Economic Endeavors

** Never played the CVS game?? Wondering how I got all the stuff below for less than $2? Read my Beginners Guide to CVS to find out everything you need to know. It's easy, it's fun, it's ridiculously cheap, and you can do it too!


I didn't get to CVS this week until today, so I had a lot of shopping to do! This was all purchased in 5 transactions. 3 on my husband's card and 2 on mine. You can see my base scenarios here (reworked a bit at the store because they were out of the Powerade).

It was not a good day at CVS at all. The little Olay Ribbons lotions were marked $5.99, but rang up $2.50 on clearance and didn't count for the $10 ECBs because of it. So that completely messed me up. So to get me to my $20, I went back and bought the night cream for $5.99 without a coupon (gasp!) and got back $10, but I still burned more ECBs than I wanted to. Oh well. I spent less than $2 oop for everything up there, so it's hard to not be happy about that!

(By the way... I got a raincheck for the first time at CVS and have a question. My raincheck is for the Powerade. I have 8 $0.75/1 coupons, so I asked her to write it for buy 4 and get 4 free. Then I got to thinking that they'll have to take off 4 of them manually, so I'm wondering if they'll take my coupons on the free ones. Has anyone done this before?)

*To see more CVS savings, visit The Centsible Sawyer and Money Saving Mom!

**Edit: Well, folks, it seems like Diapers.com caught on to this deal being a little too good, and changed the requirements to $10 off an order of $49 or more. Both my order and my sister's order have already shipped, so I'm fairly confident that those of us who ordered before the rules changed will receive our orders! Sorry to those of you who didn't get in on this while it was free!
Let us know if any of you are still able to use the $10 off any order amount.


Right now, when you use the code TIML3045 at Diapers.com, it will take $10 off of your order. That $10 carries over to shipping, which is $4.99. Buy a purchase for $5 or less, use the code, and it will take off the price of your item and shipping, leaving you with a balance of zero!
I didn't even have to enter a credit card at all when I placed my order!

There are many items available that cost less than $5. I found wipes, pacifiers, toys, and training pants. Leave me a comment and let me know what you decided to order!

Click here to send a friend (and yourself!) a coupon for a free cookie-on-a-stick from Cookies by Design!

I had never heard of Cookies by Design before, but I looked them up on their store locator, and sure enough, there's one not too far from my home!

It's Thursday again, so I've been waiting and hoping that I'd get an email from CVS with at least one new coupon.

And guess what? I got 3 new coupons! Here's what I got:

• a $3/$15
• a $4/$20
• a $4 off Playskool diapers

They all expire 7/13. I keep checking my husbands email, but so far nothing for him. Maybe we missed out on coupons for his card this time.

I'm hearing reports that additional coupons you may receive are:

• $5/$30
• $2 off Purina Beggin Strips
• $1 off Loreal Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate
• $4 off Loreal Radiance Perfector
  
• $1 off Off Insect Repellent
• $5 off Nature Made Rx Essentials vitamins

What did you get? Anything not listed here? Leave me a comment and let us know!

Thanks to all those who entered my contest for a $10 Target gift card. The comments that you all left were very encouraging, and very appreciated. I haven't been blogging long, and my readership is growing every day. I'm so grateful for the support and the friendships I have found through the blogging community!

This contest introduced me to many new blogs than I haven't visited before. Some of them are creative, and some are funny, some are informative, and some are inspiring.

I appreciate those of you who added me to your blogrolls and sidebars! Please visit these blogs, if you haven't before:

• Raising Weeds (thanks Sarah! It looks like your "weeds" are having a fun summer so far!)
• Amy's Life (thanks Amy! I like your new layout, it's different than last time I visited your blog.)
• Mommy Snacks (thanks Andrea! Your blog is one of my very favorites!)
• The Thrills of Being a New Mom (thanks Thrills! Your Princess and Little Guy are so adorable!)
• Pam's Private Reflections (thanks Pam! I love your layout!)
• The Poor Artist (thanks Alison! A CVS addict after my own heart. :)
• Money Saving Methods (thanks Carrie! I love your blog. Always unique money saving ideas, I have learned a lot from you.)
• Living on One Income and Making it Work (thanks Sheri! I enjoyed reading about your deals.)
• Coupon Cravings (thanks Erin! Your blog is now bookmarked. I'm glad you found me so that I in turn found you. And thanks for highlighting my giveaway!)
• Think Pink (thanks Leanne! Your daughters are beautiful and your stories about them are too funny!)
• Homemaker's Resource (thanks Frugal Homemaker! Great blog, I look forward to visiting often in the future.)
• Kids Meal Crowd (thanks Danielle! Another new-to-me blog that I'll be reading more in the future!)
• Handmade Rag Baskets by Annabelle (thanks Annabelle! I love your baskets!)
  

Thanks, also, to those of you who added my blog to your feed readers! My subscriber numbers are at an all-time high. I appreciate you taking the time to read my posts, and I'll keep striving to make them worth your time!

Okay.... so on to the winner, right???

