My Rite Aid trip did not go according to plan...

I had a plan. I did. It was a good plan. But, sometimes things don’t go according to plan.

Sometimes, they go better.

I had planned on purchasing about $26 in snack foods and cat food today, spending 6 RRs and only .20 cents in cash. Instead, I purchased $141.98 in snack foods, cat food, and cleaning cloths using 16 RRs and .34 cents.

I started with $24 RRs. In Belfast, I purchased:

10 TGIF potato skins snack bags, sale $1, earn $1 rr

4 Nivea lip care chap sticks, sale $1, used 2: $2/2 coupon

30 cans cat food, 10/$4, earn $1 rr, used 2- $1/15 coupon

Sub Total: $26.19

Less: $6.00 coupons

Less RR: $20.00

Total: $.19 cents

Earned: 13 RRs

I had $17RRs. In Bucksport, I had to break my order into 2 transactions to avoid spending any out of pocket. In transaction one, I purchased:

3 TGIF potato skins snack bags, sale $1, earn $1 rr

1 Combos cheddar snack bag, sale $1, earn $1 rr

3 BK Ketchup fries snack bag, sale $1, earn $1 rr

5 Lay’s Stax sour cream & onion, sale $1, earn $1 rr

5 Lay’s Stax regular, sale $1, earn $1 rr

Sub Total: $17.00

Less RR: $17.00

Total: $ nothing

Earned: 17.00 RRs

In my 2^nd transaction, I purchased:

2 Combos cheddar snack bags, sale $1, earn $1 rr

2 Combos pizza snack bags, sale $1, earn $1 rr

1 Sunday paper (for my Dad)

Sub Total: $6.00

Less RR: $6.00

Total: $ nothing

Earned: $4.00 RRs

At the Brewer Rite Aid, the shelves held one lonely TGIF bag of potato skins, which I happily added to my growing collection of snacks.

Sub Total: $1.00

Less RR: $1.00

Total: $ nothing

Earned: $1:00 RR

After the empty shelves in Brewer, I had little hope of finding anymore. But, since I was driving passed, I stopped in to Bangor. To my surprise I scored some more snacks. I found and purchased:

5 TGIF quesadilla flavored bagged snacks, sale $1, earn $1 rr

3 TGIF potato skins bagged snacks, sale $1, earn $1 rr

Sub Total: $8.00

Less RR: $8.00

Total: $ nothing

Earned: $8:00 RR

My last stop was to my friendly Hampden store. Naomi had thoughtfully limited her Customers to 3 bags each, in the hopes of spreading her stock to more people. I love this store because of their clearance food isle. I purchased:

2 TGIF potato skins bagged snacks, sale $1, earn $1 rr

In the clearance Isle, I found:

4 bags sunflower seeds, .50 cents each

2 king sized Milk chocolate Crisp bars, .50 cents each

2 bags apple newtons, .50 cents each

2 bags fig newtons, .50 cents each

2 glass microfiber cloths, .50 cents each

2 microfiber cleaning cloths, .50 cents each

Sub Total: $9.15

Less RR: $9.00

Total: $ .15

Earned: $2:00 RR

In the end, I spent .34 cents in cash and used $16 RRs.  I still have $8 RRs to use towards next week’s sales. As a side note: I do not generally go to 5 stores, but since Sean needed to go to Holden today, I tagged along. It is marginally longer to go the circular route we took, but only marginally. And, in this case, it was worth it, to me.

$26 in Products, Spend only .20 cents, Using 6 RRs?

