Mail Call -- Week of 11/28 - 12/03

It was a super slow week for mail...

Garnier Fructis, Aveeno, and Garnier moisturizer sample and coupon. Barely worth the trip to the mailbox! 

Shopping Trip - 11/27/11

The sales weren’t crazy good this week, but what could I expect after the savings extravaganza on Thanksgiving. The best part about my purchases today? I bought several USEFUL items, like plates, laundry detergent, and toilet paper.

I bought 33 items for a total of $8.83 plus tax. Retail value with sales prices was $88.19 plus tax. I paid $8.01 in tax today—almost as much as my subtotal. Even with tax included, I saved $79.36 or 82%. This is mostly thanks to using my rewards earned on Thanksgiving, although I did have some decent coupons to use. I have a $10 gift card and $24.99 in rewards remaining, PLUS $29.94 in rewards leftover from previous purchases. That means I have $64.93 to use on future shopping trips.

Purchased items include 2 Diet Pepsi 12-packs, 1 Mountain Dew 12-pack, 2 packs Chinet plates, 1 can Campbell’s Spaghettio’s, 8 Glade aerosol air fresheners, 2 Oral B battery toothbrushes, 1 Walgreens cold sore treatment, 2 Tide Free and Gentle laundry detergents, 1 Charmin toilet paper 12-double rolls, 1 Mission Foot Rehab cream, 1 Mission Max Muscle Rehab gel, 1 bottle Revitalens Complete multipurpose solution, 2 bags Haribo Gummi Bears, 3 Russell Stover holiday chocolates, 4 holiday sticker books, and 1 Softlips pearl lip balm (not pictured because I accidentally left it in the bag.)

Here’s a breakdown of each store.

CVS

Campell’s Spaghettio’s with meatballs $1.00 (regularly $1.77—not a good deal, but my mom wanted these for lunch next week)

Revitalens Complete Multipurpose Solution 12 oz. $8.99
Cost: $8.99, earned $8.99 EB (making this FREE)

The following items were part of the “Get a $10 gift card when you buy $30 in participating items” promotion. 

2 Oral B power toothbrushes @ $4.99 = $9.98 (regularly $7.99 each)
Used (2) -$3.00 mfr coupons
Cost: $3.98 

2 Tide Free and Gentle laundry detergents @ $5.94 = $11.88 (regularly $8.49 each)
Used (2) -$2.00 mfr coupons
Cost: $7.88

8 Glade aerosol sprays @ $0.99 = $7.92 (regularly $1.99 each)
Used (4) -$2.00/2 mfr coupons (adjusted to $7.92 instead of $8.00)
Cost: FREE

Gift card promotion total: $29.78
Used -$17.92 in coupons
Cost: $11.86, earned $10 gift card (making ALL these items only $1.86 or $0.16 each)

CVS total before coupons: $39.77 + tax = $43.63
-$17.92 coupons
-$17.98 ExtraBucks from Thanksgiving purchases
My OOP: $3.87 + tax = $7.73, earned $10 gift card and $8.99 EBs (plus $5 EBs that printed out because I reached another $50 on Beauty Club!)
Savings: $35.90, 82%

 

Walgreens

I started with $22.49 in Register Rewards. My cashier was not the friendliest and she missed scanning one of my coupons. It was just $0.30, but I’ve GOT to start paying more attention at the register. That’s two missed coupons in just a couple of days. 

Transaction # 1

Mission Foot Rehab Cream $5.99
Cost: $5.99, earned $6 RR (making this FREE + $0.01 profit)

Mission Max Muscle Rehab gel $5.99
Cost: $5.99, earned $6 RR (making this FREE + $0.01 profit)

Walgreens cold sore treatment $7.99
Cost: $7.99, earned $8 RR (making this FREE + $0.01 profit)

Softlips pearl lip balm $2.00
Cost: $2.00, earned $2 RR (making this FREE)

2 Haribo Gummi Bears @ $1.49 = $2.98
Used -$1.40 in-ad coupon
Used -$0.30 mfr coupon (I had TWO -$0.30 coupons, but the cashier didn’t scan one.)
Cost: $1.28 (making these $0.64 each—should’ve been $0.49 if the cashier scanned the other coupon)

