Monday, March 31, 2008
Walgreens Q&A: Rebates and Register Rewards
Answer: Walgreens has a limit of one of each Register Rewards promotion per transaction. In other words, you would have to do ten transactions in order to use your coupons and have the Register Rewards print. Beyond that, it may vary by store. If you make friends with your cashier, let other customers go in front of you, and are pleasant and courteous, you're more likely to be allowed to do multiple transactions.
Question from Becky: Can you tell me if you need to buy the Colgate/Palmolive products all on the same receipt to get the rebate?
Answer: Generally speaking, Walgreens does not require you to buy all items on a multiple-item rebate in the same transaction.
And if you have trouble obtaining a rebate receipt, you might be interested in what Marly wrote:
A manager at my Walgreens claims that there is absolutely no way for them to print a duplicate or rebate receipt. I called the toll-free EasySaver number, and they told me that you can ask the manager for an "electronic journal" of your purchase, and they will accept that for their rebates.
Make-it-Yourself Monday: Canning beans
Note: In order to complete this project, you will need to know how to use a pressure canner.
For each pint of canned beans, you will need the following:
1 straight-sided wide-mouth pint jar
3/4 c. dry beans
1/2 t. salt
1 bay leaf
1 clove garlic (optional)
Place beans in jars. Fill jars with water. Allow to soak overnight. Drain water and rinse beans thoroughly. Add salt, bay leaf, and garlic. Fill to 1/2" from top with boiling water.
Put flat jar lids in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes. Make sure jar tops are completely clean and not chipped. Place lids on jars. Fasten with jar lid rings. Put 2" water in bottom of pressure canner. Process beans for 40 minutes at ten pounds pressure. Follow pressure canner directions for cooling before opening the canner.
For more Make-it-Yourself Monday features, click here.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Walgreens Q&A: Double-dip rebates
I looked at the rebate offer for the Just for Men Haircolor and to get the $8 rebate, you had to submit an original register receipt. You also have to submit an original register receipt for the Walgreens Rebate. How do you do that?
Thanks for asking, Debi. When you need to submit original receipts for both store rebates and manufacturer's rebates, the simplest method is to request a rebate receipt from the store. You cannot submit a rebate receipt for the Walgreens rebates, so use the rebate receipt for the manufacturer's rebate. (If your cashier doesn't know how to print a rebate receipt, nicely ask for further assistance--a manager should know how to do it.)
Friday, March 28, 2008
Walgreens deals: March 30-April 5
Coffeemate Creamer: 2/$3; use 2 of these $1/1 printables. Total cost: .50 each.
Softsoap liquid hand soap: (normal price reportedly $1.99--scenario will have to be adjusted if that's different) 7-day coupon for .99; buy 11 (before-coupon total of $21.89); use .35 manufacturer's coupon from 3/30 paper insert and 7-day coupon for .99. Send in for April EasySaver rebate #13: $10 WYB $20 worth of Colgate-Palmolive products. Total profit: $2.96 (if you can get a hold of 11 coupons--without manufacturer's coupons, it's nearly free). This one's a bit complicated--feel free leave a comment if you have questions.
SpeedStick or Lady SpeedStick: 2/$5, use $1 printables from SmartSource or $1/1 from 3/9 paper insert; send in for EasySaver rebate number #13: $10 WYB $20 of Colgate-Palmolive products. Total cost: .50/2. (You might combine some of these with some of the above Softsoap.)
Advil PM: $3.99, produces $3 RR; use $1 coupon from 1/27 paper insert or 9/23/07 insert (expires 3/31); $1 printable available here, $1 printable available here, $1 printable available here, $1 printable available here, or $2 printable available here. Total cost: Free or $1 profit.
There are numerous P&G RR rewards deals this week, but I've found it confusing to locate good deals. Input, anyone (see the ad scans for listings)?
April FAR deals:
AquaFresh toothpaste, 5.6 or 6.0 oz., up to $3.99; use this $2 printable or $1 coupon from 2/10 newspaper insert. Profit: up to $2.
Colgate 360 Clean or Deep Clean Manual Toothbrush, up to $3.99; use the $1 printable found here. Profit: up to $1.
Soyjoy Bar, 1.06 oz, up to $1.39; use the Free Soyjoy bar coupon from the 1/6 newspaper insert. Expires 3/31. Profit: up to $1.39.
Just for Men Touch of Gray hair color, up to $8.29; register at the Just for Men site to get a $2 coupon and request a rebate receipt for this $8 manufacturer's rebate on any Just for Men haircolor or this $8 manufacturer's rebate for Touch of Gray products. Profit: up to $10.
Tums QuikPak, 24 doses, up to $4.49; use $1 coupon from 3/15 newpaper insert. Profit: $1.
