Bought:
2 – Scrubbing Bubbles Power Sprayer Starter
3 – Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Cleaning Gel
3 – Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Brush 2-in-1 Starter Kit
3 – Huggies Diapers, jumbo pks
1 – Huggies Wipes, 64 ct
1 – Huggies Wipes Refill, 184 ct

Now usually it is pretty easy for me to look at my receipt and remember which coupons I used, but this particular manager at Target put up a fuss about some of my coupons and wouldn’t let me use them even though I knew I was using them correctly. Ugh. Although, my coupons did involve stacking manufacturer coupons with Target coupons, buy 1, get 1 free coupons, and getting gift cards, which I used over 3 transactions.

Anyway, here is the run down of what I spent versus how much I saved:

ARV: $83.42
Total OOP: $19.05
Savings: $64.37, 77.16%

It all started with one week that didn’t seem to have many good deals. So I didn’t shop that week. I was fine with that since I had been building my stockpile since January. I still bought my usual four Sunday papers though so I would have the coupons for the next week.

Well, the next week came along and I didn’t feel like shopping then either. Maybe it was because I saw how well we had gotten along the previous week without shopping. Maybe it was just a couponing burnout. I’m not sure.

Anyway, whatever the reason, it lasted another few weeks, all the while I was still getting usual four Sunday papers for the coupons. Then I was looking at the ads for the week of Mother’s Day. I saw some great ads and planned to go shopping that week. But I told myself the shopping would have to wait until I had all my coupons cut and sorted and my coupon binder up to date. I was certain that I would be able to go shopping closer to the end of the week.

That didn’t happen. I went to the Emergency Room with a gallbladder attack the Monday after Mother’s Day. Ugh. I had surgery to remove my gallbladder and now all is well and I am steadily recovering.

But, while I was in the hospital… ALL of my ExtraBucks EXPIRED!!! Around $30 worth! I felt like kicking myself. Major disappointment to say the least.

Then, a couple days ago, I received an e-mail from the CVS Advisor Panel asking me to take a survey. I readily took it, knowing that if I qualified and completed the survey that I could earn up to $15 ExtraCare Bucks; and if I took it but didn’t qualify to complete it, I would still receive at least a couple ECB’s.

I qualified and completed the survey!! I earned $15 ExtraCare Bucks! This definitely softened the blow of losing about $30 ECB’s!

I knew this was the time to get back in the game of couponing. I was still recovering from surgery and that consisted mostly of resting so I definitely had the time to organize my inches thick stack of coupon inserts that had been piling up the past few weeks.

So that is was I have been doing this past week: cleaning out my coupon binder (was completely sad about the amount that had expired), sorting and cutting weeks worth of coupon inserts, and filling my coupon binder back up with the new coupons it has missed so much.

I admit that I do have a few more coupons to file, but since there won’t be any new coupons this upcoming week, I know I can get that done without the worry of getting behind again.

So, the moral to this long, long story? It’s OK to take a break!! Yes, coupons will expire. Yes, you may lose ExtraCare Bucks or other free money printed from the register. But it’s ok. There will be new coupons next week, and the next week, and the next week. ExtraCare Bucks can be earned again. The deals will still be there. Life will still go on.

There will not be any coupons in the Sunday paper this week.

Have a happy Memorial Day! Keep in mind the reason we celebrate this day!

I know that it is usually Sunday Scores, but I didn’t make it to CVS until today. After a few weeks out of the game, I jumped feet first back in. Here is what I picked up:

Bought:
2 – Pantene Pro-V Shampoo – 2/$6.97
4 – Gillette Body Wash – $4.00 each
2 – ThermaCare Heatwraps, 2+ ct – $5.99 each
3 – Nivea Body Wash – $4.99 each
1 – Nivea Crème Tin – $0.99

Coupons:
2 – $1/1 Pantene product
2 – B1G1 FREE Gillette Body Wash
1 – $4/2 Gillette Body Wash
2 – $2/1 ThermaCare Heatwraps, 2+ ct (on box; originally went in store with $1/1)
1 – $5/2 Nivea Body Wash
1 – $1/1 Nivea Body Wash
$3 off $15+ purchase – emailed from CVS
$15 ECB – earned from CVS Advisor program

Received:
$2 ECB – 2 Pantene Pro-V Shampoo’s
$5 ECB – 2 ThermaCare Heatwraps, 2+ ct
$5 ECB – $15 worth of Nivea
$8 ECB – $4 for each Gillette Body Wash, limit 2

ARV: $50.91
Total OOP: $6.93
Savings: $43.98, 86.39%

I was also planning on buying the new Huggies Denim Diapers, but they didn’t have the size I needed. I was kind of bummed because I think they are super cute, plus I had some great coupons for them ($3 off manufacturer coupon and $1 off CVS coupon).

