Here are a couple tips for shopping your local grocery stores.
Harris Teeter:
* Sign up for their VIC program for the sales each week
* Sign up for their eVIC program online for even better savings including unadvertised specials/ personalized shopping lists/ eCoupon program and more perks!
*Coupons double up to $0.75 each (meaning that a .75 coupon is worth $1.50)
* Occasionally they do Super Doubles (coupons up to $1.98 double meaning that $1.50 coupon is worth $3) or Triple Coupons (means that your 0.50 coupon is worth $1.50)
* is in my opinion the best store for maximizing your grocery dollar!
Bi-Lo:
*Sign up for their Bonus Card for the sales each week
*If you take the survey that prints on your receipt each time you shop, you get a coupon for a free item on your next visit
*Coupons up to $0.60 double (means that coupon is worth $1.20)
* is my second fave store for super deals!
Food Lion:
*Sign up for their MVP card for the sales each week
*Offers printable coupons each week if you sign up to receive their sale ad in your inbox - sometimes these are really good coupons and usually they match up with a sale and can be coupled with a manufacture coupon
*They DO NOT double coupons, so I find that most of the deals I get there are not related to manufacture coupons - if you are not a coupon shopper, you may find you like Food Lion b/c there are great deals on stuff that does not require a coupon for the price
*I find that I don't buy a lot at Food Lion, but occasionally they have some super prices on meat/veggies and other stuff
Ingles:
*Sign up for their Advantage card for the sales each week
*Coupons up to $0.50 double and occasionally they do a Triple Coupon week which can make some great sales
*I find that the least of my grocery budget is spent here - the sales are not all that great most weeks, and Harris Teeter and Bi-Lo double coupons for a greater value - but I do hit Ingles about once every couple to three weeks if they have something I am low on at a good enough price
Hope this helps you get an idea of what to expect at each store!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Week of 12/15 - 12/21 Bi-Lo Ad Deals
Here are the items that catch my eye in Bi-Lo's ad. If you normally shop there or have one close to you, you may want to pop in to grab these items. If you want a complete listing with coupon match ups, check out Jenny on Southern Savers - she does a great job with it!
Meats:
**Frozen Turkeys $0.69-0.99 lb depending on size and brand - the $0.69lb requires an additional $35 purchase
**Ham $0.89 lb for a shank portion (requires an additional $35 purchase) - I think its worth the extra $$ per pound to purchase at Ingles or Food Lion unless you are already going to Bi-Lo.
Grocery: (may have coupon match ups for these items)
**Maxwell House coffee - $5.99
**Del Monte Veggies - B1G1F - makes them $0.60 ea
** Crisco oil 48 oz - $1.98
**Various canned Dole fruits - B1G1F - making them $0.84 ea
**Dasani bottled water 24 pack B1G1F making them $3.50
**Nestle hot cocoa packets - B1G1F making them $1.10 each (great for cold nights)
Freezer/ cold stuff: (may have coupon match ups)
**Land O Lakes butter quarters - 2/$5
**Cool Whip - 2/$2
** Armour meatballs B1G1F (14 oz or 35 oz) makes them $2.00 or $3.74 (even better if you get the Sunday paper inserts)
Veggies :
Sweet potatoes - $0.49lb
Clementines 5lb box - $4.99
Meats:
**Frozen Turkeys $0.69-0.99 lb depending on size and brand - the $0.69lb requires an additional $35 purchase
**Ham $0.89 lb for a shank portion (requires an additional $35 purchase) - I think its worth the extra $$ per pound to purchase at Ingles or Food Lion unless you are already going to Bi-Lo.
