Sunday, October 31, 2010

Saving Sunday - Mailbox!



Thoughts:

Gum - YEAH! I really wanted to try the Key Lime Pie! I love key lime!

Black Card - It's a card for a free drink from Star Bucks for my up coming Birthday! I'm so happy to have this freebie. Pumpkin Spice Latte here I come!

Lip Gloss - I don't remember where this one came from. I might not be to big on makeup in general, but I love lip gloss.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Quick Update


I've only got two posts in this week? WHAT!? Sorry about that. I haven't had much time to get anything together this past week. I'm in the midst of what I call "Birthday Season." Growing up 4 out of 5 people: dad, mom, myself and my sister (in that order and my brother out in the middle of January) in the house had birthdays over the span of two weeks. It was always busy and still is! I plan to have something up on Monday as tomorrow is still jammed packed. Luckily I've planned out vacation time for all this running around that is to be done. (It's extra special this year as my parents both turn 50!)

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Tuna Towers - Mini Size



CVS doesn't have much that interests me this week. However the tuna is on sale for $.49 a can. I think that's the best price I can get on tuna and we are in need of some. (Tuna sandwiches are a favorite here.) I want to get more, but I'll wait until at least tomorrow and see how the stock is holding up. I try not to jump on sales to much at work because I feel I'm there all the time and it's that big of an issue for me to get a raincheck. Also picked up my free gum after coupon from my register receipt.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Saving Sunday - Mailbox!



Thoughts:

~Pet Food: I LOVE coupons for free full sized products! The pet food coupon isn't really for me, but my mom. The Girls love me! ^_^

~There was a brief rumor that the Pringles sample on Facebook was a hoax, but it's not! I really enjoy Pringles, but I try to avoid them usually as I can eat an entire can in one sitting. (They are expensive to boot.)

~Chilli's: The GC is $5. I 'bought' it with My Coke Rewards. As I already buy coke it's free to me. To bad it's limit one per person.

~Playtex: I swear I can hardly go a month without getting a sample or two for tampons.


My only compliant about the lot is the Alive. I really love samples in the mail, but one pill? I thought a standard does was two pills? So I'm suppose to like your product on half a dose? Strikes me as a bit odd, but oh well. To the emergency supply it goes.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Target - Second Chance?



A while back (see here) Target was having issues with coupons and I decided not to go back until it was fixed. While it's not fixed as of yet I still needed to buy a few bras because my others are so worn. If I'm going to be there any way why not?

I decided I would try my luck with some coupons and see what happened. I had read about a Jell-o deal on Totally Target. Once again it was not correct. I didn't catch it until I made it home and I'm not wasting my gas for a lousy $.16! I did not notice because I got to excited about free dog food which I saw on Students Saving Bucks. Completely forgot those were in the inserts not that long ago. At least Noel & Dixie will be happy. (Maybe I should get more of those coupons?)

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Working at a New Store!

I'm very excited to be working at a different store. I needed a change of some kind as I've been a bit frustrated of late. The long drives were killing me! Seriously, when you worry over $.10/gal increase in gas is going to throw off your budget big time you know there's a problem. Well I've been keeping a close eye on those prices around here and they've been going up. YIKES!

The drive isn't anything special but it takes less than half time to get there. It's wonderful! Not having to drive 50 minutes to a hour is fantastic! We'll see how I like it two or three months down the road, but for now it's a little piece of heaven.

This store also has a lower volume. I'd say my 'old' store did about 2.5x as much front store business and 2x the scripts at least. I actually kind of like it. I need something a little bit more slowed down of late as I feel like I'm wearing out. (Over 9 years in a supper busy store is tiring after a while! That's why I enjoyed my 6 months on night shift.) I'm still working a few days at the 'old' store a week because there aren't enough hours. That's all right, perhaps once the new year begins I can find another store that is also closer to pick up the other days if the hour budget doesn't increase.

Today I made my first purchase at the 'new' store. ^_^ I was going to get a Schick Hydro as well, but they (we? which do I use now?) were out of the shaving cream.



