Today at CVS

I was pleasantly surprised to find all the free after ECB items except for one still in stock at CVS today. I had only $2 in ECBs going into the week but I think my transactions worked out well.

Transaction 1:

Purchases:
Halls Naturals Cough Drops @ $2.59
Excedrin Express Gels 20ct. @ $3.99 *
2 Crest Prohealth Toothpastes 4.2 oz @ $5.98
Total: $12.56

Coupons & ECBs Used:
$.50 off Halls Cough Drops
$2.00 off Excedrin Express
2 $1 off Crest Toothpaste
$2.00 ECBs from previous visit

Total OOP: $6.06 plus tax
Total ECBs Earned: $10.58 ($2.59 for Halls, $3.99 for Excedrin, $4 for Crest)

* There was a rebate form for Excedrin Express Gels 20 ct. in the 10/19 Sunday insert. I will get a $3.99 rebate check which, after subtracting out my postage, will give me an additional $3.57 in overage and bring my OOP costs for the transaction to $2.49.

Transaction 2:

Purchases:
4 Coke 12 Packs @ $14.67
Coke 2 Liter @$1.25
3 Arm & Hammer Essentials Cleaner & Degreaser @ $8.97
Total: $24.89

Coupons & ECBs Used:
2 Buy One Coke 12 Pack Get One Free from Coke Rewards
3 $1 off Arm & Hammer Essentials from Sunday insert & internet printables
$10.58 ECBs from Transaction 1

Total OOP: $3.97 plus tax
Total ECBs Earned: $13.97 ($5 for $15 Coke purchase, $8.97 for Arm & Hammer)

This week I spent a total of $10.03 out of pocket (or only $6.46 after I get my Excedrin rebate) and I have $13.97 in ECBs for next time.

I may hit another CVS tonight when I go grocery shopping to see if they have the Benefiber freebie that was out of stock this morning. I am also looking to stock up on Advil Cold & Sinus since it is a December Monthly ECB deal ($2 ECBs per purchase, limit 3). CVS also emailed a coupon to me today for a free roll of tape or bag of pretzels which expires 12/25.

I haven't been CVSing for a long time. It feels good to be back!

CVS Freebies Today & Tomorrow Only

There are lots of free after ECBs items at CVS today and tomorrow only. I haven't been playing the drugstore game much since October. The deals haven't been that great and I have been busy. Also, my toothpaste stockpile is huge. But I am going to try to hit the store tomorrow because there are just too many freebies to pass up. Hopefully they aren't all sold out of the free stuff!

Check out all the great CVS deals over at Deal Seeking Mom.

For a great illustration on how to play the game with this week's freebies, visit Chief Family Officer.

McCormick Spice Deal at Giant

During a quick stop for Butter Flavored Crisco today, I noticed that Giant is running a promotion through the end of December on McCormick products. They had little signs posted around the McCormick spice section highlighting the deal. The deal is buy $15 of McCormick spices, extracts, and seasonings and get $5 off instantly at checkout.

I had purchased ground cloves and allspice at Super Fresh earlier in the week and I was astounded at the prices. $9.39 for the cloves and $4.99 for the allspice! Those two items were a third of my grocery bill for the week. And to make matters worse, I didn't have any coupons for them. Anyway, I picked up the same spices at Giant today for $7.99 and $3.99 AND I got a big bottle of cinnamon ($4.49) for free with the $5 off promotion. I will return my Super Fresh spices when I go shopping on Monday.

Also, Green Giant boxed veggies and Valley Fresh Steamers (no sauce variety) are on sale at Giant this week for $1. There are lots of coupons for $1 off 1 Valley Fresh Steamers and $.50 off 2 Giant boxed veggies out there from recent inserts and there are a few internet printables (coupon 1 and coupon 2 thanks, Dana) as well. You can score some free Valley Fresh Steamers and boxed veggies for $.50 each.

Visit Frugal in Virginia for all of this week's Giant deals.

Lands' End Free Shipping Till 12/21

Lands' End is offering free shipping through 12/21 with the promotion code FAST and pin 00007895.

No minimum purchase is required. Shipments arrive in 2-3 business days to most addresses and the offer cannot be combined with other promotional offers.

Happy Shopping!

Super Fresh Deals 12/19-12/25

It is not a great week for coupon match ups at Super Fresh but there are some decent prices on meats and seafood for holiday entertaining.

See the full Super Fresh Ad here.

Remember Super Fresh doubles coupons up to $.99 in value. Look for the the December Easy Solutions coupon booklet in store. The coupons in it expire on 12/25 and can be stacked (used along with) manufacturer coupons.

All the coupons listed below are from Sunday circulars unless otherwise noted.


