The Long Checkout

At Walgreens, of course.

Oh the beeping that happens when a coupon is a penny more than the register value!  We all know it and dread it.  And no matter how many times I explain to both the sweet register girl and the manager how to fix the problem (just mark it down a penny), it is forever a fiasco.  Oh the problems of a couponer!

I did this in SEVEN transactions.  Why?  Because I am insane.  But also because the Icy Hot is on sale for $0.99/each.  And produce a lovely $0.99 Register Reward.  I had six $1/1 coupons.  Making them FREE *plus* a $0.99 MONEY MAKER.  But like all things at Wags, they are limit (1).  And if you use the Icy Hot RR to pay for another Icy Hot, it will not produce another RR.  So I had to purchase five of the six by themselves.  The deodorant is Buy One, Get One FREE this week and my store had a TON in stock.  In two locations too.  I only planned to buy two but since they had so much, I figured I'd go ahead and buy a bunch and then give away the excess.  As it is, on the way home I dropped off two at a friend's house who called me a few days ago asking for a deodorant deal.  So the photo is missing those two.  A few more are going to another friend tomorrow.  None of my girlfriends will stink this summer- ha!

Also, I realized that I bought one too many deodorants.  I knew my bill felt too high but at that point it was my last transaction and I wanted to not be the problem child any longer.  I didn't figure it out until just now.  So I will return one of the deodorants and my totals below will reflect it.

The Ecotrin was FREE so it's a donation.  I don't use aspirin but can't pass up FREE medicine for donations to my local food pantry.  I am forever struck by the realization that if someone can't afford food, they also can't afford such "luxuries" as feminine hygiene products, body wash or headache medicine.  I think I will donate the triple calcium too- not even sure what it is.  But it was a $5 MONEY MAKER so it came home with me!  Though not knowing exactly what it was meant that it took me forever and a day to find it on the bottom shelf in my store.  Also note that I didn't pay tax for several items.  I don't know why exactly but it had to do with all the trouble the manager had figuring out how to mark down a coupon one penny.  Sometimes you have to pick your battles and at that point there was no way for them to figure more out than what was actually being done.

Sadly, my store did not have any (I don't believe they even sell them) of the Ritz Crackerfuls.  Disappointing as my dad loves them and they are a $1 Money Maker today and tomorrow.  My store didn't have a few of the other things on my list but I'd say overall, I did pretty well.  I'm most excited about the only thing I really paid more than tax for- the Off Clip Ons!  I don't camp but there are definitely times when I am in the garden or at a backyard dinner when the bugs eat me and only me.  I think these- if they really work- are brilliant.  Now I have two! 

Purchased (in seven transactions)...
(1) Applied Nutrition Triple Calcium  reg. $?, sale $10
(2) Ecotrin  reg. $3.49?, sale $0.99 (in ad Q)
(2) Off Clip On Starter Kit  reg.?, sale $7.99
(6) Icy Hot Naturals  reg. $1.99, sale $0.99
(10) Dry Idea deodorant  reg. $4.49

Minus...
-(1) $5/1 Applied Nutrition from Walgreens June coupon booklet
-(2) $1.50/1 Ecotrin Aspirin product 5/1 RP (marked down to $0.99/1)
-(1) BOGO FREE Off Clip On print coupon
-(1) $2/1 Off Clip On 5/22 SS
-(1) $1/1 Off product from Walgreens June coupon booklet (take off $2)
-(6) $1/1 Icy Hot (marked down to $0.99/1) 5/1 SS
-(5) BOGO FREE Dry Idea or Right Guard 5/1 RP
-(1) $5 RR from two weeks ago
-(5) $0.99 RR from first five individual Icy Hot purchases on last trans w/ no Icy Hot

Total value purchased ... $96.50

Paid out of pocket ... $3.53

Percentage saved ... 96.3%

Earned and not yet spent ... (1) $0.99 RR from Icy Hot and (1) $10 RR from Calcium

FREE Sample

Today's Freebie is a sample of Zantac.  Click image for link.

Have Coupons, Will Travel

So I hardly did any shopping this past week.  And with the travel I have scheduled next week, there won't be much then either.  I have two weeks worth of coupons that I have yet to clip.  But now that I have been couponing for five full months, I realize that's totally OK.  It's OK not to chase down every deal.  Heck, I don't want or have storage for every deal.  Ha.  But I did manage a few things at Pchop and then a two minute run into Rite-Aid too.

