Exteme Couponing on TLC

Tonight at 8:00pm ET/PT. TLC will be airing a show called Extreme Couponing.  Check it out here!  Thank you to my good friend Kathy L. in Nashville for alerting me to the airing of the show!

"Extreme Couponing profiles four shopaholics who use coupons to save thousands of dollars and amass huge stockpiles of goods.These shoppers go to the extremes, dumpster diving for coupons and spending hours a day searching the internet for great deals."

If you can't watch the show tonight it will be airing again on the following dates/times:

Dec 30, 1:00 am
Jan 04, 10:00 pm
Jan 05, 1:00 am

........I, of course, turned them down when they asked me to be on the show.

3RD UPDATE: Rite-Aid 12/26-1/1

Just posting totals for the week (not posting extensive details).  I ventured out to use up the last of my $5/25 printables before they expire in a few days.  I have over $130 in UP Rewards and I need to spend them on something over the next few days.

If you are purchasing/receiving inserts every week and you have the latest P&G inserts then you can do the following deals: Pantene, Old Spice body sprays, Gillette Clinical deodorants, and Gillette Fusion razors.  If you have the $100 flu coupon booklet then the Gillette Clinical deodorant deal is a huge moneymaker and you can also purchase the Nyquil Sinex!

UPDATE:  I went out last night to try and spend some of my UP Rewards while the $5/25 was still in date.  I just have a few more days until it expires and the end of an era comes to a close (so to speak).  That coupon was almost as good as the $6 off pork wyb charcoal Q from two summers ago (almost)!

UPDATE#2: Went out again today since we passed a Rite-Aid on the way home; had to exchange some makeup for a different color.  I picked up another set of Olay and Revitalift wipes as I'm still trying to spend the rest of my UP Rewards.  I use these products every day and I have a nice little stockpile built up.  So happy to get them for FREE with my UP Rewards since they are usually around $20 a piece.
Here are some of my transactions:

Buy 8 Pantene @ $3.50 ea.
- use four "Free Pantene 12.5 oz shampoo WYB full size product," 11/28 PG
- use two $3/2 Pantene product, 12/26 PG
- use $5/25 here
= Pay using $3 in UP Rewards, Get back $4 in UP Rewards ($1 moneymaker)

Buy 4 Gillette Clinical @ $7.99 ea.
- use two B1G1 Free coupons from 12/26 PG (max. value $4.99 ea).
- use two $3/1 coupons from 12/26 PG
- use $5/25 here
= Throw in a $.25 cent Andes mint and pay using an $11 UP Reward, Get back $12 in UP Rewards ($1 moneymaker; add in the $3/1 Gillette Clinical Rite-Aid Q from the Flu booklet and you'll make another $12...don't forget to throw in $7 in merchandise to absorb the extra Rite-Aid coupons if you use them).

Buy 8 Old Spice Body Sprays @ $4.00 ea.
- use two B1G1 Free coupons from 12/26 PG
- use $5/25 here
= Pay using $11 in UP Rewards, Get back $12 in UP Rewards ($1 moneymaker)

Buy 4 Gillette Fusion Razors @ $9.97 ea.
- use four $4/1 Gillette Fusion Razor from 12/26 PG
- use $5/25 here
= Throw in a $.25 cent Andes mint and pay using $19 in UP Rewards, Get back $20 in UP Rewards ($1 moneymaker)

Buy 5 Nyquil Sinex @ $5.00 ea.
- use four $4/1 Nyquil Sinex from 12/26 PG
- use four $2/1 Nyquil Sinex Rite-Aid Q's from flu booklet
- use $5/25 here
= Throw in $4 in merchandise and pay tax and Get $2 in UP Rewards (limit of 1)...$2 moneymaker!

TOTAL: $988.99

TOTAL AFTER COUPONS AND REBATES:  $.36 cents

SAVINGS: 99%

NOTE: There is a $20 rebate on the Olay and Pantene.  Buy $50, get $20 here.  I qualified for two rebates in these purchases which puts my balance at $.36 cents total after rebates.  I will send in one for a friend of mine that doesn't coupon so that she can receive a nice surprise in the mail.

NOTE: I could not figure out the hidden UP Reward for the Harvard Square products.  I bought 5 products expecting that each of them would produce a $2 UP Reward and I only received one $2 UP Reward that said A&W (apparently the UP Reward is produced for every two A&W and Harvard products).  I'm totally confused and will have to read up about this deal on message boards over the next few days.  I don't think these products are advertised in our market so we'll just have to wait and see what happens as others report in on this deal.

NOTE: The $.99 cent rulers are a good filler item this week.  If you purchase 2, then they produce a $2 UP Reward.  If you have reached the 20% wellness discount then you can fill in with several of the foam products shown in my shop.  Many of them are $2.99 or less.  Purchase two for $4.78 total and receive back a $5 UP Reward.  I'm so glad I hit the 20% wellness discount a few weeks ago.  It will really help me next year to purchase some items for free that I wouldn't normally be able to purchase. 

Rite-Aid, 12/19-12/25

I finally made it to Rite-Aid last night!  I prepared for my shop pretty quickly this week, however, it took me over 3 hours to shop last night.  I just wasn't on my game.  I had several things going against me.

