Sunday Gameplan for 11/14

Assuming stock is decent tomorrow, it's shaping up to be a big haul at the drugstores.  We did a little recon at Wags tonight - we drove right by our usual store while out and about and stopped in to grab a couple more free Reach flosses.  While there, I scoped out the two items we're most interested in and stock looks good.

I'm a little nervous about Rite Aid, though I can get rainchecks if needed.  That's gonna be the big trip, though, and rainchecks disappoint me a little.  I want my free stuff NOW, dammit!


We'll begin at CVS.
6 Skippy peanut butter $10, get $3 ECB back (limit 1)
1 undisclosed item*
1 Herbal Essence shampoo or conditioner $2.99, get $2 ECB back (limit 1)
$1.52 profit!!
*undisclosed item is not disclosed due to the holiday season approaching.  I can't even break this one down because the price & ECBs back would give it away. 

The undisclosed item stands a good chance of not being in stock given the sale.  I would like it to be, but I'm expecting raincheck city.  *sigh*

Then Walgreens
Transaction 1:
2 Nyquil liquid $10
2 BC powder 24ct $3.98
1 bottle Gain dish soap $.89
2 packages paper plates $1.78 (filler)
Subtotal $16.65
Less two $1.50 Nyquil, two $1 BC, $1 Gain
Total $10.65, receive back $5 RR (Nyquil)
OOP $5.65

Transaction 2:
2 Nyquil liquid $10
1 package paper plates (filler)
Subtotal $10.89
Less two $1.50 Nyquil
Total $7.89, receive back $5 RR (Nyquil)
OOP $2.89

This is a higher out of pocket ($8.54 total) than I'd usually go for at Wags, but it is what it is.  The Nyquil is $1/bottle after coupon & RR, the BC powder is $.99ea after coupons, and we need paper plates so for $.89ea that's a great filler for us. 

We'll wrap it all up with (hopefully) a monster trip to Rite Aid

Grocery week, part 2: $85 for $21

So 92% lean ground chuck is on sale at Giant Eagle this week for $1.99lb.  This is a fantastic price, and I was all set to buy up 10lbs or so - except there was none in the meat case.  And though the meat department was open, there was no sign of any employees present.  Well, crap.  We were in a hurry so I grabbed everything else we needed and stopped at customer service on the way out.  I said "This is kind of a strange thing to ask, but can I get a raincheck for the ground beef that's on sale?  There's none out and no one in the meat department."  The gal got the raincheck pad no hesitation and snickered as another employee who'd heard the exchange muttered "Meat department ignoring customers?  What a surprise..."

Yeah, there's a reason I do the big shopping trips at another store that's a bit farther away.  Between weird lack of stock and yet another frustrating cashier issue, I'd prefer to use this store for a quick gallon of milk and not much more.
So I got my raincheck for as much meat as I want at $1.99lb and we went on our merry way.  We'll stock up at our leisure and avoid that store as much as possible in the future.  

Not pictured: 1 gallon milk, produce, another free 20oz Pepsi Max that I'd already consumed

So I got more coffee.  It was really hard not to when there's a good sale.  For the coffee, peanut butter & jam it was $25.97 after sale & coupons and we got $15 in OYNOs back because the regular shelf price of those items is $45.43 - $5 back for each $15.  $10.97 for 3 big canisters of coffee, three peanut butters, and two jars of jam is a fantastic deal, so I took the plunge!

Shelf price: $85.35
Total: $40.74
Earned OYNOs: $20
Out of pocket: $20.74, a savings of 76%!!

I got an extra $2 OYNO back that I wasn't expecting and I still can't figure out how it happened.  The Green Giant veggies are on sale for $1, and they're part of the "spend $10, get $2 OYNO" deal.  Based on their shelf price I determined that I could buy six, use my $.60 off 3 coupons (doubled) and get $2 back - making them $.27 per box.  Now, the cookie mixes are also included in this deal, but supposedly that's based on the sale price of $2 per package.  I wasn't going to get another set, but this store had a handful of the pumpkin cookie mixes left (I've been having trouble finding this flavor) and, ashamedly, I really like those.  Since I have a stack of $.50 off 1 coupons left, making the mixes $1ea, I decided to get four and grab ANOTHER free cookie sheet.
Those are the only two items I bought today that were part of that deal, and I didn't figure I'd spend enough to get two $2 OYNOs - but I did.  I have no idea why.  The only thing I can figure is either the shelf price of the GG veggies are higher (but the receipt shows the shelf price of $1.79 which is exactly what I was calculating) or that the sale is tracking the cookies on shelf price.  Maybe it was just dumb luck to make up for the not-so-pleasant cashier we had.

