Scenarios and deals for the week of 2-28-10

You should have $2.00 RR from last week, if not $6.00 to start this week with.  If you do, remember to throw in a cheapie item with your transaction because each coupon (and RR are counted as a coupon) requires 1 item purchased.


1st Transaction:


(1) Schick Intuition Razor on sale 8.99 
(use 4.00/1 coupon from today's sunday paper 2/28/10)
(1) Altoids (on sale) .49
Use your $2.00 RR from last week
Total: oop 3.48 + tax
And you get a 3.00 Register Reward (so it's like paying .48)


***If you do not have the 2.00 RR from last weeks scenarios, then just skip the altoid's here and you will pay 4.99 + tax oop***


2nd Transaction:
(2) Purex 3 in 1 sheets on sale 2/9.00
(use b1g1 free coupon from last sunday 2/21/10)
(1) Speedstick deo (mens & womens on sale) 1.99
(use 1.00/1 coupon from last sunday 2/21)
(1) Colgate Total Toothpaste 2.99
(use .75/1 coupon from last sunday) *some of you got a 1.00/1 coupon use this*
Also use your 3.00 RR from 1st transaction
Total bill:  13.98
Minus coupons & Register reward your oop is:  4.49
AND you get 1.00 RR for the purex, 1.00 RR for the speedstick and a 2.00 RR for the toothpaste.  
Total RR is 4.00.


3rd Transaction: 

You can do a couple of different things.. you can go get more Purex sheets or another razor etc.  I personally am going to do this for my 3rd transaction:


(2) Purex 3 in 1 sheets 9.00
(use b1g1 coupon)
(3) Altoids on sale for .49 = 1.47
Use 4.00 in Register Rewards and your total oop is : $1.97 (and you get a 1.00 RR for buying the purex)


So to cap what you would get is:
(4) Purex 3 in 1 sheets (36.00)
(1) Schick Intuition Razor (8.99)
(1) Colgate Toothpaste (2.99)
(1) Speedstick deo (1.99)
(4) Altoids (1.96)
Total $51.93 + tax
Actual OOP spent by you:  $9.94


**I had a $4.00 RR left from last weeks razor, so my personal oop is $5.94.. not all of you had that though, so I did not include it**


PLUS.. you should still have a $1.00 RR to start next week with.


Do these transactions for as many times as you have coupons (I will be doing these ten times.. my total oop will be around 37.00.  Without coupons and register rewards MY oop would be...Close to 500.00. 


Here is a link to the Walgreens sales ad for this week.  Match up what you can do with the coupons you have and items that you need. 


Walgreens sales flyer for week of 2/28/10


As always, don't buy something just because you have a coupon, but don't buy anything unless you do :)


As for CVS this week.. I really only saw one deal worth much and that was the Softsoap body wash and Irish Spring body was is on sale for 4.99 and if you purchase it you get a 4.00 ECB's.  


Here is a link to CVS ad in case you'd like to check it out.
CVS ad for week of 2/28/10


Till next time..

Month of March ongoing Register Rewards @ Walgreens

This is the list of items at Walgreens that will provide Register Rewards for the month of March. 


I will be getting my scenarios and deals for this week posted either later this evening (been a busy day around here) or in the morning. 


Thanks to "tohimipray" @ A Full Cup for posting all the monthly RR deals!




Valid 2/28- 3/27 unless noted otherwise
Please note availability varies by region


♦ $5 RR WYB 3 or more participating Huggies, Kotex, Cottonelle, Depend, Poise, Viva or Scott products
Viva Regular Roll 6pk
Scott Bath Tissue 12ct 1000SH
Kotex L/Day P/Lnr Uns Lng 1X 48ct
Kotex Sec Tamp Reg 18ct
Kotex Maxi Pads 24ct
Pull Ups LD Jumbo Girl 2t/3t 26ct
Huggies Supreme Jumbo SZ4 27ct
Huggies Wipes Natural Care F/F 216ct
Cottonelle Clean Wipes Refill 72ct
Depends Belted Shield Extra Abs 30ct
Poise Pads Ultra Reg 52ct
Depends Underwear X/Absorbant Fem S/M 20ct
KIMBERLY CLARK

