$2.05 out of pocket, $10 in ECB at CVS!

It seems like every other week I've received a coupon in the email from CVS.  This week, like clockwork, a $4 off $20 arrived.  This was great, because I really wanted to take advantage of the $3 ECB for cereal and milk deal, and I wanted to get candy for my daughter's birthday.

Here's what I got:

2 boxes Frosted Mini-Wheats @ 2/$5
1 gallon milk @ $3.19  (Received $3 ECB for cereal and milk)
1 Colgate Total @ $2.99 (Received $2 ECB)
2 Hershey's Kisses, 12 oz @ 2/$6
1 Hershey's Kisses, 19.7 oz @ $4 (Received $5 ECB for purchasing $10 in candy)

Total product: $21.18

Coupons:
$4 off purchase of $20 or more
$1 off 2 boxes of Frosted Mini-Wheats (4/11 RP)
75¢ off Colgate Total
$1/3 Hershey's Kisses (4/11 SS)

Total after coupons:  $14.43
Tax: 60¢
Paid with $12.98 in ECBs from previous trips
Total out of pocket: $2.05

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CVS: Cereal and milk for $2.69!

CVS is having a great deal this week (4/18-4/24), according to my local ad.

Buy two Kellogg's cereal or bars listed AND a gallon of milk, get $3 in ECBs.

(Note: I did not see this deal in an online ad scan, so it may be a regional deal.  Please check your local ad - it was on page 4, along with the 2/$5 deal on Kellogg's cereal.)

Here are some deal ideas:

Buy 2 Special K cereal @ 2/$5
Buy one gallon milk @ $3.19
Use one B1G1 Kellogg’s Special K Cereal or Low Fat Granola Cereal (signup required)
$2.69 after coupon and ECBs

Buy 2 All-Bran and one gallon milk
Use $1.50/2 coupon in 3/28 RedPlum insert
$3.69 after coupon and ECBs

Buy 2 Mini-Wheats or All-Bran and one gallon milk
Use $1/2 coupon in 4/11 RedPlum insert
$4.19 after coupon and ECBs

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Goodnites on sale at Walgreens 3/21 - 3/27

This week, Walgreens is having a Register Rewards deal - Buy three or more of the following products and get a $5 in Register Rewards: Huggies diapers or wipes, Goodnites, Kotex feminine care products, or Poise or Depend products.

If you buy Goodnites, this is a pretty good deal. Here's how to get each pack for $5.83:

3 Goodnites @ $8.99 = $26.97
- 3 $1.50 off Goodnites coupons from the 2/28 SmartSource insert
- $5 in Register Rewards
= $17.47 + tax after coupons and Register Rewards
= $5.83 per pack

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CVS trip - $1.35 out of pocket, $11.99 ECBs!

I wasn't planning on going to CVS today, but I checked my email and found a $4 off $20 coupon there that expired today.  So I hurriedly checked out the deals, made my plan, and ran over there!  Luckily, there's a CVS right outside my neighborhood.  Being a Walgreens customer for many years, I had never gone in there until I started doing coupons and deals.  Now it's a regular stop for me.

Here's what I got:
1 Bayer Contour monitor @ $14.99
1 Colgate Sensitive @ $3.99
1 Crest Pro Health rinse @ $3.99
Total before coupons:  $22.97

Coupons:
$4 off purchase of $20 or more from email
Up to $30 off Bayer Monitor from 10/25 Smartsource insert (rang up as $14.00 - see below)
$1 off Colgate Sensitive from April All You magazine
$2 off Crest rinse from 2/7 Procter & Gamble insert
Total after coupons =  $1.97

Paid with $1 ECB from previous trip
Total after ECBs =97¢
Tax = 38¢
Total out of pocket = $1.35

ECBs received:
$5 from Bayer monitor
$3.99 from Colgate
$2 from Crest
$1 from using my green bag tag four times
Total ECBs = $11.99

The Bayer monitor coupon should have been $14.99, not $14.  But the cashier and the manager had such a tough time ringing up that coupon that I let the mistake go.  First, they couldn't scan or type in the coupon, then the manager's keytag (needed to override the coupon amount) wouldn't scan properly.  I ended up waiting about ten minutes until they figured out the problem.  By then, I didn't want to correct them and go through the whole process again.  So, I could've saved the $1 ECB that I ended up spending.  Still, I think I did a great deal!