Jane Be Pure Mineral Blush or Kabuki brush, up to $4.99; use this $2 printable for the blush. Profit: $2.00.
Wal-Zyr 24-Hour Allergy Relief, 10 mg, 5 tablets, up to $3.99. Cost: free.
Wal-Itin 10 mg tablets, 30 pack, up to 6.99. Cost: free.
Here's what I have for now--I'll plan to update with more deals a bit later...
For this week's ad scans, click here (compliments of Hot Coupon World)
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Walgreen: March/April overlap deals
Banana Boat products (cheapest reportedly $8): Use $2/1 March EasySaver coupon; send in for $10 WYB $20 April EasySaver rebate. Total cost: $8/3 or higher. (I'd advise waiting on these...)
More free Johnson Buddies soaps?
Walgreens: Hot Buys
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Walgreens: April free after rebate items
The following items are free after rebate all month long:
AquaFresh toothpaste, 5.6 or 6.0 oz., up to $3.99; use this $2 printable or $1 coupon from 2/10 newspaper insert. Profit: up to $2.
Colgate 360 Clean or Deep Clean Manual Toothbrush, up to $3.99; use the $1 printable found here. Profit: up to $1.
Soyjoy Bar, 1.06 oz, up to $1.39; use the Free Soyjoy bar coupon from the 1/6 newspaper insert. Expires 3/31. Profit: up to $1.39.
Just for Men Touch of Gray hair color, up to $8.29; register at the Just for Men site to get a $2 coupon and request a rebate receipt for this $8 manufacturer's rebate on any Just for Men haircolor or this $8 manufacturer's rebate for Touch of Gray products. Profit: up to $10.
Tums QuikPak, 24 doses, up to $4.49; use $1 coupon from 3/16 newspaper insert or the printable available here. Profit: $1.
Jane Be Pure Mineral Blush or Kabuki brush, up to $4.99; use this $2 printable for the blush. Profit: $2.00.
Wal-Zyr 24-Hour Allergy Relief, 10 mg, 5 tablets, up to $3.99. Total cost: free.
Wal-Itin 10 mg tablets, 30 pack, up to 6.99. Total cost: free.
For additional profit on all your Walgreens rebates, request your rebate in the form of a Walgreens gift card--they'll add 10% to your rebate total.
For the entire April EasySaver rebate sheet, click here (compliments of Hot Coupon World).
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Free Hiland Yogurt
For those of you in Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma (the states where Hiland products are sold), you can get a coupon for a free Hiland Pomegranate Mango or Apple and Spice Yogurt here. The coupon does not state that it is "Limit one per customer." Instead, it states "Limit one coupon per item purchased."
New website: Christian Couponers
Monday, March 24, 2008
Bath & Body Works: Inexpensive product
Bath & Body Works frequently gives away coupons for a free product with a purchase, but they rarely allow shoppers to choose their free product…and they rarely give away a free product with ANY purchase. There are items priced as low as $1 at most store locations, and sometimes even less for clearanced items, but if specific Bath & Body Works products are staples at your house, this is a great time to stock up and receive a free item while you’re there!
Through April 12th, visit your local Bath & Body Works with the coupon below, purchase an item of your choice (any price), and receive a free “whatever-you-like” (up to an $11 value).
Click HERE to print the coupon.
Ann Taylor Loft & Macy's
The Ann Taylor Loft website is having free shipping on all orders, plus they have a code for $25 off of $50 (code 80200012), AND they have some sale stuff for buy one, get one half off, so I was able to get a pair of pants (tall too!), two pair of shoes, and a sweater from the site yesterday for a grand total of $27 for merchandise that was originally $216, and that included shipping it to me.
Q&A: Coupon explanations
When you post something like this: Kleenex: .89 7-day coupon; use with .50/3 or $1/5 coupon from 1/27 insert. What exactly does that mean? What insert date are you referring to? Newspaper inserts? Do I need to be saving all the newspaper inserts to make sure I have coupons?
First, yes, I would highly recommend saving your newspaper inserts. Find the system that works best for you. Some people clip all the coupons immediately, others file the coupon inserts and cut the coupons as they discover sales. I tend to promptly clip the ones I'll probably use, then save the others to mail to military families.
As far as translating the sentence into plain English, here's a stab at it:
.89 7-day coupon: There is a store coupon in the weekly Walgreens flier, making Kleenex .89 a box.
Use with .50/3 or $1/5 coupon from 1/27 insert: .50/3 means there is a coupon for .50 off three items (in this case, boxes of Kleenex); 1/27 refers to the date--January 27.
Monica, thanks for asking for an explanation--does that answer your questions? It's easy to get caught up in the jargon of any business and forget that it may sound like gibberish to people. :-)
Office Depot: Free Moterola Bluetooth headset
Today's Office Depot ad has a Hot Buy of the Week, a Motorola Bluetooth headset for $39.99, with a $35 mail in rebate, resulting in a price of $4.99. On the same page, there is a coupon for $5 off of a $5 or more purchase. Soooo, free, or technically I might get 1 cent back.