So, every few months I will receive an e-mail from CVS asking me to take a survey about CVS. The program is actually called CVS Advisor Panel and you can learn more about it HERE.

Basically, CVS will e-mail you surveys to take about your experiences with CVS and in return you can earn ExtraCare Bucks! If you take the survey, but do not qualify to finish it, you will earn around $2 ECB. But if you qualify and complete the survey you can earn up to $15 ECB! You will need to have a CVS ExtraCare card, but those are free!

I was just offered a survey a couple days ago and I qualified for it and completed it and I earned $15 ECB for a survey that only took about 30 minutes!

So sign up for the CVS Advisor Panel HERE!!

I recently entered a givewaway for the Pampered Chef Baking Dish you see above at The Elect Lady.  And I WON! Yay! I was so excited!

She promptly mailed it and I received it very quickly. Sadly, when I opened it, it was broken beyond use. I was pretty bummed. I politely sent her an e-mail letting her I know I had received it but that it was broken and thanked her for the giveaway. I wasn’t upset because it wasn’t her fault it broken. These things just happen sometimes. And I thought that would be it.

But no, that was not it. She wanted to make sure things were right, so she ordered another one directly from Pampered Chef to me and sent it overnight! I was ecstatic! I received it today and it is gorgeous and I cannot wait to use it! Dinner tonight maybe?

So… you NEED to check out The Elect Lady! She truly cares about her readers plus she has some GREAT articles! She has multiple ways to subscribe to receive her posts, so head on over to The Elect Lady right now!

I just received an email today from Disney Movie Rewards promoting their new website!

Go HERE to get the clues to get up to 100 rewards points!

I thought it was a pretty good week at CVS, considering the Baby Sale. Here is what I picked up:

Bought:
2 – Pantene Shampoo, 12.6-13.5 oz – $2.99 each
3 – Stride Shift Gum, 14 ct – $0.99 each
3 – GE Reveal Light Bulbs, 4 ct – $1.99 each
1 – Skintimate Moisturizing Cream Shave – $3.99
1 – Complete Multi-Purpose Solution – $8.99
2 – J&J First Aid Kits, travel – $0.99 each
4 – Desitin, 2 oz – $2.99 each
1 – Pull-Ups, mega pk – $13.99

Used:
1 – $3/2 Pantene products
1 – B2G1 Stride Gum
3 – $1/1 GE Reveal light bulbs
2 – $1/1 J&J First Aid Kits
3 – $1/1 Desitin
1 – $2/1 Pull-Ups
$10/$50 purchase (printed from price scanner)
$25 ECB from previous weeks

ARV: $55.85
Total OOP: $6.88
Savings: $48.97, 87.68%

I thought it was a rather blah week at Walgreens, but I did pick up a few things.

Bought:
3 – Dawn Dish Liquid, 10.3 oz – $0.99 each w/in-ad coupon
4 – Skittles, single packs – $0.39 each w/in-ad coupon
1 – Caramel candy, filler – $0.34
1 – U by Kotex, 50-60 ct liners – $3.49

Used:
3 – $0.50/1 Dawn
2 – B1G1 Skittles
1 – $1.00/1 U by Kotex

I did two transactions so I could use my Register Rewards earned from the Kotex ($2.50 RR).

ARV: $8.36
Total OOP: $2.58
Savings: $5.78, 69.14%

Here are the top deals at CVS for April 4 – 10. Go HERE to learn how I use my ExtraCare Bucks. Check out my CVS tutorial HERE. Be sure to check your LOCAL AD to verify prices before you go.

Pantene Shampoo, Conditioner, or Styler – $2.99
Get $1 ECB when you buy 1, limit 3
- $3/2 Pantene Product, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 03/07/10)
- $1/2 Pantene Product, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 04/04/10)
- $1/1 Pantene Styler or Treatment, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 04/04/10)
FINAL PRICE: As low as 2/$1.98 after ECB

Stride Shift Gum, 14 ct – $0.99
Get $0.99 ECB when you buy 1, limit 1
- B2G1 Stride Gum, exp. 5-22-10 (SS 03/14/10)
FINAL PRICE: 3/$0.99 after ECB

3M, Post-It, Scotch Mailing Supplies or Tape -$Varies
Spend $15, Get $5 ECB, limit 1
- $10 MIR 3M Post-It Note Labels printable
- $2/1 Scotch Easy-Grip Packaging Tape Dispenser printable
- $1.50/1 Scotch Magic Tape Boxed Rolls printable
- $1/1 Scotch Packaging Tape printable
- $3/1 Scotch Packaging Tape Multipack printable
FINAL PRICE: Varies