I bought:
3 Mentos 15ct @ $1.79 each = $5.37
3 Mentos 15ct $0.00 (BOGO Sale!)
Nuetrogena Triple Moisture $7.49
Total Before Coupons: $12.86

6 $1/1 Mentos 15ct+
Total After Coupons: $6.86

Received:
$8 EB Nuetrogena
~These did not print. Went back to the shelf and rechecked the product I grabbed. I grabbed the one that had been signed. Brought the sign up to the register and the cashier looked it over and forced printed the extra bucks. Now I'm wondering looking through the blogs again if the incorrect Nuetrogena was signed. *sighs* Ah well.
Net: $1.14 profit (+ $.25 green bag tag scan)

Oh! Be on the look out for a coupon to print at the bottom of your receipt for a free pack of the new Extra Dessert Delights gum! I got mine on Monday! (Old store only got in two flavors on Monday, new store hasn't gotten them in yet.)

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Rite Aid Run, Freebates Week 2!


WOW! I made some good money this week. Best part is it will come back to me in the form of a check. I'm really excited about that. I bought everything in two transactions so I could use the +ups from buying Febreze Noticables kits. So in no particular order:

Cold Buster $6.69
Coldwar $3.99
TheraMax $6.99
BioGuard $6.99
Beyond Bodiheat $2.99
Simply Saline $3.99
Simply Saline Children’s $3.99
Bioron Children’s Cough Syrup $4.99
Blink Tears $7.99
Bee MD Cough Drops $2.49
Therma Care $2.99
Childrens Oscillococcinum $4.99
4 Febreze Noticables Kits @ $2.50 each = $10.00

Coupons Used:
2 $5 off $25+
$1/1 Therma Care (Missed out on the VV $1 off coupon)
$2/1 Oscillococinum
$1/1 SimplySaline (I could only get one to print?)
4 $3/1 Febreze Noticables Kits (Register took off full amount of each coupon)

Will Receive:
SCR for all the above listed except the Febreze Noticables Kits
2 $1 +up wyb 2 Febreze
$1 MIR Bee DM (Just need to send it in. Waiting for all rebates to clear.)
Net: $19 profit! (minus cost of a stamp.)

I think I might take a break from Rite Aid. I don't see anything on ad 'previews' that really catch my attention. I don't have any +up to be spending. I wonder if I can really stay away for a week? That might be a good test for me. LOL.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Saving Sunday - Mailbox!



I've got some good treats this week. I am happy to have gotten the socks. I want to save them for when I start going back to the gym. (When I start working at another store that is so much closer! It will cut my commute in half!) I really need to lose some weight. I'm over 200lbs at only 5"4'! I know it's bad. I was much better when I was on night shift and walking 15 miles a week.

I'm going to put the snack samples in my lunch box for work. I love things like this! Not sure what I'll so with the Cottenelle wipes. I plan on using it as a 'filler' item at Rite Aid. Maybe CVS? I rarely get those $x off $y coupons. I'll give the Biotrue to my sister. It will be good for traveling. (Not sure if she's going anywhere soon or not?) Cold-Eezze for the medicine cabinet!

It's a great sample week!

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Another CVS Trip

After a bit of thought and luck I decided to buy the Purex 3-in-1 sheets. I'm lucky as we managed to get the hypo allergenic version in. After having some problems in the past with laundry detergent I only buy hypo allergenic versions. Sometimes this frustrates me as I have to pass up on really cheap laundry detergent. Ah well.

As I was hoping would happen I got another $.99 candy corn coupon. Too bad I lost it, luckily I ended up with a third one. So now I'm thinking the 'one day' coupons print every other day. If you timed it just right you could end up with up to four of these kind in one week! Amazing!