When I first started couponing, I was saddened to learn that not all stores are the same.  Specifically meaning that some (in my case) Price Chopper grocery stores will double coupons and some will not.  NONE in the Capital Region will double coupons.  Don't even get me started on how absurd and unfair that is!  On top of that, those that do double coupons, do so differently.  Some double up to $0.50 (so making them as high as $1), some double up to $0.99 (so making them as high as $1.98) and some double up to $1 (so making them as high as $2). 

When I realized that the Price Chopper in Manchester, VT doubles coupons up to $1 (so making them as high as $2), I knew that the next time I was there I would also do some grocery shopping.  Yes, I take my coupons nearly everywhere.  It's crazy, but also great to have them handy in the car just in case I spot a must have deal.

And this weekend happened to be my lucky weekend.  Friday before lunch I was Vermont bound.  Why?  Well mainly to get my hair cut.  Yes, I drive 75 minutes one way to get my hair done.  Which will explain to those that know me in person why I go months in dire need of hair help.  It's a looong drive just to get a haircut.  But you know, we all have our thing in life.  And this is my thing!  I have been to half a dozen hair places in the Cap Region of NY and have yet to find a person even half as fabulous as Patti.  I make a day or weekend of it usually- shopping and eating and sight seeing and sometimes in the summer I do a little berry picking too. 

So after I was done for the day, I popped into the Manchester Price Chopper. 

First, it's teeny tiny.  I didn't realize that it was so small.  Like you could barely get a cart down the aisles.  I mysteriously didn't have one of the main coupons I was hoping to use.  And being so small, they didn't have many items I was hoping to buy.  I swear I circled that store 45 times before just settling on what was in my cart and checking out.  I am just not good at shopping in unfamiliar stores.

Total value purchased ... $56.05

Paid out of pocket ... $19.88

Percentage saved ... 64.5%

Nearly every coupon I used was a $1/1 coupon, doubling to $2/1.  LOVE that!  I suddenly have found tons of coffee creamer deals so they are sitting pretty in my freezer until I need them.  I've never had this brand of rice and it's not really that healthy but I figure it is always good to have quick things on hand.  But all in all, it was a successful trip.  Not quite what I had hoped for but not bad for having to abandon my plan and just wing it in a new place.

Cookies-n-Milk

I read on a blog (sorry but I forgot where) that Rite-Aid had their two pack of Milano cookies up near the register and marked at $1.  And you could use the $1/2 coupons from the 5/22 newspaper to get them for just $0.50/each.  This is not something I would normally run out for but I had $2 in +up Rewards expiring today and hate to see those go to waste.  So I thought I could get four pack for FREE after my coupons and +up Rewards.  My dad is going to be excited when I hand those to him on Monday.  Oh sure, he rolls his eyes at my hobby.  But he knows better than to mock me too much as he gets all sorts of treats out of my coupon craziness.

But when I got there, they were each marked at just $0.99/each AND they each had a yellow Rite-Aid $0.50/1 peelie coupon on them.  Meaning that after the RA coupon and my manufacturer coupon, they would be a penny better than FREE. 

So I got milk too.

Purchased...
(1) Gallon skim milk  reg. $2.69
(10) Pepridge Farm Milano cookies 2-pack  reg. $0.99

Minus...
-(10) $0.50/1 RA peelies from the Milanos
-(5) $1/2 Milano manu coupon
-$2 +up Rewards

Total value purchased ... $12.59

Paid out of pocket ... $0.59

Percentage saved ... 95.3%

Earned ... relief from not wasting store funny money!

FREE Sample

Click the image to request a FREE sample from Target. 

Good Mail

Lots and lot of good mail has come in the last two weeks. 

Baby formula. 
More baby formula.
Diapers.
Hot sauce.
Laundry detergent.
Toaster bag for grilled cheese sandwiches. 
Recipe book.
Feminine pad.
Lotion.
Coupons for FREE dog treats and FREE Zyrtec.
And lots more high value coupons.

The baby stuff all gets donated.  Some gets given away.  Some gets saved for later use.  Some gets used right away because I'm so curious. 

