FRIENDLY REMINDER: Regal - Free Movies this Summer

REG Free Family Film Festival Beginning June 2009!

Click HERE and HERE for more information.

Here are some theatres in my area with their showings for June:

Fossil Creek Stadium 11
N. 6100 Freeway
Ft Worth ,TX 76137
817-847-9120

6/23/2009-6/24/2009
Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: Veggie Tale Movie (G) & Nim's Island (PG)

6/30/2009-7/1/2009
Kit Kittredge: American Girl (G) & Madagascar 2: Escape To Africa (PG)

and

Eastchase Stadium 9
8301 Ederville
Ft Worth ,TX 76120
817-795-5332

6/23/2009-6/24/2009
Charlotte's Web (G) & Igor (PG)

6/30/2009-7/1/2009
Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: Veggie Tale Movie (G) & Nim's Island (PG)

Turn $2 into $10!! Great week to start couponing at CVS

UPDATE: Deal is now dead as of 6/19

There is currently a HUGE moneymaker going on at CVS this week.

The StyleScience Lens Cleansing Cloths are priced at $.99. Get $10 ECBs when you buy 2, making it an $8.00+ moneymaker!! (Limit 1)

This would be a GREAT week to start couponing at CVS, if you haven't started already. Why?

Deal Scenario:
Buy 2 StyleScience Lens Cleansing Clothes at $.99/ea
Total: $1.98
Get back $10 ECB

I found these on the glasses endcap.

Good luck, and let me know if this works for you!

6/14/09 PROFIT $9.88

Yet another excursion for free and close to free stuff.

Store #1 – Walgreens
Transaction #1
2 Baby Powder – 2/$2, get $1 RR
-Use (2) MFQ HERE
=FREE

1 St. Ives Body Wash - $2.99, get $2.99 RR
(I couldn’t find my coupons for this)

Used $2 RR

TOTAL: $1.07, used GC so $0 OOP
Received $1 RR & $3 RR

Transaction #2
8 RAGU Sauce $2/ea, buy 8 get $8 RR
-Used (4) $1/2 MFQ HERE

Used (4) $1 RR

TOTAL: $7.92, used GC so $0 OOP
Received $8 RR

Transaction #3
4 Dry Idea Deodorant $.99/ea (with in ad coupon)
-Used (4) $2 MFQ HERE (adjusted down…they wouldn’t let me get the overage)
=FREE

TOTAL: $0


Store #2 – CVS
Transaction #1
1 Excedrin $4.49, get $2 ECB
-Used $2 MFQ HERE
-Used $1 CVS coupon that printed when I scanned my card
=$1.49

3 Kellogg’s Cereal $1.88/ea
-Used (3) $1 MFQ (6/7 RP)
=$.88/ea

1 Crest Toothpaste $2.99, get $2 ECB
-Used $1 MFQ (from P&G Saver Booklet)
=$1.99

Used $3.99 ECB

TOTAL: $2.13
Received $2 ECB & $2 ECB

Transaction #2
6 3M Picture Hangers $2.50/ea, get $5 ECB wyb $15 (deal from over a month ago)
-Used (6) $2.50 MFQ
=FREE

TOTAL: $0
Received $5 ECB


Store #3 – Kroger
10 Kool-Aid 10/$10
-Used $.50 MFQ HERE that doubled
=FREE

TOTAL: $0 OOP


Grand Total OOP: $11.12
Received in ECB/RR: $21.00
PROFIT: $9.88

My haul today 6/13/09

So my mom and I set out on an excursion today. We normally go on Sundays (and yes we will go again tomorrow) but there were some more deals that I wanted to take advantage of before the new ads come out.

Store #1 – Beauty Brands (off 377)
FREE OPI Nail Polish
Go HERE for your coupon.

TOTAL: $0.00 OOP


Store #2 – Target
2 Kashi Waffles 6ct $1.79
-Used (2) $1.50 MFQ (mailed to me)
=$.29/ea

1 Men’s Degree Deodorant $2.49, but actually rang up $1.97
-Used $1.00 MFQ (5/17 RP), and
-Used $1.50 Target printable HERE
=FREE + $.53 in overage

TOTAL: $.05 OOP


Store #3 – Walgreens
4 Johnson’s Baby Powder 2/$2, get $1 RR on wyb 2
-Used 4 $1.00 MFQ HERE
=FREE
Got back (2) $1 RR

