Stamp Out Hunger: Don’t forget your donations today!

May 14, 2011 by

A few weeks ago, I posted about “Couponing for a Cause” and one of the programs I mentioned was the Stamp Out Hunger program.  Today (May 14th) is the annual “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive.  If you want to participate in this drive, leave a bag of non-perishable food items by your mailbox and your mail carrier will pick it up and deliver it for you! For more details and to find out if your mailer carrier is participating, click here.  All items will be donated to Feeding America, which provides food to more than 37 million low income people in the United States each year.

If your area is not participating in the Stamp Out Hunger drive or you don’t have a bag of non-perishable food items ready yet, consider donating to your local food bank or food pantry instead.  Many of the grocery stores in my area have donation bins for area food banks.  In addition, many local churches have a food pantry that you can donate items to (including health & beauty items)   Put your coupon skills to use to help others!

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information

Filed Under: couponing for a cause Tagged With: ,

Walgreens deals for the week of 5/15

May 14, 2011 by

If you are new to shopping at Walgreens, make sure you check out my tips for shopping at Walgreens here.  If you need coupons for the deals this week, check out My Coupon Hunter!

FREEBIES:

Buy Activ-On pain Relief – $7.99, get a MIR form at check-out for $7.99 back
Final Price – FREE after MIR

Buy Colgate Pro Clinical White toothpaste – 2/$6, get a $4 RR
$1/1 Colgate ProClinical – 5-15 SS
Final Price = FREE after coupons/RRs

Buy Nova Max-Plus Blood Glucose monitor – $10, get a $10 RR
Final Price = FREE after RRs

Buy 1 Scotch magic tape – $1.99, get 2 free w/ in ad coupon
$1/1 Scotch magic tape printable
Final Price = 3 for free after coupon (use 2 $1 off printables)

RR DEALS:

Buy Dove Men + Care deodorant – $3.99, get a $3 RR
Final Price = $.99 after RR
NOTE: If you have the $1 printables I have given you a heads up about (no longer available to print), this will be free after RRs for you!

Buy Electrasol (20 ct) or Jet Dry – $3.49, get a $1.50 RR
$.75/1 Electrasol Finish Powerball or Gelpac – 4-17 SS
Final Price = $1.24 after coupon/RRs

Buy 2 participating Garnier-Fructis products, get a $5 RR (the ad does not list what items are “participating” but shows the larger shampoo/conditioner and then stylers)
$1/1 Garnier Fructis shampoo/conditioner/styler – 5-1 RP

SCENARIO:
Buy 2 Garnier Fructis shampoo/conditioner – $4.99/each

Use 2 $1/1 coupons

Spend $7.98 OOP, get a $5 RR
Final Price = $2.98 after coupons/RR ($1.49/each)
NOTE: Prices may be lower if small products are included

Buy Gillette body wash, Old Spice body wash or Zest body wash – 3/$10, get a $3 RR
$2/1 Gillette body wash – 5-15 RP
Buy Gillette body wash, get free Gillette deodorant – 5-1 PG
BOGO free Old Spice body wash – 5-1 PG
$1/1 Old Spice body wash – P&G Everyday Savings
$1/1 Zest body wash – 5-1 PG, P&G Everyday Savings

SCENARIO:
Buy 2 Old Spice body wash – $3.33/each
Buy 1 Gillette body wash – $3.34/each

Use BOGO free Old Spice coupon
Use $1/1 Old Spice coupon
Use $2/1 Gillette coupon

Spend $3.67 OOP, get a $3 RR
Final Price = $.67 after coupons/RRs ($.22/each)

OR:
Buy 3 Gillette Body wash – 3/$10
Buy 3 Gillette deodorant

Use 3 $2/1 Gillette body wash coupons
Use 3 free deodorant WYB body wash coupons

Spend $4 OOP, get a $3 RR
Final Price = $1 after coupons/RRs ($.17/each)

Buy Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor – $9.89, get a $5 RR
$4/1 Gillette Fusion ProGlide – 5-1 PG
Final Price = $.89 after coupon/RR
NOTE: Gillette razor deals like this used to be very easy to come by, but lately, they have been less frequent, so I recommend stocking up!