I was tired.

I was sick.

I was sleepy from my allergy medicine.

I was walking down the aisles throwing things into my cart and about an hour into my shop I started to feel pretty crummy.  I didn't realize when I started the shop that I was getting sick.  I really wanted to just quit and go home but I couldn't fathom going back and putting everything away so I decided to plow forward.  I was having a very difficult time doing my calculations (thank heavens for calculators.....I don't know how I could live without mine).  I'm totally shocked that I made it through my shops last night.  I was literally there until they closed at 11:00pm. 

I know....11:00pm. 

Anyway, I ended up doing pretty well despite my freaky state of mind.  I paid very little out of pocket and I made about $25 in UP Rewards so it was a good shop.  I came home and unloaded my stuff and snapped a picture and went to bed (insert more medications).

Feeling a little better this morning.....

OK, here's the shop:

MONEYMAKERS
3 Clearasil Overnight Serum $5.24 (clearance price) - thanks for the tip Lily
- $5/1 in-ad Rite-Aid coupon
- $2/1 peelies (found on the products)
- prints $2 UP Reward
= FREE + $3.76 overage ea. after UP Reward

1 Motrin PM 20ct. $5.39 w/10% wellness discount (regularly $5.99)
- $2/1 Motrin in-ad coupon
- $2/1 Motrin PM from November All You or $1/1 printable
- $1/1 Motrin PM, Rite-Aid VV printable
- prints $3 UP Reward
= FREE + $2.61 overage after UP Reward

2 NatureMade Fish Oil $10.49 ea. (B1G1 Free)
- $3/1 NatureMade Fish Oil Rite-Aid printable
- $7/1 NatureMade manufacturer Q printable (can print this coupon when you have 500 wellness reward points on Naturemade.com; I only had one coupon)
= FREE + $2.51 overage wyb 2

8 Schick Disposable razors $1.29 & $.64 cents (B1G1 50% off)
- $2/1 any Schick disposable razor 12/5 SS or $1/1 any Schick disposable 11/21SS
= FREE + $2.07 overage wyb 2

4 Command 3M products $2.99 ea. (sale price)
- $2/1 Command product, Rite-Aid VV printable
- $1.50/1 Command product from Publix Winter Family Savings Booklet or $1/1 from 11/14 SS
= prints $1 UP Reward wyb 2 (not advertised)
= FREE + $2.02 overage wyb 2 after UP Reward

4 Vick's Vaporub $4 ea. (sale price)
- $2/1 Vick's Vaporub, from Rite-Aid $128 Clip and Save booklet
- $1.50/2 coupon from inside package of Vick's product
- prints $3 UP Reward wyb 2
= FREE + $.50 cents overage wyb 2 after UP Reward

4 Skittles $.50 cents ea. (sale price)
- $.25/1 Skittles, Rite-Aid VV printable
- $.50/2 Skittles printable
- prints $1 UP Reward
= FREE + $.50 cents overage wyb 2 after UP Reward

4 Oreo Sandwich 2 oz. $.71 cents w/10% wellness discount (regularly $.79 cents)
- $.50/1 any Nabisco cookie, Rite-Aid VV printable
- $.55/1 any Oreo cookie printable
= FREE + $.34 cents overage

6 Uncle Ben's Ready Rice $1.99 ea. (sale price)
- $1/1 peelies (peeled about 6 months ago)
- $.30/1 Uncle Ben's, Rite-Aid VV printable
- prints $1 UP Reward
= FREE + $.30 cents overage after UP Reward

STOCKPILE
2 Band-Aid 20-25ct. package $2.50 ea. (sale price)
- $2/1 peelie found on First Aid packages
- prints $1 UP Reward wyb 2
= FREE

8 Kit Kat Bars $.50 cents ea (sale price)
- B1G1 Reese's, Kit Kat or any Hershey's Candy Bar wyb Reese's Peanut Butter Cups 12/12 SS
- prints $1 UP Reward wyb 4
= FREE after UP Reward

4 Milky Way $.50 cents ea. (sale price)
- $.50/2 Milky Way printable
- prints $1 UP Reward wyb 4
= FREE after UP Reward

2 Puffs w/Lotion $1.69 (sale price)
- Buy two Vick's products, get Puffs FREE (up to $1.99)
= FREE

4 Beano Meltaways 15ct. $4 ea. (sale price)
- $2/1 Beano product, Rite-Aid VV printable
- $1/1 Beano product printable (click on orange circle on right that says "save)"
- prints $2 UP Reward wyb 2
= FREE after UP Reward wyb 2

4 Hormel Bacon Bits $1.50 ea. (sale price)
- $.50/1 Hormel Bacon, Rite-Aid VV printable
- $.55/2 Hormel Bacon printable
- prints $1 UP Reward wyb 2
= $.22 cents ea. after UP Reward wyb 2

Hershey's Deal - buy six bags of the Hershey's that are on sale
6 Bags of Hershey's Kisses and Reeses $2.50 ea. (sale price)
- B2G1 Free Q from 12/5 SS
- $1/2 Hershey's Kisses 7.5 oz or larger printable
- $1/2 Hershey's Holiday Kisses, Rite-Aid VV printable
- $1/2 Reese's Holiday, Rite-Aid VV printable
- prints $1 UP Reward wyb 2
= $.33 cents ea. after UP Reward wyb 6 (use two B2G1, two $1/2 man., three $1/2 store Q's)

1 College Inn Broth $.88 cents (sale price)

- $.50/1 College Inn Broth, Rite-Aid VV printable

= $.33 cents ea.

