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I took a few weeks off, but now I’m back!  This week’s pre-coupon total was $119.31.  The final price was $18.81, a savings of 84.2%!

CVS

• 5 Dawn Dish Detergent ($0.99 each – 5 $0.75 coupons = $0.24 final price)
• Softsoap Body Wash ($2.99 – $0.75 coupon – $2.00 ExtraBucks = $0.24 final price)
• 2 Colgate Optic White Toothpaste, 4 oz ($3.99 each – 2 $1.50 coupons – 2 $1.50 ExtraBucks = $0.99 final price)
• CVS Allergy Relief, 5ct. ($3.69 – $3.69 ExtraBucks = FREE final price)
• RepHresh Brilliant PH Tampons ($6.79 – $6.79 ExtraBucks – $1.00 coupon = $-1.00 OVERAGE)
• 3 Airwick Freshmatic Odor Detects ($7.99 each – 3 $4.00 coupons – $10.00 ExtraBucks when you spend $20 = $0.65 each)

Walgreens

• 6 Crest Deep Clean Toothpaste, 5.8 oz ($2.50 each – 6 $1.00 coupons – $3.00 Register Rewards when you buy 2 = FREE final price)
• 3 Colgate Optic White Toothpaste, 4 oz ($3.99 each – 3 $1.50 coupons – $2.00 Register Rewards = $0.49 final price)
• 3 Airwick Freshmatic Odor Detects ($7.99 each – 3 $4.00 coupons – $3.00 Register Rewards = $0.99 each)
• 8 Nature Valley Bars, 6 pk ($2.00 each – 4 $1.50 coupons when you buy 2 = $1.25 final price)
• 4 Skittles, 2.17 oz ($0.50 each – 2 $1.00 coupons when you buy 2 = FREE final price)

This week’s pre-coupon total was $262.10.  The final price was $57.77, a savings of 78%!

CVS

• 12 M&M singles ($0.50 each – 6 $0.75 when you buy 2 coupons = $0.12 final price)
• 6 Revlon Nail Color ($4.99 – $3.00 ExtraBucks – 6 $1.00 coupons = $0.99 final price)
• 5 Gain Dish Liquid ($0.99 – 5 $0.50 coupons = $0.49 final price)
• 1 L’Oreal Double Extend Mascara + 1 L’Oreal Eye Shadow single ($10.99 + $5.49 – $3.00 coupon – $2.00 coupon – $5.00 ExtraBucks = $2.99 final price)

Walgreens

• 6 Revlon Nail Enamel ($3.99 – $3.00 Register Reward – 6 $1.00 coupons – 6 $2.00 Walgreens coupons = -$2.01 OVERAGE final price)
• 5 Pert Plus 2 in 1 Shampoo + Conditioner ($3.99 – $3.00 Register Reward – 5 $1.00 coupons = -$0.01 OVERAGE final price)
• 4 Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief Toothpaste ($4.99 – $3.00 Register Reward – 4 $1.50 coupons = $0.49 final price)
• 4 Aussie Hair Care ($3.00 – $1.00 Register Reward – 4 $1.00 coupons = $1.00 final price)
• 4 Dove Womens Deodorant + 4 Dove Men Plus Care Antiperspirant ($3.75 each – 4 Buy One Womens, Get One Mens Free coupons – $5.00 Register Reward when you buy 4 = $1.25 final price)
• 6 Speed Stick Antiperspirant ($2.50 – $3.00 Register Reward when you buy 2 = $1.00 final price)
• 6 Crest Whitening Plus Scope Outlast Toothpaste ($3.00 – $3.00 Register Reward when you buy 2 – 6 $0.75 coupons = $0.75 final price)
• 2 Expo Dry Erase Washable Markers 6 pk ($3.99 – $2.00 when you buy 2 coupon – $3.00 Walgreens coupon = -$0.02 OVERAGE final price)
• 10 Hefty One Zip Freezer 13 pk ($3.29 – buy one get one free – 5 $1.00 when you buy 2 coupons = $1.14 final price)
• 5 Cottonelle Bathroom Tissue, 12 rolls ($5.00 – 5 $0.75 coupons – 5 $1.00 Walgreens coupons = $3.25 final price)

This week’s pre-coupon total was $269.25.  The final price was $63.08, a savings of 76.6%!

