Confusion

A lot of people (yippee, they read my blog) have told me that they are overwhelmed or confused about how to actually save the most money at CVS and Walgreens doing the multiple transactions. Even though, I did not do it this way, I can see the benefits in it now.

1. Start small. (I started HUGE).
2. Take a friend (if available) with you the first couple of times. Besides, it is much more fun when you both get great deals. (I took Wes.)
3. Get a subscription to the Sunday paper. ($9.00 a month for the Sun Herald Wednesday/Sunday edition). I just got it last week.

In the beginning, I did not have many coupons because I did not get the Sunday paper. Now, that I am subscribed to the paper, I have a nice collection of coupons. Unless I have already used it, I almost always have the coupons Jenny tells me about.

I have not done this yet, but I also think it is a good idea to find someone who gets the Sunday paper who is willing to give you their coupons. This way you have multiple coupons for the same item thus helping you stock up for less. Anyone want to give their coupons to me?

So you say, I went to Southern Savers, I have my list, I have my coupons, now what?

Before you go to the store, look at your list and create scenarios that allow you to use the ECBs at CVS or the RR at Walgreens to pay for other items on your list. Place a number 1 by the items you want to include in the first transaction, a number 2 by the second and so on. Next put your coupons in order of your transactions. Now, you are organized.

Now you say, I am at the checkout counter, now what? Before getting to the register, organize your buggy into your transaction piles.

Tell the cashier that you are going to be doing multiple transactions. The cashiers at both CVS and Walgreens are very nice and accommodating.
After coupons are given and you've paid for trans 1, ECBs or RRs will print. ECBs (CVS) will print at bottom of receipt and RRs (Walgreens )will be on separate paper.

Place your items for transaction 2 on the counter, and give the cashier your ECBs or RRs when you give him/her your coupons. Pay the difference, if any. I have done up to 4 transactions at a time.

Here is an example I did at Walgreens that you can do this week.

Transaction 1
$5.00 RR wyb 4/$13-12 pack Pepsi
-2 RR from last week (If you don't have this, don't worry.)
Get back $5.00 RR (makes it 4/$6 before taxes)

Transaction2
1-Mott's Apple Juice $2.50
1-8 pack Rice Krispie Treats $1.99
1-Walgreens brand seal lunch bags .99 (w/ in ad coupon)
-5RR from Transaction 1
Pay $.48 before taxes.

Also, Jenny has this deal posted for new CVS new users this week.

Getting Started Scenario

If you are brand new to CVSing, it is important to start slow. Buy one thing, use a coupon and get your first Extra Care Bucks (ECB). Then buy another one thing, use another coupon and pay with those ECB’s you just got. Now go home. You can spend your remaining ECB’s next week.

Transaction #1
Buy:(1) Crest Pro Health Clinical Gum Protection Toothpaste 4 oz., $3.49
Use:-$1 off Crest Toothpaste 4 oz + or liquid gel, PG 8/01
Total Due: $2.49
Get Back: $2.50 ECB

Transaction #2
Buy:(1) Crest Pro Health Clinical Gum Protection Toothpaste 4 oz., $3.49
Use:-$1 off Crest Toothpaste 4 oz + or liquid gel, PG 8/01
-$2.50 ECB
Total Due: nothing
Get Back: $2.50 ECB

If you don't have the coupons, don't fret. Start collecting now.

I think this is as clear as mud!

Until next time..

XOXOXOX

Donors Choose

I know everyone has lots of money just laying around, and we are all sighing to ourselves, "What, oh, what should I do with all this money?" Well fret no more, I have created a project for my school library on http://www.donorschoose.org/. Just go to this link: http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?keywords=Bio-graphic&x=0&y=0 and donate any amount of that money you wish to purchase graphic novels and biographies for my students.

The project will be open until December 26, 2010. Thank you, thank you, thank you in advance if you decide to give.

Until next time...

XOXOXOXO

Last week's shopping extravaganza!

Don't be surprised if my blogging becomes more sporadic. School is back in session, and boy have I been tired at night!! :)

Last Sunday, I went to Walgreen's and CVS and did really well. Wednesday I went to Winn-Dixie and didn't do so hot. I picked up a couple of things that weren't on sale.

Here is how it breaks down:

Walgreen's total  ticket: $24.71
Total savings: $20.20 (82%)

Amount paid: $4.51

I bought the following: 1 Bio-true contact solution 4oz, 3 2-pocket folders, Dial body wash, 9 big rolls Angel Soft, 2 pack Pilot V5 pens, 1 Aquafresh toothpaste  5.6oz

CVS total ticket: $53.09
Total savings: $34.76 (65%)
Amount paid: $18.33

I bought the following: 4 12-pack cokes, 1 skintimate shave gel, 2 Edge shave gels, 1 Lysol Healthy Hand Soap dispenser, 1 2-pack Oral B toothbrushes

Winn-Dixie total ticket: $67.81
Total savings: $23.60 (35%)
Amount paid: $44.21

Let me hear about your deals.

