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.

Kroger Mega Event, part 2

I’ve gone over my budget this month, but when I find a good deal on something, I like to stock up. Especially, because you never know when that item will go on sale again.

Here is what I bought for round 2 at Kroger, and the coupons I used.

5 12pk Diet DP
4/$12, get 5th free
(This came out to $.20/can)

6 Apple Chips
$.79/ea (Manager’s Special)
(I bought these to take to work. They are delicious.)

2 Mozzarella Cheese
$1.99/ea
-$.50/ea-Mega Event
=$1.49/ea

3 Chef Boyardee
$1/ea
-$.35/3 MFQ
=$.65/ea

Pizza Rolls 40ct
$2.99
-$.50-Mega Event
-$.35 MFQ that tripled
=$1.44 (This came out to $.036/pizza roll)

2 Pace Salsa
$1.76/ea (They were advertised $1.99, but rang up $1.76)
-$.50/ea-Mega Event
-$.50 MFQ that doubled x 2
=$.26/ea

Smokies-Kroger Brand
$2.50
-$.75 MFQ in Kroger Booklet that was mailed
=$1.75

2 Wheat Thins
$2.39/ea
-$.50/ea-Mega Event
-$2/2 MFQ
=$.89/ea

Sobe Lifewater
$1.00
-$.50-Mega Event
=$.50

2 Mustard
$1.49/ea
-$.50/ea-Mega Event
-$.50 MFQ that doubled x 2
=$-.02 OVERAGE

Cream of Chicken-Kroger Brand
$.75

Total OOP - $29.01
Total Saved - $31.30 (52%)

Patience Saves You Money!!

If you read my post about my husband and my goals for 2009, you know that we plan to not do any impromptu purchasing. In order to save together and avoid any interest by using credit cards, we plan to-

1) Name the item we want to purchase
2) Research and estimate a cost
3) Set a budget timeline

Each month we will put away a specific amount of money in an interest baring account until we have reached our goal. Once we have the cash saved up to buy the item...obviously we will make the purchase. Putting the designated money into an interest baring account can help account for taxes, and in some cases, if you are really patient, you can even save more money than you accounted for the purchase.

And if you're CRAZY like me, you will 1) go through Cashbaq or Ebates to get money back, and 2) Use the CC anyways for cash back, but pay it off in full each month. (I will definitely make money off purchases by doing it this way)

I'm saying all this because I read an article HERE from TheSimpleDollar on this very topic. It's a great post, go read it!

~LR

Kroger Mega Event

I just love the Kroger Mega Event. Here is what I got:

**5 Valley Fresh Steamers - $1.49/ea
-$.50 Kroger promo x 5
-$.50 Shortucts Q x 2
-$.50 MFQ that doubled x 5
= FREE ($1.05 overage)

**Bananas - $1.44

**Healthy Choice Steamer - $2.48/ea
-$1 MFQ
= $1.48

**2 40ct Tostinos Pizza Rolls - $2.99/ea
-$.50 Kroger promo x 2
-$.50 cellfire Q
-$.35 MFQ that tripled x 2
= $1.19/ea ($.03 per pizza roll)

**Blue Bonnet Butter - $.77 ($.19 per stick)

**Wacky Mac - $1.39
-$.50 MFQ that doubled
=$.39

**Beef Patties - $4.04 (Manager’s special; $.67 per patty)

**Steak - $2.93 (Manager’s special)

**2 Mac & Cheese - $.40/ea

**3 Beef Ravioli - $1.00/ea
-$.35/3 MFQ that tripled
= $.65/ea

**4 Tomato Sauce - $.25/ea

**2 Tomato Paste - $.85/ea

**Ken’s Salad Dressing - $1.99
-$.50 Kroger promo
-$1 MFQ
= $.49

**2 Pace Picante Salsa - $1.99/ea
-$.50 Kroger promo x 2
-$.50/2 MFQ that doubled
= $.99/ea

**Tomato - $1.00

**Onion - $.50

Total OOP - $22.68
Total Saved - $27.25 (54%)

We were on NBC!!

