Load up your e-Coupons at Upromise today!

It's June 1st!! Make sure you head over to Upromise to load up your e-coupons for this month!! If you haven't signed up for Upromise, what are you waiting for?

What's an e-coupon? It doesn't actually take money off your total at the store, instead the money is credited to your uPromise account to save for your kids' college! Make sure all of your shopping cards are added.

Save $0.75 on Beech-Nut Infant
Save $0.50 on Wacky Mac & Cheese
Save $2.00 on BIC Soleil
Save $0.35 on Diamond Crystal
Save $0.30 on Diamond Crystal
Save $0.30 on Diamond Crystal
Save $0.50 on Diamond Crystal
Save 100% on 1 on Chiquita Bites
Save $2.00 on Gold Bond Ult Protec
Save $2.00 on Gold Bond Ult Sooth
Save $1.00 on Gold Bond Lotion
Save $2.00 on Gold Bond Anti-Itch
Save $2.00 on Gold Bond Pain Rel
Save $1.00 on Gold Bond Foot Care
Save $1.00 on Gold Bond Anti-Itch
Save $1.00 on Gold Bond Baby Powd
Save $1.00 on Gold Bond Med Powder
Save $1.00 on Gold Bond Ult Powder
Save $1.00 on Bullfrog
Save $0.50 on Palmolive P&C Dish
Save $1.50 on Softsoap Ensembles
Save $1.00 on Colgate 360 Tooth
Save $1.00 on Elmer?s GoPaint!
Save $0.55 on Fisher Salad Topping
Save $1.50 on Huggies Diapers
Save $0.45 on Little Debbie
Save $0.75 on Little Debbie
Save $0.55 on Sun Belt
Save $0.75 on Marzetti Dips
Save $1.00 on Post Cereals
Save $0.75 on Post Selects Cereals
Save $0.50 on Charmin
Save $1.00 on Charmin Flush Wipes
Save $0.50 on Spray'n Wash
Save $0.50 on Glass Plus
Save $1.00 on Krusteaz
Save $0.75 on Snyder's of Hanover
Save $0.50 on Wacky Mac
Save $1.00 on Beech-Nut Stage 3
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How I saved $192 a year with a phone call. (updated info)

Ok so there's been so many news stories recently about how to reduce your monthly bills without changing a thing... Basically, calling into the companies that you do business with and asking for a lower rate or some kind of a discount. I was skeptical at first, because I know around this time last year I attempted the same thing with my Zales credit card to no avail. Too bad for them, because I took that rejection and turned it into revenge!! I noticed that the minimum monthly payment they were asking for was about $10 LESS than the monthly charges. I thought that was insane... I mean if I paid ONLY what was required of me, it would take forever to pay. So I paid it off and haven't used it since. TAKE THAT!!!

Well - yesterday I decided to call DirecTV, our satellite provider. Every week or so, Comcast sends us postcards tempting us with their great discounted bundle deals... So I took that information with me to the phone call. The main thing I have to underscore is to stay calm during this process, make them want to help you. After surviving the voice menu that you have to go through before you're allowed to talk to a person, I was sent to the billing department. I explained that I was hoping to stay with DirecTV, and wanted to see if they had any way of reducing my bill - having been a good customer for a year now. She transferred me to their "Account Services" department.

I explained that I like the parental controls (which I LOVE btw) offered via the DirecTV receiver, and that we didn't want to lose any services or receiver boxes. I also mentioned that Comcast sends us weekly postcards trying to convince us that the grass is greener on their side. After a long (and VERY VERY friendly and helpful) conversation, I ended up with $16 monthly savings, and free HBO, CINEMAX, STARZ for 3 months!! We haven't lost ANY channels at all, still have 5 receivers, DVR and HD... The gal (who was super great) apologized that she couldn't save me more money. Are you kidding?!?! I told her that $16 is great, and that if they had decided that I'd be charged $16 MORE a month it would be a huge deal.

I then asked to be transferred to her supervisor where I sang her praises. I think that might be the most important step of this process. Make sure that the representative who helped you is immediately rewarded. I think it makes that person so much more likely to want to help the next caller... and it's just a good idea. As a rule - any time I get great service - I ALWAYS make sure I leave a comment or an email or SOMETHING.

Result: $192 back in my pocket this year!

So because I'm lovin' them at the moment... Here's a little plug...

Get DIRECTV. And save $50.