CVS

• 15 Renuzit Adjustables Air Freshener ($0.88 each – 5 Buy Two Get One Free coupons = $0.59 final price)
• 5 Dove Shampoo + 5 Dove Treatment ($3.00 each – 3 Buy One Get One Free coupons – 2 $1.50 off 2 coupons – $5.00 ExtraBucks = $1.17 final price)
• 3 Softsoap Body Wash ($3.00 – 3 $1.00 coupons – $3.00 Extrabucks = $1.00 final price)
• 6 Skintimate Shavel Gel ($1.99 – 6 $1.00 coupons = $0.99 final price)
• 3 Garnier Fructis Shampoo ($3.33 – 3 $1.00 coupons – $3.00 Extrabucks = $1.33 final price)
• Schick Hydro 5 Razor ($8.49 – $2.00 coupon – $5.00 Extrabucks = $1.49 final price)
• 2 Excedrin Migrane ($5.59 – 2 $1.00 coupons – $5.00 Extrabucks = $2.09 final price)
• 2 Herbal Essence Shampoo ($2.49 – 2 $1.00 coupons – $1.00 Extrabucks = $0.99 final price)
• 7 Colgate Total Whitening Toothpaste ($1.67 – 7 $0.75 coupons = $0.92 final price)

Walgreens

• 6 Crayola Crayons, 24 pk ($1.00 – $1.00 Register Reward = FREE final price)
• 6 Keri Lotion ($5.99 each – $5.00 Register Reward on each – 6 $1.00 coupons = -$1.01 OVERAGE final price)
• 6 Listerine Smart Rinse ($3.00 each – $2.00 Register Reward on each – 6 $1.00 coupons = FREE final price)
• 5 Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor ($9.99 each – $4.00 Register Reward on each – 5 $4.00 coupons = $1.99 final price)
• 6 Colgate 360 Clean Toothbrush ($3.00 – $4.00 Register Reward when you buy 2 – 6 $1.00 coupons = FREE final price)
• 6 Mentos Gum ($1.00 – 2 $1.00 coupons when you buy 3 = $0.67 final price)
• 4 TRESemme Shampoo ($3.75 – $5.00 Register Reward when you buy 4 – 4 $1.00 coupons = $1.50 final price)
• 5 Purex Laundry Detergent ($1.99 – 5 $0.50 coupons = $1.49 final price)

Lots of great deals at CVS & Walgreens this week.  The pre-coupon total was $249.74.  Final price was $84.27, a savings of 66.3%!

CVS

• 2 Skinny Cow Cluster Candy ($0.99 each – $0.99 Extrabucks for one – Buy One Get One FREE coupon = FREE final price)
• Bic Soleil Shimmer Razor Starter Kit ($5.99 – $3.00 Extrabucks – $3.00 coupon = -$0.01 OVERAGE final price)
• Gillette Fusion ProGlide Power Razor ($9.99 – $5.00 Extrabucks – $4.00 coupon = $0.99 final price)
• 10 Suave Invisible Solid Deordorant ($1.00 each – $3.00 Extrabucks when you buy $10 = $0.70 each final price)
• 5 Gillette Body Wash ($3.49 – 5 $2.00 coupons = $1.49 final price)
• 4 Axe Shower Gel ($4.49 – $3.00 Extrabucks when you buy three – 2 Buy One Get One Free coupons = $1.99 final price)
• 2 Oral-B Cross Action Power Toothbrush ($5.99 – $1.00 Extrabucks for each – $3.00 coupon = $1.99 final price)
• 2 Revlon Colorburst Lips ($5.79 each – $3.00 Extrabucks for each – $3.00 CVS coupon – 2 $1.00 coupons = $0.29 final price)
• 2 Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief Toothpaste ($4.99 each – $3.00 Extrabucks for each – 2 $1.50 coupons = $0.49 final price)
• 2 Crest Pro-Health Rinse, 1 liter ($4.99 – $1.00 Extrabucks for each – 2 $2.00 coupons = $1.99 final price)
• 5 Dawn Dishwashing Soap ($0.99 – 5 $0.50 coupons = $0.49 final price)

Walgreens

• Gillette Fusion ProGilde Razor System ($9.99 – $4.00 Register Rewards – $4.00 coupon = $1.99 final price)
• 5 Crayola Washable Markers, 8 pk ($2.00 each – $2.00 Register Rewards each = FREE final price)
• 3 Cascade Dish Products ($3.99 each – $3.00 Register Rewards when you buy $10 – 3 $1.00 coupons = $1.99 final price)
• 10 Head & Shoulders Hair Care ($4.00 – $2.00 Register Rewards when you buy 2 – 5 Buy One Get One Free coupons = $1.00 final price)
• 6 Tide Laundry Detergent, 24-32 loads ($5.99 each – 6 $2.00 coupons = $3.99 final price)
• 6 Cottonelle Bathroom Tissue, 12 large rolls ($5.00 each – $3.50 Register Reward when you buy 2 – 6 $0.75 coupons – 6 $1.00 Walgreens coupons = $1.50 final price)

Lots of good bargains at CVS this week.  The pre-coupon total, not including the clearance items, was $100.95.  Final price was $12.83, a savings of 87.3%!

