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CVS: Trips, Transactions, and Tips

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CVS: Trips, Transactions, and TipsCVS is by far my favorite drugstore. Though I get really good deals, I usually need to visit more than one location which is not efficient.

In using time wisely, I really need to get back into my groove. I’ve been away from the sales as our home has been fully stocked. Taking a break is really nice, but I’m getting back into the flow.

Guess I was gone quite awhile as the Green Bag Tag promotion has been discontinued. CVS no longer grants a $1 ECB for every 4th visit when you use a reusable bag. Not sure if the promotion was too profitable for customers or not enough customers used the program. Whatever the reason, I recycled my Green Bag Tags, but I’ll still continue to shop at CVS with trips, transactions, and tips.

My CVS Trips

With my list printed and coupons gathered on Friday afternoon, I had planned to go out Saturday afternoon. However, a friend stopped by to pick up a sourdough bread starter, so I missed my window before heading out to the ball park with our family.

On Sunday after our family lunch, my daughter and I ventured out. Though it was mid-day, it was still the first day of the sale. Well, my favorite CVS was out of girls’ Pull-Ups and the Kit Kat minis, but they had the other items. I needed to purchase $30 of product to use my $5 coupon.

In speaking to the manager, she suggested purchasing the boys’ Pull-Ups and then returning them on another day as their next shipment came in on Monday morning. So, I made my purchases. Then thinking through my week, I knew I needed to just get this task done.

So, I stopped by a second CVS. They had the girls’ Pull-Ups which I exchanged, but no Kit Kat minis. They were already out with the next shipment coming on Monday.

Do you think I stopped? Nope. I went to a third CVS. Thankfully, all the stores are in close proximity to my home, so I did not travel far. They had a shelf of the Kit Kat minis, so I got those.

I was a bit disappointed as I had store and manufacturer coupons which gave me overage. However, because it was the only product I was buying, I did not get the overage. The cashier rounded down the amount of the coupon making my purchase free.

My CVS Transactions

Transaction #1

2 Huggies Pull-Ups (Earn $5 Extra Care Bucks (ECB) when you buy (WYB) 2 Huggies Little Swimmers (17-20 ct.) or jumbo packs of Pull-ups, GoodNites, or Diapers at $9.99 each, limit 2)

2 Huggies Pull-Ups (Earn $5 Extra Care Bucks (ECB) when you buy (WYB) 2 Huggies Little Swimmers (17-20 ct.) or jumbo packs of Pull-ups, GoodNites, or Diapers at $9.99 each, limit 2)

Clarification: The limit of 2 means 2 deals. Since each deal requires purchasing 2 packages, then the limit is 4 packages of these Huggies items. If you purchase more than 4 packages, then the price will still be $9.99 each, but no additional ECB will print.

1 Irish Spring Body Wash, 15-18 oz., $2.99

Subtotal: $42.95

Minus these coupons:

1 – $5 off a purchase of $30 or more (e-mailed from CVS)

4 – $2 off Huggies Pull-ups (printable manufacturer coupons)

1 – $2 off Irish Spring Body Wash (CVS coupon printed from the coupon machine)

1 – $1 off Extra Care Buck coupon (from quarterly savings which printed from the coupon machine)

New subtotal: $26.95

Tax: $1.62

Total: $28.57 – saving $30 with sales and coupons and earned $10 in ECB from the limit 2 Huggies deal.

Transaction #2

2 packages Kit Kat minis, 2 for $6

Subtotal: $6

Minus these coupons:

2 – $2.50 off CVS store coupons (printed at home)

2 – $1 off manufacturer coupons (printed at home)

New Subtotal: $1 overage

Total: $0 – saved $9.18 with sales and coupons

For these two transactions, I purchased $67.75 worth of product and paid $28.57 with $10 in ECB for next week. This is a savings of 57.8% – always a good trip when I save more than I spend.

NOTE: These savings are still available through today, Saturday, July 13, 2013. If your store is out of these products, then request a rain check.