Grocery: (may have coupon match ups for these items)
**Maxwell House coffee - $5.99
**Del Monte Veggies - B1G1F - makes them $0.60 ea
** Crisco oil 48 oz - $1.98
**Various canned Dole fruits - B1G1F - making them $0.84 ea
**Dasani bottled water 24 pack B1G1F making them $3.50
**Nestle hot cocoa packets - B1G1F making them $1.10 each (great for cold nights)
Freezer/ cold stuff: (may have coupon match ups)
**Land O Lakes butter quarters - 2/$5
**Cool Whip - 2/$2
** Armour meatballs B1G1F (14 oz or 35 oz) makes them $2.00 or $3.74 (even better if you get the Sunday paper inserts)
Veggies :
Sweet potatoes - $0.49lb
Clementines 5lb box - $4.99
Week of 12/12- 12/18 Ingles Sale Ad
Here are the deals this week at Ingles - if you normally shop there or have one close to you and want to drop by and pick up some items for yourself or the food pantry. If you want a complete list or coupon match ups check out Southern Savers for that. Jenny does a great job on that site of matching your manufacture coupons to the sales and even has a printable list feature so you can just click what you want to buy and print out your personalized shopping list! I love her site.
Meats:
**Frozen turkey breasts - $1.24 lb (cheaper at Food Lion if you have one near you - I do and I plan on purchasing several for later and keeping them in the freezer - they cook up great in a crock pot)
**Boneless/Skinless chicken breasts - $1.84 lb
** Hormel Bacon - B1G1F - making them $2.89
Veggies:
**Family sized salad mixes - $3.98
**Earthbound Farms organic baby carrots - $1.50
**Green Cabbage - 3lb/ $1
Frozen/ Cold Stuff: (there may be coupon matches to these)
**Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers - 3/$5 (cheaper at Food Lion this week)
Groceries: (there may be coupon matches to these)
** Muir Glen organic tomatoes 3/$5 (the fire roasted are a fave in my house)
**Betty Crocker boxed potatoes 10/$10
** Del Monte veggies - 3/$2 (cheaper at Food Lion this week)
** Select Kellogg's cereals - $1.98
**Select General Mills cereals - 3/$6
** Chex cereals - 2/$5 (lots of this for Chex Mix is being bought in my house)
** Keebler Zesta saltines - 2/$3 (if you have the Sunday paper coupons, these will be $0.50 a box)
** Kraft Salad Dressing - 3/$5
** Rold Gold pretzels - B1G1F - makes them $1.50 ea
** Mueller's pastas - 5/$5
Household: (again, there may be coupon matches for these)
**Bounty paper towles 6-8 count - $6.98
**Scott bath tissue - 20 count - $12.48
** RayOVac batteries - 5/$5 (if you get the Sunday paper inserts, these will be free!)
Meats:
**Frozen turkey breasts - $1.24 lb (cheaper at Food Lion if you have one near you - I do and I plan on purchasing several for later and keeping them in the freezer - they cook up great in a crock pot)
**Boneless/Skinless chicken breasts - $1.84 lb
** Hormel Bacon - B1G1F - making them $2.89
Veggies:
**Family sized salad mixes - $3.98
**Earthbound Farms organic baby carrots - $1.50
**Green Cabbage - 3lb/ $1
Frozen/ Cold Stuff: (there may be coupon matches to these)
**Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers - 3/$5 (cheaper at Food Lion this week)
Groceries: (there may be coupon matches to these)
** Muir Glen organic tomatoes 3/$5 (the fire roasted are a fave in my house)
**Betty Crocker boxed potatoes 10/$10
** Del Monte veggies - 3/$2 (cheaper at Food Lion this week)
** Select Kellogg's cereals - $1.98
**Select General Mills cereals - 3/$6
** Chex cereals - 2/$5 (lots of this for Chex Mix is being bought in my house)
** Keebler Zesta saltines - 2/$3 (if you have the Sunday paper coupons, these will be $0.50 a box)
** Kraft Salad Dressing - 3/$5
** Rold Gold pretzels - B1G1F - makes them $1.50 ea
** Mueller's pastas - 5/$5
Household: (again, there may be coupon matches for these)
**Bounty paper towles 6-8 count - $6.98
**Scott bath tissue - 20 count - $12.48
** RayOVac batteries - 5/$5 (if you get the Sunday paper inserts, these will be free!)
Week of 12/15 - 12/21 Food Lion Ad Deals
If you normally shop at a Food Lion or are close to one and want to pick up some good deals, here are the ones that I see in the ad that catch my eye. If you want a complete listing of the deals for Food Lion or any other grocery store or drug store in our area, visit Jenny at Southern Savers. She does an awesome job of providing a complete listing of the grocery sales coupled with coupons that match up if you use those. She also has it set so you can check off the items you want to purchase and print out your shopping list. Southern Savers also has great beginner info if you are just getting started with your bargain hunting!