$3 RR WYB 2 or more participating Special K Bars or Shakes products
Special K Bar Chocolate/Peanut Butter 6ct 1.59oz
Special K Protein Kiwi Strawberry 7ct
Special K Protein French Vanilla 10oz 4ct
KELLOGGS

Buy participating Vicks products and receive register rewards. Buy $15, get $5 RR; Buy $20 or more, get $10 RR
Cold/Cough Soothing Vapor Plug In w/Pads 5ct
Cold Cough Vapo Pads 6ct
Nyquil Liquid Original 6oz
Vaposyrup Sever Congestion 10oz
Nyquil Liquicaps 12ct
Vaporub Jar 1.75oz
Dayquil Liquicaps 20ct (Bonus 24ct Pack Available In Some Areas)
Nyquil + Vitamin C Caplets 10ct
44 Cough Cold PM Berry Liquid 6oz
44 Dry Cough Berry Liquid 6oz
Dayquil Liquidgels + Vit C 20ct
Dayuil + Vit C Caplets 10ct
PROCTOR & GAMBLE

$2 RR WYB Zicam Sinus Relief .5oz
ZICAM, LLC

Buy 1 or more participating Walgreens Nicotine products and receive coupon at checkout for $5 off your next Walgreens Nicotine Cessation product purchase
Walg Nico 2mg Lozenge Mint 72ct
Walg Nico 4mg Gum Uncoated Regular 110ct
Walg Nico 14ct Nico Patch Opaque

$10 RR WYB any Nutrisystems Nutritional Program
NUTRISYSTEM, INC

$2 RR WYB 1 or more participating Alcon ICaps products
Areds Formula Tablets 120ct
Areds Softgel 60ct
Multi Vitamin W/Lutein 50ct
Lutein/Zea Tablets
Multi Vitamin W/Lutein 100ct
ALCON

$10 RR WYB $20 or more participating Dr. Scholl's products
Massaging Gel Insole Men
Massaging Gel Insole Women
For Her Heel Liners 2S
For Her Sole Expressions Insole 3PR
For Her 16 Hour Insole 1PR
For Her Ball-O-Foot Cushion 2S
Massaging Gel Sport Insole Women
Memory Fit Insole Men
Massaging Gel Work Insole Men PR
Massaging Gel Heel Cup Medium 2S
Massaging Gel Arch Support Mens 2S
For Her Comfort Insoles
Back Pain Instant Relief Insole Men
Adjustable Arches Men 2S
Knee Pain Relief Orthotic Men 2S
Arthritis Pain Relief Orthotic Men 1PR
For Her Smooth Sole Micro File
For Her High Heel Insole 1PR
Tri-Comfort Insoles For Women
Tri-Comfort Inserts For Men
SCHERING-PLOUGH HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS


The Following Deals Are 2 Month Promotions

$5 RR WYB 2 or more participating Sudafed, Benadryl, Tylenol or Zyrtec products
Benadryl Child Allergy Fastmelts Cherry 18ct
Benadryl Child Allergy Perfect Measure 10ct .17oz
Benadryl D Child Allergy Liq Grape 4oz
Zyrtec 24 Hour 10mg Tablets 14ct
Zyrtec 24 Hour 10mg Liquid Softgels 12ct
Zyrtec-D 12 Hour Tablets 12ct 120mg/Dose
Sudafed PE Nighttime Cold Caplets 20ct
Sudafed PE Triple Action Caplets 24ct
Benadryl Allergy Kapgel 24ct
Benadryl Child Allergy Cherry Liquid 4oz
Sudafed PE Sinus Allergy Tablets 24ct
Benadryl Severe Allergy Sinus Headache 20ct
Sudafed PE 10mg Tablets 18ct
Tylenol Child Plus Cold Multi-Sympton Grape 4oz
Sudafed PE Child Decongestant Raspberry 4oz
Sudafed PE Cold/Cough Caplets 20ct
Zyrtec 24 Hour Dye Free Grape 4oz
Sudafed Nasal Mist Sinus/Congestion .5oz
Sudafed D Child N/Decongestant Liquid 4oz 15mg/Dose
Tylenol Allergy Multi-Sympton Rapid Release Gelcaps 24ct
Tylenol Severe Allergy Caplets 24ct
Tylenol Cough/Throat Night Liquid 8oz
Tylenol Cold Multi-Sympton Rapid Relase Gelcaps Daytime 24ct
Tylenol Cold Severe M/S D/T Caplets 24ct
MCNEILL-PPC

