*It goes without saying that for most of these deals you should use the $2/$10 CVS coupon. (details here but coupon is apparently not online any longer). I often break up my shopping trips in order to maximize these savings.

Walgreens

Sorry to disappoint you, but this is NOT a great week at Walgreens in my opinion. There are still a few deals and things to get free after rebate.

1. Lifesavers candy, on sale BOGO. Use BOGO coupon (6/8 SS) and get two free *some stores will et you use this coupon and some will not


2. Walgreens brand diapers, on sale BOGO 1/2 off. Buy (2) and use $2/1 pharmacy coupon= about $8 for two packs of diapers- okay price if you need diapers



3. Mucus relief DM, on sale BOGO. Buy (2) and use $3/1 coupon from pharmacy booklet. *This MAY take off $3 on each bottle which would be incredibly cheap for two

Monlthy Free After Rebate Deals

1. Nivea men's body wash, on sale $4.79. Use $1/1 coupons (7/20 SS)= $3.79 oop plus file for a $4.79 September Easysaver rebate= $1 profit after coupons and rebate!
2. Crest Pro Health whitening toothpaste. Use .75/1 (8/3 P&G expires 8/31). Make .75 profit after coupon and rebate!
3. L'Oreal revitalift anti-wrinkle concentrate (rebate up to $16.49) Use $3/1 coupons (7/20 SS)= $13.49 oop plus file for a $16.49 September Easysaver rebate= $3 profit after coupons and rebate!
4. Revlon nail color (rebate up to $4.79). Use $2/1 coupon (7/20 SS & 8/24 SS). Spend $2.79 oop plus file for a $4.79 September Easysaver rebate= $2 profit after coupons and rebate!
5. Excedrin express gels (rebate up to $3.99)
6. Chemistry hair care (rebate up to $7.99)
7. LypSyl Lypmoisturizer (rebate up to $1.99)
8. Walgreens acid controller complete 25 chewable tablets (rebate up to $7.99).
9. Walgreens pitcher filter replacement cartridge (rebate up to $6.99)
   

There are some other decent deals but this is what I'm looking at this week. What good deals do you see? List a comment or link to your blog with scenarios below.

I just read on Centsible Sawyer that the Dollar Tree is now offering products online & with free shipping for a limited time. Since I'm picky about my dollar stores and think that Dollar Tree is the best, I am super excited! You can find some excellent deals- I just love it.

Here are the latest 10 freebies & samples online:

• Free 13.2 lb. bag Purina® Yesterday’s News® brand Moisture Locking Paper Pellets (take a survey for free coupon- up to $6.99)
• Free sample Huni day & night moisturizer
• Free sample Tampax with leakguard
• Free sample of Gain with baking soda
• Free sample Cascade Complete & Mr Clean magic eraser
• Free Aveeno tote bag (need to enter 2 UPC codes)
• Free McDonald's chicken biscuit
• Free 2009 Women's Health calendar
• Free sample of Astroglide X
• Free appetizer at Fridays (sign up for loyalty program required)
  

Get free Chick-Fil-A Chick-N-Strips on Sept. 1st 2008. Here's how:

*It goes without saying that for most of these deals you should use the $2/$10 CVS coupon. (details here but coupon is apparently not online any longer). I often break up my shopping trips in order to maximize these savings.

Walgreens

1. Glade scented oil warmers, on sale $4.79 & BOGO. Buy (4) and use (4) $4/1 coupons (8/10 SS)= $6.42 overage plus file for a $4 September Easysaver rebate= $10.42 overage after coupons and rebate!


2. Puffs tissue, on sale 0.89 with in-ad coupon. Use .25/1 coupon (8/3 P&G)= 0.64


3. Reach toothbrushes, on sale 2/$2. Buy (2) and use (2) $1/1 coupons (6/8 RP)= both for free!


4. Rimmel cosmetics, on sale BOGO. Buy (2) eyeshadows & use (1) BOGO eyeshadow coupon (All You Magazine)= both for free!


5. Trident xtra care gum, on sale for 0.99. Buy (2) and use (1) BOGO coupon & (1) .75/1 (All You Magazine)= $0.24 for 2 packs of gum


