Is this Legal?

Above is everything I got at CVS today for a grand total of $6.62. I also earned $10 in ECBs to spend on my next visit. The manager was impressed that I keep earning so many extra care bucks...apparently he hasn't figured out the system yet! I'm stocking up for vacation this week:

2 bags peanut M&Ms - 2/$5
1 bottle Dawn dish detergent - $.99 and used $.25 coupon
1 pad of writing paper - $1
6 12-packs of Coke products $3.25/each, plus buy 4 get 1 free (this deal wasn't supposed to kick in until tomorrow, but it was in the computers today!)

used $5/$30 coupon and $11.50 in ECBs
Paid $6.62 out-of-pocket

Nathan's New Toy

Nathan has been wanting a mountain bike for awhile. We went to The Greene tonight to get Easter outfits for the kids and passed a bike shop on our way back to the car. They happened to be having a close-out sale on their '08 bikes, so Nathan got a very good deal on this bike. I'm excited too because now I'm not the only one who can haul the bike trailer!

A Sucker for a Sucker

Nathan's parents bought us our Christmas present tonight. We've been needing a vacuum for a while now, so the gift-giving holiday came at a perfect time. Our old one was in sad shape: its hose attachments are broken, the hose itself has a hole in it, it smells like burning rubber when it runs for more than 2 minutes, the self-propel feature doesn't work, and it barely stands up on its own. They treated us to dinner at LaRosa's and then we all headed to Sears to look at the different models. I hated asking for a vacuum for Christmas (they bought us our current one 5 years ago), but with as much as we vacuum, it was a necessity. Here she is in all her glory:

This baby has lots of bells and whistles and I can't wait to try it out tomorrow (the kids are sleeping as I type and I wouldn't dare do anything to ruin the quiet!). It has a dirt sensor, performance indicator, 3 speeds for the hose attachments (so you don't suck up your curtains trying to remove dust), and an agitator reset button. That last one will be a lifesaver for us. If something gets stuck in the brush (like shoe laces, toy parts, etc.), the brush stops turning until you remove the part and hit the reset button. Pretty cool!

My friend's mom, Kathy, recently blogged about her excitement over getting a new kitchen floor and range for Christmas. She said that it must be showing her age, but I must agree that this new vacuum has me pretty excited as well.

All in an Hour's Work

Since it is a local company, I have the privilege of being on the Evenflo Mom's Panel. Every couple of months (and sometimes more often if I fit the criteria), I get asked to come in and evaluate a new product. Over the past year and a half, I've given my opinion on car seats, car seat fabric, pack 'n plays, strollers, and baby carriers. Usually, they give you a check, but sometimes its a gift card. I even won a new booster seat that they are launching this fall, just for giving my opinion over e-mail on what it's new name should be (I'll post pics. when it comes in the mail).

Today, I got to evaluate car booster seats. I also got to sit next to my friend from high school, Jenny, from Mommin' It Up. This is the first time I've ever been to a focus group where I've known someone, so that made it more fun. After discussing our ideas and opinions for one hour, we were each handed a check for $50. Not bad for an hour's worth of basically not doing much. I've been needing (okay, "wanting") a new pair of jeans and this money will cover that, plus a new shirt or two. Old Navy, here I come!

Helpful Hint

Wal-mart has me frustrated after my last couple of trips, so I thought I'd share what I've learned.

Situation #1 - About a month ago, I tried to use a BOGO coupon on two regular priced bottles of shower gel. The cashier told me that they no longer accept those coupons. I've always used that type of coupon and have had no trouble in the past, so I asked to speak with a manager. She came and gave me a speech about something that had nothing to do with my situation. Then I showed her my coupon and she said, "Oh, she didn't tell me you had a coupon. Yeah, we still take those." So after 15 minutes of debate, I walked out with my free bottle of shower gel. For clarification, while Wal-mart does honor the BOGO coupons on regular priced or sale items, they no longer honor those coupons on items they already have BOGO deals on.

Situation #2 - Apparently, they've been dealing with a lot of coupon fraud lately, mostly relating to internet coupons. The last time I was in there, I had 3 internet coupons that I was trying to use. The cashier informed me that they no longer take internet coupons. WHAT?! I was just in there the week before and had no problem using them. I went to customer service and they told me that they do still take internet coupons, but they must be printed in color. Of course, mine were not because I hate wasting color ink. So, the next time you want to shop at Wal-mart (at least the ones in my area), make sure you print off your coupons in COLOR.