I picked up the following items:

• Bausch & Lomb Re-Nu Sensitive, 12 oz. ($7.89 – $6.00 ExtraBucks – $2.00 coupon = -$0.11 OVERAGE final price)
• 4 Nabisco Cookies ($1.25 each – $1.00 ExtraBucks when you buy 4 – 2 $1.00 coupon when you buy 2 = $0.50 final price)
• 2 Crest 3D White Toothpaste, 4 oz. ($2.99 – $2.00 ExtraBucks – $0.75 coupon = $0.24 final price)
• 6 Aussie Styler + 6 Herbal Essence Shampoo + 2 Skintimate Shave Gel + 2 Shick Hydro 5 Razors ($2.49 each for Styler + $2.49 each for Shampoo + $2.19 for Gel + $7.99 for Razors – 6 $1.00 Herbal Essence coupons – 6 $3.00 Aussie coupons – 2 $4.00 Razor coupons – 2 $0.75 Gel coupons – $10.00 Shell Gas Card when you buy $30 of qualifying products – $10 ExtraBucks from coupon machine = -$3.26 OVERAGE final price)
• 12-pack PaperMate Grip Pens ($1.99 – $1.99 ExtraBucks = FREE final price)
• U by Kotex Liners ($3.49 – $2.00 ExtraBucks – $1.00 coupon = $0.49 final price)
• 3 Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap ($2.00 each – $3.00 ExtraBucks when you buy 3 – 3 $0.35 coupons = $0.65 final price)
• 2 Edge Shaving Gel ($2.19 – $0.55 coupon = $1.64 final price)
• 2 Hydro 5 Razors ($7.99 each – Buy One Get One Free coupon = $4.00 final price)

I also found some great deals in the Clearance section tucked away in the back of the store, including Robitussin Cough medicine for $1.00, Nyquil for $0.50 and Scotch Tape for $0.50.

This week’s shopping trip at CVS had a pre-coupon total of $101.61 – $31.00 in future redeemable Extrabucks – $10.00 in additional Extrabucks obtained by scanning my Extrabucks card at the price checker machine in-store – $8.00 Extrabucks from a previous shopping trip – $39.16 in coupons = $13.45 final price.  This is a savings of 86.8%!

• 2 Pantene Pro-V Shampoo, 12.6 oz ($3.49 each – $2.00 Extrabucks when you buy 2 – $3.00 coupon when you buy 2 = $0.99 final price)
• 4 CoverGirl Eye Enhancer Eye Shadow ($3.99 each – $5.00 Extrabucks when you spend $15 – $2.50 coupon when you buy 2 – $2.50 coupon when you buy 2 = $1.49 final price)
• Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor ($9.99 – $4.00 Extrabucks – $4.00 coupon = $1.99 final price)
• Gillette Fusion ProGlide Shave Prep ($4.99 – $2.00 Extrabucks – $1.00 coupon = $1.99 final price)
• Colgate Advanced Whitening Paste Twin Pack ($8.39 – $2.00 Extrabucks – $0.50 coupon = $2.95 final price per box)
• Colgate Extra Clean Toothbrush Value 3-Pck ($2.99 – $2.00 Extrabucks = $0.99 final price or $0.33 per toothbrush)
• Zantac 150, 24 ct ($8.99 – $3.00 Extrabucks – $5.00 coupon = $0.99 final price)
• 2 Gas-X Chewables + 2 Maalox Advanced ($5.49 each – $10.00 Extrabucks when you spend $20 – $1.00 coupon – $1.00 coupon – $2.50 coupon when you buy 2 Maalox = $1.87 final price)
• 2 Crest Cavity 6.4 oz Toothpaste ($1.99 – $1.00 Extrabucks – $0.75 coupon = $0.24 final price)
• 2 Oral-B Indictor Toothbrush ($1.99 – $2.00 coupon = $0.01 OVERAGE final price)
• 9 Seattle’s Best Single Can ($1.49 – FREE coupon = FREE final price)

