My Rite Aid score from this week!!

Check out what I got at Rite Aid this week for 65 cents!! It's about $110 worth of products! Details under the photo:

Details - in two transactions - sorry I didn't separate them out all nice and neat :(
6 Covergirl cosmetics - BOGO free sale
Used 3 BOGO free coupons
OOP - FREE

1 Febreeze Fabric Refresher $4.99
Used 1-$1/1 coupon
OOP - $3.99

3 Synovium Pain Relief Gels 3/$15
Used 3-$2/1 coupons
OOP - $9.00

1 Soleil Disposable Razors (4 pack) $5.99
Used 1-$3/1 coupon
OOP - $2.99

1 Johnson's Detangler $2.99
Used 1-$1/1 In Ad coupon
OOP - $1.99

1 Nivea Body Wash $3.99
Used 1-$4/1 coupon
OOP - ($0.01)

1 Clairol Nice n' Easy Hair Color $7.49
Used 1-$2/1 coupon
Used 1 - $2.50/1 In Ad coupon
OOP - $2.99

2 Pure & Natural Hand Soaps $4.69 ea = $9.38
Used 2-$2/1 coupons
Used 2-$2/1 Video Values Coupons
OOP - $1.38 (this is a great price for this expensive stuff!!)

2 Lysol Disinfecting Wipes BOGO Free Sale = $3.49
Used 2-$1/1 coupons
OOP - $1.49

Used 2-$5 off when you spend $25 coupons
Total OOP = $14.65 including tax
Submitted for $14 in SCRs (#84, #38, #62)

TOTAL SPEND: $0.65 - which was all tax!!

The Rite Aid Score - including details!!

Retail cost = $140.75

Total paid = $0.39 (OOP was $29.39 and I'll get a check back for $29.00)
Savings = 99.7%
Note: I did pay an additional $1.71 total in tax, but since PA charges tax AFTER coupons, if I hadn't used any my total tax would have been $6.54. More savings. WOO HOO!

Interested in the breakdown? It's under the (crappy, sorry) photo.

Transaction 1
2 John Frieda shampoos/1 conditioner @ 3/$15 = $15
used 3 - $3/1 coupons
used 1 - $1/1 Rite Aid Video Values coupon
used 1 - $3 off when you spend $15 Rite Aid coupon
OOP = $2.00, get back $5.00 single check rebate #41
Total for transaction = $3.00 money maker

Transaction 2
2 Biore pore strips and 2 Biore cleansers @ 3/$15 = $20
used 2 - buy pore strips get cleansers free coupons
used 1 - $1 Rite Aid Video Values coupon
used 1 - $5 off when you spend $20 Rite Aid Video Values coupon
OOP = $4.00, get back $5.00 single check rebate #41
Total for transaction = $1.00 money maker

Transaction 3
2 Gillette deodorants @2/$8
2 Gillette body washes @$4.99 ea = $9.98
used 2 - buy deodorant get body wash free coupons
used 2-$1/1 deodorant coupons
used 1 - $3 off when you spend $15 Rite Aid coupon
OOP = $3.00, get back $2.00 single check rebate #34
Total for transaction = $1.00

Transaction 4
6 Covergirl cosmetics B1G1 free @$6.99ea = $20.97 (3 free in Rite Aid sale)
1 Pampers jumbo pack @$9.99
2 Kashi cereals @2/$4.88
used 3 B1G1free Covergirl coupons
used 1-$2/1 Pampers coupon
used 1 - free Kashi coupon (Vocalpoint)
used 1 - $1.50/1 Kashi coupon
used 1 - $5 off when you spend $25 Rite Aid coupon
OOP = $3.93
Total for transaction = $3.93
(note - all the Covergirl was totally free, since PA charges tax AFTER coupons)

Transaction 5
1 Metamucil @$9.99
1 Vicks Nyquil @$4.99
1 Oral-B Cross Action Power Toothbrush @$5.99
1 Pampers jumbo pack @$9.99
used 1-$3/1 Metamucil coupon
used 1-$1.50/1 Vicks coupon
used 1-$3/1 Oral B coupon
used 1-$2/1 Pampers coupon
used 1 - $5 off when you spend $25 Rite Aid coupon
OOP = $16.46, get back single check rebates #13 for $5.00, #19 for $2.00, #18 for $10.00
Total for transaction = $0.54 money maker

WOO HOO!