Meats:
** Smithfield ham (spirals are $1.55 w/ a $15 additional purchase and shanks are $0.99 lb (no additional purchase needed) - these are some of the lowest prices per pound I have seen since last Christmas, so if you have freezer space, I would purchase 2 for later)
** 10lb bags of fresh chicken leg quarters - $0.59 lb
** Frozen Turkey Breasts - $0.97 lb (these are super good in the crock pot)
Veggies:
** 5 lb bags Russet potatoes - B1G1F making them $1.50 a bag or $0.30lb
** 3 lb bag Tangerines - $2.99
** Mangoes - $0.99 ea
Grocery items (there may be coupon matches for these items - check Southern Savers for those
** Campbell's Select Soups - 10/$10
**Del Monte veggies - B1G1F making them $0.60 ea
**Kraft shredded or chunk cheese - 3/$5
**Dole canned pineapple - 5/$5
** Bush's canned beans - 5/$4 (makes them .80 ea - buying dried and cooking them is a much cheaper route)
Freezer/ Cold Items (may have coupon matches)
**Birds Eye frozen veggies - B1G1F - makes them $1.25 each
** Land O Lakes butter quarters - 2/$6 (or if you are not brand particular - Food Lion brand is 2/$5)
Household items (again there may be coupons available for these items)
**Arm & Hammer Liquid Detergent - B1G1F - makes them $2.35 each
** Hefty paper products B1G1F - no price listed, but will be a good deal if you need for Christmas entertaining
Meats:
** Smithfield ham (spirals are $1.55 w/ a $15 additional purchase and shanks are $0.99 lb (no additional purchase needed) - these are some of the lowest prices per pound I have seen since last Christmas, so if you have freezer space, I would purchase 2 for later)
** 10lb bags of fresh chicken leg quarters - $0.59 lb
** Frozen Turkey Breasts - $0.97 lb (these are super good in the crock pot)
Veggies:
** 5 lb bags Russet potatoes - B1G1F making them $1.50 a bag or $0.30lb
** 3 lb bag Tangerines - $2.99
** Mangoes - $0.99 ea
Grocery items (there may be coupon matches for these items - check Southern Savers for those
** Campbell's Select Soups - 10/$10
**Del Monte veggies - B1G1F making them $0.60 ea
**Kraft shredded or chunk cheese - 3/$5
**Dole canned pineapple - 5/$5
** Bush's canned beans - 5/$4 (makes them .80 ea - buying dried and cooking them is a much cheaper route)
Freezer/ Cold Items (may have coupon matches)
**Birds Eye frozen veggies - B1G1F - makes them $1.25 each
** Land O Lakes butter quarters - 2/$6 (or if you are not brand particular - Food Lion brand is 2/$5)
Household items (again there may be coupons available for these items)
**Arm & Hammer Liquid Detergent - B1G1F - makes them $2.35 each
** Hefty paper products B1G1F - no price listed, but will be a good deal if you need for Christmas entertaining
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Welcome Calvary Fellowship Friends
"Welcome" to all my friends from Calvary Fellowship! I hope you will find that this blog helps you save money for your own family as well as helps you donate to the Food Pantry. I am so excited about being a part of this ministry!
Please let me know what you would like to see on the blog. I plan to alert you each week as to where your best prices are on staples for donations as well as meats and veggies for your own family's needs. I also will be showing you how you can save on your health and beauty needs and household needs as well. I have found that by cutting back on these items, I have much more left in my budget for other things.
One of the first things I would ask that you all do it to pray and ask God to direct you and your family in your shopping habits. Nothing that we attempt to do in our own strength will end well, so start now by thanking the Lord for His grace and provision in the past and asking fo His wisdom in what your family needs to do to be able to give to this ministry.
