Late Night Shopping - Old Navy & Walmart

I heard that Old Navy has their clearance an extra 50% off 'til Saturday, and since I had a return to make, I figured I may as well check it out. I didn't find any clothes in the woman's department, but let's face it - I have enough clothes. I did raid the kids department and found some cute hoodies for my cousins at $2.50-$3.50 each and two 1 piece pajamas at $0.47 each.

I then headed to Walmart to pick up some milk and use some random coupons I had:

Milk {gallon} - $1.50
Milk {gallon} - $1.50
Kotex Lightdays Liners - $1.00
Kotex Lightdays Liners - $1.00
Kotex Lightdays Liners - $1.00
Kotex Lightdays Liners - $1.00
Kotex Lightdays Liners - $1.00
Yo-Plus Yogurt - $2.08
Yo-Plus Yogurt - $2.08
Scotch Gift Tape {3 count} - $0.60
Scotch Gift Tape {3 count} - $0.60
Scotch Magic Tape {3 count} - $0.60
Scotch Magic Tape {3 count} - $0.60
Scotch Gift Wrap Cutter - $0.40
Scotch Gift Wrap Cutter - $0.40
Scotch Gift Wrap Cutter - $0.40
Scotch Gift Wrap Cutter - $0.40
Scotch Gift Wrap Cutter - $0.40
Strawberry Frosted Mini Wheats - $2.00
Strawberry Frosted Mini Wheats - $2.00
Strawberry Frosted Mini Wheats - $2.00
Chocolate Frosted Mini Bites -$2.00
Chocolate Froster Mini Bites -$2.00
TOTAL: 26.56
- 0.75 Kotex LightDays Liners
- 0.75 Kotex LightDays Liners
- 0.75 Kotex LightDays Liners
- 0.75 Kotex LightDays Liners
- 0.75 Kotex LightDays Liners
- 1.00 Scotch Gift Wrap Cutter {peelie on tape}
- 1.00 Scotch Gift Wrap Cutter {peelie on tape}
- 1.00 Kellogs Frosted Mini Wheats
- 1.00 Kellogs Frosted Mini Wheats
- 1.00 Kellogs Frosted Mini Wheats
- 1.00 Kellogs Frosted Mini Bites
- 1.00 Kellogs Frosted Mini Bites
- 1.00 Yo-Plus Yogurt
- 1.00 Yo-Plus Yogurt
OOP: 13.81 + 0.69 tax = 14.50

Walgreens Plan

I haven't made it to Walgreens yet, but I do want to buy some Calcium. Since I have no Register Rewards with which to start, it's going to cost me a bit OOP.

So, here's the plan:

Transaction One:

Bayer Quick Release Crystals - 2.49
Colgate Total Toothpaste - 2.49
TOTAL: 4.98
- $1/1 any Bayer Quick Release
- $1/1 Colgate Total Toothpaste
OOP: 2.98 + 0.37 tax = 3.35
Recieve: 2.50 Bayer + 1.50 Colgate

Transaction Two:

Bayer Quick Release Crystals - 2.49
Colgate Total Toothpaste - 2.49
TOTAL: 4.98
- $1/1 any Bayer Quick Release
- $1/1 Colgate Total Toothpaste
OOP: 2.98 + 0.37 tax = 3.35
Recieve: 2.50 Bayer + 1.50 Colgate

Transaction Three:
Posture-D Calcium - 8.99
Filler
Filler
Filler
Filler
Total: 8.99 + fillers
-2.5 Bayer Quick Release
-2.5 Bayer Quick Release
-1.5 Colgate Total
-1.5 Colgate Total
OOP: 0.99 + fillers + tax
Receive: 9.00 Posture D

Transaction Four:
Bayer Quick release Crystals - 2.49
Colgate Total Toothpaste - 2.49
Kleenex {200 count} BOGO - 2.19
Kleenex {200 count} BOGO - 0.00
Kleenex {200 count} BOGO - 2.19
Kleenex {200 count} BOGO - 0.00
Filler - {at least 1.64 }
TOTAL: 11.00 +
- $1/1 any Bayer Quick Release
- $1/1 Colgate Total Toothpaste
- $9 Posture D RR
OOP: ~0.00 + tax
Recieve: 2.5 Bayer + 1.5 Colgate

So, there's seriously nothing good to roll with this week. I may just keep buying Bayer Quick Release Crystals, since they are a moneymaker with the coupon, and then roll those into the Posture D + Kleenex. So, that would look like this:

Bayer Quick Release Crystals - 2.49
TOTAL: 2.49
- $1/1 any Bayer Quick Release
OOP: 1.49 + 0.18 tax = 1.67
Recieve: 2.50 Bayer

Do above transaction 5 times and then do this:

Posture D Calcium - $8.99
Kleenex {200 count} BOGO - 2.19
Kleenex {200 count} BOGO - 0.00
Kleenex {200 count} BOGO - 2.19
Kleenex {200 count} BOGO - 0.00
TOTAL: 13.37
-2.5 Bayer Quick Release
-2.5 Bayer Quick Release
-2.5 Bayer Quick Release
-2.5 Bayer Quick Release
-2.5 Bayer Quick Release
OOP: 0.87 + 0.99 tax = 1.86

Rinse & repeat. So, I would end up with a ton of aspirin, which is fine with me, since I don't take pills. I'd also be left with several 9RRs to play with next week. There's just the small fact that next week doesn't look too promising... Hopefully some good deals come up.

