Rite Aid May Summary

I did take an entire week off of drugstore shopping last week... and somehow managed to survive. Here's my Rite Aid May summary:


$167.81 before coupons and discounts
-$44.74 Wellness Plus savings and sales
-$51.50 coupons
-$40.76 +Up Rewards redeemed
-$9.00- (3) $3 off $15 survey coupons
===============================
$21.81 subtotal!
+ $6.84 tax
===============================
** $28.65 OOP for everything pictured!! **

I'm happy with that! I didn't pick up as many odds and ends this month, but I got things I needed and a good moneymaker on the Tylenol Precise. I ended up with six jumbo packs of diapers, a big box of wipes, sunscreen and more! Not too shabby- 87% pre-tax savings- and I have $5 in +Up Rewards to spend towards diapers this week.

New Pampers Gifts to Grow code!

If you are a Pampers Gifts to Grow Rewards member, here is another new code worth 10 points:

4XGHB4HPE7PB7NK

Thanks Hip 2 Save!!

Planning ahead

Last year when we went on our up north vacation, it was our first year at the cottage and I didn't know what to pack. We ended up taking several trips to an expensive grocery store and spending a LOT of money on food for the week. I think our first trip was around $200 and then we probably spent another $100 later on in the week. I didn't think to bring simple things like condiments (ketchup/mustard/etc.) so we ended up spending full price (plus some since it was an expensive store). It was pretty much like shopping at D&W for everything without any coupons-- you definitely paid more.

So, over the next month, I am going to be trying to get free or cheap food to bring with us. I am determined to make it a cheaper trip! Last year, we only ate out at a restaurant once, and brought pizza back to the cottage once, so mostly we'll be grilling and eating at the house. I think I may even try to stock up on meat here (Byron Center Meats is good for this)... hopefully I'll get enough foods together that we can only buy produce and milk up there and can spend all our time at the beach!

End of month coupon printing!

It's almost the end of the May already, so now is the time to make sure you get all your coupons printed before they reset.

Remember, if you use Swag Bucks , print your coupons.com coupons there-- you might as well earn Swag Bucks AND save some money!

Check my sidebar for links to other printable coupon sites (Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, etc.)

Keep checking Coupons.com for the next couple days because the end of the month and beginning of the month coupons are always resetting, coming and going! You can usually count on a few really good ones to appear and disappear within houses!

It's Mega Swag Bucks Day!!

It's Mega Swag Bucks Day today! This means more Swag Bucks for your same everyday searching. Make sure to check special offers (you don't have to sign up for anything, just browse through them and you now get 2 points), answer the daily poll and check for surveys each day for one point each to get 4 extra points each day which really do add up!

You can also print coupons and you get 10 Swag Bucks per redeemed coupon- I'm just starting to see the points started to get credited regularly. Check out my posting about all the different ways to earn points. I'm earning between 75-100 each day now that I've found so many different ways to earn points.

It's a great way to get free gift cards and rewards for everyday internet surfing! My favorite reward is a $5 Amazon gift card for only 450 Swag Bucks.

I don't have the toolbar and still earn tons of points (I don't want any more programs running on my computer). I just keep signed into Swag Bucks all the time and use them to find the websites I'm visiting.

Another great thing about Swag Bucks is you can refer friends and family and you earn points for their wins as well up to 1000 points! So I do ask that if you do decide to sign up, please use the links in my Swag Bucks postings or put down Sarahspendsless as your referral.

Are you signed up for Swag Bucks yet? Do you have any questions about it? I was very hesitant at first, but I'm earning $10-$20 per month in Amazon gift cards and love it!

This week

Sorry for such a dull week-- I haven't even been to Rite Aid or Walgreens this week! We started off the week with an open house Sunday, three house showings on different days, two sick kids (on different days of course), topped off with a broken toe (mine) yesterday. I'm tired of cleaning my house every day and am enjoying a day of clutter today!

I'm hoping to get a chance to pick up any drugstore deals tomorrow... and maybe get a Walmart trip in too. I'll definitely be picking up a fresh box of wine this week!

New Pampers Gifts to Grow code!

If you are a Pampers Gifts to Grow Rewards member, here is another new code worth 10 points:

20000PampLatino

Thanks For the Mommas!!


Go here to join Pampers Gifts to Grow if you are not yet a member- it's a great rewards program where you can get gift certificates and rewards.

Check out the previous Gifts to Grow codes I've posted here.

Boost your Swag Bucks!

I know I've been talking a lot about Swag Bucks lately, but I keep finding new ways to add more points, and more points = more FREE gift cards! I'm having another awesome day of earning TONS of Swag Bucks!

Here are some great ways to earn points:

-Daily Polls- every day there is a new poll and when you vote, you get 1 Swag Buck

-NOSO (No obligation special offers)- every day you can click through the special offers and when you get to the end you get 2 Swag Bucks when you enter the phrase listed on the screen

-Trusted Surveys- just for checking to see if you have any new surveys you get 1 Swag Buck. You can also check and see what survey profiles you have available and you will receive the number of advertised Swag Bucks for completing each profile. Plus, you can complete the surveys and earn the posted amount of Swag Bucks. Just today I took 3 surveys and earned 163 Swag Bucks!