$10 RR WYB $25 or more participating Zyrtec, Tylenol, Simply Sleep, St Joseph or Motrin products
Zyrtec Itchy Eye Drops .17oz
Zyrtec-D 12 Hour Tablets 24ct 120mg/Dose
Simply Sleep Caplets 100ct
St Joseph 81mg Enteric Aspirin 180ct
Motrin IB Caplets 100ct
Tylenol Extra Strength Caplets 100ct
Tylenol Rapid Release Gelcaps 100ct
Tylenol PM Rapid Release Gelcaps 80ct
Zrytec 24 Hour 10mg Tablets 30ct
MCNEILL-PPC 

"But clipping coupons really isn't worth it...."

A patient came in the office today who apparently saw me at Kroger on Friday.. with my Case It Binder with a strap.  She said, "Oh I saw all your coupons.. you really are serious aren't you?!!?"


Why yes I am lol


Then she said the one thing I never understand.."But.. clipping coupons really isn't worth it".  She went on to say, "I can't see using a coupon for .30 of a can of biscuits being worth it.. it's just .30".  At this point I have to use mucho restraint because she's just not thinking it through!! 


Let's say you're like me and use one can of biscuits a week on average (sunday brunch of biscuits and gravy.. yummmmy)


Can of biscuits.. 1.25 x 52 weeks = 65.00
Coupon for can of biscuits... .30 x 52 weeks = 15.60
Use that coupon at a store that doubles coupons, such as Kroger then your savings are even more substantial at = 32.50.  


You have to look at the big picture.  I am huge believer in "DO NOT BUY THAT ITEM JUST CAUSE YOU HAVE A COUPON.. BUY IT CAUSE YOU HAVE A COUPON AND YOU USE IT".


I also totally plan my meals around what coupons are available that week or on what I've been able to stockpile.  Let's talk about Stockpiling for a minute.


Spaghetti sauce is 2.99 a jar.  Kroger has a famous 10/10 sale.  You have .50 coupons on Spaghetti sauce.  You then buy 20 jars of Spaghetti sauce.  Yes.. you do.  You now have Spaghetti sauce for a year.  AND.. it's free.  Because it was on sale, you had a coupon, you bought it at a store that doubles.. you don't have to pay 2.99 for Spaghetti sauce again for a year.  AND.. since sales run on a bit of a cycle, by the time you start running low it's another sale like that. 


Purex 3-in-1 sheets are on sale B1G1 free.. there is a coupon out there for b1g1 free on Purex sheets.. This makes this FREE at this store people!!!!  You get your hands on 25 of these coupons and you get 50 packages of laundry soap FOR FREE.  


Same with canned goods, smell goods, shampoo, razors.. etc.  There is no reason to pay full price for ANYTHING except meat and milk and bread (usually you don't get coupons on those, but then again, you should buy almost all of your meat only when on sale)


The best investment you can get is a storage shelf system and a deep freeze. 


Listen.. you may think why bother clipping that .30 coupon.. it's just .30.  It's not though. 


If you ONLY save 10.00 a week on your grocery bill that's 520.00 a year (trust me, if you get serious you'll save way more than that.. but even if you want to be a casual couponer, that would be the minimum of what you could save) I don't know about you but that's a car payment a half for me! 


