My $30 shopping trip

Great week at Publix, CVS, and Walgreens for me. Here's what I got at the three stores, I saved 68% at Publix today using sales and coupons. I was extra excited about all the free Schick razors, sour cream, and all the cheap Smart Balance items! Also the V8 juices were only $1 each at Walgreens after the $2 off coupons. My husband will also be enjoying the sugary cereal which was .67 per box at CVS (after coupons and ECB's)


Also, don't forget on Wednesday you can get a FREE 8x10 picture enlargement on Walgreens.com with promo code MOTHER at check out.

On the diabetes front.... I have a cold and I feel like CRAP. I am really concerned about my hypothyroidism and am planning to call my endo on Monday to schedule an appointment to talk about the EXTREME fatigue I've recently started feeling. Something is wrong and I am going to push for further blood work and testing because I know this is not right....

CVS Savings- HURRICANE EDITION 8/17/08

OK, so apparently we may be getting hit with a Cat. 1 or 2 Hurricane on Tuesday morning, so I thought I'd better go get a little more water and some batteries for our hurricane lamp and flashlights.  Zoe has a cold and runny nose, so I took advantage of the cheap Puffs tissues as well! 

I totally burned my ECB's and have none now... but oh well... whatcha gonna do?  

Transaction 1

2   4 pks. D batteries  Duracell     $10.58 

- $2 / $10 CVS coupon

- 2 .75 off Duracell from 8/3 Proctor and G insert

- $5 ECBs

= $2 out of pocket

Transaction 2

24 pack CVS water   $3.99

1 Colgate Total (and it had a free 360 toothbrush attached to it!         $3

2 Puffs        $.176  (.88 each)

2 Glades    $1.76   (.88 each)  

= 10.52

- $2 / $10 CVS ICP

- $1 Colgate CRT

- $1.50 Colgate manu coupon from recent insert

- BOGO Free Glade

- 2 .25 off Puffs

- $1 water CRT

= 3.64 Out of pocket

Not bad.... I'm prepared for a hurricane for less than $6 out of pocket!  Yippee!  

Now if only I could hire a lawn boy at CVS... I need to cut my grass before it starts raining!

My TV Debut!

Thank you so much to everyone who left comments on my last CVS post!  I appreciate it and thought about all of them.  Trust me, I was running transactions through my head until I thought my brain was going to explode this morning!  

    In the end, I decided to stick with my original plan that is listed below (even though it ate up some of my ECB's) and here is why.  I had to ask myself, "What is the goal of agreeing to do this interview?"  The answer was that I wanted to inspire Moms (or Dads!) who are frustrated with the rising gas and food prices to give the grocery game a try and see if it can help cut their food/household expenses!  I know, as a SAHM, if I saw someone on TV walk out of a store with three packages of diapers and two packages of baby soap for $6 out of pocket (and $5 to come back and spend next time!) I would say, "Umm... I need to figure out how to do that too!"    

     I know couponing and store programs like the Extra Care program has helped TREMENDOUSLY for us.  When I told Jackie Callaway that we had nearly cut our household budget in half over the past four months she was very surprised.   

    I am soooo excited about seeing this story air!  I did talk about such blogs as Money Saving Mom, FiddleDeeDee, and even my own blog during my interview.  Tom, the wondrous camera man, was very thorough in getting lots of great shots of the computer screens to edit into the story.   Jackie said she wasn't sure of an exact date, but she'd let me know... and I will be sure to let you all know when it will air on ABC Action News Tampa.   I'm pretty sure it will be at least a week from now and will post when I find out.   

    Our CVS trip was just amazing.  The managers and staff (Even the PHARMACY staff) were all awaiting our arrival with smiling faces and ridiculously good customer service.  If you ever want REALLY good customer service at CVS, just have someone with a huge camera follow you around the store.  HAHA!     

HELP!!