This week's deals:

America's Choice Spiral Sliced Ham $.98 per pound with a $40 purchase (Limit 1)

Shady Brook Farms Fresh Whole Turkey $.98 per pound

Clementines 5lbs $3.99 (Limit 1)

Cooked Shrimp Half Price

Coke 12 pack Buy One Get One $5.29 ($2.65 each)

Arnold Whole Grain Bread $1.99
Easy Solutions Store Coupon Deal: Free Arnold Soft Natural Bread with Arnold Bread Purchase

Nabisco Snack or Ritz Crackers $1.99

Cracker Barrel Cheese $2.50

80% Lean Ground Beef or America's Choice Hot or Sweet Sausage $1.98 per pound

Kellers Butter 1 lb. $1.98

Birds Eye Frozen Boxed Veggies in Sauce $.68
Coupon Deal: $1 off 4 Birds Eye Veggies = $1.72 for 4 ($.43 each)

Campbell's Select Soup $1.50
Coupon Deal: $.50 off 2 Campbell's Select Soups = $2 for 2 ($1 each)

Ronzoni Pasta $.79

Campbell's Cream Soup $.75
Coupon Deal: $.35 off 4 Campbell's Cooking Soup = $2.30 for 4 ($.575 each)

Ragu Pasta Sauce $1.67
Coupon Deal: $1 off 3 Ragu Sauces = $4 for 3 ($1.33 each)

Pepsi 2 liters $1.00

Keebler Town House or Club Crackers $2.50
Coupon Deal: $1.00 off 2 Keebler Crackers = $4 for 2 ($2 each)

Kraft Cheese Bars or Shredded $2.50

Free Shipping Day- December 18th

Just in case you still have some last minute online holiday shopping to do, tomorrow is Free Shipping Day! Over 200 online merchants are offering free shipping deals tomorrow with delivery in time for Christmas. Go to freeshippingday.com for a complete list of merchants.

Each merchant has their own terms for what orders or items qualify for free shipping. For example:
- Crate and Barrel: Free shipping on orders over $100
- Discovery Channel Store: Free shipping on DVD sets
- EBgames & GameStop: Free 2 day shipping on orders over $39.99
- Kohls: Free shipping on orders over $75
- Kmart: Free shipping on orders over $49
- JC Penny: Free shipping on orders of $25 or more
- Nordstrom: Free shipping on orders of $100 or more
- The Body Shop: Free shipping on orders over $50

I didn't check out the deals at all the merchants, but the only ones I spotted that are offering free shipping on all orders were Endless.com, Shoes.com and ShoeMall.com. Check out the terms for each merchant and you might save a few bucks and have guaranteed delivery by December 24th.

Super Fresh December Easy Solutions Booklet

Super Fresh publishes an in store coupon booklet called Easy Solutions. It has store coupons and some manufacturer's coupons as well as recipes. I usually find it at the checkout counter or at the sale ad flyer stand. It isn't always available, so you may have to look around the store for a couple of trips before you come across one.

The great thing about the store coupons from Easy Solutions is that you can use them along with manufacturer's coupons on the same item. For instance, Heluva Good Cheese bars are on sale this week for $2.50 There was a $1 off 2 Heluva Good Cheese bars or dips coupon in yesterday's paper. There was also a $.50 off 1 Heluva Good Cheese bar store coupon in Easy Solutions. So I got 2 cheese bars for $3.50 by using both of the coupons. (I couldn't use 2 identical Easy Solutions cheese coupons even though I had 2 items because they are limited to one per customer. Also, the store coupons do not double.)

Usually the Easy Solutions booklet is available for viewing on the Super Fresh website, but they haven't updated it for awhile. I don't think you can print out the coupons from the website and use them at the store because they don't accept internet printable coupons.

Some other good coupons from the latest issue include:
-$.50 off Borden Cheese Singles (on sale this week for $3.99)
-Free loaf of Arnold Soft Natural Bread when you purchase an Arnold item.
-Free America's Choice Graham Cracker Pie Crust when you purchase $5 in selected baking products.
-$.40 off Pillsbury Crescent Rolls (on sale this week)
-$.30 off Tropicana OJ (on sale for $2.50 this week)
-$.50 off Reddi Whip (on sale for $2 this week)

The coupons in the December issue all expire December 25th.

Old Navy Free Shipping

Free standard shipping at Old Navy.com from Sunday, December 14th through Tuesday, December 16th. No minimum to buy. Use the promo code JOY at checkout.

Plus get 10% off your order on these dates at Old Navy.com when you spend $75. Use promo code ONHOLIDAY at check out.

Super Fresh Deals 12/12-12/18

See the full Super Fresh Ad here.

Remember Super Fresh doubles coupons up to $.99 in value.



Perdue Boneless Chicken Breast, London Broil, or 93% Lean Ground Beef Buy One Get One Free

Fresh Broccoli or Baby Bella Mushroom Buy One Get One Free

Del Monte Pineapples $2.99

College Inn Broth $.40

Philadelphia Cream Cheese Bars $.99
Coupon Deal: $1 off 3 = $1.97 for 3 ($.66 each)

Tuttorosso Pasta Sauce $.99

Barilla Pasta $.99

San Giorgio Lasagna $.99

Lipton Rice or Noodes Sides $1.00
Coupon Deal: $1 off 3 = $2 for 3 ($.66 each)

Healthy Choice Soups $1.50
Coupon Deal: $.75 off 2 = $1.50 for 2 ($.75 each)

Campbell's Cream Soup $.75
Coupon Deal: $.35 off 4 = $2.30 for 4 ($.58 each)

Del Monte Canned Veggies $.75
Coupon Deal: $1 off 2 Del Monte 50% Less Sodium = $.50 for 2 ($.25 each)
I don't know if the Less Sodium variety is part of the sale.