So the cashier issue.  Amusingly enough, I avoided a certain line at this grocery store today because I recognized the cashier working it as one I'd had previous problems with - twice.  She's a nice lady, but she has serious issues scanning coupons.  She just can't get them to work.  It's tortuous; you wait in a slow line, wait for your items to be slowly scanned, and finally hand over the coupons only for this cashier to manage to get three or four of them scanned then have to wait for her to call over a front end supervisor to fix everything else.  It takes forever, so I avoided her line today.
Except I got in the line of a self-appointed officer of the coupon law.  I'd heard of the coupon police before but I'd never encountered one in the wild.  I'm still shaking my head over this one.

Maxwell House International Cafe flavored coffee drinks were on sale for $2.99 this week, and for each two purchased you receive a $1 OYNO back.  Well, I had two coupons for $.75 off and two coupons for "Buy ANY two Maxwell House coffee, get one Maxwell House International Cafe free."  If I were to get six, it would work out to $5.96 for all after coupons and OYNOs.  I figured it would make a nice gift for my coffee-lovin' sister for Christmas, so I loaded six in the cart.  The cashier had other ideas at checkout.
"You didn't buy the Maxwell House."
I blinked at her.  "Yes, I have six International Cafes."
"It says you have to buy Maxwell House."
"MAXWELL HOUSE International Cafes - I have six of those."
"No, you have to buy Maxwell House to use these coupons."
I took a tin of the stuff out of the bag and pointed to the MAXWELL HOUSE printed on the label.  "This is Maxwell House."
Well, she refused to budge and, as mentioned, we were in a hurry.  And, frankly, I was in a terrible mood as it was and didn't want to make a scene.
"Please take four off my order, then, and I'd like my coupons back.  I'll contact corporate for clarification tomorrow."

Poor Andy had no idea what was going on as I asked him to dig all but two of the blasted coffees out of the bags.  After we got our raincheck and left the store, I showed him the coupon and explained what had happened and he said "But it IS Maxwell House...!" 
Yup.  But whatever.  Fortunately the next nearest store is less than 10 minutes away.

I'm pretty sure that's everything for the week.  There are other good sales, but not on anything we really use so there's no screaming need to get anything else.  We have more freezer space than I thought so mayyyyyybe we'll get some more Green Giant veggies before the sale ends.

Totals for the week

Shelf price: $204.88
Total: $84.49
Earned OYNOs: $34
Out of pocket: $50.49, for a savings of $154.39, or 75%!!

Not bad at all considering this was a stock up week for butter and ibuprofen!

Dual Drugstore Deals: $145 for $8

Another fun morning getting all sorts of good stuff for dirt cheap!  Today: Rite Aid & Walgreens.  Nothing at CVS was calling my name this week, and with my ECBs good 'til later in the month I didn't even stop in.

Wags had some good sales on the whole, though not many were items we particularly wanted or needed.  I can't complain, though! 

Transaction 1
2 Reach Crystal Clean toothbrushes - $1.99ea
1 Reach floss - $1.99
2 oven mitts and a 2-pack of kitchen towels - $1.99ea
1 4-pack Schick Xtreme3 razors - $5.99
Subtotal $17.93
Less three $1 off Reach brush/floss, $3 off Schick razor, three $1 off Reach store coupons, three $1 off oven mitts/kitchen towels store coupons
Total $5.93, paid $3 RR & cash
Received back $3 RR (Schick)

Transaction 2
1 Reach Crystal Clean toothbrush - $1.99
2 Betty Crocker cornbread mix - $.50ea
3 Clabber Girl double acting baking powder - $.99ea
1 2-pack kitchen towels - $1.99
1 4-pack Schick Xtreme3 razors - $5.99
Subtotal $13.94
Less one $1 off Reach brush, two $.75 off Clabber Girl, $3 off Schick razor, one $1 off towels store coupon, three $.49 off Clabber Girl store coupon, two $.26 off cornbread store coupon, $1 off Reach store coupon
Total $4.45, paid $2 RR, $1 RR & cash
Received back $3 RR (Schick)

Shelf price: $32.05
Total: $11.38
Earned rewards: $6
Out of pocket: $5.38

$3.96 of my OOP went directly towards my oven mitt & kitchen towel obsession, so $1.42 for all the rest of that stuff works out to be pretty awesome!

 Next, we went to Rite Aid for the huge deals on Garnier products:

Grocery week, part 1: $120 for $30

Quick trip today to take advantage of a few of the good sales this week.

Not pictured: 10lbs butter, 2 gallons milk

10 Philadelphia cream cheese - $12.50
10 Land o Lakes butter - $25.00
4 Betty Crocker cookie mix pouches - $8
Wilton cookie sheet - $5.99 (free after promo)
5 bottles Franks Red Hot hot sauce - $5 (free after coupon)
1 Tide Stain Release powder - $6
3 store brand ibuprofen - $11.97
2 bags candy - $1.98
2 gallons milk - $4
Subtotal $80.44
Less two $5 off 5 Kraft products, five $.50 off two LOL butter (doubled), four $.40 off 1 cookie mix, one $.50 off 1 cookie mix, five $.50 off 1 Franks Red Hot (doubled), $2 off Tide, $.50 off 2 candy (doubled), $3 off Tide eOffer, $.40 off cookie mix eOffer, free cookie sheet promo (when you buy 4 participating products - cookie mixes)
Total: $43.85, paid for ibuprofen with $11 in OYNOs from Sinex & Colgate deal, the rest cash
Received back $14 in OYNOs

Shelf price: $119.53
Total: $43.85
Earned OYNOs: $14
Out of pocket: $29.85

This sale week is kind of crazy in that there are two very useful OYNO promotions running.  I decided to do the biggest chunk of one of them in one trip, and take care of the rest in another.