My CVS Tips

Though it would be easy to beat myself up over losing $1 of overage due to breaking up the transactions, I have learned that things happen. Sure it would have been nice if the first CVS had all the products, but it didn’t work that way. I’m still happy with the results even if I lost $1 of savings. Here are some other tips to make shopping at CVS a little easier:

1. Learn Your Store’s Procedures

As CVS sales run Sunday through Saturday, most stores upload the new sale week to their system sometime on Saturday. My CVS does this move around 4:00 p.m., so it’s best to shop after 5:00 p.m. because it takes some time to upload.

The benefit of shopping at this time is you get to shop both weeks’ sales. The current week is not yet done, and the new week is just starting. This gives you first dibs on the products before they all are gone.

One downside is if the system doesn’t load correctly or if a deal is not triggered. For example, a 3-day sale that runs from Sunday to Tuesday will not trigger on Saturday.

2. Find out Your Store’s Delivery Days

My store receives deliveries on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Knowing that I missed shopping on Saturday, I might wait next time until mid-morning on Monday to shop. By that time, the delivered product should be on the shelves.

The downside is that CVS stores do not know what is coming on the truck. They only know they are getting a delivery, but they cannot guarantee that a product will be back in stock.

You can ask for a rain check, but most stores will not grant them if another delivery will come before the end of the sale. The reason is CVS rain checks do not expire, so they want to know they are out before writing them.

3. Make Friends with Your Store’s Manager and Employees

When you shop frequently, the employees will get to know you. They will also help you when you run into a snag – like only having boys’ Pull-Ups and needing to spend $30 to get the $5 off.

The manager quickly made a suggestion, so I could use my coupon and get the savings without having to go to another store that day. She would have swapped the packages on another day.

Also, as you find a CVS where you feel comfortable, you can create more complicated transactions knowing that they will help you through them. When I have a lot of coupons or multiple transactions in one visit, I find a friendly employee and explain what I’m about to do.

Usually, they ring me up separately, so I do not tie up the front register. It is really nice as I don’t feel pressured to hurry as the other register is open.

Getting the hang of CVS takes time. If you are new to all the jargon, then feel free to ask. I have been playing the drugstore game for years which is why I don’t need to shop all the time.

Our stockpile is full of deodorant, body wash, razors, toothpaste, shampoo, and more because I stock up when there are sales, ECB promotions, and coupons. Stretching our dollars via CVS promotions and coupons saves our family money.

Sometimes I exert more energy and time stopping at multiple stores, but learning from my mistakes and the store’s procedures and deliveries will assist me in using time wisely. Not beating myself up, just using it as a stepping stone to improve for my next CVS shopping trip as I’ve got $10 in ECB to maximize. Happy savings!

Question: Do you enjoy playing the drugstore game? Why or why not?

Back to School: Supplies Sales Begin Sunday, July 7, 2013

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Back to School: Supplies Sales Begin Sunday, July 7, 2013

Photograph Credit: Fotolia

Playing during summer, and preparing for the fall. This is my motto for back to school savings. Though I would rather not think about school, the fact is back-to-school supplies sales begin Sunday, July 7, 2013.

I love the 1¢ to $1 deals that come around at this time of year, but before running out shopping, I gather my information. I request the supply list from our teachers and check the inventory we have at home, then I know what we still need to get for the start of the school year.

With my lists in hand, my favorite ways to save include the Back to School Savings Pass, comparing deals among the stores, and stocking up throughout the season.

Back to School Savings Pass

Last year, I waited for a $10 off coupon from Staples and purchased a Back to School Savings Pass for $10. Present this pass at the time of checkout to receive an additional 15% off your back-to-school supplies. The pass can be used once per day until September 21, 2013.  Check your Sunday paper or the Staples website for the coupon for $5 off a purchase of $30 or more.

Don’t think you can spend $30 for items you need? What about purchasing 2 reams of the Staples multipurpose paper for $6.99 each + the savings pass + $6.01 in other products including 1¢ and 25¢ deals?