Either way, it makes for a very fun mailbox each week!

FREE Sample

This one looks fun.  Click image to request your FREE sample!

FREE Sample

Click the images to get FREE samples of the Playtex wipes and tampons.  Yay for FREE samples!!

FREE Ritz Crackers At Rite-Aid

The image of the Ritz Bitz crackers are BOGO this week and sell for $1.19.  Use this coupon to get two for $0.19.  Or do you see the single package of the 6-pack peanut butter filled crackers above?  Well there were two but one was eaten by the time the photo happened.  They regularly sell for $0.49.  Buy two and not only will they be FREE but you will have two pennies overage.  Either way, it's a great deal.  So hurry and print of the $1/2 any size Ritz coupon before it disappears!

No Plan At Target

Other than wanting to pick up the FREE ibuprofen at Target today, I really had no plan in place.  But I managed to do a pretty great job, if I do say so myself.  I love LOVE how Target let's you (most of the time- I've had a manager ring me up and not let me) use overage.  See those nail files?  Yes well, they give me the creeps.  Seriously creep me out.  Don't know why.  They just do.  But they are the cheapest Revlon beauty product sold at my Target.  Leaving me oodles of overage to use for things less creepy.  They are a donation to people who don't have a bizarre and unnamed phobia.  And I know it seems like I buy granola bars every day.  I sort of do.  But I was able to get a ton of those Target coupons and they expire in a few days.  Plus, my dad loves them.  They last for a long time on a shelf.  And are FREE after coupons.  Hard to not take advantage of- so they keep coming home with me. 

Purchased:
(1) Bumble Bee chicken salad  reg. $1.05, sale $0.78
(1) Visine travel size  reg. $1.97
(1) International Delight creamer  reg. $1.79 , sale $1.25
(1) Jello Temptations  reg. $2.29
(3) Revlon nail files  reg. $1.27
(5) Up Ibuprofen 24 count  reg. $0.97
(6) Nature Valley granola bars 4 count reg. $1

Minus:
-(1) $2/1 Visine any size print coupon (no longer available)
-(1) $0.55/1 International Delight creamer
-(1) $0.75/1 Jello Temptations from inside of last box I bought
-(1) $2/1 Revlon beauty tool (printed last time I bought them)
-(1) $5/2 Revlon beauty tools (printed last time I bought them)
-(5) $1/1 Up Ibuprofen
-(3) $1/2 Nature Valley Target coupon
-(3) $1/2 Nature Valley manu coupon

Total value purchased ... $22.61

Paid out of pocket ... $0.06

Percentage saved ... 99.73%

Plus I Earned ...
(1) $2/1 Revlon beauty tool coupon
(1) $5/2 Revlon beauty tools coupon

Great Quick Deals

In between torrential down pours on Monday, I was able to score a few items for a fraction of their original prices.  Even better was that both of these transactions took but minutes.  I happened to be near both stores so I ran in and took advantage.

Stop #1:
Pet Smart

Purchased five bags of Purina dog treats.  I think the original price is around $3 or $3.50?  They are on sale this week for $2.50.  I used my $2.50 newspaper coupons and was left with just tax.  Of $1.  Or just $0.20/bag. 

Stop #2:
Walgreens

Purchased four Oscar Mayer Sub Sandwiches (in two separate transactions). They are on sale this week 2/$3, plus earn a $1 RR when you buy two.  I used the $1/1 coupons.  Paid out of pocket just $1.24 for two and earned a $1 RR.  I did this twice so that I earned two RR's.


I did so much shopping last week that I really don't need much of anything this week.  I will pop into Price Chopper (hopefully) tomorrow to pick up some salad greens but really other than that, I think I am about done for the week.  I re-organized my chest freezer last weekend and realized that I have a LOT of meat in there.  Which is awesome!  So I will be working from what I already have in stock for a bit to ensure nothing goes bad.  That chest freezer has easily paid for itself in savings in under a year!


Be sure to enter this giveaway for a fantastic pair of Sperry Top-Siders!

FREE Sample

Click the image to request a FREE sample of minty strips.  They look like a brand new product so they will likely (hopefully) come with a high value coupon too.