Certain products geared towards Thanksgiving have a special where if you spend $10, you get a $2 OYNO back.  This includes the butter, cookie mix and cream cheese in the transaction above, and most of the items are being tracked by shelf price.  The butter is normally $4.29/lb (!!!!!), so 10lbs of it means I "spent" $42.90.  By adding in the four cookie mixes at $2ea, that brought my total "spent" up to $50.90, which then gave me five $2 OYNOs back.  The cream cheese is $2.09 normally, so 10 of those gave me another two $2 OYNOs back - to make it even sweeter, I had two $5 off coupons which brought my cash paid on the Philly to $2.50.  After receiving $4 back in OYNOs, they paid me $1.50 to take it out of the store!

Free toothbrushes and floss at Walgreens next week

Starting Sunday, 11/7, Walgreens will have Reach Crystal Clean toothbrushes and 55yd Reach floss on sale for $.99 with the coupon you'll find in the weekly circular.  There's a limit of 3 items per transaction.

Go to coupons.com to print out coupons for $1 off any Reach toothbrush and $1 off any Reach floss.  On the left side of the page, choose "Personal Care" and you may need to click forward to page 2 or three to find the coupons.
You can print two of each coupon per computer; if you've got multiple computers, print two of each from each computer!

Go to Walgreens any time next week.  Pick up a sales circular from the front of the store on your way in - pick up a couple if you're doing more than one transaction.
Get your toothbrushes and floss.  Remember, three items per transaction at the $.99 price, though you can do as many transactions as your store allows.  Make sure you grab the right items - get the 55yd floss and the Crystal Clean toothbrush, don't go messing around getting other types.  They won't work.
When you check out, hand the cashier the $1 coupons first, then hand over the $.99 Walgreens coupon from the circular.  $1 will come off each item, then when the store coupon is scanned it'll take off the difference between the regular price and $.99 for each item.  You only need one Walgreens store coupon per transaction. 
Free stuff!  You only have to pay any applicable sales tax.

There will also be a store coupon for $.99 holiday themed oven mitts and kitchen towels.  I'm particularly excited about that because I'm weird and I collect oven mitts.


As always, if the brushes and/or floss aren't in stock, get a raincheck!  Make sure the raincheck reflects the $.99 price.  The Reach coupons I printed don't expire until 2/11 so you'd have plenty of time to take advantage of this deal!

A bit of the loot stack

Twenty four tubes of toothpaste.  All were free or at a profit.

General health & beauty shelf

Lotion, soap & bodywash along the left and the top left.  Cough, cold & sinus up front (8 Alka Seltzer, 9 Dayquil Sinex, 10 Nyquil Sinex, 3 Sinex sprays, 2 full bottles Nyquil).  Deodorant behind the meds.  Cough drops & shaving items in the upper left.  Toothbrushes lower left, normally go on top of the toothpaste.  Most of this was free.

Misc household shelf

Bags to the left, dish soap center back, air fresheners back right, laundry front left, haircare front center, Swiffer thingies and a sad little lightbulb front right.  This area needs work - both in filling it up and organizing it better.  Wow, do I need shampoo.


There are a few items not pictured because I've already set them aside to be donated.  I'm working on the toothpaste, which is about where I was when I stopped for a photo shoot, and after that I'm going to pull some of the nonperishable food as well.  A local pantry is having a drive this weekend so I'm trying to get a bag or two together to take over for that.

I'd show you the food loot stack, but it's not very photogenic at this point being scattered in various shelves and cabinets.  =)

$120 worth of toothpaste, OTC meds, and shampoo for a profit of $9.90

Well this certainly worked out well.

Tonight we went to finish the Sinex deal.  I had ten $4 coupons remaining and after some back & forth I decided that the best way to do this would be to split my transactions between Giant Eagle and Walgreens.  Both stores have the Sinex at two for $10.  At Giant Eagle you get a $4 OYNO when you buy two; at Wags you get a $5 RR when you buy two.  Seems like an easy decision, right?  Walgreens, it's a buck more back in rewards.

Except Giant Eagle is offering another bonus coupon that can be loaded on to your store loyalty card for $4 off a Vicks Sinex product.  This bonus can only be used once and it stacks on top of your paper coupons.
So I did some figuring.  If I get 4 Sinex at Giant Eagle it would be $20 on sale, minus $16 in coupons, minus $4 bonus coupon - that equals FREE!  The remaining six will come from Wags for $1ea cash.