Update from Amber:
Just had to tell you that I also got the last Bluetooth that they had in our local Office Depot yesterday too. Not only was it free, but they had a whole section at the front of the store with $1 items, so I ended up getting $121 worth of merchandise for a total of $13.
Edit: Sorry, folks--generally speaking, the $5/$5 coupon was only good yesterday, Sunday, March 23. However, if your store was closed on Easter, the circular states that you may redeem the coupon today, March 24.
Make-it-Yourself Monday: Fabric softener
Dryer "sheets"
6 C. water
3 C. vinegar
2 C. hair conditioner (this would be a great use for conditioner you've gotten free or cheap)
Combine all in gallon container. Stir to mix. Dispense from spray bottle.
To use, saturate a clean washcloth or rag with softener. Dry in dryer with clean clothes.
Note: Since fabric softener reduces the absorbency of fabric, you may wish to avoid using it on your towels, rags, washcloths, and any other items used to soak up liquid.
To see other Make-it-Yourself Monday tips, click here.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Kohl's: Add up the savings
Suzanne wrote, "Kohl's is having a 75% to 85% clearance sale on all their Christmas outfits for babies and toddlers. I found a dress--24 months, from $40.00 marked down to 5.00."
There is also a 15% off printable coupon here--good only through today.
Additionally, Money Saving Mom posted a link to sign up for the Kohl's email list--and get $5 off your next order of $5 or more.
Between all the discounts, you should be able to pick up some sweet deals! :-)
Walgreens savings this week
I paid a grand total of $2.06 on a gift card and got back $15 in RRs ($10 for the Alka-Seltzer/Phillips and $5 for Embrace razor). My receipt proclaimed a savings of over $50, but I am, as usual, skeptical of their assessment of value. :-) The Bic razors were free with the deal mentioned here.
What deals did you find this week?
For more savings inspiration, check out Money Saving Mom.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Walgreens deals: March 23-29
At the end of the week there will be some March/April EasySaver overlap deals--watch for details the middle of next week.
BAM Cleaner: 2.99; use .50-1.00/1 coupons from 2/10 insert or use .50-2.00 printables available here. Send in for $2 EasySaver rebate. Final cost: .49 or less (possible profit).
Lysol toilet bowl cleaner: 2/2.79; use 2 $1/1 coupon from 2/17 and 3/16 paper insert. Final cost: 2/.79
Hefty OneZip bags: 2/2.79; use 2 $1/1 coupons from 1/20 paper insert. Final cost: 2/.79.
Revlon tweezers, curlers, or mirrors: BOGO; use 2 $1/1 coupons from 1/13 insert. Final cost: will vary.
L'Oreal mascara or eye shadow: BOGO; use $1/1 coupons from 1/6 insert. Final cost: will vary.
Gillette Venus Embrace or Fusion Phenom: 9.99, prints $5 RR; use $4 Embrace coupon from 3/2 insert or $4 Phenom coupon from 2/10 insert. Final cost: .99
Also remember the rebate extension on the Venus Embrace.
Excedrin: 1.99; use $2/1 from 3/2 insert or printables from Coupons.com, Smart Source, Coupon Bug, RedPlum, and Boodle.com. Final cost: Free (coupon may need to be adjusted down).
Pantene Pro-V: $3 RR when you buy two products. Once again, the 1.7 (trial size) is included, making this a bit of a moneymaker. Buy two trial-size shampoo or conditioner (about 1.29 each, or 2.58 total), get $3 RR. Final cost: .42 profit. Edit: Nix that--this is reportedly not be working with the trial size Pantene.
Photo prints: 25 free 4x6 prints WYB 25; use code 25FREE if ordering online or scan coupon in-store.
March FAR deals:
Garnier Fructis Hair Stylers 2-8.5oz (excludes shampoo, conditioner, serums, and treatments), up to $4.29; use $1/1 coupon from 1/6 or 2/3 paper inserts.
Colgate Total Advanced Clean or Whitening Toothpaste 4-4.20 oz, up to $3.29; use $1/1 coupon from 2/3 paper insert or the $1/1 printable here.
Theradent Oral Rinse 8 oz, up to $9.99; use $1/1 coupon from 2/10 paper insert.
Listerine Smart Rinse 250 ml, up to $3.99; use with this printable (thanks to Crystal) or some have reportedly found a tearpad for Listerine mouthwash at their dentist's office.
Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew, up to $12.99; if you buy a cleanser or moisturizer, use $3/1 from the 1/27 paper insert or this $2 printable.