Please let me know what you would like to see on the blog. I plan to alert you each week as to where your best prices are on staples for donations as well as meats and veggies for your own family's needs. I also will be showing you how you can save on your health and beauty needs and household needs as well. I have found that by cutting back on these items, I have much more left in my budget for other things.
One of the first things I would ask that you all do it to pray and ask God to direct you and your family in your shopping habits. Nothing that we attempt to do in our own strength will end well, so start now by thanking the Lord for His grace and provision in the past and asking fo His wisdom in what your family needs to do to be able to give to this ministry.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Want to save over $100 a year??? Who doesn't!!
I just love Jodi over at "Never Pay Retail Again"! She has some great tips, searches out some great deals and has fun ideas on how to save money, and have fun doing it!
I loved this that she just posted on her Facebook Page:
"Want to save $144.56 per year? Here's how-- if you use 2 boxes of pasta per week (retail price: $1.79) you spend $186.16/year. If you buy those same 104 boxes of pasta ONLY when that pasta is BOGO with a $1/2 coupon you will spend $41.60/year on that SAME amount and brand pasta. That's it-- it's THAT simple-- buy the... SAME items as ALWAYS but only buy them when they're at a fabuLESS price!"
Makes perfect sense to me! Thanks Jodi for putting this together to show how simple saving money can be.
I loved this that she just posted on her Facebook Page:
"Want to save $144.56 per year? Here's how-- if you use 2 boxes of pasta per week (retail price: $1.79) you spend $186.16/year. If you buy those same 104 boxes of pasta ONLY when that pasta is BOGO with a $1/2 coupon you will spend $41.60/year on that SAME amount and brand pasta. That's it-- it's THAT simple-- buy the... SAME items as ALWAYS but only buy them when they're at a fabuLESS price!"
Makes perfect sense to me! Thanks Jodi for putting this together to show how simple saving money can be.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Earth Day Tidbits
Just a couple reminders of things that go along with all the info out this week for Earth Day.
~ Remember to get your bag tag at CVS this week for $.99 and earn an ECB of $.99 making it free. If you attach it to a reusable bag and use that bag each time you shop at CVS - you will earn a $1.00 ECB every 4th time you shop (remember to have the cashier scan your tag before you pay). I have earned about $3 so far the last few months by using mine
~ Several stores offer discounts when you bring your own reusable bags ~ $.05 does not seem like much, but it adds up and as far as I know, all stores allow you to use ANY reusable bag, not just one specifically bought from that store, so go ahead and use that Harris Teeter bag at Target! I do!
~ Earth Fare will no longer be using plastic bags so remember to bring your own bags there when you shop, or you will be carrying your groceries out in your arms! ;o) Also, concerning Earth Fare, have you signed up for their newsletter? If not go HERE and do so. Each week, they send you an email newsletter with deals for the week and sometimes here are great coupons attached. This week's coupon is for a free reusable bag with a purchase from the bulk food section. I have not made it there yet, but will be headed there before this deal is over because they are offering 20% off that bulk food purchase also - love me some great tasting trail mix! Just have to hide it from the kids ;o)
~And last, but not least, a tip that I have found to be a great money saver as well as a cut back on the amount of waste in my trash can is to use cloth napkins. We were tossing out TONS of paper napkins each day because the kids would throw them out even if they used their shirt sleeve instead at the dinner table. So, I went to Ross and bought 3 packs of 12 washcloths for $3.99 each and we use those instead. I keep them rolled up pretty in a basket on the buffet and whoever is responsible for setting the table lays one out for each place at the table before we eat. Then afterward, they just get tossed in the wash with whatever load I am doing next. I have cut down tremendously on what I was spending on napkins and paper towels and feel good that not so much trash is ending up in my can each week.
Have a great week and as you celebrated Earth Day (or what's left of it now) remember to give thanks and praise to the One that created our Earth for us! Praise God for His works are amazing!