2 Purex 3-in-1 sheets $7.99 each = $15.98
2 Purex 3-in-1 sheets $0.00 (BOGO sale!)
Brachs Candy Corn $.99
2 Hanes Socks 3pk $.49 each = $.98
~These are 90% Back To School clearance, they were hidden with Halloween in the back room
2 Colgate Toothpaste @ $2.99 each = $5.98
Phillips Ear Buds $6.99 (rain check)
Total Before Coupons: $30.92

4 $3/1 Purex 3-in-1 sheets
$.99 Brachs Candy Corn
2 $1/1 Colgate Toothpaste
Total After Coupons: $15.93

Received:
$5.98 EB Colgate Toothpaste
$7.00 EB Phillips (rain check)
Net: $2.95 cost

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Rite Aid Freebates!

I'm so excited! I was beginning to think I would never be able to change all the +up rewards that I've accumulated into cash again. Don't get me wrong I love all the deals I can score at Rite Aid, but trying to roll the rewards all the time can be tiring. And I love getting a big check in the mail. ^_^

Apparently in October Rite does a ton of Single Check Rebates of free items! It's just so fantastic I'm a bit giddy. I need to head back latter this week to pick up a few items I missed. Either I didn't see it on that wonderful end cap of all the free items or perhaps there wasn't enough room for everything. We shall see. Not sure if I can get enough time tomorrow.

Transaction 1:
Neilmed Nasal Mist $9.99
4 Nyquil Sinex 20ct @ $4.99 each = $19.96
Total Before Coupons: $29.95

$5 off $25+ purchase
4 $4/1 Sinex ($16.00)
Total After Coupons: $8.95 (used $8.69 +up & $.26 GC)

Received/Will Receive:
$9.99 SCR Nasal Mist
4 $1.50 +up ($6.00)
Net: $7.04 profit

Transaction 2:
4 Gain Dish Soap @ $.89 each = $3.56
Blistex Ointment $1.49
Neilmed Nasal Dock $5.99
Kids Eeze Allergy $4.99
2 Antiox Shot 2pk @ $2.99 each = $5.98 (limit 2 freebates!)
Emergen-C Shot 2pk $3.49
Sucrets Herbal Berry $2.99
Palmers Lip $1.99
Pediacare Multi System Cold $7.99
Total Before Coupons: $38.47

$4 off $20+ purchase
4 $1/1 Gain Dish Soap
~I thought it would be adjusted down, but went through without a problem. The cashier told me the register would take the full amount if there was more than one being purchased. Not sure if it's true or what she thinks is the reason.
$2/1 Neilmed (forget which product?)
Total After Coupons: $28.47 (used $28.42 +up & $.05 GC)

Will Receive:
$1.49 SCR Blistex Ointment
$5.99 SCR Neilmed Nasal Dock
$4.99 SCR Kids Eeze Allergy
2 $2.99 SCR Antiox Shot 2pk ($5.98)
$3.49 SCR Emergen-C Shot 2pk
$2.99 SCR Sucrets Herbal Berry
$1.99 SCR Palmers Lip
$7.99 SCR Pediacare Multi System Cold
Net: $6.42 profit

Grand Net: $7.04 + $6.42 = $13.46 profit!

More than likely I could have planned these out better and used another $5 off $25 coupon, but Rite Aid seems to have pulled the plug on those. The video values of these coupons were pulled only a few days into the month. If you watched them, you got them, if not you can't access them. I haven't seen them on redplum lately either. I think they might crack down on the usage at some point soon. Who knows?

Posting CVS FINALLY!

Finally! I made this purchase on Sunday, but haven't had a chance until now to get around to it. Nothing major this week. I will pick up my toothpaste when I head to work next. Colgate is my preferred brand, but I can't seem to pick it up free as easily as Crest. Ah well, more for my small stash. ^_^



The back to school clearance is now 90%! My store missed out on some back to school candy and found it with the Halloween candy. Most were originally priced at $.99 making them $.09 each! I figured with all the free candy I've already got I don't need any more. Several customers were thrilled and are planning to hand them out on Halloween.

I've decided to try multiple binders (one for each month on a rotating 6-month) for my coupons. I tried putting them in hanging folders, but they sag and curl up on themselves. It annoys me! I don't know why. Maybe because it makes it more difficult to flip through the pages. Reduced to $.34 each I had to grab these!