My Plan: On Sunday, I am heading to Rite Aid

 to Purchase:

     3- BK Bagged Snacks,

     3-Lays Stax,

     3- Combos Bagged Snacks,

     3- TGIF Bagged Snacks,

     and 4 Nivea Lip Care Chapsticks

and Spend a Total of .20 Cents Cash

Transaction 1:

Buy 3- BK bagged snacks & 3- Lays Stax, Cost $6.00

Pay with 3- $2 Register Rewards = FREE

Earn 6- $1 Register Rewards

Transaction 2:

Buy 3- Combos snacks & 3- TGIF snacks, Cost $6.00

Pay with 6- $1 Register Rewards = FREE

Earn 6- $1 Register Rewards

Transaction 3:

Buy 4- Nivea Lip Care Chapsticks, Cost $4.20

Pay with two- $2/2 Nivea coupons and .20 cents

Total Cost .20 Cents

I will post pictures and let you know if this works as I am hoping it will.


Sonja ♥

Buy $114.06 in Products, Pay $6.06 Cash, Earn $29.94 RRs

I special ordered my products today at Walgreens.

My Plan: On Thursday of next week, I am going to put this plan into action. I hope I calculated everything correctly! I will keep you posted ♥

Purchase $114.06 in products, spend $6.06 in cash,

and earn $29.94 in Register Rewards

for a PROFIT of $23.94.

Transactions 1-10:

Purchase 2 bottles of Motrin PM, total $6.30 w/tax

Pay with 1- $6.00/2 coupon and .30 cents cash,

Earn $3.00 Register Reward.

Cost $3.00 cash, Earns 10- $30.00 (profit $27.00)

Transactions 11-21:

Purchase 1 Colgate Toothpaste, total $3.15 w/tax

Pay with $3 Motrin RR and .15 cents cash,

Earn $3.00 Register Reward.

Cost $1.50 cash, Earn 10- $3.00 (profit $25.50)

Transactions 22:

Purchase 3 Baby Magic Lotions, 3 Baby Magic Bath Soaps, and

1  Altoids Mint, total $19.56 w/tax

Pay with 6- $3 Colgate Register Rewards and $1.56 Cash,

Earn 6- $2.99 Register Rewards

Cost $1.56 cash, Earn 6- $2.99 (profit $23.94)

Total Cash Spent= $6.06

Total RRs Earned= 6- $2.99 & 4- $3.00 = $29.94

Harris Teeter February 22- March 1

This post is for all my Friends & Family in North Carolina, where the Harris Teeter lives. I tried to find some good match ups with sales and coupons, both printable,

e coupons, and coupons found in Sunday paper inserts. Harris Teeter doubles up to 20 coupons up to .99 cents each for VIC members with some limitations, which you can read about by clicking the link here:

http://www.harristeeter.com/promotions/online_coupons/coupon_policy.aspx

I hope you find some deals! ♥

Buy One, Get One Deals This Week

Strawberries, 1 lb. $2.49

Purina Dog Chow or Puppy Chow, 17.6-20 lb. $8.39

$2/1 Purina Puppy Chow printable
$6.39 after coupon

Entenmann's Baked Goods $1.74-$2.99

$1/1 Entenmann's Mini Cakes, Any 6 Ct.

Mayfield Ice Cream $2.84

Crystal Light, 12 qt. $2.47

$1/2 Crystal Light On-The-Go Product printable
$1.97 each after coupon

Healthy Choice Soup $1.29

$1/2 Healthy Choice Soup, exp. 2-28-11 (SS 01/02/11)
$.79 each after coupon

Smithfield Whole Boneless Pork Sirloin Roast $2.00/lb

Plumrose Sliced Bacon $2.49

Other Sales:

Fresh Whole Fryer Chicken $0.59/lb (limit 4)

Whole Boneless Beef Tenderloin $8.99/lb

93% Lean Ground Beef $2.99/lb

Jimmy Dean Fully Cooked Links & Patties 2/$7

$1.50/1 Jimmy Dean Fully Cooked Product, exp. 3-6-11 (RP 01/30/11 #2) DND
$0.75/1 Jimmy Dean Fully Cooked Product, exp. 3-6-11 (RP 01/30/11 #2) DND
$2.00 after coupon