A Sperry Exciting Giveaway

I am thrilled to direct you to this amazing giveaway for a fantastic pair of Sperry Top-Siders!  Woo hoo for cute shoes!!

FREE Photo Prints

Print off this coupon to score 20 FREE photo prints at Target this week!  They are sale for $0.10 each.  After the $2 off 20 prints coupon...F R E E!

While you are there, print off the coupon for $1/1 Up Ibuprofen. It's Target's version of Advil.  I usually find boxes of 24 tablets for $1.  So FREE!

Second Stop: Walgreens

So after my quick run to Rite-Aid, I ran up the road to Wags.  There really isn't much I need or want from the sales at any of my stores this week, honestly.  I think my house is very well stocked on most health and beauty items.  I have more body wash than I could possibly use in the next year.  I have a few months worth of shampoo and lotion (Though if I find a deal on lotion I would be happy as the older I get, the more I use lotion.  Like a lot!).  I've got a few months of all of my paper products, dish soap products and cleaning products.  And I have oral products to last until Kingdom come.  Ditto on deodorant.  I am giving excess away like candy still.  There really are only a few things I need to build up a better stock on right now. 

I have so many razors right now.  But I also realized after the last time I purchased this Gillette kit that I had a rare $5/1 coupon from that P&G mailed booklet.  After the RR, it was a tiny bit of a money maker (well that doesn't factor in tax so really it was not a money maker but it was still a rock bottom deal).  As these kits come with a razor, extra blade, shave cream, scrub and aftershave (the last two items I toss in my donate box), it's such a steal of a deal.  I have no qualms about using a men's razor and shave cream on my legs.  Who the heck cares?!

Purchased ...
Transaction #1:
(1) Finish Gel Packs  reg. $6.99?, sale $3.49
(1) Dove Men's deodorant  reg. $4.99?, sale $3.99
(1) Snickers w/ Almonds reg. $0.88, sale $0.39 *filler*
(3) Scotch Tape  reg. $1.99, sale Buy One, Get Two FREE

Minus
-(1) $1.50/1 Finish peelie coupon from something I bought a while back
-(1) $1/1 Dove Men's deodorant mailed to me with sample
-(2) $1/1 Scotch Tape (I was not able to use three due to beeps)
-$5 Register Reward

Total value purchased ... $19.78
Paid out of pocket ... $1.20
Earned ... $1.50 RR from Finish and $3 RR from Dove


Transaction #2:
(1) Gillette Shave kit  reg. $12.99, sale $9.89
(2) Snickers w/ Almonds  reg. $0.88, sale $0.39 *filler*

Minus
-(1) $5/1 Gillette razor
-$1.50 RR from Finish in Transaction #1
-$3 RR from Dove in Transaction #1

Total value purchased ... $15.79
Paid out of pocket ... $2.02
Earned ... $5 RR from Gillette

So in total for both transactions...

Total value purchased ... $35.57

Paid out of pocket ... $3.22

Percentage saved ... 91%

Earned and left to spend ... $5 RR

First Stop: Rite-Aid

I have finally figured out that if I really want to snag a deal, I have to do so on a Sunday.  Even then, there is no guarantee.  Like last week at Walgreens, I never did get myself any of the Clean and Clear body wash and now the BOGO coupons are expired.  Sad, because they smell so pretty.  But in general, I do better the first day of sales.  Go figure- ha!

I have plenty of laundry detergent, but $0.03/load is my "stock up" price.  Before couponing, I only ever used Tide.  But I've found that I really like Wisk and Purex too.  And as Tide is crazy expensive (something I never once realized before couponing- seriously never ever even once compared prices!), it's a darn good thing that I like these other two brands.  So with the coupon, Purex 33 load is just $0.97 or $0.03/load.  My store had tons in two displays, so I felt totally OK using all six of my coupons.

And even though every other coupon blogger and everyone on the TLC Extreme Couponing show boasts that they get free toothbrushes all the time, today was the first time since starting this coupon journey on January 01 that I was able to find them, after rewards, for free.  Actually they were a bit of a money maker after rewards!  So while it may seem small to you, it felt like a huge score to me!