6. Woolite, on sale $4.99 & BOGO. Buy (2) and use (2) $2/1 coupons (6/1 SS)= $0.99 for 2 bottles


7. Monthly Deal: Pert Plus shampoo, about $3.79. Use $2/1 coupon (5/11, 6/29, 8/3 SS), then file for a full $3.79Walgreens Easysaver rebate (online) = free + $2 profit after rebate



8. Monthly Deal: Scrubbing Bubbles Action Scrubber, about $5.69. Use this $2.75 internet printable coupon, then file for a $1.50 Walgreens Easysaver rebate (online) + get a full refund of the entire purchse price (up to $5.69) (7/20 SS)= free + $4.25 profit after rebates

There are some other decent deals but this is what I'm looking at this week. What good deals do you see? List a comment or link to your blog with scenarios below.

Looks like Rewards Gold is at things again with a free 2 yr subscription to Shape Magazine. Too bad that I can't just look at a magazine and lose weight, I actually have to do some work... I'll have to think about this one. You can sign-up (no credit card necessary) for Shape magazine here.

I had a great time this last weekend with my friend Tracey. Us girls went triple coupon sale shopping at two local grocery stores- how fun! I watched as she eagerly approached the checkout counter with her stack of coupons.... the anticipation of saving all that money.

I realized with my dear friend that there is something that I take for granted in all of my deal shopping- knowing how the store's sales and coupons work. Part of the basic strategy in saving money at the grocery store or anywhere else is knowing how a store's sale works.

I was thinking about these details/ strategies that I don't even think about anymore. In an effort to help you with some coupon basics, I decided to compile a list of stores in my small town with how they accept coupons. I truly do live in a small town so if you want to add a store to this list, feel free to leave a comment & I'll update the main post. I hope this helps you.

Walmart: Manufacturer's coupons- accepts all manufacturer's coupons including internet printables; Store coupons- does not issue any store coupons; Miscellaneous- Walmart price matches all competitors including grocery stores if you bring in a current circular. They do not price match BOGO deals.

Target: Manufacturer's coupons- accepts all manufacturer's coupons including internet printables; Store coupons- Target issues their own store coupons via US Mail and some via their website. On any one item, you can use both a store coupon and a manufacturer's coupon; Miscellaneous- No price matches done here.

CVS: Manufacturer's coupons- accepts all manufacturer's coupons including internet printables; Store coupons- CVS issues their own store coupons via US Mail, email, in the store, their website, and at the bottom of your receipt. On any one item, you can use both a store coupon and a manufacturer's coupon; Miscellaneous- Some CVS stores accept competitor's coupons even for perscriptions and others do not.

Walgreens: Manufacturer's coupons- accepts all manufacturer's coupons including internet printables; Store coupons- Walgreens issues their own store coupons in the monthly Easysaver catalog and as in-ad coupons found in the weekly circular. On any one item, you can use both a store coupon and a manufacturer's coupon; Miscellaneous- Walgreens also has a monthly rebate program. Details of these offers can be found in the monthly Easysaver catalog found near the store entrances.

Rite Aid: Manufacturer's coupons- accepts all manufacturer's coupons but not internet printables; Store coupons- Rite Aid issues their own store coupons in the weekly circular. On any one item, you can use both a store coupon and a manufacturer's coupon; Miscellaneous- Rite Aid also has a monthly rebate program called the Single Check Rebate. Details of these offers can be found in the catalog found near the store entrances.

Check out this post that Deal Seeking Mom posted on Luv's diapers at Target good only this week. If you still have the $5 coupon from the Luv's welcome kit, you're in luck. Only $0.99 for a jumbo pack of diapers- whoot whoot!

I am fast at work preparing for the upcoming fall term. I'll be teaching an online course in leadership that I am so excited about. Anyway, wanted to let you know that I'll be posting a little less over the next 3-4 days until school starts & I feel SUPER prepared. Keep the deals and comments comin'.

I'll continue to post away in a few. Have a great week!

*It goes without saying that for most of these deals you should use the $2/$10 CVS coupon. (details here but coupon is apparently not online any longer). I often break up my shopping trips in order to maximize these savings.

