Deals

  • CVS: Spent $12 and Got $18 ECB’s Back

    This week CVS has a few great deals.  I was happy to get some Allegra for my allergies, it is usually more than $20, but this week it was on sale, I had a coupon, and I received an ECB back for it.  My local store was sold out of some of the deals in the weekly ad already but I was able to get these few items for $12.84 and received $18.99 ECB’s to use on my next CVS purchase.

    • 1 – Irish Spring Body Wash – $2.99 with $2.00 ECB’s
    • 1 – Tena Ultra Thin Pads – $9.99 with $9.99 ECB’s
    • 1 – Allegra Allergy – $17.99 with $5.00 ECB’s
    • 2 – Dentek’ Floss – $5.98 with $2.00 ECB’s
    • 1 – Dulcolax Tabs – $4.99
    • 1 – Purex Laundry Soap – $3.99

    The total was over $48 with tax before using coupons.  Here are the coupons I used on the items.

    • Used $2.50 Tena Manufacturer Coupon
    • Used $2.00 Allegra Manufacturer Coupon
    • Used $4.00 Dulcolax Manufacturer Coupon
    • Used $3.00 Purex Manufacturer Coupon
    • Used $24 ECB’s from previous purchases

    I received $18.99 ECB’s back today:

    • $9.99 ECB’s for Tena
    • $5.00 ECB’s for Allegra
    • $2.00 ECB’s for DenTek
    • $2.00 ECB’s for Irish Spring

    When you shop the CVS sales regularly and have ECB’s that you can roll over toward future purchases the bonus ECB’s start adding up (Green Bag Tags and Beauty Club).  As you can see from my shopping trip today you don’t have to purchase a lot to save money when shopping at CVS.  You can pick and chose what is best for your family.   I would love to hear your CVS shopping story for this week!

    For those of you who shop regularly at CVS please share how you were able to save this week!  Although the weekly ad sales are similar every family and situation is different so you may have found items better suited to your household.  In your comment please feel free to share a link to your blog article showing us how you were able to save shopping at CVS.

  • Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4

    Groceries from CVS, Walgreens, & RiteAid

    It was my first week of doing my new cash budget system – Groceries $40 for 4.   Although it has been a learning process the week has gone pretty well so far.  Since this my first week am I still testing the water and we continue trying to utilize the food we already have in our pantry and freezer.  Here is my grocery spending for the week:

    • $1.61 at Walgreens for 2 cans of Mandarin Oranges and 1 can of Mushrooms
    • $7.96 at RiteAid for a gallon of Milk, 2 packs of Cheese, 1 container of Sour Cream
    • $3.72 at CVS for a 24 pack of Bottled Water and 2 boxes of Popcorn

     

    Groceries from Ingles and CVS!
    • $1.98 at CVS for another 24 pack of Bottled Water (Jake should be set for a little bit!) & Free Mike-n-Ikes Candy!
    • $10.00 at Ingles for Strawberries, Oranges, Tangerines, Onion, Seafood, and Apples.
    Groceries from Aldi's
    • $14.06 at Aldi’s for Pineapple’s ($0.99 each), Salmon Fillets, 2 Cheese Packages, Cucumber, Bananas, Cheese sticks,  and Celery.

    It was our first week of the challenge – Groceries $40 for 4 and we spent $39.33 so we were very close to going over.  I was disappointed to see RiteAid’s milk spike up this week, but thrilled to get the 24 packs of water for $1.98 as well as some fresh fruit and veggies on sale.  I used some coupons, bought clearance items, and utilized weekly ad discounts to help save us a little extra on our grocery budget.  Since it was my first week I was testing the water and hope to do better next week now that we have replenished our fruit and veggie drawers.  We’ll see how I do!

    I hope to give you regular updates on this budget section so you can celebrate the good weeks with me and thump me on the bad weeks!  As always you are welcomed to join the journey with me.  I would love to hear your story and how you are doing too.  I hope by taking the extra time to watch my grocery spending it will allow us to feed our family, enjoy life, and yet stay on track with our budget.

    Living on a Budget is a series of ways our family uses a budget to help keep us accountable with our finances.  Life doesn’t always go as planned.  We have used some of the ideas I will be sharing for years while others are ones we are just starting to implement as we continue finding ways to be creative and have fun with what we have been given.  Having a plan in place allows us the freedom to be smart with what we have been given, get more creative when it is a tight (week, month, year or a season) and when necessary live a much more simplified life.  A budget helps us stay on track so we have more opportunities to enjoy the many blessings we have been given as well as share what we have with others.  There is so much more to life than having all the stuff.  We may not have the newest or greatest items in our house, we drive used cars, and wear hand-me-down clothing…..however, if our family is taken care of and have love for each other and others we have more than all the riches in the world.