-Coupons- any coupon that is on coupons.com can be printed through the coupons tab. Print and use the coupon and get 10 Swag Bucks for each redeemed coupon. The credits take 8-12 weeks to credit to your account and the credits are only for redeemed coupons. Be a coupon fairy and leave any coupons you don't plan to use at the store for even more Swag Bucks! Today I had 140 Swag Bucks credit to my account for coupons! Yippee!

-Special Offers (my new favorite!)- earn Swag Bucks for random offers- watching videos, signing up for email newsletters, etc. I suggest creating an email account just for this so that you don't get a bunch of junk emails in your regular email. I am earning a TON from this- last night I played a McDonalds game 3 times (really simple, click a button to hook a fish) and earned 33 Swag Bucks! There are several different tabs to click when you go into Special Offers, and I've had the best luck going to Gambit and Radium One. I've watched a bunch of videos and probably earned close to 100 Swag Bucks since I found this section. Today I have earnd 6 Swag Bucks in this category.

-Videos- On your Swag Bucks main page, look for the "WATCH A VIDEO EARN 2 BONUS BUCKS" to show on the screen. Click the image, watch the video and get 2 Swag Bucks. Keep clicking the image on the main page and keep earning 2 Swag Bucks per video until it says that there are no more available videos- I've earned 20-30 points each day this week now that I've been watching for this! I do have more luck getting more videos early in the morning.

-Searching/ Surfing- Instead of just typing in websites you plan on visiting, search using Swag Bucks and you will possibly WIN Swag Bucks. They are random, and your chances and amount of Swag Bucks are higher on Mega Swag Bucks Fridays. Sometimes you just get the credit, other times you may have to enter a phrase or word to verify that you are a real person. I have earned 21 Swag Bucks for searches today.

-Refer your friends and family- You can refer friends and family and you earn points for their wins as well up to 1000 points. If you do decide to sign up, please use the links in my Swag Bucks postings or put down Sarahspendsless as your referral. Then start referring your friends to boost your Swag Bucks. Just make sure that you only have one account per household (address) or else you risk both accounts being revoked.

Do you have any other tips? I am going crazy earning Swag Bucks right now!

Another Huggies Enjoy the Ride Rewards point

Here is a new Huggies Enjoy the Ride code worth 1 point:

BKWWNFSGBMJWPGB

Go to Enjoy the Ride Rewards to register and enter codes. Make sure to check your videos and polls- you earn points for watching videos and taking polls too!

Thanks Hip 2 Save.

Also, check and see if you have any new polls or videos to earn more points.

*** Check the rewards catalog section-- it looks like they just added a bunch of Little Tikes toys! **

If you are just now joining Huggies Enjoy the Ride Rewards, check out all the previous codes I've posted here to get lots more points!

A very important message...

It's a day early, but I wanted to make sure to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to one of my most loyal followers- Jody! He will be celebrating his birthday on Saturday.

Jody started couponing a little over a year ago and has really gotten into it- he picks up freebies all the time so he can help out friends and family. He and I are still trying to get his wife into couponing... but for now, he'll be the couponer in his household!

Have a great birthday Jody! Make sure to check your email on your birthday- you should get 50 bonus Swag Bucks if you've registered your birthday.

Another Rite Aid shopping trip

I had to go back to Rite Aid and figured I might as well get my final Huggies +Up Reward.

2- Huggies Diapers jumbo pack- $9.59 (regular price is $11.99 and I have 20% Wellness discount which made the diapers cheaper than the advertised price of $10)
2- $3.00 off printable coupons
** $6.59 each PLUS another $5 +Up Reward earned! **

$23.98 before coupons and discounts
-$4.80 Wellness Plus savings
-$6.00 coupons
-$5.00 +UP Reward redeemed
===============
$8.18 subtotal
+ $1.15 tax
===============
** $9.33 OOP PLUS another $5.00 +Up Reward earned!

Target Shopping

I got some great deals at Target this week.

2- Aquafresh Infant Toothbrush- $1.99
2- $1.00 off coupon from 4/17 RP
2- $1.00 Target printable
** 2 for FREE!! **

2- Up Peroxide- $.62
2- $.50 off Target first aid printable
** $.12 OOP each! **

2- Up Ibuprofen- $.97
2- $1.00 off Target pain relief printable
** 2 for FREE!! **

2- Cutter Insect Repellent- $4.99
2- $1.00 off printable (no longer available)
2- $2.00 off Target printable
** $1.99 each!! **

2- Expo Dry Erase markers- $3.49
2- $2.00 off printable
** $1.49 OOP each!! **

Up Contact Solution 2 pk- $4.39
$.50 off Target printable
** $3.89 **

$29.65 before coupons and discounts
-$17.44 coupons
=================
** $12.21 OOP! **

New Huggies Enjoy the Ride Rewards code

Here is a new Huggies Enjoy the Ride code worth 5 points:

BKTXHRBZFXLLPGB

Go to Enjoy the Ride Rewards to register and enter codes. Make sure to check your videos and polls- you earn points for watching videos and taking polls too!

Thanks For the Mommas.

Also, check and see if you have any new polls or videos to earn more points.