Wishbone Salad Dressing 8 oz. $1.00
Coupon Deal: $1 0ff 2 = $1 for 2 ($.50 each)
Oops! Coupon is only good on 16 oz bottles.

Sargento Shredded Cheese $2.00
Coupon Deal: $1 off 2 = $3 for 2 ($1.50 each)

Tree Ripe Orange Juice $2.00

Pillsbury Cinnamon, Grands or Crescent Rolls $1.66
Store Deal: Additional $3 off when you buy 6 Grands, Cinnamon or Crescent Rolls. Instant savings at checkout.
Coupon Deal: There are lots of coupons out there for this deal. For example, $.35 off 1 Crescent Roll (6 coupons) = $2.76 for 6 ($.46 each)

Birds Eye Frozen Veggies $1.00
Coupon Deal: $1 off 4 = $3 for 4 ($.75 each)


Did you see any good deals at Super Fresh this week? Leave a comment and let me know about it!

Lands' End Free Shipping Again- Today Only

Lands' End is offering free shipping again today. Use promotion code NOIRON and Pin 00005206. This code is only valid on December 12.

No minimum purchase required. Shipments arrive in 4-7 days to most addresses and the offer cannot be combined with other promotional offers.

Just like yesterday, I am not sure how many times this code & pin can be used. Usually each unique Lands' End code & pin are only good for 2 orders. This promotion did not list that standard limit.

Lands' End Free Shipping- Today Only

Free shipping today only at Lands' End! Use promotion code FLEECE and Pin 00001129.

No minimum purchase required. Usually each unique Lands' End code & pin are only good for 2 orders. This promotion did not list that standard limit. I don't know if there is a limit on the number of times this code & pin can be used. Shipments arrive in 4-7 days to most addresses and the offer cannot be combined with other promotional offers.

Saving on Holiday Gifts- Build It Yourself Lego Table

Lego tables typically retail for around $100. Find out how to make your own Lego table for about $44. The project looks really easy to do, there aren't many materials to buy and the table looks great when it is finished. Thanks to Stimey for this awesome frugal project!

Saving on Holiday Gifts- Give Used Toys

I saved $80 on my Christmas shopping this year just by sending an email. I thought the Ikea Lomsk Chair would be a perfect gift for one of my children but the $79.99 price tag put it way outside of my holiday budget. I thought that surely someone had to have one of these bright orange and red chairs and wished that they didn't. I checked Craigslist and I found one but the seller was located too far away. So I send out some emails to local parenting listservs hoping that someone would have one they wanted to sell. No one offered to sell me one but someone offered to give me one for FREE! I cleaned it up and it looks like new.

I have no problem giving my kids used toys as gifts, especially on big ticket items. It saves a lot of money, it is good for the environment and the kids don't care as long as all the pieces are there.

Sources for used toys:
Craigslist
Ebay- Watch the prices. They aren't always good.
Freecycle
Freepeats
Consignment Sales
Yard Sales
Parenting Listservs

UPDATED TO ADD: There is a discussion going on over at Baby Cheapskate about giving used gifts! Check it out here.

Laundry Detergent Samples- Perfect for Travel

I love free samples and one of my favorites is laundry detergent samples. I have an HE washer, so most of the sample aren't suitable for me to use at home but I request them anyway. They are perfect to take along when you travel. Most hotels with guest laundry facilities charge a couple dollars for a single-use package of detergent. Take some of these samples along and save yourself some cash. The packets are small and really durable (they made it through the mail in an envelope without exploding) but I still pack mine in a plastic bag, just in case.

Start stocking up for your next vacation! Request a free sample of Tide Total Care here.

More Free (& Cheap) Shipping for the Holidays

Oriental Trading- 99 cent standard shipping, no minimum order. Use coupon code WC97558. Valid through 12/15/08.

Snapfish- Free shipping on select gifts & prints. Use coupon code SHIP08. Valid through 12/11/08.

Old Navy- Free shipping and 20% off on orders of $100 or more. Use coupon code 20FREESHIP. Valid through 12/12/08.

Amazon Super Saver Shipping- 10 Days Left for Holiday Gifts

If you are planning to order holiday gifts from Amazon.com, the deadline to receive gifts by December 24th using the free Super Saver Shipping option is December 17th.

If you miss the deadline, you can still get your gifts shipped for free by signing up for an Amazon Prime trial membership. Membership entitles you to unlimited free 2 day shipping with no minimum order size. Membership to Amazon Prime is free for the first 3 months and $79 a year after that. If you cancel your membership before your trial period is over, you will not be charged the annual fee. Order by December 21st to receive your 2 day shipping items by December 24th.

See Amazon's complete list of Christmas ordering cutoffs here.

Superfresh Deals 12/5-12/11

See the full Superfresh Ad here.

Remember Superfresh doubles coupons up to $.99 in value.

All Coupons listed below are from Sunday circulars unless otherwise noted.


Friday through Monday Only Deals:

America's Choice Eggs, America's Choice Butter, Gold Medal Flour or Nestle Morsels $1.69 with $25 additional purchase (Limit 4)
Coupon Deal: $1 off 2 Nestles Morsels from December All You = $2.38 ($1.19 each)
$1 off 3 Nestle Morsels = $4.07 for 3 ($1.36 each)

Fresh Atlantic Salmon Fillet $4.99 per lb.