Purchased ...
(2) Oral-B toothbrush  reg. $4.99, sale $2.99
(6) Purex laundry detergent  reg. $5.99, sale $1.97

Minus ...
-(6) $1/1 Purex laundry detergent
-(1) $2/$10 from RA Video Values
-(2) $1.50/1 Oral B Toothbrush
-(1) $4 + up Rewards

Total value purchased ... $49.59

Paid out of pocket ... $4.22

Percentage saved ... 91.5%

Earned ... (2) $2 + up Rewards (from toothbrushes)

Still Outside The Bubble

So clearly, I learned my lesson going to two new-to-me Rite-Aid stores.  I did A-MAZ-ING!!  I popped into the Price Chopper for good measure.  They too were out of bread.  I have a rain check to use when it is hopefully back in stock next week though.  And I ended up shopping on a hungry tummy.  Hence the extra items that were not on sale and were coupon-less.  Those Philly Swirl pops are so yummy though!  I also realize that you might think that I never eat fruit and veggies.  Trust me, I do.  But I think this might be the first time I've remembered to take a pic of a PChop run. 

Purchased ...

(1) Rotisserie Chicken  reg. $6.99, sale $4.99
(1) Diet Coke 2L  reg. $1.89
(1) Price Chopper Vanilla Cream soda  reg. $0.99
(1) 2 piece shrimp skewers  reg $2
(2) Better Oats oatmeal  reg. $1.99, sale $1
(1) Wheat Thins Stix  reg. 3.49
(1) Lean Cuisine panini  reg. $2.99, sale $2.50
(1) Lean Cuisine pot sticker  reg. $3.99, sale $2.50
(1) Philly Swirl ice pops  reg. $3.39

Minus...

-(1) $3/wyb a Rotisserie chicken and 2L Coke hang tag found on Diet Coke!
-(1) FREE 2 piece shrimp skewer
-(1) $0.49/1 PC 2L soda
-(2) $1/1 Better Oats oatmeal
-(1) $1/1 Wheat Thins Stix
-(1) $1/1 double Wheat Thins coupon!
-(1) $1/2 Lean Cuisine
-(1) $1/1 double Lean Cuisine

Total value purchased ... $30.71

Paid out of pocket ... $12.53

Percentage saved ... 59%

Not bad for an unplanned shopping trip.  Honestly, if I save more than 40% at the grocery store, I'm pleased.  I just do not have quite the same grocery savings luck as others.  I'm getting better but like all things, it's a process.  Oh and I tried the chocolate oatmeal this morning and it is sooo yummy!

Getting Outside Of My Bubble

I tend to go to the same stores.  I like familiarity.  I like not having to circle the aisles 35 times to find one item.  I get myself a little comfort zone and snuggle in good.

But tonight, for whatever reason, I decided to try going to a different Rite-Aid in hopes of finding the elusive Tylenol Heat Patches.  But like everyone else, they were out.  The thing was that I had $15 in +up RR's that were expiring so I had to buy something in Rite-Aid anyway. 

When I am left with +up Rewards that are but hours away from expiring, and there are no other rolling reward deals that I want/need, I try to use them on things that either rarely go on sale or are just for fun.  You know, using the rewards as a reward.

So here's what I purchased at Rite-Aid #1:

(1) Oxy acne kit  reg. $12.99, sale $7.99
(1) gallon skim milk  reg. $2.69
(1) Starbuck's Frap  reg $2.69, sale $2
(1) Ocean Spray Craisins  reg. $2.99
(1) dozen eggs  reg. $1.79
(2) Lays Kettle chips  reg. $3.49, sale $2.79
(2) Sierra Mist Natural 2L  reg. $1.89, sale $1.50

Minus:
-(1) $3/$15 survey coupon (LOVE these!)
-(1) $1/1 Oxy peelie **
-(1) $2/2 Lays chips coupon
-(2) FREE Sierra Mist Natural wyb Lays chips
-(1) $1.50/1 Oxy coupon (mailed to me w/ a sample a while ago)
- $15 +up Register Rewards

Total value purchased ... $33.16

Paid out of pocket ... $0.88

Percentage saved ... 97%

Earned ... Not a thing but the peace that I didn't waste any +up RR's!