4 1" Binders @ $.34 each = $1.36
2 CVS (Calibur) Note Books @ $.39 each = $.78
Clips 2pk Pack $.09 (Although it's technically $1?)
Cotton Candy $.09 (One of those clearance 'candies'!)
Brachs Candy Corn $.99
Dawn Dish Soap $.97
Total Before Coupons: $4.28

$.99/1 Brachs from the coupon center
$.97/1 Dawn (Adjust down from $1.00)
Total After Coupons: $2.32 cost

I'm hoping for a second Brach coupon latter in the week. Most of the 'one day only' coupons of this nature print twice if I grab it on Sunday/Monday and then on Thursday/Friday. It happened with the $5 Halloween coupon, Starbucks Coffee and Lysol Wipes coupons in the past. I'm hoping for a continued pattern.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Saving Sunday - Mailbox!



I had completely forgotten about this shirt! Saladworks is doing a promotion to wear the shirt & get a salad. Free food? I'm so there! Now I just need to remember to actually wear it Friday Oct 15th or Saturday Oct 16th. I'm so looking forward to that salad! The next question is would I enjoy the free instant coffee with the salad?

Friday, October 8, 2010

Free, Free, FREE!

It's been a week full of small shopping trips. I am WAY behind on posting these transactions. I was so excited yesterday to get lots of free candy at Rite Aid. I'm glad I jumped on the deal after seeing it in For The Mommas. However I see that the deal is dead. So sad. I was going to try and get more tomorrow.

Here we go a whirlwind tour! I'm just going to simplify all of this because of time.


I had $12 +up expiring at the end of the week. I wanted to use them up super quick so I wouldn't have to worry about rushing out or fret over losing out on them. I have eared enough 'points' (ie spent enough money) to earn myself a 10% shopping pass. I just wanted to use it on the pads, but it took off $.03 extra from each Nivea. (The 10% price was better than the sale price. Cool!)

I had seen something about some of the box candies producing $1+up. It was tagged on the shelf, but no +up? I think perhaps it has something to do with the item being on sale for 2/$2. I've seen comments other places that if you buy two you get $1 +up. Not worth it for the hassle to return the item.

Total Before Coupons: $39.77
Coupons: $15.38 MQ & $5.00 RAQ
Total After Coupons: $19.39 (used $16.69 +up & $1.70 GC)
Received: $28.35 +up
Net: $8.86 profit



As the first Rite Aid only had one lonely tube of toothpaste I went to use some of my toothpaste coupons. There are so many days when I'm working that people come up and buy a large tube of toothpaste at full price. I always want to ask them "Are You Crazy! You could get this free?!" I don't think those customers would appreciate it much.

There was one customer this week who was buying some Halloween Decor. It was over $5 and I offered to show him the coupon center because of the Halloween coupon that was printing. He refused and didn't want to bother. He seemed very irritated that I even offered. I could hardly believe that someone didn't want to take a minute to save $5. Showing people how to use that machine is part of my job. To each their own I suppose.

Not pictured are two small bags of M&M. I bought them to use more +up and pay only $.04 OOP. I didn't bother with the GC.

Total Before Coupons: $32.14
Coupons: $3.00 MQ & $5.00 RAQ
Total After Coupons: $24.14 (used $24.10 +up & $.04 OOP)
Received: $31.14
Net: $7.00 profit


This is actually two CVS trips. The one was just the electric tea lights. These were counted as being a part of the Halloween Decor. The coupon center was giving everyone a $5 off Halloween costumes, decor or accessories. As 'accessories' are undefined my store made the decision to allow this coupon to be used for candy. So when I got a surprise today of this coupon for the second time this week I went ahead and grabbed Sweetheart's favorite candy of Reese's. (My personal favorite has got to be Snickers!) Yummy!

The raiser is free after coupon & extra bucks. I had bought one of these at some point, but we were out of the shaving cream. I held on to the coupon for just such a case and grabbed that as well. The Robitussin to Go packs were free after $2/1 coupon. (Sign up for e-mails online at the company site.) And the normal Renu was also completely free after extra bucks. No profit, nothing spent, so Just free! GO ME!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Quick Rite Aid Stop

I did a quick Rite Aid stop yesterday. They were out of stock on a number of items. Why is it you go to a store on Monday and they are out of stock on things? *sigh* I know I work at a drug store too, but this is why managers order merchandise weeks out. It's not like they don't know it's going to be a good deal.