Here's what I learned during my dealings with Wal-mart:
1. Always print your coupons in COLOR. Apparently, it makes you look more honest.
2. The cashiers don't always know what they are talking about. Twice I've been told incorrect
information.
3. Ask to see a manager if you have a dispute over your coupons. You might not get your
way, but at least you've talked to someone in charge that can explain things to you.
4. Low prices don't always mean less headache!

Hopefully, you've found these tips helpful. I'm headed to Wal-mart again tomorrow with color coupons in hand and pray that I will have an uneventful trip. Happy shopping!

CVS - A Love/Hate Relationship

For the most part, I love shopping at CVS. I only buy things on sale that we'll use and that I have coupons for. Combine that with the Extra Care Bucks I earn and it saves us a lot of money. Occasionally, there will be a hiccup in my plans that causes some frustration though.

I got the above items for $2.14 which is awesome, but I had to "fight" for a coupon that should have gone through and didn't. Here's the trip as it transpired:

Transaction #1 -
2 Pantene shampoo, 1 Pantene hairspray - $3.33 each and got the hairspray for free with coupon, earned $2 in ECBs
1 Dawn dish detergent - $.99 and used $.50 off coupon
also used $2/$10 coupon and $5 in ECBs
Total cost: $.43

Transaction #2 -
1 Oil of Olay face wash - $5.89 and used $2 off coupon
2 Colgate toothpaste - $2.99 each and used 2 $1 off coupons, earned $4 in ECBs
2 Cover Girl Outlast Lipstick - $9.99 each and it was buy 1, get 1 free...I also had a BOGO coupon (this didn't ring up...more later)
also used $2/$10 coupon and $7.99 in ECBs
Total cost: $8.71

Transaction #3:
2 boxes Corn Pops - 2/$4, used $1/2 coupon
2 boxes Raisin Bran - 2/$4, used $1/2 coupon
1 box Froot Loops, 1 box Apple Jacks - 2/$4, used $1/2 coupon
also used $2/$10 coupon and $4 in ECBs
Total cost: $3.00

Now for the drama of the evening: I realized they didn't take my BOGO coupon for the lipstick on transaction #2 when I got back to the van, so I went back in the store and waited in line (6 people long) so they could make the correction. If it had been a small amount, I wouldn't have bothered, but this coupon was worth $9.99, so it was worth the trip back in the store. At first they weren't going to give me a refund because they said that my total after my other coupons wasn't for that amount, so it was my fault that I didn't give them the coupons in the right order which is why the computer didn't take it. I calmly explained that had I not used my ECBs (which I ALWAYS hand them separately and last, after my other coupons), my total would have been more than $9.99, so the coupon should have worked. They (2 cashiers are working on this now) finally saw my reasoning and handed me a crisp $10 bill. I gave them a penny back so that we would officially be even. They finally figured out that since the coupon was for such a large discount, the first cashier should have done a price over-ride, so it really wasn't my fault and I was able to leave the store on friendly terms.

So after I came home and totaled what I actually spent and saved, I'm definitely back in love with the store.

Me + CVS = Adrenaline Rush

I got some awesome deals at CVS last week and had to share.  I got everything above for $9.21...here's how I did it:

Transaction #1

1 CVS 10-ct. Ibuprofen $1.99 - free after CVS coupon

2 pkgs. band-aids - $2.99 and $3.29 each, used 2 $.50 off coupons

1 pkg. Neosporin - $5.49, used $1 off coupon

Used $2 off $10 coupon and $5.79 in ECBs

Total spent:  $2.26 and earned $5 in ECBs for the band-aids and neosporin

Transaction #2

4 Oral-B toothbrushes - on sale for $1.99/each, used 2 $1 off 2 coupons

1 Banana Boat Baby sunscreen - $9.99

Used $2 off $10 coupon and $10 in ECBs

Total spent:  $4.37 and earned $5 in ECBs for the sunscreen

Transaction #3

3 square Puffs - on sale for $.88, used 3 $.25 off coupons

2 candles (because I deserve a treat for scoring awesome deals!) - $.74/each

1 beltpack - not pictured, but it's cute (for my gun when I get my CCW permit) - $5.99

Used $2 off $10 coupon and $5 in ECBs

Total spent:  $2.68

Grand total for all 3 transactions $9.21

I love saving money for my family and always get an adrenaline rush when I do well.  Today was one of those good days.  People have asked how I started doing this.  Check out Money Saving Mom.  She offers a CVS 101 course on her blog that will get you started.  If you are in Dayton, you should also check out Mommin' It Up becausemy friend, Jenny, matches our local CVS ad every week with competitor coupons (bonus -  our local CVS also takes competitor coupons).  Happy shopping!

Another Good Week at CVS

CVS is turning into one of my favorite places to shop. Today, they actually paid me to shop in their store. I did 3 different transactions to get the deals above.