You will spend around $25 (the $30 minus $5 coupon). Then submit the rebates online for the 2 reams of paper and get back $13.98 in a few weeks. You will have your savings pass, 2 reams of copy paper, and $6 of other products for around $11. Not too shabby!

Comparing Back to School Deals

Among Staples, Office Max, Office Depot, Target, Bi-Lo, Walmart, and the dollar store, one could spend all week shopping. Well, in using time wisely, we are not shopping for back to school each day of the week. Whew!

Last year, I concentrated on Staples since I had the Back to School Savings Pass, and Staples was located in an area I passed often throughout the week. I did pick up a few items at Walmart, Office Depot, and Target, but I concentrated on Staples.

To check the lowest prices of back to school items from last year, check out the 2013 price list from Jenny Martin at Southern Savers. Then to see all the back to school sales for each week, search these websites using “back to school” on their home page:

Stocking Up on Back to School Deals

Knowing what we need and stocking up when the sales are low saves a ton of money throughout the school year. From poster board to dry-erase markers, we keep a stock knowing that we will need more throughout the school year and the summer.

Our family goes through dry-erase markers so quickly. It’s not that they dry up, it is that we practice and study by using the dry-erase markers all year long. I just keep a big stash of them. I’m glad the sales are beginning as I opened our last packet about 2 weeks ago.

Other great opportunities to stock up include:

    • Items for Operation Christmas Child boxes
    • Gifts for teachers
    • Fun for young house guests
    • Gifts for children
    • Toss your old supplies and start with new

As the back to school supplies sales begin, get your lists ready. In stretching your dollars, know what you need, so you are not spending money on items you already have on hand.

I’m preparing now because the deals are coming. Get ready because the 1¢ deals are here. 😉 Happy savings!

Question: Any tips for stretching our dollars while shopping for back to school supplies?

Vacation Savings: Reviewing and Evaluating Annual Memberships

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Vacation Savings: Reviewing and Evaluating Annual Memberships

Photograph Credit: Fotolia

Can you believe summer is nearly half over? As our annual membership with our recreational district expired recently, we are ready to use our other memberships on our vacation.

With our time away quickly approaching, I am collecting research and making vacation savings plans. My plans are many, and include reviewing and evaluating annual memberships.

Reviewing Annual Memberships

The big thrill of going on vacation in our house is “what are we going to do.” Realizing that most activities cost a pretty penny, my children have begun asking if we can watch for a deal or coupon for whatever they would like to do.

As they are more money-conscience, we share more information with them about how we decide what activities to do. The fun comes when the activities are free due to our annual memberships.

By staggering our vacations late in the summer of 2012 and earlier in 2013, we get two vacations for the price of  one with our annual memberships. With this strategy, we can save any extra from this year to put toward annual memberships for next year.

Keeping a watch on daily deal sites, I am able to purchase some annual memberships at 50% off. The following are our current memberships we plan to use on this trip:

    1. Zoo membership
    2. Science membership
    3. Garden membership

As our memberships expire, we can watch for new deals and wait to activate our memberships next summer to get another 2 years of vacation memories on one membership. By working on a two-year plan, we review our annual memberships to stretch our dollars as far as they can go.

Evaluating Annual Memberships

Before purchasing any membership, I check the reciprocal list to evaluate if the pass is a good fit for our family. For example, purchasing a zoo membership down in Florida was a better deal for our family than purchasing through our local zoo in South Carolina.

We visit the Florida zoo 4-5 times a week when we visit whereas we might visit our local zoo 1-2 times a year. We still save 50% off our local zoo with our membership, but admittance into the Florida zoo with unlimited rides is FREE. Therefore, we purchase our membership for the Florida zoo.

We are thankful for the annual memberships and the benefits given to pass holders, as investing once a year reaps hours of fun all year long. In reviewing and evaluating annual memberships, all is good to go. We are ready to head down to Florida for some fun in the sun, or rain, as it has been this summer.