3 Sweet'n low $1.99 ea. (sale price)
- $1/1 Sweet'n low, from Rite-Aid $128 Clip and Save booklet
- $.35/1 Sweet'n low printable
= $.65 cents ea.

1 L'Oreal Healthy Look $8.99 ea.(sale price)
- $2/1 in-ad coupon
- $2/1 L'Oreal Healthy Look, Rite-Aid VV printable
- $2/1 L'Oreal Healthy Look, from Rite-Aid $128 Clip and Save booklet
- $2/1 L'Oreal Healthy Look Q from 10/17 RP or 10/24 RP
= $.99 cents

2 Benefiber Kiwi/Strawberry Drink packets $6.74 w/10% discount (regularly $7.49)

- $1/1 Benefiber, Rite-Aid VV printable
- $4/1 Benefiber printable 
- $2 SCR Rebate (UPDATE: these did qualify for the rebate! - limit of 3 on rebate)
= $1.07 ea.

4 Revitalift products $6.99 & $3.49 (B1G1 50%)

- $3/2 L'Oreal skincare product 10/24 RP

- prints $5 UP Reward wyb 2
= $1.24 ea. after UP Reward

2 Ghirardelli bags $2.50 ea. (sale price)
- $.75/1 Ghirardelli printable and printable
- prints $1 UP Reward wyb 2
= $1.25 ea. after UP Reward

2 Reese's Pieces $2.50 ea. (sale price)
- $1/1 Reese's Pieces, Rite-Aid VV printable (no longer available to view)
= $1.50 ea.

Planters Deal - Buy $15 in select product and get a $5 UP Reward
4 Planters $3.88 ea. (sale price)
- $1/1 any planters printable (click on "like" when you get to the facebook page, then click on the Holiday Party tab, then click on the arrow in the center of the picture to "join the party," then click to the right of Mr. Peanut on the 3 tier-tray picture, then click on the empty dish, then get the coupon...whew)!
- prints $5 UP Reward wyb $15 in select product
= $1.63 ea. after UP Reward wyb $15 in select product

4 Revlon Nail color $4.79 & $2.39 (B1G1 50%)

no coupons

- prints $3 UP Reward - Limit 1; didn't see this limit; thought they would be $.59 cents ea.
= $2.84 ea. after UP Reward

THINGS I NEEDED
Conair and Scunci deal - Buy $20 in product, get $10 UP Reward
3 Conair Brushes $8.54, $8.09, $5.66 w/10% wellness discount (regularly $9.49, $8.99, $6.29)
no coupons
- prints $10 UP Reward
= $4.09 ea. after $10 UP Reward wyb $20 in product

FILLER ITEMS

4 Tide travel size detergent $1.29 & $.64 (B1G1 50%)
- $1/1 any Tide from 11/28 PG or $1/1 from home mailer
= FREE

1 Andes Mint $.25 cents

no coupons

= $.25 cents

1 Kit Kat $.50 cents

no coupons

= $.50 cents

8 transactions using eight $5/25 printables 

TOTAL: $376.00
TOTAL AFTER COUPONS AND REBATES $9.90
SAVINGS:  96%

NOTE: I apparently didn't read the B1G1 Reese's, Kit Kat or Hersheys wyb Reese's coupon very well.  I thought that it was a Buy any candy, get any candy coupon but it was more specific (buy a Reese's get a Reeses, Kit Kat or Hershey's).

NOTE: I'll be taking back 3 of the Revlon nail care items since they did not generate UP Rewards (limit of 1 for this deal).

NOTE: I have a new category called "FILLER ITEMS."  These are things that I threw in to bring my balance to $25 so that I could use a $5/25 and buy the things that I want/need.  I also threw in filler items so that I could use an UP Reward (sometimes I miscalculate and my UP Reward beeps because it has been applied to tax and I have to throw in something so that I can use it).

NOTE: If you need deodorant then the Mitchum is B1G1 50% off.  Here is a scenario for FREE deodorant:

2 Mitchum Deodorant $3.99 and $1.99
- use two $2/1 Rite-Aid printables
- submit for SCR Rebate for $2 wyb 2 Mitchum here
= FREE

NOTE: Just found out that the Benefiber rebate is a limit of 3.  I saved another $4 so I re-adjusted my totals.

One more shop and then I'm moving on for awhile.....

I'm planning on doing one more shop before the end of the year and then I am going to take a long break from the "extreme" side of things in the couponing world.  I may do a quick shop here and there but I won't be posting my results here. 

I often take long breaks from couponing once my stockpile is built up so that I can focus on having more fun with my family.  I hope you've enjoyed reading the posts here over the last three months. 

I am planning on doing my last "official" Rite-Aid shop tonight and I will post my results either tonight or tomorrow morning.