With DIRECTV, you get 100% digital–quality picture and sound, exclusive programming and much more. And as a new customer, you also get:

• FREE standard professional installation of a 4–room DIRECTV® System
• FREE DIRECTV DVR OR HD receiver upgrade
  (after $100 INSTANT rebate. Programming, DVR and HD Access fee commitments required)

All that plus you will each receive 5 nonrefundable/non–transferable credits of $10 each over 5 DIRECTV billing cycles totaling $50— how can you beat that?

Offers end 3/3/09 and are based on approved credit; credit card required.

So if you're interested... we'd BOTH get $50 in bill credits... just shoot me an email with your first last and email address, and I'll send you a referral.


UPDATE: I got a great email from an actual employee of DirecTV with the following info:

To help someone redeem the referral, be sure to have them visit http://www.directv.com/refer to purchase online or call this special number 1-800-507-4045 If you call the main number, you may not get credit for the referral.

Talk about customer service!!! Next stop: Verizon Wireless... I'll let you know how that one goes. I have a family plan with 5 phones, one of which is a Palm Treo with unlimited data... Fingers crossed!

Very Cheap Cereal at Meijer... here's how

Kellogg's Mini Wheats - Strawberry, Blueberry, Cinnamon Streusel, Maple Brown Sugar, Vanilla Creme are on sale 2/$5 ($2.50 each)
Get your $1/1 coupons either at coupons.com - or if you have them saved from a few issues back (All You)... In addition to this deal, starting Friday 10/10 (thru 11/02) - there's a Catalina promotion: Buy 2, get $1 off your next order - Buy 3 and get $3 off your next order. Seriously. So here's the breakdown...

Buy 3 boxes of Mini Wheats for $7.50
-- use 3 $1/1 ManQ or printable - $3.00
-- get back a Catalina for $3.00

That makes these boxes of cereal only $.50 each!! My kids LOVE this stuff!!

Kroger & Glade ... Thanks for dinner

Last stop Kroger - practically next door to the CVS and Walgreens...

Took advantage of the Glade Gel Warmers Deal. Finally found a little pack of Cottonelle, and even though we're a Charmin Family, this will work nicely in the downstairs bathroom. Total OOP for both Transactions was $6.16, total savings $26.19!!! Transactions 1 & 2 share a photo.


Transaction 1:
Got 6 Gel Warmers @ 1.79 ea
-- used 3 B1G1 printables
Paid $6.12 OOP
Got back $12 in Catalina Cash, and walked directly back into the store.

Transaction 2:
5 Fuze Green Tea @ 1.50 ea
-- used 2 B1G1 Q's (from a tearpad - i need more!!!) (these deducted at 2.19 ea)
1 Tostitos Monterrey Jack Queso Dip @ 3.49
-- no Q's - it's just that good
Cottonelle @ .99 ea (I finally found a store w/this little pack!)
-- used $1/1 printable found in my car
Kroger Ground Beef @ 8.84 ea
Paid with the $12 in Catalinas, and $4.04 OOP
Got back $4 off my next order Catalina (from Fuze)

I know what you're thinking... could this woman possibly need any more air freshener? Honest answer is yes! 2800 sq feet home, 2 teenagers, 2 boys, 1 husband and a dog. Yes Yes Yes. I don't think we've got an outlet in the house that doesn't have some sort of air freshening product plugged into it.

I just can't help myself... I know

So I had to go back and re-do a few deals, I apologize in advance that my deals are little sketchy. I had a major crappy-checkout experience kind of day...

First stop was CVS - to find the ever-elusive ArniCare. I have found one store that has it so far, and it's not exactly convenient to go there often... But it's worth it because of the ECB I get back, and the fact that my son loves this.. It's great for his little calves' growing pains. (legs, not livestock)

1 Arnicare @ 9.49
-- used $2/1 ManQ printable
15 Soy Joy @ .50 ea
-- used 1 $3/5 ManQ printable
-- used 1 $2/10 ManQ
1 Cottonelle Wipes @ 2.00
-- used $1/1 printable
1 Reese's PB Cup @ .88

Used $2/10 CVS Q
Used $7 ECB
OOP: $1.04
Got back $8 ECB

Then off to Walgreens... Had a few more $5/$20 Q's just dying to get used, plus my ESR Gift Card was reloaded overnight. Happy me, oh happy day.

1 IndyStar (advance) Sunday Paper @ 1.75
1 Charmin 12pk @ 6.49
2 L'Oreal Color Match Hair Colors @ 9.00 ea
-- used $2/1 Walgreens Q (Crappy cashier manually rang it up, would ONLY allow 1)
-- used 2 $2/1 ManQ printables
2 L'Oreal Vive Gloss (Shampoo/Conditioner of the GODS)
-- used 2 $1/1 ManQ
$5/$20 Q
Paid 23.26 OOP (Gift Card)
Got back $10 RR for buying $25 worth of L'Oreal (and these products get used DAILY here... so it was well worth it.)