Nature Made Liquid Softgels: Vitamin D 1000 IU (90 pack), Super B (90 pack), Vitamin C (90 pack), Calcium 600mg w/D (100 pack), Multi for Her (60 pack), or Multi Complete (60 pack), up to $8.00; use with $1.50/1 multis printable (signup required).
Ad scans may be found here, compliments of Hot Coupon World. What other deals do you see?
Albertsons: Nearly-free cereal through 3/25
Get 7 boxes of Kellogg’s cereal at Albertson’s for the price of 1 through 3/25: Kellogg’s cereals are on sale 3 for $5. Get a $10 coupon when you buy 7+ boxes, or buy 5-6 boxes & get a $6 coupon, or buy 3-4 boxes & get a $3 coupon. “Coupon redeemable during your next shopping trip through 4-20-08.”
So, buy 6 for $10, get one more box, get a $10 coupon-so it’s 7 for the price of 1 essentially.
Baskin Robbins: 31 Cent Scoop Night
Walgreens: Possible free Bic razors
The other day I saw these packages of razors on the Walgreens' clearance shelf. I glanced at them, but moved on because they didn't have a price tag and I assumed they weren't that great a deal anyway. (Cheers to me for jumping on conclusions. ;-) )
I was at Walgreens again yesterday, attempting to use some expiring RRs and saw the razors still hanging out on the clearance shelf. My two favorite beauty advisers were working and I asked one of them to price check the razors. They rang up at $1.00. There are $1.00 coupons in the March EasySaver catalog (page 12), so I ended up getting four packages completely free.
Moral of the story? 1. Check clearance areas. 2. Price check items without tags. 3. Don't forget the check the EasySaver catalog for items you find on clearance. :-)
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Wal-Mart: Free dino nuggets
Fast Fixin' Dino Bites are on sale 2 for $2.00 at Wal-Mart this week. Go here to get your $1.00 off coupons. Just sign up for their Fanatics club, and they will send 5 coupons to your printer. Go back and refresh the page to print 5 more!
Buy.com: Free photo paper
1.) Click HERE to access Buy.com
2.) Type “AC10376A” into the Buy.com search window
3.) Click on the $10 Digital Photo Paper image to display the product details
4.) Add the item to your Buy.com cart
5.) Select Google checkout to receive the $10 discount
6.) Select free shipping. (If your total isn’t $0, you’ve missed a step (unless you live in the sales tax states of California, Massachusetts, or Tennessee.)
7.) Receive your free Super Premium Digital Photo Paper within a few days (usually much faster than their website indicates)
Buy.com allows one free Google checkout item per email address and credit card. (You’ll have to enter your credit card information to check out, but once the Google Checkout discount is applied, your item will be free.)
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Buying coupons?
1. How much will it actually save you?
When all is said and done, how much will you really be saving by buying the coupons? There is often a minimum order size, plus postage and handling, and all your costs must be added before calculating savings. "Free" isn't actually free if you're paying for coupons.
2. Is it in your budget?
However good a deal it may seem, it's only as good as the money you've budgeted for it. If you don't have the money, don't spend it.
3. Do you know that there will be a sale to combine with the coupons?
Unless an item is always priced low enough to make a great deal with coupons, be careful. The coupons you paid for may expire before a good sale rolls around--or you may feel obligated to use them, simply because you paid for them. Ouch.
4. Does your store double coupons?
Because coupons are usually sold by a percentage of their face value, having a store that doubles coupons can extend your savings.
5. As always, if you're going to buy, find the best deal.
I've visited a number of sites that sell coupons and my personal favorite is The Coupon Clippers (link in sidebar). After you add everything together (coupon prices, postage, handling), they seem to have the lowest prices. eBay is another option, though your success may vary from one sale to another.
There are a couple of situations where I would certainly consider buying coupons:
1. A once-in-a-blue-moon amazing moneymaking deal, such as the Olay bar soap.
2. Preparing a meal for a very large number of people (a Christmas banquet, for instance). If by purchasing coupons very cheaply I could get necessary items free or nearly free, I would consider it.
What about you? Do you buy coupons? What guidelines have you set up for yourself?
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
K-Mart: 7-Up
Economic Stimulus Rebate Calculator revisited
The IRS is basing the order of the rebates upon the last two digits of individuals' SSN. (Anyone know how it will work for couples who file jointly?) To figure out when you'll get you rebate, find the numbers below that correspond with the last two digits of your SSN:
Paid 2007 taxes via direct deposit:
00-20—May 2
21-75—May 9
76-99—May 16
Paid 2007 taxes via check, rebate check to be mailed by:
00-09—May 16
10-18—May 23
19-25—May 30
26-38—June 6
39-51—June 13
52-63—June 20
64-75—June 27
76-87—July 4
88-99—July 11
Thanks to Thrifty Florida Mama for her heads up the calculator.
