Scenario Sunday: CVS scenarios for the week of 2/15

February 15, 2009 by

If you are just learning how to shop at CVS, start here for some helpful tips.

The coupon match-ups for the weekly deals are here and the coupon match-ups for the monthly deals are here.

The following are scenarios for people who are “new” to shopping at CVS or who have very few ECBs to start with: (these are just ideas….you do not have to follow this exact order and you can skip some items if you do not need them or don’t have the coupons that match up with them)

$22.93 in merchandise for $4.97 OOP, $4.99 ECB left

Transaction #1:
Buy 2 Colgate Advanced toothpaste (4 oz) – $2.99/each

Use 2 $1 Colgate coupons (this is even better if you have the $1.50/1 coupons from All You)

Total before coupons = $5.98
Total after coupons = $3.98, earn $5.98 ECBs

Transaction #2:
Buy 4 Herbal Essence shampoo/conditioner/styling products – $2.99/each

Use 2 $3/2 HE coupons
Use $5.98 ECB from Colgate (they will have to adjust it down to $5.96)

Total before coupons = $11.96
Total after coupons = $0, earn $4 ECB

Transaction #3:
Buy 1 Extreme Energy 6 hour shot – $4.99 (this is a monthly deal and as of 2/14, the limit was increased to two per household)

Use $4 ECB from HE deal

Spend $.99, get $4.99 ECB

You could also do this:
$29.93 in merchandise for $4.97 OOP, $7.99 ECB left (you could use this to buy the EARinse that is the monthly deal and you’d still end up with $7.99 ECB!)

Transaction #1:
Buy 2 Colgate Advanced toothpaste (4 oz) – $2.99/each

Use 2 $1 Colgate coupons (this is even better if you have the $1.50/1 coupons from All You)

Total before coupons = $5.98
Total after coupons = $3.98, earn $5.98 ECBs

Transaction #2:
Buy 2 Herbal Essence shampoo/conditioner/styler – $2.99
Buy 1 Gillette Fusion Gamer – $7.99

Use $3/2 Herbal Essence coupon
Use $4 Gillette Fusion coupon
Use $5.98 ECB

Total before coupons = $13.97
Spend $.99, get $8 ECB

Transaction #3:
Buy 1 Extreme Energy 6 hour shot – $4.99 (this is a monthly deal and as of 2/14, the limit was increased to two per household)
Buy 1 Gillette shampoo/conditioner – $4.99 (this is also a monthly deal)

Use $2/1 Gillette coupon
Use $8 ECB from transaction #2 (they will have to adjust it to $7.98)

Total before coupons = $9.98
Spend $0, get $7.99 ECB

A good deal if you have a $5/30 CVS CRT:
Buy 2 Natural Dentist mouthwash/rinses – $9.99/each
Buy 2 Neutrogena facial soaps – $2.59/each
Buy 2 Colgate Total – $2.99/each

Use $5/30
Use 2 $2 Natural Dentist printables
Use 2 $1 Colgate coupons

Total before coupons = $31.12
Total after coupons = $20.12 (ideally, pay w/ ECB), earn $23.98
Get $10 MIR from Natural Dentist

My weekly scenario:
$33.93 in merchandise for $0 OOP, $21.97 in ECB left to spend

Buy 1 Extreme Energy 6 hour shot – $4.99
Buy 1 Gillette Fusion Gamer – $7.99
Buy 1 Exedrin – $8.99
Buy 2 Herbal Essence Shampoo – $5.98
Buy 2 Colgate Total – $5.98

Use $4 Gillette coupon
Use $1 CVS Excedrin CRT
Use $2 Excedrin printable (I will be buying the migraine type)
Use $3 Herbal Essence coupon
Use $1.50 Colgate Total coupon (from All You)
Use $1 Colgate Total coupon
Use $5/30 CVS CRT (**Don’t forget to scan your card at the scanner! I got one tonight!)

Total before coupons = $33.93
Total after coupons = $16.43 (pay w/ ECB), earn $21.97 ECB

Filed Under: Scenario Sunday Tagged With:

Savings Saturday: CVS deals for the week of 2/15

February 12, 2009 by

Here are the coupon match ups for the upcoming week: (YMMV on coupon amounts because they are different in different areas)

I do these coupon match-ups myself and it takes a LOT of time. I don’t mind if you share this information with others or on your blogs, but please make sure you are giving credit by posting a link back to my blog! Thanks 🙂

The coupon match ups for the monthly deals can be found here.