~ Remember to get your bag tag at CVS this week for $.99 and earn an ECB of $.99 making it free. If you attach it to a reusable bag and use that bag each time you shop at CVS - you will earn a $1.00 ECB every 4th time you shop (remember to have the cashier scan your tag before you pay). I have earned about $3 so far the last few months by using mine
~ Several stores offer discounts when you bring your own reusable bags ~ $.05 does not seem like much, but it adds up and as far as I know, all stores allow you to use ANY reusable bag, not just one specifically bought from that store, so go ahead and use that Harris Teeter bag at Target! I do!
~ Earth Fare will no longer be using plastic bags so remember to bring your own bags there when you shop, or you will be carrying your groceries out in your arms! ;o) Also, concerning Earth Fare, have you signed up for their newsletter? If not go HERE and do so. Each week, they send you an email newsletter with deals for the week and sometimes here are great coupons attached. This week's coupon is for a free reusable bag with a purchase from the bulk food section. I have not made it there yet, but will be headed there before this deal is over because they are offering 20% off that bulk food purchase also - love me some great tasting trail mix! Just have to hide it from the kids ;o)
~And last, but not least, a tip that I have found to be a great money saver as well as a cut back on the amount of waste in my trash can is to use cloth napkins. We were tossing out TONS of paper napkins each day because the kids would throw them out even if they used their shirt sleeve instead at the dinner table. So, I went to Ross and bought 3 packs of 12 washcloths for $3.99 each and we use those instead. I keep them rolled up pretty in a basket on the buffet and whoever is responsible for setting the table lays one out for each place at the table before we eat. Then afterward, they just get tossed in the wash with whatever load I am doing next. I have cut down tremendously on what I was spending on napkins and paper towels and feel good that not so much trash is ending up in my can each week.
Have a great week and as you celebrated Earth Day (or what's left of it now) remember to give thanks and praise to the One that created our Earth for us! Praise God for His works are amazing!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Southern Savers is one of my favorite sites!
I use this site for coupon match ups each week for local grocery and drug stores. Jenny has a great site with lists for Harris Teeter; Ingles, Bi-Lo and Food Lion. She also lists coupon match-ups for CVS; Rite Aid and Walgreens. And, one of my favorites of her lists available: Target. Go check her site out for great tips on saving money on your grocery bill, ways to get coupons, places to find the best prices on staples each week and so much more!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Common Coupon/ List Making Abreviations
I will use abreviations often to save typing time. Here are the most common ones you may be seeing in my posts:
*SS (refers to the SmartSource paper insert of coupons) - EX: SS 3/28 refers to a coupon found in the 3/28 newspaper SmartSource insert
* RP (refers to the Red Plum insert) - same as above
*P&G (refers to the Proctor & Gamble insert) - same as above
*B1G1F - Buy 1 get 1 Free
*MFQ - manufacturer coupon
*OOP - out of pocket spent
* ECB - Extra Care Buck
*RR - Register Reward (Walgreens reward system)
*WG - Walgreens
*RA - RiteAid
*FL - Food Lion
There may be more and if there is anything that you don't understand about my abreviations, let me know. These were just a few I find myself using in the making out of my lists for this week.
*SS (refers to the SmartSource paper insert of coupons) - EX: SS 3/28 refers to a coupon found in the 3/28 newspaper SmartSource insert
* RP (refers to the Red Plum insert) - same as above
*P&G (refers to the Proctor & Gamble insert) - same as above
*B1G1F - Buy 1 get 1 Free
*MFQ - manufacturer coupon
*OOP - out of pocket spent
* ECB - Extra Care Buck
*RR - Register Reward (Walgreens reward system)
*WG - Walgreens
*RA - RiteAid
*FL - Food Lion
There may be more and if there is anything that you don't understand about my abreviations, let me know. These were just a few I find myself using in the making out of my lists for this week.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Tips for CVS Shopping
In case you have never had a conversation with me about couponing, I just gotta say to start with that I LOVE CVS!! They are undoubtably my favorite drug store because they have terrific deals and its so simple to learn the "ins" and "outs" of the Extra Care Buck (ECB) system. If you are just starting out with couponing, I would strongly suggest that you start with one grocery store and one drug store and work on those until you get some experience "under your belt" and CVS would be my reccomendation for that drug store to start with. Here is a little "CVS 101" for you all:
~ CVS uses a "reward type system" called Extra Care Bucks (will refer to as ECB from here out) that prints out on your reciept. In order to "earn" these ECB, you must have an Extra Care card (like your grocery member cards - Advantage, VIC, Bonuscard). So the first thing you want to do is sign up for a card - you can do that in store your first shopping trip and use it the first time to start your ECB earning. The ECB are earned by purchasing the items that are specified ECB deals - some will be current for a week, others for as much as a month.