Ball Park Angus and NY Style Beef Franks 2/$8

$0.75/2 Ball Park Product, exp. 3-6-11 (RP 01/23/11)
$3.25 each after coupon

Red Seedless Grapes $0.99/lb

Dannon Fruit on Bottom or Light & Fit 10/$5

$0.40/6 Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt, exp. 3-30-11 (SS 01/30/11)
$2.20 for 6 after coupon

Philadelphia Cream Cheese 2/$3

Yoplait Gogurt, Yumsters, or Splitz 2/$4

$0.50/1 Yoplait Splitz (GM 02/13/11)
$0.75/2 Yoplait Go-Gurt or Trix Multipack, exp. 3-26 (SS 01/30/11)
As low as $1.00 after coupon

Dannon Activia 3/$6

$1/1 Activia Dessert, exp. 2-27-11 (SS 01/30/11) (if included)
$1.00

Bagel Bites 4/$10

Lean Cuisine Market Creations 4/$10

$1/2 Lean Cuisine Market Creations, exp. 4-3-11 (SS 01/02/11)
$2.00 each after coupon

Boca Original Chik'n Patties 2/$6

$1/2 Boca Meatless Product printable
$1/2 Boca Meatless Product, exp. 2-27-11 (SS 01/02/11)
$1/2 Boca Meatless Product, exp. 2-27-11 (SS 01/02/11)
$2.50 each after coupon

Hamburger Helper 10/$10

$0.75/3 Hamburger, Tuna or Chicken Helper, exp. 2-26-11 (GM 01/02/11)
$.50 each after coupon

Uncle Ben's Ready Rice 3/$5

$1/1 Uncle Ben's Ready Rice Pouch, exp. 4-17-11 (RP 02/20/11)
$.67 after coupon

Dole Fruit Cups, 4 pk. 2/$5

$0.75/2 Dole Fruit Bowls, exp. 3-31-11 (SS 01/16/11)
$1.75 each after coupon

All Detergent, 50 oz. 2/$7

$1/1 All Laundry Detergent, exp. 2-27-11 (SS 01/16/11)
$2.50 after coupon

Tony's Pizza 5/$5

$0.50/1 or $1/2 Tony's Crispy Crust Pizza, exp. 4-30 (SS 2/13/11)DND
Free if you have the $.50/1 and your store will double DND

Red Baron 12 in. Pizza $2.77 e-Vic, limit 1 (non E-VIC price $3.77)

2 lb. 21-30 ct. EZ Peel White Shrimp (limit 10 total) Buy 2, Get 3

Jolly Time Popcorn (limit 10 total) Buy 2, Get 3 Free ($2.79 for 1)

$0.50/1 Jolly Time Microwave Popcorn, exp. 4-15-11 (SS 02/13/11)
$0.50/1 Jolly Time Pop Corn, exp. 2-28 (SS 01/09/11)
$3.58 for 5 after 2 coupons

Harris Teeter Milk, gallon (excludes organic) $2.77

When is $3.99 a better deal than $2.99?

When I compared this week’s sales flyers, I saw something interesting and thought it a good illustration of how the good use of register rewards changes a sale.

This example features Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent. The detergent is currently on sale at Rite Aid for $3.99 with a $1 RR. It is on sale at Walgreens for $2.99. There is also a $1 off when you buy two, coupon available on this sale, making it even better. Is this the same sale? Which is the better bargain? In the end, both products will cost $2.49 each when you buy two. Or will they? This is where the use of RRs come into play. Let’s assume you have two $3.50 RRs from the Colgate sale last week, totaling $7.00 RRs.