FREE AFTER ECB:
*Colgate Advanced toothpaste (4 oz) – $2.99, get $2.99 ECB (limit 2 per household)
$1.50/1 Colgate Total from March 2009 All You Magazine
$1/1 Colgate Total Advanced Whitening/Clean/Fresh – 2/1/09 SS

ECB deals:
*Buy an Aquelia Therma or Dermablend product, get $3 ECB (limit 1 per household)

*Aussie or Herbal Essences shampoo/conditioner (10.1-13.5 oz) or styler (5-16 oz) – $2.99, get $1 ECB (limit 5 per household)
$3/2 Herbal Essences shampoo/conditioner/styling products – 2/8/09 SS

*Buy Bayer aspirin with heart advantage (60 ct), genuine or low dose (200 ct) – $8.99, get $1 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$2/1 printable here
$1/1 Bayer Aspirin, Any 24 Ct. + – 02-01-09 RP, 1-4-09 SS

*Buy 3 Cheerios, Honey Nut, Multi, or Whole grain (12.25-14 oz), get $1 ECB (limit 1 per household)

*Buy Colgate Total Whitening twin pk (12 oz total), Advanced 7.6 oz toothpaste, 360 clean or MaxFresh toothbrush (2 pk), get $2 ECB (limit 3 per household)
.75/1 Colgate Adult Or Children’s Toothpaste, Any 4 Oz. + – 02-01-09 SS
$1/2 Colgate Adult Or Children’s Manual Toothbrush, Any – 02-01-09 SS
$1/1 Colgate Total Advanced Whitening, Colgate Total Advanced Clean or Colgate Total Fresh Toothpaste, Any 4 Oz. + – 02-01-09 SS

*Buy Crest Pro-Health 1 liter, whitening rinse 16 oz or Scope mouthwash 1 liter – $3.99, get $1 ECB (limit 1 per household)
.75/1 Crest Rinse 946mL or Larger, Any – 02-08-09 PG
$1/1 Scope Mouthwash, Any 946 mL + – 02-08-09 PG

*Buy Crest, Oral-B or Fixodent multipaks, get $2 ECB (offer good on 2 pks or 4 pks only) (limit 1 per household)
$2/1 Oral-B Adult Manual Toothbrush, Any Twin Pack (Pulsar, Artica, CrossAction, CrossAction Vitalizer, Advantage, Indicator) – 02-08-09 PG

*Buy 2 Degree Ultra Clear, Absolute Protection or Dove Ultimate clear deodorant (2.6-2.7 oz), get $2 ECB (limit 5 per household)
$1/2 Degree Men Or Women Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant, Any – 01-18-09 RP
.75/1 Degree printable here
$1.50/2 Dove deodorants/body mists – 1/18/09 RP

*Buy Excedrin (100 ct) or Express Gels (80 ct), Benefiber powder (48-62 servings), chewables (90-100 ct), or stick packs (28 ct), get $3 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$2/1 Excedrin Migraine printable here
$2/1 Excedrin Product, Any 80 Ct. + – 01-04-09 SS
$2/1 Benefiber Stick Pack Product, Any – 01-04-09 SS, 12-14 SS, 11-16 SS
$2/1 Benefiber Product, Any – 01-04-09 SS, 12-14 SS
$2/1 Benefiber Chewable or Caplet, Any – 12-14-08 SS, 11-16 SS

*Gatorade or Propel 6 pk – 2/$9 (limit 1 per household)

*Spend $20 on Diet Coke, Tylenol, or St. Joseph’s, get $10 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$1/2 Coca-Cola Diet Coke (1) 12-Pack AND Caffeine Free Diet Coke (1) 12-Pack (found at CVS stores)
$1/1 printable here
$1/1 Tylenol Extra Strength, 8 hour, or Arthritis products, any size except trial, expires 3/31/09 – 1/4/09 RP
$1/1 St. Joseph Product, any except trial size 1/4/09 RP, 5/4/08 RP

*Buy Gillette Fusion Gamer, Venus Embrace or Spa Breeze razor (1 ct) – $7.99, get $4 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$4/1 Gillette Fusion – 2/8/09 PG
$2/1 Venus Spa Breeze – 2/8/09 PG

*GPS Navigation for Dummies – $99.99, get $10 ECB (limit 1 per household)