  • Save A Lot: Deals for the week of March 9 – 15, 2011

    The Save A Lot deals are continued from last week so if you haven’t had an opportunity to stock up on these items you have another week to do it.  Here are this weeks deals at Save A Lot.   Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!

    Meats and Seafood

    Pork Picnic Roast – $0.99 lb

    Frozen Boneless Chicken Breast – $1.49 per lb

    Ground Beef (73% lean) – $1.99 per lb

    Schooner Fish Fillets (2 lbs) – $4.99

    Port Side Battered or Breaded Fish Fillets – $2.99

    Port Side Cooked Shrimp – $3.99

    Port Side Popcorn Shrimp – $2.17

    Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going: Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts of fresh, frozen or smoked meats and pay just $19.99 (about $2 per pound).

    Fridge and Freezer

    Banquet Fruit or Pot Pies – $0.50

    Totino’s Party Pizzas – $1.19

    Use $1/5 coupon from insert 2/13 General Mills (Expires 5/7/11)

    Use $0.50/3 coupon from insert 2/13 General Mills (Expires 5/7/11)

    Use $1.25/4 coupon from insert 1/30 Smart Source (Expires 4/23/11)

    Use $0.50/1 coupon from insert 1/23 Red Plum (Expires 4/16/11)

    As low as $0.69 each after coupon

    Michelina Pizza Rolls – $1.99

    Coburn Farms Shredded Cheese – $2.59

    Haas Cheesecake – $3.49

    Household

    Trend Laundry Detergent – $1.88

    Triumph Big Roll Papers Towels – $1.29

    Solutions Glass Cleaner – $0.99

    Glo Classic Dish Liquid – $0.99

    Angel Soft Bath Tissue – $2.49

    Produce

    Idaho Potatoes (10 lbs) – $2.49

    Navel Oranges (3 lbs) – $1.49

    Whole Watermelons (select locations) – $3.99 each

    Grocery

    Ocean Spray Cranberry Cocktail Juice – $.188

    General Mills Cereal (24 to 25.2 oz) – $2.49

    Use $1/3 coupon from insert 2/13 General Mills (Expires 3/26/11)

    $2.16 each after coupon

    Prego Spaghetti Sauce (24 oz) $1.50

    Use $0.35/2 coupon from insert 1/2 Smart Source (Expires 3/31/11)

    Use $0.60/3 coupon from insert 1/2 Smart Source (Expires 3/31/11)

    As low as $1.20 each after coupon

    So Cheezy Shells & Cheddar or Deluxe Mac & Cheese – $1.00

    Del Pino’s Beef or Mini Beef Ravioli – $1.50

    Portmann’s Tartar Sauce – $1.39

    Portmann’s Seafood Cocktail Sauce – $1.29

    J Higg’s Potato Chips – $0.99

    Save-A-Lot Soda – $0.69

    Crystal Drinking Water (24 package) – $2.49

    Kaskey’s Onion Soup Mix – $0.79

    Portmann’s Real Mayonnaise – $1.99

    Panner Peanut Butter – $1.47

    Bramler’s Grape Jelly – $1.49

    J Higg’s Saltine Crackers – $0.89

    Kaskey’s Chunky Soup – $1.49

    Mantia’s Spaghetti – $0.79

    Mantia’s Grated Parmesan Cheese – $2.49

    Crisco Vegetable or Canola Oil – $2.49

    Green Giant Vegetables – $0.59

    T.G.I. Friday’s Cheddar Bacon Potato Skins – $0.99

    Hunt’s Snack Pack Pudding – $0.99

    Bakery

    Country Treats Donut Holes – $2.29

    JJ’s Chocolate Pie – $0.44

    Bakery Fresh Cherry or Apple Pie – $2.99

    Theodoro Mini Bagels – $1.49

    Lofthouse Pink Frosted Sugar Cookies – $2.49

    Guiseppe’s Garlic Bread – $1.79

    Baby

    Tickles Diapers – $5.99

    Pet

    Trooper Dog Food – $5.99

    Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals!  Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends.

    For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here.  If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.

