Sunday Richmond Times-Dispatch for only $1.25 at Walgreens

I was just flipping through this week’s Richmond.com residential mailer and saw this ad on page 3:

The standard newsstand price is $2 so I am really excited to buy my additional papers for only $1.25 each!  They offered the same deal last fall and I think it lasted until the holidays.  That price is close to the cost of a Sunday only subscription. With all of the money saving coupons inside the paper this is a great deal and an almost 40% savings off of the newsstand price.

Happy Shopping!

~Ann

I used a Walgreens Register Rewards at MARTIN’S!

I had two $5 Walgreens gift certificates that I earned through the Walgreens Rewards program they are (or were?) test marketing in Richmond.  The certificates were about to expire and of course being a crazy couponer I wanted not only to stretch them - I wanted to roll them into Register Rewards (RR).

I saw that there was a promo for Gillette Proglide that combined with a coupon made them about $1 after your RR. I clipped my coupons and took the kids to Walgreens.  I picked up two razors and purchased them in two separate transactions (you can only get one reward per transaction) and used each of my $5 certificates with the $4 coupon to pay ~$1.  I walked out of the store with two razors and $10 in RR. 

I used to play the drugstore couponing game, but I find Walgreens hard to play on a regular basis because of their sales and the 14 day expiration on their RR.  My coupons expire today (the 22nd) and I noticed Monday evening when I was making a trip to MARTIN’s that the RR said “Manufacturer Coupon” at the top next to the expiration date.  (I don’t think all of the RR are manufacturer coupons.  I believe most of them say store coupon.  This particular RR was compliments of Proctor & Gamble  I went to the service center desk at MARTIN’S and verified with the associate that yes I could use it at MARTIN’S.

I ended up purchasing 10 Powerades (two of them were gone before I got a picture) and using two of the $1/5 coupons I shared in my Top Deals Post along with a box of Ronzoni Garden Delight Pasta and I paid only $0.19 (which was really just tax) thanks to my coupons and the $5 Register Rewards!

Two newspapers for $0.20

I wanted to share a way that I use some of the extra care bucks (ECBs)  and register rewards (RR) that I earn at CVS or at Walgreens.  I use them to buy my extra Sunday papers.  I know some people will say that there are better ways to use my ECBs or RR.  I am sure that there can be, but this is how I see the positive and negative side of the issue. 

Positive –

• I am going to buy extra newspapers already and this limits the necessary amount I have to pay out of pocket in order to purchase the newspapers. 
• I don’t get stuck with a high dollar amount of RR that I need to spend.  Sometimes when that happens I end up buying things that I really didn’t want or need (like candy).  At least this way I am buying something that I was going to buy regardless. 
• If I use my ECBs at CVS the amount I spend accumulates every quarter into additional ECBs.  This amount is a percentage based on your total spending for that quarter.  The $4 or $6 I spend (if I don’t have ECBs) every week adds up and at least I earn something.  I earn more than just using my debit card or cash at the gas station up the street that won’t accept my American Express.

Negative –

• I could save the $4RR and instead “roll” it into another deal and generate additional RR.  Although this is a great way to keep “growing” my money, the sales don’t always pop up one after another and allow me to find deals back to back. 
• The RR program has some restrictions.  One if that you won’t generate additional RR if you buy a product from the same manufacturer with a RR from that manufacturer.  (ex. I usually won’t get the RR for Dove Conditioner if I use the RR I earned from buying Dove Shampoo.)  The RR are usually only good for 14 days from the day generated. ECB’s are usually good for 30 days. 

So, this is how I see it -

1. The best way is to actually “roll” your ECBs or RR with items that you can use.
2. If you can’t “roll” the ECBs or RR it is best to buy something that you need or were planning to buy.
3. Nothing is worse than realizing that the great deal you got from earning ECBs or RR isn’t that great because you allowed them to expire.

How about you do you buy extra newspapers on Sundays?  Do you have unique ways that you spend your ECBs or RR?

More Rebate Checks!!!!

I recently received three more rebate checks in the mail.  I wanted to give you an update on the ones I had received and how easy they have been to submit and even easier to cash!