If you are just now joining Huggies Enjoy the Ride Rewards, check out all the previous codes I've posted here to get lots more points!

Earn rewards on gas faster!

Are you a Speedy Rewards loyalty cardholder? I have been for several years, and I earn points, but not very quickly. Even with my husband's 80+ mile communte each way now, we still were only earning 10 points per gallon. I recently learned how to add points a LOT more quickly!

Instead of using pay at the pump using you credit/debit card, go inside the store and purchase a Speedway gift card. You can add any dollar amount you want. For every $50 you put on a gift card, you earn 1000 bonus points! Then use your gift card at the pump and you will still earn 10 points for every gallon of gas as long as you swipe your Speedy Rewards card at the pump before your gift card!

If you put $50 on a gift card and gas is $4 a gallon, insead of earning 125 points like you normally would, you would earn 1125 points! That's a HUGE difference and you will get rewards much faster!

Check out the whole list of Bonus rewards where you earn extra points for specific purchases.

Here are some of the rewards you can redeem your points for:

$10 Food & Merchandise Card 7,500
$10 Speedy Cash Gift Card 9,850
$15 iTunes Gift Card 15,000
$25 Food & Merchandise Card 17,000
$25 Speedy Cash Gift Card 24,500

Let me know if you try this! I can't believe how much faster I'm earning rewards now-- plus it's easier to budget for gas!

It's Mega Swag Bucks Day!

It's Mega Swag Bucks Day today! This means more Swag Bucks for your same everyday searching. Make sure to check special offers (you don't have to sign up for anything, just browse through them and you now get 2 points), answer the daily poll and check for surveys each day for one point each to get 4 extra points each day which really do add up!

You can also print coupons and you get 10 Swag Bucks per redeemed coupon- I'm just starting to see the points started to get credited regularly. Check out my posting about all the different ways to earn points. I'm earning between 75-100 each day now that I've found so many different ways to earn points.

It's a great way to get free gift cards and rewards for everyday internet surfing! My favorite reward is a $5 Amazon gift card for only 450 Swag Bucks.

I don't have the toolbar and still earn tons of points (I don't want any more programs running on my computer). I just keep signed into Swag Bucks all the time and use them to find the websites I'm visiting.

Another great thing about Swag Bucks is you can refer friends and family and you earn points for their wins as well up to 1000 points! So I do ask that if you do decide to sign up, please use the links in my Swag Bucks postings or put down Sarahspendsless as your referral.

Are you signed up for Swag Bucks yet? Do you have any questions about it? I was very hesitant at first, but I'm earning $10-$20 per month in Amazon gift cards and love it!

Confession...

I have to admit that I have been slacking as a parent. When I had my first son, I was on top of taking and ordering pictures of him- I regularly ordered prints from Shutterfly, got professional pictures done regularly, made two different Shutterfly photo books of his first year as well as a DVD of all the home videos I took of his first two years. Then I had my second son. My laptop had broken sometime in his first year and we didn't replace it right away so we were using an older desktop. It took forever to upload and it was downstairs. Once we bought our new laptop, I got some pictures ordered, but by then I was SO far behind it was pretty difficult to get caught back up.

So, the past few days have been pretty dull on the blog because my evenings have been spent uploading, editing and choosing which pictures to order. I had a bunch of different coupon codes at Shutterfly to use- and I saved a ton of money and got a ton of prints!

If you're a slacker second parent like me, I would highly recommend using Shutterfly. When I upload the pictures, it adds the photo number and the date the photo was taken as the file name-- AND, the file name prints on the back of your pictures! So, when you order 14 months worth of photos (yes, Feb. 2010-April 2011), you can easily organize them by simply looking at the dates on the back of the prints!

I have used Snapfish before (because I had free prints, of course!), and they do not print this info on the back of the prints. And, if you use Shutterfly you will only get that info to print if you order the prints through the mail- not print to select stores.

Sometimes it does pay to wait though- I was able to use a couple different coupon codes (free shipping when you spend $30 and $10 off $30) as well as gift cards (earned through points at my bank) and Shutterfly's save on prints sale to get 804 prints for only $7.97 OOP!

I will try to get some new postings done--- right now I just want a few minutes away from my computer screen!

Order pictures- DONE
Get professional pictures of son who turned 4 in Dec. and 2 in March- NOT done!

Walgreens Shopping

I did end up getting some good deals at Walgreens, but had lots of problems there this week. It really reinforces the Walgreens overpricing conspiracy theory... if you don't pay attention, you can pay more. Do they know that most of their customers are in a hurry and are not paying attention and that's why they have so many pricing issues? You definitely have to watch closely and make sure everything scans right and know what Register Rewards you should get...

Transaction #1

Dove Men's Deodorant- $3.99 (get $3 RR)
$1.00 off printable previously available
** $2.99 OOP PLUS $3 RR! **

Nestle Skinny Cow Candy- $.69
$.15 off coupon from May coupon booklet in store
** $.54-- great filler item! **

$5.88 before coupons and discounts
-$1.20 sales
-$1.15 coupons
-$3.00 RR redeemed
==================
$.53 subtotal
+ $.24 tax
==================
$.77 OOP PLUS $3 RR earned!