5 lbs. White Potatoes $1.68

Wesson Oil 64 oz. $2.49 with additional $25 purchase (Limit 2)

Deals are good all week:

Fresh Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs $.77 per lb.

Porterhouse or T-Bone Steak $4.68 per lb.

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast, 75% Lean Ground Beef or Center Cut Bone-In Pork Chops $1.68 per lb.

Fresh Express Premium Classic Salad Mixes $2.50
Coupon Deal: $.55 off Fresh Express from 12/6 newspaper (do not double) = $1.95

Lay's Potato Chips $1.99

M&Ms Holiday Bags or Hershey's Holiday Packaged Candy $2.50
Coupon Deal: $1 off 2 M&Ms or assorted Hersheys Candy Bags from 12/6 newspaper = $4 ($2 each)
$1 off Hershey's Special Dark Miniatures, Kisses or Nuggets bags (I don't know if these are part of the sale) = $1.50

Edy's Ice Cream Buy 1 Get 1 Free
Coupon Deal: $1 off Edys (I don't know where this is from)

General Mills Cereals (Total, Reese's Puffs, Lucky Charms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch & Cheerios) $2
Coupon Deal: $1 off 3 GM Cereals = $5 ($1.66 each)

Progresso Classics Soup $1
Coupon Deals: $1 off 4 Progresso Soups = $3 for 4 ($.75 each)
$1.50 off 5 Progresso Soups = $3.50 ($.70 each)

Green Giant Canned Veggies $.50

Pasta Roni or Rice A Roni $.80
Store Deal: $3 off instantly on America's Choice or Perdue Fresh Chicken purchase when you buy 10 Pasta or Rice A Ronis.

McCormick Cinnamon $2.49
Coupon Deal: $.25 off McCormick Spice = $1.99

Jif Peanut Butter $2.29
Coupon Deal: $1 off 2 Jifs = $3.58 ($1.79 each)

Domino Baking Sugar 2 lbs. (Brown or Confectioners) $1.50
Coupon Deal: $.50 off 2 = $2 for 2 ($1 each)
$.55 off 2 = $1.90 ($.95 each)
$.65 off 2 from All You Magazine = $1.70 ($.85 each)

General Mills Chex Cereal $5 for 3 (Must buy 3)
$1 off 2 Chex Cereals = $4 for 3 ($1.33 each)

Johnsonville Breakfast Sausage $3
Coupon Deal: $1 off 2 Johnsonville Sausage = $5 for 2 ($2.50 each)

America's Choice Sour Cream $.99

Hanover Gold Line Veggies 1/2 Price $1.24-$2.14 each
Coupon Deal: $1 off 2 Gold Line Veggies

Keebler Town House or Club Crackers $2.50
Coupon Deal: $1 off 2 Keebler Crackers = $4 ($2 each)

Pam Cooking Spray $2.50
Coupon deal: $.55 off 1 Pam = $1.40

Did you find any great deals or coupons match ups at Superfresh this week? Leave a comment and let me know about it!

Cartoon Cuts Coupon

The latest edition of the Washington Family Magazine has a coupon for $2 off any haircut (bang trims excluded) at Cartoon Cuts. The past few months when I have picked up this magazine, the coupon is always in there. In the December issue, it is on page 9.

I typically don't use Cartoon Cuts because I have a hard time paying $17 for a kid's haircut. The quality of the cut is also hit or miss depending on who your stylist is. However at certain picture intensive times of the year, one of my home hack jobs just doesn't cut it. And there is nothing like the mesmerizing effect of the TVs at Cartoon Cuts playing endless loops of kid's shows to keep the little ones still during their haircut.

You can pick up a free copy of the magazine at many grocery stores, libraries, Babies R Us and Toys R Us, doctors offices, books stores and other places in the DC Metro area. The magazine is also available online but I don't know if the salon will accept a print out of the coupon.

Giant Scan It! Deals This Week

I had to make a quick stop at Giant today for some meat for dinner and I gave the handheld scanners another go to see what special savings they were offering. I am glad that I did!

Tropicana OJ is on sale for $2.50 this week and there was a $1.00 special savings for Scan It! users. Pasta Roni is on sale for $1 a box with $.35 savings with the scanner. I got 2 orange juices and 4 Pasta Ronis for $5.60. If I hadn't used the scanner, I would have paid $9.00.

Check out was a breeze since all my items were already scanned and bagged. I tried using the self checkout today and it was simple. Scan the special bar code at the checkout, scan the Bonus Card, wait a few seconds while it loads the order into the computer and then pay.

Here are the other special savings that were loaded on my scanner: 25% off grapes, 10% off London Broil, $1.00 off Giant cheese bars, $.50 off Thomas' English muffins, $.35 off Thomas' bagels and a bunch more that I can't remember.

I do have a problem with the Scan It! savings. There is no way of knowing without going to the store what your special savings will be. I always have my whole shopping trip planned out before I hit the store with my coupons matched up to sale prices and I rarely buy items that aren't on sale or that I don't have a coupon for. If I don't see any good sales at a store, I don't go there that week. I wasn't planning to go to Giant this week but I would have definitely planned to go if I had a way of knowing that I could get these great deals on orange juice and pasta. Another problem is that the Scan It! special savings aren't the same for everyone. Just because I got the $1.00 Tropicana savings doesn't mean that you will get it.