Don't de-value your coupons folks!  Think about the long term.  Again, I do stress that you shouldn't buy something you might not use "just cause there's a coupon for it". 


I do buy things I wouldn't normally buy because I have a coupon and because the deal/coupon will make the item FREE.  If I can't use it, someone can. 


Till next time...

Places to get coupons??

Have gotten a couple of messages asking me where to get coupons. 


First off, it is illegal to "buy" coupons.  However, it is NOT illegal to pay someone for their time to cut, sort, gather, and clip coupons for you. 


I "sell" potluck envelopes of coupons myself and I am charging you for the postage, the envie to put them in and the time I sit and clip and sort them.


I "purchase" mine from an individual I met on A Full Cup you can go on there and click on the FSOT (for sale or trade) forum and click on "Full inserts".  There you can always find someone to get the full inserts from.


There are also places online that "sell" coupons.  I have personally used the following 2 and have been very pleased with their service!  (There are others that I'm sure are just as good, but I don't have personal dealings with them, therefore don't feel as though I can honestly endorse them)


The Coupon Clippers was the first one I ever used.  I used them for a long time.  Then I started using Coupons and Things by Dede and was very pleased with her service as well.  I will say that I prefer Coupons and Things because she sells full inserts and her individual coupon prices tend to be lower (though it's only by a cent or two , because individual coupons aren't costly anyway)  Shipping is the same at either place.


I truly think once you get "into" the savings and the things you can get for free (though this last week or two isn't a good example of the awesome deals out there, because the awesome deals tend to cycle.. so in a few more weeks should be some AMAZING deals) you'll be more apt to want to continue to invest a little time in this.


My biggest suggestion to those with kids that wonder how they can spare anytime away from their kids to do this is to get them to help you!  Kids love to cut and sort and things like that.  Make it family fun time! 


Put in the effort and you will be rewarded!


As always if you want to learn in a bit more detail all of the different stores (I simply post the scenarios to the ones I use) then please please please check out A Full Cup.  I am not an owner, moderator or anything like that.  Just a die-hard fan!


Till next time...

Register Rewards & Extra Care Bucks.

CVS has a Rewards card that you use.  For certain items purchased you get Extra Care Bucks good on your next purchase in CVS.  I refer to these as ECB's.  CVS Treats ECB's as cash.  


Walgreens does not have a Rewards card, but they do offer Register Rewards on certain items purchased.  I refer to these as RR.  Walgreens treat RR's as a coupon.  That's where it gets a little tricky and I mention in the scenarios that you need a "filler" item.  You can only use 1 coupon per item you purchase so since Walgreens counts the RR as a coupon then you need to have a small item to "use" that RR on. (so to speak)  I always suggest either getting a pack of gum, something off clearance (like right now the VD stuff is on Clearance).  So for example at Walgreens you have $2.00 RR from the week before and you go in and you buy 3 shampoo's that you have 3 coupons for and you want to use the RR to make your oop cheaper.. you will have to have a filler item.


oop= out of pocket.


I hope that explains it a bit better, if not please message me or leave a comment here and ask!  


Till next time...

Scenarios and deals for the week of 2-21-10

Did you get your Sunday coupons today?  Hope so!  Here we go! 


CVS **you must use a CVS Rewards card here**


You will do 2 separate transactions here.  In other words you will have them ring up your order on two separate "orders"


First transaction:
Colgate Max Fresh toothpaste $2.99 get ECB for $2.00 limit 1
use the coupon from today's Smart Source 1.00/1 (this is a .01 money maker w/ ECB)
oop(out of pocket): 1.99 + Tax and you get a $2.00 ECB)


2nd Transaction:
Airwick Air Freshener $5.99
use coupon from last sunday $5.00 off pay .99 out of pocket 
**watch for a giveaway from me concerning this**
Bumble Bee Tuna is on sale for .49 a can buy 5 cans =$2.45
Go to this link and print off a coupon for 1.00/5 cans
http://www.bumblebee.com/Promotions/OnlineCoupon-12-16/Registration.aspx


