Using rewards to pay for purchases

One way I keep my weekly out-of-pocket pretty low is to use my earned rewards from the prior week to pay for purchases. ExtraBucks, Register Rewards, and +UP Rewards can be used to pay for pretty much anything in the store. Be sure to read them for exclusions, though--especially Register Rewards from Walgreens. 

Some people prefer to use all their rewards up in one week. I advise that if you're not sure you'll be returning to the store in the next two weeks. Your rewards DO expire. Most I've seen have an expiration date of at least two-weeks after the time of initial purchase. 

Since I pretty much know I'll be returning every week, I don't mind to hold on to my rewards. I use them to pay for my first purchase at each store. I buy items that will give me the most additional rewards FIRST, so then I can "roll" those to pay for other transactions. I really strive to pay as little out-of-pocket as possible--ideally just tax. 

After you coupon a few times, you'll start accumulating some rewards that you can use weekly. Treat them like cash. If you lose them, they're probably gone forever. 

I wouldn't save as much if I didn't use my rewards to pay. For example, let's look at my Rite Aid shopping trip from this past week. The total of my first transaction was $25.98 + tax. I only had $4.50 in coupons, but I had $19.50 in UP rewards leftover from last week. That brought my total down to $1.98 + tax, AND I earned $17.00 in UPs to pay for my next transaction. 

Someone walking in to the store with no prior rewards probably won't save as much on their purchases, unless they make a ton of different transactions that day. (And trust me, your cashier and other customers will not appreciate you for that.) You'll end up paying more out-of-pocket the first few weeks. That's okay. But once you accumulate some rewards to roll every week, you'll see some CRAZY good savings.

Shopping Trip - 10/9/11

It's Sunday, so you know what that means... another shopping trip!

Rite Aid definitely wins the title of “Best Store of the Week.” I actually MADE money by shopping there. I love, love, love all their savings programs—UP rewards, Single Check Rebates, and Video Values. CVS was decent this week. Walgreens was a dud! I also made a quick trip to Kmart today. 

Here’s a picture of my haul. I’m pretty proud of this one. 

Click on the picture for a larger view. I purchased 54 items for a total of $8.48 plus tax with $20 in rewards remaining for next week. That doesn’t include the $10.00 in Register Rewards I have leftover from last week. Purchased items include 4 Pepsi 2-liters, 4 Pepsi Max 2-liters, 2 bags Kit Kats, 2 bags M&Ms, 1 bag Twix, 1 bag Snickers, 1 bag Hershey’s, 2 Reese’s Cups 8-packs, 1 Hershey’s 8-pack, 3 Extra Dessert Delights gum, 3 All laundry detergent, 1 box Comtrex Cold & Sinus medicine, 2 Carefree pantiliners, 1 bottle Bayer low-dose aspirin, 1 Emergen-C Immune Booster 2-pack shots, 1 Zarbee’s children’s cough syrup, 1 Hyland’s Defend Cold & Cough syrup, 1 Chloraseptic sore throat spray, 1 NeilMed Nasa Mist spray, 1 bag Halls Warm-Ups throat lozenges, 1 bag Burt Bee’s throat drops, 1 box Cepacol sore throat lozenges, 1 Blistex medicated lip ointment, 4 Rite Aid hand sanitizers, 2 big bottles Suave shampoo, 2 Colgate Optic White toothpaste, 4 Revlon Custom Eyes shadow and liner kits, 2 Revlon Luxurious Color single eye shadows, and 3 American Greetings birthday cards.

I had to pay $8.27 in tax today—almost as much as my subtotal. Even with tax included, I saved 87%! The total retail for those items was $116.03 plus tax. That means I saved $107.55 this week. Pretty great, huh? 

Between last week’s and this week’s candy purchases, I think I should be all set for Halloween. Plus, I’m loving the freebies on the medicine. We should be ready for winter! 

Here’s a breakdown of individual stores. 

Rite Aid

I had $19.50 in UPs from last week. Rite Aid didn’t have two items on my list, so I had to try to recalculate my transactions in the store. I still walked out with some AWESOME savings!  