Wal-Mart samples
Dexatrim Max2O
Vaseline Intensive Rescue
Garnier Nutritioniste Deep Wrinkle Treatment
Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizers
Colgate Total Advanced Whitening Toothpaste
Curel Life's Stages Moisturizers
Dove Hair Care
Glad ForceFlex trash bags
TENA Serenity Overnight Pads
FreshLook Colorblends contact lenses
Monday, March 17, 2008
Walgreens: Bic Soleil razor system & refills
The Bic Soleil razor system is on sale for $5.99 this week and you get a free 4-pack of refill cartridges when you buy the razor. There were coupons in the 3/16 paper for $2 off the razor and $2 off the refills. Use both to get the razor and refill pack for $1.99.
Edit: There is also a Bic Soleil printable coupon available by clicking here (you should be able to print it twice per computer, resulting in one set of refills and a razor).
Walgreens: Glade Wisp and Oust Surface & Air overage
Oust Surface & Air is on sale 2/$6, with rebate #45 for $1 off each (up to four). There is a printable BOGO here and there were coupons for $2/1 in the 2/10 paper inserts. (Your final price will vary depending upon the price entered for the BOGO, but you should get overage after the rebate.)
$5 Starbucks gift card
Make-it-Yourself Monday: White sauce
Basic White Sauce
2 T. butter
2 T. white flour
1/4 t. salt
1 C. milk
In a saucepan, melt butter. Add salt and flour, stirring constantly. Cook over medium heat until bubbly, then continue to cook for about five minutes. Add milk a little at a time, beating constantly. Cook on low heat until thickened (do not allow to boil). Use in recipes as you would cream soup or as a base for other sauces.
For some fun variations, you might try the following:
Cheese sauce: After sauce has thickened, turn off heat and add grated cheese. Stir until melted and mixed.
Mushroom sauce (use in place of cream of mushroom soup): Add sauteed mushrooms.
To view other Make-it-Yourself Monday features, click here.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Clinique Bonus Days
Thanks to Suzanne for this heads up...
Clinique is running their Bonus Days promotion through March 22. If you are a die hard Clinique user, this might be a good chance to pick it up. Here's what Suzanne had to say...I am a die hard Clinique user, so I only buy Clinique facial cleanser and and moisturizer--this and getting my hair done are the two things I don't and won't budge on. You get a Gianni Binni makeup bag with--1 fl. oz of Dramatically different moisturizing lotion; .17 oz (lasts me for months!!!) of repair wear intensive eye cream; 1.7 fl. oz. rinse-off foaming cleanser; a full size eye shadow--colour surge eye shadow duo--two shades of pink chocolate; .14oz. lash doubling mascara--black; and a full size lipstick--called all heart (a bit pink for my taste).
Anyway, you have to spend $21.50 to get this---a retail of $50.00 (and it really is!!!!)
Well because I stock up on my Clinique stuff, I spent a little over 2x the amount to get the bag, so I got two bags. If I would have spent 3x the amt., I would have gotten three bags. I am not afraid to speak up and say that because I spent 2x the amt, I would like another bag.
Free audio books
Friday, March 14, 2008
Walgreens deals: March 16-22
Campbell's Soup in Hand: .99 7-day coupon, use with this $2 printable.
Bounty paper towels: 7-day coupon for .79, use $1/2 manufacturer's coupon (or .25/1 from 2/10 or 3/2) from 3/2 P&G insert.
Kleenex: .89 7-day coupon; use with .50/3 or $1/5 coupon from 1/27 insert.
Playtex tampons: 2/$6, use with this $2.50/1 printable.
Alka Seltzer: 2.99, produces $10 RR when you buy 4 products. Use the $1/1 printable from coupons.com and the $1/1 coupon from the 1/20 insert.
Rimmel cosmetics: BOGO (many items are reportedly clearanced as well).
Revlon cosmetics: BOGO, use $1/1 from 1/13 insert.
Kelloggs cereals: 1.99, use with $1 to $3 printable from Smart Source (must complete two-question survey).
Nature Made vitamins and supplements: BOGO; use 1.50/1 printable multis. This would be a great week to pick up the FAR Nature Made vitamins.
Schick Quattro Titanium and Schick Trimmer: 8.99; there were FAR forms for both of these in the 3/9 paper insert. You also get a free shave gel with the purchase of either of these. Remember to get separate receipts for each of these items, as each requires an original receipt and you are only allowed one submission per envelope.
Glade Wisp candles are on sale at Walgreens this week for $5.99. You can get a $5 coupon by clicking here (you should be to print two per computer). March EasySaver rebate #47 is for $2 each off of these candles, limit three. After the coupons and rebates, you should get about $1 profit on each candle.