Then to the Walgreens near the house.


1 Slim Fast Bars @ 4.99 ea
-- attempted to use $1.25 ManQ Printable (accused of fraud)
1 Slim Fast Optima Shake *clearanced* at 3.49
-- attempted to use $1.25 ManQ printable (again w/the fraud)
Rimmel LF Foundation @ 7.49
-- used $1/1 ManQ
6hr Energy Shot Stuff @ 3.99
Loreal Towelettes @ 6.99 ea (these are awesome, btw)
-- used $1/1 ManQ

Used $5 off $20 Q
(while cashier was handing my "fraudulent internet printed coupons" back to me, one of them must have scanned, so I did end up saving $1.25... Although she doesn't have the Q for it... so I don't know where I stand there. Was a little too irritated to go back in and point out her error, what with me being a criminal and all. Rant over.

OOP 19.99 (on GC)
Rebates: $2 for Slim Fast (wording is dodgy, not sure if i get $2 or $4), $6.99 for L'Oreal Wipes, $7.49 for Rimmel, $3.99 for energy shots.


Then to the Kroger... Went through the UScan, and the cashier over-credited my "free" Kraft Cheese coupons to $4 (instead of $2.99).

12 Easy Macs @ .79 ea
-- 5 $1/2 ManQ
4 12oz Kraft American Cheese @ 2.99
-- used 4 "Free" Q's from All You
2 Glade Gel Warmers
-- used B1G1 Q
2 Cans Campbell's Chili @ 1.25 ea
-- prolly have Q's but didn't wanna dig for them

Used $4 worth of Glade Catalinas
Paid .98 OOP

Kroger paid me, then I robbed CVS and got some great deals at Walgreens.

I just got home and unpacked. Took the pictures and everything!! Can't find my transfer cable. I'll post the full details after the debate!

Ok, I set out today with very definite plans, and had to change them a bit on the fly...

First I went to the Walgreens to use my $5 off $20 Q... Here's what I did

4 Glade Scented Oil Candle Holders
-- used $2 off Walgreens Q (Sept book)
-- used 4 $2/1 ManQ
5 Glade Fabric Refreshers @ 3.99 ea
-- used $2 off Walgreens Q (Sept book)
-- used $1.50 off ManQ
12 pk Charmin TP @ 6.59 ea
-- used .25/1 ManQ

Used my $2 RR (From Pantene Deal)
Used $5/$20 Walgreens Q
Will submit for Oct ESR: $8 (Candles), $5 (Fabric Refresher)
OOP: $18.42

My OOP was higher than I had wanted it to be, but realized we were out of TP almost.

Next we ran over to the Kroger to take advantage of their Catalina deal of $2 for every Glade Gel Warmers. Ended up running 2 deals...


Transaction 1:
8 Glade Gel Warmers @ $1.79 ea
-- used 4 B1G1 ManQ's
OOP: $8.16
Got back $16 in Catalinas

Transaction 2: (operation feed hungry husband)
1 Big Bag of Farm Rich Cheese Sticks @ 7.06 ea
-- used $1/1 ManQ
1 Big Box of Jalapeno Poppers @ 8.26 ea
1 Big Bag of Reese's PB Cups @ 2.00 ea
Paid with $16 Catalinas + .46 OOP

While I was in the freezer section, I noticed some clearance health and beauty items (weird place to put them?) Among them was Oil of Olay Botanical Fusion Body Wash priced at $1.79. I only had 3 of my $2/1 Q's from Sept. Brandsaver... So there was a 3rd transaction.


3 Body Wash @ 1.79 ea
3 $2/1 ManQ
Went through UScan this time... And after all was said and done, I was owed .25!!! Well, I've since clipped five more Q's and will be back tomorrow for this stuff!

Then went to CVS
I had planned 2 cool transactions, but when I got to the 2nd CVS... They didn't have any Arnicare. I did do a 2nd transaction, but it wasn't what was planned.