TOTAL: $0.00 OOP
PROFIT: $2.00


Store #4 – CVS
4 Schick 2pk Disp. Razors $.99/ea
-Used 2 $2.00 MFQ
=FREE

1 Snack Size Plastic Bags (50ct) $1.00

Used $1.00 ECB
TOTAL: $0.00 OOP


Store #5 – Kroger
29 Vitamin Water $1.00/ea
-Used (29) $.50 MFQ that doubled to $1.00
=FREE

2 Oikos Greek Yogurt BOGO $2.19
-Used (2) $.50 MFQ HERE
=$.095/ea

2 Kraft Natural Shredded Cheese $1.67/ea
-Used (2) $1.00 MFQ HERE
=$.67/ea

1 Kroger Tortilla Chips $1.00/ea

10 Kool-Aid Packets (sale is 10 for $1)
-Used $.50 MFQ that doubled to $1
=FREE

2 Knorr Rice Sides $1.00/ea
-Used (2) $.45 MFQ HERE that doubled to $.90
=$.10/ea

1 Daisy Sour Cream $1.67
-Used $.50 MFQ that doubled to $1 (5/31 RP)
=$.67

1 Mahatma Rice $1.09
-Used $.50 MFQ that doubled to $1 (4/26 RP)
=$.09

1 Organic Valley Milk $.79 (manager’s sale)

TOTAL: $4.28
TOTAL SAVED: $40.67 = 90.48%

Grand Total Spent: $4.33
(Received $2 in WAGS RR)

Sunday Shopping Trip 5/31/09

My mom and I made trips to CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, Albertsons and Wal-Mart. Here is what I got:

CVS:
2 Chicken Noodle Soup 2/$1
-Used $1/2 printable HERE
COST = FREE

2 Arm & Hammer Detergent BOGO $6.99
-Used 2 $1/1 printable HERE
COST = $2.50/ea

2 Clairol Natural Instincts Loving Care $3.99/ea
-Used 2 $4 Q from the 4/19RP
COST = FREE

4 Schick Disposable Razors 2pk $.99/ea (travel size)
-Used 2 $2/1 Q from the 5/10SS
COST = FREE

3 St Ives Apricot Scrub $1.49/ea (travel size)
-Used 3 $1.50/1 Q from the 5/10SS
COST = FREE

Used $3 ECB
Total Cost: $2.13, paid with GC so $0 OOP
Total Saved: $35.40


WALGREENS:
2 Ecotrin $2.00/ea
-Used 2 $2.25/1 printable HERE (adjusted down)
COST = FREE
Received 2 $2 RR

Total Cost: $0.00
Total Profit: $4.00


KROGER:
Transaction #1
2 Country Time Lemonade $1.00/ea
-Used $1.50/1 printable HERE
COST = $.50
Received $1 OYNO (on your next order) CRT (cash register tape)

Total: $.54, used GC $0.00 OOP
Saved: $5.88

Transaction #2
1 Springdale Milk $1.99/ea

1 Hamburger Buns $1.00/ea

3 1 lb Ground Beef $1.39/ea

5 Hormel Pepperoni $1.00/ea

Used $1 CRT (cash register tape) from Transaction #1

Total: $12.16, used GC $0.00 OOP
Saved: $8.21


ALBERTSONS:
5 Diet Dr. Pepper (4 for $10.88, get the 5 for free)
-Used $1/1 coupon (I tore it from some random magazine)

Total: $10.70, used GC $0.00 OOP (this came out to $.18 per can)
Saved: $14.07


WAL-MART:
20 Blue Bunny Ice Cream Novelties $1.00/ea
-Used 20 $1/1 printable HERE
COST = ALL FREE


GRAND TOTAL FOR THE DAY: $25.53 for all this stuff!! (But I paid with a GC)

Frustrations with Target??

I know I've had my fair share of Target problems, but what about you? Any problems trying to use coupons? Please let me know!!

I do have an answer:
A copy of Target's coupon policy can be found HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE. They all say the same thing.

I've had several awful experiences, but one in particular...I had coupons for all my items, my total was $.99 and I still had 1 $1.00 target coupon left. The cashier, another person of some importance and a manager all told me I couldn't use it because it's more than the item, and they cannot adjust the price of the coupon. (And then they gave me some lame excuse that I think they made up).

Here is my conclusion:
1) It's just a job, most employees don't know and don't care to know anything about coupons or Target's corporate coupon policy. If you are getting something for free, most people (cashier's) think they are doing something wrong.
2) Even the managers don't know what they are talking about...again, it's just a job.
3) Even if you are nice about it (like I was, and asked to be explained why), they are still rude. :)
4) They will tell you anything to get you to shut up and make you feel uncomfortable to where you cave in and end up not using the coupon.
5) Nobody is willing to find an answer for you. I called the store the very next day and spoke to the same manager that "tried" to help me. I told her I wanted to be honest when using coupons, and I just wanted to know their policy. Even SHE didn't know, took my name & number and said she would call me back when she finds out.
6) I hate to be persistent, but without people like me and all those avid couponers out there, none of the cashiers or even managers would learn anything.

