CVS with the Family

We had an hour to kill before the kids bedtime so we loaded up in the minivan and headed down the road to CVS.  I had some items to purchase before the end of their sale week and never had time prior to today.  Here's our trip broken down.

Transaction #1
1 Venus Breeze Razor - $11.99
Used $4/1 mfg. coup
Used $3 rewards bucks from last weeks shopping
PAID = $5.40 + $5 rewards bucks

Transaction #2
1 gallon milk - $2.99
2 packs Gillette Disposable Razors (4 ct. each) - $9.99 each
Used $3/1 mfg. coup
Used BOGO mfg. coup (it actually took of $12.99)
Used $5 rewards bucks from TR #1
PAID = $2.07 + $5 rewards bucks

Transaction #3
2 jumbo packs Pampers Cruisers - $9.50 each
2 - 2liter Diet Mountain Dews - 99 cents each
1 tube Gillette Clinical Deodorant - $9.99
1 tube Secret Clinical Deodorant - $9.49
Used $1/1 Gillette mfg. coup
Used $1/1 Secret mfg. coup
Used $3/2 Pampers mfg. coup
Used $5 rewards from TR #2
PAID = $26.89 + $10 Shell gas card

Everything on-sale, without coupons and tax should have cost me $75.42.  I paid a total of $24.36 for everything.  If you think my math is a little off with couponing you take the total and subtract any additional coupons or extras you get at the end - like the $10 gas card.

Happy Labor Day Weekend!!  It's our 7 year anniversary on Sept. 3rd - our plan --> maybe order take out!

CVS Trip

I'm doing things a little differently.  I will be listing each separate transaction so you can see how the rewards dollars work for you IF you have several separate transactions.  The best time of the day to do these multiple transactions is early in the morning or late at night.  Lunch and dinner time are the worst because you're holding up the line for a long period of time, the cashiers get frustrated, and it can cause more stress for you. 

I was at CVS at 7:10am - they opened at 7am - and I was the only person in the store besides the two employees.  Also, make a list of your transactions before going shopping and inform the cashier that you'll be making multiple purchases.  I like to group my items by transaction and lay the coupons on top.  It speeds things up and makes for a much easier experience for you and the cashier.

Transaction #1
1 bottle Revlon Nailpolish - $4.99
1 box (20 ct.) Gas-X - $6.39
Used $1/1 Revlon Nails
Used $5 CVS Beauty Club coup
Used $1.25/1 Gas-X manufacture coup
Used $2/1 Gas-X CVS coup
PAID = $2.24 + $3 rewards bucks for nailpolish

Transaction #2
2 boxes Puffs plus Lotion - $1.50 each
1 pack Charmin (16 roll) - $9.99
2 packs Bounty paper towels (12 roll) - $9.99 each
Used $1/2 puffs coup
Used .25/1 Charmin coup
Used 2 $1/1 Bounty coup
Used $3 rewards buck from TR#1
Used $3 rewards buck from last weeks couponing
PAID = $25.68 + $10 rewards bucks

Transaction #3
1 bottle Revlon Nailpolish - $4.99
3 multipacks of Stride gm - $2.99 each
Used $1/1 Revlon Nails coup
Used $1/3 Stride multipacks coup
PAID = $12.95 + $3 rewards bucks for nailpolish

Transaction #4
1 tube Right Guard Deodorant - $2.99
1 bottle CVS brand lotion (24 oz.) - $4.59
Used $1/1 Right Guard coup
Used $3/1 CVS lotion coup
PAID = $3.81 + $1 rewards bucks for deodorant

Transaction #5
1 tube Right Guard deodorant
Used $1/1 Right Guard coup
Used $1 rewards bucks from TR#4
PAID = 99 cents + $1 rewards bucks for deodorant

Transaction #6
1 16oz. bottle of hydrogen peroxide - .99
1 tube CVS diaper rash cream - $6.29
1 pack of pocket tissues (8 pack) - $2.49
1 pack Extra gum (filler) - $1.37
Used $10 rewards from TR #2
Used $1 rewards from TR #5
PAID = 14 cents

COST WITHOUT COUPONS: $80.02
TOTAL COST OF TRIP: $45.81 - $3 = $42.81 or $2.38 per item
* I was never able to use the $3 rewards bucks from Transaction #3.