Transaction 1:
10 Gatorades @ $1 ea
-- used 5 $1/2 Q's
6 Bags of Hershey Candy (5 kisses, 1 Rollo)
-- 2 $1/3 printables from smartsource.com
2 Reese's Big Cup @ .75 ea (hungry husband)

Used $14 ECB
Used $5/$25 (from magical coupon machine w/red light)
Paid: $1.02 OOP (on gift card)
Got back $7 ECB

Transaction 2:
4 Alpo Dog food cans @ 1.19 ea
-- B1G1 Q's
-- on sale B1G1
Toblerone Minis on clearance @ .75 ea
OOP: $0.97 (on gift card)


Also went to Meijer to get son a Peyton Manning jersey, and grabbed a couple of Fuze Green Tea w/Honey (used a B1G1 Q I found on a tearpad at CVS) and got the following Catalina:
Buy any Fuze Tea 18.5oz Between 9/12 and 10/5 and get a Catalina for $$$$ of your next order
Buy 3, get $2
Buy 4, get $3
Buy 5+, get $4
Dunno if Kroger has this same Catalina, but their Fuze is on sale for $1. If you can find the tearpad for B1G1, this could be a $$$ maker!

Old Navy Sale Today thru Sunday!

I don't think that news could get any sweeter. Old Navy's got some really good clearance prices right now... Head over to Old Navy and save! We're big fans of their women's socks, the no-show ones? They don't ever seem to lose their softness.

2 CVS Runs Today!!

Sorry, I didn't photograph the booty... Hectic day (football day)

Transaction 1:
6 Gatorades @ $1 each
-- used (3) $1/2 Q (CVS $30 book)
1 L'Oreal Advanced Revitalift @ $11.99 ea
-- used $1/1 Q in 9/21 insert

Used $2/$10 CVS Q
Used $11 ECB
OOP: $1.48 (on GC)
ECB's Earned: $11.99 and $3

Transaction 2:
4 Gatorades @ $1 each
-- used (2) $1/2 (CVS $30 book)
2 Crest Pro-Health Mouthwash
-- used 2 .75/1 ManQ from P&G Brandsaver
1 Nivea Men Body Wash @ 4.99
-- used $1/1 ManQ (found last month in front of display)
1 Adidas deodorant $4.99
-- used $1/1 ManQ from past insert (there's ones this week too)
1 Speed Stick Deodorant $3.99
-- used $1/1 printable

Used $2/$10 CVS Q
Used $14.99 ECB
OOP: $.95 on GC
ECB's earned: $2, $3, $4, $4, $4.99 ($17.99!!!)

So I'm planning on going probably tomorrow to do the Kimberly Clark deal, the L'Oreal Naturale cosmetics, BOGO Veet ($2 printable), and the Candy ECB Deal. Head to smartsource to print a few $1 off 3 Hershey Q's

I'll post my plans after I finish hammering them out in Excel. Do you have any suggestions or ideas? I'd LOVE input!

Meijer & Walgreens.... I <3 Saving $

Decided I couldn't pass the Meijer deals up, so went back again. Since husband and I are going on a date tonight, remembered I needed to provide a meal for our lovely teenagers. Turned my Pond's Peelies into Movie Tickets (free) and going to see Bangkok Dangerous. Can't go wrong w/Nicholas Cage is what I say... Plus we have the Q from Papa John's Pizza Box flier for a Free Lg Popcorn w/purchase of a Lg Drink. So about $4.50 for a movie and concessions for 2? Not bad at all...


2 Aunt Millies Hot Dog Buns @ 1.00 ea
-- used 2 .35/1 manQ's (doubled)
1 Can Hormel Chili (Turkey) @ 1.31
-- no coupon :(
2 Box Toaster Strudel @ 1.88 ea
-- 2 .50/1 printables from smartsource.com (doubled)
1 Bottle of Tide (Was informed while at the store that we were ALL OUT)@ 7.69 ea (OUCH)
-- .35/1 manQ (doubled)
1 Box of Snuggle Fabric Softener (another last minute item) @ 5.19 ea
-- .40/1 manQ (doubled)
4 Lysol Wipes @ 1.24 ea
-- 2 $1/2 printables
2 Lysol Multi Purpose A/B Spray @ 1.39 ea
-- 2 .50/2 printables (doubled)
2 Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner @ 1.49 ea (I think it was some special kind, was more $$)
-- 2 .50/2 printables (doubled)
2 Spray N Wash @ 1.14 ea
-- 2 .75/1 manQ
1 Advance Copy of Indy Star Sunday Paper @ 1.75 ea
(The coupons are just that good)
Used my last $3 catalina (from Capri Sun deal last week)
Total OOP: $20.85
Total Savings: $32.48


Also wanted to use my $10/$40 Coupon, and some of those RR's that were burning a hole in my "hot coupons" organizer**. It didn't go as planned, and my OOP about made me cry... But it'll pay off in the form of rebates... I took these pictures while waiting for husband to pick a video game in the Blockbuster Store to "rent". We get 1 rental free each month with our Total Rewards membership.