Please leave a comment if you have benefited from these posts (you can read about how to do that HERE if you are unsure).  If you don't have a google account you can leave a comment by choosing "Name/URL" from the drop down box or you can choose "anonymous" (just make sure you sign your name if you leave a comment as anonymous).  I really appreciate hearing from my readers.  It takes a very long time to post these shops and it encourages me to know that people are actually reading the posts and using the information.  Thank you to those of you who have been faithful to post comments; they are very much appreciated.

$5/25 Coupon active again starting tomorrow!

Apparently, Rite-Aid is re-instating the $5/25 coupon tomorrow according to their facebook page.  So, pull out your $5/25 coupons and get shopping before they expire on 12/31/10!  I'll post here later re: my experience using them tomorrow.

Here's the post from their facebook page:

We appreciate you bringing the issue you’re having with the $5 off $25 coupon to our attention. We have listened and are taking action to correct this issue. You can resume using your coupons starting tomorrow (December 17, 2010).

Thank you to my reader Christa for alerting us to this change.  Here's the printable coupon if you need it!

4th UPDATE: Rite-Aid 12/12 - 12/18

Managed to stay up for a few hours last night to prepare for my shop today.  Normally, I would be setting aside coupons for my upcoming shops weeks in advance but I am behind since I have been out of town. 

I had to take the children with me today so it took me an hour longer than usual to shop.  I am usually in and out of the store in 1.5 hours......but not today.  I made a rookie mistake today that cost me dearly while shopping.

I forgot to bring the goldfish.

Lack of goldfish = a much more difficult shop (insert intermittent screaming and crying).  It's nearly impossible for me to do math calculations when my children have reached the "point of no return" stage.  

Prepping for a shop

I thought I would take a moment to tell all of you how I am preparing for my shops lately.  This may or may not help you to shop more quickly but it really helps me.

I have decided to cut up the ad and glue or tape the items that I am interested in onto copy paper.  When my shop is organized on paper then I can zoom to each section of the store and look at everything at once instead of going back and forth through the store to get what I need.  This method also saves me the effort of having to scan through the ad constantly to read about the details of the deal. 

Since I have been shopping at the same two stores for the last two months I have begun to memorize the aisles of my stores.  I have found that taking 10 minutes to cut up everything and put it on a few pages ensures that I won't miss something while I'm in the store.  I take these pages with me to the store so that I can quickly throw $25 transactions into my cart (instead of carrying the full ad with me everywhere).  I am a very visual person and the text list from southernsavers.com is hard for me to follow in the store (I still use her list to gather my coupons the day of the sale).  The sheets that I create include all of the details of the deal including which size and/or items are included in the sale.  Eventually, I will just scan the ad into an editing program and just cut and paste what I need but until I obtain the technology to do this on a computer the old school method of cutting with scissors and pasting with a glue stick works for me.

I just started organizing my shops this way and I am really enjoying my time in the store more.  I take a sharpie with me and I write down the price of the items in my cart on the sheet so that I can divide my shop into $25 transactions.  After I purchase those items I cross them off the sheet so that I know what is left.  Again, this may not work for you but it is immensely helpful to me especially when shopping with small children. 

OK, here's the deal:
MONEYMAKERS
4 Colgate Sensitive 6oz. $3.50 ea. (sale price)
- $.75/1 any Colgate 4oz. or larger 12/5 SS
- prints $3.50 UP Reward
= FREE + $.75 overage after UP Reward

36 Ecotools Spa & Bathcare Accessories $1.99-$6.49 ea. (B1G1 50%)
no coupons
- prints $5 UP Reward wyb 2
= FREE + $2.00 overage wyb 2 tools @ $1.99 ea. (second one rings at $.99 cents) after UP Reward

26 Rite-Aid Invisible Tape & Gift Wrap Tape @ $1.49 ea. (B1G1)
no coupons
- prints $1 UP Reward
= FREE + $.51 overage wyb 2 after UP Reward

2 Revlon Nail Files $.75 cents (40% off sale) - regular price is $1.25
- no coupons
- prints $2 UP Reward wyb 2
= FREE + $.50 overage wyb 2 after UP Reward

4 Band-Aid Assorted $2.63 (20% off sale price; regularly $3.29)
- $2/1 peelies found on the black-box First-Aid products (the multi-day wound pads)
- prints $3 UP wyb $10 in product
= FREE + $.48 cents overage after UP Reward wyb 4

8 Foamie craft kits $2.29, $2.99 and $4.99 (B1G1 50%)
- $5/2 Foamie craft kits, Rite-Aid VV printable (beeped at register but cashier pushed through)
= FREE + $.51-$1.57 overage

3 John Frieda trial size shampoo $1.34 w/ ea. w/10% wellness discount ($1.49 regular price)
- $5 SCR Rebate wyb 3 John Frieda
= FREE + $.98 cents overage after rebate

8 "great value" puzzle 100-ct. $.74 cents (25% off sale price; regular price $.99 cents)
no coupons
- prints $2 UP Reward
= FREE + $1.26 overage after UP Reward

2 "great value" Disney figurines $.74 cents (25% off sale price; regular price $.99 cents)
no coupons
- prints $2 UP Reward
= FREE + $1.26 overage after UP Reward