The Dove deodorant RR did not print... I clearly bought what was in the ad, so the manager tried to ring one up with no coupons- still no RR... then he found something else in the ad that generated a $3 RR and rang that item up, gave me the RR, then returned the item. I thought that was pretty nice of him to do and it was much easier than having to call the Catalina company and request one!

Transaction #2 (different store)

Gillette Fusion Razor Kit- $9.99 (get $5 RR!)
$4.00 off coupon from 5/1 P&G
** $5.99 OOP PLUS $5.00 RR earned! **

$9.99 before coupons and discounts
-$4.00 coupons
==============
$5.99
+$.60 tax
==============
** $6.59 OOP PLUS $5 RR earned! **

Transaction #3

** Buy Nabisco Grahams and Hersheys Chocolate, get FREE marshmallows! **
2- Nabisco Graham Crackers- $3.00
2- Hershey's Milk Chocolate 6 pk- $3.00 each
4- Marshmallows- $1.99 each
-(2) $1.00 off when you buy grahams, chocolate & marshmallow coupon from 5/15 SS
-(2) FREE (up to $1.25) marshmallows when you buy grahams & chocolate printable coupon (click FREE marshmallow cloud!)
-(2) FREE marshmallows automatic discount from Walgreens for buying grahams & chocolate
-$1.00 Walgreens May coupon booklet when you buy 2 Hersheys Chocolate
** $10.48 for everything!! **

$22.52 before coupons and discounts
-$2.56 sales
-$3.98 FREE marshmallows automatic discount
-$5.50 coupons
-$8.00 RR redeemed
====================
** $2.48 OOP FOR all the SMORES STUFF! **

I definitely did some strategizing for this trip... I wasn't planning on buying another razor, but I knew I was going to pay some OOP, so I figured I might as well get another razor since I could use that RR towards the next transaction. After the last transaction was done, I looked at the receipt and realized I had been overcharged for the grahams and Hersheys, so I got the money back right away. Even though the sale was clearly marked by signage, they all rang up at $3.50 instead of $3.00, so I got $2 back making the deal shown. Always pay attention!! I'm definitely learning how to work the RR program. It's a pain, but you can get some good deals.

So, I spend a total of $9.84 for everything in the picture!! I'm happy with that!

Great Rite Aid shopping trip!

I got my coupons together last night and checked the Rite Aid ad to figure out a good scenario to get diapers this week. Yes, I did buy diapers at Walgreens last week, but I got Pampers and my son already got more of a rash after a couple days... so we'll be using about 1-2 of those a day and will have to stick with Huggies no matter how cheap I find Pampers.

This week there is a $5 +Up Reward when you spend $20 in advertised Huggies diapers. I wasn't sure if all Huggies products were included or just the advertised sizes, so I stuck with the advertised sizes.

Transaction #1

3- Huggies Diapers jumbo pack- $9.59 (regular price is $11.99 and I have 20% Wellness discount which made the diapers cheaper than the advertised price of $10)
3- $3.00 off printable coupons
** $6.59 each PLUS $5 +Up Reward earned! **

2- Oral-B Cross Action toothbrush- $2.99 (get $2 +Up Reward!)
2- $1.50 off Oral-B Cross Action (and others) toothbrush from 5/1 P&G
** $1.49 OOP PLUS $2 +Up Reward earned! **

$45.95 before coupons and discounts
-$11.20 Wellness Plus savings and sales
-$12.00 coupons
-$3.00 off $15.00 survey coupon
-$20.00 previously earned +Up Rewards
==================
** -$.25 subtotal!! I'm not sure how this happened because I thought my subtotal was higher when I handed over my last coupon but it worked **
+$1.91 tax
==================
** $1.66 OOP PLUS $9 in +Up Rewards earned! **

Transaction #2

Huggies Diapers jumbo pack- $9.59 (regular price is $11.99 and I have 20% Wellness discount which made the diapers cheaper than the advertised price of $10)
$3.00 off printable coupons
** $6.59 **

Huggies wipes- $8.99 (sale price)
$.50 off wipes coupon from 5/15 SS
** $8.49 **

$23.98 before coupons and discounts
-$5.40 Wellness Plus savings and sales
-$3.50 coupons
-$9.00 +Up Rewards redeemed (from first transaction)
====================
** $6.08 subtotal **
+ $1.11 tax
====================
** $7.19 OOP!! PLUS another $5 +UP Reward earned!! **

So, in all I ended up spending $8.85 OOP- which is less than I would pay for ONE package of diapers- and I got FOUR packages of diapers AND a big box of wipes PLUS two toothbrushes!! And, I still have another $5 +Up Reward left!

When I went through my coupons last night I discovered I had printed a bunch of $2 off Huggies diapers coupons that expire in the next couple days. I made sure to keep them separate today and I was the coupon fairy at Centre St today! I left about 10- $2.00 off coupons for others to use!

Another very interesting article about Extreme Couponing

Thanks again to Bargains to Bounty for posting a link to another article about TLC's Extreme Couponing! The Coupon Information Corporation is expressing disappintment the TV series and the illegal strategies that have been shown. I like the idea of a show about Extreme Couponing but what TLC is showing is just plain bad. They are providing too little information about coupon strategies and store policies and not realizing that people ARE going to try to get deals like they are showing. They definitely need a disclaimer before the show that explains that merchandise was pre-ordered for the show, company policies were disregarded and that TLC probably ended up eating the cost of all the coupons "redeemed" because to redeem mass quanities of coupons would probably result in the retailer being refused payment for the coupons.

