Round Two - CVS

I can definitely say that this week was much easier and required much less time on my part to accomplish. I was able to spend a solid hour searching blogs and websites for CVS deal ideas and rummaging through my coupons to make a few great money saving matches. My time spent in the store remained at about an hour again this week, but basically I'm getting blind-sighted when I realize that the deals I think I've found really are not legit, or a product I'm planning to buy is out of stock. It takes me a few moments to regroup, determine if I can make a successful deal on my own and reorganize my transaction plan.


I know it'll get easier with time, and I can already tell I'm catching on after just my second try.


Here's the money shot for the week...

A quick recap of my receipts shows that my total before coupons, sale prices, and ECB's was $105 for all of the products in the picture above.

After coupons, sales, and ECB's it seems that I spent $25, with $12 in ECB's to rollover on my trip next week. Not bad at all. I look at that as though I spent $13 on all of the products in the picture above since the $12 is really equal to free.

Here is a rundown of most of the deals I used.

Colgate Toothpaste, BOGO (2.99 each)
$0.75/1 Toothpaste (SS #2 1/4/09 - used 2)
$1.50 TOTAL

Revlon Nail Polish B1G1Free (4.39 each)
Use 2 coupons (SS 1/11/09 - $1/1, $2/1)
$1.39 TOTAL

Glade Air Fresheners 9 oz. 99¢
(SS $1/2)
49¢/each TOTAL

Fantastik All Purpose Cleaner 2/$5
(SS $1/2)
$4 TOTAL - not the best deal, but we were out of cleaner

Cheez-It Twin pk 20 oz total $6 get $3 ECB

Cheerios Cereal Twin pk 24.5-28 oz $7.99 get $4 ECB

Febreeze Apple Spice & Delight and Vanilla & Refresh Candles.
They should be ringing up for .79, instead of the displayed $7.99!
Check the air freshener aisle, but they are technically 90% off Christmas Stock!

Nasogel $7.99 get back $7.99 ECB
Use $2/1 printable
Final Price after Extra Bucks & Coupon: FREE + $2 profit

CVS Eye Makeup Remover $4.49
Used $3.00 off any CVS product coupon
$1.49 TOTAL

CVS Body Wash $2.99
Used $3.00 off and CVS product coupon
FREE

CVS Water $3.97, earn $2.00 ECB
$1.00 CVS water coupon
$0.97 TOTAL

Gold Emblem Smarties $0.99 each
Used $1/2 Gold Emblem Candies
$1.00 TOTAL

Preparation H Wipes $4.19 earn $1.00 ECB
$2/1 printable coupon
$1.19 TOTAL

Tackling the CVS "game"

Along with better menu planning I've decided to join the bandwagon (again) and try my best at playing the CVS "game". At the beginning of 2008 I tried my hand at CVS'ing and didn't keep up the pace and decided to quit after only one attempt. While reading blogs over the past year I was continually amazed at the many women who were able to score such great deals at CVS and decided I'd try once again and see where it got me. I've been collecting coupon inserts for the past couple of months in anticipation for the new year and a fresh start.

My first attempt of this year has been very time consuming.

I have spent many hours organizing my coupon binder (check back Wednesday for an inside look), researched various websites reading firsthand experiences of how to make CVS work for me, and also searched and searched their weekly ad and multiple blogs for the best deals to make it worth my time and money. Not to mention that I spent well over an hour and a half in the store today.

Here are some of the great sites I used:
Deal Seeking Mom
Money Saving Mom
Couponing 101
Bargain Briana
Centsible Sawyer

Thank you so much for the time and work you put into sharing with us the great deals you find!


With all of that said, I feel really great about the outcome I had today! The store employees were more than helpful and were so patient despite the fact that I accidentally purchased non-sale items instead of the ones I meant to and had to return them. They took the time to look in the back of the store and find what I really needed, they helped me in reading my receipts and were very supportive of my new "hobby". I was nervous that they would be annoyed with my utter confusion and my multiple coupons, but I didn't have that problem at all.

Because I made multiple transactions, had to return some items, and was reimbursed in the form of a CVS giftcard which I used for the remainder of my transactions... I'm slightly confused as I look over my receipts, but I can basically tell you what I accomplished on my first CVS shopping trip of 2009.

Just take a look at the picture and see for yourself.



Retail price of these items before using coupons and ECB's came to a little over $95. After using a number of manufacturer's coupons, store coupons, and rolling over ECB's from one transaction to the next... it seems I spent just around $20 for all of these products. BUT!!! I still have $11 in ECB's to use next week when I go shopping again. So the way I look at it is that I really spent close to $10 for all of this - the cost of one L'Oreal lipstick!

I'd say that's pretty impressive and worth trying for again next week.

For more Tackle it Tuesday inspiration (yes, I know it's only Monday at this point) check out 5 Minutes for Mom.