Buy Glade Air Freshener – $6.99, get a $2 RR (includes Sense & Spray, Lasting Impressions, Reed Diffuser, & 3 wick candle)
Final Price = $4.99 after RRs

Buy 2 Huggies, Pull-Ups, or GoodNites jumbo packs – 2/$18, get a $3 RR
$3/1 Huggies printable
$2/1 Pull-Ups printable
$1/1 GoodNites printable (must register)
Final Price = as low as $9 for 2 jumbo packs of diapers after coupons/RRs ($4.50/each)

Buy Oscar Mayer Deli Creations or Lunchables – 2/$3, get a $1 RR
Final Price = 2/$2 after RRs ($1 each)

Buy Pantene shampoo/conditioner/stylers – 2/$7, get a $1 RR
$3/2 Pantene products – 5-1 PG
Final Price = 2/$3 after coupon/RR ($1.50/each)

Buy Softsoap body wash – 2/$6, get a $4 RR
Final Price = $2 after RRs ($1 each)

FILLER ITEMS:
*Mars or Dove candy – $.39/each
*Royal Gelatin – 5/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)

OTHER DEALS:

Buy Sure or Brut antiperspirant/deodorant – 2/$3 (w/ in ad coupon)
$1/1 Sure – 5-15 SS
$1/1 Brut – 4-10 SS
Final Price = $.50 after coupons

Buy participating Lay’s, Tostito’s, Rold Gold, or Sunchips snacks or salsa and 2 Pepsi 2 liters, get a FREE Redbox rental
-Tostitos salsa/chips – $2.49/each in ad
-Pepsi 2 liters – $.99/each in ad

Spend $15 on Twizzlers products (2/$3), get $7 off a movie ticket at check-out

The following scenarios are for those who have few, if any, RR to start with: $34.07 in merchandise for $5.13 OOP, $1.50 RR left to spend

TRANSACTION #1:
Buy 3 Gillette Body wash – 3/$10
Buy 3 Gillette deodorant

Use 3 $2/1 Gillette body wash coupons
Use 3 free deodorant WYB body wash coupons

Spend $4 OOP, get a $3 RR

TRANSACTION #2:
Buy 2 Colgate Pro-Clinical toothpaste – 2/$6
Buy 1 Royal gelatin – $.20 (w/ in ad coupon)

Use 2 $1/1 Colgate coupons
Use $3 Gillette RR

Spend $1 OOP, get a $4 RR

TRANSACTION #3:
Buy 1 Dove deodorant – $3.99

Use $4 Colgate RR (they should adjust it down)

Spend $0 OOP, get a $3 RR

*You could “roll” this $3 RR back into the scenario listed in transaction #1 or you could do this:

TRANSACTION #4:
Buy Electrasol Finish – $3.49
Buy 1 Mars candy – $.39

Use $.75/1 Electrasol coupon
Use $3 RR

Spend $.13 OOP, get a $1.50 RR

MY PLAN: I’m starting w/ a $3 RR – $42.46 in merchandise for $3.28 OOP, $5 RR left to spend

TRANSACTION #1:
Buy 3 Gillette Body wash – 3/$10
Buy 3 Gillette deodorant
Buy 3 Scotch tape – $1.99 (B1, get 2 free)
Buy 1 Royal Gelatin – $.20 w/ in ad coupon

Use 3 $2/1 Gillette body wash coupons
Use 3 free deodorant WYB body wash coupons
Use 2 $1/1 Scotch printables
Use $3 RR

Spend $1.19 OOP, get a $3 RR

TRANSACTION #2:
Buy 2 Colgate Pro-Clinical toothpaste – 2/$6
Buy 1 Royal gelatin – $.20 (w/ in ad coupon)

Use 2 $1/1 Colgate coupons
Use $3 Gillette RR

Spend $1 OOP, get a $4 RR

TRANSACTION #3:
Buy 1 Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor – $9.89
Buy 1 Royal gelatin – $.20 (w/ in ad coupon)

Use $5/1 Gillette Fusion ProGlide coupon (from P&G Brandsaver home mailer)
Use $4 Colgate RR

Spend $1.09 OOP, get a $5 RR

FAQS: (Check out Walgreens new coupon policy here!)