Transaction # 1

3 Extra Dessert Delights 15-pk gum @ $1.00 = $3.00 (regularly $1.29 each)
Used -$1.00/2 mfr coupon
Cost: $2.00, earned $1.00 UP (making these $1.00 or $0.33 each)

2 Suave shampoo 30-oz bottles @ $1.50 = $3.00 (regularly $2.29 each)
Used -$2.00/2 Video Values coupon
Cost: $1.00 (making these $0.50 each) 

Hyland’s Defend Cold & Cough syrup 8 oz. $5.99 (regularly $13.29)
Cost: $5.99, earned $5.00 UPs (making this $0.99)

Bayer low-dose 81 mg aspirin 32-ct $2.99
Cost: $2.99, earned $2.00 UPs and $1.00 credit in SavingStar account (making this FREE)

4 Rite Aid hand sanitizers 8-oz @ $1.00 = $4.00 (regularly $2.99 each)
Cost: $4.00, earned $4.00 UPs (making these FREE)

2 Carefree pantiliners 20-ct @ $1.00 = $2.00 (regularly $1.49 each)
Used -$1.00/2 Video Values coupon
Used -$0.50 mfr coupon
Cost: $0.50 (making these $0.25 each)

NeilMed Nasa Mist 4.2 oz $5.00 (regularly $8.29)
Cost: $5.00, earned $5.00 UPs (making this FREE)

Transaction # 1 Total before coupons: $25.98 + tax = $28.45
-$4.50 coupons
-$19.50 UPs from last week
My OOP: $1.98 + tax = $4.45, earned $17.00 UPs and $1.00 in SavingStar account

Transaction # 2

2 Reese’s cups 8-pk and 1 Hershey’s fun-sized 8-pk  candy bars @ $1.00 = $3.00 (regularly $1.99 each)
Used -$0.50/2 Reese’s Video Values coupon
Cost: $2.50, earned $1.00 UP (making these $1.50 or $0.50 each)

2 Colgate Optic White 4 oz. toothpaste @ $3.99 = $7.98 (regularly $4.79 each)
Used (2) -$1.00 mfr coupons
Cost: $5.98, earned $6.00 UPs (making these FREE + $0.02 profit)

Chloraseptic Sore Throat spray 6 oz. $3.99 (regularly $6.49)
Used -$1.00 mfr coupon
Cost: $2.99, earned $3.00 UPs (making this FREE + $0.01 profit)

Comtrex Severe Cold and Sinus medicine 24-ct $3.99 (regularly $5.99)
Used -$1.00 mfr coupon
Cost: $2.99, earned $3.00 UPs (making this FREE + $0.01 profit)

Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment .21 oz $1.49 (regularly $2.79)
Cost: $1.49, earned $1.49 UPs (making this FREE)

Cepacol honey lemon sore throat lozenges 16-ct $2.50 (regularly $4.99)
Cost: $2.50, earned $2.50 UPs (making this FREE)

Burt’s Bees honey throat drops 20-ct $1.49 (regularly $1.99)
Cost: $1.49, earned $1.49 UPs (making this FREE)

Transaction # 2 Total before coupons: $24.44 + tax = $25.07
-$0.32 20% off shopping pass (no clue about that amount)
-$4.50 coupons
-$17.00 UPs from Transaction # 1
My OOP: $2.62 + tax = $3.25, earned $18.48 UPs

Transaction # 3

2 Kit Kat and 1 Hershey fun-sized candy 10.78 oz bags @ $2.00 = $6.00 (regularly $3.99 each)
Used -$1.00/3 mfr coupon
Used -$1.00/2 Video Values coupon
Cost: $4.00, earned $1.00 UP (making these $3.00 or $1.00 each)

Zarbee’s all-natural children’s cough syrup $5.99 (regularly $8.29)
Used -$1.00 mfr coupon
Cost: $4.99, submit for $5.99 Single Check Rebate (making this FREE + $1.00 profit)

Emergen-C Immune Booster 2-pk shots $3.49 (regularly $4.99)
Cost: $3.49, submit for $3.49 Single Check Rebate (making this FREE)

Transaction # 3 Total before coupons: $15.48 + tax = $16.95
-$3.00 coupons
-$12.48 UPs from Transaction # 2
My OOP: $0.00 + tax = $1.47, earned $1.00 UPs and $9.48 Single Check Rebates

Total Rite Aid before coupons: $65.90 + tax = $70.47
Today’s OOP: $4.60 + tax = $9.17
-$9.48 Single Check Rebates and $1.00 SavingStar credit
Total OOP:  -$5.88 + tax = -$1.31, with $7 UPs remaining
Savings: $71.78, 102%

CVS

 

I started with $3.79 ECBs from a couple of weeks ago. 