I wanted a Schick Hydro 5, but they were out and only one lonely Hydro 3 on the peg. I would have waited, but sometimes they don't get Ad items on their truck. I was hoping for more Nivea, but there were only 6 on the shelf. I brought the $2/2 coupons only and needed to buy 4 in order to get over $25. I left two for the next person to come along. Not many options on the toothbrushes.

Completely wiped out on toothpaste. Not that it surprises me. free after +up without any coupons and no apparent limit? I like high limits and all, but please place some kind of limit on the thing! Like 5 or 10 . . . something? I've read on different blogs about people taking 17 at one time! How much toothpaste do you need? I hope someone buying that many is putting them to a good cause.

I still have $12 +up that expire at the end of the week, so I will need to make another trip out there. I am hoping that they have some of the toothpaste in by then so I can use up some coupons & +up. I did better than I expected. Here's hoping for another good round latter in the week. ^_^


Schick Hydro 3 $5.99
2 Suave Body Wash @ $2.00 each = $4.00
4 Nivea Lip @ $2.99 each = $11.96
2 Oral-B Toothbrushes 2 $2.69 each = $5.38
Total Before Coupons: $27.33

$5 off $25+ purchase
$2/1 VV Schick Hydro Raiser or Refills
$4/1 Schick Hydro 3 (There were two in my paper specific for either 5 or 3 blade)
$2/2 VV Suave
2 $.50/1 Suave printable ($1.00)
2 $2/2 Nivea Lip Care ($4.00)
$2.69 BOGO Oral-B Toothbrush
Total After Coupons: $6.64 (Used $6 +up & $.64 GC)

Received:
$1 +up wyb 2 Suave
4 $1.99 Nivea Lip ($7.96)
2 $2.69 Oral-B/Crest
Net: $7.70 profit!

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Saving Sunday - Mailbox!



Looks like a good week for samples. Not sure how I ended up with two Nivea body wash samples. Looks as if they are coming out with smaller sizes. These are a bit to small for travel size. I love getting freebies in the mail. ^_^

Late Rite Aid Trip

Remember I said I was going to take a break from Rite Aid this week, but come Saturday I would more than likely run out for some deals quick? That's exactly what I ended up doing on Saturday morning. I need to go to deal seekers anonymous or something. LOL.

Transaction Details:
Chocolate Chip Cookies $1.00
2 Orabl-B Pulsar @ $4.99 each = $9.98
Crest Pro Health 6.0oz $2.99
EOS Lip Balm $2.99
Nexxus Shampoo Therappe $5.99
Nexxus Shampoo Therappe $2.99 (BOGO 50% off)
Total Before Coupons: $25.94



$5 off $25+ purchase
$3.99/1 Oral-B Toothbrush (BOGO free, max value $3.99)
$1/1 Crest Toothpaste
$6/2 Nexxus Rite Aid VV coupon
$3/1 Nexxus (received in the mail)
Total After Coupons: $6.95 (Used $6 +up & $.95GC)

Received:
2 $3 +up Oral-B ($6)
$2 +up Crest
$2 SCR EOS Lip Balm
$1 +up Nexxus (Buy $5 get $1 +up)
Net: $4.05 profit

There were a few things that I couldn't find. I didn't see the cheaper toothbrushes. That's what I had planned on using the BOGO Q for. Also looked for clearance pulsar toothbrushes and there were none to be had. The back to school clearance was all but gone. Ah well work with what you have.

I did not originally intend to buy cookies. Sweetheart was along with me and spotted them in the dollar section. When he found me looking for the shampoo he gently tugged at my sleeve as he told me about them. I figured I was going to end up ahead with the $5 off $25+ coupon so why not? Turned out I would have needed something to get me over that threshold any way.