I also wonder if the special savings will get less awesome after the Scan It! devices become more established at my Giant. I didn't see anyone else in the store using the scanners today. The store is trying to promote them. They had 2 employees stationed at the door encouraging people to use them without success.

Do you have handheld scanners at your Giant? Are you seeing the same kinds of deals?

Superfresh Deals 11/28-12/4

I apologize, fellow frugals, for not getting a run down of the Superfresh deals posted earlier. Here is a list of this week's best deals.

It is Triple Coupon Week again this week! Superfresh will triple coupons up to 99 cents in value. I found a few free with coupons deals and a few deals that produce some overage. I love when the grocery store pays me to buy an item!

See the full Superfresh ad.

Thai Kitchen Noodle Bowls $1.50
Coupon Deal: $.50 off 1 Thai Kitchen Product from past insert = FREE

Reynolds Wax Paper $1.19
Coupon Deal: $.50 off Reynolds Wax Paper from recent insert = FREE + $.26 overage!
(My coupon didn't triple to $1.50 because the shelf price is only $1.45. So it tripled to the shelf price.)

Del Monte Fruit Naturals $1.oo
Coupon Deal: $.55 off 1 Fruit Naturals from Parade magazine insert (?) = FREE + $.65 overage!

Colgate Kids Toothpaste $2.33
Coupon Deal: $.75 off Colgate Kids Toothpaste from December All You magazine = $.08

Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta $1.50
Coupon Deal: $1.00 off 1 Smart Taste Pasta from past insert = $.50

America's Choice Hot or Sweet Italian Sausage $1.99 per lb.

Fresh Poultry Sale 50% off

America's Choice 8 oz Shredded or Bar Cheese $1.33

Bounty 8 Roll Paper Towels $9.99
Coupon Deal: $1.00 off Bounty Paper Towel from recent insert = $8.99

Lipton Noodles or Rice & Sauce Sides $1.00
Coupon Deal: $1.00 off 3 Lipton Noodles or Rice Sides from recent insert = $2.00 for 3 ($.66 each)

Campbell's Select Soup $1.50
Coupon Deal: $.50 off 2 Campbell's Select Soups from recent inserts = $1.50 for 2 ($.75 each)

General Mills Cereals $2.00

Pepsi 2 liters $1

Kraft American Cheese Singles 12 oz $3.00
Coupon Deal: $.50 off 1 from recent insert= $1.50
$1.00 off 2 from recent insert = $5.00 ($2.50 each)

Ajax Dish Soap $1.00
Coupon Deal: $.20 off 1 from recent insert = $.40

French's Fried Onions $2.99
Coupon Deal: $.75 off 1 = $.74



Did you see any other great deals with triple coupons at Superfresh this week? Leave a comment and let me know about it!

Shutterfly Free Shipping

Get free shipping at Shutterfly.com for orders of $25 or more. Use code SHIP25 at checkout. This offer ends December 3, 2008.

You can also receive a free calendar with orders of $50 or more if you order by November 30, 2008. Use code SECRET2 in your shopping cart.

Free Shipping at Hearthsong.com

Free shipping at Hearthsong.com today and tomorrow only. Use promo code HS48 at checkout. There is no minimum to buy. The offer is good through 11/28/08.

Superfresh Deals 11/21-11/27

It is Triple Coupon Week at Superfresh! The store will triple coupons up to 99 cents. This is a great time to go through your coupons and pull out the $.55 and $.75 coupons and check out the store prices. Even an item not on sale can be a bargain with triple coupons.

Check out the full Superfresh sale ad.

Here are the good deals I see this week and coupon match ups:

Pepsi 12 pack $2.75

Cool Whip $.99
Coupon Deal: $1.00 off 1 Cool Whip & 2 Jello Puddings from recent insert. I don't know the price of pudding this week but the Cool Whip would be free with $.01 overage.

Mrs. Smith's Frozen Pies $2.50
Coupon Deal: $1.00 off 2 pies from 11/16 insert = $4 for 2 pies

Kraft Marshmallows $.99

Birds Eye Boxed Veggies in Sauce $.69
Coupon Deal: $1.00 off 4 from recent insert = $1.79 for 4 ($.44 each)
$.35 off 1 (triples to $1.05) from recent insert = FREE (plus possible overage of $.36)

Stove Top Stuffing $.75

Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce $.75

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.77/lb.

Boneless Center Cut Pork Loin Half $1.77/lb.