My dirty little secret

Ok, you hard core couponers. You're going to want to sit down for this one. Ready? I DON'T BUY THE SUNDAY PAPER. Not one copy.

For those of you new to couponing, most of the experts recommend that you buy 4-8 copies of the Sunday paper for the coupon inserts. Since I don't, you might be wondering how I am able to take advantage of many of the deals that are out there. It's simple - I use a coupon clipping service - basically I pay them to clip the coupons for me, and I only order the coupons I need.

I check out all the deals for the week on Saturday and Sunday, and I always place my order on Monday morning and plan to use those coupons to shop on Friday. I typically spend $4-$5 a week on the coupons, which is about what I would spend on the papers. In addition:
1. I don't have to take the time to cut the coupons myself.
2. I don't have to take the time to keep them all organized and filed.
3. I don't have to continue to sort through my filed coupons to remove those that are expired.
4. If there is a great stock up sale on, I don't have to hope that I bought enough papers to really take advantage of it!

Every service I've run across makes their revenue by charging a "clipping fee" for every coupon you order, usually based on the face value of the coupon. There is some "fine print" you need to be aware of when using a service. First, there is typically a minimum dollar order (usually around $4). In addition, there is sometimes a minimum or maximum of each coupon you need to buy (this actually doesn't happen very often, but I do occasionally run across a minimum of 2 or 3 of a coupon, and a maximum of 5 or 10). Shipping speeds vary, as does the selection of coupons available.

Two services I use regularly are The Coupon Clippers (fast shipping but selection is limited in some cases) and Coupon Clipping Crew (slower shipping but very wide selection). I've had great luck with both of them, but as always in couponing, YMMV (your mileage may vary)!

Back to Coupons!

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a coupon brag – while we were in transition from FL to PA, I just couldn’t get it together enough to buy newspapers, clip coupons and plan deals. It’s a good thing we were all stocked up and didn’t have to buy much in January! But I’m back on the wagon and I had a GREAT trip to Target today. I am a bit depressed because the closest Super Target is 90 miles away and I have to make due with the regular store. Sigh. Details are under the photo.

Here’s the breakdown:
4 boxes Kashi cereal price cut to $2.88 – 4-$1.50 manufacturer Qs = $5.52 (note - $1.38 a box is more than I usually pay for cereal, but it’s KASHI!)

5 boxes of Kashi granola bars price cut to $2.59 – 2-$1.50/2 manufacturer Qs – Target promo buy 4 get 1 free = $7.36 (another note - $1.47 a box isn’t a great price for granola bars, but again – KASHI!)

1 box Kellogg’s Clever Kids fruit snacks $2.19 - $1.50 Vocalpoint Q = 69c

2 DelMonte Fruit Chillers on a price cut for $2.01 (tubes) and $1.83 (cups): bought one of each – 2-$1 manufacturer Qs = $1.84 or 92c each

5lb bag of Gold Medal flour $2.44 – 75c manufacturer Q = $1.69 (really needed it)

1 box Smucker’s Uncrustables on a price cut for $2.04 - $1 manufacturer Q = $1.04 (my daughter loves the cheese variety and I figure 26 cents for a little sandwich is reasonable)

1 pkg shredded Kraft Cheddar $2.34 - $1 Target mobile Q = $1.34 (needed it)

And here’s the best: 2 Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower cleaner refills (yes, I really use the stuff) @$4.14 ea or $8.28 - $1.50/2 manufacturer Q - $1.50/2 Target Q – B1G1 free manufacturer Q ($4.14) = $1.14 or 57c each! WOO HOO!