I received a $10 rebate check from Coors.  My friend Judi had given me a rebate form that she found at Kroger for a $10 rebate for purchasing $100 or more in gift cards.  I had several receipts that were easy to find and submit from where I had purchased gift cards as Christmas presents.  I had already purchased the gift cards so getting a rebate was a little present for me.  Thanks Judi!!!!!

I received a $15 check from Olay for purchasing 3 body washes.  I actually came out ahead with this deal.  When I made the purchase there was a Register Rewards (RR) promo at Walgreens. I bought a Gillete Embrace Razor (which generated a $4 RR) for $8.99.  I had a coupon for $2 off the razor and another coupon for a free Olay body wash when you buy a Gillette Embrace Razor.  I ended up with 3 razors and 3 body washes for $20.97, I earned $12 in RR, and I got a $15 rebate check from Olay.  The way I see it I actually earned $6.03!

I also got a rebate check from Schick for purchasing a Schick Quattro Razor for Steve.  The rebate was good for the full purchase price up to $11.99.  I found the razor at Walgreens for $9.99 and it was generating a $4 RR.  I submitted my receipt showing the purchase price of $9.99.  I received a check for $9.99 in addition to the $4 RR I got when I purchased the razor.  I earned $13.99 just for buying Steve a razor!

I have really changed my attitude about rebates being too difficult and time consuming.  I have 3 checks totaling $34.99 to take to the bank.  I don’t think that is too bad for buying a few toiletry items and filling out a few forms.

How about you - have you been successful with submitting rebates?  Do you find them easy to submit and even more exciting when you get a check in the mail?

Rebate Checks

I had several rebate checks arrive in the mail last week.  I will be the first to agree that rebates are frustrating, you have to read the fine print, make sure you get the necessary info together, make copies of everything, find an envelope, a stamp, and remember to drop it in the mail before it expires.  I sometimes run into the frustration of having items for different rebates on the same receipt.  Some rebates are easier to submit than others – you just have to send your receipt and write down your UPC code on a form.  I have had some rebates that want the actual UPC code from the box, the receipt, and the form.  When it is all said and done, it really isn’t that much work, it is just finding the time to get organized and make sure you have all of your materials together.  So, how did I do?

• I received a $20 check from Kraft foods.  To qualify I had to purchase 10 packages of Nabisco cookies or crackers, 5 Capri-Sun boxes (or Kool-Aid Jammers), and 5 cups of Kraft Easy Mac.  I looked over my receipts that I submitted and I figured I spent about $26 for the 20 items that I purchased.  So – I ended up getting all of that for only $6 after I got my rebate.  (I think there is a similar rebate offer through June 2010 – but I can’t locate it right now.  When I find it I will pass it on.)
• I got two $5 rebates from SC Johnson.  I submitted a total of three so I don’t know if the third one is lost somewhere.  This rebate is available for a while so if I don’t get my third check in a few weeks I have more items I can submit for the rebate.  I talked about buying several Glade candles with a Target deal this past fall in this post.  I only had to submit 3 UPC codes and a receipt from all of the candles that I purchased. (I had purchased them in separate transactions so I would have receipts for each rebate request.) I bought ten candles and candle holders for $5 and I actually got two $5 gift cards (for buying 5 in each transaction).  I already had made $5 on the transaction so the additional $10 in rebates means I got $15 for buying candles! 
• I also got a $15 check from Olay.  I purchased two Olay Regenerist Cleansers at Walgreens for $4.29 each (after coupons).  I submitted the rebate and and got a check for $15.  I ended up making $6.42 for buying cleanser!

I am working on submitting two rebates right now –

• Receive a check (up to $11.99) for a Schick Quattro Titanium Razor or Schick Quattro Titanium Trimmer – you will get reimbursed your purchase price.  The form for the rebate is in the 2/7 Smart Source insert.  The rebate must be postmarked by March 7, 2010 for purchases from February 7 – March 7, 2010.
• The other rebate is another $15 rebate from Olay.  This rebate must be submitted by March 12, 2010 for purchases from February 12 – March 12, 2010.  I was able to make this a really good deal by combining sales and coupons.  Walgreens has a $4 Register Reward (RR) when you purchase a Venus Embrace Razor for the month of February.  The razor is $8.99.  You can combine a $2 off coupon form the 2/7 Proctor & Gamble insert.  There is also a coupon in the 2/7 P&G insert for a free Olay body wash when you buy a Venus Embrace System.  The bottom line is I paid out of pocket ~$7 for a razor (with 2 cartridges) and a 10oz bottle of Olay body wash.  I left with a $4 RR (to use on another transaction) and a receipt showing the purchase price of the body wash that I can submit.  I repeated this transaction two more times.  I ended up spending ~$21, earned $12RR, and can submit for a $15 rebate.  That makes it ~ a $6 profit for purchasing razors and body wash. 

