Two weeks off and surprisingly I didn’t run out of … anything. Even after I gave away some surplus supplies to a mommy-in-love who just happened to be hosting like THIRTEEN people this past Thanksgiving weekend. I thought maybe she could use some extra soap. And deodorant. And … makeup. And I needed the extra space in my closet.
But I had me a $29 ECB to blow this week at CVS. And that was a CHALLENGE. Because I am that good at saving money.
No, actually, credit needs to go where it is due. God gets the glory first – no one else could have kept all the goodies in stock when they would have normally been sold out in the wee hours of Sunday morning. I used to pray before each CVS trip, but had gotten out of the habit. Just a simple prayer that my efforts be rewarded (because it DOES require effort to plan these trips). And surprisingly, He does listen to the CVS prayers of the faithful. Everything I needed/wanted was in stock.
Second, if you haven’t frequented Money Saving Mom yet and are interested in starting this whole CVS addiction hobby, I highly encourage you to do so. She points out all the good deals and gives online coupons to make them even sweeter. Such a blessing!
I feel like I won an Oscar. When all I did was save $75.47. (At least that’s what the bottom of my receipt says.)
And here’s how:
2 CG Incredifull lipstick @ $7.49 each = 14.98
2 AAA Duracell batteries 8pk @ $5.29 each = 10.58
1 Charmin 4pk toilet paper = $2.49
2 Kashi TLC crackers @ 2.50 each = $5
Gillette fusion razor = 9.99
2 Garnier face wash @ 5.99 each = 11.98
5 CVS cough drops @ 0.99 each = 4.95
2 boxes candy canes (generic 12ct) @ 0.99 each = 1.98
1 box mini candy canes (Dum Dum brand) = 2.99
(I needed the candy canes to decorate my Christmas tree and to fill my Advent calendar)
Total: 64.94 (so in order to have saved $75.47, they must have considered pre-sale prices).
The lipstick was buy one get one free, so subtract $7.49: $57.45
coupons: $4/20, $2/10, two $0.75 for Duracell, $0.25 for Charmin, $7.49 (b1g1 CG), $2 CG crt (those coupons found at the end of your receipt), $4 for Gillete, two $2 for Kashi, $1 for Garnier = $26.24
New total: 31.21
Paid with a $29 ECB and $2.09 out of pocket to cover the rest.
ECBs earned this trip: $5 for the Proctor and Gamble deal (buy $20 get $5), $6 for the Gillette razor, $4.95 for the cough drops, $6 for the Garnier products ($3 each): $21.95
Total lost (in ECBs and cash): $9.26
Now, I could have saved $6 more by splitting the transaction into 2 orders and using another $4/20 and $2/10. I also got home and found a $3/15 I could have stacked on each order, bringing the additional coupon savings up to $12. That means I would have made about $3.
And I only threw the second Garnier and candy canes in to get my total above $29. See, when you use an ECB of that magnitude, you can’t get any change back. So I could have made some money here, but ended up “spending” around $10.
But when you consider the money I made last time, I’m still in the black.
So for those of you who don’t have an awkward $29 ECB, go ahead and make some money!
Here are the goods:
(The Fruit 2O’s are from a previous week when the were B1G1. I had bought their last three and simply got a rain check for the three free ones.)
I wish I would have thought about the rain check thing, I could have done that with the doritos. oh well.
I have a question about that $3/$15 coupon… I ended up not using it because I am not sure if it was one that came in the mail and someone scanned.
I got a paper that looked just like that in the mail awhile back, and I’ve never seen an online ad look like that.
What do you think? if it was one that came in the mail, then it is illegal to scan or copy it and use it.
You’ve just been tagged!!!
I’m loving reading about all the CVS deals! I just ventured into the realm of so much savings – so I’m learning tons by reading your posts! Thanks for sharing as it’ll help the rest of us! 🙂
Jes – The site I got the link from (http://forums.slickdeals.net/showpost.php?p=8336042&postcount=5) claimed it was from a website (this one: http://www.abcactionnews.com/content/health/colorectal/default.aspx) I clicked the link from the site, and it looked legit to me.
Now that you ask, I cannot find the link for the coupon on the site (I hadn’t looked earlier, I didn’t have the need as I had already been to CVS).
Maybe I’m not looking in the right spot? Or maybe it was scanned. If it was scanned, then you’re right, it is illegal. But the site I got it from claimed it was from a website.
Oh, and the raincheck deal doesn’t work on ECB items. You can, however, exchange the items later for something of equal value. That’s what I intend to do with my AAA batteries, since what I really needed (AA) was sold out.
Beth – you’ve got me hooked on CVS! Since I don’t have a family its even harder to figure out what to do with all of the free stuff. My parents do appreciate the goody bags though.
Its too bad you missed the after-Thanksgiving sale, tons of free after ECB stuff, I used my profit to but a Christmas tree =)
Corrine – There wasn’t a CVS within 300 miles of where I was over the Thanksgiving weekend! (Don’t rub it in…;-))
I used the prescription coupon from the $3/$15 ad, I think the reason it’s not linking to CVS is because it says through Oct. 20 (the ad is for picking up something at CVS) but the coupons are good through the end of the year. I’m going to have to exchange the 12 packs of Mtn Dew I bought for Diet Mtn Dew, but it was better to buy regular than not to get the savings. You did great! I couldn’t get the Kashi coupons to print before I left, I’m trying to get our printable coupon issues worked out so I can take advantage of the deals. Thanks for the reminder to pray and give God the glory!!!
Sounds like you got a pretty great deal! Our household has been so blessed by the CVS program.
With all the great deals and coupons available, I too run into difficulty actually finding enough stuff at CVS that we can use to take advantage of all the Extra Care Bucks.
Thanks for Sharing,
Trixie
I like the little hand grabbing for the goods in the photo! 🙂
Ok, I loved that you prayed first. Because I am all about prayers like that!! God loves to hear from his girls.
I am not addicted yet…but I know I need to learn the ropes!
-Missy
I too loved that you prayed first! And God dies bless our efforts to save money. Praise the Lord!!
I am also addicted to CVS and ECB’s!! It is such a thrill to save money and to turn around and help those in need with the extra items that I may not use!
Great Blog!