I had to take a little break from couponing while in Las Vegas, but I’m back and here are today’s deals:

Walgreens

• 6 Dove Men Care Bar Soap (6-pack) ($6.00 – $4.00 coupon – $4.00 Register Rewards when you buy 3 = FREE final price)

Jewel

• 10 Lysol Wipes (35 ct + bonus 30 ct each) ($2.50 – $1.00 coupon when you buy 2 – $1.00 Jewel coupon = $1.50 final price)
• 4 Cheerios, 8.9 oz ($2.50 – $0.50 coupon + FREE gallon milk when you buy 4 + $5.00 off next purchase Catalina coupon = $0.75 final price + FREE milk)
• 4 Nature Valley Granola Thins ($2.50 – $0.75 coupon + FREE gallon milk when you buy 4 + $2.00 off next purchase Catalina coupon = $1.25 final price + FREE milk)
• 2 Atheno’s Greek Yogurt ($1.00 – $1.00 coupon when you buy 2 = $0.50 final price)
• 8 Danimal Coolision ($2.00 – $1.00 coupon + FREE gallon milk on next purchase when you buy 4 = $1.00 final price + 2 FREE milks on next purchase)

I stopped by Walgreens in Wheeling today at lunch to pick up one quick deal and was surprised with a bonus after checking out.

I used previously acquired Register Rewards to get the following for free:

• 8 Edge Saving Gel, 7 oz. ($1.99 with Walgreens coupon)

As I was getting ready to leave the store, a woman with a handheld device stopped me and asked if I would be willing to take a 10-minute survey in exchange for a $10 Walgreens gift card.  She asked me a bunch of questions about their new checkout area filled with impulse buy products.

I can’t wait to use my gift card on my next deal!

I’ve learned a few things during my first couple weeks of couponing that I thought I would share.

First, the coupons themselves.  A lot of people are asking me where I get all of my coupons from.  No, I don’t go dumpster diving with my kids like the crazy ladies on Extreme Couponing.  I get one Sunday newspaper delivered to my house.  A couple neighbors give me their coupons.  And I buy about 5 extra newspapers from my local Menards that sells the Sunday newspaper for $1.00 starting on Saturday morning.  I end up with about 8 sets of coupon inserts per week.  This is about the most I can handle.  It takes time to clip the coupons and plan out the shopping trips.  I can only dedicate so much time to my new coupon hobby.  I also acquire some coupons from various websites which I will discuss more below.

As I don’t have the time to match up my coupons with the weekly sales at the various grocery stores and drug stores, I rely on websites to do the work for me.  My favorites are The Krazy Coupon Lady and CouponMom.com.  On Facebook, I “like” The Krazy Coupon Lady and Deal Seeking Mom.  The websites tell you which coupons to use at which stores at the most appropriate times, giving you the most savings.  They also teach you a lot about all the “tricks” and rules associated with couponing.  For example, most stores allow you to combine a store coupon with a manufacture coupon for a single item which can add up to huge savings.

These sites will match up the weekly sales from each store with coupons from past inserts that are not expired yet.  Or they provide links to online coupons that can be printed.  The online coupons usually have a limit imposed regarding how many times they can be printed.  The limit is usually 2 at the most.  CouponMom.com is mostly a database of sales and coupons that can be searched.  The Krazy Coupon lady is more of a blog that details the best deals each week.

I’m learning as I go that the more I am able to pre-plan my trips, the better I do.  It’s easy to get to the store and forget what exact item to buy or how many to buy or which coupons to combine.  Before I go to the store, I make a detailed list of all the items I want to buy including description, quantity, coupons to use and expected post-transaction coupon printouts (Register Rewards at Walgreens, ExtraBucks at CVS).  I also maintain a spreadsheet in Google Docs that allows me to track exactly how much I am saving by using coupons.

One clean deal today at Walgreens.  My pre-coupon total was $36.00 and my post-coupon total was $10.00–a savings of 72.2%.

6 Soft Scrub Total Bath & Bowl + 6 Soft Scrub Cleanser With Bleach ($3.00 each – 6 B1G1 free coupons – $8.00 Register Rewards = $10.00 final price or $0.83 per item)

The Register Rewards of $4 each print when you spend at least $15 on qualifying products (limit 1 per transaction).  I completed two separate transactions to get the full savings.  I also used previously acquired Register Rewards to get my total down to just tax for each transaction.