No coupons: Country Crock spreadable sticks ($1.04 for 4), Market Pantry frozen mixed veggies (92c) and Market Pantry bagels ($1.24)

And I had a $5 Target gift card from last week, so that came off my total, too! YAY!

Layouts?

I know. I promised layouts. And they're coming later today!

But really. I went to Publix today and spent $12.42 on retail $91.81, for a savings of $79.39 or 86%. That's a whopping 35 cents per item purchased. Want to know how I did it? The transaction details are under the photo! Before you get worried that my kids aren't getting any veggies - I have a freezer full of frozen veggies from an earlier trip! And....it's farmer's market time here in South Florida, so we're getting the majority of our produce direct from the growers :).Before I explain how I did it, I need to tell you that Publix does not have a national coupon policy. Every store is different. My Publix is very coupon friendly and does 2 key things that really maximize savings - they accept competitor store coupons, and they allow coupon overages to apply to the rest of your purchase. I used both policies to my advantage today! Remember that all IP (internet-printable) coupons can be found in the database at Krazy Coupon Lady.

So here it is -

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars sale BOGO (buy 1 get 1 free) 2.99
Used 3 - $1 off 2 IP coupons
Used 6 - 50 cents off Target coupons (these are also printable at afullcup.com)
Bought 6
Final cost: 50 cents per box

Mott's Applesauce 6 packs sale BOGO 2.39
No coupons
Bought 2
Final cost: $1.19 per pack

Honey Nut Cheerios BOGO 4.99
Used 4-55 cents off IP coupons
Used 2 - $1/2 General Mills cereal Target coupons (printable at afullcup.com)
Bought 4
Final cost: $1.45 per box

Post Honey Bunches of Oats cereal BOGO 3.99
Used 2-$2/1 IP coupons
Bought 2
Final cost: 1 cent credit

Kraft Mac and Cheese BOGO 1.29
No coupons
Bought 4
Final cost: 60 cents per box

Mount Olive pickles BOGO 2.19
Used 2-50 cent off IP coupons
Bought 2
Final cost: 60 cents per jar

Pillsbury Savorings Bread Bowl Bites BOGO 3.99
Used 2-55 cent IP coupons
Bought 2
Final cost: $1.35 per box (so worth it because I love these things)

Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers 4/$10
Used 1-$1/1 coupon
Bought 1
Final cost $1.50 per box (not bad for a lunch)

Campbells Chunky Soup 2/$3
used $1/2 Walgreens Catalina coupon (these print at the register when you buy certain things)
Bought 2
Final cost: $1 per can

Theraflu 2/$7
Used 1-$2 IP coupon (no longer available)
Used 1-$2 Walgreens coupon from Healthy Savings book found in stores
Bought 1
Final cost: 50 cent credit

Ore Ida Easy Fries regular price $1.09
Used 1-$1/2 IP coupon
Bought 2
Final cost: 59 cents per box

Bought 3 tomatoes at a cost of 1.39 total

AND HERE'S A BIG KEY:
Knox Gelatin (found by the Jello) regular price 1.39
Used 4-$4/1 IP coupons (HELLO!!!)
Bought 4
Final cost: $2.61 CREDIT PER BOX - This $10.44 in total overage really subsidized my purchases without coupons!

A little shopping update

And some layouts coming tomorrow!! :)

I spent most of the day today running around town shopping. I went to ToysRUs, Walgreens, CVS, Target and Publix. In about 3 hours, I spent $72.77 on a total retail cost of $213.56 - I saved $140.79 or 66%!!!!!

Some of my favorite deals:

ToysRUs has buy 2 Trio sets, get 1 free. There are 3 sets priced at $14.98 each. I bought 3 and used 3-$5 coupons to get 3 for $14.98 - the regular cost of 1! More ToysRUs deals and a link to the coupon can be found here. I'm really psyched about this because Alexa has a million birthday parties to go to - these are a really nice gift (and I got them really cheap!!).