Oust Surface & Air is on sale 2/$6, with rebate #45 for $1 off each (up to four). There is a printable BOGO here and there were coupons for $2/1 in the 2/10 paper inserts. (Your final price will vary depending upon the price entered for the BOGO, but you should get overage after the rebate.)
Bic Soleil razor system and refills: The razor system is on sale for $5.99 this week and you get a free 4-pack of refill cartridges when you buy the razor. There were coupons in the 3/16 paper for $2 off the razor and $2 off the refills. Use both to get the razor and refill pack for $1.99.
For this week's ad scans, click here. Ad scans are offered courtesy of Hot Coupon World.
March FAR deals:
Garnier Fructis Hair Stylers 2-8.5oz (excludes shampoo, conditioner, serums, and treatments), up to $4.29; use $1/1 coupon from 1/6 or 2/3 paper inserts.
Colgate Total Advanced Clean or Whitening Toothpaste 4-4.20 oz, up to $3.29; use $1/1 coupon from 2/3 paper insert or the $1/1 printable here.
Theradent Oral Rinse 8 oz, up to $9.99; use $1/1 coupon from 2/10 paper insert.
Listerine Smart Rinse 250 ml, up to $3.99; use with this printable (thanks to Crystal) or some have reportedly found a tearpad for Listerine mouthwash at their dentist's office.
Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew, up to $12.99; if you buy a cleanser or moisturizer, use $3/1 from the 1/27 paper insert or this $2 printable.
Nature Made Liquid Softgels: Vitamin D 1000 IU (90 pack), Super B (90 pack), Vitamin C (90 pack), Calcium 600mg w/D (100 pack), Multi for Her (60 pack), or Multi Complete (60 pack), up to $8.00; use with $1.50/1 multis printable (signup required).
Military family: Expired coupons
Edit: For those who are interested in mailing their own coupons to those in the military, check out the Overseas Coupon Program website.
Walgreens: How you can help the Beauty Advisers
Problem: Walgreens corporate has recently begun a test program in some stores which may result in the removal of Beauty Advisers (BAs). Obviously, this is of great concern to the BAs. Although the program is only in testing at this point, corporate has removed the commissions of the non-senior BAs in these stores.
What we can do: It's really quite simple. At select stores, there is a green Help buton at the Cosmetics counter. Push it as often as you legitimately can. Corporate is tracking how often the button is pushed, in an effort to determine how easily they could eliminate the BAs.
The BAs at my store are consistently helpful and friendly and go the extra mile with my coupons and multiple transactions--all without complaining. I know of others who have had the BAs offer coupons from their own stash on an item a customer is buying. For many of us, our shopping experience would be very different without them around. The least we can do is express our gratitude by helping them out.
You could even contact corporate and let them know how much you appreciate your BAs.
Other ideas on how to help the BAs...
1. If you have extra coupons for health and beauty items, offer them to the BAs. Many keep a stash to share with customers.
2. Figure out your transaction(s) before you get to the register, so that you can be as efficient as possible.
3. Be pleasant and courteous. It's always nicer to work with someone who is polite.
4. If there's a line at the register and you have several transactions, wait to check out.
What do you do to make your couponing easier on cashiers and other store employees?
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Groceries: Straight from the source
I would encourage you to search out options for locally-grown groceries--check your farmer's market, keep your ears and eyes open, ask friends. You may end up finding some high-quality foods at amazing prices.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Walgreens: Online rebate submission
While I've not done it myself (I can't wait till they include my state!), I've heard from those who have done it that it much simpler and easier than the mail-in rebates. You enter receipt information on their website, the system approves your submission, and your gift card is usually reloaded in a matter of days. (Sounds far better than the weeks or months it sometimes takes by mail!)
And if nothing else can pique your interest, remember that you're saving a stamp every time you use online submission. :-p
For more information on the rebate program, click here.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Gillette Fusion gift set
Walmart: Salad dressings
You don't have to
As I was thinking--and stressing--about it, I finally realized I don't have to do it. (That may seem simple and obvious, but sometimes I require a knock on the head. :-) )
As great as it is to save money, find bargains, and be frugal, it's important to keep it in perspective. People are matter more. There's nothing that requires us to take advantage of every opportunity in front of us. (Whether it be time or money constraints that are the limiting factor.)
So, my encouragement today is to keep frugality in perspective. Frugality can be a life-saver. But getting good deals is not worth damaging relationships or living life in a constant state of stress.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Make-it-Yourself Monday: Curtains
Supplies needed:
tape measure
cloth
thread
iron
1. Measure your window. How much cloth you use for the curtains can vary according to your taste and how gathered you want your curtains to look. I used about three times the width of the windows. You should also decide approximately how long you want your curtains, though you can always shorten them.
2. Wash, dry, and iron your fabric before beginning.
3. Cut your material, adding 7" to your curtain length and, if not using the natural edge of the fabric on the sides, 3" to the sides.
