My Black Friday Shopping-$11

I spent $9 on the Transformer and the Christmas tree ornament at Kohl's.  I used the black Friday sales plus I had a 15% off coupon for additional savings.  The rest was purchased at CVS for $1.46.  Here is a list of coupons I had at CVS

1-$5 off purchase of $25 or more
1-$4 in Extra Care Bucks (ECBs) on purchase of $20 or more
$16 in ECBs
1-.30 off carmex
1-.75 off colgate
1-.50 off listerine

I was able to purchase all mine at the same time because I already had so many ECB. Everything I purchased, minus 1 of the M&Ms produced the full purchase price of ECBs.  For example, the carmex chap stick was .99 and on the bottom of my receipt were Extra Care Bucks (ECBs) for .99 from carmex that I can use on my next purchase. 

If I had no ECBs and no coupons, I would purchase the ear buds first.  They were $6.99 and produced $6.99 in ECBs.   Then I would use those $6.99 in ECBs to purchase the toothpaste & 2 of the candies, paying a maybe another $1 and producing approximately $6.99 in ECBs again. 

I purchased the Batman toys buy one get one free (BOGO) and because I had the $5 off/$25 purchase or more, that covered most of the cost of the not free Batman toy. 

This sale ends tomorrow.  Please leave a comment if you have questions and I'll do my best to answer them! 

What did $1 buy you today...

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE coupons & CVS!!!

My CVS deals this week

I started this week with $5 in Extra Care Bucks (ECBs) and a boat load of coupons.  Here is a picture of everything I purchased for less than $3 (and I have a gift card from a prescription transfer so I actually didn't spend anything!) 

Dulcolax Balance 8.3oz $9.99 (get $9.99 ECBs)
$5 coupon from May All You Magazine

=$4 to $5 MONEYMAKER after ECBs

Schick Hydro 3 $8.97 (get $4 ECBs) Limit 1
$5 Smart Source Insert 8/8
=$.97 after ECBS
PLUS-I found a peelie coupon on the razor for a free shaving cream with the purchase of a razor
Lysol Healthy Touch system $9.99 (get $5 ECBs) Limit 1
$3 Smart Source Insert 7/11
=$1.99 after coupon and ECB

John Frieda spend $15and get $5 ECB
3 John Frieda Root Awakening products

(3) $3 from 6/6 Smart Source Insert
Total: $1 for 3 after ECBs

Gum-Filler because I had a $5 ECB and only a $4.26 total, so you use it or loose it!

To learn more about using CVS to benefit you check out my CVS 101

Join CVSphoto.com and get 50 Free Prints

Join and 50 free prints, pick them up at the store and you get free shipping too!

Check out CVS to register.

Did you get anything for free today?!!

I did, everything you see below!

Check out my previous post CVS 101 to find out how to score great deals. 

I went to CVS to take advantage of a few great deals this week.  Before I went I had a $4 off of a $20 purchase and I also had $13.50 in Extra Care Bucks (ECBs) from previous CVS trips. 

Paper Mate Pens (.98 & get .98 ECB=free)

Caliber Scissors(.98 & get .98 ECB=free)

2 John Frieda Root Awakening products($5 ECbs when you buy 2=2/$5)

       Used (2) $3 off any Root Awakening from the 6/6 SS

Complete Multipurpose Solution (7.99 & get 7.99 ECB=free)

        Used$2 from 5/17 RP

Philadelphia Inquirer

Milk

Total~25.52

They took off all the coupons and my total was $13.89...for whatever reason my ECBs had a problem going through but in the end instead of owing 49 cents like I thought I should, I walked out with everything paying nothing.   I also got $14.97 in ECBs for next time.  And before anyone asks, I did checked with the cashier & manager that everything had been adjusted correctly...I don't mind getting things for free but 49 cents would work too because I got a gallon of milk!

If you wanted to try what I did but didn't have any ECBs to work with you could break it up into 3 trips(in the order I did it) and get it all for about $3and get $7.99 in ECBs for next time.  You have the same coupons and use the ECBs from your previous purchases to pay for the next purchases. 

PS.  The math may not add up 100% because CVS has a funky reciept that tells me I saved $34.39 today because of sales prices, coupons & ECBs. 

CVS-Cheap Baby Stuff

If you're heading to CVS check out the baby isle and see if you can score a few deals! My CVS has tons of diapers & baby toys & teethers for 50-75% off. I just saw a package of Huggies for 75& off so $8.99 and if you add in the $3 off Huggeis coupon from Coupons.com you can get a Mega pack for 5.99. ( A friend of mine just had a baby so I will be doing this deal, who doesn't need diapers!)

Get the $3 off coupon now because it will hit its print limit soon!

CVS101

I had to post about using CVS. I have to be honest, minus my families prescriptions, I never had a need to use CVS until a friend turned me onto how to really use the Extra Care Bucks (ECBs). Basically ECBs are like CVS cash, so there are 2 ways to use them all you need is an Extra Care Card which you can sign up for at the store.

1. If you buy a product that produces ECBs but you're someone who will lose them or forget them until they expire, turn back around and buy something you need or want. You could start getting paper plates, soap, toothpaste for free to almost free just by turning back around and finding something in the store that you can use that is priced right (aka, just above your ECB amount).

2. (Disclaimer, this is my way, so obviously I like this one more.) You can save your ECBs and roll them to another week. Basically, I keep track of the ECBs I have right now ($12 worth) and next week I will use my ECBs to buy more things that will get me ECBs.

I also use coupons, so sometimes I "make money"...its not real money but its ECBs. There are a few things that I no longer pay for including, toothpaste, kids soap, toilet paper, tissues, shampoo & conditioner. Other items I pay little to know money for are deodorant, body wash, pantyliners, cereal and pasta. A lot of these items I get from CVS for free. I have so many liners, deodorant soap & shampoo that I donate them at a rapid rate. .

This week I went into with $12 ECBs and purchased 3 bottles of the Nivea body wash and a gallon of milk. I used $5 in ECbs and paid 60 cents. They didn't have the Gillette body wash, so I didn't get an extra $8 in ECBs but I'll go back and try again. It all sounds confusing, but I promise once you start, it becomes super easy. Here are a list of match ups for the week.
*Also, look below for a list of other CVS 101 links. If you're interested read a few different posts and then let me know if you have questions.

Moms Need to Know

CVS for Dummies
CVS 101
How to Videos

CVS Advisor Panel

Sign up to recieve great coupons (like $4 off a $20 purchase) and take surveys. I took one a few months ago that got me $15 Extra Care Bucks...for those of you who don't know thats like getting $15 dollars to spend at CVS (and trust me, I can make $15 ECBs go really far). So check out The CVS Advisor Panel and cross your fingers!