Sad Day for Me and My CVS Plans

This morning, I happened across an awesome blog, The Homemakers Resource. As I was reading her posts, I came across some sad news that will affect the deals I have planned for CVS. Check out what she found on Hot Coupon World:

"CVS has LEGALLY requested that online printable coupons no longer be posted anywhere on the internet. CVS has contacted several of the larger websites, not just HCW. It is their position that the only valid printable coupons will be sent to you directly through their email system.

As to the online magazines and newspapers. Their online version is simply a convenience service. It's not meant to be printed out and replace their paper magazines and newspapers, otherwise they'd lose their income from their product. Same goes with the coupons in those situations, they are not meant to be printed out and replace the paper ones. My guess is CVS doesn't have the time to police every single newspaper or magazine's online source to make sure that their coupons are blacked out or made unprintable.

In the end, we at HCW are intent on following the parameters stated on the legal notice that we received. And that is that the only valid internet coupons will come directly to you in your email and that any other sources of internet coupons are not legitimate, not approved by CVS and will not be allowed to be posted on HCW."

So... that $2/$10 CVS coupon I've been printing and using, the one found from the Richmond Parent's Magazine, should only be used if I actually bought the magazine and cut it out. SAD!
Like the Homemaker's Resource and HCW, I want to make sure that all my frugal shopping trips are ethical, legit, and 100% above board. That being said, I will only be using CVS printable coupons that I personally receive through email. So CVS, if you read this (and I'm SO sure you do) please send me some coupons. Pretty please!

To read more about this, check out this ABC News story: Secrets of Online Shopping Discounts

Another Great Week at CVS

When I first glanced at this week's deals, I'll admit, I was a little disappointed. Then I came to my senses and got to work. I started figuring out the deals that looked best (with the help of the weekly ad, some websites, and some needs we had in the home) and ended up stocking up on some GREAT stuff! Check it out:

I have done three transactions so far this week (in two trips). During my first trip, this is what I got:
My first transaction:
2 Herbal Essences at 2/$5
1 6x8 photo book 7.99
1 Baby Bottle Candy 1.49 (I was over-charged by $.20 on this one. Too, I thought I was getting $1 ECB on this but didn't realize I had to buy 2. Oops! Tristan was happy, though!).
2 Sure Deodorants 5.38
1 Bic Soleil Razor 6.99
1 Big Soleil Cartridges 6.99
1 Extra page for photo book .79

Coupons:
1 $3/$15 CVS coupon
$3 off 2 Herbal Essences Coupon from newspaper insert
$3 off 6x8 Kodak photo book from n'paper insert
B1G1 Free Sure coupon
$1 off one Sure deodorant coupon from newspaper insert
$4 Bic Soleil razor coupon from n.paper insert
$4 off Bic Soleil razor cartridges from n.paper insert
$12 ECBs

I spent $3.71 cash out of pocket, used $12 in ECB, and I earned $15.99 in ECBs!!!
So I spent $3.71 and saved 35.92!!!

Today I went back for transactions #2 and #3. Here's what I got:

Transaction #2:
1 Neutrogena Mascara 5.99
6 Sally Nail polishes 5.94
2 Colgate Sparkling White toothpastes B1G1 Free 2.79
1 Baby Bottle Candy 1.49 (again over-charged by .20)
1 pack of CVS make-up remover wipes 2.99

Coupons:
$3/$15 CVS coupon
$.75 off one Colgate from n.paper insert
.75 off one Colgate from n.paper insert
1.00 off Neutrogena Make-up from website
2.00 CVS skin care coupon
3.00/2 Sally Nails CVS coupon
3.00/2 Sally Nails CVS coupon (they only gave me credit for 1.95 on this one)
3.00/2 Sally Nails CVS coupon (they only gave me credit for 1.95 on this one)
$5 in ECBs

I spent $1.50 cash out of pocket, used $5 in ECBs, and earned $5 in ECBs.
I spent $1.50 and saved $31.24 on this transaction!!!

My third transaction:
4 Herbal Essences Shampoos and Conditioners $10.00
1 Gain Joyful Expressions 4.99
1 Fiber One Cereal B1G1 Free 4.29
1 Total Cereal FREE
1 Speedstick 24/7 Deodorant

Coupons:
$3/$15 CVS Coupon
3.00 off 2 Herbal Essences Shampoo/Conditioner coupon from n.paper insert
3.00 off 2 Herbal Essences Shampoo/Conditioner coupon from n.paper insert
1.00 off 2 General Mills Cereals from n.paper insert
1.00 off Speedstick 24/7 deodorant from website
11.99 in ECBs

I spent $1.03 out of pocket, used $11.99 in ECBs, and earned $4 in ECBs.
I spent $1.03 and saved $37.54 on this transaction!!!