** OK so there was a peelie coupon on the Oxy box.  I saw it but knew I had a higher value coupon so I figured I would keep it for later use.  While I was putting the soda bag in my cart to help clear the counter, the sales gal peeled it and scanned it.  I said I had another coupon and she thought it would be OK.  It was.  But I still suspect that was not supposed to happen.  But it all happened in a flash and she was firm it it all working so I let it go.  But I still feel odd about the whole matter.  I never actually looked at the coupon though so I guess maybe it was a RA coupon?  I sort of don't think it was...


But my bonnet was still bee happy and I decided to try going to another Price Chopper to see if they had any Freihofer's bread left (they have been out at my regular store).  It's the only bread my father likes and really who can blame him.  Their Oat Nut bread is crazy good.  This week it was Buy One, Get TWO FREE.  Don't worry, I do have a rain check.  But I had some time and it was worth looking.

Well as I pulled in, I noticed that there is a Rite-Aid right next door.  I had to at least peek to see if they had any of the Tylenol left.  THEY DID!!  About ten boxes.  So I grabbed five and headed toward the check out counter.

Purchased:
(2) Tylenol Precise Heat Cream  reg. $7.99, sale $5
(3) Tylenol Precise Heat Patch  reg. $7.99, sale $5

Minus:
-(5) $5/1 Tylenol Precise coupons

Total value purchased ... $25

Paid out of pocket ... $0

Percentage saved ... 100%

Earned ... $10 +up Reward!!

I had my wallet out as I assumed I would need to pay tax but they said I didn't.  Once again I am not convinced of this but it's hard to argue to that I need to pay more.

So in total for every single thing you see in the above two photos, I paid $0.88 and earned a $10 +up RR!  Even more rewarding is realizing that all of the Tylenol will be donated and everything else is actually needed in my home.  I didn't buy to store away.  I bought to use right now.  Don't get me wrong, storing away is great.  I clearly love it.  But it feels extra great to spend next to nothing on things I need right now!

FREE Better Oats At Price Chopper

OK great news, the Better Oats $1/1 coupon is still available!  Just like them on Facebook and print up to two coupons.  Then go to Price Chopper on Saturday while the boxes are still on sale for $1 to score them for FREE.  I've not yet tried this brand but friends love it and they have very yummy flavors.

Body Wash Paid Me To Shop At Target

I ran into Target just to glance tonight.  I've been busy and once again under the weather so I've not been in the big T in a while.  I miss it.  Ha.

I had five more of the women's Nivea body wash coupons and thought I might be able to pick up more, even if it meant paying a few pennies per bottle.  To my shock and amazement, they were all on sale, both men's and women's, for $2.43 .  I had tons of men's coupons and they all expire this weekend.

You should note that I did not clear any shelves.  In fact, I have a few more men's coupons but didn't use them as to not be greedy.  I also left a few next to bottles.  A little coupon fairy action!  You should also note that all of the body wash is being donated, along with most of the granola bars.  I truly only purchased them because even after tax, they still gave me an overage of $0.37 to use on my order.  Yup, they paid me to shop!  And as usual, all of the granola bars were 100% FREE.  Yay! 

Purchased...
(10) Nivea men's body wash  reg. $3.15, sale $2.43
(5) Nivea women's body wash  reg. $3.15, sale $2.43
(2) Archer Farms Salsa  reg. $? , sale $1.61
(12) Nature Valley 4-pack granola bars  $1
(1) Girard's salad dressing  $2.99
(5) Bumble Bee Chicken Salad snacks  reg. $1.05, sale $0.78
(3) Bumble Bee Tuna Salad snacks  reg. $1.05, sale $0.78

Minus...
-(10)  $3/1 Nivea men's body wash
-(5)  $3/1 Nivea women's body wash
-(1)  $1/2 Archer Farms (Target) salsa
-(6) $1/2 Nature Valley multi-pack granola bars
-(6) $1/2 Nature Valley multi-pack granola bars (Target)
-(1) $2/1 Girard's dressing

Total value purchased ... $84.39

Paid out of pocket ... $3.34

Percentage saved ... 96%

FREE At Price Chopper

Once again, I didn't think to take a photo of my Price Chopper trip.  I never think about a photo op when I am scurrying about to put things away.

But I wanted to note that the Better Oats are on sale for just $1 this week.  A while ago I printed off two $1/1 coupons in hopes of finding them on sale.  So they were totally FREE tonight.