Until next time....

XOXOXOXOX

Tubing

This post is a little late because my camera cord accidentally went to band camp for a week. As a last rendezvous, Wes and I went to Gulfshores, AL the weekend before teacher workdays started. We had a great time with great friends.

BTW, Wes took much better pictures of me than I took of him.

Holy Coupon

Well, I am finally starting to get a nice range of coupons. This week I went shopping 4 times and had coupons for every item. My savings is starting to get better and better each week. This week, I even took a friend out shopping, and she got some really good deals.

Winn Dixie #1
Total ticket: $175.00
Paid: $90.40
Saved $84.60 (48%)

Walgreens
Total ticket: 48.96
Paid: 18.24
Saved: 30.72 (63%)
Cash back: 2.00

CVS
Total ticket: 35.92
Paid: 14.00
Saved: $21.92 (61%)

Winn Dixie #2
Total ticket: 118.51
Paid: 54.45
Saved: 64.06 (54%)

I am also starting to look for Christmas presents. I got something really exciting for a great deal yesterday. Can't wait to share these with you all.

Thanks Jenny at http://www.southernsavers.com/ !!!

Until next time.....

XOXOXOX

Back to Life; Back to Reality

One week from today school officially starts back for me. Of course, I have worked at the school a little over the summer and meet some (keyword: some) of the goals I set for myself and the library program. I know my friends are laughing right now because they all think it is so funny that I make goal sheets! Hey, it helps keep me organized and on a mission!

On another note, I am really looking forward to the challenges that this year will bring. I can't wait to see how much the kids have grown and to start laughing at all the funny stuff they do and say! I will even admit that I am sort of ready to get on a more strict schedule. Not that I don't mentally make schedules for myself everyday and get a tinge upset when I don't stay on them.... I am just saying.

Tomorrow, I am going to say good-bye to my vegetable garden. I am going to chop down all the plants that are finished producing and turn the beds into flower beds for the fall. Having the garden was a great experience, and I found it very rewarding. I knew where my food was coming from, that it was 100% organic, and I learned so much about canning and preserving foods. I learned that cute little cucumber and tomato plants grow into MONSTER plants and take over if you don't give them enough space. Next year, we will have to build a bigger bed or plant less crops. Which do you think will happen?

Well, of course I went shopping this week. I have figured out (I think) how to get the most out of CVS. CVS is overpriced, but if you learn to work within the system, that doesn't even matter. I can't encourage you enough to check out how it all works at www.southernsavers.com.  Drum roll please....

Total CVS ticket: 47.00
Total Saved: 41.78 (89%)
Total Spent: 5.22
Total Cash back: 4.00
Out of Pocket: $1.22

What I bought: 1 59oz Tropicana Orange Juice
                       1 2 pack Dove soap
                       1 Almay dial up mascara
                       1 Lady Speed Stick Stainguard  deodorant
                       2 Aveeno positively ageless sunscreens (regular size)
I am talking $1.22 here people!

Okay, so my sister and her husband came down to visit. We went to Old Navy for the 25% teacher discount day plus I had a $10.00 off an entire purchase coupon, and I only bought items that were on sale (not clearance). Here is how it breaks down.

Old Navy total ticket: 113.03
Total saved: 74.19 (66%)
Total spent: $38.84

Woot Woot!!

Until next time....

XOXOXO
                       

Brooke's even Better Bargains

Each week, I get a little better at getting the best deals. I am also venturing out to more stores which is fun. Actually I will admit that since I started this couponing thing, I am pretty excited about shopping now. I find myself anticipating the weekly sales paper and find it thrilling to get things for FREE or little money OOP! Thanks to Jenny at http://www.southernsavers.com/ this task doesn't feel like a chore anymore.

Didn't make my goal of 60% or more savings at every store this week, but I am okay with it.

Here goes:

Since it is back to school time I thought I would rack up on some supplies at Office Depot. You won't believe this!

Office Depot total ticket: $43.53
Total saved in store: 17.06 (40%)
Total spent in store: $26.47
Total mail in rebates: 27.26
My Profit: .79

I MADE MONEY BY SHOPPING!

CVS total ticket: $28.88
Total saved: $23.33 (81%)
Total spent: $5.55
Cash back: $5.00

Okay, you must know the items I got for 55 cents. 2 VO5 shampoos, 1 gillette pro fusion razor with 3 cartridges (not disposable), 2 12 packs of coke, 2 scotch magic tape refills.

Walgreens total ticket: $15.38
Total saved: $8.75 (57%)
Total spent: $6.63

Winn Dixie total ticket: 63.36
Total saved: 23.62 (37%)
Total spent: 39.74
Cash back: $5.00

Winn Dixie was my worst experience this week. I only bought items that were on sale, but I didn't have a single coupon. :(

Let me know about your savings.

Until next time...

XOXOXOXO