Do you like rebates?  Do you have success with rebates?  Do you have tips of current rebates you want to share?

Last week's Walgreens run

I am late in posting my picture and my deals from Walgreens last week. I ran there real quick Friday afternoon before I had to run home and get ready to celebrate with a friend who got married on Saturday. I started off with $32 in RR.

I got everything in 2 separate transactions -

Transaction #1:

Zantac - $8.99 (for my FIL) (sale price)

(3) Theraflu - $4.99 (each, sale price)

(8) Halloween Pencils - $0.25 each

Subtotal: $32.46 (before sales & coupons)

(-1.50) Zantac coupon

(-1.50) Theraflu coupon

(-3.00) off 2 Theraflu

(-1.00) Halloween Pencil Special

(-14) Redeemed RR

Final Price (before tax): $4.96

Total Savings: $27.50 (85%)

Earned $17 RR

Transaction #2:

Zantac - $8.99 (for my FIL, sale price)

Halls Refresh Drops - $1

Dentek Dental Floss - $2

(3) Triaminic Strips - $4.99 (each, sale price)

(8) Halloween Pencils - $0.25 each

Subtotal: $39.84 (before sales & coupons)

(-1.50) Zantac coupon on box

(-0.50) Hall's Refresh coupon

(-1) Dentek Floss Coupon

(-$1.50) Triaminic

(-$3) off 2 Triaminic

(-$1) Halloween Pencil Special

(-$18) Redeemed Register Rewards

Final Price (before tax): $2.46

Total Savings: $37.38 (94%)

Earned $20 RR

"Rolling" my Register Rewards

Register Rewards are great, as long as you can use all of them before they expire. They are only good for 2 weeks after they are issued. I used some of them Sunday night by purchasing my additional newspapers, a birthday card, and the spaghetti sauce. Tuesday I realized I still had a decent amount I needed to roll before they expired - on Wednesday. So I sat down with the ad in hand, and read some post on-line at Hot Coupon World, and came up with a game plan.

Here is the breakdown on my purchases:

(8) Jars of Ragu Spaghetti Sauce -$1.295 each (earned $8 RR)

Hallmark Card - $0.99 (not pictured)

(2) Sunday Newspapers - $2 each (not pictured)

(3) Vaseline Lotions - $6.99 each (earned $7 RR on each)

(2) Nivea for Men Aftershave Balm - $3.50 each (earned $4 RR)

(3) Chapstick - $2.99 each (earned $3 RR on each)

(2) Dentek Floss - $1 each (earned $2 RR on each = Money Maker)

(1) Halls Refresh Drops - $0.50 (earned $1 RR = Money Maker)

(4) small bags of M&Ms - $0.49 each (filler item) (one got eaten already)

(24) plastic dessert cups - $0.19 each (filler item - I am going to use them for a program at church)

(3) Sippy Cups - $0.74 each (on clearance - we always seem to be missing cups these days)

Shelf Price (before sales, coupons, and tax): $85.57

Final Price (after sales, coupons, before tax): $9.04

Total Savings: $76.53 (89%)

FYI - there are several tips you need to understand in order to maximize your RR with Walgreens.

• You cannot have more coupons (RR count as a coupon) than you have items in your transaction. That is why I always end up with "filler items". I also found out that if you have a coupon for $$/2 that coupon ties to both items for your coupon to item count.
• You cannot get multiple RR for the same item in the same transaction. You need to buy them in separate transactions.
• You cannot get a new RR by paying for the second item with the RR from the first transaction - ex. You can't buy a second Vaseline lotion with the RR from the first Vaseline lotion.
• You generally cannot get a new RR if you are buying a product from the same company as your first RR - ex. I can't use a RR from a previous purchase of a Proctor & Gamble product on a new P&G product and get a new RR.

