Recent shopping trips: CVS, Staples, Target

I use coupons to pay less for the things I need, so I have more money to spend on the things I want, like travel.

CVS

I spent $2.41 on these items and have $3 to use toward my next CVS purchase.

Why I shop there: CVS offers valuable ExtraCare Bucks (ECB) through its ExtraCare Rewards program. Basically, you get a coupon for X dollars off your next purchase when you buy certain advertised items. I roll the ECB from week to week to lower my out of pocket cost. I sometimes do multiple transactions in one shopping trip to roll rewards and minimize costs.

Transaction 1

Renu Sensitive--pay $7.99, get $4 ECB

Used $2 off manufacturer coupon--printed from coupons.com
Price: $5.99

 

Stayfree Ultra Thin--price $2.00

Used $2 off manufacturer coupon from newspaper
Price: Free!

 

(2) Milky Way bars--price $.50 each

Used $1 off 2 Milky Way manufacturer coupon--printed from coupons.com
Price: Free!

 

(2) Twix bars--price $.50 each

Used $1 off any 2 Mars candy bars from CVS Coupon Center (aka Magic Coupon Machine)
Price: Free!

 

Other coupons

Used $1 ECB from previous purchase
Used $3 ECB from email promo

Total (out of pocket): $2.15

Received $4 ECB

 

Transaction 2

Revlon Nail Polish--pay $4.99, get $3 ECB

Used $1 Revlon coupon from newspaper
Price: $3.99

 

(2) Milky Way bars--price $.50 each

Used $.75 off 2 Milky Way manufacturer coupon--printed from coupons.com
Price: $.13 each

 

Other coupons

Used $4 ECB from first transaction

Total (out of pocket): $.26

Received $3 EC

Total (out of pocket) for CVS: $2.41+ I have $3 in ECB for my next purchase.

Staples

I will make $4.02 after rebates on this transaction.

Why I shop there: This post explains why I like Staples. To sum up: free after rebate items can be a good way to meet a minimum spend for a credit card sign-up bonus, Easy Rebates that require no postage or cutting of UPCs and the potential to make money on a purchase when rebates are combined with coupons. Of course, they also have good deals on school and office supply products.

Week of 7/15

Titanium Antivirus Software $15.00
Bicmatic Grip Pencils $4.29
Staples Photo Paper $14.99

Used store coupon $5 off purchase of $30 or more
Used store coupon $15% off all software

Total: $29.26

Submitted the following Easy Rebates for $33.28
Titanium Antivirus Software $15.00
Bicmatic Grip Pencils $4.29
Staples Photo Paper $14.99 $13.99

Total after rebates: $4.02 moneymaker! 

 

Week of 7/22

Total after rebates: $.77

HP Photo Paper $9.99
Pentel RSVP Pens $4.00
Zebra #2 Pencils $4.00
(2) 8.5x11 Multipurpose Paper $6.99 each

Used store coupon $5 off purchase of $30 or more

Total: $29.20

Submitted the following Easy Rebates for $29.97
HP Photo Paper $9.99
Pentel RSVP Pens $4.00
Zebra #2 Pencils $4.00
(2) 8.5x11 Multipurpose Paper $5.99 each

 

Total after rebates: $.77

Target

Total: $2.02

Why I shop there: You can “stack” their store coupons with manufacturer coupons. Many store coupons can be printed on Target's website. Target also gives you $.05 for each reusable bag you bring.

Comet Stainless Steel Cleanser—regular price $1.99

Used $1 off Target coupon—printed from coupons.com

Used $1 off manufacturer coupon— printed from coupons.com (doesn't have be to redeemed at Wal-mart)

Price: Free!

 

Up & Up (Target brand) Cotton Balls--regular price $.99

Used $.50 off Target coupon
Price: $.49

Up & Up Isopropyl Alcohol--regular price $1.24

Used $.75 off Target coupon
Price: $.49

(2) Up & Up Aluminum Foil 25 sq. ft.--regular price $.99 each

Used $1 off 2 Target coupon
Price: $.49 each

Total: $2.02

*Some of the links in this post are my referral links. Read my disclosure policy here
 

Semi-extreme couponing

Couponing is my hobby!

I’m a big believer in paying less for the things you need, you so have more money to spend on the things you want, like travel.

So last year, I ramped up my couponing with the goal of getting groceries at the lowest possible prices. Through couponing, I was able to stock-up on toiletries (toothpaste, razors, shaving gel, floss, toothpaste, body wash, deodorant, etc.) so I probably don’t need to buy any more for a couple years. Now, I’m basically to the point where I will only “buy” it for free after coupon. I’ve slowed down some this year, but still find there are many deals to be had.

Here’s a recent shopping excursion

I paid less than $2 total for these products.

Target

Target is awesome because you can “stack” their store coupons with manufacturer coupons. Target also gives you $.05 for each reusable bag you bring.

Comet Stainless Steel Cleanser—regular price $1.99

Used $1 off Target coupon—printed from coupons.com

Used $1 off manufacturer coupon— printed from coupons.com

Price: Free!

Revlon Nail Polish—on clearance for $3.48

Used $3 off Target Revlon cosmetic coupon from Target Beauty Bag

Used $1 off manufacturer coupon from newspaper

Price: Free/$.52 overage! 

Target’s official policy is to reduce coupons and not provide overage, but apparently I got a cashier who either didn’t know this or didn’t care.

Morton Seasoned Salt—on clearance for $1.16

Used $.55 off manufacturer coupon from newspaper

Price: $.61

Market Pantry Orange Juice—on sale for $1.99

Used $1 off Target Mobile coupon (you can sign up to receive weekly mobile coupons on your cell phone)

Price: $.99

Total price: $1.02

CVS

24-pack of bottled water—on sale for $2.44

Used my $2 off any candy or beverage coupon from Facebook

Price $.44

That’s less than two cents per bottle!

The coupon did beep and said already been redeemed, which I read online had happened to a lot of people. My cashier was nice enough to put it through anyway. Don’t know if maybe he had that happen before with other customer or if I just looked trustworthy enough when I told him I had never used that coupon before :)