~ Each week in the CVS sale ad, there are item that are identified as ECB deals. They will be an item you buy for $xyz amount and then earn $xy back on making it "like paying" $z for item. So, the idea is to buy the item that are "FREE" or really close to free after ECB and then "roll" the ECB into something else. What is "rolling" you say? Rolling means taking the ECB you earned from buying one ECB deal item and using ito to buy another item that will be earn you more ECB so you will always have ECB to pay for your next purchase - ECB is really alot like "free money" that you can use in place of your "real cash money"
~ There is no limit to the # of ECB you can use to pay for your shopping trip at CVS until you get your subtotal down to just the tax on your purchase. Then you have to pay tax out of pocket (at least this is what I have found, some states are different I think depending on how sales tax works).
~ You can use coupons towards ECB items you are purchasing to make your ECB you earn back cause the item to be free or even a money making purchase.
Here is my trip to CVS this week (I had ECB from last week to spend - but if you were starting with $0 ECB, you can break down each item in its own transaction - I will show that too):
ECB Deals*
*1 Colgate Total toothpaste $2.99
*1 Clairol Hair Color $5.99 (yes, now you all know...)
*2 Pantene shampoos @ $2.99 ea = $5.98
1 box pantiliners $2.49
1 pk Easter stickers $0.25 (to keep the 3yo happy while we shopped - had stickers from head to toe by the time we were home - but it works)
Total $ 17.70
subtracted at the register:
$1 off Colgate coupon
$3 off Clairol coupon
$3 off 2 Pantene coupon
$2.49 CVS printable coupon for a free box pantiliners (got this from the machine in the entrance of CVS where you can scan your Extra Care card for coupons - I get some really good ones by doing this each time I shop)
Brings my total to : $ 8.21
Then I had the following ECBs from last week:
$3; $1; $2; $2
which I used for a total of : $0.21 plus tax of $1.29 = $1.50 out of pocket for my $17+ purchase and I had 3 X $2 ECBs print out for next weeks trip.
Here is a Newbie CVS transaction idea:
Buy 1 Colgate Total @ $2.99
Use a $1 off coupon (I got mine from my April All You mag - but think there is another out there that came in the Wednesday freebie paper in Hend Co last week or maybe a printable one online.
Pay $1.99 + tax and get
$2 ECB back
Buy 2 Pantene Shampoo/conditioner @ $2.99 ea
Use a $3/2 coupon that came in Sundays Proctor and Gamble coupon insert = $2.98
Use your $2 ECB and pay $0.98 + tax and get
$2 ECB back ($1 for each Pantene)
Buy 1 Clairol hair color for $5.99
Use a $3 off coupon from same insert as above = $2.99
Use your $2 ECB and pay $0.99 + tax and get
$2 ECB for next week
Total out of pocket: $3.96 + tax - $2 ECB for next week = $1.96 + tax for about $15 worth of stuff
~ Use the CVS/Walgreens/Rite Aid deals each week and you will always have plenty of free toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, shave cream, razors, mouthwash, deodorant to use and many other items for just pennies!
~ Last tip: Pick up a "Green Tag" at CVS and put it on a reusable bag and each time you shop, use your own bag and have them scan your tag along with your Extra Care card and purchase and you will earn $1 ECB every 4th trip. I have earned $1 each month by doing this. Not much, but it paid for those stickers I bought up there....;o)
~ CVS uses a "reward type system" called Extra Care Bucks (will refer to as ECB from here out) that prints out on your reciept. In order to "earn" these ECB, you must have an Extra Care card (like your grocery member cards - Advantage, VIC, Bonuscard). So the first thing you want to do is sign up for a card - you can do that in store your first shopping trip and use it the first time to start your ECB earning. The ECB are earned by purchasing the items that are specified ECB deals - some will be current for a week, others for as much as a month.