4. Fold down a 1/2" of material along the top, toward the wrong side of the fabric, and press.
5. Fold down 3-4" of material toward the wrong side of the fabric, and press again (original 1/2" fold will now be hidden on the wrong side of the material).
6. On the wrong side of the fabric, sew a very narrow hem, catching the 1/2" you turned under.
7. Make a similar seam about 2" higher, leaving two "tubes" along the top of the curtain.
8. Hang your curtain in the window, and decide exactly how long you want it to be. Use a pin to mark the length.
9. Cut curtain 1" below your hem mark.
10. Fold a scant 1/2" up along the bottom (toward the wrong side). Press. Fold a generous 1/2" up, and hem along the bottom, catching both layers in your seam.
You did it! :-) If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment, and I'll do my best to answer you.
For more Make-it-Yourself Monday topics, click here.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Walgreens deals: March 9-15
Moneymaker: (13 cans) Hunt's tomato sauce or (11 cans) Van Campen pork & beans: use 7-day coupon, then send in for EasySaver rebate #49. (Amount spent is calculated before coupons.) If you buy the tomato sauce, your after-coupon total should be $4.33; the pork and beans total would be $4.29. (This is without considering the $5 rebate you will receive in return.) Edit: Apparently due to an unadvertised sale, the tomato sauce is not ringing up as expected. While you can still get a good deal, it's a bit more complicated. To get the best deal, do four transactions of tomato sauce, using the 7-day coupon each time. First transaction: four cans. Second transaction: four cans. Third transaction: four cans. Fourth transaction: three cans. Send all receipts in for EasySaver rebate. Your total spent should come out to just under $5, making it FAR.
Jane cosmetics: BOGO, use with this printable $2/1 coupon.
Sunsilk: 2/4.29; use with 1.50-2.50 coupons from 2/24 inserts or the printable coupons available by clicking here.
Trident Splash gum: BOGO, use with this printable BOGO coupon or the BOGO from the 3/9 insert.
Windex: $5/2; use Windex Antibacterial BOGO coupon from the 2/24 insert, then send in for the $2/2 EasySaver rebate.
Aquafresh toothpaste: 7-day coupon for .99, use with $1/1 coupons from 2/10 paper insert or this printable.
L'Oreal or HiP lipcolor: BOGO.
Red Kiss implements & appliances: BOGO.
There are B2G2 coupons out on the Russell Stover Easter eggs, but you might save those in case Walgreens does another brief round of coupons before Easter.
This week's ad scans my be found by clicking here, compliments of Irish Lass and Hot Coupon World.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Walgreens: April EasySaver catalog
Note regarding Walgreens deals for March 9-15: This week has been rather crazy and I probably won't get the deals typed up today. Check back for them tomorrow.
Walgreens: FAR Venus Embrace razor
Here's how you can get in on it and save quite a bit in the process...
Using the $4 coupon from the 3/2 paper, purchase the Venus Embrace razor (currently on sale for $9.99). It should print a $5 RR. On your EasySaver rebates reporting form, write #51 and fill in the Embrace information and 9.99 for the price (they count before-coupon price). If you're in one of the states that are provided online submission, it's even simpler--they have reportedly added the rebate to their list of March rebates.
Walgreens: Double dip on Phenom razor
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Walgreens Q&A: How many transactions?
I understand your hesitation regarding multiple transactions. While most cashiers I've run into are very helpful, some really don't like to see customers do multiple transactions, use lots of coupons, or get amazing deals. I don't know the atmosphere of your store, but I'll tell you what has worked for me.
When I first began shopping at Walgreens, I took it slowly. I rarely did more than one transaction and I tried to keep it quite simple. My "mode of attack" was flying under the radar. As I got to know the store and the cashiers, I began to discover which cashiers are excited when I get great deals and which ones seem insulted--and I tend to avoid those that are unhappy about it.
One of the biggest helps to me is checking out at the beauty counter. I have found that almost all of those ladies are very helpful and knowledgeable--and I'm happy to be able to help them meet their sales quotas.
If I have several transactions, I will usually wait to check out until there isn't a line (I like to go when the store isn't busy anyway). If other customers come to check out, I try to let them go ahead of me when I'm between transactions.
If I'm doing more than two transactions, I'll generally ask the clerk if she's okay with several transactions. On the soap sale this week, for instance, I went when the store was slow, got my items, and found the beauty adviser, letting her know I was ready to check out. I specifically asked her if she minded me doing several transactions (I think I had about seven different ones), and she said it was fine.
I try to go out of my way to be gracious and friendly to the cashiers that help me in this way. I know my orders are more complicated and I want them to know I appreciate their time and helpfulness.
Particularly when I'm doing several transactions, I try to keep my payment simple. This week I took in quite a few coins, so that the cashier would have to worry about change as little as possible.
