Walgreens and Rite Aid 12/1/08

Colgate Max Fresh toothpaste
$2.99, Get $2 Register Rewards
$1 off coupon from Smart Source 11/16
FREE after coupon and Register Rewards

Wrigley's Gum
.59 per pack with in-ad coupon
BOGO from Smart Source 10-5 (Use 2)
FREE 4 Packs (the math is confusing on this one but it works I did it)

Excedrin Express Gel 40 ct
3/$15
Buy 3, Get $8 Register Rewards
$2 printable coupon (Use 3)
$1/3 or 33 cents each
$6.99 Mail in Rebate 10/19 Smart Source
EARN $5.99 after main in rebate, coupons and register rewards

Dawn Dish Liquid 10.3 oz
$2 for 2 with in-ad coupon
$1 off from 11/2 P&G
$1 for 2 or 50 cents each

Duracell Batteries (AA, AAA 4-pk., C, D 2-pk., 9V 1-pk.)
$2.99 with In-Ad coupon
$1.50 off coupon from 10/26 Red Plum or
$1.50 off couponf from 11/30 P&G or
$.75 off coupon from 11/16 Red Plum
$2.49 each Extra Bucks and coupon
$1.49 after coupons


Reach Products
Toothbrush, 30 yard Floss
2/$6
Buy 2 Get $6 Register Rewards
B1G1 coupon (Up to 3.99) from Red Plum 10/12
$1 off any Reach Ultraclean Dental Floss Red Plum 10/12
FREE Register Rewards
EARN $3.99 after coupon

DayQuil, NyQuil, Vicks 44 Liquid
$5.99
Buy 2 Get $4 Register Rewards
$1 off Vicks from P & G 10/12 or 11/2 (use 2) or
$1.50 off Day/Ny Quil 11/30 P&G (use 2)
$4.98 for 2 or $2.49 each (with 2 $1.50 coupons)

I used my $5 off $25 purchase coupon. After coupons, register rewards and sales I got $61.35 worth of items and I EARNED $6.55 to get it!!!

Rite Aid

GE 24 hour Timer or 6 Outlet Surge Pro Power Strip
$5.00
FREE after Rite Aid Rebate (Rebate Valid only 11/30 - 12/6)

Philips Ear Buds with Hard Case
$4.99
FREE after Rite Aid Rebate

Gilette Fusion or Fusion Power Razor
$9.00
$5 Rite Aid Rebate
$4 off Coupon P& G 11/30
FREE after Rite Aid Rebate and coupon

Aleve-D Sinus & Cold 12 hr 10 caplets
$3.99
$2 off with in-ad coupon
$1 off from 10/26 Smart Source
99 cents after coupons

After coupons, register rewards and sales I got $34.06 worth of items and I paid 99 cents.

Total $95.41 worth of items and I EARNED $5.56!!!

You can find great deals in the drugstores (CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens). Often you can find items for free or even earn money (if the store allows it) when you combine sales, coupons/in-ad coupons, rebates and Register Rewards (Walgreens) or Extra Bucks (CVS). Here are a few tips to make sure you get the best deals.

1. Make a List:Before you enter the store make a detailed list of what you plan to buy and what coupons/rebates are necessary. I also include the weight or size of the product to make sure I purchase the right item. If you know the information you may want to include the area of the store where the items are located to save you time when shopping.

2. Get the Circular/Rebate Book: Upon entering the store, I grab a circular and rebate book (only at Rite Aid and Walgreens). This way I can double check the sales, making sure I purchase the correct item, size, weight as I shop. I can also use any in-ad coupons. You can combine in-ad coupons with manufactures coupons.

3. Check your receipt: Before leaving the store always check the receipt to make sure the items are the correct price and the coupons were deducted.

4. Save your receipt: Always save your receipts since you will need the receipt numbers for the on-line rebates. You also never know when you might need to return or exchange an item.

5. Rebates: Walgreens and Rite-Aid both offer on-line rebate programs, no mailing necessary. The checks are mailed to you or at Walgreens you can get a gift card and earn an extra 10% back from the rebate (i.e. if your rebate check is for $100 you would earn an extra $10). This program is a great way to get a lot of free items or even earn money when combined with coupons (if the store allows). However, you do need enter your receipt on-line and you should always check to make sure the rebate was issued. On a number of occasions the rebate was not issued to my account. I called to find out what the problem was and they either issued the rebate or I returned the product. You should also keep in mind that the sales tax is not included in the rebate so you will have to pay that out of pocket. I have a credit card that I earn 5% cash back at drugstores which happens to be the sales tax where I live. You may want to consider doing this, but of course remember when using credit cards only charge what you can afford.

6. Use your Extra Bucks or Register Rewards: Walgreens or CVS offer these coupons when you purchase certain products. Sometimes the product will be free when you consider the fact they are awarding you the coupon amount for the price of the item (i.e. you pay $5 for the product and earn a coupon for $5 off your next purchase). Keep in mind it is a coupon and does expire. You should keep the coupon in a safe place and make sure to use it before it expires. You can even use the coupon to purchase another product that is free after the rewards.


Sounds like a lot of work? It is time consuming but it is worth it. In only three months I have accumulated enough shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, moisturizer, razors, and body wash to last for the next year!