Option 1: Rite Aid Scenario $3.99 each, less $1 RR

Transaction 1:

Purchase 2 Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent= $7.98

Plus .05% tax .40 cents = $8.38 *filler needed of .02 cents
Less $1.00 coupon= $7.38

Pay with $7 RR and $1.38 out of pocket,
     earn two $1 Rewards

Transaction 2:

Purchase 2 Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent= $7.98

Plus .05% tax .40 cents = $8.38 *no filler needed

Less $1.00 coupon= $7.38

Use $2.00 Rewards= $5.38 out of pocket,
     earn two $1 Rewards

Transaction 3:

Purchase 2 Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent= $7.98

Plus .05% tax .40 cents = $8.38

Less $1.00 coupon= $7.38

Use $2.00 Rewards= $5.38 out of pocket,
      earn two $1 Rewards

6 bottles cost $12. 14 out of pocket, & earn $2 Rewards=
$2.02/bottle

Option 2: Walgreens Scenario $2.99 each

Transaction 1:

Buy Six (6) Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent= $17.94

Plus .05% tax .90 cents = $18.84

Less three (3) $1.00 coupon= $15.84 out of pocket=
$2.64/bottle

On a level playing field, without rewards, the lower price is a better deal, but this is where those register rewards really adds up. And, the $2 left over rewards from this sale can be rolled towards next week’s sale ♥

Walgreens February 27- March 5

There are some pretty good Freebies at Walgreens this week; enough so that I will go in and try my hand at procuring some of them. Walgreens is hit or miss for me, but it is always an adventure. I am looking forward to the day when ever friendly Manager, Eric does not have to come over to fix something to make my order go through without the dreaded beeeeeep. I’ll keep you all posted. In the meantime, this is the list of sale items that caught my attention:
♥ Freebies:

Baby Magic Lotion or Hair & Body Wash
Sale $3, Earn $3 Rewards
           

How to Get it FREE:

            Spend $3 cash or rewards, get $3 rewards = FREE

Colgate Total Gum Defense or Total Advance
Toothpaste, Sale $2.99, Earn $2.99 Rewards

How to Get it FREE:

            Spend $2.99 cash or rewards, get $2.99 rewards = FREE

Motrin IB Pain Relief (20 count) Sale $3,
Earn $3 Rewards

How to Get it FREE:

            Spend $2.99 cash or rewards, get $2.99 rewards = FREE

            How to make a $2.70 profit:
 Buy 2, Use one: $6/2 Zytec 25 ct, Pepcid, Mortin PM, Precise Cream coupon

       
           Print here: www.smartsource.com (will go fast)

            Or Order from: www.couponsthingsbydede.com cost .35 cents each + shipping

Final Cost .30 cents (tax), earn $3 RR= $2.70 profit on two

 
Naso Gel Drip Free Spray Gel (1 oz) Sale $4.99,
Earn $4.99 Register Rewards

How to Get it FREE:

            Spend $4.99 cash or rewards, get $4.99 rewards = FREE

Super Poligrip Free (.75 oz) Sale $1.99,
Earn $1.99 Register Rewards

How to Get it FREE:

            Spend $1.99 cash or rewards, get $1.99 rewards = FREE


♥ In This Week’s Sales Flyer:

Altoids Mints (.37oz or 1.75oz) Sale .69 cents,

Limit 4

Welch’s 100% Grape Juice Sale (64 oz) 2/$5.00

            Use two, $1/1 Welch’s Grape Juice (redplum insert 2/20)
            *I have 3 of these if anyone needs them*

Final Price: 2/$3.00 or $1.50 each

Simply Orange Juice (59 oz) 2/$6.00

            Use two, $1/1 Simply Orange Juice coupons
                  Click Colored Link Here to Print Two:

$1/1 Simply Orange juice coupon (coupons.com) -or-

            “Like” Simply Orange on Facebook  (facebook.com)

Final Price 2/$4 or $2 each

*These never last long. Hope you can print one! ♥ Also, Target puts these on sale for $2 each often, which would make them about $1 each with Coupon

Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light Tuna  (5oz)
Sale .69 cents

Limit 3, Must Use In Ad Coupon for Sale Price

Gillette Fusion Pro Glide Razor System,
Sale $9.99 Earn $4 Register Reward

How to Get This Deal:
Buy One,Use One $4/1 Gillette Fusion Pro Glide Coupon
(Smartsource Insert)
*I have 4 of these if anyone needs one*