Rite Aid Shopping

I did manage to make it to Rite Aid twice this week... just a few days late with the first picture after Blogger went down. Nothing major at Rite Aid, but I earned a couple +Up Rewards that I will be using for diapers and deals next week.

Transaction #1 (Monday)
My hubby was headed to Florida on Tuesday so I had to get him some sunscreen-- luckily I knew there was a deal at Rite Aid!



** GET $10 +UP Reward when you spend $20 in select skincare! **

Neutrogena Sunscreen- $9.99 & $9.59 (apparently my Wellness Plus 20% discount was better than the sale price)
2- $2.00 off printable previously available on Redplum
** $7.99 & $7.59 OOP **

Lubriderm Lotion- $1.99 ($2 off instantly)
$1.00 off coupon from 4/10 RP
** $.99 **

$28.97 before coupons and discounts
-$7.40 Wellness Plus savings and sales
-$5.00 off coupons
-$6.76 off previously earned +Up Rewards
-$3.00 off $15.00 survey coupon
** $6.81!! **
+ $1.11 tax
====================
** $7.92 OOP PLUS $2.00 +UP Reward earned! **

Transaction #2 (Saturday)

On a whim this morning I figured I'd stop and see if Rite Aid still had any Tylenol Precise left in stock- it's a good moneymaker and I figured they'd be out. I couldn't believe that on a Saturday morning they still had some in stock! I was able to get the big moneymaker!



5- Tylenol Precise Heat Patch- $5.00 (spend $25 get $10 +UP Reward!!)
5- $5.00 off printable or from 5/8 SS (expires today!)
** FREE!! PLUS $10 MONEYMAKER after +Up Reward! **

Mickey Mouse cup- $3.99 (w/ Wellness Plus 20% discount)

$44.94 before coupons and discounts
-$25.00 coupons
-$3.00 off $15.00 survey coupon
** $.99 **
+ $1.56 tax
=================
** $2.55 OOP PLUS $10 +UP Reward earned!! **

I didn't plan on buying the Mickey Mouse cup but I had another $3 off $15 survey coupon and I figured I might as well use the opportunity to get a new cup. Plus, my youngest has a thing about Mickey Mouse and it made him really happy! I'd say it was a great week at Rite Aid-- I have $20 in +Up Rewards to spend next week, which I will have no problem using next week! I have the ad and am getting my list together for tomorrow. I was very happy to see the diaper aisle at the Centre St store was VERY well stocked for the Huggies sale starting tomorrow!

Benefits to couponing...

If you are into couponing, you know how much fun it can be... but you also know that you can end up with a lot of stuff. I enjoy sharing my deals with friends and family that don't coupon and showing them what I was able to get for free or close to free.

I have a friend who was living in Tokyo for 2 years for her husband's job. After the big earthquake, tsunami and nuclear reactor drama, she decided to come back to the states for four months with her two girls while things settle down and her husband stayed in Tokyo to work. She rented a furnished apartment and when she moved in a few weeks ago, I was able to put all the above pictured household and personal care items together in a box to help get her started. I figured that the retail cost of all of the items I gave her was around $65, and for everything in the picture I spent less than $10.

If you have any upcoming weddings or housewarming parties... think about using some of your stockpile items to make a gift basket of household or personal care items.

Stamp Out Hunger reminder!

Tomorrow is Stamp Out Hunger day! I'm not sure if everyone got a bag in the mail today like we did, but fill a bag with any extra groceries you've purchased and put them by your mailbox. If you're a couponer, you have probably "bought" some extras or have some foods you normally wouldn't buy but you got for free or made money "buying" it (like the Splenda packets pictured) in your pantry and now is a great opportunity to clean out. I went through my pantry and filled my bag today so I'll be ready in the morning.

Are you planning on donating? I love the Stamp out Hunger food drive because I don't have to leave my house to donate- how easy is that?

Blogger

Sorry about the lack of postings. Blogger has been down since yesterday. Hope to be back up and blogging later today!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Great deals at Walgreens!

Two of my favorite deals at Walgreens last week are still good this week-- and I got more coupons from my family so I had to get more! The Fusion razors and Cottonelle TP deals are still good through 5/15! This is the picture from 2 trips to different stores today. I went this morning before work... then we had a showing tonight and I had some extra time and went to a different store-- there are some great deals this week!