Transaction # 1

2 Revlon Custom Eyes shadow and liner kits @ $2.25 = $4.50 (clearance—regularly $8.99 each)
Used -$5.00/2 CVS coupon
Cost: -$0.50 (making these FREE + $0.50 profit)

4 Pepsi 2-liters @ $0.99 = $3.96 (regularly $1.99 each)
Used (2) BOGO coupons -$1.98
Cost: $1.98 (making these $0.49 each)

Transaction # 1 Total before coupons: $8.46 + tax = $9.23
-$6.98 coupons
My OOP: $1.48 + tax = $2.25

Transaction # 2

2 M&Ms 11.4-12.6 oz bags @ $2.50 = $5.00 (regularly $4.29 each)
Used -$1.50/2 mfr coupon
Used (2) -$0.50 CVS coupons
Cost: $2.50

Twix 11.4 oz bag and Snickers 11.1 oz bag fun-sized candy @ $2.50 = $5.00 (regularly $3.99-$4.19)
Used -$1.50/2 mfr coupon
Cost: $3.50

(Candy deal – get $3 ECBs when you buy $10. I paid $6 OOP and received $3.00 ECBs. That’s like paying $0.75 per bag.)

4 Pepsi Max 2-liters @ $0.99 = $3.96 (regularly $1.99 each)
Used (2) -$1.00/2 mfr coupons
Cost: $1.96 (making these $0.49 each)

3 American Greetings birthday cards @ $0.99 = $2.97
Cost: $2.97, earned $3.00 ECBs (making these FREE + $0.03 profit)

2 Revlon Custom Eyes shadow and liner kits @ $2.25 = $4.50 (clearance – regularly $8.99 each) 

2 Revlon Luxurious Color eye shadow singles @ $4.89 = $9.78
-$2.45 BOGO 50% off sale
-$5.00/2 CVS coupon
-$3.00/$10.00 cosmetic purchase
Cost: $3.83 (making these $0.96 each)

Transaction # 2 Total before coupons: $28.76 + tax = $30.72
-$5.00/$25.00 CVS coupon
-$14.00 coupons
-$3.79 ECBs from last week
My OOP: $5.97 + tax = $7.93, with $7 ECBs remaining ($1 for using my Green bag tag, PLUS I’ll earn an additional $5 ECBs from my beauty club purchases—that will print on my next visit.)

CVS Total before coupons: $37.22 + tax = $39.95
My OOP: $7.45 + tax = $10.18, with $12 ECBs remaining
Savings: $29.77, 75%

Walgreens

Super slow week at Walgreens. I couldn’t even use my Register Rewards from last week to pay because I couldn’t find enough items to buy! I’ll use those next Sunday. 

Halls Warm-Ups apple cider lozenges 20-ct bag $1.00
Cost: $1.00, earn $1.00 RR (making these FREE)

Walgreens Total: $1.00 + tax = $1.10, with $1.00 RR remaining

Kmart

3 All Small and Mighty Free & Clear 32-load laundry detergent @ $3.97 = $11.91 (regularly $5.79 each)
Used in-ad coupon -$3.00
Used (3) -$1.00 mfr coupons
Cost: $5.91 (making these $1.97 each)

Kmart Total before coupons: $11.91 + tax = $12.78
My OOP: $5.91 + tax = $6.78
Savings: $6.00, 47%

Here are my leftover rewards. I earned $20 this week--$7 from Rite Aid, $1 from Walgreens, and $12 from CVS. Only $7 from CVS are pictured, though. My Beauty Club reward will print the next time I scan my card in store. I can also print it online in a couple of days. The $10 Register Rewards on the left side of the picture are leftovers from last week's sale. 