Total bill:  8.44
Minus:  5.00 coupon for Airwick
           1.00 coupon for Tuna
           2.00 ECB (from the toothpaste)
Total it will cost you:  .44 + tax


Total haul from CVS:  Toothpaste, Large Airwick Air Freshener, 5 cans of tuna
Total cost:  $11.43 (with sale prices)
Your Cost:  $2.43


**You will not see a ton of GREAT deals posted for CVS.. mostly because I don't think you can get "your money's worth" for going there.  However if you can get an 80% savings like the above scenario, then it's worth a quick trip in there.


***If you want to do these scenarios just as I suggested all you have to do is copy and paste the scenario into notepad, print it off and trim it down to where it tells you what to do.. attach your coupons with a paper clip and head to the store.




(There will be another blog explaining ECB's and RR for those that aren't familiar)


WALGREENS


Before I even list the scenario's I want to tell you about the Excedrin deal.  You can go to this link Excedrin Deal and you can do a couple of different things.  If you check EVERYTHING except Excedrin you will get a snail mail coupon for a coupon for a FREE bottle of excedrin.  OR if you check excedrin and a couple of other things you will have the ability to print a 2.00 off excedrin coupon.  AFTER you print the coupon hit the arrow back button till it goes back to the page to print the coupon again.  DO NOT WORRY this IP (internet printable) coupon will have two different coupon #'s.  This is legit.  I would never steer you wrong.  They let you print it twice.  But only twice.  Now, with that said, I am going to list the scenarios as if you print the 2 coupons, but this will be to purchase EXCEDRIN MENSTRUAL ONLY! So, if you don't need the Menstrual then do the first case thing.. select everything except excedrin and get your snail mail coupon for a free bottle of excedrin and just leave the excedrin deal out of your scenario.


Onward..


Most all of the deals this week are based on last weeks coupons... so I don't have a lot of scenario for what's in this sunday's paper. But.. watch for a giveaway concerning this! 


This will also be like CVS you will have two separate transactions.


FIRST TRANSACTION:


Gillette Fusion Razor $8.99  
Minus:  $4.00 coupon from last weeks paper
Total oop:  4.99 + tax (you will get a $4.00 Register Reward)


SECOND TRANSACTION:


Venus Embrace Razor $8.99
Oil of Olay Body Wash $ 6.99
(2) Excedrin Menstrual $5.00 (on sale 2/5.00)
Charmin 6 double rolls $3.49 (on sale)
Mento's Gum $.99 (on sale)
***you will need to buy a cheapie filler item here, for example, clearance valentines something for say .10-.25 cents***


Minus:  $4.00 RR from first transaction
Minus:  $2.00 coupon for Venus Embrace Razor (last weeks paper)
Minus:  $6.99 coupon for get free olay body wash with purchase of Venus Razor (last weeks paper)
Minus:  $2.00 printable excedrin coupon
Minus:  $2.00 printable excedrin coupon
Minus:  $.25 charmin coupon (last weeks paper)
Minus:  $.55 Mento's gum coupon (THIS weeks paper)


Total bill:  $25.71 + tax
Minus coupons:  18.79
Equals:  $6.92 **you will also get back a $2.00 RR to use on your next visit, so essentially your cost is $4.92 + tax**


So for about ten dollars out of pocket you get 2 razors, oil of olay body wash, 2 excedrins, a large pack of toilet paper, a pack of gum.  You would have spent this amount at Walmart on just the toilet paper! That's about a 75 % savings.


Now obviously, some of you are going to have more coupons than just 1 (like I do these deals in HUGE quantities.. usually about 10-20 of each thing at a time.. that's how the savings amount I post on facebook are astronomical. I am just listing what you can do with 1 of each coupon.  Again, I just want to show you HOW to do it then you can figure out a way that works best for you.