Here's what I did:

Transaction #1

Gillette Fusion- $9.89 (get $5 RR!)
$4.00 off coupon from 5/1 P&G
** $5.89 OOP PLUS $5 RR earned! **

Johnson & Johnson First Aid Kit- $1.49 buy one get one 50% off (buy 2 J&J products get FREE First Aid bag $4.99 value!)
$1.50 off 2 Johnson & Johnson products from instore display
** $.73 OOP for both PLUS FREE First Aid Bag with coupons inside!! **

$17.96 before coupons and discounts
-$5.84 sales
-$5.50 coupons
-$3.00 RR redeemed
====================
$3.62
+ $.73 tax
====================
** $4.35 OOP PLUS $5 RR earned! **

Transaction #2

2- Cottonelle TP 12 packs- $5.00 (buy 2 get $3 RR, buy 3 get $4 RR- unadvertised RR!)
2- $.50 off printable from here or here
2- $1.00 off Walgreens coupon from May coupon booklet found in store (scans once but takes it off for each item purchased)
** $3.50 for each 12 pack PLUS $3.00 RR earned for buying 2! **

Skinny Cow candy- $.69
-$.15 May coupon booklet coupon (coupon is for $.45 off 3 but will take $.15 off 1)
** $.54 OOP! ** great filler item!

$10.89 before coupons and discounts
-$.20 sales
-$3.15 coupons
-$5.00 RR redeemed
===================
$2.54
+ $.60 tax
===================
** $3.14 OOP PLUS $3 RR earned!! **

Transaction #3

2-Pampers Diapers- $9.00 (get $3 RR PLUS spend $20 in Pampers products, get $5 off your next Pampers diapers coupon!)
2- $1.50 off from 5/1 P&G
2- $2.00 off Walgreens coupon from the Infant care booklet instore (I don't have the coupon booklet but had read that you just need the code 5521- and it worked with my cashier- AND she knows and enforces the coupon policy so this should work anywhere!
** $5.50 OOP each PLUS $3 RR earned AND $5 off next Pampers diapers coupon! **

Pampers Wipes- $2.49
$1.00 off from homemailer
** $1.49 OOP **
I bought the wipes so that I could get the $5 off coupon to print!

Skinny Cow candy- $.69
-$.15 May coupon booklet coupon (coupon is for $.45 off 3 but will take $.15 off 1)
** $.54 OOP! ** great filler item!

$25.36 before coupons and discounts
-$4.18 sales
-$8.15 coupons
-$3.00 RR redeemed
===================
$10.03
+ $1.23 tax
==================
** $11.26 OOP! **

Transaction #4

2- Cottonelle TP 12 packs- $5.00 (buy 2 get $3 RR, buy 3 get $4 RR- unadvertised RR!)
2- $.50 off printable from here or here
2- $1.00 off Walgreens coupon from May coupon booklet found in store (scans once but takes it off for each item purchased)
** $3.50 for each 12 pack PLUS $3.00 RR earned for buying 2! **

Skinny Cow candy- $.69
-$.15 May coupon booklet coupon (coupon is for $.45 off 3 but will take $.15 off 1)
** $.54 OOP! ** great filler item!

$10.89 before coupons and discounts
-$.20 sales
-$3.15 coupons
-$3.00 RR redeemed
===================
$4.54
+$.60 tax
===================
** $5.14 OOP PLUS $3 RR earned! **

Transaction #5

2-Pampers Diapers- $9.00 (get $3 RR PLUS spend $20 in Pampers products, get $5 off your next Pampers diapers coupon!)
$5.00 off Pampers diapers Catalina from earlier transaction
$1.50 off from box of Cheerios I had or 5/1 P&G
2- $2.00 off Walgreens coupon from the Infant care booklet instore (I don't have the coupon booklet but had read that you just need the code 5521- and it worked with my cashier- AND she knows and enforces the coupon policy so this should work anywhere!
** $7.50 OOP for both PLUS $3 RR earned AND $5 off next Pampers diaper coupon! **

Pampers Wipes- $2.49
$.50 off from 5/1 P&G
** $1.99 OOP **
I bought the wipes so that I could get the $5 off coupon to print!

Skinny Cow candy- $.69
-$.15 May coupon booklet coupon (coupon is for $.45 off 3 but will take $.15 off 1)
** $.54 OOP! ** great filler item!

$25.36 before coupons and discounts
-$4.18 sales
-$11.15 coupons
-$3.00 RR redeemed
===================
$7.03
+$1.23 tax
==================
** $8.26 OOP PLUS another $3 RR earned AND another $5 off Pampers diapers coupon!

Here are the totals for all 4 transaction:

$90.46 before coupons and discounts
-$14.60 sales
-$31.10 coupons
-$17.00 RR redeemed
=====================
$27.76 before tax
+$4.39 tax
====================
*** $32.15 total OOP!! *** Plus I have another $3 in RR to use AND another $5 off Pampers coupon. I am finally out of all my Cottonelle coupons which is good because we're really well stocked on TP now! We have not been using Pampers on my son because he got a bad rash when the Cruisers came out... but I figured we'd give them a try again since they were so cheap!

An article about purchasing coupons and some of my thoughts

Since the show Extreme Couponing aired, there have already been changes in the couponing world. P&G coupons now have a limit of 4 per transaction and coupons are becoming more regional. There was a great Bricks printable coupon for various Johnson & Johnson products that got flagged as a counterfeit after someone printed hundreds of copies and sold them on Ebay- stuff like that ruins it for the rest of us. Although I have bought coupons online before from reputable coupon clipper services (never tried Ebay), I am going to think twice about it after reading this article by Jill Cataldo. It's important to save money, but more important than that it is to save money using proper methods and following store policies.