The winner was chosen randomly using Random.org. And the winner is:

Carrie from Money Saving Methods! I couldn't be more thrilled that Carrie was the winner, I have been a reader of her blog for a long while, and she always has new and interesting money saving and earning ideas.

Carrie, I just sent you an email to let you know that you won. :)

Thanks again to all who take the time to visit my blog daily, and who took the time to enter my giveaway. I'm already thinking of ideas for my next giveaway, they're just so much fun!

**If you haven't already, click here to enter my giveaway for a $10 gift card to Target!

**If you're new to the CVS game this post won't make much sense to you. Go here first to read my Beginner's Guide to CVS and learn everything you need to know. Then read the rest of this post for tips on how to make the game work for you, too!





Here's what I see for the week of 7/13:

Money Makers!

Nail Polish:
Sally Hansen Hard As Nails or Extreme Nail Color are $0.99
Use $3/2 Beauty Handbook printable (print at 50%)
$1.02 overage after coupon!

Photo Books:
$7.99 Kodak 6x8 10-page hardcover Photo Book (earns $7.99 ECBs, limit 2)
-$3 Kodak Photobook coupon (from 5.4 SS or 6/8 SS)
$3 Profit after coupon and ECBs!


Free!

Photo Books:
$3.99 Kodak 4x6 10-page hardcover Photo Book (earns $3.99 ECBs, limit 1)
($3 Kodak manu. coupon is only good for 6x8 or 8x10 size, so not good for this deal)



Nearly Free!

Toothpaste:
B1G1 Colgate toothpaste
Buy 2 Colgate Total 4.2oz at $3.49
Use 2 $1.50 off Colgate Total printables (or from the new All You magazine)
$0.25 each after coupons!

Hair Care:
2/$5 Herbal Essences Shampoo or Conditioner
Use $3/2 Herbal Essences shampoos or conditioners (from 7/6 P&G)
$1 each after coupon!

Aspirin:
$4.99 Bayer with Heart Guard 30ct. (earns $2 ECBs)
-$2.25 Bayer Aspirin with Heart Advantage (from 5/18 SS)
$0.74 after coupon and ECBs!

Mascara:
$5.99 Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara (earns $4 ECBs)
$1.99 after ECBs!

Vitamins:
Nature's Bounty Vitamins are B1G1 again. Prices start at $4.39.
Buy 2 at $4.39 and use 2 $2/1 printables
Final price: $0.39 for both!


Other Deals of Note:

$10 ECBs when you buy $20 of Benefiber, Gas-x, or Excedrin
There are tons of coupons for these, which could make these a good deal.
-$2.00 Benefiber Caplet (from 4/13 SS)
-$2.00 Benefiber Caplet (from 5/18 SS)
-$2.00 Benefiber Caplet (from 6/22 SS)
-$2.00 Benefiber Chewable (from 4/13 SS)
-$2.00 Benefiber Chewable (from 5/18 SS)
-$2.00 Benefiber Chewable (from 6/22 SS)
-$2.00 Benefiber Product (from 4/13 SS)
-$2.00 Benefiber Product (from 5/18 SS)
-$2.00 Benefiber Product (from 6/22 SS)
-$2.00 Excedrin PM Product (from 6/8 SS)
-$2.00 Excedrin Product, any 100 ct.+ (from 6/8 SS)
-$1.50 Gas-X Product (from 5/4 SS)


$5.49 for Charmin 12 Big Rolls or 9ct Ultra Strong Rolls
-$0.25 Charmin (from 7/6 P&G)


$1.99 for Suave Invisible Solid deodorant, Body Wash, Shampoo, Conditioner, or Styler
Ad says that there will be coupons in the Sunday paper for these. Depending on the coupon value, this has the potential to be a good deal.


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Here's what I see for the week of 7/20:

Money Maker!

Gum:
Trident Extra Care Gum is $1.49 and B1G1.
Use B1G1 coupon (from tearpads) or 2 $0.75/1 coupons (from August All You Magazine)
Earns $1 ECB when you buy 2 (July monthly deal)
$1 profit after coupons and ECB!


Free!

Baby Products:
Buy $15 of listed CVS Brand Baby products, earn $5 ECBs
Products include:
Jumbo pack Diapers, Training or Kids Pants, 2/$12
Soft Cloths baby wipes 72-80ct, 2/$4
Shampoo, powder, oil, hair detangler, lotion, bath, etc, 2/$4
Diaper Rash Relief, $3
Cotton Swabs, 2/$3
Children's Pain Relief, $4
Some of these items can probably be paired with the $2 off CVS Brand Skin Care printable, making them free. Since you can only use the coupon once per transaction without it beeping, use the items as fillers throughout the week to get you to the $15 mark and earn $5 ECBs!

Nearly Free!

Air Freshener:
$2.49 Glade PlugIns Scented Oil Refill 1pk. (earns $1 ECB, limit 5)
$2.49 Glade PlugIns Scented Oil Refill 1pk. (earns $1 ECB, limit 5)
Use $1/2 Glade Scented Oil Refill (from 6/8 SS)
Final Price; $0.99 each after coupon and ECBs!

Toothpaste:
Colgate Total is $3.59 and B1G1
Use 2 $1.50/1 printable
Final price: $0.59 after coupons and sale!