3 Russell Stover holiday chocolates @ $0.50 = $1.50
Used -$0.63 in-ad coupon
Cost: $0.87 (making these $0.29 each)

Transaction # 1 total before coupons: $26.45 + tax = $28.77
-$2.33 coupons
-$22.49 RRs from Thanksgiving purchases
My OOP: $1.63 + tax = $3.95, earned $22 RRs

Transaction # 2

4 Christmas sticker books @ $0.50 = $2.00
Used -$0.44 in-ad coupon
Cost: $1.56 (making these $0.39 each)

2 packs Chinet plates @ 2/$3.00
Used (2) -$1.00 mfr coupons
Cost: $1.00 (making these $0.50 each—which is a super deal!)

Charmin toilet paper 12-double rolls $5.99
Used -$0.25 mfr coupon
Cost: $5.74

Transaction # 2 total before coupons: $10.99 + tax = $11.99
-$2.69 coupons
-$8.00 RR from Transaction # 1
My OOP: $0.30 + tax = $1.30

Walgreens total before coupons: $37.44 + tax = $40.76
My OOP: $1.93 + tax = $5.25, with $14 RRs remaining
Savings: $35.51, 87%

Rite Aid

I started with $8 UPs. It was a very slow week at Rite Aid.

3 Pepsi product 12-packs @ $3.66 = $10.98 (regularly $5.49 each)
Cost: $10.98, earned $2 UPs (making these $2.99 each)

Rite Aid total before coupons: $10.98 + tax = $11.86
-$8.00 UPs from Thanksgiving sales
My OOP: $2.98 + tax = $3.86, with $2 UPs remaining
Savings: $8.00, 67%

No picture of rewards, but I earned a $10 CVS gift card, $8.99 ExtraBucks, $14 Register Rewards, and $2 UPs. I also received $5 ExtraBucks for meeting another $50 Beauty Club goal. PLUS, I have $24.94 in ExtraBucks remaining from the Thanksgiving purchases. Looks like I'll get to do lots more shopping at CVS!

Mail Call -- Week of 11/21 - 11/27

Pretty good for a holiday week.

I got 3 packs of Emergen-C for Kids, 2 packs of Emergen-C with $1 coupon, Head & Shoulders Smooth and Silky shampoo and conditioner, Tresemme shampoo and conditioner with $1 coupon, a Procter & Gamble sample kit with Crest whitestrips and toothpaste, Herbal Essences, and a $36 coupon booklet, and a John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder sample kit with lightening shampoo, lightening conditioner, and lightening spray. 

I thought the John Frieda was super nice! It's pretty large for a sample. Too bad my hair isn't blonde anymore. I'm either going to save it for summer (I usually go blonde then) or give it away.

Thanksgiving Shopping Trip - CVS

All I can say about CVS is WOW! Tons and tons of freebies and moneymakers. I went to two different stores for this massive haul. The tax was terrible, but I had a HUGE amount of rewards leftover.

CVS total before coupons: $166.62 + tax = $181.14
My OOP: $18.54 + tax = $33.06, with $42.92 EBs remaining
Savings: $148.08, 82%

I had $13 in EBs to start with. I also used mom’s card (in addition to mine) to take advantage of some of the deals for her. I got overage on a couple of coupons. I told the cashier she might need to adjust them down, but the register accepted them without beeping so she left them as is. 

Transaction # 1 (my card)

Theraflu warming caplets 8ct $1.87 (regularly $1.99)
Theraflu single packet $0.99
Used -$3.00/2 mfr coupon
Cost: -$0.14, earned $1.87 EB and $0.99 EB (making these FREE + $3.00 profit)

Benefiber sticks 3ct $1.49
Used -$3.00 mfr coupon
Cost: -$1.51, earned $1.49 EB (making this FREE + $3.00 profit)

Finish Quantum 10ct dish washer tabs $2.99 (regularly $4.49)
Used -$1.00 mfr coupon
Cost: $1.99, earned $2.99 EB (making this FREE + $1.00 profit)

Breathe Right strips 12ct $5.99 (regularly $6.29)
Used -$1.50 CVS coupon
Cost: $4.49, earned $5.99 EB (making this FREE + $1.50 profit)