GE Reveal Light Bulbs, 4 pk – $1.99
- $1/1 Select GE Products, exp. 5-5-10 (SS 03/07/10)
- $1/2 GE Reveal printable (IE) or printable (FF)
FINAL PRICE: As low as $0.99

Revlon Foundation – $Varies
Get Revlon Lip Product FREE

Gillette Mach 3 Cartridge – $Varies
Get Old Spice or Gillette Body Wash FREE
- $4/1 Gillette Mach3 Cartridge, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 04/04/10)
- $2/1 Gillette Body Wash, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 03/07/10)
FINAL PRICE: Varies

Physician’s Formula Healthy Wear Foundation or Bronzer – $14.99
Get $7 ECB when you buy 1, limit 1
- $1/1 Physician’s Formula Cosmetic Product, exp. 6-30-10 (SS 03/21/10)
FINAL PRICE: $6.99 after ECB

Olay Regenerist Anti-aging Eye Roller – $18.99
Get $6 ECB when you buy 1, limit 1
- $5/1 Olay Regenerist Facial Moisturizer or Cleanser (P&G MIR Booklet)
- $3/1 Olay Regenerist Moisturizer or Cleanser, exp. 4-30 (P&G 3/7/10)
FINAL PRICE: As low as $7.99 after ECB

Pantene or Head & Shoulders – $4.99
Get $1 ECB when you buy 1, limit 3
- $3/2 Pantene Product, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 03/07/10)
- $1/2 Pantene Product, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 04/04/10)
- FREE Head & Shoulders Conditioner wyb Shampoo, exp. 4-30 (P&G 4/4/10)
- $1/1 Head & Shoulders Shampoo or Conditioner, exp. 4-30 (P&G 3/7/10)
FINAL PRICE: As low as 2/$2.99 after ECB

Skintimate Moisturizing Cream Shave – $3.99
Get $3 ECB when you buy 1, limit 1
- $1.50/2 Select Skintimate Products, exp. 5-16-10 (SS 03/28/10)
FINAL PRICE: 3/$3.48 after ECB

Softsoap or Irish Spring, refill or bar soap – $5.49
Get $2 ECB when you buy 1, limit 2
- $0.50/1 Irish Spring, exp. 4-3-10 (SS 03/14/10)
FINAL PRICE: $2.99 after ECB

Softsoap or Irish Spring, body wash – $4.99
Get $2 ECB when you buy 1, limit 2
- $1/1 Softsoap Brand Body Wash, exp. 4-17-10 (SS 03/28/10 #2)
- $1/1 Softsoap Body Wash, exp. 5-30 (Reinventing Beauty, Jan)
FINAL PRICE: $1.99 after ECB

Mennen Speed Stick Stainguard Deodorant – $3.49
Get $2 ECB when you buy 1, limit 2
- $1/1 Lady Speed Stick Stainguard Deodorant printable
- $0.50/1 Select Speed Stick Deodorant, exp. 4-17-10 (SS 03/28/10 #2)
FINAL PRICE: As low as $0.49 after ECB

Colgate Pro Clinical Toothpaste – $3.99
Get $2 ECB when you buy 1, limit 1
- $0.35/1 Colgate Toothpaste, exp. 4-17-10 (SS 03/28/10 #2)
FINAL PRICE: $1.64 after ECB

Schick Hydro – $8.97 (Available April 9^th)
Get $6 ECB when you buy 1, limit 1
- $3/1 Schick Disposable Razor package, exp. 5-2-10 (SS 03/21/10)
FINAL PRICE: FREE + Overage after ECB!

Colgate Total Advanced or Enamel Strength – $2.99
Get $2 ECB when you buy 1, limit 1
- $0.35/1 Colgate Toothpaste, exp. 4-17-10 (SS 03/28/10 #2)
- $0.75/1 Colgate Total Enamel Strength Toothpaste printable
- $1/1 Colgate Total Toothpaste, exp. 5-31-10 (ALL YOU Apr ‘10)
- $0.75/1 Select Colgate Toothpastes, exp. 4-17-10 (SS 03/28/10 #2)
FINAL PRICE: As low as FREE after ECB

Tampax Pearl, 36-40 ct – $7.99
Get $2 ECB when you buy 1, limit 1
- FREE Tampax (18-20 ct.) wyb Tampax (36-60 ct.), exp. 4-30 (P&G 4/4/10)
- $2/1 Tampax Pearl or Compak Pearl, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 03/07/10)
- $1/1 Tampax Product, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 03/07/10)
FINAL PRICE: As low as $3.99 after ECB + FREE 18-20 ct