3 Glade Wisp refills (kids have nagged for these for so long!) @ 3.49 ea
-- used 3 $1/1 printables
-- will get $3 for ESR rebate
2 Glade Plug-Ins Warmer Units @ 1.99 ea
-- used B1G1 Q (but she rang ups as $3.49 off)
-- will get $1 for ESR rebate
Crest ProHealth Toothpaste @ 3.79
-- used .75/1 manQ
-- will get $3.79 for ESR rebate
2 South Beach Diet snack Bars @ 2.50 ea
-- will get $5 for ESR rebate (finally got $15 worth)
3 Garnier Products @ 22.47 total
-Eye Roller @ 12.99
-- used $2/1 printable
-Fructis Leave-In conditioner @ 3.49
-- used $1/1 manQ
-Fructis Hair Shine Spray stuff @ 5.99
-- used $1/1 manQ
-- Will get $10 ESR Rebate
Nivea Men Wash @ 4.99
-- used $1/1 manQ
-- Will get $4.99 ESR rebate
Excedrin Gel @ 3.99 (need these after taking 13yr old daughter with me to the store)
-- Will get $3.99 ESR rebate
Lypsyl Lip Balm @ 1.99 (tastes like total crap, wish i didn't get this. I'm glad they're paying me an extra 10%)
-- Will get $1.99 ESR rebate
Chemistry Tame Serum @ 7.99 ea
-- Will get $7.99 ESR rebate

Used $10 RR (from Robitussin Deal)
Used $10 off $40 Walgreens Q

Total OOP: $35.91 OUCH OUCH OUCH
Total Savings: $29.22
Total ESR: $41.75 (before you add the 10%)
So technically it's a profit... I'll get more than I spent. It just hurts to spend it, that's all.

Then I ran back in to do a quick deal since she wouldn't let me use more than 1 RR in the previous transaction. Boy was this one fun...


1 Schick Quattro Razor @ 4.99
-- used $2/1 ManQ
5 Refill Quattro Packs @ 4.99
-- used FOUR $4/1 ManQ's
1 Book of Stamps @ 8.40
Used 10 RR
Total OOP: $8.44
Total Savinggs $64.50

** My "hot coupons" organizer. I decided that in addition to my 2 fullsized coupon organizers (one for food, one for non-food) I'd get a smaller organizer for my "hot coupons". Stuff I use all the time, or am price checking, or whatever. Free stuff coupons, haircuts, rebate forms, oil changes, etc. So when I was last at the Office Depot turning my old cartridges into $3 store credit vouchers, I decided to grab one. I think I ended up paying about $1.50 OOP (used a $3 voucher, I think it was priced at $3.99) It's got 12 tabs. I also now put the q's i have lined up for a particular trip into it. I have separate tabs for Meijer, CVS, Walgreens, etc... I put my ECB in there, my Meijer-only Catalinas, rain checks, and un-filed receipts... you get the idea... here's a picture.

Super Cheap Cleaning Supplies at Meijer!

Lysol and Spray N Wash is on sale 1/2 off this week!!! Recent coupons for .50/1 doubled mean .04 to .39 cleaning supplies! I did 3 transactions today. But I just went here and printed a few more Lysol Q's and will prolly go back again in a few. What can I say, I'm addicted to free or nearly free stuff. It's a sickness.

Transaction #1:

Indy Star advance Sunday Paper @ 1.75
Oscar Mayer Roast Beef @ 4.29
-- used catalina for free product (from last week, buy 2 Kraft Deli Select Cheeses)
4 Betty Crocker Mashed Potatoes @ 1.00 ea
-- used $1/2 printable
2 Green Giant Broccoli & Rice @ 1.00 ea
-- used .50/2 manQ (doubled)
2 Green Giant Immunity Boost @ 1.00 ea
-- used 2 .25/1 manQ (doubled)
5 Louis Kemp Krab Legs @ 1.00 ea
3 Green Giant Steamers - Peas @ 1.00 ea
-- used 3 $1/1 manQ
2 Hunt's Snack Pack Pudding @ 1.00 ea
-- used .75/2 manQ from All You (Current)
4 Lysol A/B Wipes @ 1.24 ea
-- used 2 $1/2 manQ
2 Lysol Pourable Cleaner @ 1.39 ea
-- used 2 .50/1 manQ (doubled)
2 Lysol All Purpose A/B Spray Cleaner @ 1.39 ea
-- used 2 .50/1 manQ (doubled)
2 Lysol Toilet Cleaners @ 1.04 ea
-- used 2 .50/1 manQ (doubled)
2 Spray N Wash @ 1.14 ea
-- used 2 .50/1 manQ (doubled)
3 Electrasol Gel Paks @ 3.00 ea
-- used 3 2.25/1 manQ

