What good are coupons anyway??

So I've been following this blog for awhile now. She always has fantastic information on there about good deals and freebies. But there's an incredible section about using coupons and store credits while shopping.

My new favorite store? CVS. Love you, CVS.

I've been using coupons and ECB's at CVS for about a month now (For more info, check out MSM's CVS Intro post here.) I've gotten some good deals, but nothing like the one I got today. Today I hit the jackpot!

Here's the scoop...

Transaction #1

Bayer Aspirin — $1.00
Used $1/1 coupon =
Free after coupon

2 Right Guard at $2.49, Get $4.00 ECBs
Used $3/2 coupon =
Credit of $2.02

1 Crest Pro Rinse at $3.50, Get $3.50 ECBs
Used $.75/1 coupon =
Credit of $.75

1 U By Kotex at $4.99, Get $4.99 ECBs
Used $1/1 coupon and a $1/1 CVS coupon (you can "stack" store & manufacturer's coupons) =
Credit of $2.00

1 Reach Floss Mint Flavor at $1.99, Get $2 ECB
Used $1/1 Reach Floss coupon
Credit of $1.00

I used a $2.00 ECB Reward Coupon and then actually paid $7.88 out of pocket for this. If I had planned better, I wouldn't have had to use as much cash. But this transaction garnered me $14.49 in CVS cash.

So...

Transaction #2

1 Mitchum Deodorant at $2.99, Get $1 ECB
Used $0.75/1 coupon =
$1.25

2 Mentos Gun, 15 ct. at $.99
Use $.100/2 coupon
$.49 each after coupon

1 Jumbo Huggies at $8.49, Get $2 ECBs
Used $1.50/1 =
$4.99

1 Schick Hydro at $8.99, Get $4 ECBs
Used $5/1 coupon =
Credit of $.01

To pay for this, I used most of the ECBs that I got from my first transaction (and $3.21 out of pocket...If you don't use all of the ECB amount, you lose it).

I forgot one coupon in the car and had to go back in, but also got some soap for the girls for $.39.

So here's the breakdown...

$54.08 retail price...

$40.30 marked down sales price...

$16.25 in coupons...

$21.49 in Extra Care Bucks...

$2.00 cashed in Extra Care Rewards...

So after the coupons & value of the ECBs, I got all this...


for $.56 (plus tax)

Not too shabby, huh? :)

Friendship for Grown-Ups - Lisa Whelchel

Friendship for Grown-Ups : What I Missed & Learned Along the Way – Lisa Whelchel

Who didn’t love The Facts of Life? But who would have imagined it was so difficult for “Blair” to form true, lasting friendships? In her book, Lisa Whelchel explains why she has had trouble opening up to other people and experiencing intimate friendships. From feeling alone to a horrible betrayal by one she trusted, Lisa has experienced the ups and downs that come with friendship. She has persevered, however, and shares her methods for survival in her new book.

I found this book both enlightening and entertaining. I have such a hard time feeling comfortable enough to share my inner-most thoughts, especially since we have relocated. What a relief to hear that someone else has gone through the same thing. Lisa (that’s right…we’re on a first name basis ) has wonderful suggestions for finding the right person with whom to form such an intimate bond and how to keep that bond in place. Her strong faith is evident all through the book and is a testament to how she has withstood things throughout her life.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”