Walgreens: Inexpensive Razors and Cottonelle

I started my morning by visiting the Walgreen's in Belfast. I hoped to buy a couple of Schick Hydro Razor systems and a couple 12 packs of Cottonelle. Unfortunately, they were all out of the Cottonelle, so my plan needed some modification. I bought one Schick Razor System. This was on sale for $8.49. I used a coupon for $2/1, which brought my total to $6.49. I earned one $4.50 RR. Net cost on this transaction was $1.99.

Later in the afternoon, I stopped by the Walgreen's on Oak St. in Bangor. The crew there know their stuff about coupons! Abby helped me today and I couldn't have had a better experience! I was not sure that a coupon I intended to use would work for the sale I wanted to use, but it all worked out perfectly! And, she was able to confirm that when you use a Walgreen's coupon from any of their booklets, it is unnecessary to clip more than one of them. The register is programmed to take off the coupon amount from each item purchased, as it does with coupons in the flyers. The coupons read: "Limit one coupon per customer per offer", so that can be a little confusing. But, when I purchased (2) Cottonelle 12 packs today, a total of $2 was removed from my total; (1) $1/1 for each item.

With Abby's assistance, I started my transactions by purchasing (1) Gillette Venus Razor system for $9.99. I used a $2/1 coupon (10/11 PG insert) and the $4.5RR from Schick Razor (earlier). My total amounted to $4.40 and I earned $4RR. Net transaction= .40¢.

Next, I bought a Schick Hydro 4 pack cartridge on sale for $8.49. I used a $2/1 manufacturer coupon and the $4RR. My total came to $3.33 and I received a $4.50RR. Net transaction= $1.17 profit.

I repeated these two transactions another time, with the same results. Then, I purchased (1) Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor system for $9.99. I used a $5/1 manufacturer coupon and a $4.50RR. My total came to $1.40 and I earned a $4RR. Net transaction= $2.60 profit.

Finally, I bought (2) Cottonelle (12 large roll packs). These were on sale for $5.00 each, which made them about .42¢ per roll. I used (2) .75/1 manufacturer coupons and (1) $1/1 coupon from Walgreen's October Savings Book (this doubled as I explained above) and the $4RR I earned on the ProGlide System. My total came to $3.43 (.27¢/roll) and I earned a $3RR. My net transaction totalled .43¢.

Total Retail Value $72.71.
Total Cost Out of Pocket $19.61.
Savings of 77%.

*Note: In each of the above transactions, it was necessary to buy a "filler" item because I was using more manufacturer's coupons than the total of the items I was purchasing. Today, to my husband's delight, I used .39¢ vanilla caramels.

Sonja♥

Tampax Pearl from $5.79 to .95¢ at Walgreens!!!

(8) Tampax Pearl Tampons $5.79

(8) Act II Popcorn 2/$1
(1) Cottonelle 12 pk $5.00
Total Retail $55.32

But Wait! We must figure in coupons and sales...

(8) Tampax Pearl = $46.32
Less (4) Buy One, Get One Free coupon from 10/3 PG insert= $23.16
Sale Buy One, Get One 50% off = $11.58
Less (4) $1/1 coupon from 10/3 PG insert= $7.58 or .95¢ each

(1) Cottonelle 12 pk= $5.00
Less $1/1 in ad coupon= $4.00
Less .75¢/1 SS insert= $3.25 or .28¢/roll

(8) Act II Popcorn= $4.00
Less 4/$1 in ad coupon= $2.00

Total Out of Pocket= $12.83
Savings of 76%

Sonja ♥

Old Spice, New Spice, Delicious Spice...

WALGREEN'S This Week:

Old Spice Bodywash $4.49

Old Spice Deodorant $4.99

Use (1) Buy One Bodywash, Get One Deodorant Free Coupon from PG insert

Use (1) $1/2 Any Old Spice Products from PG insert

Match with Walgreen’s sale Buy One, Get One 50% Off

Final Cost: $1.25 for both or .63¢ each

I also took advantage of the sale on spices for .59¢ each.