I was surprised to learn that Metroplex Savers was on NBC this morning. Pretty cool, huh?

Go HERE to watch the video.

All the praise & glory goes to you, Lord! Thank you!

More Great Deals at CVS

CVS Cotton Squares - $3.49, get $1 ECB
Use $3 off CVS Brand Q
Total - $.49 + tax = $.53
Profit - $.47

CVS Sparkling Water 6pk - $3.97, get $2 ECB
Use $3 off CVS Brand Q
Total - $.97 + tax = $1.05
Profit - $.95

CVS Hidden Money Maker!!

I went shopping with my mom and sister-in-law on Sunday when I discovered the hidden deal. I got home today and looked at iheartcvs.com and sure enough, I was right!

Buy CVS brand Cheese Crackers for $1.97
Use $3 off CVS brand Q
Receive $1.00 ECB
$1.00 MONEY MAKER!!
*Note: if this is the only thing you get, the coupon will adjust to $1.99 (no biggie)

Go HERE to print $3 CVS coupon.

If you don't have this coupon or can't print it, you can still get the crackers for $.99 after ECB.

$30 profit at CVS

So I was going to post my purchases how I usually do, but instead, I’m going to bring you into my world of daily CVS shopping. …all the trouble I go to…

My mom and sister-in-law came shopping with me, and it was awesome. We all got some great deals!!

1/11 - Store #1
2 Soyjoy 6-pk
1 Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 Chocolate Raisins (not pictured)
1 Red Nail Polish

Coupon(s) used:
$3 off CVS brand
$3/10 Soyjoy
$9.98 ECB

Total OOP - $.49
ECB received - $12.00

After our first stop at CVS #1, my mom bought some CVS brand cheese crackers, and got $1.00 ECB. So I HAD to try this out at the next store.

1/11 - Store #2
1 Baked Cheese Crackers
1 Gummy Bears (not pictured)

Coupon(s) used:
$3 off CVS brand

Total OOP - $0.00
ECB received - $1.00

1/12 - Store #1
2 Soyjoy 6-pk
1 Baked Cheese Crackers
1 Large Storage
1 Medium Storage

Coupon(s) used:
$3/10 Soyjoy
$3 off CVS brand
$15.98 ECB
$3 ECB

Total OOP - $3.97
ECB received - $13.00

1/12 - Store #2
1 Baked Cheese Crackers
1 Benefiber 16ct

Coupon(s) used:
$3 off CVS brand
$2/1 Benefiber
$4 ECB

Total OOP - $.26
ECB received - $9.00

The last 2 days turned out to be good. I’ve been wanting to get some plastic, see-through storage. The smaller one has grooves on the side so I can put sliding folders in those. (Sad, but I got excited when I saw that)

I didn’t get to the HUGE Christmas sale fast enough, so I had to get several rainchecks. Turns out that worked to my advantage because the Benefiber was “buy it for $7.29, get $7.29 ECB.” When I bought the Benefiber, $8 ECB printed instead of $7.29. HOLLER BACK!!

Here is my grand total from the last 2 days:
Total OOP: $4.72
Total ECB: $35.00
Total Profit: $30.28

I LOVE CVS, part 2

I had to do this in multiples transactions at multiple stores

Items Bought:
2 Cheese Puffs
2 Cheese Crackers
Animal Crackers
Spiral Notebook
Suavitel Detergent
Disinfecting Wipes
UltraSmart
Oats & Chocolate
FreeStyle
Chocolate Raisins

Coupons Used:
$3 off $15 CVS
$3 off CVS x 6
$30/1 OneTouch
$10 ECB

Total - $0.00 (all my receipts say “balance due $0.00”)
Saved: $183.90
Mail in Rebate - $9.99 (FreeStyle) and $29.99 (OneTouch)

REBATE UPDATE:
- OneTouch MIR ended 12/31/08. I called their CS, and they extended their rebate offer, so I will make $29.99 off that purchase.
- FreeStyle is going to call me back. I will probably be able to get that rebate as well.