Into A Picture » CVS

CVS – January 19

Tricia — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:25:17 +0000

It was date night and what date night isn’t complete without a few tweets and a trip to CVS? Okay, I know I am lucky enough to get a date night each week, I could at least do you all the favor of enjoying it with something entertaining! Well, yes that is true. But this particular night I think it was an education for my husband as I dragged him along for the adventure.

There were at least 2 items not in stock that I was planning for my scenarios which made for an interesting 30 minute search for alternatives. In the end, ended up not being able to use one of my coupons which sent my total over $5 which had me a little bummed. BUT I didn’t want to really screw up the cashier by starting over so I went with it. Here is what I got:

-2 Playskool No Spill Cups – $3.99 x2 = $7.98

-1 Playskool Soft Spout Trainer Cup – $4.99

-1 Playskool Easy Grip Bowl – $4.99

-2 Playskool Heat Sensitive Spoons – $3.99 x 2 = $7.98

(Playskool products were BOGO 50% off) – automatic reduction of $2.50, $2.50, & $2.00 = $7.00)

-1 Softsoap 3 pack -$5.99

-1 Oral B Toothbrush 2pk – $5.99

Total: $40.55

Coupons

-.35 off Softsoap

-$4 off $20 Playskool purchase (exp 12/25) (my CVS takes these for up to 30 days past exp) (I was holding on to this coupon for almost a month hoping that these would go on sale!)

-$19.96 ECB (this is a HUGE ECB for me, rarely are my transactions large enough to warrant that, this is what made making this purchase a little complicated)

Total oop = $9.94 (earned 3ECB’s)

Overall, not my best scenario ever but still happy with it. We just started feeding solids the last few weeks so those spoons and bowls will come in real handy! I also received a $5/$15 register coupon so I will be heading back over there tomorrow! Maybe I can do better!

For more great ideas on how to save money at CVS visit The Centsible Sawyer: CVS Superstars or Keeping the Kingdom First: CVS Challenge!

CVS – January 22

Tricia — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:25:09 +0000

Well, I had that 5/15 coupon in my pocket burning a hole! I went on a Thursday night because I find the store pretty well stocked on that night, but they were still missing a few of the items that I was planning on buying. So there I was wandering through the aisles trying to figure out what to do.

I eventually decided on the Pepsi products since there was also a mail-in for more coupons. I love more coupons! We aren’t usually Pepsi drinkers and hubby thought I was really going off the deep end when I came home with them. However, I quickly explained about the coupons and about all those parties he likes to throw and how other people on the planet drink Pepsi products pretty regularly. Then he saw the Gatorade and the world was okay again

So here is what I got:

(The Tostitos were a little camera shy and asked to be left out of this picture)

4 Gatorade – 4/$5.00

1 Tostitos Chips – $3.00

2 Sierra Mist, 1 Pepsi, and 1 Diet Pepsi 12-pack – 4/$12.00

Total = $20.00

Coupons:

5/15 register coupon

12.00 ECB’s

Total oop = $5.68 (received $10 ECB’s and will send in for Pepsi rebate – learn more here)

For more great ideas on how to save money at CVS visit The Centsible Sawyer: CVS Superstars or Keeping the Kingdom First: CVS Challenge!

CVS Following. . .

Tricia — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 03:09:20 +0000

Apparently I have a readership I was unaware of. Yesterday I got an email from a good family friend (in Florida) saying hello and asking me some questions about my CVS shopping and printing coupons. Then my mother comes over every Monday night to watch Isaac while Ben and I have a date night (I know, not nice to rub it in is it?) and she shows up with her CVS ad in hand! Too funny! She wanted me to help her work out some scenarios! Then she calls me today to tell me how much she spent, how much she saved, and how many ECB’s she earned! LOL. I never realized what posting those shopping trips would do for others. But I am glad. Glad it has helped so many. I know they aren’t the only ones as others have mentioned that they review my shopping pictures too!

Now that I have learned that I have a following I thought I would go ahead and reveal some of my secrets so all of you can enjoy some CVS’ing if you so desire! I never could have done it without some key websites/blogs assisting me along the way. Below you will find a list of the sites that I regularly peruse for sample scenarios, the how-to’s, and updates on store specials.

I suppose this would be the best time to do a shameless plug for a new website I have in the works too. I am not going to reveal the site name or content just yet, but soon. The plan to is to have it up and running by February 1st (this depends on my web designer(s))! However, one of the content areas is going to be my CVS excursions. It is just too much fun! I have to share with someone. So stay tuned – the url is coming soon!

CVS Resources:

The Centsible Sawyer: CVS Superstars

Keeping the Kingdom First: CVS Challenge

Printable Coupon Resources:

oh there are lots, specific to CVS I subscribe to these websites above and they often send out notices when there are printable coupons. In addition there are many others but the one I use the most is: afullcup.com.

When the new website gets up and running I will list all of the websites/blogs I subscribe too and all the coupon sites that will benefit you. Just a few short weeks of waiting!