I cradled the receipt in the palm of my hand like a first place prize ribbon. Gazing at the paper, my Cheshire cat grin intensified as I dissected the sales, coupons, and rebates. My loot was worth $31.29 but I earned $1.25 when I bought it. The final step to solidify the deal required me to enter the receipt number on-line to earn a $6 rebate. My musings were interrupted when my husband removed the key from the car ignition. I tossed the receipt in the bag.

The next day I positioned myself facing the computer screen with the intention of completing the task necessary to obtain the rebate, input the receipt number. I riffled through the scattered papers on the desk, unable to locate the indispensable receipt. This process was repeated 10 times with futile results. Panic set in as I began to grasp the reality of the situation, the receipt was missing.

After searching in all reasonable locations, I focused my efforts on the improbable places. When I unfastened the kitchen garbage, the stench of day-old half-eaten morsels of food enveloped my nasal passages. Cheerios saturated in milk, chicken nugget crumbs and fragments of tuna fish seeped beneath my finger nails. For the first time in my life I understood the criminal defense of, "temporary insanity" and I wondered if I would need to make use of it. The search was aborted. I attempted to resume my "normal" activities, yet the nagging question remained, "Where was the receipt?"

The day was drawing to a close and I had come to terms with the fact I would not be receiving my rebate. The rational side of my brain stated, "It is only $6 you really need to get over it." The curious side of my brain inquired, "Where on earth did I put the receipt?" The insane side of my brain demanded to know, "How could you lose the receipt?"

With a defeated disposition, I ambled in the direction of my room with the intention of going to sleep. En route to my destination, I paused before the laundry room. "Wait a minute," I said as I swung open the door to the laundry room. "I bought cleaning supplies . . . the bag had a hole in it and I threw it away." Once again, my hand was in the garbage, yet this time the bag was on top. Inside the bag I discovered the missing receipt. Case Closed.

"Drugstores and for drugs," was the false assumption I believed until 2 months ago. My printer ink cartridge was empty. A friend informed me, you could refill cartridges at Walgreens. Typically I never even glance at the drugstore weekly flyers. However, I was curious about this new information so I grabbed a circular. As I was perusing the weekly ad, I noticed 3 free after rebate items. After further investigation I discovered the rebate only required me to enter the receipt number. "Is it really free? Do other stores do this?" I wondered to myself.

I then examined the rest of the weekly flyers and ascertained Rite Aid offered 6 free after rebate items. "Wow, I can get 9 free items in one week." I was dumbstruck. My astonishment only increased when I learned these stores offer free items on a weekly basis. I felt as if I was panning in a river and struck gold.

The following week, instead of tossing the drugstore flyers to the side, I snatched them up the second I opened the paper. "What new treasures would I unearth today?" I speculated as I scrutinized each page. "Contact solution, shampoo, facial cleanser nail polish, hair color, light bulbs, razor," as I read the words I thought, "I normally have to pay for these things." I gathered up my pan, I mean purse and rushed to the gold store!

All of these stores are within a 5 mile radius of where I live so I didn't even spend a lot on gas.

Stop and Shop

L'Oreal Shampoo/Conditioner
$3.99 Buy One Get One Free (BOGO)
Used 3 BOGO Coupons
Got 6 FREE saved $23.94

CVS

Nivea for Men Body Wash
$4.99, get $4.99 Extra Bucks
FREE after Extra Bucks
$1 off coupon Earned $1 after coupon and Extra Bucks

Rite Aid
Huggies Diapers
3 for $33 sale
$10 Rebate
$23 for 3 packs after rebate
$1.50 off coupons (5 coupons I found at Stop and Shop)
$2 off coupon
$6 Back from Caregivers Marketplace Rebate
I bought 3 packs and my mom bought 3 packs so I could get both $10 rebates and the $6 Caregivers Rebate

After 3 different rebates, coupons and sale I got 6 packs of diapers for $30.50 normal price $74.94 for a savings of $44.44

Walgreens

Reach toothbrushes and dental floss
2/$5 get $5 Register Rewards
FREE after Register Rewards

Dimetapp
2 for $10
Buy 2, get $5 RR,
Dimetapp
Used 2 $2 off coupons
$1 after coupons and register rewards

Triaminic
$2.99 get $2.00 Register Rewards
Used $2 off coupon
.99 each after coupon and Register Rewards

Total amount spent in all stores after rebates, sales and coupons $31.49 for items which would normally cost $133.42 for a savings of $101.93!

I went to Walgreens and Rite Aid today which are across the street from each other where I live so I also saved on gas. Here is what I got:


Key:
MC maufacturers coupon
RB rebate
Ad In ad coupon


Walgreens Sept 17, 2008



Garnier Hair Care 6 for $20 sale
-$10 RB
-$6 MC thanks to the coupon train
Final Price $4

Cologate Toothpaste $2.99 sale bought 2 for $5.98
-$4 AD
-$2 MC
Final Price -$.02

Pantene Hair Care 2 for $8 Sale
-$4 MC B1G1
-$5 RB
-$1

Skintmate Shaving Get $1.99 Ad bought 3 for $5.97
-$3 MC
Final Price $2.97

I bought $44.95 worth of item for $4.95!

Rite Aid

Crest $2.99
-$2 RB
-$1 MC
Final Price -.01

Vive Paper Towel $6.99 sale (normally $12.99)
-$2 RB
-$1 MC
Final Price $3.99

Suave Shampoo .99 sale
-$1 MC
Final Price -.01

I bought $16.58 items for $3.97

Total both stores $61.53 for $8.92!!