AirWick Compact iMotion - retails for $7.99, I got it FREE at Walgreens! More info about this deal is here.

Glade Sense and Spray starter kit - retails for $9.99, I got it for $1 at CVS, plus it qualifies for the current SC Johnson rebate so it ends up being a moneymaker. I have one of these in my master bath now and I just love it. More info on this deal is here.

Chex Mix FREE at Target by price matching our local Walgreens - advertised at 2/$3, and using both manufacturer's and Target coupons (gotta love that stack).

Fast Fixin' Popcorn Chicken at Publix - these are usually $5.99 and my kids go nuts over them. They're BOGO at Publix this week, plus I had $1 off coupons, so I got 6 bags for $2 each. Such a deal.

CoffeeMate liquid creamer at Publix - oh.....yummmm because all are included, INCLUDING Pumpkin Spice.....they're on sale at Publix this week 4/$6, plus I had $1.50/2 coupons from here, so I got 4 for 75 cents each....

Kelleigh is right when she says this is a sickness. I already have my Publix trip planned for the weekend and I'm going to be swinging by Albertsons for some great produce deals, too. YIPPEE!

Want to know what $7.52 will buy you at Walgreens?

$14 in Register Rewards from last week + $7.52 out of pocket = all this stuff + $29 in Register Rewards to use next week. WOOO HOOOO!! In case you can't see what's in the photo, for the cost of 4 cups of coffee I got 2 Pert shampoos, 2 Lysol toilet bowl cleaners, 2 Glade soy candles, 3 Theraflu, 2 cans of olives, 3 Triaminic, 1-24 count Zantac, 1 Chapstick and 1 Vaseline Sheer Infusion lotion (I now have way too many of these but I make $1.50 every time I buy one, so I can't stop!), plus three filler items (cotton balls, tweezers and baby sized nail clippers - all of which I needed).

There are three primary sites I use to get information about coupon matchups, coupon availability and deal scenarios - Hip2Save, Krazy Coupon Lady, and Saving Your Cents (for Publix deals). Krazy Coupon Lady has a coupon database that allows you to find all the printable web coupons. I DO NOT get the Sunday paper - so all of my coupons come from online sources and in-store fliers. I have 4 computers in the house, which means I can usually print 8 of each coupon (you can usually print 2 per computer).

Let me know if you find any great deals this week!

My Old Navy, Yankee Candle and Target Savings!

Oh, I so love couponing! We picked Alexa up from school today and we all headed to the mall.

Did you know that Old Navy has an additional 50% off women's clearance items? That makes for some serious deals, especially if you factor in that I had a 25% off entire purchase coupon from Old Navy Weekly. So, for a grand total of $77.41, we picked up:
For Adam: three polo shirts and two pairs of cargo shorts
For Alexa: a dress, a top, a skirt, and a really cute hoodie
For me: three shirts and one pair of pants
That's a total of 13 pieces of clothing, for $5.95 per piece (although I do feel compelled to say that MY portion of the total cost was less than $10 - but Adam really needed some new clothes and I just can't resist cute little girl things).

We also went to Yankee Candle and I got 4 full sized jar candles that retail for $24.99 each for a total of $52.47. I did a buy one get one half off promotion (it applies to Pumpkin Spice, Autumn Wreath and I think Spiced Apple scents), bought a full price Vanilla Cupcake, and spent enough to get the anniversary limited edition Macintosh for $5. Then I had a $15 off a $45 purchase. Since I am a huge Yankee Candle fan, this was a great deal for me, although they're certainly not necessities. In case you're keeping track, I saved 48% - or just about got 2 of the 4 candles for free.