Free Milk @ Hannaford!!!

Here is the Deal:
From now until April 10th, when you purchase Any (3) thress boxes (12 oz or larger) of Kellogg's Cereals, a Catalina Coupon will print that looks like this:

Hannaford has Kellogg's Cereals on sale for 2/$5.
I tried out this deal today. I purchased 4 boxes of cereal, used (2) $1/2 coupons (Sunday insert)= $8.00 out of pocket. I scanned my Hannaford tag and received: (1) $5 off $50 order or more and (1) Catalina for Free milk up to 3.59.

Final Cost $8.00 for 4 boxes of Cereal & 1 Gallon of Milk. Not bad, but there may be a better deal.

Looking ahead at coming sales, my mind has been working on lots of possible scenerios. Walgreen's has Kellogg's cereals on sale beginning tomorrow, (4/3/11) for $1.88 each.

If the Catalina prints there, this will be my plan:
Buy four (4) boxes= $7.52
Use (2) $1/2 coupons= $5.52 (1.38 ea)
Receive 1 Free Milk Catalina
Net Transaction=
$5.52- $3.58=$1.93 (.48 cents ea)

After sorting through all the postings nationally about this deal, this is what I think it will be for our area:

Purchase 3 boxes= 1 Free Milk (works!)
Purchase 5 boxes= 2 Free Milk
Purchase 7 boxes= 3 Free Milk
Remember, Your Mileage May Vary. These are posted nationally and don't always include us.

I need to discuss with my husband first, but I may also try this:
Buy five (5) boxes= $9.40
Use: (1) $1/2 (Sunday insert) and
(1) $1/3 (Sunday insert)= $7.40 ($1.48 ea)
It looks like .10 cents more, BUT...
Receive 2 Free Milk Catalinas ($3.59ea)
Net Transaction:
$7.40- $3.59 (2)= .22 cents (.04 cents ea)

I will update this post if I try the "2 Milk" Catalina offer to let you know if it works or not.

What deals are you excited about this week?
Sonja ♥

Coupon/Sale Match Ups: Walgreens, Tozier's Market, CVS

Hi Friends ♥

After a very refreshing week away with my handsome husband, Sean, visiting his family in North Carolina, I am back in the swing of things. I had been hoping to have some time to post while away, but there is just never enough time, is there??? Here are the match ups for next week's sales, beginning Sunday, March 27 through April 2, 2011. Happy Savings!

Walgreens:

Colgate Total Advanced or Gum Defense Toothpaste, 4 oz $3.00
Buy 2, Receive $4.00 Register Reward, Limit 1
Pay:  $4.00, Receive $4.00 Register Reward
Final Price:  Free

Edge Shave Cream or Gel, 6 or 7 oz $2.00
Buy 2, Receive $2.00 Register Reward, Limit 1
Use (2) two $0.55/1 Edge Shave Gel, SS 3/20 insert
Pay:  $2.90, Receive $2.00 RRFinal Price:  $0.45 each

Final Price:

Butterball Chicken Broth, 14.5oz sale 2/$1.00

Dove Products, 4/$15, earn $5 RR= 4/$10

Use (4) four

Final Price:

Garnier Products, 4/$14, earn $4 RR= 4/$10

Use: (4) four $1/1 Sunday insert coupons

Final Price: $1.50 each

Speedstick or Lady Speedstick Deodorant, Sale $1.99

Use (1) $1/1 Sunday insert coupon

Pay .99 cents, Receive $1 RR

Final Price: FREE

CVS:

Mars single egg, 1 oz $0.50
$1.00/2 Mars Easter Product from RP 3/20
Final Price: FREE