Also, the rice is further proof that it's fun to sign up for freebies.  I received two coupons for FREE bags of Uncle Bens rice in the mail last week.  And I totally need rice too.  Score.

One will be eaten Monday when I also cook up the four (purchased in two separate transactions) yummy shrimp skewers.  PChop is really getting much better with their store coupons.  Now if only we could be worthy of daily double coupons like the other regions of NY...

FREE Sample

Free sample of Purina dog food.  A great item to donate if it's not something you need yourself!

FREE Sample

Free sample of Gax-x thin strips.

FREE Sample

Free sample of Purex laundry detergent.  Yay!

Thanks Hip2Save!

More PChop Coupons

By cake in a cup, I assume they mean cupcake.  The wording made me laugh.  That's a good deal on soda for anyone with an upcoming graduation or holiday party though.

Better Than FREE eos Lippy

I forgot to post about this the other day but you can score a great deal on my very very favorite lip balm at Rite-Aid this week!  The eos little round lip balm is on sale for $2.99 but then if you go online, you can register for a $2 mail in rebate (limit 1).  Making it only $0.99 after your rebate check arrives.

But I found a way to turn my +up RR's into cash! 

Purchased...
(1) eos Lip Balm  reg. $3.29, sale $2.99

Minus...
(1) $2 +up RR

Total value purchased ... $3.29

Paid out of pocket ... $0.99

Percentage saved ... 70%

Earned ... $2 CASH via rebate

Percentage earned after rebate ... 202%

So in the end I will have made $1.01 in actual, bankable moola by purchasing my very favorite lippy.  Hot damn!!

Breathe Right And Chips

Well this has been both a busy and deal strike out week for me.  Trying to not dwell on the deals I am missing.  But sort of bummed as I went out to try and snag them on Sunday and they still remain elusive. 

I popped in Rite-Aid again to see if they had any of the Tylenol Precise patches left.  Nope.  Sniff.  I don't actually need them (they would have been donated) but with the $5 off coupons they would be FREE.  And as I have five of those print coupons, I would have qualified for the $5 +up RR. 

I did get two boxes of the Breathe Right strips.  The coupon states one coupon per customer so I did two transactions- the second was simply one box of the strips.  And was totally FREE.  The first order, she rang the coupon up at the max price listed of $5.99.  So when I handed her my last coupon, the $2/2 Lays chips, she wasn't able to use it.  Which is fine but it certainly confused me a bit until I got in the car and looked at my receipt.

Purchased...
(2) Breathe Right strips 10 count  reg. $5.49, sale $3.99
(1) Sierra Mist Natural soda  reg. $1.89
(2) Lays Kettle Chips  reg. $3.49, sale $2.79

Minus...
(2) $1 +up RR
(1) Free Sierra Mist Natural soda wyb two Lays chips coupon
(2) Free Breathe Right strips up to $5.99

Total value purchased ... $20.78

Paid out of pocket ... $0.78

Percentage saved ... 96%

Earned ... (2) $1 +up RR from the Breathe Right

So not earth shattering by any stretch.  I won't even keep the Breathe Right strips.  Straight to donate box.  I only bought them because they were a money maker.  And I've never tasted Sierra Mist but I'm sure it's like Sprite and will be tasty on a hot summer day.  The chips though, are my downfall in life.  My favorite.  I'm beyond well stocked now. 

When Friends Meet...

I popped into Walgreens for the third time this week to see if they by chance had more of the Clean and Clear body wash.  They sadly did not.  I got a rain check but seeing as how the coupon expires this Sunday, it doesn't look good.  Win some, lose some, right?

But the BEST moment happened, even though I didn't get any free body wash.  As I was waiting in line to get a rain check, the woman in front of me revealed herself to be a kindred spirit.  A coupon cousin.  A saves a lot sister.

She.  Had.  A.  Coupon.  Binder.  Too!

We both got so tickled and talked up our love of couponing.  We were so excited that a guy who was there with some contest from the Times Union was asking all sorts of questions regarding how we got things for free (I of course used the elusive Clean and Clear example.)  I don't think I really explained it all well in the two minutes we spoke.  But he was fascinated nonetheless. 