*Buy Metamucil powder (114 doses), capsules (120-160 ct) or FiberSure (11.7 oz), get $2 ECB (limit 1 per household)
$1/1 Metamucil or FiberSure product, any size, exp 3/31/09, 2-8 PG

*Spend $10 on Milani cosmetics, get a $3 ECB (limit 5 per household)

*Buy $20 on Nexxus shampoo, conditioner (5-33.8 oz) or styler (1-16.9 oz), get $10 ECB (limit 5 per household)

*Buy 2 Neutrogena Facial Moisturizer or Sun Care products listed, get $10 ECB: all Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Intensive – $19.99, Neutrogena sun care or sunless tanning – save $1 (PSA $7.35), Neutrogena Anti-Oxidant Age Reverse or Age Restoratives – $17.99, Neutrogena 14 day skin rescue kit – $23.99, Neutrogena Ageless Essentials continuous hydration, Healthy Skin, Healthy Defense anti-blemish, anti-wrinkle, night or eye moisturizer – $12.99 (limit 1 per household)

UPDATE: This was posted on Slick Deals ~
Buy 2 of the Neutrogena facial soaps at $2.59 ea.
2 x $2.59 =$5.18
Get back 10 ECBs=$4.82 profit for your ECBs
Small box under the other Neutrogena stuff, and of course not marked!!!
UPC 070501010105
3.5 oz bar-White box black band- 3 types-Original-Fragrance Free-Acne

*Buy Pepcid AC or Complete (25-30 ct) – $10.99, get $3 ECB (limit 5 per household)
$1/1 Pepcid, Mylanta, Lactaid, Rolaids, or Imodium Product, Any Excluding Trial Size – 01-04-09 RP
$4/2 Pepcid, Mylanta, Lactaid, Rolaids, or Imodium Product, Any Excluding Trial Size – 01-04-09 RP
$1/1 Pepcid Product, Any – 12-14-08 RP
$1/1 printable here

*Buy 2 Pond’s cleanser, dry skin, cold cream (9.5-10.1 oz) or Pond’s towelettes (30 ct), get $4 ECB (limit 5 per household)

*Spend $6 on Suave body wash (12 oz), shampoo/conditioner (12-22.5 oz) or styler (9-11 oz), get $2 ECB (limit 5 per household, promotion runs through 3/14/09)
.50/1 Suave Body Wash, Any – 02-01-09 RP
$2/3 Suave Products (Shampoo, Conditioner, Styling, Lotion, Body Wash, Deodorant), Any – 01-11-09 RP

*Buy 2 Welch’s grape juice (64 oz), get $1 ECB (priced 2/$7) – (limit 1 per household)

*Buy $15 of Vickery & Clarke or Pure Black Rice Skin Care, get $5 ECB (limit 1 per household)

*Buy Viactiv flavor glide (100-110 ct) – $8.99, get $3 ECB (limit 5 per household)
$1/1 Viactiv Flavor Glides Dietary Supplement, Any – 01-04-09 RP

BOGO free deals:
*Campbell’s Chunky or Select Harvest soup
.50/2 Campbell’s Select Harvest soups, Any – 02-08-09 SS
.50/2 Campbell’s Select Harvest Soups, Any – 02-01-09 SS
*Got 2b styler
*L’Oreal HIP cosmetics
$2/1 L’Oreal HIP eye or lip product, any – 1/4/09 RP
$1/1 printable here (for taking the surveys)
*Nature’s Bounty and Life Fitness vitamins
$1/1 Nature’s Bounty Supplements, Any – 02-01-09 RP
$1/1 printable here

BOGO for 1 cent deals:
*AJax dish detergent
*Bumble Bee solid white albacore tuna
*Clorox
$1/2 Clorox Disinecting Bathroom Cleanser, Clorox Clean-up Cleaner w/Bleach Spray, Clorox Clean-up Cleaner w/Bleach 64 oz refill, Clorox Anywhere Hard Surface Daily Sanitizing Spray or Clorox Disinfecting Kitchen Cleaner – 01-25-09 RP
*Combos, Gardetto’s, or Chex mix
.50/1 Chex mix – 1/25/09 SS
.60/1 Chex mix printable here
$1/1 Chex mix printable here
*CVS Pharmacy vitamins, minerals, or herbals
*CVS alkaline batteries
*Kellogg’s Raisin Bran, Corn Flakes, Corn Pops, Rice Krispies, Apple Jacks, or Fruit Loops
$1/1 printable coupon here
*Kleenex facial tissues (regular 110 ct or upright with lotion)
$1/4 Kleenex Facial Tissue, Any Excluding Pocket Packs & Juniors – 02-08-09 RP
.50 Kleenex Facial Tissue, Any (3) Single Boxes or (1) Bundle Pack – 02-08-09 SS
*Purex 2X laundry detergent