Mail Call -- Week of 10/2 - 10/8

Here are this week's freebies. 

Pretty slow week! I got a L'oreal EverSleek sample kit w/ a $2 coupon, Eucerin lotion sample w/ $1 coupon, Icy Hot Naturals sample w/ $1 coupon, Downy Unstoppables sample (that smells really good!), and a Jiffy mixes recipe book. 

The Jiffy cookbook is pretty awesome. It has 67 pages and a ton of recipes. Some of the recipes sound super yummy!

Oh, and I also received a $10 off $25 purchase at JC Penney coupon. I have a gift card I need to use and the coupon is valid on clearance, so I may see a shopping trip in my future. 

Still no free product giveaways... maybe next week!

What to do with all that stuff?

That's pretty much the question I'm faced with anytime I walk through the door with multiple shopping bags. My husband ALWAYS wants to know what I'm going to do with "all that stuff." Well, hubby, it's quite simple. 

1. Use it. I almost exclusively buy things my household or my parents' household will use.
   
   
2. Store it. If I buy more than I can use, I store it. I'll use toothpaste forever, but I can only use one tube at a time. The rest has to be put away until it's needed. I always check expiration dates before purchasing items! I choose the one with the furthest date. I don't have a huge room just for a "stockpile" like you see on those extreme shows. I store my goodies in three different places.
   
   
   • Rolling carts: I have two rolling carts. They hold smaller items, like toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, razors, medicine, samples, and other miscellaneous items.
     
     
     
     
     
   • Totes: I have two totes to store larger items, like cleaning supplies and paper products. I also use the totes to store gifts.
     
     
     
     
     
   • Cabinets: I store all food items in my kitchen cabinets. I have one shelf in my bathroom cabinet full of beauty items. I store bath items, like soap, body wash, and shampoo, on the top shelf of the linen closet.
     
     
     
     
     
3. Give it away. I sometimes purchase items I have no personal need for if I can get them completely free, or even better, "make money" by purchasing them. If something costs $8.99, I use a $5.00 coupon on it, and I get a $5 reward by purchasing it, I make $1.01 just by buying it. Who wouldn't want to do that? For example, I've bought four bottles of contact solution since I've started couponing. No one in my family wears contacts, but I give them to one of my mom's friends. They're free, so why shouldn't I help someone else out?
   
   
4. Gift it. I suppose this is technically the same as "give it away." Sometimes I buy things with gifting in mind. I'm not talking about a donation--I'm talking about giving it as a holiday gift. I plan on doing some gift baskets for Christmas and birthdays this year. I've not made any of these baskets yet, but I'll be sure to post pictures when I do.

So THAT'S what I do with all that stuff.

Shopping Trips - 10/1/11 and 10/2/11

This trip was so huge that it took 2 days to complete! Nah, not really. I just happened to have a prescription ready at CVS on Saturday night. I asked the cashier if the new sale prices had gone into effect, and she said YES! So I was able to do something pretty cool—shop both sales at once. 

I shopped at my regular stores, but also threw Walmart into the mix. Here’s a picture of all our goodies. 

Click on the picture for a larger view. We purchased 55 items for a total of $21.09 plus tax with $34.50 in rewards remaining for next week. That doesn't even include the $14.79 in quarterly and last week's ECBs. Purchased items include 2 Gillette bodywash, 1 Gillette deodorant, 1 Old Spice body spray, 2 Cover Girl blushes, 2 Cover Girl concealers, 2 Afrin nasal spray, 4 Pantene stylers, 2 Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner starter kits, 1 pair No Nonsense tights, 1 W by Walgreens Maxis, 2 Cepacol sore throat lozenges, 1 Crest Complete toothpaste, 1 Profoot Heel Rescue foot cream, 1 Oral B battery operated toothbrush, 1 Scope mouthwash with attached bonus and coupons, 2 Cheeto Puffs, 2 Welch's grape juices, 1 Pepsi Max 2-liter, 1 Schick Quattro for Women battery operated razor/trimmer, 1 reusable coffee cup, 3 Mars single candy bars, 3 Reese's chocolate peanut butter pumpkins, 1 bag Snickers, 1 bag Twix, 2 bags Pretzel M&Ms, 2 bags Skittles, 2 12-pk Lipton green tea, 3 cans Campbell's soup, 4 cans Progresso soup, 2 boxes Coldcalm medicine, and a 24-pk bottled water (not pictured).