Total: $19.10
Paid with $4 Catalinas (from PowerAde deal) x 3 & $3 OYNO Catalinas (from Capri Sun deal) x 2, and $1.10 OOP
Savings Total: $84.14

Transaction #2:

2 Lysol All Purpose A/B Srpays @ 1.39 ea
-- used 2 .50/1 manQ (doubled)
Total OOP: $0.90
Savings Total: $4.80
Model: 11 yr old son, priceless.

Transaction #3:

1 Lysol Toilet Cleaner @ 1.04 ea
-- used 1 .50/1 manQ
2 Lysol All Purpose A/B Spray @ 1.39 ea
-- used 2 .50/1 manQ (doubled)
2 Lysol Pourable All Purpose Cleaner @ 1.39 ea
-- used 2 .50/1 manQ (doubled)

Total OOP: $1.89
Savings Total: $11.65

Why 3 transactions? Most of you know that the stores will double your coupons... My Meijer will double a MAX of 2 of the SAME coupon. So I make sure that I never use more than 2 of the same one. And if I find a smokin' hot deal, I just go back and repeat. That's what I did today.

CVS is getting to be really really fun. And cheap!

Thanks again to everyone who gave me the greatest hints and tips for CVS... I went there intending to get the Ambi soap for $1.99 and get $3 ECB after... they didn't have that soap. So I had to think on the fly, and... well I ended up burning ECBs and got some junk food... and the Clorox wipes my teenager's been harassing me for. Ignore the OUST sprays... my photographer put them into my CVS booty, instead of the Walgreens...

1 Clorox Wipes @ 2.50 ea
1 Butterfinger @ .75 ea
1 Mentos Gum @ .99 ea
1 Renuzit Tri-Scent @ 7.99 ea
-- used $4/1 man q

Used:
$6 ECB
$2/$10 CVS Q (richmond parents)

Got back $3 ECB
OOP: .57

Walgreens again?!

Another Walgreens run, what can I say? I'm addicted. The deals are just that good.
*Note: The Oust sprays are photographed in my CVS post, my photographer (child) made a goof...

6 Oust Sprays @ 2.99 ea
-- used $2/1 Easy Saver Q
-- used 3 B1G1 man Q's
-- used 3 $1/1 man Q's
3 Robitussin @ 3.99 ea
-- used 3 $3/1 printables
-- Got $10 RR back
2 Herbert's Loaded Candy Bars @ 1.99 ea
-- used $3/2 Easy Saver Q
3 Southbeach Cereal Bars @ 2.50 ea
-- used 2 $2/1 printables
1 Nabisco Wheat Thin @ 2.50 ea
-- used "free" coupon from All You
($5 more to go till the $5 Easy Saver Rebate)
Colgate toothbrush
-- used $2/1 Easy Saver Q
-- used $1/1 man Q from All You

Total OOP: $9.53
Total Savings: $56.74

Quick Kroger Run...

Ran to Kroger to take advantage of a sale they had going & some pretty sweet printable coupons I had. Excuse small pictures, battery died in Digi, so one of the kids used their cell phone.

16 Easy Mac Cups @ .88 ea
-- used $1/2 printables
2 Eckrich Lunchmeats @ .88 ea
-- used $1/2 man q
2 Big Bags of Pizza Rolls
-- used $1/1 printable
4 Oscar Mayer Hotdogs
-- used 4 "free" q's from last month's All You
-- the easy macs qualified as my 3 items
2 Big Boxes of Cheerios @ 4.33 ea
-- used 2 "free" q's from the Cheerio's Challege (got in mail)
-- also used .55 off e-coupon loaded to Kroger card
4 Campbell's Chunky Soups @ 1.67 ea
-- used .50/4 man q (doubled)
2 Sunny Delight Bottles @ .88 ea
-- used .55/2 man q
6 Pilsbury Cinnamon Rolls @ 1.66 ea
-- used 6 $1/1 printable
6 Pilsbury Crescent Rolls @ 1.66 ea
-- used 6 $1/1 printable
1 Hostess Coffee Cake
-- used .45/1 man q from inside last box purchased

$3 off for buying 15 participating boxtops items
Total OOP: $23.75
Total Savings: $76.62 (76%)

Walgreens fun again!