So amongst all my frustrations, I decided to try calling the store I mostly shop at again, to ask about adjusting down coupons. I spoke to a customer service rep and here is how our conversation went:

Leah: I wanted to know if you can adjust coupons down. For example, if I have an item that is $.99 and I have a $1.00 coupon, can you adjust it down to the price of the item?
REP: No, we cannot do that. Our registers won't allow us to do that.
Leah: OK, is that your store policy because corporate policy says that you can.
REP: (5 second silence) Um...Um... (5 second silence) Hold on, please.
**she put me on hold, but rather set the phone down so I could hear everything she was saying to whoever she was talking to.**
REP: OK, yes we can adjust the coupon down, but with limitations.
Leah: OK great, now what exactly are the limitations.
**she couldn't really answer that question, so I asked to speak to who she was talking with earlier. She did tell me who his name was, and his position. Then all of a sudden the phone hung up on me. So I called back and specifically asked to speak to that person.

So, I spoke to an actual store manager who THANK GOD answered my questions.

YES, TARGET CAN ADJUST THE PRICE OF THE COUPON!!! He said if there is ever ANY problem to just ask for the LOD (Leader on Duty).

He apologized for all my troubles.

MY NEW CONCLUSIONS:
1) Persistence and Self-Control is a must when you coupon.
2) Try to find the right people to talk to and get their name, so next time you have a problem you know what to tell the cashier and who you talked to.
3) Chances are YOU know more than most people because you care about saving money and couponing and you are going to be persistent in finding an answer or finding a way to use that coupon and informing "uninformed" cashiers on WHY you CAN use that coupon.
4) Carry the Target Corporate Coupon Policy with you when you shop there.

I hope this was helpful. When I called and spoke to the store manager, I basically told him that I want to be an honest couponer, and I've been told several different stories from some very rude people at your store, and I wanted to hear it from a store manager's mouth about your coupon policy.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns about Target and their policies, or just need to VENT, let me know. I can help!!

Our 4/3/09 Haul!!!

My mom and I headed to Target, Walgreens and CVS on Sunday and came back with a poop-load of stuff.

Target

Transaction #1
8 – Quaker Oats $1.00/ea
Used 8 $1/1 Target Printable HERE
Cost: FREE

2 – Kraft EZ Mac & Cheese Cups $.89/ea
Used 1 BOGO Q from the 5/3 Parade-page 13
PLUS the $1/2 Target Printable HERE
Cost: $.11 in overage

1.25 lbs of Apples $.99/lb
Used $1/1 lb Target Printable HERE
Cost: $.24

1 – Dry Idea Deodorant $2.00
Used $2/1 Pintable HERE
Cost: FREE

4 – Fiber One Chocolate Mocha Bars $2.39/ea
Used 4 $1.35/1 MFQ HERE
Cost: $4.16
Received $5.00 Target GC
PROFIT: $.84

Total OOP: $4.29
Total Saved: $18.29 (81%)
Received $5 Target GC

Transaction #2
8 – Quaker Oats $1.00/ea
Used 8 $1/1 Target Printable HERE
Cost: FREE

4 – Kraft Velveeta Shells & Cheese $1.50/ea
Used 4 $1.50/2 MFQ HERE
Cost: $.75/ea

4 – Kraft EZ Mac & Cheese Cups $.89/ea
Used 2 BOGO Printable
PLUS 2 $1/2 Target Printable HERE
Cost: $.22 in overage

1.28 lbs of Apples $.99/lb
Used $1/1 lb Target Printable HERE
Cost: $.27

Total OOP: $3.05
Total Saved: $14.78 (83%)


CVS
LEAH
1 – Adidas Deodorant $3.99, get $3.00 ECB
Used $1/1 MFQ
Cost: FREE after ECB

3 – Kelloggs Cereal 3/$10, get $5 ECB
Used 3 $1/1 MFQ HERE
Cost: $.67/ea after ECB

1 – Wheat Crackers $1.99

ECB Used:
$12.00

Total OOP: $0.00
Total Saved: $21.05
ECB Received: $3.00 & $5.00
So basically, I put $12 in and got back $8 in ECB. I bought all that stuff for $4 (in ECB)

My mom also got the Adidas Deodorant, but not the cereal or the crackers.