I usually don’t double dip with sales, meaning I don’t go back to the same store and buy the same items later in the week. Last week’s sales were AWESOME, though. I had to make an exception. 

This was another pretty great week for me. I had to pay $14.84 in tax today, and while that isn't as bad as last week's tax, it's still a bummer! Even with tax included, I saved 82%. The total retail for these items with sale prices was $181.95 plus tax. That means I saved $160.86 this week. Woohoo!

CVS

This is a combination of both sales—the 9/25-10/1 sale and the 10/2-10/9 sale. The 9/25-10/1 sale is no longer active. Those prices will not be available this week. I’ll put a LW beside items purchased with last week’s sales. 

Mom came with me on this trip. She wanted to scan her CVS card, along with my dad’s CVS card, to see how many quarterly ExtraBucks they earned. We had an extra $2 ECB for each card because of a Facebook promotion earlier in the week. 

Transaction # 1 (Mom’s card)

2 Welch’s 100% grape juice 64 oz. 2/$6.00 (regularly $5.29 each) LW
Used (2) -$0.75 mfr coupons
Cost: $4.50 or $2.25 each

3 cans Campbell’s soup @ $0.59 = $1.77 (regularly $1.19 each) LW
Used -$0.40/3 mfr coupon
Cost: $1.37 or $0.46 each

24-pack bottled water $2.88 – not pictured (regularly $3.99)

The following items were part of a promotion—get $5 ECBS when you buy $15 participating Lipton/Pepsi/Frito Lay products.

2 bags Cheetos 2/$6.00 (regularly $3.49 each)
Used -$1.00/2 mfr coupon
Cost: $5.00 or $2.50 each

2 Lipton green tea 16.9 oz bottles 12-pks @ $4.99 = $9.98 (regularly $6.99 each)
Used -$2.00/2 mfr coupon
Cost: $7.98

Pepsi Max 2-liter $1.50 (regularly $1.99)
Used FREE Pepsi Max when you buy 2 Cheetos -$1.50
Cost: FREE

Transaction # 1 Total before coupons: $28.13 + tax = $29.87
-$6.40 mfr coupons
-$2 ECB from Facebook promotion, $5 ECB quarterly earnings, $5 ECBs last week
My OOP: $9.73 + tax = $11.47, earned $5 ECB

Transaction # 2 (Dad’s card) 

4 Progresso Soups @ $1.25 = $5.00 (regularly $3.59 each) LW
Used -$1.00/4 CVS coupon
Used -$1.00/4 mfr coupon
Cost: $3.00 or $0.75 each 

Transaction # 2 Total before coupons: $5.00 + tax = $5.25
-$2.00 coupons
-$2.00 ECB from Facebook promotion
My OOP: $1.00 + tax = $1.25, with $6 quarterly ECBs remaining

Transaction # 3 (my card) 

Coffee mug $2.49 (summer clearance—regularly $5.00)

3 Mars singles candy bars @ $1.19 = $3.57
Used B2G1 free CVS promotion -$1.19
Used (2) FREE Mars candy bar coupons from Facebook promotion -$2.38
Cost: FREE 

Transaction # 3 Total before coupons and promotion: $6.06 + tax = $6.32
-$1.19 B2G1 free promotion
-$2.38 mfr coupons
-$2.00 ECB from Facebook promotion
My OOP: $0.49 + tax = $0.75, with $4 quarterly ECBs remaining (plus $4.79 unused ECBs from last week) 

CVS Total before coupons: $39.19 + tax = $41.44
My OOP: $11.22 + tax = $13.47, with $5 ECBs remaining (plus $10 quarterly ECBs and $4.79 ECBs from last week)
Savings: $27.97, 67%

Walgreens

This was done at two different stores. The first transaction was on Saturday. Prices reflect last week’s sale and are no longer available.