GUM soft picks, 15 ct. $1.51 Buy 1 Get 1 Free
$0.55/1 – GUM Go-Between Proxabrush Cleansers or Soft Picks – (betweentheethcleaning.com)
Final Price: $0.21 each when you buy 2

Skintimate moisturizing cream shave or gel, 6-10 oz $3.49
Buy 1, Receive $2.50 Extra Bucks, Limit 1
$0.55/1 Skintimate Shave Gel from SS 3/27
Pay $2.94, Receive $2.50 Extra Bucks
Final Price: $0.44

Colgate manual single toothbrush, $2.99
Buy 1, Receive $2.00 Extra Bucks, Limit 2
Use $1.00/1 Colgate Manual Toothbrush from SS 3/27
Pay $1.99, Receive $2.00 Extra Bucks
Final Price: $0.01 Moneymaker

Halls Cough drops, 30 ct. $1.87
Buy 1, Receive $1.00 Extra Bucks, Limit 2
$0.75/1 Halls Cough Drops from SS 3/27
Pay $1.53, Receive $1.00 Extra Buck
Final Price: $0.12

Physicians Formula Cosmetics, prices starting at $5.99
Buy 1, Receive $7.00 Extra Bucks, Limit 1
$1.00/1 Physicians Formula product from SS 2/27
Pay $4.99, Receive $7.00 Extra Bucks
Final Price: $2.01 Moneymaker

Tozier’s Market

10 for 10 Sale Items Mix and Match

Starkist Solid White Tuna 5oz can

Hunt’s Manwich Sauce 15.5oz can

Pennsylvania Dutch Noodles 12-16oz pkg

Wishbone Salad Dressing 8oz bottle

Palmolive Dish Liquid 10oz bottle

Airwick Air Fresheners 8oz can

Hershey’s Milkshake or Chocolate Milk 12 oz bottle

Fancy Feast Cat Treats 2oz. bag

Bar S Jumbo Meat or Turkey Franks 16oz pack

Bar S Sliced Bologna or Cotto Salami 12 oz pack

Did you friends find any coupon/sale match ups???

♥ Sonja ♥

Walgreens Sales 3/13/11 to 3/19/11

Right Guard Deodorant, Sale $4.49

On sale Buy One, Get One Free= 2/$4.49

Use coupon B1G1 Free 3/12 RP insert = 2/FREE

Right Guard Body Wash, Sale $4.99

On sale Buy One, Get One Free= 2/$4.99

Use coupon B1G1 Free 3/12 RP insert = 2/FREE

Irish Spring Deodorant, Sale 2/$6

Earn $4 RR= 2/$2

Use (2) .50/1 in 3/12 SS= 2/$1

Or enter free drawing which will prompt you to print

a $1/1 coupon here:

http://irishspring.promo.eprize.com/legendary = FREE

Purex Complete Crystals, Sale 4.99

Earn $2 RR= $2.99

Use coupon $2/1 in 3/12 RP= .99 cents

Royal Gelatin, Sale 5/$1

Use in ad coupon, limit 10

Oil of Olay Body Wash/Lotions, sale 3/$12

Earn $3 RR= 3/$9

Use (3) $1/1 Oil of Olay product 2/27 PG insert

= $2 each WYB 3

Venus Pro Skin Razors, sale $7.99

Earn $4 RR= $3.99

Use $5/1 coupon from PG 2/27 insert

=$1.01 Money Maker

TUF Paper Towel, sale 2/$1

Use in ad coupon, limit 4

BIG Roll Toilet Paper, sale 2/$1

Use in ad coupon, limit 4

Arizona Teas, sale $2/1

Use in ad coupon, limit 4

Walgreens Brand Assorted 20 oz sodas,

Sale .39 cents

Use in ad coupon, limit 3

*This is not listed in the online flyer, but I used it today and it was in our regional flyer. Our family thinks the orange flavor and grape flavors taste as good as either Coke or Pepsi versions.