First, I filled a prescription for ear drops for Emmaline. I had a coupon that earned me a $25 gift card because it was a new prescription.

Second, I purchased:
2 colgate toothbrushes on sale for 2/$3 and used a $1 off coupon
2 tubes of colgate total on sale for 2/$3 and used 2 $1 off coupons
3 pkgs. adult benadryl on sale for $4.99 each and used 3 $1 off coupons
2 pkgs. kids benadryl on sale for $4.99 each and used a $1 off coupon
3 pkgs. hershey's snack-size milk chocolate bars $1 each
2 pkgs. snack-size kit-kats $1 each
2 pkgs. trident gum $2 each
1 pkg. snack-size york peppermint patties $1
2 CVS sunscreen (B1G1 50% off) $11.98 used $2/$10 CVS products coupon
1 Aleve gelcaps for $8.99 used $1 off couon
1 4-pk CVS toilet paper

used $5 in ECBs and $25 gift card and paid $32.63 out of pocket. I also earned $4 ECBs for the Aleve, and $5 ECBs for the candy and gum. I should have earned $10 for completing the Benadryl deal, but the computer didn't print it out, so they gave me back $10 in cash instead.

Transaction #3 is when CVS paid me to shop. I bought two 3-drawer carts to store our homeschool supplies in. They were B1G1 free (normally $15.99 each), then I used $9 in ECBs, and a $2/$10 CVS coupon. My total came to $5.34. I used the $10 bill that CVS gave me (when the computer didn't print my ECBs) to pay for this, and made $4.66.

In all, I got the above items for a grand total (after coupons, gift card, and ECBs) for $27.97. The carts alone would normally have cost me $31.98, so I think I did pretty well!

Moral of the Story:
This is the second time that I've earned ECBs and the register hasn't printed them out. Always make sure to check your receipts before leaving the store. The Benadryl was part of the Johnsons and Johnsons deal where if you spent $20 you earned $10 in ECBS. When the register didn't print the ECBs, I asked the cashier why. She said that Benadryl wasn't made by Johnsons because the pkg. said Pfizer (apparently they are part of the same company though). I had to go get the tags for both Benadryl items off the shelf to prove that I had indeed purchased the items needed to earn the ECBs. So, always check your receipts and always make sure you can prove you earned your ECBs. By the way, the cashier, Lori, was really great and very apologetic about the problems I had that day. If you're ever at the CVS on Dorothy La/Wilmington Pk., make sure you tell Lori "Hi!"

I think I'm falling in love...with CVS!

My friend, Jenny, is obsessed with coupons and finding good deals and has introduced me to a way to really work the system at CVS. Basically, you use their Extra Care Card to score deals and earn Extra Care Bucks (ECBs) to use on future purchases. I've made a few good buys at CVS, but today tops them all. I got everything pictures above for $.76. Here's how I did it:

Nexcare bandaids - $4.49 (earned $1 ECB for this)

Colgate Toothpaste - used Walgreen's coupon that made it $1.99 & then a $1 off Colgate coupon (our CVS takes competitor's coupons)

1 gal. 1% milk - $2.99 on sale

1 gal. whole milk - $3.69

1/2 gal. 1% milk (for the boys to take camping next week, but Nathan got to it before I told him that) - $2.09

I also used a $3 off/$15 coupon and $10 in previously earned ECBs. Grand total spent: $.74

It's not everyday that you get to pay for your groceries in change, but it felt good doing that today.

A Great Deal

I got the above items from Yankee Candle for a grand total of $15.98. It's funny because I had looked at several of this items at Christmas time and in the spring, but wasn't about to pay full price for them. I couldn't pass them up this time around though! All of the blue items are now on display in our bedroom. Here's how I managed such a great deal:

12 Clean Cotton tea lights - clearanced at $5 because the color was off
Sunflower plate candle holder - reg. $8.99, clearanced for $3
Pressed flower pillar candle - reg. $12.99, clearanced for $3
2 girl and 1 boy Christmas tea light lamps - reg. $9.99/each, clearanced for $3/each
2 blue etched glass votive holders - reg. $4.99/each, clearanced for $1/each
2 crackled glass tea light holders -reg. $3.99/each, clearanced for $1/each
1 glass pillar candle holder - reg. $4.99, clearanced for $1

Total before discounts: $80.88
Total after discounts and $10/$25 e-mail coupon: $15.98
Total saved: $64.90

Let's Go Krogering!