Walgreens

1. Ragu spaghetti sauce, on sale 3/$5. Buy (6) and use (3) $1/2 coupons (8/17). Spend $7 oop and get $4 in register rewards= $3 for six cans after coupons and register rewards
   
   
2. Bertolli frozen meals, on sale for $5.99. Buy (2) and use (2) $1.50/1 coupons (7/13 RP). Spend $8.98 oop and get $5 in register rewards= $3 for two bags after coupons and register rewards
   
3. Monthly Deal: Pert Plus shampoo, about $3.79. Use $2/1 coupon (5/11, 6/29, 8/3 SS), then file for a full $3.79Walgreens Easysaver rebate (online) = free + $2 profit after rebate



4. Monthly Deal: Scrubbing Bubbles Action Scrubber, about $5.69. Use this $2.75 internet printable coupon, then file for a $1.50 Walgreens Easysaver rebate (online) + get a full refund of the entire purchse price (up to $5.69) (7/20 SS)= free + $4.25 profit after rebates

There are some other decent deals but this is what I'm looking at this week. What good deals do you see? List a comment or link to your blog with scenarios below.

About six months ago, I joined She Speaks consumer panel for women. They basically, give you stuff to try for free & in exchange, you provide your opinion about upcoming products, many new or not yet availale to the public. I have found the program to be pretty awesome. I am not at all bombarded with emails or requests from them. They typically launch new campaigns a few times per year.

Last year, I tested and kept a Sonicare toothbrush so my teeth really love this program! Anyway, if you'd like to join, you can go to the She Speaks website to sign-up. It's free, of course!

I've been thinking a lot lately on how money is one of the greatest sources for divorce in America. Interesting. It seems as though in all of the preparation for marriage nowadays (or lack thereof), we are not receiving adequate preparation on how to talk with our spouses about money.

Sometimes as deal-seekers we can feel like we are on a different planet than our spouses. I mean, at times our dear ones are very supportive and at other times they might not understand the serious effort that goes into gettin good deals. Even more so, our spouses and loved ones can keep us in check when we get out of line with spending and shopping.

So, in all sincerity I have a few questions for you...

• How effective are you at discussing finances in your house?
• How often do you discuss your financial situation?
• In terms of spending time and money on deals, are you on the same page? On the same planet?

Depending on what you have to say, perhaps we can discuss strategies for having financial talks at home and ice breakers to initiate this type of discussion.

Many of you have heard all of the toxic stuff in many of the baby bottles and baby food containers. Medela is offering a free BPA-free bottle for a limited time (1 per household). These are great!

• Totinos pizza rolls ($1/1) *You can print this out twice by hitting your browsers back button and then clicking refresh.
• Orville Reddenbacher 100 calorie rice cake packs ($1/1) Also available here.
• Farm Rich Pizza Snacks ($2/1)
• Pretzel crisp snacks (Free bag with sign-up to mailing list)
• Any Malt O Meal products ($1/1)

Plus, my 5 favorite coupons available on the right-side toolbar are:

• Hershey's Bliss chocolate ($1/1) Especially good at Walgreens this week
• BIC pens ($1/2) Free at Walgreens this week
• Garnier moisturizer ($2/1) Good one to print for later
• Fruit by the Foot (0.80/2) Okay, so I'm a kid at heart :) With all of the back 2 School deals at the grocery store, this one works out to be pretty good also.
• Yo-Plus yogurt ($1/1) This turns out to be under $1 after the coupon at Walmart

Introduction
Many of my friends and family know that CVS is one of my favorite stores. A little over a year ago I became a CVSer when I realized the incredible ways to save money. I'd always assumed that the increased prices at drugstores meant that I would not save money at these locations. But thanks to a little trial & error with my new favorite store, I will likely never pay for deoderant, toothpaste, shampoo or candy ever again!

For many of you in the blogging community, this post will be nothing new, per se. What I am writing about today is the way to shop at CVS, including how to find deals and make money using their reward system. Newbies to CVS shopping will find lots of useful information in how to snag the best deals and why we get so darn excited about sales and CVS coupons. CVS pros will glean some insight into how to roll Extrabucks & look for upcoming deals. Read on...


The Glossary

• Extracare card- CVS uses a loyalty card system that tracks your purchases and spending at all of their stores. You can get a CVS card on their website or right away in the store by simply asking any cashier. I'd suggest getting the card in the store so you can start shopping right away.
  