Check out Money Saving Mom, Deal Seeking Mom, The Centsible Sawyer, and Keeping the Kingdom First for more great CVS deals, and Couponing to Disney for other great deals!

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Are Walgreens Savings Book coupons store coupons or manufacturer's coupons?

Well, hmmm.

Yesterday, I ranted about blog deals, specifically about how I couldn't use a Walgreens coupon savings book coupon along with a manufacturer's coupon when it was stated that I could, because the coupon savings book coupons seemed to be manufacturer's coupons, and you can't use two manufacturer's coupons on one item.

Several of you commented on it - thank you! - saying that the Walgreens coupon savings book coupons are indeed Walgreens store coupons, and not manufacturer's coupons, and thus the deal should have worked, and did for some.

I did a little searching and found a Walgreens coupon policy that said that you could you a Roto coupon (i.e., the 7 day coupons in the ads), a Instant Value coupons (the coupons in the savings books, coloring books, or other Walgreens sources), and a manufacturer's coupon on the same item.  So according to that, I should have been able to use the savings book coupon and the manufacturer's coupon.

And yes, the savings book coupon has a 4-digit code like the 7-day coupons, and not a UPC symbol starting with 5 or 9, like most manufacturer's coupon.  And in the corner it says "Good at Walgreens."

However, the coupons in the March savings book clearly state, "Manufacturer coupon good only at Walgreens."

Just for the heck of it, I found some Instant Value Coupons that I had from the Walgreens Coloring Book last fall.  They, too, have a four-digit code on them.  But they say "Good only at Walgreens."  No mention of them being manufacturer's coupons.  So clearly (to me) the coloring book coupon are store coupons, and thus can be stacked with a manufacturer's coupon.

As for the Savings Book coupons...  I am wondering if Walgreens recently changed their policy on the Instant Value Coupons.  Anybody have a previous month's savings book and can compare the language there?

Or maybe the "Manufacturer coupon good at Walgreens" is just a mistake?

What I think it comes down to is, who pays Walgreens for the coupon?  If it's the manufacturer, then it's a manufacturer coupon regardless of the bar code.  If it's Walgreens themselves, then it's a store coupon.  I don't have the answer to this, though I may contact Walgreens for further information.

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My pet peeve with blog deals

One of my favorites snacks is the Planters Fruit and Nut trail mix.  I discovered it at a rest stop while on a road trip, when I was looking for something healthy to nosh on.  It's yummy and fairly healthy, though it does have added sugar and sulfites... but compared to a lot of snacks, it's pretty good for you.

So I was really excited to see a deal on a blog that described how to get two free trail mix packages at Walgreens.  The idea was to combine a sale at Walgreens, two coupons from Facebook along with a coupon from a savings book available at the store.

The problem is, the coupon in the savings book was a manufacturer's coupons, not a store coupon.  And you can't use two manufacturer's coupons on one item.  So this deal didn't work for me.

Now, I don't mean to pick on any particular blogger.  I appreciate the hard work they do to bring us amazing deals.  I couldn't save nearly as much money as I do without them.

But, it seems that many times deals are figured out in theory, but they don't work in reality.  Some of the problems I've encountered are:

Mismatch of product size.  For instance, the sale is only on the 12 oz size of the product, but the coupon specifically says 16 oz or larger.  It can't be used for the sale.

Mismatch of product variety.   As a made-up example, the sale is on the chocolate variety of Cheerios, but the coupon specifically says it's for the original Cheerios variety.

The product isn't available at that store.  Some stores only carry a limited selection of an item - they don't carry all the possible flavors and varieties.  They may have a sale on say, all varieties of Cheerios, but they don't happen to carry the chocolate kind, for instance. So you can't use a coupon for the chocolate variety of Cheerios at this sale, since you can't buy the product there.

