Monday, July 14, 2008

I FINALLY Wrapped My Head Around It!!

So, for the last year, I've been clipping coupons like a mad woman and tracking sales like there's no tomorrow! Sunday and Wednesdays are my favorite days of the week because that's when the coupons and ads come!!!

So, I've got the supermarkets pretty down pat. I know good meat prices and know when to use coupons on Buy One Get One Free items.

But I've been reading some wonderful blogs about incredible savings at drugstores - CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, etc. SO......I decided I would pick one store to "learn". I chose CVS. For the past few weeks I've been studying theirs ads and reading many blogs about how to maximize your sales at CVS. I just decided to go for it and after a few mistakes I think I've finally gotten it down!

Sunday, I gathered up all my CVS coupons, Extra Care Bucks, and manufacturer's coupons and set off to my CVS!

I was floored with my savings!

First transaction:

1 Gas-X - 5.79
1 Benefiber - 6.89
1 Excedrin 100ct - 10.29

Coupons used:
$5.00 in manufacturer's coupons
$3.00 CVS coupons
$4.00 coupon emailed to me from CVS
$10.00 in Extra Care Bucks

Total Out of Pocket - $1.57
Saved - $22.00
Received - $10.00 Extra Care Bucks

Not bad...huh?

Second transaction:

4 Herbal Essences Shampoo/Conditioners - $10.00
1 Gain Detergent - $4.99
1 Comet Cleaner - $.50
2 Cologate Toothpaste Buy One Get One Free for $2.79
10 Sally Hansen nail polishes each $.99

2 Trident Gum - $1.49 each (I had to buy these because I was -$2.85 and they won't give you money back!

Coupons used:
$10.00 ECBs from previous transaction
$5.00 off $30 purchase from CVS coupon
2 Herbal Essences $3.00 coupons ($3.00 off 2 bottles)
3 Sally Hansen $3.00 coupons ($3.00 off 2 nail polishes)
2 Colgate $1.00 coupons

Amount out of pocket:

$.43 ............yes, that cents

Like I said earlier, I had to actually throw some gum up there because I was negative in the register - AND I didn't even get to use all my Sally Hansen coupons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLUS - I got $2.00 back!!!

I FINALLY GO IT!!!



Combining both transactions, I spend a total of $2.00 cash and saved $84.89!!! And received $2.00 back!

The crazy thing is, I'm not even done!! There are "free" photo books that I'm going to get printed this week!!! And since I'm using coupons and ECBs they'll basically pay me to walk out of the store with them! I might even get some more free nail polish!! They'd be great stocking stuffers for Olivia!!

I was on a pure shopping high today!! And it felt so good!! I've had a few other good transactions, but none like today!! :-)

I gotta give a shoutout to the blogs that have made it easy for me! I don't know them personally, but they are really talented and finding great deals!

I heart CVS

Fiddledeedee!

Money Saving Mom

There are many more but those are what got me started!! I've also enjoyed all my friends posting their savings too! :-)

5 comments:

  1. WOW!!! That is amazing! Can you do a post or two on your supermarket strategy? I want to learn this savvy shopping. Where do you get the manufacturer's coupons? The paper?

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  2. I so much need to hop on this savings bandwagon!! You all are doing great!

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  3. What a pretty blog you have!

    Thank you for the link, and I am glad you're enjoying Fiddledeedee!

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  4. Hi!

    I cam across your blog from a friend of mine and have been trying to get into the whole coupon thing for awhile now and can't seem to get the hang of it at CVS. Do you have any suggestions for how to get started?

    Thanks!

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  5. You're doing great! :)

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