Do you do multiple transactions at one store on one visit?
It just depends. Several stores in my area have gone to a “one RR per item per day” rule, which means I can’t do more than one transaction where I’m earning RR for the same product at the same store. Some of the stores in my area also will not let you use the RR you earn from one transaction on another transaction in that same visit.  I’m fortunate to have several stores within a few minutes of my house, so I usually try to break up transactions at different stores and on different days to stay in the good graces of my stores.

What is Walgreens policy on using BOGO free coupons with a BOGO free offer, adjusting down coupons, etc.?
The new coupon policy does not really using a BOGO free coupon with a BOGO free promotion, but it does say you can use up to two coupons as long as the total doesn’t go below zero, so, you SHOULD be able to do this!!

Walgreens coupon policy is now to adjust the value of coupons down – YAY!!

Some helpful tips:
*At Walgreens, you can use ONE manufacturer’s coupon and ONE store coupon per item (always give the store coupon last to avoid problems)

*At Walgreens, you cannot do a promotion more than once in a transaction and earn Register Rewards. (for example, if you buy 2 Speedstick, you will only earn a RR for one)

*You also typically cannot use the Register Rewards earned from a promotion on the same promotion and earn Register Rewards again. For example, if you buy the Speedstick and use the RR from that to buy more, the RR will not print

*Register Rewards are considered to be “manufacturer’s coupons” and you can only use one manufacturer’s coupon per item. You will have to add “filler” items if you are using a manufacturer’s coupon and a RR. The in ad coupons often have good, inexpensive filler items. (check out the weekly match-ups for ideas)

*If you are using more than one RR in a transaction, always give the RR with the highest value FIRST. Sometimes strange things happen with coupons and taxes and even if you think you have planned out your scenario very well, you will end up with more overage than you planned for.

*If you are buying items that would result in a “free” item or “overage” when combining a store coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon, give the manufacturer’s coupon FIRST, and the store coupons LAST to avoid beeping/issues at the register! Make sure that you are purchasing enough items in your total transaction to “cover” the overage. You will not get cash back and you will have to add items to cover the overage or they will not take the coupon.

*If your Register Reward doesn’t print for some reason and you have fulfilled all of the obligations for the “deal” (including not using RR from the same parent company to pay) DO NOT let them tell you it is because you used coupons! Chances are they didn’t print because the catalina machine is not working. You have two choices: you can return your items and try again or you can contact the catalina company by doing the following:
*The store will give you a form to fill out and mail in to catalina
*Call 1-877-210-1917, option 1

This post is part of Becentsable’s Grocery Gathering.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information


Filed Under: drug store deals Tagged With: ,

CVS deals for the week of 5/15

May 14, 2011 by

If you are new to shopping at CVS and would like some tips, check out this article here and here.

If you need coupons for your “deals” I recommend My Coupon Hunter!

Tag your reusable bag: Buy a Greenbag tag for $.99 at the register, get $1 ECB every 4th visit– limit 1 use per day, per household

If you haven’t already, register your CVS Extra Care card here and you should receive a $4 off a $20 purchase coupon in your e-mail. This also registers you to receive other e-mail coupons!

 

FREEBIES:

Buy Finesse shampoo/conditioner/styler – $2.50/each
$1/1 Finesse – 5-8 SS
$2/1 Finesse Mail In Rebate printable
Final Price = $.50 moneymaker after coupon and rebate

ECB DEALS:

Buy Aquafresh Advanced (6 oz) or Sensitive (5.6 oz) – 2/$5, get a $1 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$1/1 Aquafresh Advanced printable
Final Price = 2/$2 after coupons/ECBs ($1/each)

Buy Aussie/Herbal Essences shampoo/conditioner/stylers – 2/$5.97, get a $2 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$.50/1 Aussie/Herbal Essences – 5-1 PG
Final Price = 2 for $2.97 after coupons/ECBs ($1.49/each)