Grocery Store Blitz

I don't normally hit a bunch of stores for little trips with the kiddos in tow, but wanted to get the savings and beat this oppressive Texas heat and humidity. So we were up bright and early, had breakfast and was out the door by 8:30am - this was quite an accomplishment in itself.

First we went to HEB.  They were still running a combo loco from last week that I wanted in on.  Buy a jar of Hellmann's Mayonaise, get an HEB loaf of bread and 6.4 oz. packet of Starfish Tuna for free.  I used my .70/1 Hellmann's coupon and spent a total of $3.08 for all three items.

Second we hit Kroger - my usual shopping store of choice.  The yogurt wasn't on my list and I didn't have coupons but I'm always checking for marked down manager's special.  Usually amazing savings - today was no different.  Here's what I purchased.

• 10 boxes Kleenex @ .99 each.  Used three .50/3 coupon.
• 1 bottle Dial handsoap @ .88. Used a .35/1 coupon.
• 1 Speed Stick deodorant @ 1.79. Used a $1/1 coupon.
•  1 - 4 pack of Stonyfield Whole Milk Yogurt. Normally $2.99 but marked to $1.49 for a quick sale.
• 3 single cups of Brown Cow organic Greek yogurt. Normally $1.09 but marked to .79 for a quick sale.

The final cost was $14.32.

Lastly we rolled into Randall's.  They had some great items on sale and some of them we could actually use - I don't stockpile items we'll never use - no matter how good the savings.  Here's what we picked up.

• Reese's Puffs Cereal @ $1.49
• Trix Cereal @ $1.49
• Fruity Cheerios @ $1.49
• Cinnamon Toast Crunch @ .49 (I kid you not that's what it rang up.)
• 2 bottles Ken's Lite Ranch Dressing @$1.19 (in-store coupon)
• 2 bags Fresh Express Spinach Salad Mix @ .99 each

Used a $1/2 General Mills cereal coupon - hence the .49 box of CTC and two $1/1 Ken's Salad Dressing coupons that brought their final cost to .19 each.  I walked out having spent only $7.32.  Plus I received a store coupon for $2/5 General Mills cereal.

I was going to reward the boys because they were such troopers during the whole grocery store blitz and let them ride the little mechanical helicopter outside Randall's - the ones that cost 50 cents to ride.  It was broken and I lost 25 cents.  Guess I was meant to keep the other 25 cents.

Happy Couponing!

P.S. Thirty-One's Fall 2012 Catalog goes live online September 1st.  Stop by my website to check out the incredible new fabrics and items.  www.mythirtyone.com/staceycdavis

A Deal Too Good to Pass Up

The boys and I ventured out to the mall today in observance of tax-free weekend!  I'm always looking for ways to save money on kids clothes and my hubby is in need of new shirts for this school year - see kids even teachers have to go back-to-school shopping.  Anyway, after weaving in and out of mall traffic our last stop was at Bath and Body Works.  Like a good couponer, I have signed up for their snail mail and email coupons and have two of them in my hot little hands.  One was for a free Signature Collection travel size item of my choice and the other was 20% off my total order.  The store was having a buy 3 get 3 free promotion (normally $11 each) and all their mini-sanitizers were 5 for $5 (normally $1.50 each).

 So I grabbed up two bottles of shower gel for each of my top 3 scents.  Their fall scents were already out and I snagged some amazing germ-fighting smells: vanilla buttercream and warm apple cider.  They make great last minute gifts, stocking stuffers, or to add in to a 31 tote give-away.  I picked a travel body spray in Japanese cherry blossom as my free item (normally $6).

 (Yes, my desk is that messy.)

My final total was $32.57.  The sanitizers ended up being .80 cents and the shower gels were $4.50. I saved $46.93...not to shabby.  And I also received another 20% off total purchase coupon and a $10 off $30 coupon for taking the online survey on the receipt!!

Blessings in a Bag

I remember, quite vividly, passing a homeless man who was standing on the side of the road holding a sign asking for help.  I remember welling up with tears and thinking, 'he reminds me of Papaw.'  My grandfather had just passed away a few weeks earlier.  The tears are flowing now as I write.