• Extrabucks -aka ECBs- are CVS' reward cash. These bucks print automatically at the end of your receipt when you make a qualifying purchase. They are usually good for 2-4 weeks and can be used for most things in the store (excludes alcohol, tobacco, lottery, gift cards, money orders, postage stamps, pre-paid cards, prescriptions, and special order Home Health Care items, including footwear etc.)
  
• Extracare rewards- In addition to ECBs, CVS gives you 2% back with every purchase in-store and online at CVS/pharmacy after every three (3) month period. This also prints out automatically after every quarter at the bottom of your receipt. This amount is calculated on how much you actually spend on items not associated with extrabucks. You also earn (1) ECB for every (2) prescriptions purchased in-store and online at CVS/pharmacy.


• Register coupons- sometimes known as CRTs- these are CVS coupons that print off at the bottom of your receipt or ones that are emailed to you directly from CVS. These are often randomly generated and can be used in addition to other manufacturer's coupons.
  
• CVS coupons- Occassionally, CVS issues coupons that print off at the end of your receipt or appear magically in random locations. These coupons are awesome! They typically say "save $2 of any $10 purchase" (2/10), "save $3 of any $15 purchase" (3/15), "save $4 of any $20 purchase" (4/20), "save $5 of any $30 purchase" (5/30), or "save $10 of any $50 purchase" (5/10). More about these coupons in the order of preseting coupons section.
  
  

Begin the Deal Hunt

1) A good CVS shop begins with gathering a LOT of coupons. You'll want to build a small stash of coupons in order to snag the best deals. Some deals work best if you purchase more than one of the same item. For these instances, it is best to have more than one coupon. To learn more about how I get multiple coupons, you can read my post on how I get all my coupons. CVS accepts up to (1) CVS coupon in addition to a manufacturer's coupon and as many ECBS as you'd like. This is what makes CVS so awesome so let me explain... For example if CVS has a sales for x shampoo, say $5. You received a CVS coupon for x shampoo, a CRT, at the bottom of your receipt the last time you shopped for $2 off. You also have a maufacturer's coupon from the Sunday paper for $1/1 x shampoo and $2 in extrabucks (ECBs), you can you all of these coupons/ CRTS/ ECBs together to get the product for free! Let's see: $5 shampoo- $2 CVS CRT -$1 manufacturer's coupon -$2 ECB = free

2) Once you have your coupons in order, it's time to see what's on sale. The idea at CVS is to combine store sales with manufacturer's coupons like we already talked about, but there is another very important point... We are on the hunt for ECB deals. In each sales flyer, you will see sales and items that produce more ECBs when you check out.

In order of importance, we seek first to find ECB-generating deals, good sales second or free items, and miscellaneous items third. This order will make more sense a little later.

3) So looking through the sales paper is not always as cut-and-dry as it might seem at first. Here's a sample ad:

On any given week, there are a number of good deals & a few really great deals. I consider deals good when items are free or when I make money from the transaction. For example, in this ad, Pert Plus shampoo is on sale buy-one-get-one-free (BOGO). I have a BOGO manufacturer's coupon which means I get (2) shampoos for free. If the CVS sale was BOGO and get $2 extrabucks back, I would have used my BOGO manufacturer's coupon to get both for free and got $2 ECBs back. All in all I would have two free shampoos and would make $2 bucks! Or CVS might have photobooks on sale for $8 which generate $8 ECBs, making them free. However, I have a $2 manufacturer's coupon which means I pay $6 for the photobook and get $8 ECBs. That is free plus I made $2 ECBs. So when I say make money, I mean make CVS bucks.... works for me.

When you are searching through the ads, do a little math. Some sales say "spend $20, get $10 back in ECBs." If you think about it, that shakes down to be a 50% savings. Use more CVS & manufacturer's coupons and you could increase your savings.

Here's the deal: not all CVS sales and ECB deals are worth it. Often, if the savings percentage is too low, if you can't find a coupon, or don't really need the item, it just isn't worth it. Searching the ad is almost always about using your best judgement. Remember, we look for:

1. ECB deals first



2. Good sales/ freebies second



3. Miscellaneous deals third

4) Jot down your potential deals. I like to carry a 3x5 index card with me to the store or a printout of my own blog where I post the weekly CVS deals. I either slip the index card in my coupon binder or paper clip it to the coupons I plan to use.