Transaction # 1 

Schick Quattro for Women Trimstyle Razor/Trimmer $8.99 (regularly $11.99) LW
Used -$5.00 mfr coupon
Cost: $3.99, earned $5.00 RR (making this FREE + $1.01 profit)

W Maxi 14-ct $2.00 LW
Used -$0.50 Walgreens coupon
Cost: $1.50, earned $2.00 RR (making this FREE + $0.50 profit) 

Transaction # 1 Total before coupons: $10.99 + tax = $12.01
-$5.50 coupons
-$5.00 gift card from last week’s Theraflu deal
My OOP: $0.49 + tax = $1.51, earned $7 RRs

Transaction # 2 

Cepacol sore throat lozenges 16 ct $2.99
Cost: $2.99, earned $3.00 RRs (making this FREE + $0.01 profit)

Coldcalm homeopathic cold medicine 60-ct tablets $6.99 (regularly $9.99)
Cost: $6.99, earn $7.00 RRs (making this FREE + $0.01 profit)

Reese’s chocolate peanut butter pumpkin $0.39 

Transaction # 2 Total before coupons: $10.37 + tax = $11.36
-$10.00 RRs from last week’s Schick deal
My OOP: $0.37 + tax = $1.36, earned $10 RRs

Transaction # 3 

Cepacol sore throat lozenges 16 ct $2.99
Cost: $2.99, earned $3.00 RRs (making this FREE + $0.01 profit)

Coldcalm homeopathic cold medicine 60-ct tablets $6.99 (regularly $9.99)
Cost: $6.99, earn $7.00 RRs (making this FREE + $0.01 profit) 

Transaction # 3 Total before coupons: $9.98 + tax = $10.93
-$7.00 RRs from Transaction # 1
My OOP: $2.98 + tax = $3.93, earned $10 RRs

Transaction # 4 

2 Afrin 12-hour nasal spray @ $7.29 = $14.58
-$3.15 BOGO 50% off promotion
Used (2) -$2.00 mfr coupons
Used -$2.00 Walgreens coupon
Cost: $5.43 or $2.72 each

2 bags Pretzel M&Ms 2/$5.00 (regularly $2.99 each)
Used (2) -$1.00 mfr coupons
Used -$1.00/2 Walgreens coupon
Cost: $2.00 or $1.00 each

2 bags Mars fun-sized candy Snickers and Twix 2/$5.00 (regularly $2.99 each)
Used -$1.50/2 mfr coupon
Used -$1.00/2 Walgreens coupon
Cost: $2.50 or $1.25 each

2 bags fun-sized Skittles 2/$5.00 (regularly $2.79 each)
Used -$1.00/2 mfr coupon
Used -$1.00/2 Walgreens coupon
Cost: $3.00 or $1.50 each

2 Reese’s pumpkins @ $0.39 = $0.78 

Transaction # 4 Total before coupons: $30.36 + tax = $32.83
-$3.15 Walgreens BOGO promotion
-$13.50 coupons
-$10.00 RRs from Transaction # 2
My OOP: $3.71 + tax = $6.18 

Walgreens Total before coupons: $61.70 + tax = $67.13
My OOP: $7.55 + tax = $12.98, with $10 RRs remaining
Savings: $54.15, 81%

Rite Aid

Rite Aid is turning into my favorite place to shop! They’ve had great UP deals week after week. Plus, this month I’m excited to start earning some Single Check Rebates (SCRs) again. I earned $22.98 in August, but nothing in September. I only did one transaction today because I had $20 UPs to start with.

Scope Mint 1-liter mouthwash w/ bonus $4.00 (regularly $4.79)
Used -$1.50 mfr coupon
Cost: $2.50, earned $2.50 UPs (making this FREE!)