My only regret is that I didn't exchange information with my newly discovered coupon cousin.  I didn't tell her about my blog or offer up my email address.

So on the off chance my new sweet pal who has a rock star coupon binder that I met in line at Walgreens today is reading this...  It's me, KK.  Who had the pink bag and two coupon binders.  I am always hoping to meet local shoppers.  Please drop me a line, my cheerful friend!

I've received lots of judging glares, several rude comments, and exactly one compliment on my coupon binder system.  But this was the very first time I ran into a fellow shopper doing the same thing.  Sort of a big (and redeeming) moment for me!

Price Chopper Coupons

Ooooh there are some fun coupons on the Price Chopper Facebook page this week.  Including FREE shrimp skewers!  Yum-o!

Good Mail

This is my collection of freebies that have come in the mail over the last week or two.  Actually, the photo is missing at least one things of deodorant that I know of.  But you get the idea.  My mailbox is frequently full of surseys. 

I was shocked to see those two big containers of Enfamil baby formula.  Or excuse me, newborn formula as the label states.  Plus four $4/1 coupons. 

Lots of coupons for the Breve Creme, including one coupon for a FREE pint. 

That Worx energy stuff- which sounds gross and went right into the donate box- and a $1/1 coupon. 

Two sets of the Tide/Bounce/Downy/Fabreze coupons. 

A $6.95 and a $15.95 coupon for Gerber formula. 

A coupon for a free bottle of Suave Professionals of my choice (I will save it as long as possible in hopes of finding a buy one get one free sale).

Dove Men + Care deodorant travel size (not pictured).

Kirkland Signature shampoo and conditioner sample.

Shout Color Catcher.

Pledge Soft Microfiber Dust Cloth.

Travel size Huggies wipes (I use these to remove my make-up nightly so I actually LOVE a good deal or freebie of baby wipes even though I am sans babies.).

Vitamin D sample.

Soooo Sweet (sweetener) sample.

OK so that Breve Creme had hands down the most elaborate freebie packaging ever.  It all came in this to go cup.  Like it was plastic-wrapped and had a label on it.  That's how it arrived in my mailbox.  Proof you really can send anything through the USPS.  Ha.  I saved the cup and will actually use it one day as a coffee travel cup.  I see no need to waste a perfectly good product. 

So inside the cup, they spent big buckaroos too.  All sorts of paper things.  I'm not sure if the photo shows it well but the cup had an insert to look like there was actually a latte in the cup.  And that stand up clock thing has moving clock hands.  A heck of a lot of money invested in something totally pointless.  Plus a coupon for a free pint and five $0.55/1 coupons.  I was both shocked at the $$$ the company spent and impressed with the presentation.  As a self-professed sucker for packaging, I was fascinated!

FREE Bagel and Cream Cheese

Click HERE to print a coupon for a FREE bagel and cream cheese at Brueggers. 

FREE Sample

Of Eucerin lotion! Just "like" them on Facebook and sign up for a FREE sample.  This was a very freebie week for us.  We should have some very fun and full mailboxes in our near future!

FREE Year Subscription to Martha Stewart Living

My very very favorite magazine ever!  It takes only a few minutes to take the survey and answer the quick questions.  This is how I get 75% of my magazine (all FREE of course) subscriptions and it is completely safe.  They never ask you for any credit card information.  Oh I am just so excited to sign up for this one today!  My last (FREE) subscription to my Martha ran out a good year ago.  I've missed you, MS! 

FREE Sample

FREE sample of Goodnights diapers. 

Thanks Hip2Save!

FREE Sample

I love seasonings and here is a FREE sample, compliments of Emril!  Bam!

FREE Sample

Loving all the fun free samples this week.  I wonder if it's because it's the first of the month?  Regardless, yay!

FREE Sample

This has taken me most of the day to get to work but it seems to be working well now.  Click the image to download a coupon for FREE Breathe Right 10 ct. strips from Rite-Aid. 

I plan to hang on to this coupon to see if there might be a +Up Reward deal before it expires on May 29th.  Let's see if we can get a FREE product and turn it into a Money Maker too!

But you should note this is a huge ink waster- it is a full page print.  So I suggest standing next to your printer and clicking cancel as soon as you see that the coupon (right at the top) is finished printing.