Walgreen's Mega Shopping Trip Today

19 Motrin PM (20 ct)

10 Colgate Toothpastes

3 Baby Magic Lotions

3 Baby Magic Shampoo/Body Washes

16 single Bars of soap (necessary fillers)

3 Gillette Venus Pro Razors

2 Cover Girl Naturals Foundation

2 CG Naturals Lipstick

1 CG Pressed Powder

1 CG Concealer

1 Old Spice Deodorant

1 Old Spice Body Wash

4 Gallons Water

1 Clorox Beach

Total Retail Price- $269.12

Out of Pocket- $20.13

Register Rewards Earned- $15

      (plus $18 in Motrin coupons)

Total Net Cost $5.13,

      not considering the Catalina coupons

Over all, I was really pleased with my trip to Walgreen’s today. Since I had ordered what I wanted to purchase, in advance, I had no trouble buying exactly what I wanted to for my family. And, the ever friendly Assistant Manager helped me perform 32 separate transactions.

That’s right.Thirty-Two… with a smile… and much patience. She even, pointed out ways to save more out of pocket money. (She discovered the soaps on clearance.)

I am happy with my adventure shopping, but as I reviewed my receipt, there was some room for improvement on my part.

For instance, I was trying to figure out the best way to use the Cover Girl buy one, get one ½ off sale, with a $1.00 manufacturer’s coupon, and a coupon for a FREE CG Natural lip stick (retail $7.49), when you buy a CG Natural foundation (retail $12.99). Complicated.

1st attempt:

CG foundation ($12.99 less $1/1 coupon),

CG lipstick ($7.49, Free w/coupon)

Concealer ($7.99, less $4.00 from 50% off sale)

Less $4.00 rr from Venus Razors= $11.99+ tax

2^nd attempt:

CG foundation ($12.99 less $1/1 coupon),

CG lipstick ($7.49, Free w/coupon)

CG Powder ($5.99, less $3.00 from 50% off sale)

Less $4.00 rr from Venus Razors= $10.99+ tax

This was not the result I was looking for, either. It was good- nearly 1/2 off, but I was certain I could do better.

So, I stopped into Rite Aid on my way home from work, just to see if they had a better sale happening. I thought I had found it. Rite Aid had, what I thought was the same buy one, get one 50% off sale. Unfortunately, it was only on face and eye products, so my purchases did not qualify- which I discovered after I paid at the register. I should have taken my own sage (and modest) advice and just returned the items and saved the coupons, but I like the cashiers and managers at that particular store so much, that I didn’t. That was a mistake.

3^rd attempt:

CG foundation ($13.99 less $1/1 coupon)

CG lipstick ($7.49, Free w/coupon)

Price $12.99 + tax

A costly reminder of a rule I know full well: Do not purchase something for more than you were planning on spending. A return is not the worst offense in the world. For couponing to work and be useful to your family, you cannot buy things you don’t need for a price that is not best price you can get. I should have just returned the items, collected my coupons and walked away, knowing that I had already purchased these things for $3 less earlier in the day, and gotten more! Lesson learned.

But, I am determined, if nothing else. I knew Walgreens had the sale I was looking for. I just had to figure out the best way to use it. So, when I picked up my daughter from work, I revisited my Belfast Walgreens store.

4^th attempt:

CG foundation ($12.99 less $1/1 coupon),

CG lipstick ($7.49, Free w/coupon)

Clearance bar of Soap (.37 cents- filler)

Less $3.75 from 50% off sale)

Less $3.00 rr from Baby Magic= $5.63+ tax

 Cha Ching!!! This was the sale I was looking for! I have one more set of coupons and may repeat this transaction once again. I realize, I have already bought 4 foundations, 4 lipsticks, 1 concealer, & 1 powder, but there is a difference between buying unneeded items and stocking up on items you will use when they are at their lowest price. There are 3 girlies in my home who will use this. I will pay $5.63 now, instead of $20.48 later and save my husband's wallet 75%.