Crest Complete 6.2 oz toothpaste $2.59 (regularly $3.99)
Used -$1.00 mfr coupon
Cost: $1.59, submit for $1.60 SCR (making this FREE + $0.01 profit)

2 Gillette bodywash, 1 Gillette deodorant, 1 Old Spice Body Spray @ $4.00 = $16.00 (regularly $4.99 ea.)
Used (4) -$2.00 mfr coupons
Cost: $8.00, earned $4 UPs (making these $1.00 each)

No Nonsense tights $2.99 (regularly $4.99)
Used -$1.00 Video Value coupon
Cost: $1.99, earned $2.00 Ups (making this FREE + $0.01 profit)

Oral B power toothbrush $5.99 (regularly $7.99)
Used -$3.00 mfr coupon
Cost: $2.99, submit for $2.99 SCR (making this FREE)

Profoot Heel Rescue foot cream $4.99 (regularly $8.29)
Used -$1.00 mfr coupon
Cost: $3.99, earned $1 UP, submit for $3.00 SCR (making this FREE + $0.01 profit) 

These next items were part of a P&G promotion—get $10 UP when you buy $30 select products. 

4 Pantene hair stylers @ $3.50 = $14.00 (regularly $4.99 each)
Used (2) -$3.00/2 mfr coupons
Cost: $8.00 or $2.00 each

2 Cover Girl blushes @ $5.69 = $11.38
-$2.85 BOGO 50% off promotion
Used -$8.00/2 mfr coupon
Cost: $0.53 or $0.27 each

2 Cover Girl concealers @ $5.59 = $11.18
-$2.80 BOGO 50% off promotion
Used -$8.00/2 mfr coupon
Cost: $0.38 or $0.19 each

(Total P&G: $30.91, used -$22.00 mfr coupons = $8.91, earned $10 UPs = $1.09 profit!) 

Total Rite Aid before coupons: $73.12 + tax = $79.53
-$5.65 Rite Aid BOGO promotion
-$37.50 coupons
-$20.00 UP last week
Today’s OOP: $9.97 + tax = $16.38, earned $19.50 UP rewards
-$7.59 submitted Single Check Rebates
Total OOP: $2.38 + tax = $8.79, with $19.50 UPs remaining
Savings: $70.74, 89%

Walmart

2 Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic No Touch Toilet Bowl Cleaner starter kit @ $3.97 = $7.94 (regularly $8.97 each!)

Used (2) -$4.00 mfr coupons
Cost: -$0.06 (FREE + $0.06 profit!)

 

Walmart Total before coupons: $7.94 + tax = $8.69
My OOP: -$0.06 + tax = $0.69
Savings: $8.00, 92%

Finally, here's a picture of all our leftover rewards. We earned $34.50 from this week's purchases (shown on right), $10 in quarterly ExtraBucks rewards, and $4.79 unused ECBs from last week.

 

CVS Quarterly ExtraBucks

It's a happy time at CVS! It's time to receive the ExtraBucks you earned on purchases and prescriptions for Summer 2011. You should receive 2% of your total purchases back in ExtraBucks. You should also receive $1 for every 2 qualifying prescriptions. Some prescriptions paid through certain health care programs are excluded, so see ExtraCare for more details. 

Even if you don't shop at CVS frequently, go scan your card at the coupon center. You might be pleasantly surprised. If you've registered your card and have an online account, you can log-in at the CVS website to see what you've earned. 

My mom and I went to CVS on Saturday to check out our earnings. I earned $4 ECBs, mom earned $5 ECBs, and dad earned $6 ECBs. Dad rarely shops at CVS, but he gets a few prescriptions filled each month. That's where his earnings came from. 

So between my parents and myself, we earned a total of $15 ECBs this past summer. That's basically $15 FREE money! You know how I feel about free stuff. Yippee! :)

Mail Call -- Week of 9/25 - 10/1

Here are the freebies I got in the mail this week. 

It was a pretty decent week. I received a Dove body mist sample and coupon, Splenda Essentials sample and coupon, John Freida Frizz Ease sample pack, Febreze coupon booklet, Dentek floss picks sample and coupon, Poise sample and coupon, Carefree sample and coupon, Nivea body wash sample and two coupons, and Dove conditioner sample and coupon. I'd gotten a few of those in the mail before, so I'm not sure why I received them again. Oh well--I'll take 'em!

I also received JC Penney and Belk coupons in the mail this week. I don't plan on using them, though. A Smart Market coupon insert also arrived in my mailbox. It had some Hot Pocket, Nesquik, and restaurant coupons.

Not too shabby, eh? I've entered a few product giveaways lately, so I'd love to be surprised with one of those next week!