Spend $7 on Band Aid bandages or Neosporin products, get a $3 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$1.50 off Neosporin and Band Aid product – 4-17 SS, 5-15 RP
$1/1 Neosporin Lip Health product – 5-15 RP
$.50/1 Neosporin OR Band Aid product – 4-17 SS

SCENARIO: (based on online pricing)
Buy Neosporin Lip Health Daily Hydration – $5.39
Buy Band Aid Water-Block Plus Adhesive bandages (30 ct) – $2.89

Use $1/1 Neosporin Lip Health coupon
Use $.50/1 Band Aid coupon

Spend $6.78 OOP, get a $3 ECB
Final Price = $3.78 after coupons/ECBs ($1.89/each)

Buy Dial or Tone bar soap (2-3 ct) – $1.88, get a $1 ECB (limit 1 per household)
Final Price = $.88 after coupons/ECBs

Buy Fiber One Cereal – 2/$6, get a $1 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$.75/1 Fiber One printable
Final Price = $3.50 after coupons/ECBs ($1.75/each)

Spend $25 on select Huggies products, get a $5 ECB (limit 1 per household)
-Huggies Snug & Dry or Little Movers – $19
$3.50/1 Huggies diapers printable
-Huggies wipes – $6
$.50/1 huggies wipes – 5-15 SS

SCENARIO:
Buy Huggies diapers – $19
Buy Huggies wipes – $6

Use $3.50/1 Huggies printable
Use $.50/1 Huggies wipes coupon

Spend $21 OOP, get a $5 ECB
Final Price = $16 after coupons/ECBs

Buy Lipton iced tea (16.9 oz, 12 pk) – $4.99, get a $1 ECB (limit 1 per household)

Buy 2 Neutrogena Sun Care or Sunless tanning products, get a $10 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$2/1 Neutrogena suncare or sunless product printable

Here’s a scenario for you:

Buy 2 Neutrogena sunblock sticks – $7.99/each

Use 2 $2/1 Neutrogena printables here (print them QUICK because they will not last long)

Spend $11.98 OOP, get a $10 ECB
Final Price = $1.98 after coupons/ECBs ($.99/each)

Here’s another scenario:

Buy 2 Neutrogena sunblock lotion or spray – $9.99/each

Use 2 $2/1 Neutrogena printables here

Spend $15.98 OOP, get a $10 ECB
Final Price = $5.98 after coupons/ECBs ($2.99/each)

Buy Right Guard Sport, Xtreme, or Total Defense deodorant or Dry Idea deodorant – $2.99, get a $1 ECB (limit 2 per household)
BOGO free Right Guard/Dry Idea – 5-1 RP

SCENARIO:
Buy 2 Right Guard or Dry Idea deodorant – $2.99/each

Use BOGO free coupon (should deduct $2.99)

Spend $2.99 OOP, get a $2 ECB
Final Price = $.99 for both after coupons/ECBs

Buy Speed Stick Stainguard deodorant – $2.99, get a $2 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$.50/1 Speed Stick – 5-1 SS
Final Price = $.49 after coupon/ECB

BOGO free deals:

Brut deodorant – PSA $3.49
$1/1 Brut – 4-10 SS
Final Price = get 2 for $1.49 (when you use 2 coupons) – $.75/each

CVS Vitamins/minerals/herbs – check out my post on how to save more on vitamins by taking advantage of BOGO free sales here

Sure deodorant – PSA $2.99
$1/1 Sure – 5-15 SS
Final Price = get 2 for $.99 (when you use 2 coupons) – $.50/each

The following scenarios are for people who have few, if any ECBs to start with: $16.47 in merchandise for $2.98 OOP (after coupons, ECBs and MIR)

TRANSACTION #1:
Buy 2 Right Guard or Dry Idea deodorant – $2.99/each

Use BOGO free coupon

Spend $2.99 OOP, get a $2 ECB

TRANSACTION #2:
Buy 1 Speed Stick – $2.99

Use $.50/1 Speed Stick coupon
Use $2 Right Guard/Dry Idea ECB

Spend $.49 OOP, get a $2 ECB

TRANSACTION #3:
Buy 2 Aquafresh Advanced – 2/$5

Use 2 $1/1 coupons
Use $2 Speed Stick ECB

Spend $1 OOP, get a $1 ECB

TRANSACTION #4:
Buy 1 Finesse shampoo/conditioner/styler – $2.50

Use $1/1 Finesse coupon
Use $1 ECB

Spend $.50 OOP
Submit MIR – get $2 back

MY PLAN: I have a $4 ECB to start with – $8.48 in merchandise = $1.51 moneymaker plus $2 ECB left to spend
Buy 1 Right Guard deodorant – $2.99/each
Buy 1 Finesse – $2.50

