu-Zhu accessories out from the back.  He proceeded to tell us the best deals.  We came home with the Battle Arena, 2 centers that connect to the arena, a vehicle (Nicholas picked out) and a new Zhu-Zhu pet (Andrew picked out).  All 5 items for $10!  At regular price, these items would have cost $99.84!  WOW!  The boys left the store giddy with happiness.  They thanked the manager as we walked out of the store.  That's why this was my all-time favorite shopping trip.

Other savings.  Of course, there are other great deals at CVS this week.  Here is what I took advantage of.

• Pepsi Products 12 pk 3/$10 receive $3 ECB.  This makes the price 3/$7.
• Scott 6 pk Paper towels $4.77.  Use the MC $1/1. Final cost $3.77.
• Gillette Fusion Hydra Shave Gel trial size $2.27 receive $2 ECB.  Use MC $1/1.  Makes this FREE!  I was unable to find this size.
• Pantene ProV shampoo and conditioner 2/$6.97 and receive $2 ECB.  Use MC $3/2 and get both products for $0.99 each.
• Crest toothpaste $1.99 and receive $1 ECB.  Use the MC $0.75/1.  I bought 2 of these using 2 coupons.  I bought both toothpastes for $0.24 each.
• Xtra 2X laundry detergent 28 loads $1.49.  Use the MC $1/2 for a final cost of $0.99.  I could not find this coupon but still bought 2 of these for a great low price. 
• Of course, my Zhu-Zhu Pets deal 5/$10.  I bought 5 for a cost for $10.

My final out of pocket expense was $34.13.  I earned $10 ECB to use next time.  My total savings was $118.13!  WOW!!!

Super Target Groceries and School Supplies-----GREAT DEALS!

Once again, I am in love with Super Target!  I found some great deals on groceries and school supplies today.

Groceries

• Poptarts 12 count box (that's the large box) are priced at 2/$5.  I bought 3 boxes and used the Target coupon for $1/3 plus the Manufacturer coupon for $2/3.  For a total cost of $4.50 for 3 or $1.50 per 12 count box!  
• Newton Fruit Cookies marked down to $3.  I use a Target coupon for $1/1 and a MC for $1/1 and paid $1 for a box of cookies.
• The boys had Lunchables for lunch.  These were marked down to $1 each.
• Kraft Mac & Cheese is marked down to $1 each. Of course the boys picked out the SpongeBob and Cars Movie shaped mac & cheese.....cheap summer lunch.
• 1 lb Driscoll Strawberries priced at $1.99. I used a Target coupon for $1/1 and paid $0.99.
• Morningstar products on sale for $2.99. I bought 2 and used Target coupon for $1/2 and paid $4.98 for both or $2.49 each.
• Mentos UP2U Gum $1.27. Use the $1/1 manufacturer coupon and pay $0.27.
• Up & Up Nail Polish Remover $0.97. Use the Target coupon for $0.50/1 and pay $0.47.

Check out the Hip2Save website for more great deals that I didn't take advantage of.

School Supplies

• Sharpie Permanent Marker 2 count is priced at $1.  Use the Target coupon for $1/1 = FREE
• Scotch Magic Tape priced at $1.  Use the Manufacturer coupon for $1/1 = FREE     I paired this with another manufacturer coupon for $0.50/1 and bought 2 tapes for $0.50 or $0.25 each!
• Papermate Eagle Pens 10 ct pack priced at $1.02.  I used the Target coupon for $1/1 = $0.02
• Elmer's Glue 4 oz is marked down to $0.40.

There are a number of other school supply deals that I did not need.  

My total savings on a bill of $218.58 (including 2 toys that the boys bought) was $41.07!  I saved close to 20% off my total bill!

FREE School Supplies

I know it's only July but I could not pass up this weeks Staples ad.  I may even go back later this week.  I spent around $200 in one trip on school supplies last year and about fell over.  Luckily, the school here handed out the supply list at the end of the school year so I have all summer to buy supplies.  I just received $24.60 in Staples Rewards from recycling printer ink and from my previous purchases.  Awesome!  I received this amount in 2 different emails.  One for $10 and one for $14.60.  I have not used Staples Rewards before so this was a learning experience for me.  I thought that I would use the $10 award today so I picked up enough items to reach that value....or so I thought.  I purchased 2 clipboards priced at $1.99 each,  2 Composition books priced at $0.77 each, a 2 pk of child scissors for $2 and a 3 pk of Lg Elmer's Glue Sticks for $4.  That should equal over $10.

When I checked out, my total came to $7.89.  I asked the clerk if I could use my $10 Staple Rewards and keep the amount I didn't use or if I should go pick up additional items to reach $10.  He informed me that I would get credit for the amount not used.  Sure enough!  At the end of my receipt printed a credit of $2.11.  Nice!  So, I bought a 2 pk of child scissors (one for each child's class) for $1 (they were priced at $2 but were on sale), 3 pk Elmers Lg Glue Sticks apparently marked down to $0.01 since they were out of Staples glue that was posted in the ad---BONUS!!!!, a pack of eraser caps priced at $0.01, 2 clipboards marked down to $1.34 and 2 composition books priced at $0.77 each.  Basically, I walked out with a bag full of school supplies and didn't pay anything out of pocket!  It was all FREE!!!!  I'll be back to use the rest of my Staples Rewards!

CVS Shopping Trip 7/12/2011

Okay, I need to get back in the routine of posting on my blog more often.  It's been hard with the kids home for summer break.  I have still been searching for deals at CVS and Super Target.  I've also started shopping more at Staples.  I'll post that shopping trip later.

I have not been impressed by the CVS gas deals.  It seems that they have cut back on their ECB deals because of this offering.  There are still good deals out there just fewer and farther in between.  Today I purchased 4-12pk Coke Zero, 1 box Fruit Loops cereal, 1 box Raisin Bran cereal, 1 Bic Soleil Shimmer razor, 2-3pk Dial bar soap, 3 Skintimate shave gels and 1 Balance energy bar.  I paid $19.76 out of pocket for all of the above items and received $5.69 ECB to use during my next shopping trip.

Here is how to take advantage of the above deals.

• I planned on purchasing the Complete Multi-purpose contact solution for $7.99 and receive $7.99 ECB for FREE (limit 1) contact solution but my local CVS was sold out of this.
• The Balance Bar was $1.69 and receive $1.69 ECB to make this FREE (limit 1)
• Coke products: Buy 3-12pk for $10 get 1-12pk FREE.  So, Coke 12pk is 4/$10 a great price for around here!  I purchased 4-12pk Coke Zero for $10.
• Kellogg's Cereal 2/$5 plus recieve $1 ECB when you purchase 2. This brings the price down to 2/$4.  I purchased a box of Fruit Loops (picked by the boys) and a box of Raisin Bran.  I used a coupon for $0.75/2 plus received $1 ECB for a total of $1.62 per box.  I've done better but still think that is a good deal for name brand cereal.
• Skintimate Shave Gel is on sale this week for $1.99 each.  A good price for this shave gel.  I bought 3.
• Bic Soleil Shimmer Razor is priced at $6.99.  Use the MC for $3/1 plus receive $3 ECB bringing the total cost of this razor to $0.99!
• Dial Bar Soap is BOGO.  The 3 pk is priced at $2.77 the second pack is free.
• I had $9.00 ECB from my spring spending (you receive $ back with ECB quarterly depending on your spending during that quarter) plus I had a $1 ECB for and additional $10 off my total bill.
• My total out of pocket spending today was $19.76 and I received $5.69 ECB to use during my next shopping trip.  If you consider the ECB I earned today my total would be $14.07.  Good deals!