Seaside Retreat

Last weekend, my mom, 2 sisters, and I went on our annual "girls" trip. Each year a different person takes turns planning a great trip for us all. This year, it was my turn!!!

We went to Seaside, FL. The grandest place on Earth in my opinion. The weather was perfect for a beach trip. The clear, blue water was calm. The sugar, white sand was soft and inviting. We stayed in Spinnaker Cottage. It was the cutest place, ever! We ate great food, shopped, got sunburns, watched chick flicks, laughed, and relaxed. I am so glad that we all have the opportunities to get together and do such fun things.

Until next time....

XOXOXOXO

Sunday sums

Here are the deals I got last week.

CVS Total ticket: 25.64
Total saved: 17.55 (68%)
Total spent: $8.11
Cash back: $1.00

Walgreens total ticket: $52.68
Total saved: $29.43 (56%)
Total spent: $23.25

Winn Dixie total ticket: $97.38
Total saved: $39.02 (40%)
Total spent: $58.81

Victoria Secret total ticket $34.99
Total saved: $17.50 (50%)
Total paid: $17.49

Let me hear about your deals this week.

Until next time......

XOXOXOXOXO

Hot deals this week

A few deals you might want to pick up this week.

CVS
Get $6.99 in ECBs WYB Phillips in-ear headphones for $6.99 Like getting them FREE.

I used my ECB's to purchase nail polish remover, cotton balls, and milk. All things I was completely out of and needed. Paid $1.22.

WALGREENS
Walgreens has a lot of deals this week; especially, if you been saving your coupons.

Hot items:

Transaction 1
Get $2.00 RR WYB Carmex moisturizing lip balm for $2.00 Like getting it FREE
Transaction 2
Ponds cold cream, dry skin cream, 30 pk towelettes B1G1 (buy one, get one)
Bought 2 30 pk towelettes $6.29 each
Used (2) -1.50 printable coupons
Used $2.00 RR
Paid $2.17

Tip on printing 2 coupons: print the first coupon, do not close the Thank you box, click the back button, click refresh when page expired comes up, second coupon will print. Most coupons limit you to two.

Until next time...

XOXOXOXOX

The 1950's Married Woman

Recently, Wes and I have been in a fierce competition to see who could get the most points on the Facebook game Family Feud. Last week, I won. This week, I have been in the lead until today. He couldn't stand it so he took a survey and got lots of extra episodes....cheater. Anyway.... this morning one of his questions was as follows:

What did a married woman in the 1950's do that married women don't do today? The most popular answers were: cook, clean, iron, and wear dresses!!!!!!

Excuse ME...... did I miss a very important memo? Wes read these to me right after I finished cleaning the kitchen and dining rooms and just as I was getting out the ironing board all while wearing a DRESS!! (Okay, I didn't really have a dress on, but still!!)

So this is notification to all the women out there who missed the memo... You no longer have to cook, clean, iron, or wear dresses no one thinks you are doing that anyway. I suggest drinking alcoholic beverages, lounging by a pool or on the couch, wearing your pajamas, and having someone in a dress serve you your meals.

Now, on to this week savings. This was a great week of shopping.

Walgreens
Total ticket: $48.43
Saved: $29.16 (60%)
Paid: $19.27

CVS
Total ticket: $66.55
Saved:$50.47(76%)
Paid:$16.08

Here is what I bought at CVS.

Winn Dixie
Total ticket: $148.08
Saved:$82.80(56%)
Paid: $65.28

Let me hear about your deals and your thoughts on the 1950's married woman.

Until next time...

XOXOXOXO

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