The coupon expires before the end of the sale.  This is okay if the blogger specifically mentions that the coupon will expire on such-and-such a date; then I know I have to get that deal before the expiration date, and if not, it's my fault.  But sometimes expiration dates are forgotten, and the deal only works for the first day or two of the sale. 

A deal mistakes a manufacturer's coupon for a store coupon, and vice versa.  As I showed in my example above.

Part of the problem is that a single blogger's mistake (and we all make mistakes, of course!) is compounded by dozens of other bloggers copying the same deals.  So, as a blogger myself, I try not to post deals unless I've confirmed that they really work.  The downside is that I may not report on a deal early enough for readers to take advantage of the deal for themselves.

I guess the moral of the story is to check out all deals yourself before trying them at the store!  If you think there's a problem, there probably is.

And the trail mix?  Even though I didn't get it for free, I was still able to use the two coupons from Facebook and get them for 49¢ each.  Still a good deal!

Read more pet peeves at Friday Fails and Friday Frustrations.

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Winn-Dixie Passover food deals

Winn-Dixie has lots of great deals on Passover food this week.

The ad also has a manufacturer's coupon for Streit's 5 lb. matzos. This looks to be the same coupon that appeared in the RedPlum insert this week. Unfortunately, it's not a Winn-Dixie store coupon, so you can only use this one or the RedPlum one, not both for the same product.  Still, if you didn't get the RedPlum insert, you have another chance at a money-saving coupon for matzah!

The deals are:

• 67¢ - Menorah memorial candle
• $1.34 - Yehuda matzos, 1 lb
• $1.34 - Osem Israel matzo, 1 lb
• $1.34 - Osem Israel whole wheat matzo, 1 lb
• $1.50 - Silver Spring horseradish, 5 oz 
• $1.50 - Winn-Dixie baby cut carrots
• $1.50 - Manischewitz matzo ball & soup or matzo ball mix (buy one at $2.99, get one free)
• $2.50 - Tabatchnick chicken broth, 32 oz
• $2.50 - Reynolds Wrap heavy duty aluminum foil, 37.5 sq ft
• $3.00 - Streit's egg matzo, 12 oz
• $3.00 - Manischewitz matzo meal
• $3.00 - Manischewitz mato farfel
• $3.00 - Manischewitz cake meal
• $3.50 - Manischewitz wine, 750 ml
• $3.50 - Mainschewitz or assorted Gefen macaroons, 10 oz
• $4.00 - Kedem grape juice, 64 oz, regular or light
• $6.99 - Manischewitz gefilte fish, 24 oz
• $9.99 -Streit's Passover matzo, 5 lb (with coupon)

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Children's Tylenol and Colgate deals at Walgreens

One of my children is has a cold and is staying home from school today, and we're running low on children's cold medicine.  That's why I was happy to see that Children's Tylenol Cold was part of the Tylenol deal running at Walgreens this week:

Buy any two participating cold and allergy relief products (Benadryl, Sudafed, Tylenol, or Zyrtec brands), get $5 in Register Rewards.

I purchased two bottles of Children's Tylenol Cold & Cough liquid medicine @ $4.99, and used two $2 off Tylenol Cold printable coupons (hit your browser's back button for a second printing).  Total cost after coupons and Register Rewards was 98¢, or 49¢ each!

I also got a tube of Colgate Sensitive for $3.99, used a $1 off Colgate Sensitive coupon, and received $4 in Register Rewards.  Moneymaker!  I don't use Colgate, but my parents do, so the next time they visit I will give it to them.

Also this trip I purchased a 5 lb bag of flour using this deal and paid 75¢.  I only wish I had printed more coupons - when I went to Coupons.com to print another from a different computer, they were gone!  I really mean it when I say to print online coupons as soon as you see them.