I think that I can get enough coupons of the items I need from buying papers myself, whether it be the local Kalamazoo Gazette or the Detroit Free Press and from getting coupon inserts from friends and family. I can easily stock up using legitimate means of collecting coupons and although coupon clippers are still legal because you're not "buying" the coupon you're paying for someone "clipping" the coupon, I think there will continue to be changes and I'll stick with the ways that I know are legitimate.

Since the show aired, I am seeing more clear shelves in the stores when there are super deals-- which is both good and bad. It's getting more people interested in couponing, but it's also bringing out a new crowd of greedy couponers who have not yet learned coupon etiquette (or store policies). It's important to get your deals, but share the wealth with others- don't be a shelf clearer! I'm not saying that if there are only 2 items left on the shelf you shouldn't get them, but don't be one of those shoppers that brags on coupon blogs about buying up mass quantities of drugstore deals going from store to store and leaves nothing for others.

I suggest that you stagger your shopping trips- I try to go in the beginning of the week and then wait until closer to the end of the week to go back for seconds or thirds-- if I'm shopping for a hot coupon item and it's still in the store by the end of the week than others have had an opportunity to get the item as well. I like to rotate which stores I shop at-- there are several Walgreens close to me and one store I know is usually stocked better for sales (and must have less coupon shoppers), as well as rotating which Rite Aid I shop at each week.

Also, make sure to know each store's policies on coupons. Be aware that stores are dealing with lots of new couponers who do not know what they're doing- they want to get HOT deals like what they saw on TLC's Extreme Couponing show. They don't understand that store policies vary from store to store, and even regionally.

Thanks Bargains to Bounty for posting this link to Jill's site! Bargains to Bounty is a very reputable coupon site that always encourages responsible and ethical couponing!

New Pampers Gifts to Grow code!

If you are a Pampers Gifts to Grow Rewards member, here is another new code worth 10 points:

VMF776C7HMEXT4P

Thanks Hip 2 Save!!


Go here to join Pampers Gifts to Grow if you are not yet a member- it's a great rewards program where you can get gift certificates and rewards.

Check out the previous Gifts to Grow codes I've posted here.

It's Mega Swag Bucks Day!

It's Mega Swag Bucks Day today! This means more Swag Bucks for your same everyday searching. Make sure to check special offers (you don't have to sign up for anything, just browse through them and you now get 2 points), answer the daily poll and check for surveys each day for one point each to get 4 extra points each day which really do add up!

You can also print coupons and you get 10 Swag Bucks per redeemed coupon- I'm just starting to see the points started to get credited regularly. Check out my posting about all the different ways to earn points. I'm earning between 75-100 each day now that I've found so many different ways to earn points.

It's a great way to get free gift cards and rewards for everyday internet surfing! My favorite reward is a $5 Amazon gift card for only 450 Swag Bucks.

I don't have the toolbar and still earn tons of points (I don't want any more programs running on my computer). I just keep signed into Swag Bucks all the time and use them to find the websites I'm visiting.

Another great thing about Swag Bucks is you can refer friends and family and you earn points for their wins as well up to 1000 points! So I do ask that if you do decide to sign up, please use the links in my Swag Bucks postings or put down Sarahspendsless as your referral.

Are you signed up for Swag Bucks yet? Do you have any questions about it? I was very hesitant at first, but I'm earning $10-$20 per month in Amazon gift cards and love it!

More Pampers Gifts to Grow codes!

If you are a Pampers Gifts to Grow Rewards member, here is another new code worth 5 points:

YIYY9Y6DPDPD6DT
Plus, for a 10 point code you can go here and take a very short survey!

Thanks Coupon Pro Blog!!


Go here to join Pampers Gifts to Grow if you are not yet a member- it's a great rewards program where you can get gift certificates and rewards.

Check out the previous Gifts to Grow codes I've posted here.

More TP at Walgreens!

I told everyone early this week that I would be making multiple trips to Walgreens-- here they are (multiple stores/ multiple days)! We really were down to a couple rolls of TP and when there's a good sale you have to stock up! Of course, I got home today and had 2 more coupons in the mail from my aunt for the Fusion razors so I'll be going back for another trip.

2- Cottonelle TP 12 packs- $5.00 (buy 2 get $3 RR, buy 3 get $4 RR- unadvertised RR!)
2- $.50 off printable from here or here
2- $1.00 off Walgreens coupon from May coupon booklet found in store (scans once but takes it off for each item purchased)
** $3.50 for each 12 pack PLUS $3.00 RR earned for buying 2! **

3- Skinny Cow Candies- 3 for $2
-$.45 May coupon booklet coupon
** $1.55 for 3!! GREAT filler items and these are REALLY YUMMY!!

$12.39 before coupons and discounts
-$.39 sales
-$3.45 coupons
-$4.00 Register Rewards redeemed
====================
** $4.55 subtotal **
+ $ .60 tax
=================
$5.15 OOP PLUS $3.00 RR earned!