I find it helpful to jot down all of the potentail deals as I have had to rework deals right on the spot in the store. During really good sales, lots of shoppers turn out. Particularly if you shop later in the week or if the item is free, the product might be sold out. You have to account for this when you work up your potential deal scenarios.

You're Ready to Shop (finally)!

1) If you do not have a CVS card, go right to the cashier and ask for one. After filling out your personal information, you'll get one right away assuming they have some on hand. While you're there, make some conversation with the cashier. I have found that friendly chatter is a great ice breaker and relief when you need some special assistance.

2) Get to it. Starting with the best deals first, peruse the aisles for your deals. Most CVS stores have signs with the weekly ECB sales on the shelf but not all do. You'll want to carry a copy of the sales flyer with you. This is because in order to get the sale/ ECB, you have to purchase the exact item specified. Be careful to get the right size, style, etc. of the item that is advertised or your rewards will not print.

As you shop, put the coordinating coupon to the side so that you are not flustered during the checkout process.

If all of the items you came for are not in stock, take a moment to rework a deal. Is there another item you can purchase? Does it have a coordinating coupon?

3) Most importantly, get organized before you reach the counter for checkout. Don't rush... this next check out part is critical!

Yep, Believe it! The Checkout Process

Whew! It's finally time to checkout. The important thing to remember is the order of how you present your coupons is critical.

1) First, give the cashier your CVS card. This ensures all of the sale prices ring up correctly.

2) Next, ring up all of the items in your cart.

3) Hand the cashier any CVS coupons first. This is any of the 2/10, 3/15, 4/20, 5/25, or 10/50 coupons you have. This is important because the total is before coupons.

4) Hand the cashier any CVS CRTs second. Remember, CRTs are the coupons that print at the end of your receipt, usually on a specific item in the store. Sometimes these are free or sometimes these are a $ off a specific item.

5) Give any manufacturer's coupons third. Any internet printable or coupons you've clipped should be handed over after all CVS coupons.

6) Pay the remaining balance with ECBs. Pay as much as you can without going over the amount due. You can use more than one ECB toward one order up to the sales tax. In many cases you can end up paying less than a few dollars and, in some cases, only the sales tax on your items.

• Start CVSing small. Don't overdo things with your excitement. If you start small, you can build up a nice stash of ECBs.


• Decide early what kind of shopper you'll be. This may seem kind of odd to you, but can you handle good deals? Some weeks there are ECB money makers but it will require you to purchase items that you might not need at the moment. Late last year, for example, CVS put diabetes monitors on sale for free after ECBs. I think the price was $15 or so & you got $15 in ECBs back. Thing is, there was also a $10 manufacturer's coupon out. So if you bought this product and had enough ECBs, you could have made $10 bucks. The store shelves were cleared with folks who did not have diabetes. Some people donated the monitors, others found someone who could use them. Thing is, you'll want to decide early on if you have enough gusto and space in your home to stockpile items. If you can buy 5 items for free, would you buy all 5?


• Message boards and other blogs can alert you to the best upcoming deals. For the first few months, simply check out others' blogs by searching "CVS deals". They often combine the best deals and corresponding coupons. This takes a lot of the guesswork out of shopping. My favorite blogs are Money Saving Mom, Deal Seeking Mom & Sisterly Savings.


• Try to use your ECBs in the order they expire. I have only gofed once by letting a few ECBs expire. I was bummed because the total amount was $18 which I worked hard to accumulate. I called the 800-number on the back of my extracare card & the very kind representative reissued my ECBs.


• If you have issues, call the 1-800 customer service number. I had a difficult shopping trip once when the cashier wouldn't take a BOGO coupon of mine. I called the customer service rep while I was in the store. She called the store right then and spoke with the cashier to clear up the CVS policy. I have also found the reps to be more than helpful.
  

*It goes without saying that for most of these deals you should use the $2/$10 CVS coupon. (The coupon is no longer available for download so hopefully you have saved the PDF file.) I often break up my shopping trips in order to maximize these savings.