And, I got a box of Royal gelatin for 20¢ because I needed an extra item.  I was using five manufaturer's coupons, including a $5 Register Rewards I got two weeks ago, and only had four items.  Walgreens won't allow you to have more manufacturer's coupons than items (Walgreens store coupons don't count toward this), so the extra item was necessary.  When I need an extra item, I prefer to buy the cheapest food item I can find, and if I don't need it, I'll donate it to a food drive.

Altogether I spent $5.16 out of pocket and received $9 in Register Rewards.  Yay!

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Look what I got for $18.12 at Publix!

I made a trip to Publix yesterday for the Kellogg's sale, as well as to use the coupons for free bread that I had. I was really happy to find two blinkie coupons that helped me save even more!  I found a $2/2 Kraft shredded cheese, which helped with the bread deal, and a $1/2 Rice Krispies coupon, which replaced the $1/3 I had planned to use, and thus I only bought 4 boxes instead of 6.

Here's what I got for $18.12:

4 Kellogg's Rice Krispies @ $3.99 (I got the price right!) = $15.96
- $7.98 from Kellogg's 50% off sale
- 4 55¢ store coupons from the "Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids" booklet
- 2 $1/2 manufacturer's blinkie coupons
= $3.78 for four boxes, or 95¢ per box

2 boxes Quaker Instant Oatmeal @ $3.89 = $7.78
- $3.89 (BOGO)
- 2 $1 off coupons
= $1.89 for two boxes, or 95¢ per box

2 Publix Premium 100% whole wheat bread @ $1.69 each = $3.38
2 8 oz Kraft shredded cheese @ $1.67 each = $3.34
2 12 oz Kraft Singles @ $2 each = $4
Total product cost = $10.72
- 2 $2 off Publix bread coupons
- 1 $2/2 Kraft shredded cheese coupons
= $4.72

6 Dannon yogurt @ 40¢ = $2.40
- 60¢/6 coupon
= $1.80

1 carton strawberries, $1.67
- $1 off produce coupon from the Publix calendar
= 67¢

1 gallon milk @ $3.19 (no coupons)

1 bunch bananas @ $2.07 (no coupons)

Total spent: $18.12

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Free bread at Publix!

Woohoo, free bread at Publix, plus overage if your store allows it! I love free bread!

I found this printable coupon for $2 off Publix bread when you buy 1 Kraft shredded cheese and 1 Kraft Singles.   I bought the premium whole wheat bread, which cost $1.69, and received the overage.  There are even cheaper Publix breads available, but I try to only buy 100% whole grain breads.

NOTE: It appears that since I printed out this coupon, Kraft has changed the coupon. It's now for $2 off Publix bread when you buy 1 Kraft shredded cheese and 1 Kraft Deli Deluxe cheese slices.

I also found at Publix $2/2 blinkies for Kraft shredded cheese - I took several for future use :-) .  Kraft shredded cheese is on sale 3/$5 until Wednesday, and Kraft Singles are 2/$4, also until Wednesday.

So this is what I got for this deal:

2 Publix Premium 100% whole wheat bread @ $1.69 each = $3.38
2 8 oz Kraft shredded cheese @ $1.67 each = $3.34
2 12 oz Kraft Singles @ $2 each = $4
Total product cost = $10.72

- 2 $2 off Publix bread coupons
- 1 $2/2 Kraft shredded cheese coupons
Total coupons: $6

Total out-of-pocket: $4.72!

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Cookies and milk for under $2 at Target!

Today I got a gallon of milk and an 18-oz package of Oreos for under $2 at Target!

By becoming a fan of Nabisco Cookies on Facebook, on Monday I was able to print a coupon for free Nabisco cookies (6-24 oz) when you buy a gallon of milk. I paired this with a $1 off Target store coupon for Oreos, 18 oz or larger. (I had received this coupon along with several other Target store coupons in an insert that came with my newspaper a few weeks ago.) They took both coupons and gave me $1 overage toward the milk, which cost $2.99. So the milk and cookies together cost $1.99!