STOCKPILE
1 Photo Frame $1.11 (25% off sale price)
no coupons
- prints $1 UP Reward
= $.11 cents

10 Rite-Aid Envelopes (assorted) $2.29 ea. (B1G1)
no coupons
- prints $1 UP Reward
= $.15 cents ea. after UP Reward wyb 2

3 Trident Layers $.97 cents ea. (sale price)
- $.50/1 Trident, Rite-Aid VV printable
= $.47 ea.

Hershey's Deal - buy $15 in select Hershey's products, get $5 UP Reward
4 Hershey's Pot of Gold $3.99 ea. (sale price)
- $1/1 Hershey's Pot of Gold printable or 12/5 SS
- prints $5 UP Reward wyb 15 (purchase 4 boxes)
- send in for $5 Rebate here
= $.49 cents ea. after rebate and UP Reward wyb 4 boxes

1 Almay Eye Pencil $4.49 ea. (40% off sale price)
- $2/1 Almay Eye, Rite-Aid VV printable
- $2 SCR Rebate (input online at riteaid.com)
= $.49 ea. after rebate

Baking Deal - buy $12 in Baking products, get $3 UP Reward
6 Betty Crocker Cookie Mixes @ $2.00 ea (sale price)
- $1/2 Betty Crocker Baking item, Rite-Aid VV printable
- $.40/1 Betty Crocker Cookie Mix printable or printable or printable or 11/14 GM, 11/21 SS, 12/5 GM
- prints $3 UP Reward wyb $12 of products
= $.60 cents ea. wyb 6 after UP Reward

Baking Deal - buy $12 in Baking products, get $3 UP Reward
6 Jif Peanut Butter @ $2.00 ea (sale price)
- $1/2 Jif Peanut Butter, Rite-Aid VV printable
- $1 off any peanut butter wyb 2 Rice Krispies printable (no longer available)
- prints $3 UP Reward wyb $12 of products
= $.83 cents ea. wyb 6 after UP Reward

4 KushyFoot Socks $3.99 ea. (B1G1 50%)
- $2/1 KushyFoot, Rite-Aid VV printable (no longer available to watch)
= $.99 cents ea.

32 Zicam $7.99 ea. (sale price)
- $2/1 Zicam (booklet found at the back by the pharmacy on a zicam stand-alone display)
- prints $4 UP Reward
= $.99 cents ea.

2 Planters peanuts 16oz. $4.49 (B1G1)
- $1/1 any planters printable (click on "like" when you get to the facebook page, then click on the Holiday Party tab, then click on the arrow in the center of the picture to "join the party," then click to the right of Mr. Peanut on the 3 tier-tray picture, then click on the empty dish, then get the coupon...whew)!
= $1.24 ea.

2 Ghirardelli pouches $2.50 ea. (sale price)
- $.75/1 printable or $.50/1 printable or $1/2 dark pouches printable or $1/2 seasonal printable
- prints $1 UP Reward wyb 2
= $1.25 ea. after UP Reward wyb 2

2 Rice Krispies 9oz. $1.88 ea. (sale price)
- $1/2 Rice Krispies printable
= $1.38 ea.

Revlon Colorstay Deal - buy 3 items, get $3 UP Reward
3 Revlon Colorstay Lipsticks $2.49 ea. (75% clearance price)
no coupons
- prints $3 UP Reward wyb 3
= $1.49 ea. after UP Reward

2 Act Mouthwash 18oz. $3.99 ea. (sale price)
- $1/1 from Safeway Fall Savings booklet
- prints $1 UP Reward
= $1.99 ea. after UP Reward

L'Oreal Deal - buy $15 in L'Oreal cosmetics or skincare, get $5 UP Reward
4 L'Oreal Revitalift Cleansing Cloths $7.19 ea. (B1G1 50%)
- $2/1 any L'Oreal Revitalift printable or 10/24 RP
- prints $5 UP Reward wyb $15 in product
= $2.14 ea. after UP Reward wyb $15 in product

THINGS I NEEDED:
2 Aquaphor 3oz. $7.99 (B1G1 50%)
- no coupons
- prints $3 UP Reward wyb 2
= $4.49 ea. after UP Reward wyb 2

Revlon Colorstay Deal - buy 3 items, get $3 UP Reward
3 Revlon Colorstay Mineral Powder Foundation $3.49 (75% off clearance)
no coupons
- prints $3 UP Reward wyb 3 products
= $2.49 ea.

3 Martinelli Sparkling Cider $1.66 ea.
no coupons
= $1.66 ea.

1 Candy Cane box $1.00 ea.
no coupons
= $1.00 ea.
1 Sesame Numbers Flashcard $2.65 ea. w/10% wellness discount (regularly $2.95)
no coupons
= $2.65 ea.