 

I wanted so bad to help this man but I rarely carry cash, am usually on the wrong side of the road or have screaming babies in the car.  God laid a burden on my heart that I needed to help.

 

Then a few weeks ago in Sunday School, our lesson was centered around Matthew 25: 34-40..."Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father...For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'  Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'  The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"

 

It was then and there that I decided to always be prepared with something when I meet another unfortunate soul.  Has this ever happened to you?  You see them and know they are in need, but you aren't sure what to do.  Handing them money is not always the best thing, but you can see that they clearly have some needs.  Thirsty?  Chapped lips?  They need help.

I began to scour the internet and thanks to Pinterest and my couponing, I've come up with a list of items to include in my 'Blessings Bag'.  I'm still working on gathering up the materials but once I have them finished there will be more pics.

 

Here's what I will fill: 

Gallon size plastic storage bags 

(I'm going to use the ones with the zip top because it's easier to open/close)

Items for the bag:

comb

 chap stick

band aids

wet wipes

socks 

bar soap

deodorant

gum/mints 

granola bars 

travel size lotion

travel pack of tissues

small notepad and pen 

peanut butter crackers

toothbrush and toothpaste

 note of encouragement

small 8oz. bottles of water

a few dollars in coins (could be used to purchase a food item)

 small Bible/tract (talk to someone at your church about these)

  

This list is only a guide not a list requirements.  Think of items that you would need if you were in their shoes.  Also remember not to include items that would melt, such as chocolate.

 

Once you have everything assembled, line the items around a table and walk around filling the bags.  This would a great way to teach your kids about helping others, or as a project to do with other families.  Each family could bring a few items and combine to help create a lot of Blessings Bags.  Store a few bags in your car so you're prepared to help in a time of need.

Coupons and Craziness

Usually by 10pm, there's no one in the store except me and the cashier, but it seemed like the "crazies" were out in droves last night while I was couponing. There were little cars booming big music and rattling their windows (ghetto sounding), barefoot kids (huge pet peeve) with their parents at almost midnight, weird guys just roaming the isles, girls eating out of take-out boxes, and crackheads.  Yes, it was a circus at Walgreens and CVS last night.

I never seem to get pictures of anything because my OCD wants me to quickly put everything away but I do have a list.

CVS

• 1 Intuition Razor
• 2 bags of Doritos
• 2 jumpo packs Pampers Baby Dry
• 1 bottle Head and Shoulders Shampoo
• 1 box Always Liners
• 1 box Always Pads
• 1 tube Covergirl Lipslicks
• 1 tube Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant
• One 12 roll pack of Scott toiletpaper

Items at normal/sale price without coupons or tax

COST = $75.71

Items with coupons and tax

$50.15

Savings = $25.56

Now, on to WALGREENS

• 2 packs Huggies wipes (184 count)
• 1 Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor
• 1 - 24 oz. bottle Jergen's Lotion
• 3 caramels (filler)
• Advil Gel Caplets (100 count)
• 5 Tide travel size packets (filler)
• 1 bottle Aussie Shampoo (will be used in a 31 Gifts give-away)
• 1 bottle Aussie Conditioner (will be used in a 31-Gifts give-away)
• 2 - 10 oz. bottles of Palmolive dish soap
• 2 - packs Starburst (great stocking stuffers)
• 1 Venus Embrace Razor (will be used as a Christmas gift)
• 2 boxes U by Kotex Liners
• 1 Reach Barbie Toothbrush (will be used as a Christmas gift)

 Items at regular/sale price without coupons or taxes:

COST = $70.17

Items with coupons and taxes:

COST = $33.41

Savings = $36.76

* And I ended up with a $2 Reach coupon and the cashier put my $4 Venus razor coupon back in the bag (although it was used)

* This is where I saw the crackheads...they were trying to step on imaginary bugs while walking through the store.

I hope everyone has a great week and happy couponing!

P.S. There's only 132 more shopping days will Christmas - yikes!

Organizing Homelife 31 Gifts Giveaway

I entered to win a great organizing tote from Thirty-One Gifts via Organizing Homelife.  Checkout the cool pics on her website of what awesome things you can do with your tote.  They come in some amazing fabrics. I like anything in polka dots.

Click here to check out their blog and enter the contest.