Walgreens

1. BIC pens, on sale 2/$1. Use $1/2 internet printable coupon = free


2. Extra gum, $1.19. Buy (2) and use BOGO coupon (8/3 SS) & Walgreens 7-day coupon= free plus 0.01 overage! *Be sure to hand the coupons over in this order for this deal to work.*


3. Gorton's shrimp, BOGO. Use 0.75/2 internet printable coupon= 2/ $2.24


4. Hershey's bliss chocolate, $3. Buy (4) and use (4) $1/1 internet printable & $1/1 Easy saver coupon = $4 oop then file for a $5 Easy Saver rebate= free chocolate and $1 profit!


5. All detergent 2/$8. Use (2) $1/1 (6/22 RP)= $6 oop and get a $2 register reward= $4 after coupons and register reward


6. Glade flameless candle, $3.99. Use $3/1 (7/20 SS) & easysaver coupon= $1


7. Suavitel Fabric Softener, on sale BOGO. Use $1/1 (7/27 SS) & BOGO (in-ad coupon)= $0.79 for two *Be sure to hand the coupons over in this order for this deal to work.*


8. Monthly Deal: Scrubbing Bubbles Action Scrubber, about $5.69. Use this $2.75 internet printable coupon, then file for a $1.50 Walgreens Easysaver rebate (online) + get a full refund of the entire purchse price (up to $5.69) (7/20 SS)= free + $4.25 profit after rebates

There are some other decent deals but this is what I'm looking at this week. What good deals do you see? List a comment or link to your blog with scenarios below.

According to MSN Money, about 43% of American families spend more than they earn each year. That's nearly every 1 in 2 people that shell out more than they make. The average households carry some $8,000 in credit card debt. Yikes, just the thought of that makes me incredibly nervous!

What exactly is it that is so necessary in our lives that we actually carry the burden of debt? No sugar coating allowed, debt is a burden. I don't know about you but I am all too familiar with the burden of debt. We grew up in less than desirable circumstances where the month seemed to stretch longer than the money. Debt never created better circumstances for my family, just lots of difficult times. Maybe that's why I am so adamant about living below our income, saving money, and finding ways to generate income to pay down debt.

To me, almost all debt is dumb. Don't get me wrong... for most of us debt is necessary- like in purchasing a home, a car, to send kids to college, etc. But it is really a dumb thing. I mean, we pay money to borrow someone else's money to get what we often do not really need. We could simply save up for what we want in a lot of cases- a lofty thought, I know. But in no debt scenario does the math work out to be a profitable situation. If I borrow $1, I owe you as much as $2 or $3 or $4. That's dumb! I'd rather save my quarters until I have enough to make my own dollar! Why then do we have debt? I mean, it's now become such an intricate part of our lives.

Personally, our family is on a mission to be completely debt-free. We currently do not have any outstanding debt except for our home. The goal is to pay that off by living below our income and by generating extra income. It's a desire that never goes far from my mind because I feel as though we can so many more things when we stop paying interest.

How about you? What are your thoughts on the necessity of debt?

Sign up here for a pack of nice freebies. This offer is only good to the first 10,000 who have not received a gift pack in the last 90 days.

The first 10,000* registrants only will receive a free:
10-count pack of medium Ziploc® Brand Zip 'n Steam™ Microwave Steam Cooking Bags
one Glade® Air Infusions® in Clean Linen™ fragrance
$3.80 in coupons to enjoy.

Gift packs will be mailed by October 15, 2008

Don't forget that Walgreens has free film developing today only. No coupon is necessary and, dependingon your area, photos will likely be done in an hour.

There is actually a fabulous deal going on today Tuesday, Aug 5th only at Harris Teeter. It seems as though two Kellogg's deals will be overlapping to maximize savings.

1) Harris Teeter is offering Back to School Cash. You get a $10 certificate when you buy 8 items on one receipt July 30 - Aug. 05 (mail in form prints at register at the end of the transaction). No receipt is necessary for this award.

2) Kellogg's Fuel for School rebate -- $10 when you buy 10 items on one receipt Aug 05- Sept. 30 (8/3 RP). For this you need the receipt & (10) UPCs.

The best deal I see is:
Buy (6) Eggo waffles, on sale 4/$5. Use (3) $1/2 coupons
6 boxes of Eggos $1.25 X 6 = $7.50- $3= $4.50

Buy (4) Frosted Mini Wheats, on sale BOGO @ $3.79- use (4) coupons from August All You Magazine $1/1 or (2) $1/2 coupons from 8/3 RP
4 boxes of Kellogg's Frosted Mini Wheats $3.79 x2 =$7.58- $4= $3.58

*Spend $8.08 out of pocket & get a $10 catalina refund & another $10 mail-in rebate from the 8/3 RP insert= $11.92 profit, oh yeah!