CVS Again – 1/9/09

Tricia — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 02:00:24 +0000

Headed back to CVS because my coupons were burning a hole in my pocket. Here is what i got this time:

4 Kids Throat Coolers 4.99 x 4 = 19.96

1 Nasogel Nose Spray 7.99

Total Before Coupons = $27.95

Coupons:

BOGO Kids Throat Coolers manu q (printable) x 2 = 9.98

$2 off Nasogel manu q (printable)

$5/$25 Riteaid q (my store takes competitor coupons)

Total oop= $1.88, earned 27.95 ECBS (19.96 Throat Coolers; 7.99 Nasogel), and $27.95 reimbursed FSA)

CVS’ing January 8th

Tricia — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:05:41 +0000

So I ventured to CVS this evening. I have a small confession first. I have several CVS’ I frequent. The most convenient one is the one next to Kroger, just get my CVS purchases and head on in to the grocery store. However, several days before Christmas Ben and I made a quick stop into that CVS and didn’t have a good experience. The cashier had trouble with my coupons, got really frustrated, made me feel like i was a huge pain in the butt, and in the end forgot to scan my CVS card which meant that I lost out on some ECB opportunities and $$$$. I tried to help her figure out how to fix it but she kept acting like I just ruined her life (mind you there was no one in line behind me either, not like I am holding up the joint). Anyway, I kindly (okay not so kindly) explained to her that it wasn’t I who had made the mistake, that I spend money in there too, and that I didn’t care as much about saving money as I did about being treated with a little decency. And we left.

So I have been avoiding that CVS for the past few weeks. No need to run into her if I don’t have to. Especially if there is another CVS just minutes from my home, actually closer than the one at Kroger. So anyway, I go to the store closest to me tonight and guess who is working? YEP! The girl I am avoiding, and I am at the other store! Oh well, that will teach me. We made amends. Turns out she is really nice. Perhaps we were both just having a bad day.

Purchase:

Colgate Total (6oz) x2 2/$5.00

Monistat 1 $15.00

Tylenol Rapid Release Gel Tabs $8.50

Total = $28.50

Coupons:

1.50 off manu q x2 = $3.00 off
1.00 off Colgate toothpaste register q (expired 12/25 but mine takes them 30 days after)

4.00 off Tylenol Gel Tabs Walgreens q (mine takes competitor store coupons)

2.00 off Tylenol Gel Tabs manu q

4.00 off Monistat Walgreens q (mine takes competitor store coupons)

4.00 off Monistat manu q

5/25 Riteaid q (mine takes competitor store coupons)

2.00 ECB

Total oop=4.38, earned 12 ECB’s, and $23.50 reimbursable through FSA!

(I think that means that I made about $30 on this purchase!) YAY

This Week’s CVS Journey

Tricia — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 04:23:04 +0000

Well, I have been doing the CVS thing for a little over a month now. I only ever do one transaction at a time as the whole thing really intimidates me. My strategy has been to come up with a couple scenarios and then head to the store. The problem is, inevitably I get there and they don’t have an item or two which is really frustrating. Actually, that isn’t too bad as long as they have formula, that is my old standby, but lately they haven’t had that either. However, I was in for a treat this evening because the store was well stocked! Score.

And tonight, I ventured into the land of multiple transactions. It wasn’t nearly as scary as I thought it might be! It helped that there was a nice cashier working and there wasn’t a line behind me. Here is what I ended up with. . .

Purchase #1

Energizer 2-9V batteries – 5.99

Energizer 8-AA batteries – 5.99

Energizer 4-D batteries – 5.99

Energizer 4-C batteries – 5.99

2 Betty Crocker Fudge Brownies – 2.39 x2 = 4.78

Total = $28.74

Coupons:

1.00 off Energizer batteries

2.00 off Energizer batteries (Rite-Aid coupon) (my store accepts competitor q’s)

1.00 off 2 BC brownies

$5/$25 Rite-Aid (my store accepts competitor q’s)

9.99 ECB’s

Total oop = $10.24; earned $12 ECB’s!!

Purchase #2

2 Complete Contact Solution – 8.99 x 2 = 17.98

Total = 17.98

Coupons:

1.00 off Complete Contact Solution

2.00 off Complete Contact Solution – Walgreens q (my store accepts competitor q’s)

$12 ECB’s from purchase #1

Total oop = $3.26; earned $17.98 in ECB’s!!!

Purchase #3

Huggies Baby Wash 15 oz – 2.50

Huggies Baby Wipes 64 ct – 2.50

Huggies Supreme Jumbo 35 ct (3’s) – 10.00

Huggies Ultratrim Jumbo 40 ct (3’s) – 10.00

Total = 25.00

Coupons:

.50 Huggies Wipes

1.50 Huggies Wash Product

1.50 Huggies Diapers

17.98 ECB’s from purchase #2

Total oop = $2.52; earned $5 ECB’s

Purchase #4

4 Reese’s Mini’s – 2.00 x 4 = 8.00

4 Hershey’s Kisses – 2.00 x 4 = 8.00

Hershey’s Special Dark Miniatures – 2.00

4 Reese’s Peanutbutter Christmas Trees – .50 x 4 = 2.00

Total = 20.00

Coupons:

1.00 off Hershey’s Special Dark Miniatures

1.50 off 3 Hershey’s Candies

1.00 off 3 Hershey’s Candies

$5 ECB from Purchase #3

Total oop = $11.50; Earned $10 ECB’s!!!

Sheesh, I’m done! And I am tired. But I have $10 in ECB’s, only spent $27 oop, and have a ton of stuff! Not to mention all the coupons that printed out for my future purchases!