Cepacol sore throat lozenges 16ct $4.99
Used -$1.00 mfr coupon
Cost: $3.99, earned $4.99 EB (making this FREE + $1.00 profit)

Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal $2.87 (regularly $3.29)
Used -$0.75 mfr coupon
Cost: $2.12, earned $2.00 EB (making this $0.12)

Revlon nail polish $4.99 (regularly $5.79)
Used -$1.00 mfr coupon
Cost: $3.99, earned $4.00 EB (making this FREE + $0.01 profit)

Transaction # 1 total before coupons: $26.18 + tax = $28.21
-$5.00/$25.00 email coupon
-$3.00 EBs from previous purchase
-$11.25 coupons
My OOP: $6.93 + tax = $8.96, earned $24.32 EBs

Transaction # 2 (my card)

3 Mars chocolate singles @ $0.75 = $3.00 (regularly $1.19 each)
Cost: $3.00, earned $3.00 EB (making these FREE)

CVS alkaline batteries AA 4pk $3.65 (regularly $3.99)
Cost: $3.65, earned $3.99 EB (making these FREE + $0.34 profit)

Balance Bar energy bar $1.69 (regularly $1.99)
Cost: $1.69, earned $1.69 EB (making this FREE)

2 Listerine pocket packs 3ct @ $2.99 = $5.98 (regularly $4.49 each)
Cost: $5.98, earned $5.98 EB (making these FREE)

Advil PM 4ct $0.99
Cost: $0.99, earned $0.99 EB (making these FREE)

Starbucks Double Shot drink $1.69 (regularly $1.99)
Cost: $1.69, earned $1.69 EB (making this FREE)

Pepto Bismol 4 oz $2.99 (regularly $3.99)
Cost: $2.99, earned $2.99 EB (making this FREE)

Kleenex Cool Touch 50ct $1.50 (regularly $2.57)
Used -$0.40 mfr coupon
Cost: $1.10, earned $1.50 EB (making this FREE + $0.40 profit)

Softlips vanilla single pack $2.00 (regularly $2.99)
Cost: $2.00, earned $2.00 EB (making this FREE)

Carmex $1.00 (regularly $1.77)
Used -$0.30 mfr coupon
Cost: $0.70, earned $1.00 EB (making this FREE + $0.30 profit)

I-Chill Relaxation Shot 2ct $5.29
Cost: $5.29, earned $5.29 EB (making this FREE)

Excedrin PM Extra Strength 8ct with bonus Excedrin PM 8ct $0.99
Cost: $0.99, earned $0.99 EB (making these FREE)

Transaction # 2 total before coupons: $30.77 + tax = $33.22
-$5.00/$25.00 email coupon
-$0.70 coupons
-$24.32 EBs from Transaction # 1
My OOP: $0.75 + tax = $3.20, earned $31.11 EBs

Transaction # 3 (my card)

4 bags Holiday M&Ms @ $2.50 = $10.00 (regularly $3.99 each)
Used (2) -$1.00/2 mfr coupons
Cost: $8.00, earned $4.00 EB (making these $1.00 each)

Wet ‘n Wild Festive Flirt nail kit $2.88 (regularly $5.99)
Cost: $2.88, earned $2.00 EB (making this $0.88)

2 Hershey’s king-sized candies @ $0.99 = $1.98 (regularly $1.87 each)
Cost: $1.98, earned $1.98 EB (making these FREE)

2 Conair 1875 watt hair dryers @ $9.99 = $19.98
Cost: $19.98, earned $10.00 EB (making these $4.99 each)

Transaction # 3 total before coupons: $34.84 + tax = $38.24
-$2.00 coupons
-$31.11 EBs from Transaction # 2
My OOP: $1.73 + tax = $5.13, with $17.98 EBs remaining

Transaction # 4 (mom’s card)

LA Looks hair gel 20 oz $2.49 (regularly $3.99)
Cost: $2.49, earned $2.49 EB (making this FREE)

2 Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste 4 oz @ $2.87 = $5.74 (regularly $3.49 each)
Used (2) -$1.00 CVS coupons
Cost: $3.74, earned $5.74 EBs (making these FREE + $2.00 profit)

CVS dental flossers 90ct $1.99 (regularly $2.49)
Cost: $1.99, earned $1.99 EB (making this FREE)

Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal $2.87 (regularly $3.29)
Used -$0.75 mfr coupon
Cost: $2.12, earned $2.00 EB (making this $0.12)

Finish Quantum 10ct dish washer tabs $2.99 (regularly $4.49)
Used -$1.00 mfr coupon
Cost: $1.99, earned $2.99 EB (making this FREE + $1.00 profit)

Breathe Right strips 12ct $5.99 (regularly $6.29)
Used -$1.50 CVS coupon
Cost: $4.49, earned $5.99 EB (making this FREE + $1.50 profit)

Cepacol sore throat lozenges 16ct $4.99
Used -$1.00 mfr coupon
Cost: $3.99, earned $4.99 EB (making this FREE + $1.00 profit)

Transaction # 4 total before coupons: $27.06 + tax = $29.17
-$5.00/$25.00 CVS email coupon
-$10.00 EBs from previous purchase
-$6.25 coupons
My OOP: $5.81 + tax = $7.92, earned $26.19 EBs

Transaction #5 (mom’s card)

4 Mars chocolate singles @ $0.75 = $3.00 (regularly $1.19 each)
Cost: $3.00, earned $3.00 EB (making these FREE)

Phillips universal remote $6.99 (regularly $12.79)
Cost: $6.99, earned $6.99 EB (making this FREE)

Fiber One brownies 6ct $3.99 (regularly $4.19)
Cost: $3.99, earned $3.99 EB (making this FREE)

2 GUM toothbrush 2pks @ $2.99 = $5.98 (regularly $3.89 each)
Cost: $5.98, earned $5.98 EB (making these FREE)

Carmex $1.00 (regularly $1.77)
Used -$0.30 mfr coupon
Cost: $0.70, earned $1.00 EB (making this FREE + $0.30 profit)

Wet ‘n Wild Festive Flirt nail kit $2.88 (regularly $5.99)
Cost: $2.88, earned $2.00 EB (making this $0.88)

2 Hershey’s king size candies @ $0.99 = $1.98 (regularly $1.87 each)
Cost: $1.98, earned $1.98 EB (making these FREE)

Sheets energy strips 10ct $3.99 (regularly $5.89)
Cost: $3.99, earned $3.99 EB (making this FREE)

Transaction # 5 total before coupons: $29.81 + tax = $32.63
-$0.30 coupons
-$26.19 EBs from Transaction # 4
My OOP: $3.32 + tax = $6.14, earned $28.93 EBs

Transaction # 6 (mom’s card)

2 Planters 16oz peanuts @ $3.00 = $6.00 (regularly $4.29 each)
Cost: $6.00, earned $3.00 EB (making these $1.50 each)

Advil 10ct $2.99 (regularly $3.29)
Cost: $2.99, earned $2.99 EB (making this FREE)

Phililps color tunes ear buds $6.99 (regularly $9.79)
Cost: $6.99, earned $6.00 EB (making this $0.99)

2 Bayer Advanced aspirin 20ct @ $0.99 = $1.98 (regularly $4.29 each)
Used (2) -$1.50 mfr coupons (adjusted down this time)
Cost: $0.00 (making these FREE)

Transaction # 6 total before coupons: $17.96 + tax = $19.67
-$1.98 coupons
-$15.98 EBs from Transaction # 5 (leaving $12.95 in unused EBs)
My OOP: $0.00 + tax = $1.71, earned $11.99 EBs

Thanksgiving Shopping Trip - Walgreens

Walgreens was pretty awesome! I went to two different stores to get these items. I actually almost paid more in tax than the cost of all the items... just a 3 cent difference. 

Total Walgreens before coupons: $95.16 + tax = $103.98
My OOP: $8.85 + tax = $17.67, with $22.49 RRs remaining
Savings: $86.31, 83%

I started with $8 RR from last week’s purchases. 