  • Walgreens: Spent .44 Cents and Got $9 Register Rewards Back

    Yesterday must have been my day to get get $9 in rewards back since I received $9 back from CVS and from Walgreens on the same day.  I spent $0.44 including tax at Walgreens this week on health and beauty purchases and received $9 Register Rewards back from that visit to use towards my next purchase at Walgreens.  For those of you who haven’t used Walgreens Register Rewards here’s what I got and how I spent only 44 cents.

    • 2 – Colgate Toothpastes (1 MaxFresh & 1 MaxWhite) – $5.00 with $2.00 Register Rewards Back
    • 2 – SoftSoap (Juicy Pomegranate & Mango Infusions and Sweet Honeysuckle & Orange Peel) 18 oz – $7.00 with $5.00 Register Rewards Back
    • 1 – Always Pantiliners (34 Count) – $2.99 with $2.00 Register Rewards Back

     

    The total was over $16 with tax before using coupons.  Here are the coupons I used on the five items.

    • Used $0.75 Colgate Manufacturer Coupon for 1 toothpaste
    • Used $0.75 Colgate Manufacturer Coupon for 1 toothpaste
    • Used $1.00 Always Manufacturer Coupon
    • Used $8 Register Rewards from previous purchase
    • Used $5 Register Rewards from previous purchase

    I received $9 ECB’s back today:

    • $2.00 Register Rewards for Colgate
    • $5.00 Register Rewards for SoftSoap
    • $2.00 Register Rewards for Always

    Walgreen’s Register Rewards will expire two weeks from the date they are printed so you will need to make sure to use them before their expiration date.  I always keep the ones that are expiring the soonest on top of the stack to make sure to use them first.

    Another important fact regarding Walgreen’s Register Rewards you will need to know if you haven’t used them before is you can only use 1 coupon per item.  If you use a manufacturer’s coupon for every item you are purchasing you will not be able to use any Register Reward for that transaction.  For today’s purchase that worked out well because I had 5 products which I used 3 manufacturer’s coupons and 2 Register Rewards.  If you do have a coupon for each item then check Walgreen’s weekly ad because they will have items on sale each week for pennies up to $1 that you can use as “filler” items but they won’t raise your total too much.

    A couple weeks ago Brina and I picked up the Softsoap Juicy Pomegranate & Mango Infusions at CVS and we LOVE it!  Brina carried it through the entire store and occasionally stopped to open it so she could smell it.  It really does smell amazing and refreshing.  I was thrilled to find it on sale at Walgreen’s this week.  The girls are going to be very excited to find out I got another one for them.

    As you can see from the items I purchased you don’t have to spend a lot of money or purchase every item on sale to get a good deal at Walgreen’s.  If you spread the $0.44 out over the 5 items I paid $0.08 per item (which includes tax for the entire purchase) PLUS I received $9 in Register Rewards back that I can put towards my next Walgreen’s purchase.  Once you get started using coupons and rewards you may discover, like I did, how to purchase many of your health and beauty items for nothing or very little.  Since using coupons and reward programs I rarely pay full price for any of our health and beauty items plus I usually have extra to share with guests visiting us or to give away.

    For those of you who shop regularly at Walgreens I encourage you to share how you were able to save this week!  Although the weekly ad sales are similar every family and situation is different so you may have found items better suited to your household.  In your comment please feel free to share a link to your blog article showing us how you were able to save at Walgreens.

  • CVS: Spent $1 and Got $9 ECB’s Back

    This week CVS has a few great deals.  I wasn’t able to get to the store until later in the day but was still able to get these two items for $1.09 and received $9 ECB’s to use on my next CVS purchase.

    • Revlon Finger Nail Polish – $3.99 with $3.00 ECB’s
    • Schick Hydro 5 Razor – $8.79 with $5.00 ECB’s

    The total was over $13 with tax before using coupons.  Here are the coupons I used on the two items.

    • Used $3.00 CVS Coupon from the Kiosk inside the store
    • Used $1.00 Revlon Manufacturer Coupon
    • Used $2.00 Schick Manufacturer Coupon
    • Used $6.58 ECB’s from previous purchase (I had a couple more ECB’s but couldn’t use them because they were worth more than $1 so I will be able to use them on a future purchase along with the $9 I received today).  If you use a $2 ECB to pay for $1.09 worth of goods you will not receive the additional $0.91 back so today I decided to pay the $1.09 out of pocket and use my $2 ECB on a future purchase since they weren’t expiring until later in the month.