Use BOGO free Right Guard
Use $1 Finesse
Use $4 ECB

Spend $.49 OOP, get a $2 ECB and a $2 rebate
NOTE: I’m in total “burn out” mode right now, so I don’t mind having only a few ECBs to spend – I figure I have the summer to rebuild my ECBs and my stockpile!

If you have a $4/20:
Buy 2 Right Guard/Dry Idea deodorants – $2.99/each
Buy 1 Finesse shampoo/conditioner/styler – $2.50
Buy 2 Aquafresh Advanced – 2/$5
Buy 1 Neosporin lip care – $5.39
Buy 1 Band Aids – $2.89

Use $4/20 CVS coupon
Use BOGO free Right Guard/Dry Idea – $2.99
Use $1/1 Finesse
Use 2 $1/1 Aquafresh
Use $1/1 Neosporin lip care
Use $.50/1 Band Aids

Spend $10.27 OOP, get a $2 ECB Right Guard, $1 ECB (Aquafresh), and $3 ECB (Neosporin/Band Aids) PLUS a $2 rebate

OR

Buy 2 Neutrogena sunblock sticks – $7.99/each
Buy 2 Right Guard deodorant – $2.99/each

Use $4/20 CVS coupon
Use 2 $2/1 Neutrogena printables here (print them QUICK because they will not last long)
Use BOGO free Right Guard coupon – $2.99

Spend $10.97 OOP, get a $10 ECB and a $2 ECB

Frequently asked questions:

Do you really do multiple transactions at your stores?

In the past, I usually had $20-30 ECB on hand, so I didn’t have to break up my transactions as much as I did when I first started, but now that I am starting over, yes, I am doing multiple transactions. If you are doing multiple transactions, I recommend that you let the cashier know up front that is what you are planning to do. If there are several people in line, let them go in between your transactions. This gives you time to clip your ECBs and get prepared for your next transaction.

My store was out of all the freebie items first thing this morning. Can I get a raincheck?

This all depends on your store. I have contacted corporate about this before because some stores in my area give rainchecks and others won’t. According to corporate, this is up to the individual stores.

I bought the wrong item or I bought the RIGHT item and my ECB didn’t print. What can I do?

If you bought the right item, show the store clerk your ad and your receipt. They should be able to manually print your ECB at the store. If they don’t know how, you can call customer service and they can add one to your account that will print within 48 hours (you have to wait 48 hours from your purchase time to do this so they can “see” your transaction in their computer).

If you bought the wrong item and didn’t receive ECBs, you can do a return and purchase the correct item. If you paid using ECBs, they will have to give you money on a gift card.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.


Filed Under: drug store deals Tagged With: ,

Dove deodorant printable = FREE deodorant at Walgreens

May 13, 2011 by

Walgreens will have a Register Reward deal on Dove deodorant beginning Sunday, 5/15, and there’s a new $1/1 Dove Men+Care deodorant printable here that will match up with the deal!

Here’s the breakdown:

Buy Dove Men + Care deodorant – $3.99

Use $1/1 Dove printable

Spend $2.99 OOP, get a $3 RR
Final Price = FREE after coupon/RR


*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information

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Viewpoints: Get a free PF Chang’s product!

May 13, 2011 by

Have you signed up for Viewpoints yet?  They often have promotions where you can earn Amazon gift cards for writing qualifying reviews!  They also give away free products and ask that you write a review in return.  I recently got a free, full size bag of Tide Stain Release.  Right now, you can get a coupon for a FREE PF Chang’s Home Menu frozen item.  Sign up here for this promotion and you will be notified by e-mail if you qualify.

(Thanks Hip2Save!)

 

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information


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