San Giorgio Lasagna Noodles $.99

Swanson Broth $.60
Coupon Deal: $1.00 off 6 from a recent insert = $2.60 for 6 ($.43 each)

Kraft Dressing $2
Coupon Deal: $1.00 off 2 from 11/16 insert = $3 for 2 ($1.50 each)

Kellogg's Cereal selected varieties $2.79
Coupon Deal: $1.00 off 1 (selected varieties) from 11/16 insert = $1.79

Lays Potato Chips $1.99

Schweppes or Sierra Mist 2 liters $1.25
Store Promotion: Buy 4 get 2 free = $5 for 6 ($.83 each)

Thomas' English Muffins (Original, Hearty Grain, 100 Calorie, Light) $2.50

Smucker's Preserves 18 oz $2.50
Coupon Deal: $1.00 off 3 from past insert = $6.50 for 3 ($2.16 each)
$1.00 off 2 No Sugar Added ( I don't know if these are part of the sale) = $4 for 2 ($2 each)

Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crust $2.50
Coupon Deal: $.50 off 2 (triples to $1.50) from 11/16 insert = $3.50 for 2 ($1.75 each)

Reddi Whip $2.00
Coupon Deal: $1.00 off 1 from December All You Magazine = $1.00
$1.00 off 2 from recent insert = $3.00 for 2 ($1.50 each)

Glory Canned Vegetables $1.79
Coupon Deal: $.35 off 1 (triples to $1.05) from recent insert = $.74

Sargento Shredded Cheese $2.00
Coupon Deal: $1.00 off 2 from 11/16 insert = $3 for 2 ($1.50 each)

Ocean Spray Fresh Cranberries $1.99

Guns N' Roses & Free Dr. Pepper on Sunday

Get ready to sign up for your free Dr. Pepper coupon to celebrate the release of Chinese Democracy, the new Guns N' Roses album, on Sunday, November 23rd.

Back in March, Dr. Pepper said they would give a free Dr. Pepper to everyone in America if Chinese Democracy was released before the end of 2008. For those of you who are not GNR fans, this album has been over a decade in the making with many promises of releases that never materialized. When the album was official set to be released this Sunday, the company said they would make good on their promise.

To claim your free soda, go the the Dr. Pepper website on November 23rd and register for your coupon for a free 20 ounce bottle. The coupons will only be available on the 23rd beginning at 12:01 am. The coupon should arrive in 4 to 6 weeks and will be valid till February 28, 2009. Limit one per person.

Scan It! at Giant

When my Giant was recently remodeled I was excited because I heard they were putting in the Scan It! hand held scanners that you use while you are shopping. My hopes were dashed when the remodel was almost complete and a cashier told me they had canceled the plans for the self scanners. Then when I was shopping earlier this week I noticed another customer scanning and bagging her groceries as she shopped!

As I checked out I was talking about the scanners with the cashier and she told me that the scanners are loaded with special savings that are not available to customers who use the traditional checkout. Coke 12 packs were on sale for $1.99 but some scanner users were getting a $1 off special savings! Well, a certain someone in my house has a Diet Coke addiction, so getting a 12 pack for 99 cents would be super-awesome. I went back today to give the scanners a try and I got my three Coke 12 packs for 99 cents each!

Here is how it works: Scan your Giant Bonus Card at the Scan It! station and pick up a scanner and grocery bags. Scan and bag your groceries as you shop. The scanner keeps a running total of your grocery bill. If you scan an item and then decide you don't want it, push the remove button and scan the item again. There are special scales in the produce section which print out a label for you to scan. When you are finished shopping, you can complete your transaction at the self checkout or the regular cashier checkout. You scan a special bar code posted at the checkout, scan your Bonus Card again, scan your coupons and then pay.

Here is why I will be using the scanner again:
- Extra coupons!
- The running total the scanner keeps is a great tool for helping you stay within your grocery budget.
- There is no question about how much an item will cost. The sale price is displayed when you scan the item.
- Checkout is really, really quick.

Snapfish- Free Shipping Today Only

Place an order by midnight tonight at Snapfish.com and get free shipping with this coupon code: SHIPALLFREE

Get 20 photo cards for 20 cents with this coupon code good through November 23rd: CARD08

Save 20% on all cards, calendars and photobooks though December 12 with the coupon code: SNAPPYGIFT

Superfresh Deals 11/14-11/20

Superfresh has some great prices on holiday cooking items this week. Remember they double coupons up to 99 cents but they do not take internet printables.

See the full Superfresh ad here.

Deals Friday through Monday only:

Philadelphia Cream Cheese Bars $.88 (limit 4)
Coupon Deal: $1 off 3 from recent insert = 3 @ $1.64 (54.6 cents each)

Egglands Best Large White Eggs $1.69 (limit 2)
Coupon Deal: $.55 off 1 from recent insert = $.59

Heinz Gravy $.79 (limit 4)

Deals Good All Week:

America's Choice Hot or Sweet Italian Sausage $1.78/lb.

80% Lean Ground Beef $1.78/lb.

Doritos $1.99

America's Choice Butter 1 lb. $1.99
Store Promotion: Buy 3 Crescent Rolls and get the butter for 99 cents! Instant savings at checkout.

Pillsbury Crescent Rolls 3 for $4 ($1.33-$1.34 each)
Coupon Deal: $.25 off 1 from 11/9 insert = $.84 or
$.35 off 1 from recent insert = $.63
Buy 3 and take advantage of the AC Butter deal and get 3 crescent rolls and a pound of butter for as low as $2.88!