    I received $9 ECB’s back today:

    • $3.00 ECB’s for Revlon Purchase
    • $5.00 ECB’s for Schick
    • $1.00 ECB’s for Green Bag Tag

    When you shop the CVS sales regularly and have ECB’s that you can roll over toward future purchases the bonus ECB’s start adding up (Green Bag Tags and Beauty Club).  As you can see from my shopping trip today you don’t have to purchase a lot to save money when shopping at CVS.  You can pick and chose what is best for your family.   I would love to hear your CVS shopping story for this week!

    For those of you who shop regularly at CVS please share how you were able to save this week!  Although the weekly ad sales are similar every family and situation is different so you may have found items better suited to your household.  In your comment please feel free to share a link to your blog article showing us how you were able to save shopping at CVS.

  • CVS Savings: Use Your “Green Bag Tag” & Earn ECB’s

     

    You can earn bonus ECB’s (Extra Care Bucks) by purchasing the Green Bag Tag.  If you go to CVS regularly you should consider getting it.

    • It costs $0.99 to buy the tag (I used an ECB to buy it a couple months ago).
    • The Green Bag Tag is scanned when you check out and you earn ECB’s for using it.
    • Every 4th visit to CVS that you bring and scan your Green Tag you will earn $1 ECB.

    How to sign up?

    • Ask the clerk at the store for a Green Bag Tag.   When you purchase the Green Bag Tag with your Rewards Card it becomes linked to your account so you can get the bonus ECB’s every time you use it.

    I have a reusable CVS bag in the van with the Green tag attached to it so I can quickly grab it when I head into the store.  The Green Tag can be scanned any time after scanning your first item (unlike your Rewards Card that can be scanned before any items).  Always make sure that they scan it, sometimes new employees are not aware of it.  Also, double check on your receipt to make sure it is updated with your recent Green Bag Tag use.  Each receipt will show you how many total Green Bag Tags you have used and how many more you need to get your next bonus ECB.  Even though I have only had it a couple months I have been able to earn $4 extra ECB’s using the Green Bag Tag.  At one time (several months ago) they offered it free after ECB’s but even if you have to pay the $0.99 to get it the Green Bag Tag will pay for itself pretty quickly.

  • Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4

    Now that I completed 9 weeks of my No Grocery Shopping challenge I want to share what is next on my agenda as far as grocery shopping is concerned.  I would LOVE to live off my pantry and freezer for the entire year, however, it is getting lower and I need to start shopping for some additional items.  I learned a lot from the recent challenge and want to keep my family fed while staying within our budget.

    Explanation: For the first time ever I am going on a strictly cash system for our groceries.  It is my desire to spend no more than $40 per week for my family of 4.  I am sticking to just grocery and food related items at this time since I have a separate budget for household, health & beauty.  If I find that I still have extra consistently I may decide to roll the other items into this as well.  As an additional bonus if I have more than a half of week of “extra” money remaining at the end of the month I want to contribute that money towards my Creative Cash. Although I know I will have days and weeks with hiccups like with any challenge it is my desire to be more accountable with what I have been given.  I perceive this budget change to have many benefits over the past systems I have used for example it will allow me the opportunity to buy items on sale but not over do it plus makes me more responsible with the money we have been given, and helps control the spontaneous purchases.  Only time will tell how well it works for our family.

    Every family is different so you need to decide what is best for your specific family and situation.  I am starting this endeavor after several months of thought and prayer regarding our family finances.  On a side note I do want to let you know that just because the title says Living on a Budget:  Groceries $40 for 4 that does not mean we will never host guests in our home or take a meal to someone in need.  Our guests and meal deliveries throughout the month are also included in this budget so the actual number will vary from month to month regarding how many people we feed but for simplicity sake it is Groceries $40 for 4 due to our family size and budgeting.

    I hope to give you regular updates on this budget section so you can celebrate the good weeks with me and thump me on the bad weeks!  As always you are welcomed to join the journey with me.  I would love to hear your story and how you are doing too.  I hope by taking the extra time to watch my grocery spending it will allow us to feed our family, enjoy life, and yet stay on track with our budget.