After some kiddie ride nonsense, we headed to our local Super Target. Of all the grocery stores I coupon for and shop at, I seem to have the best luck overall at Target for most of what I need. This week was no exception. My pre-coupon total was $129.72. After coupons - $70.62. Yep, I saved $59.10 or 46%. My best deals - 2 Neosporin lip healths for 34 cents each (these babies generally retail for $4+), 3 tuna pouches for 27 cents each, 6 cereals (4 GM, 2 Kashi) for $1.25-1.33 each, 4 Nature Valley Nut Clusters for $1.13 each (I absolutely love these things), and 2 big bags of Chex Mix for 76 cents each. Plus lots of other great deals!

It's really become an addiction for me. I can't wait until Sunday to see what kind of great new deals I can get!!

The Walmart Score - $11.60, including tax

Unbelievable, really.
2 bags Wacky Mac pasta
2 Klondike ChocoTacos (free)
1 Zantac 150 (8ct) (free)
2 half gallons Over the Moon Milk
1 Betty Crocker Pouch Potatoes
2 boxes Success Rice
2 boxes Kraft Bagel-fuls
2 Old El Paso Seasoning packets
2 bags Nature Valley Granola Clusters

Ready for another gigantic score?

Check out my Walgreens score from today (sorry about the bad photo - everything is put away and I'm not retaking it!) – total cash outlay = $18.78 including the two jumbo packs of Huggies diapers – AND….here’s the best part – I have $19 in register rewards to use on next week’s shopping! I kind of feel like I made money, but really my cash outlay this week was reduced by $22 by using the register rewards I had from last week, so I can't double count register rewards earned previously and used, and those earned on this trip.

FWIW, the Huggies diapers were on sale at 2 for $18. If I had been paying attention to the sale (not a given) but not couponing or making the most of the weekly and monthly register rewards deals, I would have paid for the diapers what I did for this entire haul:

• 2 jumbo packs of Huggies diapers
• 1 Vaseline Sheer Infusion lotion (I now have 3 of these that were essentially free)
• 2 Campbell’s cream of mushroom soups
• 6 bottles of Ragu sauce
• 2 jars of Hellman’s mayonnaise
• 4 boxes of Quaker chewy granola bars
• 3 cans of Progresso soup
• 1 Walgreens Peroxide
  

(BTW, I also had a minor CVS score today that was $0 out of pocket for 2 Renuzit air fresheners and 2 boxes of Mother’s Natural oatmeal. If I had paid for them (I had extra credit bucks so I didn’t!) they would have been – ready? - $1.38 TOTAL.)

And make sure you check back later for my Walmart score - cuz it's really jaw dropping!

A truly gigantic score

Wanna know what you can (and I did) get at Target for a grand total of $10.66?? (Just for the record, that is $0.44 per item!!):

* 4 boxes of Quaker Chewy Granola Bars (yeah, that's 40 bars!)
* 2 Healthy Choice entrees
* 4 Travel size Pond's Towelettes (20 awesome makeup removers that ended up being free!)
* 4 bags of Chex Mix (not the little snacky size, either)
* 1 box of Cookie Crisp cereal
* 1 box of Honey Nut Cheerios
* 1 box of Honey Bunches of Oats Pecan Bunches
* 4 boxes of Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Pasta
* 2 All Small & Mighty 2-load trial size bottles (perfect to take for our week in Orlando at the Marriott Vacation Club) that also were free

So, clearly I'm getting over my visual space issues. I need to rearrange my pantry to make more room.

Check out my awesome score

Remember my frustrated "why I can't be a Krazy Coupon Lady" post? Well, we scored big at Walgreens today. I got all this stuff (yes, that's a full sized body wash, 2 full sized shampoos, conditioners, deoderants and 3 full sized body lotions you see over there on the right), PLUS 2 Coffee Mate liquid creamers (full size) and 2 cans of Campbell's Tomato Soup - for - wait for it - $34.17. Unreal. I also sent Adam to Walmart and CVS and picked up a few things for very little. Target is the big shopping trip - that'll be tomorrow.

The downside? I still am not very organized and it took me like 2 hours just to get purchases planned and all the coupons printed. A not-so-bad thing to do while watching football!! :)