You will notice that many of the deals I post often require multiple copies of coupons. I am often asked how I get so many copies of coupons. Well... I get them many ways. I discovered not long ago that most coupons come in handy at some point. So personally, I:

• get multiple copies of the Sunday paper. I live in a smaller town where we have both a local paper and a paper from the larger metropolitan area. I get at least one copy of each.
  
  
• ask my neighbors for their copies. When I go walking in the morning, I ask the neighbors that are outside if they mind saving their Sunday papers for me. It makes great conversation & then they don't think I'm a crazy person on recycle day as I get the extra papers from them.
  
  
• make a habit of collecting coupons at the stores I go to. Nearly every time I have stopped at a convenience, drug, or grocery store I see coupons for customers. Sometimes these are "peelies" or ones attached to products. Others have a hangtag version like the ones around bottles and such. I have seen stacks of coupons at the drink coolers and simply sitting on the counter at a number of stores. I cannot tell you the deals I have scored when I pick up a few coupons, store them away, and use them later. They seem to disappear once a good deal is going on, so I have found it much better to pick up a few even if I feel like I won't use it right then.
  
  
• get to know the associates at the stores that I frequent. Just the other day as I was getting a perscription filled one of the gals at CVS gave me a coupon for a free giftcard if I transferred a perscription over to CVS. They also let me know about great deals and other bargains just because I'm nice to them and take the extra time to get to know them.
  
  
• use a coupon clipping service. I know many of you would have never considered paying for coupons but on some occassions, like in the case of a really good coupon or one that didn't come in my local paper, coupon clipping services are very handy. I just tried coupon clippers (banner at the bottom of this post). Most coupons are between $0.05- 0.10 & it costs just $0.42 to ship the coupons you select to you. In scenarios like double and triple coupon sales and with many of the drugstore deals at CVS and Walgreens, the service more than pays for itself with the savings you get.
  
  
• have friends that email/ mail be coupons. I just received the best little present in the mail from my friend and coupon buddy Sarah, a stack of coupons! (Many thanks by the way) It's like Christmas. Another friend of mine brought me baby coupons that she thought I could use. When people know what you like, they send things your way. Try asking family & friends for their coupons.
  
  
• print many coupons online. I use things like the free internet printable coupons on the righthand side toolbar of this page or couponsinc. I print the things I think I'll buy and one or two extras of what I'd like to try if the price is right. You can almost always print these coupons twice by hitting the back button and refreshing the screen.
  

  So, that's it. That's how I've accumulated my stash of coupons. Do you have any tricks of the trade you'd like to share with the readers?
  

Aaaaahhhh! (That's me singing for joy). There is a new printable CVS coupon in Richmond Parents magazine (PDF). Go to page 30 to find a $2 on any purchase of $10 or more printable coupon that expires 9/28/08!!! (Thanks I ♥ CVS)

Here are the latest 10 freebies & samples online:

• Free Pillsbury cookbook download
• Free box of Cheerios + (6) $1 coupons
• Free bottle of Downy coupon (click special savings)
• Free Pampers potty training kit + coupons
• Free subsciption to Lego magazine
• Free Fiber One samples
• Free sample of Underjams
• Free family DVD
• Free sample of Arm & Hammer toothpaste
• Free sample of Pantene Pro-V® Expressions
• Free Naturemade vitamins
  

Did you notice the free (up to $5) in school supplies MIR in this weeks SS coupons (8/3)?

That's right purchase $5 of any Pert Plus / sure products between August 1, 2008 & Sept 30th along with $5 of school supplies and get the price of the school supplies rebated back to you.

Combine this with the FREE Pert Plus and deoderant from the deal scenarios this week and you end up with free shampoo, deoderant, and $5 worth of school supplies. Yippie!

Here are the deals I am stirring up this week in NC:

CVS

1. CoverGirl Clean, TruBlend or Aqua Smoothers, on sale BOGO. Use Cover Girl Face Product FREE wyb Cover Girl Foundation coupon (8/3 P&G) and get face product and foundation free!