You could have broken this down into 3 transactions and done the Gillette Razor as one, then the Venus razor and oil of olay as 1, and the rest as the 3rd.  This would have given you $4.00 in Register Rewards to use next time... I was trying to keep this simple.  As soon as I post this blog I am going to go into detail in another blog about Register Rewards and Extra Care Bucks.  Then it will make a bit more sense to you. 


Now.. as for the GIVEAWAY!!! 


I have all the coupons you need FROM LAST WEEK to do these deals.  I DO NOT HAVE THIS WEEKS COUPONS YET.  I order my coupons so I do not get them until Wednesday.  I do know that a lot of you are just starting out, so you're not going to have last weeks coupons.  


I have 10 sets of all the coupons you need from last week to do these deals.  The first 10 people to post under my blog link on Facebook that say, "I want it"  send me your mailing address through PM on Facebook and I will mail these coupons to you tomorrow.   I only ask if you're not going to do these deals and they don't appeal to you, please don't ask for the coupons. No sense in wasting what someone else can use.


So there you have it.  


Until next time...


  

Does couponing take time?

This is the number one question I am asked.  Yes.. it does take time.  How do you work it into your schedule?  Well.. I usually have 10-20 of one insert (coupon inserts that come in the paper.. there are usually a couple of different ones.. like Redplum, SmartSource, General Mills, Proctor and Gamble).  I spread all like coupon inserts out on the floor while watching tv and stack the pages with the like coupons together and then cut out all of them at one time.  I then immediately file them in my binder under the appropriate category.


I use taylortownpreview.com to see what coupons are coming out and how many of those particular coupons I want/need.  I then go to afullcup.com (you will see me refer to this website over and over and over again.. it is the best site out there to help you, teach you , share with you.. it's free to join and you can do so by clicking here:  A Full Cup ) and look up *my* store's forums.  Example:  Walgreens.  I look for their upcoming ad  for the next week, see what's on sale, what matches up with coupons and what I can do to get items for free or very very cheap.  I also look up Kroger's upcoming ad as well as CVS's upcoming ad.  I do this when I have time and then I prepare for my upcoming shopping trip (I always do my shopping on a Friday).


So in answer to the question, Does couponing take time??  Yes it does.. but you're paid very well for your time! 


You will see when I post some scenarios and tell you what to do and when to do it how much you're paid for your time.  


My hope is to give you the basics then let you do what works for you!


Till next time...

Couponing Basics

Learning to coupon may seem like an overwhelming task, but it's really not. There will be a lot of information shared here and you may feel like it's "overload". Just take your time, read it when you can and try to do the easy scenarios I post and you'll catch and figure out what works best for you.

I know most everyone gets the basic concept, but we're going to start right at the beginning and go from there.

Ready? Set?? Go!!!

F.A.Q

Where do Coupons come from? Manufacturers! They want you to buy their products and this is their incentive.

Where do I get coupons from? Newspapers, Tear-pads (hanging in groceries or conveince stores), Blinkies (little machines at the grocery that you pull a coupon out of), Catalina (coupons that spit out with your receipts), Printable coupons at places like www.smartsource.com, www.redplum.com, www.coupons.com, by registering with your favorite manufacturer on their website (you can get snail mail coupons, and printable coupons), on Facebook become a fan of your favorite products official pages (they offer coupons, samples, freebies) Collect sunday paper coupons from friends/family/church members.

How do I know what coupons are coming out in Sunday's paper? You can go to www.taylortownpreview.com and view what coupons are coming out.

How do I organize my coupons? It's whatever works for you. I personally use a case-it binder with a strap that opens on either side. It looks something like the one pictured here. I use baseball card sheets and photo sheets to hold the coupons and separate the pantry, fridge, cleaning, makeup etc area with tabbed dividers. There are people who just simply use an envelope. There is also the box method. (pictured here as well) It's really going to be about what you are comfortable with.

These are the basics of what they are and where to get them. Now.. go get them and meet me back here again!