Okay, so I'm not one to post about the good deals I get while shopping, but I couldn't resist sharing the awesome trip I had today at Kroger. They were having a Mega Event where if you purchased 10 items from their list, you instantly got $5 of you bill. And you could do this deal up to 3 times, which I did. In the past couple months, I've taken meals to friends 6 different times and have two more (that I know of) coming in the next month. I decided to stock up on some of the things I tend to use for that kind of thing so I'll be prepared when those occasions present themselves. Here is what I bought:

2 bottles of salad dressing

3 pkgs. goldfish crackers

2 Pillsbury cinnamon rolls (I had a coupon for one of them)

2 Pillsbury pizza crusts (I had a coupon for both)

2 cans Progresso soup (again, coupon for both)

3 cans Campbell's soup (coupon for all 3)

1 pkg. diced ham

2 Pillsbury crescent rolls 4 ct. (coupon for both)

2 cans Manwich

4 pkgs. Betty Crocker pouch cookie mix (I had 4 coupons for these)

1 jar dill pickles

3 boxes Betty Crocker brownie mix

3 boxes Betty Crocker muffin mix

1 Betty Crocker cake mix and frosting (I had a coupon for these)

1 pkg. Lean Pockets

green grapes

green onions

2 boxes donuts (2/$3 - these were picked out by Jacob!)

3 pkgs. Kraft shredded cheese

1 bar Kraft cheddar cheese

1 pkg. Aunt Jemima Griddle Cakes (I had a coupon)

3 boxes mac 'n cheese (3/$1)

1 Tombstone pizza

2 containers Cool Whip

1 pkg. bakery mini croissants

The total before coupons/discounts/etc. was $118.96.

The total AFTER all discount was $56.31.

I saved a total of 52% on our grocery bill (which totally crushes our old record of 34%).

Shopping Spree

Okay, so it wasn't really a shopping spree, but the kids were excited to spend some of their Christmas money. Jacob really wanted a Diego tree house rescue center and after 3 stores, we were finally able to find one. Ellie loves anything Dora, so she decided on a Dora truck with horse trailer for the horses she had gotten at Christmas. They having been playing with these non-stop since Nathan put them together! Notice the big girl standing by the coffee table. Emmaline can't pull herself up yet, but she is getting really good at standing and holding on to whatever we put her next to.

I also got to spend a Target giftcard I had gotten last week. I'm on a moms' panel at Evenflo and have done several research things for them in the past. They usually last a couple of hours, I share my opinion, and then leave with a check for $75. Last week, I was asked to give my opinion on their new carseat fabrics. I looked at about 30 carseats, filled out a survey, and was given a $20 Target gift card. It took all of 18 minutes, so I was pretty pleased with myself.

Girls' Day Out

Today was a fun day. Nathan's parents took Jacob and Gabrielle to lunch and to see "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium". While they were gone, Mom, Katie, Emmaline and I headed to breakfast/lunch at Cracker Barrel and then to the Holiday Gift Show (our annual day-after-Thanksgiving tradition) at Hara Arena to do some shopping. We made some nice purchases although there seem to be fewer vendors every year. I'm sure this is due to a newer Holiday Craft Show that started at the Airport Expo Center 3 years ago. We might head to that one next year to see if it is better. Anyway, after we were done at the craft show, we went to see "Enchanted". It was a great movie...very funny! That pretty much sums up my day. It was so nice to come home to Nathan having bathed the other two kids and reading bedtime stories to them. Now everyone is asleep (including my hubby!), so I think I'll head there myself.

Aldi

I have no clue about what to write about today, so I'll share one of my favorite places to grocery shop...Aldi. This store has tons of the regular grocery items you need (milk, eggs, meat, cereal, baking supplies, paper products, etc.) and they also get special items in each week. Their prices are usually much cheaper than any other place around and we have saved money by shopping there. I do tons of label reading and the only negative I've found is that a some of their foods (mostly refrigerated breads) contain trans fats. Overall, I've been really happy with my Aldi experience.

Here are a few of things to keep in mind if you decide to give Aldi a try: 1) Make sure you have a quarter...you have to unlock your grocery cart by inserting a quarter. Don't worry, you'll get it back when you return the cart. This eliminates the need to pay someone to bring the carts in from the parking lot. 2) You have to buy your shopping bags to put your stuff in when you're done shopping. The prices are extremely cheap...5 cents for a paper bag, 10 cents for plastic, and they also have bags for frozen/fridge stuff very reasonably priced. You can reuse them on subsequent visits, so consider it an investment. 3) They do not take many forms of payments, so come armed with cash or your 5/3 debit card.

If my word isn't enough, Clark Howard also recommends shopping at Aldi as a way to save money (check out his program notes from 7/26/07). Who wouldn't love to save a few bucks (or more)?