2 Hello Kitty Book & Sesame Street Book $3.59 ea. w/10% wellness discount (regularly $4.99)
no coupons
= $3.59 ea.

1 Tussin Expectorant $4.49 ea. w/10% wellness discount (regularly $4.99)
no coupons
= $4.49 ea.

1 Folex Carpet $5.29 ea. (sale price)
no coupon
= $5.29 ea.

2 Ultimate Skill Builder Builder Books $5.39 w/10% wellness discount (regularly $5.99)
no coupons
= $5.39 ea.

1 Rite-Aid brand Cetirizine Child $8.99 ea. w/10% wellness discount (regularly $9.99)
no coupons
= $8.99 ea.

1 Rite-Aid Hemorrhoid Cream 1.8oz. $8.99 ea. w/10% wellness discount (regularly $9.99)
no coupons
= $8.99 ea.

1 Crayola Neon Color Explosion $11.99 (B1G1 50%, I only bought one though)
no coupons - splurge purchase for my daughter for "helping" me in the store the last few days.
= $11.99 ea.

2 Crayola Color Explosion DLX 13.99 ea. & Crayola Crayons 96Ct $3.99 ea. (B1G1 50%)
no coupons
= $13.99 and $3.99 ea.

21 transactions using sixteen $5/25 printables, two $4/20 printables (no longer available to view), and one $3/20 printables Rite Aid coupons

TOTAL: $1014.86
TOTAL AFTER COUPONS AND REBATES: $34.49
SAVINGS:  97%

- For more coupon combinations please go to Southernsavers.com. 
- Click on any of the picture aboves  to expand them for a more-detailed view
- All of my values above assume that you are using the highest dollar value coupon listed.  My balance reflects the rolling of my UP Rewards into the deal.  The total after coupons and rebates is exactly what I will pay out of pocket including tax.

NOTE: I'm not actually sure if the frame that I purchased generated the $1 UP Reward.  The ad states photo albums and frames but this was technically a refrigerator magnet frame.  I'm not even sure if the UP Reward printed as I was pretty busy in the store and if it did generate I probably already spent it on another transaction.  So, if you have tested out this refrigerator magnet frame in your shop please report back here whether or not it generated the $1 UP Reward.  Thanks!

NOTE: The Rite-Aid store on Watt and Arden is no longer taking the $5/25 coupon that expires on 12/31/10.  The coupon rings up as .1 cent now.  I went to a few other stores today and the coupon rang up as $5 so I'm not sure why it is working at some stores but not working at other stores.  If you know the answer to this question then please post it in the comments section.  Thanks!  Just be aware that the coupon may or may not scan at your store.  I'm afraid the really amazing deals may be coming to an end with the loss of the $5/25 coupon.  You will still be able to get really good deals but you may not have as much of an opportunity to make money from your transactions. UDPATE 12/18: The $5/25 is working again; showing up as a regular coupon (not as invalid).

NOTE: If you have never tried Betty Crocker's Sugar Cookie mix then you are missing out.  My good friend Lori Bynes from Nashville told me about this cookie mix.  She told me that this cookie mix is better than anything that she has ever made from scratch and I have to agree.  She is always right about these things.  Love you Lori and miss you!

2nd & 3rd Picture: The "great value" puzzle and disney figurines were found in the Christmas toy section with all of the other great value toys (I had to keep looking until I found them; they are small items and are difficult to see).  The Foamies are located in the arts and crafts section of the store by the crayola stuff.  The cheaper foamie products were hanging instead of laying on the shelves so make sure you look around when you find the foamie kits.

4th Picture: I'm trying to get to 1000 points on my wellness card before the end of the year so I decided to go and do a shop today to just purchase things that we needed in our stockpile that are missing (i.e. Cetirizine, Tussin and hemorrhoid cream).  We also purchased some fun stuff for Savannah to do while we drive to San Diego next week to visit my brother (i.e. crayola stuff and preschool stuff).  This is a great strategy to employ if you are trying to use up some of your extra UP Rewards.  We had 98 UP Rewards that we earned throughout the last few months and I needed to use some of them before they expired.  I'm not really sure that I understand how the wellness points are calculated, however, I have 62 more points to go until I reach the Gold level where I will receive 20% off of everything.  If you understand how the wellness points are calculated can you please leave a comment explaining it here.  Thanks!

5th Picture: I did some reading about the wellness program this afternoon and I just now figured out how the points are calculated.  You earn points based upon the cash that you spent out of pocket plus the manufacturer coupons that you used (you do not get points for any Rite-Aid coupons including the UP Rewards).  I decided to head back out to Rite-Aid tonight to get the 60 points that I needed to make the gold level so that I could get 20% off on my future purchases at Rite-Aid next year.  If you make the Gold level before 12/31/10 you get the 20% discount all year next year.  I purchased 30 Zicam cold remedies to get to the gold level because I could use a $2/1 manufacturer coupon with each one; I gave away 8 of the Zicam to the cashiers that helped me.  I may take a break from couponing for awhile now that I've reached the gold level.  I want to spend my time doing something else for a little while but will surely return after a hiatus.  Evie, I'm sure you will laugh when you see all of this Zicam.  You can have more than two of these if you would like.  LOL.

Rite-Aid, 12/5-12/11

I managed to pull a shop together yesterday afternoon and I headed out last night to get a few things.  The details of this shop won't help you since the sale is already over but I thought I would post anyway just for good measure (and inspiration for some of you that are still interested in learning how to shop this way).

