C V S Trip 2 (1/29/09)

I returned to my C V S today with my husband and son left in the car (I intended to go by myself this week so I could take my time and learn the layout of the store and such-but the icy roads and other errands/timing made it so we just all went together).

I was uber organized. I had a list of all the things I wanted to check out. I starred them in the weekly ad, monthly ad, and had my items that I had coupons for marked!!
I only purchased items that I either got ECB or coupons for. (well, except a clearanced thing of conditioner, a pack of gum, and a bottle of water -next time I'll have my own water!!).

The clerk was super helpful and welcomed my coupons (she even grabbed an additional coupon for me). I got my Extra Care Card (which reminds me I need to register online).

Here I go:
*now remember, I got an abundance of some items- but I've learned the point of the drugstore game is to stock up on sale items with coupons and ECBs in order to help your grocery budget. Since money will be tight when the baby arrives and the basement renovations- I need all the help I can get!!!

#2 bags M&Ms normally 3.49/each (6.49 total) on sale 2/$6 6 Out of pocket (OOP)
($2 Extra Care Bucks)
#2 Pertplus 3.99/each (7.98) on sale 1.99 each (used #2 $1 off coupons) 1.98 OOP
#2 Sure deoderants 2.99/each (5.98) on sale 1.99/each (used #2 $1 off coupons) 1.98 OOP
AA Engergizer batteries (8.99) on sale 6 (used .75 manufacturer coupon) 5.25 OOP
C Energizer batteries (8.49) on sale 6 (used $1 MC on package) 5 OOP
($4 ECB on $12 energizer purchase)
3 pack Ivory bar soap (1.69) on sale $.99 (lost my coupon somewhere:( ) .99 OOP
Schick intuition razor (9.99) on sale 8.99 ($2 coupon) 6.99 OOP
($4 ECB)
Gillette Hair conditioner (5.99) on sale 4.99 ($2 coupon) 2.99 OOP
Head and Shoulders (8.29) on sale 4.99 ($1 coupon) 3.99 OOP
($6 ECB on Gillette and H&S purchases)
Systane tears (11.29) on sale 7.99 ($2 coupon) 5.99 OOP
Prep H Wipes (4.29) ($2 coupon) 2.29 OOP
($1 ECB)
#2 Children's throat coolers (4.99/each) 9.98 (B1G1 coupon) 4.99 OOP
($9.98 ECB- *I made money of this one!!)
Nasogel 7.99 ($2 coupon) 5.99 OOP
(7.99 ECB *made $ here too*)
#2 Maalox Mint (darn pregnancy heartburn) 5.39/each 10.78 OOP
#2 GasX (one chewable 1 geltab) 5.69/each 11.38 OOP
($10 ECB for $20 Maalox/GasX/Benefiber purchases)
Dove soap (this is my mess up-guess I'm allowed 1 right?) 4.19 ($1 coupon) 3.19 OOP
*I thought I picked up the $.99 one-I need to pay closer attention-this was meant to be free!*
Water bottle $.99 OOP
Gum 1.29 OOP
Clearance conditioner $.87 OOP

Original price of items purchased = $130.66

Extra care card savings (i.e. sale savings) = 19.76
(doesn't count clearanced conditioner original price)

Coupon savings = 24.74

Extra care bucks (ECB) redeemed (from 1.20 purchase) = 19.99

Out of pocket (OOP) total = 66.17

Extra Care Bucks (to be used by 2/28/09 = 44.97!!!!



I think my math if fairly close (my OOP vs. coupons vs original prices, etc).

I spent more OOP than I had hoped. I wanted to keep it under $50 and was hoping to use last week's ECB to keep it under $30. But I got alot of stuff!! I'm so pleased with nearly $45 in ECB to roll over!!!

My main references in this process have been Centsible Savings and Money Saving Mom. These ladies post all the deals on their blogs!! The both have "tutorials" on how the system works and how to best spend your dollar (and the theory behind the "stockpiling"). I also get many many printable coupons from these gals (which I love!!!).

Next time I hope to make a list of my OOP as I put things in my cart (to better keep track of things). I tried to do it in my head and it got away from me. My goal is to keep my OOP under $15 and keep "rolling over" the ECBs!!! And Sunday starts a new monthly ad for the February ECBs!!! Yay!!

My friend Erin (Stella's mom) is doing this too and she said it all when she said "this could get addicting!!"

Between the sales and coupons I saved almost 50% - plus I got $45 to spend next month!!! Wow!!!

Hopefully if I have time next week I'll post pictures of my new coupon organizer!!!