If you are planning a July or August vacation, consider annual memberships. Our costs ranged from $25 to over $200 for these annual memberships. Evaluate your budget and your needs, and then do a little research.

In using time wisely, our research has saved us hundreds of dollars and allowed us hours of fun. But if you don’t have the money to spend, then no matter the savings, an annual membership is not a good fit for your family. Happy savings!

Old Navy: $1 Solid Colored Flip Flops – June 29, 2013

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Old Navy: $1 Solid Colored Flip Flops – June 29, 2013

Photograph Credit: Old Navy

Mark your calendars and check your closets for the colors of flip flops you need. On June 29, 2013, Old Navy is selling their solid colored flip flops for $1. The limit is 5 pairs per customer, and most stores are opening at 7:00 a.m.

I’m debating whether or not to attend this sale. I already stocked up on 4 pairs of $1 flip flops with J. C. Penney’s sale earlier this season, but I really could use a white and black pair as well. Guess I’ll have to see how motivated I am to get out and shop on Saturday, June 29, 2013.

If you do not need any flip flops, sales like these make great gifts. Pairing flip flops with a pair of earrings or a scarf makes a thoughtful, inexpensive gift while stretching your dollars.

To sweeten this deal, Old Navy’s weekly REVEAL A DEAL tab on their Facebook page offers a printable 10% off your in-store purchase coupon making each pair of flip flops $.90.

If you live near an Old Navy, consider stopping by on June 29, 2013 to check the $1 flip flops for yourself or a friend. Happy savings!

Guest Post: Social Media Gift Basket Giveaway

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Guest post - Social Media Gift BasketHaving just concluded promoting Quida’s coupon binder giveaway, she continues her generosity with a first-of-its-kind social media basket.

How cool is this? Though I am not even a social media novice as Twitter is completely foreign to me, I know many of my readers live on social media. Therefore, I hope one of you wins this basket of goodies. 

The following is a guest post written by Quida Brown, blog owner of Simple Savings for Atlanta Moms. By posting this article, I received compensation; however, I chose to publish this article as a help to my readers. 

Please enter the giveaway and share this with your friends and family. This giveaway is open internationally until Saturday, July 6, 2013 , so you have no excuses for not entering. 😉 I am hoping one of my fabulous readers wins this prize package consisting of an iPhone 4, autographed book, and so much more. Good luck! ~ Tracy 

Guest Post: Social Media Gift Basket GiveawayWhen was the last time you “tweeted” or “liked” a great post? What about hanging out on G+? Do you use apps on your smartphones to help you find deals and savings?  Have you stumbled upon a blog and shared it with your friends?

Social Media connections are everywhere and are simply a way for people to create, share and exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks. Most people spend more time on social media sites than any other place.

When was the last time you attended a “twitter party”? Simple Savings For ATL Moms is giving away the very first Social Media Gift Basket!

Interesting facts about Social Media

  • Global consumers spend more than six hours on social networking sites {Social Media Revolution}
  • 51% of people aged 25-34 use social networking in the office {Nielsen}
  • As of 2012, Facebook has 78,388,000 unique mobile app visitors; Twitter reported 37,033,000 unique PC visitors; Pinterest reported 27,223,000 unique PC visitors; Google+ reported 26,201,000 unique PC visitors and 9,718,000 unique mobile app visitors {Nielsen}
  • Twitter processed more than one billion tweets in 12|2009 and averages almost 40 million tweets per day {Venturebeat}
  • YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world. {Socialnomics}
  • Wonderful social media influencer:

Steve Jobs – Father of Digital Revolution February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011 {co-founder, CEO of Apple} – widely recognized pioneer of the personal computer revolution and influential career in computer and consumer electronics. Oversaw the development of iMac, iTunes, iPhone and iPad and services such as Apple Retail stores, iTune store, and App store. “Keep Thinking Different.”

Social Media Gift Basket Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Social Sites to visit:

Good luck everyone, stay social, and share with your friends.

Question: Do you like entering giveaways like the Coupon Binder and this Social Media Gift Basket?