TOTAL: $300.84
TOTAL AFTER COUPONS AND REBATES:  $.41 cents
SAVINGS: 99%

NOTE: I noticed a change in the way that some of Rite-Aid's coupons are printed.  The coupons that are found in your online Wellness Rite-Aid account when you log into their website are no longer multiple-use coupons.  I was always able to print several copies of the coupons that I found in my wellness account online and use mulitiple copies in the store.  They are now one-time use coupons.  Just wanted to give everyone a heads up; I tried to use two Thermacare Rite-Aid Q's and two NatureMade Rite-Aid Q's last night and the second one beeped indicating that I had already used it.  They have now become like most of the video values Q's in that they are now one-time use.

NOTE: Just found out that there is a $5 Rebate wyb $15 of Pot of Gold chocolates.  That puts my OOP at .41 cents.  Sometimes I just have to laugh out loud at the savings.  :)

Shop this week.....

We're heading out of town again this week and I'm not planning on doing a shop on Sunday.  Just wanted to let everyone know so that you don't spend too much time lurking on the site waiting for it!

We're headed to see the mouse.

Have a great weekend!

UPDATED: Rite-Aid, 11/28-12/4

I was pretty exhausted while doing this shop today.  I stayed up way too late last night to get all of our stuff unpacked and put away after our week-long vacation to Utah.  We really didn't plan on returning last night.  We set out on Saturday fully expecting that we would be home by nightfall.  We hit another blizzard in Winnemucca, NV at around 6:00pm so we had to spend the night in a hotel.  

After I unpacked everything I realized that I hadn't planned for my shop so I decided to stay up and gather all of my coupons.  I kept finding good deals so I continued to clip and clip and clip.  Well, let's just say that I didn't hit my pillow until very late.  I'll sleep really, really well tonight.

I wanted to make sure that I did a shop today because I really wanted to throw in the two play tents for the girls.  I love play tents and I thought that they would have fun connecting them together to build their own little fort.  They might even like to sleep in them tonight.  That makes me smile.  

I'm still thanking the Lord that little Sydney fell asleep in the double stroller as I was shopping; I really didn't think that she would last and then I looked down and saw her sleeping and I prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for God's goodness to me today especially since I am so tired.  Savannah happily sat in the stroller and watched cartoons on the iTouch.  These are the little strategies that I employ while shopping with my small children.  I also bring plenty of juice (a special treat in our house) and lots of goldfish.  If you have any special tips that you employ to keep your children occupied please share them in the comments.  I'm sure we would all love to hear them! 

Ok, here's the shop:  

MONEYMAKERS

4 Lysol Wipes $3.49 ea. (B1G1)

- $1.50/1 Lysol Wipes 35ct., from Rite-Aid $128 Clip and Save booklet

- $1/1 any Lysol, Rite-Aid VV printable

- $1/2 Lysol Wipes printable or 11/7 SS

= FREE + $2.51 overage wyb 2

4 No Nonsense Pantyhose $2.79 ea. (B1G1)

- $1/1 No Nonsense, from Rite-Aid $128 Clip and Save booklet

- $1/1 No Nonsense Man. Q from Publix Winter Savings Booklet

- $1.50/1 No Nonsense, Rite-Aid VV printable

= FREE + $4.21 overage wyb 2

4 Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste $2.50 ea. (sale price)

- $1/1 Crest Pro-Health, from Rite-Aid $128 Clip and Save booklet

- $1/1 Crest toothpaste from 10/31 PG (expires 11/30) or $.75/1 from 11/28 PG

- $1 off $10 purchase of oral care Rite Aid printable

- prints $1 UP Reward wyb 2

= FREE + $1.00 overage wyb 2

1 Halls Cough Drops 80ct. $2.99 ea. (sale price)

- FREE Halls Cough Drops Q from playing the Halls game here (up to $2 value)

- $1/1 any Halls Cough Drops Q, Rite-Aid VV printable (no longer available to view)

- prints $2 UP Reward

= FREE + $2.00 overage

Secret & Olay Bath Bar Deal - thanks Lori at Dixie Clip!

18 Trial Size Secret $1.16 w/10% wellness discount  ($1.29 regular price)

18 Olay Bath Bars $3.74 & $1.74 (B1G1 50%)
- $5 off one Secret product and One Olay Bath bar 10/31 PG
= FREE + $2.20 overage wyb 2secret trial size and 2 olay bath bar

 STOCKPILE

4 Fusion ProGlide $9.00 ea. (sale price) - Limit 2 offers per card

- $4/1 Fusion ProGlide Q from 11/28 PG

- prints $5 UP Reward

= FREE after UP Reward 

6 Lysol Spray 12.5oz $3.50 ea. (sale price)

- $2/1 Lysol Spray, from Rite-Aid $128 Clip and Save booklet

- $1/1 Lysol Spray printable or 11/7 SS

- prints $1 UP Reward wyb 2

= FREE after UP Reward wyb 2

10 Gillette Deoderants $3.50 ea. (sale price)

- $2/1 any Gillette Deoderant 11/28 PG

- B2G1 any Gillette Deoderant 11/28 PG

- prints $2 UP Reward wyb 2

= .05 cents ea. after UP Reward (used three B2G1 and seven $2/1 Q's) 

8 Old Spice Deodorants $3.50 ea. (sale price)

- B1G1 Free coupon from the P&G A Year of Savings Booklet

- $1/2 Old Spice Deodorants from 11/28 PG

- prints $2 UP Reward wyb 2

= $.50 cents ea. after UP Reward wyb 2

Olay Bath and Skin B1G1 50% - this was a totally weird deal and I have no idea how it calculated the 50%; I've listed the prices below but don't know which items rang up full price and which items rang up at 50% off; I think I messed up the deal by throwing in lotion items that were already on 50% clearance.  Even I was confused in the end......but I still got a great deal!!