Sonja ♥

My Trial Walgreen's Trip (before my BIG trip on Thursday)

After work today, I decided to try my hand on a pre-sale run to Walgreens just to see if my plan will work before I attempt it in a larger scale on Thursday. When you are planning to spend nearly no money out of pocket, and are, in fact, planning on walking out of the store with nearly $40 in profit, it pays to be cautious and make sure everything is in order. It is easier on you and the cashier if you have your buying plan worked out and well organized, in advance.
 My 1st transaction was two bottles of Motrin PM, on sale for $3.00 each.
I used one $6/2 coupon. Total due .30 cents.
I received $3 RR

My 2nd transaction was one bottle of Baby Magic lotion, on sale for $3.00 each.
I used the $3 RR from the Motrin PM. Total due .15 cents.
I received $3 RR

My 3rd transaction was one Colgate toothpaste, on sale for $3.00 each. Since I was planning on using a $1/1 coupon (which would bring the balance due to $1.99 and I need it to be $3 before tax) I needed some filler items to total as close to $1.01 as I could find. I added one gallon of water, on sale for .69 cents and one bottle of peroxide, on sale for .33 cents. I used the $3 RR from the Baby Magic. Total due .17 cents.

I repeated all the transactions a 2nd time, substituting Clorox bleach, on sale for 1.29 cents instead of the water and peroxide for my last transaction. I wanted to split the fillers up a little because, seriously, how much peroxide can one person use?

In the end, I purchased 2 Colgate Toothpastes, 4 Motrin PM, 2 Baby Magic products, 1 gallon Water, 1 bottle Peroxide, and 1 bottle of Clorox bleach. I spent $1.36 out of my pocket and I received two $3.00 RRs. Profit $4.64

Also, when I purchased the two Motrin PMs, it triggered a catalina coupon for $2/1 Motrin PM (15 count or more). So, even if you don't have the $6/2 coupon, this is a money maker. You need to buy at least two of the products on sale for $3 with the $3 reward for this to work. The scenario:

T1: Buy two Motrin, spend $6.30, get $2 coupon and $3 RR
T2: Buy Baby Magic, use $3 RR, spend .15 cents
T3: Buy Motrin, use $2/1 coupon & Colgate, use $1/1 coupon, spend .30, receive two $3 RRs.
Total out of pocket $6.75, earn $6 RRs = cost .75 (tax)

 At this point, you can go back and forth as much as you want, just paying the tax. Just be sure not to pay for the product with its own RR or a new one will not print.


Happy shopping!

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

Welcome, Friends!

My name is Sonja Twombly and about a month ago I started using coupons. (Why do I suddenly feel like I just joined a 12 step program?) If I am going to do this, I guess you might like to know a little about me and what this blog is going to be about. To that end...

I am a mother of 4 children and the wife of a husband I adore. As a christian wife, I have tried to be capable and to honestly assist my husband in managing our household funds. I have used coupons on and off for years, but never the right way- the way that saves my family 60-75% off our groceries, each trip, every week. When I stopped using coupons in the past, it was because I didn't see a return for the valuable time I spent searching for, clipping, and organizing my coupons. Also, I did not understand that I needed to change my philosophy about shopping. My opinion changed after seeing a program on TV about some extreme couponing. Now, I am not building storehouses or investing in a garage to house a stockpile of products, but I did think, "I can use some of those techniques to save my family some money." And, I have. After many prayers, some personal money saving successes, some "newbie" mistakes, and many friends encouragement to start a blog about my adventures, here I am.

My intention is to use this blog to give fellow Maine shoppers a "heads up" to local upcoming sales, discuss matching coupons with sales, and share my- hopefully many- shopping successes and -hopefully less frequently- mistakes with other savvy shoppers. I welcome your comments and encourage your participation in upcoming sales or coupon/sale match ups. I am looking forward to continuing this adventure and sharing it with you.