Transaction # 1

2 Bic Flex 4 razors 4pk @ 2/$6.00
Used (2) -$2.00 mfr coupons
Cost: $2.00, earned $4 RR (making these FREE + $2.00 profit)

Crest 3D White toothpaste $2.50
Used -$1.00 mfr coupon
Cost: $1.50, earned $2.50 RR (making this FREE + $1.00 profit)

Oral B Indicator toothbrush $1.50
Cost: $1.50, earned $1.50 RR (making this FREE)

2 Secret body splash @ 2/$7.50
Used (2) -$1.00 mfr coupons
Cost: $5.50, earned $5.50 RR (making these FREE)

Preparation H totables 10pk $2.75
Used -$2.00 mfr coupon
Cost: $0.75, earned $2.75 RR (making this FREE + $2.00 profit)

Transaction # 1 total before coupons: $20.25 + tax = $22.22
-$9 coupons
-$8 RRs from previous purchase
My OOP: $3.25 + tax = $5.22, earned $16.25 RRs

Transaction # 2

Advil PM 4ct $0.99
Cost: $0.99, earned $0.99 RR (making this FREE)

Thermacare heat wrap $2.49
Cost: $2.49, earned $2.50 RR (making this FREE + $0.01 profit)

2 Schick Hydro shave gel @ 2/$4.00
Used (2) -$1.00 mfr coupons
Cost: $2.00, earned $2.00 RR (making these FREE)

Nutralife SAMe vitamins $10.00
Cost: $10.00, earned $10.00 RR (making this FREE)

2 Scunci elastics @ 2/$3.00
-$0.01 discount for some random reason
Cost: $2.99, earned $3.00 RR (making these FREE + $0.01 profit)

Transaction # 2 total before coupons: $20.48 + tax = $22.48
-$2.01 coupons and discount
-$16.25 RRs from Transaction # 1
My OOP: $2.22 + tax = $4.22, earned $18.49 RRs

Transaction # 3

Tuf paper towels $0.99
Used -$0.60 in-ad coupon
Cost: $0.39

Dentek floss picks 90ct $2.00                                  
Used -$0.75 mfr coupon
Cost: $1.25, earned $2 RR (making this FREE + $0.75 profit)

GUM toothbrush 2-pack $2.00
Cost: $2.00, earned $2 RR (making this FREE)

Walgreens naproxen sodium caplets 20ct $2.00
Cost: $2.00, earned $2 RR (making this FREE)

Cortaid anti-itch cream 0.5 oz $2.99
Cost: $2.99, earned $3.00 RR (making this FREE + $0.01 profit)

2 Gillette Pro Series shave care @ 2/$7.50
Used (2) -$2.00 mfr coupons
Cost: $3.50, earned $5.50 RR (making these FREE + $2.00 profit)

Sheets energy strips $3.99
Cost: $3.99, earned $4.00 RR (making these FREE + $0.01 profit)

4 Welch’s Sparkling Grape Juice 25.4 oz @ $2.50 = $10.00
Used -$2.00 Walgreens IVC from December booklet
Used (2) -$2.00 mfr coupons
Cost: $4.00 (making these $1.00 each)

Transaction # 3 total before coupons: $31.47 + tax = $34.25
-$11.35 coupons
-$18.49 RRs from Transaction # 2
My OOP: $1.63 + tax = $4.41, earned $18.50 RRs

Transaction # 4

2 Scunci no-damage elastics 18pk @ 2/$3.00
-$0.01 discount for some random reason
Cost: $2.99, earned $3 RR (making these FREE + $0.01 profit)

2 Tuf paper towels @ $0.99 = $1.98
Used -$1.20 in-ad coupon
Cost: $0.78 (making these $0.39 each)

Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste $3.00
Used -$1.00 mfr coupon
Cost: $2.00, earned $3.00 RR (making this FREE + $1.00 profit)

2 Schick Hydro shave gels @ 2/$4.00
Used (2) -$1.00 mfr coupons
Cost: $2.00, earned $2.00 RR (making these FREE)

Advil PM 4ct $0.99
Cost: $0.99, earned $0.99 RR (making this FREE)

Thermacare heat wrap $2.49
Cost: $2.49, earned $2.50 RR (making this FREE + $0.01 profit)

2 Gillette ProSeries shave care @ 2/$7.50
Used (2) -$2.00 mfr coupons
Cost: $3.50, earned $5.50 RR (making these FREE + $2.00 profit)

Transaction # 4 total before coupons: $22.96 + tax = $25.03
-$8.21 coupons and discount
-$13.00 RRs from Transaction # 3 (still had $5.50 leftover)
My OOP: $1.75 + tax = $3.82, earned $16.99 RRs