I ended up getting into discussion about couponing and deal-hunting with the beauty adviser, and she let me know some things I can do to help them. They are more than helpful, and I'm grateful to be able to return the favor.
Something that I have heard of others doing (particularly those without amazing beauty advisers) is doing one or two transactions at each checkout area in the store (cosmetics, front, photo, pharmacy). This isn't what works best in my situation, but it might be for yours.
Free baby kit
Walgreens: Vivactiv moneymaker & free Visine
And for some free Visine, check your Walgreens for some clearanced to $2.99. Use the $3 manufacturer's coupon from the 3/2 paper (this coupon will probably need to be adjusted down to 2.99).
Edit: The Visine isn't clearanced--it's on sale this week for 2.99. So your store should certainly have some. :-)
Saving on clothes: Consignment shops
However, I have discovered our local women's consignment shop to be a bargain-hunter's paradise. Before you rush out and spend money, let me explain.
In our town, we have a small, family-operated women's consignment shop. They're selective in the items they accept--and as a result have rooms full of very nice clothing. Their prices are far better than what you'd typically find at a clothing store, yet still more than I'd like to pay. (I think I've bought a total of about two of their "full price" items.)
However, the store has a once-a-month sack sale--$3 a bag for clothes with the current color tag. I recently paid $3.21 for a bag of clothes. This is part of what I picked up:
I later added up the prices and it would have cost over $100 for the clothes if I'd bought them on regular consignment--and that's not even considering new prices. Some months the selection for the sack sale is rather poor, other times it's amazing (the above, for instance, was purchased weeks after the sale began). I've found that the best deals may be found by being there when the shop opens on the day of the sack sale.
To find out about deals in your area, check your yellow pages for consignment shops (ask if they have any sort of mark-down sale to get rid of clothes they've had for a while), ask friends about deals, and keep your eyes open.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
FAR: Noxzema razors
Walgreens: Use more than one RR per transaction?
February 29, 2008
Thank you for taking your time to contact our Corporate Offices. We appreciate hearing from our customers and value all comments received.
A customer may not use more than one Register Reward on a purchase of only 1 item example: 2 rewards for Chapstick for 1 Chapstick product). However, a customer can use as many register rewards as they have items in the transaction [emphasis added]. The Register Reward coupon works like a manufacturer coupon when redeemed. Therefore, if a customer uses a manufacturer coupon and a Catalina coupon during the same transaction for the same product, the system will not scan one of these coupons. I hope this helps.
Again, thank you for letting us know about your satisfaction. We truly appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Sincerely,
April S.
Consumer Response Representative
Ref # 1432925
Monday, March 3, 2008
Make-it-Yourself Monday: Buttermilk substitute
If you find yourself needing buttermilk for a recipe but don't have any on hand (or prefer a cheaper alternative), you can make a very simple substitution. Simply pour one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice into a measuring cup, then add milk up to the one cup line. Allow it to sit for a couple minutes before using.
To read other Make-it-Yourself Monday posts, click here.
Walgreens scenarios: March 2-8
Transaction #1:
Buy 6 trial size (1.7 oz) Pantene shampoo or conditioner
Or, I just read that the Herbal Essences trial size have worked, and they're cheaper than the Pantene.
Pay about $6-8 OOP
Receive $12 RR
Transaction #2:
Buy Venus Embrace or Fusion Phenom razor for 9.99
1 filler, such as a pencil or inexpensive clearance item (I recently saw super glue for .10)
Use $4 RR, $4 coupon (Embrace may be found in the 3/2 paper and Phenom may be found in the 2/10 paper)
Pay about $2.15
Receive $5 RR
Transaction #3:
Repeat transaction #1, except use your razor RR to pay for $5 of the transaction. OOP should be around $1-3, depending on which product you buy.
Transaction #4:
Same as transaction #2.
You can continue to roll the RRs as above, saving the extras for later use. You can then use your saved RRs to purchase FAR items, stretching your savings farther.
For all of this week's deals, click here.
Walgreens: RR update
→ It appears that you cannot roll the RRs from the bar soap to the body wash/hair care deal. That is, if you pay with your bar soap RRs, your RR for the body wash/hair care deal will not print.
→ The trial size (1.7 oz.) Pantene shampoo and conditioner are producing the RRs. They are usually about $1.29 each, so this would be a great moneymaker for someone just getting started with Walgreens (total would be around $8.00). Edit: I just read that the Herbal Essences trial size are also producing the RRs and are a bit cheaper. You should be able to buy 6 for about $6.
→ According to Crystal at Money Saving Mom, Walgreens corporate has stated that there are some glitches in this promotion. In particular, it seems that the Herbal Essences hair care items aren't consistently printing the promised RRs. For more details, check out her post here.
For the full details on this week's deals, read this post. For scenario ideas, click here.