So far, this week I have spent $6.24 and have saved $104.70! Not my greatest week at CVS, but still really good! AND to make matters even greater, I had a super duper nice guy check me out (by check me out, I mean he rang me up ;)). He was awesome. He said I was a smart shopper and wishes I would teach him how to do it. That's a far cry from the woman who slammed the magazine rack in my face when I went to pay yesterday! :) Oh well. Like Tristan said, she must not have seen me.

I still have to make one more trip to CVS to make another 6x8 photo book and to make a 4x6 one. I haven't had lots of time to spend on the photo machine. I also plan to pick up another Bic Soleil pack.

So much CVSing, so little time! CVS, 99% of the time, I really love you!

Now, it's YOUR turn to save money!!! ENJOY!!!

FREE DIAPERS!

Yes, folks. That's right. FREE diapers! That's almost like an oxymoron. :) I first read about this on The Centsible Sawyer's blog a couple of weeks ago. I called and left a couple of messages, and on Tuesday, I finally connected with Sheila. I am now signed up to receive a FREE pack of size 4 diapers. All I have to do is have Asher wear the diapers, I fill out a survey, she calls me to get the results, AND then they send me $10 DOLLARS!!! FREE DIAPERS AND $10 DOLLARS! Woo hoo!!!

Sheila (the lady at Arquest, the survey company) said that if I knew of anyone with kids who wear size 4 diapers, to pass on the information. This is the last week for size 4.

For size 4 BOYS, call (888) 342-7372 ext. 634.
For size 4 GIRLS, call (888) 342-7372 ext. 646.

Thanks to The Centsible Sawyer for this great information!!!

CVS $5.00 4th of July Challenge

My boys and I spent our holiday weekend with my family in Ozark. While I was there, I gave some CVS tutorials to my parents and sister. They were definitely intrigued. My sister was so curious, she decided to go on my fourth of July shopping trip to the fabulous store. Check out what I got:I got all this in two transactions.

First Transaction:
2 Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen $4.99 each ($9.98 total).
I used $7.99 in ECBs
Total Cash Out of Pocket: $2.17, and I earned $10 in ECB!!!
I spent $2.17 and saved $7.99!!!


Second Transaction:
2 CVS pantiliners $.99 each (1.98 total)
2 CVS tampons $1.49 each (2.98 total)
4 Sure deodorants $2.69 each (I used 2 coupons for B1G1 FREE and 2/$1 off coupons)
1 CVS Makeup remover wipes $2.99 each (I used a CVS coupon for $2 off)
I used my $10 in ECBs from my first transaction
Total Cash Out of Pocket: $1.93, and I earned $11.96 in ECBs
I spent $1.93 and saved $17.38!!!

So for my 4th of July CVS trip, I spent a total of $4.10 in cash and saved $25.37!!!
AND I went in with $7.99 in ECBs and came out with $11.96! YEA!

Also, I know a lot of you CVSers got email coupons for $4 off of a $20 purchase. I got that too, but I actually saved more money by doing two transactions than by using that coupon. Woo hoo!!! I LOVE CVS!

Oh, and I had an AWESOME CVS guy who was SO helpful! He actually only took one of my B1G1 free and one of my $1 off coupons for the Sure deodorant and doubled them so that I could use my other coupons again. YEAAA for him!!! CVS guy, I feel certain you don't read my blog, but if by some strange coincidence you do, THANK YOU!!!

Check out Alyssa's blog to see what others are getting for $5 or less (this is her challenge)!

The CVS $5.00 Challenge

Alyssa is hosting a $5 CVS challenge each week. Visit her site to check out all the great scenarios people have worked out for $5 or less! It's always cool to see what everyone is getting. I LOVE deals!

Here's what I got on Sunday:I did three transactions. On the first transaction, I got:
Accu-Check Compact Plus Kit Price: $9.99
Used: $9 in ECB, Paid $1.09 Out of Pocket
Earned: $9.99 in ECB!!!
On this transaction, I paid $1.09 out of pocket and saved $75.99!!!

On the second transaction, I got:
1 Clairol Natural Instincts Hair Color, $5.99; I had a coupon for $4 off
1 O.B. tampons$4.49; I had a coupon for $1.50 off
1 Rightguard Professional Strength Deodorant and Antiperspirant $6.99; I had a coupon for $1 off
1 pkg of Gummi Savers $2.19, on sale B1G1 FREE, I had a coupon for B1G1 Free; thus FREE
1 pkg Lifesavers Mints (see above); FREE
I used my $9.99 ECB from the first transaction; paid $1.85 out of pocket, and earned $7.50 in ECB!!!
I spent $1.85 out of pocket and saved $30.17!!!

For my third transaction, I had to go to another store. My CVS was out of what I was looking for...MASCARA!
1 Physicians Formula Mineral Mascara $7.99
I used $7.50 in ECB and paid $.53 out of pocket.
I spent $.53, saved $7.50, and earned $7.99 in ECB

So for this challenge, I spent a total of $3.47 cash and saved $113.66!!!