I know it sounds confusing, but once you start to figure it out you just learn how to work around it.

Feel free to ask me if you have any RR questions - if I can't answer it I can try to point you in the right direction. :)

Shopping this week (so far) - Walgreens

This is a picture of what I got from Walgreens this week. They had lots of FARR (Free after Register Rewards) items. I was able to make some deals even better by combining coupons with Register Rewards. Not included in the picture are the four additional Times-Dispatch papers I bought when I went in there Sunday afternoon to get my first round of items. I also already gave Steve some of the Hall's drops and Robitussin To-Go to keep at work. I ended up getting all of the Halloween pencils as filler items. I will hand them out to the kids who come to our house trick-or-treating. Don't worry I'll get some candy to go with them. :)

Here is what I got:

(4) Richmond Times-Dispatch Papers $2 each

(5) Gillette Fusion MVP Razors - $4.99 each (earned $6 RR on each purchase)

(1) Gillette Fusion MVP Razor - $6.99 (earned $6 RR on purchase)

(4) Herbal Essences Hair Products - $1.99 each (earned $2 RR on each purchase)

(4) Chapstick - $2.99 each (earned $3 RR on each purchase)

(3) Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotions - $6.99 each (earned $7 RR on each purchase)

(1) Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotion - $5.74 (earned $7 RR on purchase)

(4) Robitussin DM To Go - $1.49 each (earned $2.5o RR on each purchase)

(1) Robitussin DM To Go - $2.49 (earned $2.50 RR on purchase)

(2) Dentek Floss - $2 each (earned $2 RR on each purchase)

(5) Halls Refresh Drops - $0.25 each (earned $1 RR on each purchase)

(28) Halloween Pencils - $0.25 each

Shelf Price (before tax): $162.97

Final Price (before tax): $24.28 (not bad when I spent $8 on newspapers & $7 on pencils)

Total Savings = $138.69 (85%)

I rolled some of my RR into the individual transactions. I still have $38 remaining in RR that I can roll into additional transactions or save for more deals next week.

Super Saturday Savings!!!!!!!

We started off our outing by getting a late lunch. We had a late breakfast and Megan was taking a nap so after she woke up we went to The Olive Garden for lunch (at ~2:30) for the Never Ending Pasta Bowl. Steve & I enjoyed our pasta, salad, and breadsticks while Natalie got a meal from the kid's meal and Megan sampled everything. I had suggested we go there so that we wouldn't really need to worry about dinner later on and I had a coupon for $4 off 2 entrees - that made the Never Ending Pasta Bowl only $6.95 each instead of $8.95 each. We walked out of there stuffed and our meal was ~$25 including tip. (Steve took care of the bill so I am calculating in my head what it should have been.)


Would you believe that each of these items were $1 or less at Target after I combined sales & coupons? (Do you like my 15 month-old hand model?)I was very proud of buying the Glade candle tins at Walgreens earlier this week for $1 each after coupon, but I found any even better deal at Target this afternoon. They were on sale 3/$5 or $1.66 each (before coupon). I looked in the tins to see if they had the $1.50 off coupon inside them that I had found when I was at Walgreens. Unfortunately, some other shoppers had gone through all of the tins on the shelves and had taken them. (That would have been an awesome deal.) I did have a $2 off of 2 Glade scented candles coupon that I was able to use so I got the tins for $0.66 each. I also had 2 coupons for FREE Glade candle refills when you purchase a Glade candle tin. That means I got 2 candle tins and 2 sets of refills (that also had a bonus candle in each pack) for $1.32.

The Schick Quattro Razor was a money maker (MM) for me. I found a razor with 2 refill cartridges for $7.84 - I had a Target coupon (from the Sunday paper a few weeks ago) for $4 off and a manufacturer coupon for $4 off. The coupons usually adjust to the price, but this one didn't so I made 0.16 on each razor I "purchased".

The Dove deodorant was another good find - I had a $2 manufacturer coupon from the Dove website and a $1 Target web coupon that made my final price for the deodorant $0.64!