Breakstone Sour Cream 16 oz $.99

College Inn Broth $.49

Duncan Hines Cake or Frosting $.99
Coupon Deal: $1 off Duncan Hines Carrot Cake from 11/9 insert = FREE!
$.75 off 2 Duncan Hines Cream Cheese Frostings from 11/9 insert = $.48 for 2
$1 off Duncan Hines Cake & Frosting from recent insert = $.98 for cake and frosting
$.75 off Duncan Hines Cake & Frosting from recent insert = $.48 for cake and frosting

Pillsbury 5 lb. Flour $1.99

Domino Brown or Confectioners Sugar 1 lb. $.75

Barilla Lasagna Noodles $1.50

Sorrento Mozzarella 16 oz $2.50

Sorrento Ricotta 32 oz $2.99

Stove Top Stuffing 4 for $3 ($.75 each)

Campbells Cream Soups 4 for $3 ($.75 each)
Coupon Deal: $.35 off 4 from 11/9 insert = 4 for $2.30 (57.5 cents each)
$.25 off 3 from recent insert = 3 for $1.75 (58.3 cents each)

Argo Cornstarch $1.25
Coupon Deal: $.45 off 1 from recent insert = $.35

Minute Maid Orange Juice 64 oz $2.50
$5 Rebate if you buy selected Disney Movies.

America's Choice Cheese 8 oz (bar or shredded) $2.50
Update: Ooops! This is actually on sale for $2 for 8 oz.

Great Deal on Quaker Oatmeal at Safeway- Sat. & Sun. only!

Quaker Oatmeal is on sale at Safeway for $1.69 per box today and tomorrow. All varieties are on sale including High Fiber and Simple Harvest. This is a great price. It matches the price available at Costco (16.9 cents per packet) but this is even better because you can use coupons to get an awesome price! There have been $1 off 2 oatmeals, $1 off 1 Simple Harvest and $1 off 1 High Fiber coupons in September and October inserts. You can get a printable here which you can print twice.

I had been stockpiling my oatmeal coupons since they started appearing in September and waiting for a really good sale. I got 25 boxes of oatmeal today for $17.25 ($.69 per box and 7.7 cents per packet)!

Minute Maid & Disney Movie $5 Rebate

Disney and Minute Maid orange juice are offering a $5 rebate when you purchase Sleeping Beauty, WALL-E, Tinker Bell or The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and purchase 2 Minutes Maid juices (64 oz., 10 pack, or 15 pack) between 10/7/2008 and 2/16/2009. You can get one rebate per title for a total of 4 per household.

I was really pleased when I found this offer on the side of my OJ carton because I was planning to purchase Sleeping Beauty for a Christmas gift. You can usually get Minute Maid OJ 64 oz. cartons on sale for $2.50 every couple weeks. Two weeks ago when I found out about the rebate, it was on sale at Super Fresh for $2 per carton.

You can find all the details for this offer and the mail in certificate here.

Edited to Add: Here is a link to a $3 off coupon good towards Disney DVDs.

This Week at CVS

I had some great transactions worked out for this week but the Bic Comfort 3 razors were already sold out. But the week still turned out good. My family consumes a lot of oatmeal, so the buy $20 get $5 in ECBs deal worked well for us. The oatmeal is less per packet than I pay at Costco. Also I decided to try the Soy Joy bars since they are a money maker this week (that means I got more in ECBs back than I paid for them) even though I have heard that they aren't very good. The sale on Nestle candy is only good through today.

Here are this week's transactions:

Transaction 1:

Purchases:
Butterfinger Fun Size bag @ $1.50
Nestle Crunch Fun Size bag @ $1.50
4 Soy Joy Bars @ $1 each
Gold Emblem Bag of Dum Dums @$.99
Gold Emblem Bag of Tootsie Rolls @ $.99
Total: $8.98

Coupons & ECBs Used:
$1.98 off 2 Gold Emblem Candies CVS coupon (printed from price scanner machine)
2 $1 off Nestle Candy internet coupon
Buy 2 Soy Joys Get 1 Free coupon from 10/26 insert
$2.99 ECB from previous visit

Total OOP: $1.01
Total ECBs Earned: $4

Transaction 2:

Purchases:
8 boxes Quaker Oatmeal @ $2.50 each
Total: $20

Coupons & ECBs Used:
4 $1 off 2 boxes of Quaker Oatmeal from 10/26 and an earlier insert
$4 ECB from first transaction

Total OOP: $12
Total ECBs Earned: $5

I have a big stockpile of Halloween candy now. I am looking ahead to Christmas and I plan to use the leftovers for stocking stuffers (if I don't eat it all before then).

Did you have a great trip to CVS this week? Leave a comment and tell everyone about it!

This Week at CVS

It was a pretty good week at CVS. I got a great deal on Halloween candy and snagged some more free toothpaste.

Here is my transaction:

Purchases:
M&M Fun Size Bag @ $1.50
M&M Peanut Fun Size Bag @ $1.50
2 Snickers Fun Size Bag @ $1.50 each
Milkyway Fun Size Bag @ $1.50
Skittles Fun Size Bag @ $1.50
2 Colgate Total Advance Fresh (4 oz) @ $3.49 each
Total: $15.98

Coupons & ECBs Used:
3 $1 off 2 bags of Mars Candy coupon from 9/28 insert and 10/12 insert
2 $1.50 off Colgate Total coupons from September and October All You magazines
1 $1 off Colgate Total CVS coupon (this printed from the price scanner machine in CVS)
$8 ECB from previous visit

Total OOP: $.98 plus tax
Total ECBs Earned: $4

What are these price scanner coupons? If you scan your CVS ExtraCare Card at the in store price scanner, the machine will print out CVS coupons. Sometimes they are product coupons or money off your order coupons. I received my $1 Colgate Total coupon when I scanned my card yesterday. It turned the toothpaste deal into a moneymaker since the toothpaste was only $1.49 each after ECBs earned and I already had the 2 $1.50 off coupons.