My next visit to CVS is NOT part of the challenge, but I want to share anyway. I read online that since the Lifesavers packages were on sale B1G1 Free at CVS, and I had coupons for B1G1 free from the newspaper, the packages would be totally free. It seemed a little too good to be true, so I tested it on the challenge. Guess what?! It worked! So I went back on Monday and loaded up on Lifesavers. Check out what I got:

I got:
1 24 pack of CVS waters (reverse osmosis, our favorite) for $2.99
2 Softsoap Shower Gels $4.49 and B1G1 Free; I had 2 $.75 off coupons
6 packs of Lifesavers B1G1 Free, plus 3 coupons for B1G1 free

For this trip, I opted not to use any ECBs because none of these products earned ECBs. So I spent $9.63 out of pocket and saved $18.94!!!

My total actually should have been $2.25 lower because I was charged for one of the packs of Lifesavers. I didn't complain, though, because in a course of two days, I got 8 packs for $2.25. Still great in my book. :)

My CVS Deals

Ok, can I just say...I LOVE CVS?! I mean, I really really do. I love CVS. For me, there is no greater place to shop for all my toiletry needs. Now, I must point out...CVS (specifically their staff) doesn't necessarily love me. I've read all kinds of online posts about how much the CVS workers just adore some of you shoppers; however, at my store, I'm pretty sure they dread the sight of me. Every time I go, there is one of two ladies who absolutely seem like they would rather be forced to listen to nails screech on a chalkboard than to have to check me out at their register. And every time I go, I apologize profusely for using coupons and my Extra Care Bucks and for doing multiple transactions (usually two, but no more than three). I feel like I'm pretty respectful. I make sure to let all others go ahead of me. I do one transaction and then move away from the register to all my stuff in order for the next. I try my best to make conversation with the workers, but it doesn't seem to matter. The two ladies just really don't seem to enjoy my presence. Oh well. What can I do? I'll just continue to be caring toward then and hope that they realize that I'm not trying to make their lives difficult (I really do try to have everything in order. All they have to do is scan). Anyway, on to the deals.

I got some FABULOUS deals today! Check out what I got:
I did two transactions and spent a total of $3.17 out of pocket!!! I saved $44.36!!!!!!!!! Can you say AWESOME?! Here is how I did it:

First Transaction:
Aussie Conditioner $2.99; earned $2 ECB
Colgate MaxFresh Toothpaste $2.99; coupon for $.50 off; earned $2 ECB (Getting home, I realized I was actually overcharged for this. This specific toothpaste was supposed to be on sale for $2.49, thus making my purchase FREE plus an overage of one cent!).
Colgate MaxFresh Toothpaste $2.99; coupon for $.50 off; earned $2 ECB (See above about the incorrect price)
Colgate Total Advantage Whitening Toothpaste $2.99; coupon for $1.50 off; earned $2 ECB (OVERAGE OF $.51 CENTS!!! They paid ME for this toothpaste!)
CVS Sheer Bandages $1.99; ECB $1.99 FREE
1 Huggies Natural Care Bath Wash $3.49; coupon for $1 off; earned $2 in ECB
Candy for Tristan $.79
Used $13.98 in ECBs and $1.13 cash out of pocket!!! Saved $19.58 on this transaction!!!

Second Transaction:
Colgate Total Advantage Whitening Toothpaste $2.99; coupon for $1.50 off; earned $2 ECB (THEY PAID ME $.51 CENTS!!!)
Colgate Total Advantage Whitening Toothpaste (SEE ABOVE)
CVS Sheer Bandages $1.99; earned $1.99 ECB FREE
2 All Small & Mighty (Buy one get one free); used 2 $1 off coupons
1 Blade Viper Shower Gel $3.99; earned $1 ECB
Used $11.99 in ECBs and $2.04 cash out of pocket!!! Saved $24.78 on this transaction!!!

The only thing I wasn't thrilled about was that I went in with $15.98 in ECBs and only came out with $9; however, our budget is kind of tight this month, so it was better to go ahead and use ECBs to take advantage of the great deal on the ALL Detergent. All in all, it was a great day at CVS!

My BIG Savings at CVS

Ok, can I just say that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE me some CVS?! I do, I really really do. I don't take drugs, but I love CVS. I love their deals, and I especially love Extra Care Bucks (which my mom told me she "throws away"! Can you believe that?! It's like throwing away real money!).

Anyway, check out my latest deal from CVS.I got all this stuff for (are you ready for this???)...$6.28 out of pocket!!! According to my CVS receipts, by using coupons, ECBs, and by taking advantage of their sales, I saved a total of $210.20!!! The excitement doesn't end there...not only did I get all this for $6.28 oop and save $210.20, I earned $12 in ECBs!!! Woo hoo!!! The thing is, I could have done even better but was eager to get out of there. Despite my rush, I still think I did pretty well. :)

Thanks, CVS, and thanks to all you frugal tipsters out there who taught me all I know!!!

(Ok, so this marks like the fifth post I've done today. I am officially done...probably for a month. Take your time reading! :))