Apr 1, 2008

Anyone skip breakfast?

If so, I have about 10 boxes of cereal in my basement I can share with you. I have been so inspired by Amber and Money Saving Mom that I decided to put my coupon skills to the test. It seems that the best deals can be had at CVS. The nearest CVS is at least 20 miles away, so I'm doing the best I can with Walgreen's.

Today I purchased all of this for $28.73, original price would be $83.88.



The savings included $19.69 in-store savings, $8 coupons, $23.46 in monthly rebates, and $4 in register rewards. This isn't as great as some seasoned coupon veterans - but I'm getting the hang of it.

I'm new to a few of these deals, so maybe you are too. I'll do my best to explain. The monthly rebates can be found in a booklet you pick up right at their door. They lay it out nicely in a checklist, letting you know what items are included and how many you can purchase. At the end of the month, you send in your receipts with the checklist, and either receive a refund check or choose a Walgreen's gift card and get an extra 10%. Several of the rebate items are a full rebate, meaning free! You can also use coupons on these items, so I ended up -$1 on toothpaste, -$2 on a make-up brush, and -$1 on a toothbrush. As Brian would say, "Open up and say awesome."

As for register rewards, these are savings that print out as you check out that day. The savings can be used for your next visit to Walgreen's. For example, I bought the Tide for $10. (I unfortunately, did not have a coupon). I received register rewards for $4, so in the end, only spent $6.

Amber is a mastermind at finding great deals on items she wouldn't ordinarily need, using coupons, and then getting so much overage that the items she really needed were free. See this story about KY Jelly. Too funny.

So in the end, Brian and I are only two people and can use just so much toothpaste, hand soap, and lotion in one year. I'll have to limit my addiction somewhat. But it sure is fun trying to work out some smart deals.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

I know I've said it before, and I'm going to say it again: Just because it's a deal doesn't mean we should buy it.

Jacqueline said...

Angie, I am impressed! Jeff and I have been trying to budget much more lately and have been planning meals somewhat around sales, etc. I am going to have to see what deals I can find at CVS. We have one basically in our front yard. We can walk there in 5 minutes. I will post if I find any "blog-worthy" deals. BTW - your friend's story about the KY Jelly was hilarious!

Patty Ann said...

Good deals. CVS usually recycles the same offers over and over, so I might have to try Walgreens. Better yet---and you'll figure this out in time---patronize the stores (and products)that your mutual funds hold shares of.

Angie said...

Brian - the stuff I actually spent "real" money on is stuff we actually use and will need anyway - unless you want to start wiping your butt with dollar bills.

Amber said...

Great job Angie! I'm very impressed! I just got $28 from my Walgreens rebate from last month in the mail, so I may use it to go and buy some Tide and some Swiffer stuff we are out of.

Brian....you are nuts...if you can MAKE a dollar buying something you don't need then why not??!!

Anonymous said...

OK guys.........my advice is to bring excess up to the cottage when it's opened!! Someone will eat/use it there!!

Wish I had the energy to clip ad save!

Carrie said...

Ang--You should donate some of your extra toothpaste and toiletries to a women's shelter or a homeless shelter. I mean, if it was free or negative dollars, then donating would be a good thing. You know, karma and stuff.....