CVS Game - Week 3

I didn't get a chance to get to CVS this week until last night.  It turns out that was a good thing!  When I went to the "I heart CVS" blog, she had a post about a $5 off of $20 in some newspapers today.  One of those newspapers wasn't our "local" paper, but rather the paper for the closest large city.  So, I headed in!

I bought: 

I didn't have any ECB's from last week, so this is what I spent.  For a total cost after Coupons and ECBs of $15.

Not BAD!  I also was asked to hand over my e-mail address and I will get a $4 coupon in my e-mail.  I'll count that next time. 

So, for three weeks my totals so far are:
Total Spent:  $100
Coupons:  $12.50
ECBs: $30
Total Cost:  $57.50

I also got a "surprise" $5 off $15 coupon at the end of my ECBs, but it is only good for 3 days.  I'm not sure what else I might buy from this weeks ad, but since it is good on Sunday, I will probably wait for that ad.

The CVS Game - Week 2 Part 2

So I stopped by CVS on my way home from work last night to straighten out the problem.  What I discovered is that I didn't read the "fine" print (that wasn't that fine).  The ad was BOGO for VALUE SIZE vitamins.  Since the Fish Oil wasn't value size, it didn't qualify for the BOGO or for the Gas Card purchase. 

Lesson Learned:  READ THE AD CAREFULLY!

However, the manager was VERY nice and made me an offer.  He said I could return the Fish Oil that I had bought and purchase a value size one.  I told him that unfortunately, I had already opened it and started using it.  So he made me another offer:  buy two more BOGO vitamin items and he would throw in the $9 spent on the other one towards the free gas card!  WOW!!!

So, I headed to the back of the store and purchased two more Vitamin D VALUE SIZE bottles for $17 (BOGO).  That plus the $4 for the previous Vit D and the $9 for the previous Fish Oil brought my total to the $30 needed for the free gas card.  So he gave me the gas card!  So, all in all, not a bad deal - IF I end up using all of the Vitamin D I purchased.  I essentially spent $17 (that I might not have otherwise spent) to get $10.  We'll see....

Also, I needed to pick up some milk since we ran out today and CP didn't make it to Aldi's.  I nearly choked when I saw how much a gallon of milk was at CVS - $3.86!!!!!!  A gallon at Aldi's is $2.49 EVERY DAY!!! Needless to say, I bought a half-gallon for $2.90 since CP is heading to Aldi's today. 

The CVS Game - Week 2

Well, this week didn't prove as fruitful as last week. Partly because there were NO coupons in my local paper.  I called to ask about it and I was told that they just don't insert coupons on the holiday weekend. 

Anyway, I set our for CVS as I had a few things that I needed to pick up this week. 
1)  Hand lotion - I have chronically dry hands and needed to buy some good hand lotion.  CVS had Eucerin get $5 when you spend $15.  Sounded like a good deal.  But, when I compared the same lotion in the CVS store brand, I could spend $5 for what would have cost $10 for the Eucerin brand.  So, needless to say, I went for the store brand.  "Savings"  NOTHING! 

2) Triple Antibiotic Ointment - We managed to run out of this and two of the kids really needed some so this was on my list.  CVS had their store brand on sale (100% more FREE) in their twin-pack.  So, I spent $4.19 for 1 oz of the product.  Funny, though, my cash register receipt showed only a savings of $0.30 - shouldn't it have been $4.19????  I also noticed it is for sale online at CVS for $4.07 for 1 oz. 
I haven't compared this to the Wal-Mart brand so I'm not sure if there was any savings at all.

3) Vitamin D and Fish Oil - I decided that I would try these supplements with HJ and see if it helps her with some of the challenges she has been facing. The Nature Made brand was listed as BOGO and also a part of their Get Free Gas! promotion.  So, I purchased the Vitamin D for only $3.99 with the ECB for a supposed savings of $12 (as printed on my receipt). The Fish Oil was $8.99.  AND I GOT CHARGED FOR BOTH ON MY RECEIPT!!! In addition, only the Vitamin D charge was counted towards the gas card!  I didn't realize this until AFTER I had left the store.  Now I have to make a 2nd trip to straighten things out. 
I did get two $1 coupons from the NatureMade website (after handing over contact info i.e. registering) that I used. 

So, I'm not sure I really "saved" much at all this trip.  I'll post again after I make my return visit to share how it all turns out.

The CVS Game

Ok, I've taken the bait.  I'm going to see if this works or not.  I am NOT a couponer.  But maybe I can be.  We used to coupon, but it took too much time and when Aldi's came to town, well... We just started shopping there. 

But I've been convinced to at least consider couponing at CVS for non-food items.  So, today I took the plunge.  Ok, I just stuck my toe in.  We really didn't need much and I don't have a collection of coupons, so I started small. 

I went to CVS, got an Extra Care Card and went to work.  I bought the following:

• 1 Trident Stride gum
• cost $0.99
• Extra Care Savings - $0.99
• Effective cost - FREE

• 1 Twin Pack Crest Toothpaste -
• Cost - $5.49
• Extra Care Savings - $2.00
• Effective cost $1.75 each

• 4 12 pk Coke Zero
• Cost:  $10.00
• Extra Care Savings - $0.00
• Effective cost:  $2.50 each

Compared to Aldi's, Colgate Toothpaste is $2.49 so I saved $1.50 and Aldi's sodas are $2.29 for a 12 pack so I actually spent more.  But I figured it was worth it to get The Real Thing. I forgot to check how much gum is at Aldi's.  I'll do that next week.

I'm going to try and keep a running total of savings to see how this adds up.