~ Each week in the CVS sale ad, there are item that are identified as ECB deals. They will be an item you buy for $xyz amount and then earn $xy back on making it "like paying" $z for item. So, the idea is to buy the item that are "FREE" or really close to free after ECB and then "roll" the ECB into something else. What is "rolling" you say? Rolling means taking the ECB you earned from buying one ECB deal item and using ito to buy another item that will be earn you more ECB so you will always have ECB to pay for your next purchase - ECB is really alot like "free money" that you can use in place of your "real cash money"
~ There is no limit to the # of ECB you can use to pay for your shopping trip at CVS until you get your subtotal down to just the tax on your purchase. Then you have to pay tax out of pocket (at least this is what I have found, some states are different I think depending on how sales tax works).
~ You can use coupons towards ECB items you are purchasing to make your ECB you earn back cause the item to be free or even a money making purchase.
Here is my trip to CVS this week (I had ECB from last week to spend - but if you were starting with $0 ECB, you can break down each item in its own transaction - I will show that too):
ECB Deals*
*1 Colgate Total toothpaste $2.99
*1 Clairol Hair Color $5.99 (yes, now you all know...)
*2 Pantene shampoos @ $2.99 ea = $5.98
1 box pantiliners $2.49
1 pk Easter stickers $0.25 (to keep the 3yo happy while we shopped - had stickers from head to toe by the time we were home - but it works)
Total $ 17.70
subtracted at the register:
$1 off Colgate coupon
$3 off Clairol coupon
$3 off 2 Pantene coupon
$2.49 CVS printable coupon for a free box pantiliners (got this from the machine in the entrance of CVS where you can scan your Extra Care card for coupons - I get some really good ones by doing this each time I shop)
Brings my total to : $ 8.21
Then I had the following ECBs from last week:
$3; $1; $2; $2
which I used for a total of : $0.21 plus tax of $1.29 = $1.50 out of pocket for my $17+ purchase and I had 3 X $2 ECBs print out for next weeks trip.
Here is a Newbie CVS transaction idea:
Buy 1 Colgate Total @ $2.99
Use a $1 off coupon (I got mine from my April All You mag - but think there is another out there that came in the Wednesday freebie paper in Hend Co last week or maybe a printable one online.
Pay $1.99 + tax and get
$2 ECB back
Buy 2 Pantene Shampoo/conditioner @ $2.99 ea
Use a $3/2 coupon that came in Sundays Proctor and Gamble coupon insert = $2.98
Use your $2 ECB and pay $0.98 + tax and get
$2 ECB back ($1 for each Pantene)
Buy 1 Clairol hair color for $5.99
Use a $3 off coupon from same insert as above = $2.99
Use your $2 ECB and pay $0.99 + tax and get
$2 ECB for next week
Total out of pocket: $3.96 + tax - $2 ECB for next week = $1.96 + tax for about $15 worth of stuff
~ Use the CVS/Walgreens/Rite Aid deals each week and you will always have plenty of free toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, shave cream, razors, mouthwash, deodorant to use and many other items for just pennies!
~ Last tip: Pick up a "Green Tag" at CVS and put it on a reusable bag and each time you shop, use your own bag and have them scan your tag along with your Extra Care card and purchase and you will earn $1 ECB every 4th trip. I have earned $1 each month by doing this. Not much, but it paid for those stickers I bought up there....;o)
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Getting Started
Ok, I am just going to jump in feet first here with this blog. I have tried for years to keep up with one and have not found the time, but am determined now as so many of you all are asking for tips on couponing and cutting your grocery bills. Please let me know what questions you may have that I can try to answer. I am going to be just posting as I have time my ideas, how I got started with couponing, where my favorite places to shop are, what I am buying each week and anything else I think you all may benefit from.
Looking forward to helping my friends "Spend Less, Get More, and Enjoy the Process!"
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