WALGREENS
LEAH
2 – Pert Plus $2.50/ea, buy 2 get $2 RR
Used $1.50 MFQ & $1.00 MFQ 5/3 SS
Cost: $.25/ea after RR
(I had 2 $1.50 and could have gotten them for free, but I let my mom use one of those coupons)

1 – Arizona Tea $.99/ea
Used WAGS in-ad Q
Cost: $.59

Used $2.50 RR (*Note: I had to have a filler item so I could use my RR because with RR, you can’t have more coupons than items)

Total OOP: $.59 (Put on Walgreens GC)
Total Saved: $8.38 (93%)
Received $2 in RR

Mom also got the 2 Pert Plus and an Arizona Tea.

1) I paid $7.34 total with my CC for the 2 Target transactions. Mom and I split the haul. My mom gave me a $5 because she’s a great mom. Basically I do all the research and printing and then we go shopping together. I hand her the coupons and tell her what to do, hehe. AND I got to keep the $5 GC, so I came out with a profit at Target.

2) I didn’t spend any money at CVS because I paid with ECBs.

3) I didn’t spend any money at Walgreens because I used my GC.

So for that stuff, I came out with a $2.66 profit.

As for my mom, she is still working on getting her RR and ECBs stocked up, so she paid a little more OOP for her half. But still came out great. Including the $5 she gave me for the Target haul, she probably spent less than $10 total for everything at all 3 stores.

Mom, you’re awesome!

Scored at Walgreens

4 – Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal – $2.50/ea
Coupon(s): 4 – $2.00/1 MFQ
Total: $.50/ea

2 – Paper Plates – $1.29/ea (I think)
Coupon(s): 2 – $.30/1 WAGS
Total: $.99/ea

Used $3 RR

Total: $.90 (Mom paid bc I used my $3 RR, so $0 OOP for me)

Total Saved: $19.00

Walgreens 3/22/09

Bought:
1 - Pledge Fabric Sweeper - $3.50
13 - Hunt's Tomato Sauce - $.80/ea

Coupons Used:
WAGS store coupon for Hunt's - $5.33
$2.00 Pledge
$6.00 Register Reward

Total - $.57, put on Gift Card, OOP - $0.00
Total Saved - $15.32
Will get back on Rebates - $6.60

Walgreens or CVS?

I haven’t decided which store I like better. I like the fact that I can buy things at CVS with ECBs, and pay little out of pocket, but I also like the fact that I can spend a little money to purchase free-after-rebate items at Walgreens, and make a little profit. Once I get my rebate giftcard from Walgreens, it makes that initial investment all worth it. I love both stores equally (for now).

If you want to start couponing, but aren’t sure how to start, and not sure if it’s worth the initial investment, let me share with you my results from last month, January.

#1 Orajel Cold Sore – $8.49 (I also submitted a manufacturer rebate, so I will make another $8 off this product)
#2 AutoExpression Air Freshener – $4.99 (I also submitted a manufacturer rebate, so I will make another $4.99 off this product)
#3 Revlon Matte Collection – $4.99
#9 Walgreens Allergy Cough Cold – $10.00
#24 Scrubbing Bubbles Shower Kit – $5.00
#25 Choice of Glade – $1.00
#25 Choice of Glade – $1.00
#29 Kraft Products – $5.00
#29 Kraft Products – $5.00
#29 Kraft Products – $5.00
#31 Electrasol Gelpacs – $1.50

Sub-Total Rebate – $51.97
Walgreens Gift Card Bonus – $5.20
Total Rebate – $57.17 (This will be added to my rechargeable GC)

What I actually bought these items for:
Orajel – $7.49
Air Freshener – $4.99
Revlon – $2.99
WAGS Medicine – $4.97
Shower Kit – $11.99
Glade – $0.00
Glade – $0.00
Kraft – $3.00 ($.50/box)
Electrasol – $.99

Total WAGS Investment – $36.42
Total WAGS Profit (after Rebate) – $20.75

I actually made more profit than $20.75, because I had 2 MF rebates totaling $12.99. I also had several WAGS Register Rewards that I used and some left over gift card money from Christmas. Overall, I think I profited MORE than I invested.

I got the email from Walgreens stating I will be receiving $57.17 yesterday and I told my husband. He was very excited. Patience definitely is the key!! If you can make an initial investment, wait about a month to receive your rebates, it’s definitely worth it.

What I plan to do is use that $57.17 to purchase February’s free-after-rebate items, wait a month and then I will hopefully have close to $100 on my giftcard by the end of February/beginning of March.