BABY SALE: Spend $25, Get $10 ECB, limit 1
- CVS Brand Baby Care: shampoo, lotion, wash, bath, head-to-toe, oil, powder – $1.99
- CVS Brand baby wipes, 64-72 ct – $2.00
- CVS Brand diapers, jumbo pk – $6.99
- Johnson’s Baby: powder, lotion, oil, wash, shampoo, oil gel – $2.99
- Desitin, 2 oz – $2.99
- Pampers Diapers, Big Pack, 48-96 ct – $19.99
- Motrin or Tylenol Infants’ Drops, 1 oz – $8.99
- Enfamil, Similac, Pedialyte: ready to feed formula 32 oz, pedialyte 33.8 oz, singles 4 pk, freezer pops 16 ct – $4.99
- Huggies GoodNites, mega pk – $13.99
- Huggies Pull-Ups, mega pk – $13.99
Spend $25, Get $10 ECB, limit 1
- $1/1 Johnson’s Baby Lotion printable (IE) or printable (FF)
- $1/1 Johnson’s Baby Product, exp. 5-15-10 (RP 03/07/10)
- $1/1 Johnson’s Body Care Products, exp. 6-5-10 (SS 03/28/10)
- $1/1 Johnson’s Baby Bubble Bath & Wash printable
- $1/1 Johnson’s Baby Shampoo printable (IE) or printable (FF)
- $1/1 Desitin Diaper Rash Cream printable (IE) or printable (FF)
- $1.50/1 Pampers Diapers or Pants, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 04/04/10)
- $2/1 Select Pampers Diapers, exp. 4-30-10 (RP 03/14/10)
- $3/2 Motrin/Tylenol, Infant or Children’s, exp. 5-31-10 (RP 02/21/10)
- $1/1 Motrin Product printable
- $3/1 Pedialyte Oral Electrolyte Solution printable
- B1G1 Pedialyte Product, exp. 6-15-10 (SS 03/07/10)
- B1G1 Pedialyte Product printable
- $2/1 Huggies Pull-Ups Training Pants printable
- $2/1 Pull-ups Training Pants, exp. 4-24-10 (SS 03/28/10)
FINAL PRICE: Varies

Complete Multi-Purpose Solution, 12 oz – $8.99
Get $8.99 ECB when you buy 1, limit 1
- $1/1 Complete Contact Solution printable
FINAL PRICE: FREE + $1 Money-Maker after ECB

7UP, Canada Dry, A&W, or Sunkist, 12 pk – 3/$11
Get $3 ECB when you buy 3, limit 1

Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel DVD – $19.99
Save $15 on Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel DVD when you buy $20 worth of P&G products:
– Charmin Basic 12 ct, Ultra Strong or Ultra Soft 9 ct – $4.99, limit 3
– Tide 2x Ultra, Total Care liquid 20-32 loads, Powder 31-40 loads – $5.97, limit 5
– Bounty Basic Select-A-Size, 6 pk – $6.49, limit 3
– Dawn 9.5-10.3 oz – $0.96, limit 6
– Bounce or Downy, dryer sheets 70-80 ct, liquid 40 loads – $3.99, limit 4
– Cascade Gel or Powder, 45 oz – $2.99, limit 4
– Crest or Oral-B: baking soda & peroxide, cavity, tartar protection, toothpaste, indicator toothbrush – $2.25, limit 6
– Duracell AA, AAA, 4 pk; C, D, 2 pk; 9 volt 1 pk – $2.99, limit 5
– Always pads 20-48 ct, liners 68-80 ct – $5.49, limit 4
- $0.25/1 Charmin Product, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 04/04/10)
- $1/1 Tide Product, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 04/04/10)
- $0.25/1 Bounty Towels or Napkins, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 03/07/10)
- $0.50/1 Dawn Product, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 04/04/10)
- $0.25/1 Bounce Sheets, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 03/07/10)
- $1/1 Downy Liquid or Dryer Sheets, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 04/04/10)
- $0.50/1 Cascade Product, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 04/04/10)
- $0.75/1 Crest Toothpaste, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 03/07/10)
- $2/1 Select Oral-B Toothbrushes, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 04/04/10)
- $2/1 Always Infinity, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 03/07/10)
- B1G1 Always Pad or Feminine Cleansing Cloth, exp. 4-30 (P&G 4/4/10)
- B1G1 Always Pantiliner, exp. 4-30 (P&G 4/4/10)
- $1/1 Always Pads, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 03/07/10)
- $1/1 Always Pantiliners, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G 03/07/10)