    Living on a Budget is a series of ways our family uses a budget to help keep us accountable with our finances.  Life doesn’t always go as planned.  We have used some of the ideas I will be sharing for years while others are ones we are just starting to implement as we continue finding ways to be creative and have fun with what we have been given.  Having a plan in place allows us the freedom to be smart with what we have been given, get more creative when it is a tight (week, month, year or a season) and when necessary live a much more simplified life.  A budget helps us stay on track so we have more opportunities to enjoy the many blessings we have been given as well as share what we have with others.  There is so much more to life than having all the stuff.  We may not have the newest or greatest items in our house, we drive used cars, and wear hand-me-down clothing…..however, if our family is taken care of and have love for each other and others we have more than all the riches in the world.

    Photo by MoneyBlogNewz

  • Save A Lot: Deals for the week of March 2 – 8, 2011

    Here are this weeks deals at Save A Lot.   Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!

    Meats and Seafood

    Pork Picnic Roast – $0.99 lb

    Frozen Boneless Chicken Breast – $1.49 per lb

    Ground Beef (73% lean) – $1.99 per lb

    Schooner Fish Fillets (2 lbs) – $4.99

    Port Side Battered or Breaded Fish Fillets – $2.99

    Port Side Cooked Shrimp – $3.99

    Port Side Popcorn Shrimp – $2.17

    Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going: Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts of fresh, frozen or smoked meats and pay just $19.99 (about $2 per pound).

    Fridge and Freezer

    Banquet Fruit or Pot Pies – $0.50

    Totino’s Party Pizzas – $1.19

    Use $1/5 coupon from insert 2/13 General Mills (Expires 5/7/11)

    Use $0.50/3 coupon from insert 2/13 General Mills (Expires 5/7/11)

    Use $1.25/4 coupon from insert 1/30 Smart Source (Expires 4/23/11)

    Use $0.50/1 coupon from insert 1/23 Red Plum (Expires 4/16/11)

    As low as $0.69 each after coupon

    Michelina Pizza Rolls – $1.99

    Coburn Farms Shredded Cheese – $2.59

    Haas Cheesecake – $3.49

    Household

    Trend Laundry Detergent – $1.88

    Triumph Big Roll Papers Towels – $1.29

    Solutions Glass Cleaner – $0.99

    Glo Classic Dish Liquid – $0.99

    Angel Soft Bath Tissue – $2.49

    Produce

    Idaho Potatoes (10 lbs) – $2.49

    Navel Oranges (3 lbs) – $1.49

    Whole Watermelons (select locations) – $3.99 each

    Grocery

    Ocean Spray Cranberry Cocktail Juice – $.188

    General Mills Cereal (24 to 25.2 oz) – $2.49

    Use $1/3 coupon from insert 2/13 General Mills (Expires 3/26/11)

    $2.16 each after coupon

    Prego Spaghetti Sauce (24 oz) $1.50

    Use $0.35/2 coupon from insert 1/2 Smart Source (Expires 3/31/11)

    Use $0.60/3 coupon from insert 1/2 Smart Source (Expires 3/31/11)

    As low as $1.20 each after coupon

    So Cheezy Shells & Cheddar or Deluxe Mac & Cheese – $1.00

    Del Pino’s Beef or Mini Beef Ravioli – $1.50

    Portmann’s Tartar Sauce – $1.39

    Portmann’s Seafood Cocktail Sauce – $1.29

    J Higg’s Potato Chips – $0.99

    Save-A-Lot Soda – $0.69

    Crystal Drinking Water (24 package) – $2.49

    Kaskey’s Onion Soup Mix – $0.79

    Portmann’s Real Mayonnaise – $1.99

    Panner Peanut Butter – $1.47

    Bramler’s Grape Jelly – $1.49

    J Higg’s Saltine Crackers – $0.89

    Kaskey’s Chunky Soup – $1.49

    Mantia’s Spaghetti – $0.79

    Mantia’s Grated Parmesan Cheese – $2.49

    Crisco Vegetable or Canola Oil – $2.49

    Green Giant Vegetables – $0.59

    T.G.I. Friday’s Cheddar Bacon Potato Skins – $0.99

    Hunt’s Snack Pack Pudding – $0.99

    Bakery

    Country Treats Donut Holes – $2.29

    JJ’s Chocolate Pie – $0.44

    Bakery Fresh Cherry or Apple Pie – $2.99

    Theodoro Mini Bagels – $1.49

    Lofthouse Pink Frosted Sugar Cookies – $2.49

    Guiseppe’s Garlic Bread – $1.79

    Baby

    Tickles Diapers – $5.99

    Pet

    Trooper Dog Food – $5.99

    Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals!  Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends.

    For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here.  If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.