I am going to be interviewed by ABC Action News Consumer Reporter, Jackie Callaway, on Monday morning.  She is going to speak with me about CVS shopping and then shadow me as I shop at CVS.  These are the transactions that I am planning for next week, as I REALLY need diapers.  I am going to LOOSE ECB's doing this, but will spend minimal out of pocket.  Can you PROS let me know if you see something better?  I have all the Lamisil coupons for that deal, but I kinda want to keep it simple for the cameras, so it's easy to explain.  (I'm also afraid that if the store is out of something, I will be stuck and have to come up with a new deal on the spot! Know what I mean?)    I am very confident that they will not run out of Huggies. ;-)  

I've already reached the limit on the Infant's Advil deal too. 

TRANSACTION 1

2 Huggies  $18

- $2 /$10  CVS coupon

 - $ 3 Huggies  ( 2 / 1.50 off )

= $13

-11.58  ECB's

 =  1.42 OOP

 TRANSACTION 2

1 Huggies  $8.99

2 buddies  1.98

= $10.97

-       -$2 CVS

-       -$2 Buddies

-     -  $1.50 Huggies

= $5.50  OOP

Earn $5  ECB

For a total of $6.42 out of pocket for 3 packages of Huggies and 2 soaps.   I know this is insanely cheap, but I also read the blogs of those of you who only spend pennies!  Fire away with comments please!  =)   Thanks! 

CVS Trip 7/6/08

I got soooo much crap from CVS tonight!  Here's what I did.... 

1 Pampers Jumbo pack    $8.99

1 Pampers Pull Ups          $8.99

2 Pringles                           $2.00

2 Fabreeze                          $3.99 each 

1 Fabreeze air                    $2.50

1 Tide                                  $5.49

1 bottled water 24 pack   FREE (usually $4.99) 

2 CVS tampons                  $1.49 each

1 CVS Pantyliners              .99

Total Before Coupons = $45 

- $14 ECB's

- 2 / $1 off Pampers

- $3.99   BOGO Fabreeze 

- .35 Tide

- .50  Pringles 

All the rest on gift card   ( The ONE good thing about having Type 1 diabetes is I have a BAJILLION prescriptions for insulin, synthroid, test strips, etc. that I can always transfer or have called in to get a new $25 or $30 giftcard) 

Total Out Of Pocket-  NADA  

EARNED- $10 ECB's  for next time 

So I lost a few ECB's.... but I REALLY needed diapers and pull ups for both kids.  I haven't paid for diapers out of pocket since April when I started playing the CVS Game.   I keep wondering how long it will last, but somehow I keep using ECB's to get them.  Lovin it.  

What Should I Do?

OK here's the deal....

I just transferred 3 prescriptions to the CVS pharmacy because I had the coupons that got you a $25 giftcard, with each transfer. I just got coupons in the mail from our new Publix pharmacy offering $25 giftcards if I now transfer them to Publix. Hmmmmm.... I shop at CVS all the time, I almost feel a sense of customer loyalty to them. I even witnessed them give a free CVS gift card to a homeless man that had wandered in one day. That made me feel good about shopping there. BUT that's $75 of free groceries! What would you do? I welcome your thoughts!

CVS 6/13/08

Yup. Had to go one more time this week to score some diapers and a summer's worth of cereal!!

Transaction #1
3 Fiber One cereals $10 (So good for diabetics!! 57% of daily recommended fiber in one bowl! Bolus accordingly)
1 Huggies Pull-ups $7.99
1 milk 3.69
Total: 22

-$3/$15 CVS coupon
- 3 $1 off Fiber One
- $2 Huggies Pull Ups
- ECB's = $0 Out of Pocket

Transaction #2
3 Lucky Charms (Gross... enjoy, Justin) $9
1 Cheerios $3.00
Dozen Eggs $1.39
1 milk 3.69
= $17

- $3/$15 CVS coupon
- .75 Cheerios
- $2 General Mills cereal coupon
= about $11 paid mostly with ECB's and a few dollars cash. =)
I earned $10 for all the cereal in ECB's for next time.
I am happy. =)

CVS 6/10/08

My best trip yet!! Craziness!!!!