Other deals:
*Huggies diapers/Pull-Ups – $8.99 (Sunday-Monday only with clip free coupon)
$1.50/1 Huggies Diapers, Any – 02-08-09 SS
*Scrubbing Bubbles, Fantastik, Windex cleaners – 2/$5
$3/2 Scrubbing Bubbles printable, $1/1 Scrubbing Bubbles, $1/1 Fantastik printable, $1/1 Windex printable here

Filed Under: Savings Saturday Tagged With:

Freebie Friday: Emergen-C, Maybelline, and more!

February 12, 2009 by

I’m sure glad it’s Friday! Here are the free samples for the week:

*Click here for a free Sample of Emergen-C Energy Boost

*Click here for free Health and Beauty samples from Quality Health

*Click here for a free sample of Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse (Air whipped liquid makeup)

Have a great weekend!

Filed Under: freebies

Thrifty Thursday: Valentine’s Day on a Budget

February 12, 2009 by


Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be a pricy affair. Here are a few ideas for celebrating your Valentine’s Day on a budget.

Take Advantage of BOGO free meal offers
I don’t enjoy dealing with crowds, so the idea of eating out on Valentine’s Day has never really appealed to me, but if you are planning on eating out this Valentine’s Day, take advantage of buy one, get one free meal offers.

Click here for a printable Buy one entree, get one free coupon from TGI Friday’s. (The coupon is not valid on 2/14, but you can celebrate your Valentine’s Day earlier or later and take advantage of the deal! It is also good until 3/1/09)

Invest in an Entertainment book – they have lots of coupons with BOGO free offers. (If you want one now, check out your local Walgreens store….if you want one for the future, click below to order)

Use a gift card and eat for free
I love MyPoints.com. It’s easy to earn points that can be exchanged for gift cards. They current have gift cards for: Chili’s, Outback Steakhouse, Papa Johns, Burger King, Cracker Barrel, Black Angus, Applebee’s, Subway, Pizza Hut, Olive Garden, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Panera Bread, California Pizza Kitchen, TGI Friday’s, Red Lobster, Landry’s (which includes Rainforest Cafe and Saltgrass!), and many more. When I cash out my points for gift cards, I get them for the places where we like to eat out, so even when we’re eating out, we’re not spending much (if anything at all) to do it.

We also have a Discover Card where we can cash out for gift cards to restaurants such as: Applebee’s, Black Angus, Chili’s, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse, Red Lobster, and TGI Friday’s. The rewards add up quickly!

Order (or make) a heart-shaped pizza
Many pizza establishments will offer heart-shaped pizzas on Valentine’s Day. This idea is catching on, so if you decide to have your pizza delivered, it might take awhile. Consider picking it up or making one of your own at home.

Make your own meal
Beat the crowds and save money by making your own meal. Check out the link below for free recipe ideas.

Look for “freebie” deals
This deal comes from the “Thrifty NW Mom” blog:
Check out your local Old Navy store. They have Valentine’s Day cards that your child can color. If your child colors it and brings it back on or before Valentine’s Day, you get a coupon for $5 off a purchase in exchange for the card. The $5 off coupon is only valid on Valentine’s Day. Here are the “fine print” details:
Only at Old Navy Stores in the US and Canada. Not valid online. Coupon is good for one-time use only and must be surrendered at time of in store purchase. Cannot be combined with other offers. If value of the purchase is less than the total value of the coupon the unused balance will be forfeited.

Get LOTS of budget friendly Valentine’s ideas by downloading the free “Valentine’s Day on a Dime” E-Book here.

Treat yourself and register below to enter a free shoe shopping spree:

Get your Valentine’s Day cards for free (or close to free):
If you have a CVS in your area, they have a deal on American Greetings/Hallmark cards (depending on what your store offers). If you buy 3, you get a $3 ECB. The ad says that prices start at $2.49, but the $.99 cards work toward this offer, as well. If you buy 3 of the $.99 cards, you get a $3 ECB back! If your area carries Hallmark cards, the limit is 2. If your area carries American Greetings cards, the limit is 1.