Ok so I can't stay away... the plan is to get enough RR's to buy all of the "Free After Rebate" items, hopefully with a $10 off coupon day...



4 Oust @ 2.99 ea
-- 2 B1G1 Manufacturer's Q's
-- 2 $1/1 ManQ's
-- $1/1 Walgreens Easy Saver Q($4 off total)
1 Visine @ 4.79 ea
-- $3/1 ManQ from All You (last month)
-- $2/1 Walgreens Easy Saver Q ($2 off total)
3 Robitussin Night Time @ 3.99 ea
-- 3 $3/1 ManQ printables
-- Get $10 Register Reward
2 Herbert Fully Loaded Candy Bars @ 1.99 ea
-- $3/2 Walgreens Easy Saver Q ($3 off total)

Total: $6.01
Walgreens Rebate Card: $3.30
Cash OOP: $2.71

Total Savings: $38.18

Walgreens, WOW!!!!

I'm like a kid in a candy store today, I tell ya... Deals to be had at the Walgreens :)

$10 Catalina for purchasing 3 Robitussins (Priced @ 3.99 ea)

Walgreens 1

3 Robitussin @ 3.99 ea
-- used 3 $3/1 printables
2 Poore's Jalapeno Chips @ .99 ea
-- These are a "make husband happy" product. No Coupon, but are usually priced @ 1.99

OOP: 5.79
Got $10 Catalina
Total Savings: $17

Walgreens 2

3 Robitussin @ 3.99 ea
-- used 3 $3/1 printables
3 Visines
-- used $2/1 Easy Saver Walgreens Q ($6 off)
-- used 3 $3/1 Man Q from All You (last month's issue)

OOP: $ 4.18
Got $10 Catalina
Total Savings: $30

My oh Meijer!

There's a money-maker still going on for those of us in the Indianapolis/Chicago area at Meijer!! The Catalina deal is good through the 28th, I believe... But the sale ends (for us) this week...

Buy 6 PowerAde Zero @ .59 ea and get a Catalina for $4 off YNSO!
There's reports of Tear Pad q's found at Speedway, and there are coupons from past inserts too... I don't have anymore :(
You can also buy 10 Vitamin Waters, and get 5 PowerAde drinks for free. If you pick at least 3 "regular" kind, you'll get a catalina coupon for $1 off 3 Powerade Zero...

Needless to say, we've got TONS of PowerAde and Vitamin Water at this point... and a neat stack of $4 catalinas to boot!

CVS is getting fun!!

I decided since the husband was gone for the day, I'd see what kind of damage I could do at CVS... Been getting some great tips from you guys, so thanks for that.

CVS 1

3 Revlon Nail Colors
-- cashier wouldn't take $2/1 Revlon Color Cosmetic (beeped)
-- cashier wouldn't take $1/1 Revlon Color Cosmetic (beeped)
1 Trident Extra Care Gum
-- .75/1 ManQ from All You
-- $2/$10 CVS (richmond parents...)
-- 10 ECB from Aveeno Deal

OOP: .29
ECB Earned: $9 (Revlon x3)

CVS 2

4 Rightguard Extreme @ 2.89ea
-- used 4 $1/1 Manq's (although only 3 were redeemed :( )
1 Aussie Moist Shampoo
1 Aussie Hair Spray
-- used $2/2 from 9/7's insert
1 Loreal Advance Revitalift Wipes @ 5.99 ea
-- used $1/1 printable from Loreal Site
-- $2/$10 CVS (richmond parents...)
-- $5 ECB from John Frieda Deal
-- $9 ECB from Revlon Deal

OOP: .99
ECB Earned: $8 (Right Guard X4), $2 (Aussie), 5.99 (Loreal)

CVS 3

1 Arnicare Gel @ 9.49 ea (Advertised @ 8.99?!?!)
-- used $2/1 printable
5 Trident Xtra Care Gum
-- used 3 .75/1 Manq's (didn't bring more w/me into the store)
-- $2/$10 CVS (richmond parents...)
-- $8 ECB from Right Guard Deal

OOP: .55
ECB Earned: $8 (Arnicare)

CVS 4

3 Trident Xtra Care Gum @ $1 ea
-- used 3 .75/1 manq
1 Soft & Dri Deodorant
-- used .75/1 man q
2 Alavert @ 5.99 ea
-- used 2 $4/1 printables
1 Act Rinse @ 4.49 ea
-- used $1/1 from past insert
-- $2/$10 CVS (richmond parents...)
-- $8 ECB from Arnicare

OOP: $1.23
ECB Earned: $2 (Act Rinse), $2 (Soft&Dri)

CVS Total: $3.06 OOP, $11.99 ECB

CVS again, again!!