I have a lot of +up that expire at the end of the week, so I need to plan my transaction(s) well if I want to roll them. If I can't find anything I will be stocking up on feminine hygiene.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

October Budget & Climbing

No real changes from last month. One slight change will be where the cash for the rabbits comes from. I had been lumping in one account with the electric, but have lot track of how much was set aside for Snickers & Skittles. My part time job doesn't have direct deposit so I need to go to the bank any way. That's the week I take out my cash for everything I need. So into a new envelope the Bunnies budget goes.



Bills (Electric) $103
Bunnies $40
Car Insurance $42
Car repairs/upkeep $60
Cellphone $30
Clothing $40 *Still need more clothing.
Free Money $60 *Varies slightly depending on second job
Gas $200
Groceries $120
Health $28
Rent $280
Savings $40 *Maybe I should rename this cruise 2012 money?
Student Loans $497

Grand Total: $1540/month (Take home pay.)

I'm in the midst of attempting to get at least a partial transfer to a CVS that is closer to where I am living. Working two stores leaves the possibility of a few less hours a week. I'm attempting to make a plan to see if there isn't something to cut back on. These are the categories I think could get cut if need be:

Car $5/week ($20/month) - I had adjusted this up for the inspection, but I really should set aside more as Lizzy is almost 20 years old with 180,000+ miles on her. That's a load of miles! I worry from time to time that she'll just quit on me one day and never move again. She runs well for the time being, but it does nag at me every now & again.

Clothing $5/week ($20/month) - Increased to pay for the new clothes I need. I usually go through a spurt about once every two years or three years when I need to replace everything. (I really mean everything!) I'm unfortunately at the start of that spurt and hadn't saved up much previously. I should go shopping soon . . .

Free Money $5/week ($20/month) - That's about as far as I can cut it. I've tried working with less, but I can't stick with it. $15/week right now is difficult enough. $10 is tricky and anything less I'm sunk. You have to have some money to blow at some point right?

Gas $5-$10/week ($20-$80/month) - This will depend on the transfer. I'm very excited about this as it means less wear & tear on Lizzy, less gas and less time driving. I will make a perminate cut back as soon as I know how it changes my gas usage.

Groceries $5-$10/week ($20-$80/month) - I've been doing well with this category. It's been helpful as Sweetheart has treated us out so often. I would like to cut back on that a bit and start buying more produce. If only I had more time to cook?

Health $2-$7/week ($8-$28/month) - I could stop this all together if I really wanted to, however I don't believe that wise. I can easily picture stopping this small savings and then ended up in some freak accident with no way to pay. That seems to be the way things go in this world.

Savings $5-$10/week ($20-$80/month) - Again something I could stop if I really had to. The only consequence I can think of is being unable to keep my promise with my friends for my trip so far out. I'm sure I could think of something to get extra money saved up. (Holiday work anyone?)

Potential Cuts $22-$37/week ($88-$148) - Seems like a lot of money. It's more than I would like to cut out, but this is only a just in case sort of plan.




Monthly Climb!
Grand Total Last Month: $45,283.77
New Grand Total: $44,560.87
Amount Paid Off: $722.90


Again a little more than usual. $300 of the pay off is money that should have been put into debt repayment before, but I was worried about how expensive the car would be. I'm happy to say that she's running safely at this point and I still have a few hundred dollars if something should go wrong. ^_^

While Sept had an extra pay check from my part time job, it's all 'weekly' expenses, so no extra money this time. Oct has an extra pay period from CVS which I am very much looking forward to. I haven't decided if I should use the extra money to pay off debt or set it aside for holiday gifts. I think I'm going to need it for holiday gifts as I don't have a gifting budget! *sighs* Hopefully I can make something like that soon. (Maybe when I get a raise? That's not until late May early June.)

Friday, October 1, 2010

Almost Stuck

It was raining here a lot on Thursday. So much that school let out early and many roads closing. I wasn't sure if I would make it into work. I was really worried about the way home. Today when driving in I stopped to take a picture or two of one of the places that was so close to flooding over. I'm glad I was able to make it home safely.


This is a field?



One of the bridges I always cross to get to work.