Face Care:
Buy $15 Clean & Clear products, earn $5 ECBs
$1 off all Clean & Clear
Prices start at $3.49 (after $1 off)
Buy 3 products at $3.49 and 1 product at $4.69 = $15.16
Use 4 $2/1 printables
$2.16 for all 4 products after coupons and ECBs!


Other Deals of Note:

4/$11 Pepsi 12pk, 12oz cans (earns $3 ECBs)

All Small and Mighty 3x laundry detergent is $6.49 and B1G1
Use 2 $1/1 coupons (from 6/22 RP or printable)
$2.25 each after coupons and sale!

L'oreal Vive Pro is $4.99 and B1G1
Use 2 $1/1 coupons (from 4/27 RP or 6/8 SS)
$1.50 each after coupons and sale!


Special Offers:

Buy Palmolive dish liquid 25 oz and get a free CVS Kitchen or scrub sponges 2-4 pk

Buy $10 of participating Pepsi co products and get free CVS Sun Care Product (up to $10.49 value) Limit 1

**If you haven't already, click here to enter my giveaway for a $10 gift card to Target!

**If you're new to the CVS game this post won't make much sense to you. Go here first to read my Beginner's Guide to CVS and learn everything you need to know. Then read the rest of this post to see how I got over $85 worth of stuff for free at CVS this week, and you can too!


With the lack of new $/$$ coupons, I'm still utilizing my expired CVS coupons because my CVS takes expireds. If you have an unexpired $4/$20 update coupon (if you haven't updated your email address in a while for your Extra Care account on cvs.com, they'll email you a coupon when you do so), then these scenarios are for you! If not, you'll spend around $12 oop (plus tax) for the following scenarios. Still not bad for more than $85 worth of stuff!

Transaction 1:

$5.99 Olay Regenerist Cleanser
$5.99 Olay Regenerist Cleanser
$5.99 Olay Regenerist Cleanser
$3.99 Gillette 2-in-1 Body Wash (earns $10 ECBs)

$21.96 before coupons

-$4/$20 Update coupon
-$3 Olay Regenerist (from 7/6 P&G)
-$3 Olay Regenerist (from 7/6 P&G)
-$3 Olay Regenerist (from 7/6 P&G)
-$1 Gillette 2-in-1 Body Wash (from 7/6 P&G)

$7.96 after coupons, earns $10 ECBs
(if you have a $3/$15 Skin Care CRT, this would be an even better deal!)
______________________________________

Transaction 2:

$4.29 Honey Bunches of Oats (on sale B1G1)
$4.29 Honey Bunches of Oats
$4.29 Honey Bunches of Oats
$4.29 Honey Bunches of Oats
$2.00 (2) Dawn Dish Liquid (earns $1 ECB)
$2.00 (2) Pringles (earns $1 ECB)

$21.16 before coupons
$12.58 after discount for Honey Bunches of Oats sale

-$4/$20 Update coupon
-$8 (4) $2 off Honey Bunches of Oats printable, also here and here

$0.58 after coupons, earns $2 ECBs
_______________________________________

Transaction 3:

$5.00 (2) Pert shampoo
$1.49 Powerade (on sale B1G1)
$1.49 Powerade
$3.99 Febreeze Fabric Refresher Spray
$2.50 Febreeze Air Effects
$3.99 Febreeze Fabric Refresher Spray
$2.50 Febreeze Air Effects (earns $5)

$20.96 before coupons
$19.47 after discount for Powerade sale

-$4/$20 Update coupon
-$6 (2) $3/1 Pert (from 6/29 SS)
-$1.50 (2) $0.75/1 Powerade (from 6/8 SS)
-$5 (2) Buy Febreeze Fabric Refresher get Air Effects free (from 7/6 P&G)

$2.97 after coupons, earns $5 ECBs
__________________________________________

Transaction 4:

$4.99 Playtex Gentle Glide Tampons (earns $3 ECBs)
$2 (2) Dawn Dish Detergent (earns $1 ECB)
$2.99 Rimmel Professional Eyebrow pencil
$2.99 Rimmel Professional Eyebrow pencil
$2.99 Rimmel Professional Eyebrow pencil
$2.99 Rimmel Professional Eyebrow pencil
$3.49 Rimmel Nail color, or Powder Blush, or Special Eyes Eye Liner Pencil, or Nail Tip Whitener (earns $5 ECBs)

$22.44 before coupons

-$4/$20 Update coupon
-$1 Playtex Gentle Glide (from 6/21 RP, or printable)
-$1 Dawn (from 7/6 P&G)
-$1 Dawn (from 7/6 P&G)
-$1 Rimmel (from 5/11 RP)
-$1 Rimmel (from 5/11 RP)
-$1 Rimmel (from 5/11 RP)
-$1 Rimmel (from 5/11 RP)
-$1 Rimmel (from 5/11 RP)

$10.44 after coupons, earns $9 ECBs
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Weekly Totals:

$86.52 worth of merchandise
ECBs spent: $21.95
ECBs earned: $26.00
Profit of $4.05!