Ok so I went back again!!! Had to get my $10 Aveeno ECB, and while I was there, I got some more John Frieda since I was halfway to another $5 ECB anyways...

2 John Frieda products @ 5.99 ea
-- used $3/2 ManQ
1 Aveeno Shave Cream @ 4.99 ea
-- no Q :(
1 IndyStar Newspaper @ 1.75 ea
-- has 4 inserts!! HELLLO!!

Used
$5 ECB from John Frieda
$2/$10 CVS Q

Paid
$9.42
Got
$10 ECB for Aveeno
$5 ECB for John Frieda

CVS again...

Ok so I took some of the advice I was given, and kept my order smaller. Here's what I did today:

3 Aveeno Shaving Cream @ 4.99 ea
-- used 3 $2/1 printables
1 Aveeno Body Wash @ 5.99 ea
-- used 1 $2/1 printable
3 John Frieda Hair Products @ 5.99 ea
-- used 1 $1/1 man Q
-- used 1 $3/2 man Q
1 CVS 50 ct Cotton Swab
-- used "Free Gift" Coupon from CVS e-mail

Spent:
$5 ECB from Biore/Jergens Deal
$5 ECB from Red Light Machine (Customer Service replaced an ECB I had lost)
$4 ECB from Suave
$4 ECB from Colgate
$2/$10 CVS (Richmond Parents...)
$3.52 on GC (it's empty now)
$4.74 OOP!!!!

Mistake I made: Miscalculated my Aveeno Deal, and need to go back tomorrow and spend $4.04 more on Aveeno products (not a problem, we use these) to get my $10 ECB. I was thinking of getting a few more John Frieda items (two teenaged daughters), and using more of my $3/2 Q's. That way I'd also get another $5... Anyone have any other ideas? Also, I noticed my summer 2008 spending was pretty high... Does that include prescriptions, ya think?

CVS attempts...

8/31
Went to use my B1G1 CoverGirl coupon from August's brandsaver, and my $3 ECB from last week.

Got:
2 Wetslicks
- Used B1G1 from Sept Brandsaver
- Got $5.99 ECB
1 AquaSmoother foundation
1 Covergirl outlast lip gloss
- Used B1G1 from Aug Brandsaver
- CVS has B1G1
1 AcneFree Kit (was getting this already, ECB deal was just a bonus)
- Used $3/1 coupon (Grandma sent to me)
- Got $5 ECB
4 Dawn Dishwashing Liquid on sale for .99
- Used 4 .50/1 Dawn coupons from 8/31 Brandsaver
3 IndyStar newspapers

Used $3 ECB
Paid $22.80
Receipt says I saved $37.97 today

9/1
Husband transferred prescription and got $25 GC
5 Soy Joy Bars
- Used $3/5 coupon here
2 Atkins Advantage Bars
- Used $1/1 coupon from past insert
6 Suave Body Washes
- Used 3 B1G1 coupons from past insert
- Got $4 ECB
2 Colgate Adv.
- Used 2 $1.50/1 coupons from All You
- Got $4 ECB
6 CoverGirl Outlast lipgloss/colors
- One sale B1G1
- Used 3 B1G1 Covergirl from Sept brandsaver
1 Biore Pore Strips
1 Biore Face Scrub
- Used $2 off strips if buy cleanser coupon from tear pad at Kroger
1 Jergens Natural Glow
- Used $1/1 coupon from tear pad at Kroger
- Got $5 ECB for $15 worth of Jergens/Biore
1 Gillette Mach 3 Disposable
- Used $2/1 coupon from past insert for any gillette

Used $5/$30 Coupon for Labor Day only from CVS email
Paid $21.48 on GC
Receipt says I saved $107.73 today.

I'm planning on going back to do the Aveeno deal, but am hoping the coupons I requested in the mail for $2/1 Aveeno here come in the mail before end of sale.

My husband asked me the other day about why I don't get the low totals that others do. (I read him the awesome deals I see posted at MSM and Centsible Sawyer) It really made me sit back and wonder, and I realized that I roll in items that we need into the deals. I'm all new to the CVS'ing but I noticed that I did it again in these deals too. Those biore strips are so cashy, but with two teenaged daughters... well you know.

How did you do at the CVS? Do you have any tips for me? I'd love to hear from you...