Transaction #2

Gillette Fusion Pro-Glide Razor- $9.89 (get $5 RR!)
$4.00 off coupon from 5/1 P&G
** $5.89 OOP PLUS $5 RR earned! **

Noxema Women's Raxors- $3.99 (get $3 RR!)
~~ good filler item since it generates a RR AND there was a $2 coupon included in the package! ~~

3- Skinny Cow Candies- 3 for $2
-$.45 May coupon booklet coupon
** $1.55 for 3!! (filler items)

$17.37 before coupons and discounts
-$1.49 sales
-$4.45 coupons
-$9.00 Register Rewards redeemed
========================
** $2.43 subtotal
+ $ .83 tax
========================
$3.26 OOP PLUS $5.00 RR earned!

Transaction #3

2- Cottonelle TP 12 packs- $5.00 (buy 2 get $3 RR, buy 3 get $4 RR- unadvertised RR!)
2- $.50 off printable from here or here
2- $1.00 off Walgreens coupon from May coupon booklet found in store (scans once but takes it off for each item purchased)
** $3.50 for each 12 pack PLUS $3.00 RR earned for buying 2! **

3- Skinny Cow Candies- 3 for $2
-$.45 May coupon booklet coupon
** $1.55 for 3!! (filler items!)

$12.39 before coupons and discounts
-$.39 sales
-$3.45 coupons
-$8.00 Register Rewards redeemed
===============
** $.55 subtotal **
+ $.60 tax
===============
$1.15 OOP! Plus another $3 in RR's earned!

In all this week at Walgreens I've spent around $26 OOP and bought 96 rolls of TP, 2 men's Fusion razors (with the extra travel creams and lotions included), a package of 4 women's Noxema razors, 2 packages of flossers and 9 Skinny Cow candies!

New 5 pt Pampers Gifts to Grow code

If you are a Pampers Gifts to Grow Rewards member, here is another new code worth 5 points:

LOVEFROMPATTIE5

Thanks Coupon Pro Blog!!


Go here to join Pampers Gifts to Grow if you are not yet a member- it's a great rewards program where you can get gift certificates and rewards.

Check out the previous Gifts to Grow codes I've posted here.

Walgreens shopping

This week there is a great deal on Cottonelle TP at Walgreens so I went this morning to see how I could strategically use the $4 Register Reward I already had to minimize my out of pocket spending. I ended up doing 3 transactions so I could earn multiple RR's and still use some RR's to reduce my OOP.

Transaction #1

Gillette Fusion Pro-Glide Razor- $9.89 (get $5 RR!)
$4.00 off coupon from 5/1 P&G
** $5.89 OOP PLUS $5 RR earned! **
I knew I was going to have to spend some out of pocket to get my TP and I figured I'd get this because I could use the $5 RR on one of the TP transactions to reduce my OOP.

$12.99 before coupons and discounts
-$3.10 sales
-$4.00 coupon
+ $.59 tax
=============
$6.48 OOP PLUS $5 RR earned!

Transaction #2

2- Cottonelle TP 12 packs- $5.00 (buy 2 get $3 RR, buy 3 get $4 RR- unadvertised RR!)
2- $.50 off printable from here or here
2- $1.00 off Walgreens coupon from May coupon booklet found in store (scans once but takes it off for each item purchased)
** $3.50 for each 12 pack PLUS $3.00 RR earned for buying 2! **

GUM Eez thru flossers- $2.00 (get $2 RR!)
** $2.00 OOP PLUS $2 RR= FREE after RR! **

$12.99 before coupons and discounts
-$.99 sales
-$3.00 coupons
-$5.00 RR used
+ $.72 tax
===============
** $4.72 OOP PLUS $3 & $2 RR's earned!! **

Transaction #3

2- Cottonelle TP 12 packs- $5.00 (buy 2 get $3 RR, buy 3 get $4 RR- unadvertised RR!)
2- $.50 off printable from here or here
2- $1.00 off Walgreens coupon from May coupon booklet found in store (scans once but takes it off for each item purchased)
** $3.50 for each 12 pack PLUS $3.00 RR earned for buying 2! **

GUM Eez thru flossers- $2.00 (get $2 RR!)
** $2.00 OOP PLUS $2 RR= FREE after RR! **

$12.99 before coupons and discounts
-$.99 sales
-$3.00 coupons
-$4.00 RR used (from last week)
+ $.72 tax
===============
** $5.72 OOP PLUS $3 & $2 RR's earned!! **


Here's the total for all 3:

$38.97 before coupons and discounts
-$5.08 sales
-$10.00 coupons
-$9.00 Register Rewards redeemed
+$2.03 tax
======================
$16.92 total OOP PLUS $10.00 in Register Rewards earned! Not too bad for 48 rolls of TP, 1 razor and 2 packages of flossers!

I'll already warn you that I'll probably go back a couple more times for more TP so there will be lots of Walgreens pictures this week. We only use Cottonelle and were on our last few rolls so I need a good stockup.

April Rite Aid summary- WOW!

Here's my Rite Aid April Summary-- as I was adding up the totals I couldn't believe how great the month was for shopping at Rite Aid!

$320.07 before coupons, discounts and sales
-$109.21 Wellness Plus savings and sales
-$105.23 coupons
-$23.00 $3 off $15 coupons and Video Values $ off coupons
-$66.49 +Up Rewards redeemed
-$1.00 SCR check redeemed
================================
*** $17.02 OOP FOR EVERYTHING PICTURED!! *** That's almost 95% savings!