I found out from a posting on Hot Coupon World about Rimmel mascara for 0.29 after coupon and clipped my $2 coupons from the paper and got 6 tubes of mascara that were regularly $2.29 for $0.29 each!

The Cheerios cup was FREE thanks again to a Target web coupon and the Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Brush 2-in-1 was FREE thanks to a manufacturer coupon. I had to purchase a Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Gel (not pictured - that was $2.94 after coupon) and I got the Fresh Brush (that was $6.29) for free.

These are my Walgreen's deals: (Isn't the model doing a great job?)

The candles are just more of the same candle deals I got earlier this week. I found more of the $3 off of 2 Glade Fragrance Collection coupons and after RR I was able to get all of the 2oz candles for FREE. I was also able to get one more Glade Sense & Spray for FREE after RR. I found one coupon for $3 off a Glade Fragrance Collection product and applied that to the large Glade candle after RR it cost 0.99.

The backpack was a bonus find. Natalie needed a backpack for preschool and it needed to be large enough to hold a folder. We looked in Target hoping to find one on clearance with the back-to-school stuff and didn't have any luck. I thought to look in Walgreens when I was buying the candles and saw they had them marked down 50%. It isn't a high quality back pack, but it will be great for preschool and she was very excited when she saw it and tried it on. I ended up getting the backpack for only $3.45 by getting it on clearance and redeeming a $2 RR. Perfect!

We rounded out the day where I got 4 more bags of Nature Valley Nut Clusters for 0.66 each and 2 jars of baby food for free at Ukrop's. I will give the baby food to someone at church.

I do want to let you know that I did buy other things while we were out today, I bought a lunch box for Natalie to take her snack in to preschool, hair barrettes for the girls, some pants for Natalie. Steve was very proud of himself and found a BBQ set that had originally been $49.99 on Target.com in the store for $12.50. We found a Wii game marked down 50% and he also found a Ball canning set on the clearance rack. I am seriously considering learning how to can fruits and vegetables.. I'll talk more about that later. Right now it is time to get myself ready for tomorrow.

Peace Out!

Some of the cheap & free items this week

It has been a crazy week and I have a rather full pantry, refrigerator, and freezer, so I haven't really shopped much this week. These are a few of the deals that I got that I could easily pull out or haven't been put away.

Cheap & Free things I got at Ukrop's this week:

• Suave Shampoo & Conditioner - FREE (on sale 2/$1 and I had a coupon for $1 off 2)


• Nature Valley Nut Clusters - I actually got more than the ones in the pictures, but we have eaten some of them already. They were on sale with a spot coupon (a Ukrop's in-store coupon) 3/$5 (or $1.66 each) then I had manufacturer coupons for $1 off a bag so I got them for 0.66 a bag. I know that is not free, but it is cheap and a decent snack.


• Ritz Crackerfuls - 0.10 each (4 boxes) - I had a coupon for a free crackerful when you bought a box of Ritz crackers. Ukrop's had Ritz crackers on sale 2/$4 (which I thought was a good price) and I got free snack crackers for the girls.

Free & Cheaps at Walgreens & CVS:

CVS:

• Schick ST3 Disposable Razors - on sale for 6.99 with $4 ECB back. I had a $3 manufacturer coupon and rolled an ECB I already had for $3.98 so I just had to pay the tax and I got FREE razors.

Walgreens:

• They were running a register rewards (RR) deal with the Glade candles. You could buy either 2 of the 2oz Fragrance Collection candles or 2 of the glass candle holders (or mix & match) 2/$4 and earn a $1 RR. I had several different coupons that I used. I had a $3 off 1 glade fragrance, a $3 off 2 glade fragrance, and a coupon for a free glade 2oz candle.


• When I found the 2oz candles the cashier showed me the Glade candle tins sitting with them. They were on sale for $2.50 and inside the tin was a coupon for $1.50 off (that they let me use when I was buying the item) so I got them for $1 each. I also had coupons (go figure) for a FREE Glade candle refill when you bought a Glade candle tin - that means I got 4 tins (with a candle in each one) and 4 Glade candle refills for $4 plus tax!


• FREE Glade Sense & Spray. They were on sale for $5.99 with a $2 RR and I had a $4 coupon off.