Did you have a great trip to CVS this week? Leave a comment and tell everyone about it!

Safeway Deals 10/8-10/14

My Safeway doubles coupons up to 50 cents in value.


Saturday & Sunday Only Deals:

93% Lean Ground Beef 50% off

Fresh Express Salad on sale for 99 cents

Lucerne Cheese (6-8oz) on sale for $1.50 (limit 2)

Ken's Salad Dressing (16oz) on sale for 99 cents (limit 3)


These deals are good all week:

Manor House Boneless Chicken Breasts (4 lb bag) on sale for $1.49/lb.

White Whole or Sliced Mushrooms (8oz) on sale for $1.50

Broccoli Crowns on sale for 99 cents/lb.

Thomas' Twin Pack English Muffins on sale for $1.99

Betty Crocker Brownie Mix on sale for 79 cents

Fiber One Bars on sale for $2.50
- use 50 cents off 1 from recent insert
Final price $1.50

Chex Mix on sale for $1.50
- use 50 cents off 1 from recent insert
Final price 50 cents

Hunts Tomatoes (14.5 oz) on sale for $1
- use 40 cents off 2 from Oct. All You magazine
Final price 60 cents each

Buy 2 Classico Pasta Sauce for $4, get 2 free boxes of Barilla Pasta.

Penny Prints from Snapfish

Snapfish.com has 50 prints for 50 cents! The coupon code is FALLPENNY08.

Regular shipping charges apply and it can't be combined with another offer. The offer ends October 11.

The Drugstore Game: An Example

When you first start playing the Drugstore Game it is helpful to see examples of transactions that others have tried. I am pleased with my transactions for this week, especially since I was starting to run low on deodorant.

Transaction 1

Purchases:
1 Bic Soleil Razor @ $5.99
1 Colgate MaxFresh Toothpaste 6 oz @ $2.99
Total: $8.98

Coupons & ECBs Used:
- $2 off Soleil printable coupon
- $1 off Colgate MaxFresh coupon from 9/28 insert
- $5 ECB earned during previous visit

Total out of pocket (OOP): $.98 + tax
Total ECBs Earned: $6

Transaction 2:

Purchases:
1 Bic Soleil Razor Refills 4 ct. @ $5.99
1 Colgate MaxFresh Toothpaste 6 oz @ $2.99
2 Lady Speed Stick 24/7 @ $1.99 each
Total: $12.96

Coupons & ECBs Used:
- $2 off Soleil printable coupon
- $1 off Colgate MaxFresh coupon from 9/28 insert
- $1 off 2 Lady Speed Stick coupon from 9/28 insert
- $2 ECB earned during previous visit
- $6 ECB from first transaction

Total OOP: $.96 + tax
Total ECBs Earned: $8

So I went into this week with $7 in ECBs, I spent $1.94 out of pocket and I ended up with $8 in ECBs to spend next time.

If you are new to the game, you might be wondering why I did two transactions instead one. It is often better to do multiple transactions so that you pay less out of pocket. In transaction 2 I was able to use the ECBs from transaction 1 towards my purchase.

When I do multiple transactions, I always stand in line once for each transaction. This allows me time to regroup and plan after each transaction. I also think it is unfair to people behind you in line to do a bunch of transactions and make them wait longer.

Did you have a great trip to CVS this week? Leave a comment and tell everyone about it!

Drugstore Game Introduction

I love playing the Drugstore Game at CVS! It is a great money-saving way to get shampoo, cosmetics, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, groceries and sometimes even diapers. I think it is fun too. The idea of the Drugstore Game is to pay as little as possible out of pocket for your CVS purchases by using manufacturer and store coupons and store rewards from the ExtraCare program to pay for your items. You do this by planning your transactions in advance with the weekly sale ad and organizing all your coupons before heading to the store.

To learn how to play the game, head over to the Money Saving Mom’s CVS 101 tutorial and Q&A post. This is how I learned the game and I can’t explain it any better than she has already done.

Other links to help you learn the game:
Chief Family Officer has a great Drugstore Game Primer and philosophy.
Visit the CVS Weekly Preview at Coupon Cravings to find out the deals for the week.
Visit the CVS $5 Challenge at Keeping the Kingdom First to help you get started building your supply of ExtraCare Buck (ECB) store rewards.

Welcome!

Welcome to Penny Possibilities! In this blog I’d like to highlight money saving strategies that will cut costs on groceries and explore other money saving ideas. I live in the DC metro area and I plan to share deals and coupon matchups for local grocery stores like Giant, Superfresh, and Safeway. I also love CVS and will share my drugstore game transactions. I also plan to include frugal and delicious family meals, freebies and samples, tips on couponing, product and rewards program reviews and what ever else I can come up with to help others save money.