2. Colgate Total Advanced, on sale for $2.99. Use $1.50/1 (All You Magazine found @ Walmart)= $1.49 oop and get $2 extrabucks back= $.51 profit (limit 2)


3. Oral B Advantage tootbrush, $2.49. Use $1/1 coupon (8/3 P&G)= $1.49 oop and get $1.50 extrabucks back= $.01 profit (limit 5)


4. Extreme Energy, $4.99 oop and get $4.99 extrabucks back=free!


5. Revlon Limited Edition Collection - bronzing face powder, blush, eye shadow or lip color, $9.99- $2/1 Revlon makeup (7/27)= $8 out of pocket and get $9.99 extrabucks back= $2 profit (limit 1)


6. Sure Deoderant Solid, on sale BOGO. Use BOGO coupon (6/29 SS) & $1/1 (5/11 SS, 6/29 SS or this internet printable)= two for free+ overage!


7. Pert Plus shampoo, on sale BOGO. Use (2) $2/1 coupons (5/11 SS or 6/29 SS)= two for free! PLUS if you buy Pert Plus Happy Medium, So Fine, or Simply Fresh mail your receipt in for a full manufacturer's rebate (up to $4.59).
8. Childrens Advil, $5.79. Use this $1/1 internet printable $4.79 oop and get $5.79 extrabucks back=free! + $1 overage
   

Walgreens

1. Pert Plus 2-in-1 Shampoo Plus Conditioner, $4.29. Use $2/1 MQ (6/29 SS)= $2.29 oop + file for the full $4.29 EasySaver rebate = free with $2 overage after rebate
2. Carefree Pantiliners, $.99. Use $.50/1 internet printable= $0.49
3. Lifesavers, on sale BOGO. Use BOGO coupon (6/8 RP) and get two for free!
4. Glade Fabric & Air Odor Eliminator, $2.99. Use $1.50 printable and $1.50 EasySaver coupon = free
5. Scrubbing Bubbles Action Scrubber, about $5.69. Use this $2.75 internet printable coupon, then file for a $1.50 Walgreens Easysaver rebate (online) + get a full refund of the entire purchse price (up to $5.69) (7/20 SS)= free + $4.25 profit after rebates
6. Also there is free photo developing on Wed, Aug 6th: Get 1 roll of 35mm film developed for Free in 1 hour (limit 1)

Are you in need of baby stuff or looking to get rid of yours? I received an email last night that Freepeats is finally coming to my area. The membership is absolutely free during the first month or so of every new city's launch so sign up & you'll be good for life.

Angie at Baby Cheapskate wants to help you find free baby, kid, and maternity stuff in your city! Read this morning's grand announcement here. Details are below:

I have really been enjoying the triple coupon sale at Farm Fresh this last week, how about you? I have found the store employees to be very friendly and much more supportive of couponers than at Harris Teeter. Ladies, I think we have single-handedly recruited more couponers to the ranks as so many of the cashiers are now believers!

Sadly, as I checked out tonight, the cashier told me that tonight was the last day of the triple coupon sale. I am sad to see it go. It has really been awesome to get much of what we need at some fabulous deals.

I will say that I have noticed that Farm Fresh's prices are much lower than other stores. So, certainly for quick shopping, I'll be heading over there. I would do more of my shopping there if they would double coupons on a normal basis. I have enjoyed seeing many of you in the grocery stores. Please keep us all posted on the good deals you continue to find around town & in general. We're in this together!

Here are some of my favorite rebates running through the month of August (and corresponding coupons):

• Excedrin Back & Body (7/13 SS) (up to $4.99). Offer expires 8/3/08.
• BUNdinos from Michelina's (up to $2.99). Offer expires 8/30/08.

Scrubbing Bubbles Action Scrubber Starter Kit (up to $5.69). Offer expires 9/14/08. Go here for a $2.75 internet printable coupon

These were posted last month & are still valid:

• Gerber Nuk 5 or 10oz. bottle (up to $5). Offer expires 9/10/08.
• Zout stain remover
• Land o Lakes Butter in 8 half sticks (up to $4.39). Offer expires 10/15/08
• Arm & Hammer plus oxi clean detergent (up to $13.99). This is a money back guarantee. Offer expires 9/1/08.