Surprise your kids with Madagascar 2 for almost free:
CVS has a deal this week where you can get an instant $15 off Madagascar when you spend $20 on P&G products. The products included are: Tide, Bounce/Downy, Duracell batteries, Pampers Jumbo pack diapers, Pantene Pro V, Crest or Oral B products, Dawn dish liquid, Always pads, Bounty paper towels, and Charmin toilet paper. There are lots of great coupons to match up with this offer. There was also a $3/1 manufacturer’s coupon for Madagascar in many newspapers last Thursday/Friday. So, you end up buying household items that you need anyway and getting Madagascar for $2. Check out my scenario for this deal here.

Make chocolate covered strawberries for your sweetheart!
You can spend big bucks buying chocolate covered strawberries at a store, or you can save money and make them yourself. Check out this link for an easy recipe that your kids can help with, too!

Make someone’s day
Surprise a spouse, friend, or family member by “heart attacking” them. Cover their door or car in hearts that share all of the reasons that you love them. It’s easy and inexpensive to do, and it’s a great way to make someone’s day!

Create family traditions
Create this link for ideas on family traditions you can start for your own family.

Filed Under: Thrifty Thursday Tagged With:

Check out the President’s Day Sales!

February 12, 2009 by

I posted this yesterday, but I’m bumping it up because I’ve added even more offers.

Many stores are starting their President’s Day sales early. Here are a few of the highlights from my inbox so far (I will update as I get information about other sales and deals…please feel free to share your deals as well!):

Banana Republic – There are many new markdowns. Save up to 40% off online and in store. Get free shipping when you spend $150 or more and use code BRFREESHIP at check-out. Don’t forget to shop through Ebates and get 3% cash back.

Crazy 8 – There are lots of newly marked down items starting at $3.99 and up during the President’s Day Sale. Also save on baby items during the Baby Sale.

Eddie Bauer – save up to 70% off during the winter clearance sale. Prices start at $5.99. Check out the details here. Don’t forget to shop through Ebates and get 4% cash back.

Gymboree – Save an additional 20% off already reduced prices (in store and online). Don’t forget to check out the Baby sale (everything is priced at $10 or $20). All $10 items are regularly priced $12.75 – $19.75 and all $20 items are regularly priced $22.75 – $39.00. Some shorts and shirts from “Kid Girl” and “Kid Boy” are also included in the sale. Shirts are priced at $10 and shorts are priced at $15. There are 20% mailers out there and you get an additional 5% off if you have the Gymboree Visa card.

Gymboree Outlet – save up to 60% off during the President’s Day sale. Baby sale items start at $6.99. The outlet stores do not take coupons, but you can get an additional 5% off if you have a Gymboree Visa card.

Kohls – Save an additional 15%, 20% or 30% off everything using your Kohls charge card. Sign up here for their e-mail alerts and get $5 to use in store or 10% to use online. Check out their online “Deal of the Day” – their entire stock of Mens NCAA screen tees is on sale for $7.99. Save 30-40% off Simply Vera Vera Wang apparel and accessories, 30-40% off selected Chaps apparel, accessories, jewelry, and shoes; 15-25% off selected kitchen electrics, and 60-80% off in their “Gold Star Clearance.” Get free shipping when you spend $75 or more. Don’t forget to shop through Ebates and get 4% cash back.

Macy’s – Get free shipping during their President’s Day sale using the code SHIPSAVE at check-out. Save 40-80% off clearance items here. Get an additional 4% cash back when you shop through Ebates.

Scholastic – (Thanks to Janie/Hayseed in the City) – Take an additional 20% off select sale items using code AFFPD at check-out. Check out the sale items here.

Target – Save up to 75% on clearance items here. Get free shipping when you spend $50 or more. Get 3% cash back when you shop through Ebates.

The Children’s Place – Check out their new spring dresses. Also, save an additional 50% off already reduced merchandise during their “Monster Sale.” Save 15% off any online purchase using the code CLUBE6DQH629 at check-out. Click here for a printable coupon to use in store. Get 3% cash back when you shop through Ebates.

The Company Store – Save 50-75% off during the clearance closeout. Click here to see all of the sale items. Get an additional 3% cash back when you shop through Ebates.

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