If you missed the free cookies coupon, don't worry - they will be giving away a coupon on the first Monday of every month!  (While you're becoming a fan of Nabisco Cookies, also become a fan of Frugal Follies!  Sorry, though, I won't be giving away free cookie coupons... ) If you did get a coupon, note that it expires on March 4th - so go get your cookies!

My kids think storebought cookies are a treat. They don't realize that for most kids, homemade cookies are the real treat. I guess the three rolls of chocolate chip freezer cookie dough I made for Freezer Cooking Day will get to sit in the freezer for a little longer!

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Look what I got for $7.95 at Winn-Dixie!

I took a run down to Winn-Dixie this morning, to get some Grape-Nuts (my husband loves them).  I rarely go there, because it's out of the way, the parking lot is lousy, and the prices are in general more expensive than Publix (surprising, huh?).

But I'm glad I went, because I found out that the store is moving to another shopping center nearby.  It's a much nicer, more accessible plaza, with a better parking lot.  (They still have to work on the price thing.)  Best of all, the new location is a few doors down from a deli where we often have Sunday morning breakfast - I'll be able to pop into Winn-Dixie and get some deals there more often!

I also found some Philadelphia cream cheese on closeout for $.75.  I had a $1.00 manufacturer's coupon from Publix Grape magazine.  Unfortunately, they wouldn't give me the overage, but it was free!

So here's what I got at Winn-Dixie:

2 Kellogg's Rice Krispies - $1.99, with a $1/2 coupon from the 1/10 Redplum insert
2 * $1.99 = $3.98 before coupons
$3.98 - $1.00 = $2.98 after coupons

2 Post Grape-Nuts - BOGO at $3.99, plus an instant $1.00 off, plus $1/2 coupon from the 1/17 Smartsource insert
$3.99 - $1.00 - $1.00 = $1.99 after coupons

W-D brand shredded mozzarella cheese - $1.49

W-D brand shredded sharp cheddar cheese - $1.49

Philadelphia cream cheese, tomato and basil flavor - $.75, with a $1.00 coupon
$.75 - $.75 (adjusted from $1.00) = FREE!

Total out-of-pocket: $7.95

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Look what I got for $1.56 at CVS!

I made two runs to CVS over the past two days.  I got all this for $1.56 out-of-pocket, plus I earned $2 in ECBs!

4 Ivory soap 3-packs - $.99 cents each, with 4 $1.00 off coupons from the 12/27 P&G insert

4 * $.99 = $3.96 before coupons
$3.96 - $4.00 = $.04 overage

1 Crest tartar control toothpaste, $1.99, earn $1 ECB, with 1 $.75 off coupon from the 1/17 P&G insert
$1.99 - $.75 = $1.24 after coupons

tax - $.36

Total: $1.24 - $.04 + $.36 = $1.56 out-of-pocket

And the second ECB?  I got one for having my green bag tag rung up four times.

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Wal-Mart and Penn-Dutch shopping trips 1/20/10

I finished my shopping for the week at Wal-Mart and Penn-Dutch this morning. Penn-Dutch is a 2-store chain in my area, specializing in meats, seafood, and vegetables. I will assume that you know what Wal-Mart is. :)

At Penn-Dutch, I limited my purchases to fruits and vegetables on sale, as I am doing the Eat from the Pantry Challenge. I bought

green peppers - .98 lb. at $.69/lb = $.68
lettuce - 1, $.89
celery - 1 , $.89
3-lb bag apples, 1, $1.99
cantaloupe - 1, $1.49

At Wal-Mart, I only bought the basics, as well as honey for baking and a bottle of mouthwash we needed.

Crest Pro-Health - $3.47, minus $.75 coupon in 12/27 P&G
1 gallon milk - $2.98
1 dozen eggs - $1.18
2 loaves whole wheat bread - $1.52
1 package tortillas - $.92
1 bottle honey - $3.22

Total spent at Penn-Dutch was $5.94, and I spent $14.27 at Wal-Mart. That should be it for the week! In total, I spent $54.52 this week, more than five dollars under budget.

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