Transaction 1
4 Coke product 12 packs $11
2 Listerine Smart Rinses $3.49 each
1 CVS bandaides 1.99
Total= $20
- $3 off $15
-$1 Smart Rinse
- $16 ECB's


Transaction 2
2 Nivea shave gels $3.99 each
1 Nivea something or other that hubby wanted $6.98
1 Brut cologne for Pops $6.99
1 Bandaides $1.99
Total: $24
- $3/$15
- $4 Nivea
-$1 Nivea
-.75 Brut
- 14 ECB's
Total OOP= .96 cents!!!!
Total ECB's Earned = $18.50 for next time!

Justin almost killed me for bringing home Bandaids..... he works for a First Aid and Safety company and we pretty much have access to first aid stuff for free whenever we want... I tried to explain that I was going to give them to the Pregnancy Crises Center along with some of the bazillion razors and toothbrushes I've been bringing home. Guys just don't understand. =)

CVS 6/6/08

OK, I swear I will not go to CVS again this week. It's becoming an addiction! Last night I hit the CVS by our church after attending a VBS meeting. (Hi Ellen! I know you're reading this!) This is what I got:

Transaction 1:
2 Pampers packs at 7.99 each
2 Sensitive Wipes packs at 2.99 each
Total = 22

Used one $4/$20 welcome coupon from Justin's account - He had never signed up at CVS .com
Used 2 $2/ 2 Pampers products from last week's Proctor and Gamble inserts in the paper
Used $13.98 in ECB's adjusted down

Pennies out of pocket
Got $5 ECB's back

Transaction 2:
2 Oral B toothbrushes @ 6.99 each
2 Chex Mix @ $1 each
Total: $16

Used a $3/$15 from the Beacon Jounal online paper
Used 2 $1 Chex (making those free since they were on sale for $1
Used $5 ECB's from above transaction
The remainder I used the last bit I had on a giftcard from a transferred Rx

Got $13.98 in ECB's back!

Does anyone want a free toothbrush? I think I have about a dozen in my linen closet now. lol. Our church helps out a lot of local food banks and pregnancy centers.... I'll be checking into where I can put the extra free stuff to good use.

HOW to Begin Shopping at CVS

Over the past month I've started using coupons, and playing the Extra Care Bucks savings game at CVS. Lavonne over at Economic Endeavors has written a wonderful HOW TO blog for people who would like to start saving money at CVS. Over the past month I have gotten all my diapers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, milk, paper towels, batteries, and razors at CVS and have paid less than $20 out of pocket for a pretty big stash. It's really been quite a blessing! There are a lot of fantastic sites with great tips on grocery and household savings. I find this being more and more important for our family with the current raising of gas and food prices. I've linked to most of them through the blog Money Saving Mom. Hopefully some of you can benefit from this as well!!

CVS 6/1/08

Transaction 1

2 Duracell batteries 7.99 each
1 Bounty paper towels 5.99
Total = $22

Used $3 off/$15
.25 cents of Bounty
2 $1 off Duracell
Used ECBs to pay for the rest

Got back $10 ECB

Transaction 2
2 Listerine Smart Rinse $3.99 each
1 Schick Razor $9.99
Total $18

Used $3 off/ $15
2 $1 Listerine from 6/1 paper
$4 off Razor
Used ECB's for balance
Recieved $12 ECBs

Next time I am going to do this one that I saw on Money Saving Mom


Buy 2 Oral B CrossAction Toothbrushes
Buy 2 Dawn dish soaps
Use $3/$15 CVS coupon
Use 2 $0.25/1 Dawn coupons
Spend $12.48 plus tax out of pocket
Get $14.48 ECBs back!

I'm also going to get 2 packages of Pampers and some wipes and get the $5 ECB's back.