Final Retail $1.99

Nivea Lip Care, Sale (17 oz) $2.99, Earn $2 Rewards

How to Get it FREE:
Buy Two, Use One: $2/ 2 Nivea Lip Care (facebook.com) = FREE

Click the colored link to print the coupon

You can print these coupons twice only. This is a good back up plan; in case you miss Nivea at Rite Aid this week. ♥

Rite Aid Sales February 27-March 5

I have begun to put together my coupons with upcoming sales for next week and so far, these are the items I have found. As I find more sale/coupon matches, I will update this blog to contain those, too, so check back again, friends. Keep in mind, freebies which do not require a coupon match, such as the TGIF Combos and Lays Stacks below, will be emptied from the shelves quickly. The flyer does not limit quantities, but the store may. If you want to stock up, visit your store and special order what you need.

FYI:

Belfast Rite Aid gets their supply truck on Thursdays;

Hampden Rite Aid gets their supply truck on Wednesdays & Saturdays.

Happy Shopping!

Sonja ♥

 ♥ Freebies:

Sambucol Tablets 30 ct Sale $1 each

  

How to Get it FREE:

            Use: $1 Sambucol, any (bricks.com) = FREE

Click colored link to print coupon

Nivea Lip Care .17 oz Sale $1 each

How to Get it FREE:

Buy 2, Use: $2/ 2 Nivea Lip Care (facebook.com) = FREE

Click colored link to print coupon

TGI Friday's, Combos 6.3-7 oz Sale $1

           

           *ONLY UNTIL MARCH 1st*

How to Get it FREE:

Spend $1 cash/rewards, get $1 +up (RR) = FREE 

Lay's Stax 5.5-5.75 oz Sale $1

            

            *ONLY UNTIL MARCH 1st*

How to Get it FREE:

Spend $1 cash/rewards, get $1 +up (RR) = FREE

♥ In This Week's Sales Flyer:

 Dove Bath Bars 8 Pack Sale $8.99,
earn $2 +up Rewards= $6.99 

        
                Use: coupon $1.25/1 Dove Bath Bar 6 ct or larger
            *I have several if anyone needs one*

Final Cost $5.74 or .72 cents each bar

Gillette Fusion Pro Glide Razor Sale $9.99,
earn $3 +up Rewards= $6.99

                Use: coupon $4.00/1 Gillette Fusion Pro Glide Razor
            *I have several if anyone needs one*

Final Cost $2.99 each

Kellogg’s Smart Start Cereal 11.4-14oz -or-
Special K Cereal Bars 6 count- Sale Buy 1, Get 1 FREE

Use two: $1/1 Smart Start Cereal coupons

*I have several if anyone needs them*

-or- Use one:  $.75/2 Special K Cereal Bars coupons

*I have several if anyone needs them*

This sale also includes Special K cereal, Fiber Plus cereal, and Fiber Plus cereal bars, but I do not have the coupons for those items.

Final Cost: Varies

Arm & Hammer Laundry (45-50 oz) Sale $3.99,
earn $1 +up Reward= $2.99

Buy 2, Use one: $1/2 Arm & Hammer Laundry coupon

*I have 5 of these is anyone needs them*

Final Cost: 2 for $4.98 or $2.49 each bottle

Folgers Coffee (10.5-11.5 oz) Sale $2.99

Buy 2, Use one: $1/2 Folgers Coffee coupon

*I have 5 of these if anyone needs them*

Final Cost: 2 for $4.98 or $2.49 each can

Or Print and Use: $2.50/2 Folgers with purchase of two Folgers coffee 3 oz or greater, excluding K cup Portion Packs coupon (coupons.com page 1) by

clicking this link:

http://www.coupons.com

Final Cost: 2 for $3.48 or $1.74 each can

Friskies Wet Cat Food (5.5oz cans)
Sale 10/$4.00, earn $1 +up Reward= 10/$3.00

              Buy 30 cans, Use two: $1/15 Friskies cans coupons
             *I have 4 of these if anyone needs them*