Super Savings Saturday: Walgreens Edition

I ended up going to Walgreens yesterday, and it's a good thing I did. Hot Coupon World was reporting that Fast Break Deodorant was producing $5RR even though it was priced at $2.99. I still had the freebie coupons that NBC gave out a few weeks, so this was a great opportunity to use those. This deal is already dead, unfortunately. =/

Fast Break Extreme Dry Powerstripe - $2.99
-2.99 Freebie coupon
OOP: 0.00 + 0.22 tax
Get $5RR back.

I did it twice, so I had $10 in Register Rewards to start today. I wanted to buy Splenda, and I had a ton of Edge Coupons. I lucked out and found spices and V8 Fusion on clearance too!

Here's what I got:

And here's how:

Transaction One:

PUR Flavor Option Pitcher - $7.49
Planters Cashews (BOGO) - $6.99
Planters Cashews (BOGO) - $0.00
Bayer Quick Release Crystals - $2.49
Edge Comfort Shave Gel - $1.99
TOTAL: $18.96
- $5.00 Any Planters Product {from the Kraft Sweepstakes in February}
- $1 Any Bayer Quick Release Crystals {from in store display}
- $0.75 Edge Shave Gel {5/17 SS}
- $5RR from Right Guard
- $5RR from Right Guard
OOP: 2.21 + 0.88 tax = 3.09
Register Rewards Received: 2.50 Bayer, 1.00 Edge

Transaction Two:

Colgate Visible White Toothpaste - $4.49
Nutmeg - $0.24
TOTAL: $4.73
- 2.50 Bayer Crystals
- 1.00 Edge
OOP: 2.21 + 0.35 tax = 1.57
Register Rewards Received: 4.50 Colgate

Transaction Three:
Edge Energy Shave Gel - $1.99
Bayer Quick Release Crystals - $2.49
V8 Fusion - $0.42
V8 Fusion - $0.42
TOTAL: $5.32
- $0.75 Edge Shave Gel {5/17 SS}
- $4.50 Colgate
OOP: 0.07 + 0.33 tax = $0.40
Register Rewards Received: 2.50 Bayer, 1.00 Edge

Transaction Four:
Edge Energy Shave Gel - $1.99
V8 Fusion - $0.42
V8 Fusion - $0.42
V8 Fusion - $0.42
TOTAL: $3.25
- $0.75 Edge Shave Gel {5/17 SS}
- $2.50 Bayer Crystals
OOP: 0.00 + 0.15 tax = $0.15
Register Rewards Received: 1.00 Edge

Transaction Five:
Bayer Quick Release Crystals - $2.49
V8 Fusion - $0.42
TOTAL: $2.91
- $1.00 Edge
- $1.00 Edge
OOP: 0.91 + 0.18 tax = $1.09
Register Rewards Received: 2.50 Bayer

Transaction Six:

Edge Hydrate Shave Gel - $1.99
V8 Fusion - $0.42
V8 Fusion - $0.42
Christmas Gift Card Holder - $0.74
TOTAL: $2.83
- $0.75 Edge Shave Gel {5/17 SS}
- $2.50 Bayer Crystals
OOP: 0.32 + 0.20 tax = $0.52
Register Rewards Received: 1.00 Edge

Transaction Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven:
Edge Shave Gel - $1.99
TOTAL: 1.99
- $0.75 Edge Shave Gel {5/17 SS}
OOP: 1.24 + 0.15 tax = $1.39
Register Rewards Received: 1.00 Edge

Transaction Twelve:
Splenda with Fiber {80 count} $4.89
Splenda with Fiber {80 count} $4.89
Splenda with Fiber {80 count} $4.89
Splenda Granulated {3.8 oz} $4.89
Encore Chocolate Sprinkles $0.24
Encore Chocolate Sprinkles $0.24
Encore Chocolate Sprinkles $0.24
Encore Poultry Seasoning $0.24
Encore Poultry Seasoning $0.24
Encore Cayenne Pepper $0.24
TOTAL: $21.00
- $7.60 Walgreens Splenda Instore Coupon
- $3.00 $3/2 Splenda Coupon {April All You}
- $3.00 $3/2 Splenda Coupon {April All You}
- $1.00 Edge
- $1.00 Edge
- $1.00 Edge
- $1.00 Edge
- $1.00 Edge
- $1.00 Edge
OOP: 1.40 + 0.00 tax = $1.40
Register Rewards Received: None.