It has been VERY fun using ECB's to pay the balances of my transactions and spending NO MONEY out of pocket barely! I love this game!

CVS Deals- Memorial Day

This was the coolest week yet. I got 2 $25 giftcards for transferring my Rx's from Walgreens. They were all out of the Tums Quick Pak's at my CVS, so my deal didn't work quite as planned, but it was still great.

Transaction #1
2 Kraft BBQ sauce @ .66 each
2 Revlon Nail Polish's at $3.99 each
2 Tide's at $5.99 each
Total: $22

1 $3/15 CVS coupon
2 $1 off Tide
2 $2 Revlon color products
$6 in ECB's
Balance used giftcard from transferred Rx's.

Recieved $10 in ECB's back


Transaction #2
2 packages of Playskool diapers @ $10.99 each

Total= $22

1 $3/$15
1 $2 Playskool diapers
Remainder used giftcard

Total OOP= NOTHING THIS WEEK

Got another $5 ECB's with this transaction for a total of $15 in ECB's this week and $25 giftcard left! Plus I am STOCKED in diapers for a few weeks! Yaaaay!

I Feel Like A Criminal...

I love saving money. I feel like I'm stealing when I walk out of CVS sometimes. I always go to the same little teenage boy who calls me the Crazy Coupon Lady. I love it!!

Today I got....

A Spongebob toothbrush for Gabe $2.99
Huggies Goodnights $8.99
Shick Intuition Razor $9.99
2 Glade sprays .97 each
Total $24

Now here comes the fun part:
- $3/$15 CVS coupon
-$4 Razor from Smart Source last Sunday
-$3 Goodnights coupon
- Buy one Get one free Glade coupon
- $1 off Glade spray coupon (making the Glade sprays free plus .03 overage)
- .50 off the colgate toothbrush
- $8 in ECB's

Making my grand total out of pocket $3.64 and $8 in ECB's for next time

I loooked EVERYWHERE for those darn Hawiaan Tropic Chap Sticks and COULD NOT FIND THEM at my CVS. =( That would have been another $4 out of pocket, but $10 in ECB's for return. Oh well.

WHOOOO HOOOOO!!! I know some of you CVS-ers walk out of the store paying pennies, but $3 is the best I've done so far, with this many goods. I haven't paid for diapers in 3 weeks. This is so very exciting.

CVS Deals 4/20

OK. So I've decided to join the bandwagon of Money Saving Moms who are working the CVS deals. Before I decided to do this I read everything I could from the sidebar of Money Saving Mom's website. There is an article entitled CVS 101 and What You Need To Know About CVS Deals that were REALLY helpful. =) She advises to start small... so that's what I'm doing! Here we go!!


Trip 1:
ECB = Extra Care Bucks (bucks you can come back and use on anything at CVS)

I bought....
1 Speek Stick for $3.99
1 Alavert allergy medicine for $6.99 (I needed this!)
Bought some CVS Pullups for my Mom that she wanted to keep at her house when Gabe visit's $11.99 for 40 pk.

Coupons:
$1 / 1 speed stick
$4 / 1 Alavert from their website
$4 / $20 CVS Welcome coupon from website

Total After coupons $14.81
ECB received for next time: $7.99
Total Out of Pocket (OOP): Nothing, because my Mom gave me a $20 for the diapers. haha

Trip 2:
Justin LOVES the Boost energy drinks for breakfast, but they are $$ so we rarely buy them. As a diabetic, I have to say.... they ARE decent for us to drink on the go too. A good blend of fat, protein, and carbs. (33 carbs, 15g protein, 6g fat and only.5g saturated fat) It keeps ya going.

OK...
3 Boost 6 packs for a total of $ 21

Used $8 in ECB from first transaction
Used $4 / $20 from cvs website

Total OOP: $9
TOTAL ECB's earned: $10

If you are totally confused.... please go to Money Saving Mom's website and read the stuff I mentioned at the beginning of my post. This game is going to eventually save us lots and lots of money on household items. =)