4 Olay Lotions ($5.99, $2.75, $3.74, $3.74)

4 Olay Body Wash ($6.99, $4.49, $2.99, $2.49)

- $2/1 Olay Body Wash, from Rite-Aid $128 Clip and Save booklet

- $1/1 Olay Body Wash Q from 10/31 PG (expires 11/30)

- FREE Olay lotion wyb Olay body wash, 11/28 PG

- $1 off $10 of skincare Rite-Aid printable

= $.49 cents ea.

4 Zicam Cold & Allergy products $11.99 ea. (B1G1)

- $2/1 Zicam product (found brochure in pharmacy area) or 10/24 SS

- $1 off $10 purchase of allergy care Rite Aid printable or $1 off $10 purchase of cold care printable

- prints $2 UP Reward

= $1.50 ea. after UP Reward

THINGS I NEEDED:

2 No Nonsense Tights $4.99 (B1G1)

- $1/1 No Nonsense, from Rite-Aid $128 Clip and Save booklet

- $1.50/1 No Nonsense, Rite-Aid VV printable

= FREE

2 Discovery Kids Play Tents $14.99 ea. (sale price)

no coupons

- prints $2 UP Reward

= $12.99 ea.

2 Cetaphil products $11.49 & $4.24 (B1G1 50%)

- $2/1 cetaphil product printable

- prints $5 UP Reward wyb 2

= $3.36 ea.

2 Nexxus products $9.89 & $10.79 w/10% wellness discount ($10.99 & $11.99 regular price)

- $5/1 Nexxus product, Rite-Aid in-ad coupon

- $2/1 Nexxus product, from Rite-Aid $128 Clip and Save booklet

- $2/1 Nexxus product, Rite-Aid VV printable

= $1.34 ea.

9 transactions using seven $5/25 Rite-Aid printables

TOTAL: $489.33

REBATES: $20 P&G Rebate

TOTAL AFTER COUPONS AND REBATES: $6.23

SAVINGS:  101%

- For more coupon combinations please go to Southernsavers.com. 
- Click on the picture above  to expand it for a more-detailed view
- All of my values above assume that you are using the highest dollar value coupon listed.  My balance reflects the rolling of my UP Rewards into the deal.  The total after coupons and rebates is exactly what I will pay out of pocket including tax.

NOTE: Pat G. - picked up some more stockings for the girls (hope I'm buying the right size but if not then you can just exchange them when you go back to Rite-Aid).  Will try and get them to you via someone at Grace Bible!  Hope ya'll are doing well.  Think of you often.

NOTE: I used the overage from my shop along with the $5/25 Q's to purchase the two Play Tents.

NOTE: The Secret and Olay products helped me to quality for the $20 Rebate found here.

Unpacking.....

Just returned from our vacation to Park City, UT.  I did a very small shop on the way home today while driving through Truckee, CA but I will have to do my BIG shop sometime tomorrow. 

We had a wonderful time and I'll try and post some photos with my shop tomorrow.  I think I am in love with Park City now.  Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving.  Looking forward to hearing from all of you.

Special mention:  Thank you for the call to wish us a safe trip Webster-mom.  It made us smile to hear from you and we felt so loved!  Hope to return your call sometime this week after we get settled back into our routine.

Special mention #2:  To my good girlfriend at GBC (and you know who you are).....there is a $5/1 Nexxus coupon in the weekly ad this week and there are $2/1 coupons in the flu booklet.  If you use a $5/25 Q and throw in some Nexxus I'm sure you'll get a good deal.  The Color Ensure Shampoo is $15.99.  If you buy two your scenario will look like this:

2 Color Ensure Nexxus @ $15.99 ea.
- Two $5/1 Nexxus in-ad Q
- Two $2/1 Nexxus Q from flu booklet
- $5/25 Rite-Aid Q
= $6.49 ea.  (not bad)!

PS - I have eight of the $2/1 Nexxus Q's from the flu booklet if you would like them.  Just send me an email and I will put them in the mail to you. 

Special mention #3  To my other good friend at GBC (and YOU know who YOU are).....the no-nonsense is going to be B1G1 this week.  If you still have the coupons that I gave you then you can do the following scenario:

18 pairs of No Nonsense at $2.79 ea. (B1G1 FREE) = $25.11
- use 18 (or as many as you have) of the $1/1 No Nonsense Q's that I gave you from the flu booklets
- use $1.50/1 No Nonsense Rite-Aid VV printable
- use $5/25 Rite Aid Q
= A very good deal (depending on what coupons you have left).  Could be totally free if you have several of the $1/1 flu booklet Q's.