             -Or- Click this link to print 2 coupons (coupons.com page 9)


                 http://www.coupons.com/


Final Cost: 30 for $7.00 or .23 cents each can

Sometimes Unexpected Glitches Just Happen…

I already earned my $20 Winter Rewards RR on my account. I already earned the $20 Winter Rewards on my Grandmother’s account. I have been working to earn the reward on my Mother’s account. I understand how to do it, but my understanding the system, does not necessarily mean that the system will work perfectly every time. Case in point…

Last Monday night, I walked into Rite Aid expecting to purchase some Depends underwear for my Grandmother. They were not on sale, but I had a coupon and I had a 10% off reward to use. This is not my normal purchasing attitude, but I only had a week left to get my Mother from $47 to her $100 Winter Reward goal and she was going to purchase the Depends somewhere- it might as well add to earning rewards. $19.99 less 10%, less $2.00 was worth it, in this instance. This purchase should have brought the total to nearly $67, but when I got my receipt, it only showed earning a mere $21 towards the $100 needed. Confused, the kindly store manager made a quick call to 1-800 Rite Aid. I was informed that it would be credited shortly. So, I waited and expected all to be put right- eventually. Knowing I had until Saturday, I did not panic… yet.

On Tuesday, I stopped in for some Edy’s ice cream, (which was on sale) in the hopes that the receipt would now be printing the proper totals. It was. And, once my new purchases had been added, the total was sitting at $76. All was good in the world.  

On Wednesday, after talking over the sense of stocking up with my Mother, I decided to purchase another package of Depends, since my last coupon would expire this week and that purchase would bring me within $4 of the needed amount. I calculated carefully my transactions. My plan was brilliant, or so I thought.

The Plan:

Transaction 1:

1 Depends- $19.99- less 10%, -less $2 coupon= $16.98
2 Right Guard Body Wash- $8.38, earn $6RR

2 Purex All-In-One- $7.98 B1G1 -less 2-$3/1 coupons= $2.38 Total $27.74, pay with $10RR and $17.74 cash, and earn $20RR + 2- $3RR from Right Guard

Transaction 2:

5 Johnson & Johnson Baby Soap- $2.99, earn $2RR each

1 Desitin Lotion- $2.99, earn $2RR

1 Q Tip- $2.99, earn $2RR

Total: $21.98, pay with $20RR and $1.98 cash, earn $14RR

But, I completed my first transaction and *surprise!* no $20RR printed and the total at the bottom of the receipt only reflected my current purchases. So, I called 1-800-Rite Aid, again, and was informed that the system had not updated, but would within 48 hours, and if not, I could call back and the rewards would be mailed to me instead. So… I decided to forgo making any purchases for transaction 2 and wait. I wanted to gift those lotions to a friend expecting a baby; spending $0 for them was in the budget, spending $21, was not.

This illustrates that sometimes the best laid plans can go awry. It is not pleasant when they do, but sometimes things just happen. When they do:

1. Be polite to the store staff. Even though it is frustrating, it is not their fault.

2. Contact the person who can remedy the situation. Sometimes, that is a clever clerk; sometimes it is the corporate office.

3. Keep your receipts in case you need proof that you are entitled to a reward or refund.

4. Follow the instructions you are given- even if it means waiting 48 hours- seriously???

5. Remember, you win some and you lose some. This is not the only sale there will ever be on this product. The product on the shelf is not the last being made on Earth, ever again. And, in the large scheme of things, it is just not the end of the world.

As it now stands, I am in a holding pattern. I will wait until Friday and attempt to buy a package of Mentos, which I can get for .25 cents by using a coupon and I hope it triggers the $20 Reward. If it does, I have some baby lotions to buy. If not, I will take my own advice.

I’ll let you know how it goes.