Total cost of items: 74.93
Out Of Pocket Cost: $13.32 + 2.24 tax

I didn't to all this at one store; I did it at three. And yes, I did ask one cashier to ring me up 5 Edge Shave Gels in separate, back-to-back transactions! She thought I was insane, but I didn't care much.

The $5RR from the Fast Break basically paid for my V8 & a new water pitcher, and I just paid out off pocket for the Splenda, Edge Gel & the spices - all of which were good deals. And that totally works for me.

This post has been linked on Money Saving Mom's Super Saving Saturday. Check out her site for more great deals.

Where have I been?

I haven't posted in ages. Actually, I never really updated this blog. I tend to do that - start blogs/projects over my breaks but forget that I don't have time during the school semester.

I have, for the most part, been keeping up with the deals, and I've learned quite a bit and created a cute stockpile! I'm hoping to have more time to update now that summer is here. I have several posts I've been wanting to write about all I've learned, so I think I'll start a "Lessons Learned" series sometime in the next two weeks.

Today I had every intention of going shopping, but it is pouring; it's crazy out there, so I think I'll stay in and catch up on some housework and some organizing. I may even start the series - we'll see!

Walgreens Challenege - Change in my Pocket

I usually never plan my Walgreens transactions, and I rarely roll them. I decided to try today, so I challenged myself to using only the money in pocket, and not my debit card. I started out with $6.00 cash, and $8.50 in Register Rewards from last week.

Transaction #1

Colgate Max White Toothbrush
$3.29 - $1/1 coupon = 2.39
Kleenex
$0.89 - with IVC
- 3.00 RR from Edge/Skintimate
$0.49 OOP
Received $3.50 RR from Colgate

Transaction #2

Skintimate Shave Gel
$2.99
- 2.00 RR from Chapstick
$1.21 OOP
Received $3.00 RR from Skintimate

Transaction #3
Colgate Max Fresh Toothbrush
$3.29 - $1/1 coupon = 2.39
Kleenex
$0.89 - with IVC
- 3.00 RR from Edge/Skintimate
$0.49 OOP
Received $3.50 RR from Colgate

Transaction #4

Colgate Max White Toothbrush
$3.29 - $1/1 coupon = 2.39
Kleenex
$0.89 - with IVC
Walgreens 18 count Soup Spoons
$0.25 {Clearance!}

- 2.00 RR from Chapstick
$1.76 OOP
Received $3.50 RR from Colgate

Transaction #4

Ink Cartridge Refill
$10.00
Ravinia Flat Elastic x2
$0.40 {Clearance!} = $0.80

- (3) $3.50 RR
$1.10 OOP

Total Cost: $5.05

I still have one $3.50 RR, and I'll be getting back $7.50 from the Easy Saver rebate on the Ink Cartridge.

And, yes, I kind of messed up the fourth transaction. I forgot I was using a $1 coupon on the toothbrush, and I meant to use another $2 RR from Chapstick, which would have been $0.71 OOP, but oh well.

Baking Day

I'm planning on having a Baking Day tomorrow.

Here's what I'm hoping to make:
Waffles
Banana Bread
Strawberry Cake {Whole Foods Version}
Brown Rice

I also wanted to try this pizza recipe, but pizza and rice don't go so well together, do they? So I'll probably make enchiladas {again} and save the pizza for another day.

I'll be starting with the waffles, and they can double as tomorrow's breakfast too. The banana bread is to use up all those bananas that are going to spoil, and so is the strawberry cake {plus, strawberry cake is my favorite!}. Oh, and this should probably keep me out of Walgreens for at least one day. Maybe not, cuz I have to run by Walmart to return a movie, and Walgreens happens to be on my way...

I don't have recipe for the banana bread yet, but I'm sure there's one somewhere around here. If not, Google is always available! I'll post more about this tomorrow.

Ah, couponing.

Today I walked into a store to buy some avocados for dinner. There was a post offering a subscription to local newspaper. I hadn't subscribed yet, so I stopped to see if it was any good.

The offer included a one-month subscription for $8.70, plus a $5 gas card, today's paper, and yesterday's Sunday paper. I decided it was worth it and signed up.

The funny part, however, was that while the salesman was still trying to convince me, he mentioned that the offer included the Sunday paper which contained coupons. Tuesday and Thursday are {apparently} also good days for coupons, and his wife saves about $5 a week using the coupons from the newspaper.

My only thought? "She must be doing it wrong."