They know!

Savvyteacher and I are a bit trepedatious about doing several transactions at one time. As I walked into CVS today, it sort of freaked me out that I knew the clerk at the register and he knew me instantly. (After all, it has only been about a week that I have been doing this.) Last weekend when I did several transactions, I wasn't stressed about it as I had my cheerleaders behind me. I am referring to savvyteacher at my side and qqflyboy with supportiveheels sitting comfortably in 2 CVS chairs (that are for sale) eating Pringles that we purchased earlier.

I was there to get 1 Revlon nail polish and a much needed impulse hygiene product. I feel the need to say that 2 weeks ago I would have driven to CVS to spend $10 on my hygiene product and been annoyed at how much toiletries cost. Today was very different. I was excited by my transaction because I paid pennies for something that I really needed and I still have 2 ECB from a purchase last week, and I earned 3 ECB today. Now I can get other things with no problem this week. Was it really just 2 weeks ago that I didn't understand what an ECB was? WOW!

My transaction:
1 Revlon nail polish @ 3.99
1 Hygeine product @ 7.99

Coupons Used
2/10 CVS coupon
$8 ECB

OOP: $2.11
Earned $3 ECB for Revlon nail polish

As I completed my purchase the clerk laughed and called me a big spender when I gave him my $2.11. I smiled and he laughed again as I checked my register tape to ensure that my ECBs were indeed there. We talked about how many transactions similar to my own that he had done that day. He thought it was a bit crazy. He did mention that he is new to working at CVS and blown away by what walks out of the store for free! Then he pointed out all the 90% off summer sale stuff and mentioned that I could probably walk out with at least four more bags of stuff and spend no money as I had 3 ECBs to burn. I checked it over, but I decided that I don't need anymore flipflops (24 cents) and I don't need beach toys, so I was on my way. I don't think the clerk will forget me now and I am sure he will remember the hygiene product I bought! I am sure I will see him at least one more time this week as there are other deals to be had. :)

CVSing Week Two

It's amazing how quickly you can catch on to something once you understand the process. Two weeks ago I was reading all these blogs about CVSing and was totally confused and never thought I too could walk away with bags full of goods for literally pennies. I am now one of those people, and hopefully I can help you become one too!

Here are my transactions for today. I messed up on the first one with coupons, so my OOP (out of pocket cost) was higher than I planned for, but not bad considering I had gone with one plan and had to go to a quick backup plan because they were sold out of Excedrin.

Transaction One:

2 Chex Mixes @ .99 each

Renuzit Tri Scents @ $7.99

1 Johnson Easy Grip soap @ 1.19

Coupons Used

-2/10 CVS

-3.00 Renuzit

-1.00 on Chex Mix

-2 ECB from last week

*I needed a couple filler items here to make the deal better-- I also had another chex coupon and the Johnson coupon but too many coupons for the items**

OOP: $3.57

ECB Earned: $3 for Renuzit

Transaction #2:

2 Chex Mixes @ .99 each

2 Aussie Hair products @ $2.49 each

1 Revlon Nail color @ $3.99

Coupons Used:

-2/10 CVS

-2.00 in Chex coupons

-2.00 Aussie coupon

-$3 ECB from last transaction

OOP: $2.28

ECB's Earned: $2 for Aussie products ($1 for each) and $3 for Revlon

Total OOP today was $5.85, Total ECB earned: $8, have $5 left

Who Doesn't Like Getting Paid to Drink Coffee?

So I am thinking that maybe since I am being extra frugal latey, that deals must be just waiting to fall into my lap. I literally made money today from McDonalds, and still ended up with coffee for me and supportiveheels. Are you dying to know how I did this? Let me tell you.

So I had this coupon for a BOGO (buy one get one) coffee from the McCafe. The plan was to get 2 medium vanilla latte's and bring them home for us to drink. So I order, pull up to the window and they tell me my total is $1.78 after the coupon. I was thinking that was too low, but figured oh well and pulled forward.

I get to the window and instead of two hot latte's, there are two iced regular coffees. I told them that this was not what I ordered. She told me that the person to work the cafe' didn't show up for work so they have no one to make specialty drinks (lattes and the such). I asked why they didn't tell me this when I ordered and paid, instead of replacing my order with something completely different. I was firm but polite, acknowledging I know this isn't her fault. So basically she offers to give me back my coupon and refund my money but also give me free coffee drinks. So she gives me 2 free black coffee's and gives me my coupon back. Then she hands me $3.50 and says this is the amount for 2 coffees (but remember I only paid for ONE) and says can I be satisfied with this? I thank her and drive off..... smiling that not only did I get 2 free coffees, still have my BOGO coupon, AND ended up driving away with $1.72 MORE than I started with. When you are frugal minded, deals just start coming to you!

So today, I got paid to drink coffee at McDonald's.

Better than a Blue Light Special

A few days ago savvyteacher pointed out a deal that I didn't notice. I was about to pass off a Pantene coupon and she mentioned that I might want to reconsider. She was right. Today qqflyboy and I stopped by CVS on the way home from running many errands. I am so glad we did. I was pretty excited about my deal!

CVS Deal:

Pantene Expressions Shampoo @ 4.50

Pantene Conditioner @ 3.33

Pantene Hairspray @ 3.33

Colgate Total Advanced Clean toothpaste 2.99

Coupons:

$2 off $10 CVS purchase

$2 off Pantene Expressions

FREE Pantene styling product w/purchase of Pantene shampoo & conditioner

$1.50 off Colgate

$3 ECB

OOP: $1.28

Earned 2 ECB

CVSing Week One = Success!

Tonight I met up with thriftynester and qqflyboy for 1.99 sushi rolls and another night of CVSing. One of our favorite Asian places has daily specials and we couldn't pass up the deal to meet for a frugal dinner out and take another stab at CVSing. It's my third day of CVSing and I think I finally am starting to get the hang of this. I calculated my final OOP for 3 days worth (and 8 transactions worth!) of CVSing. It is $40.66! Not too shabby. It should have been about $30 if I had made a few smoother moves but hey its my first time so I am pretty happy!

Here is the breakdown for tonight:

Transaction #1:
2 Kashi Bars @ $2.00
1 Suave deodorant @ $2.00
1 Neutrogena Moisture skin @ $9.69

Use $2/10, -2.00 kashi coupon, -$8 ECB's
OOP: $1.84, No ECB (but I still have another from last night)

Transaction #2
2 Kashi Bars @ $2.00
1 Suave deodorant @ $2.00
1 Arnicare Pain @ $9.49

Use $2/10, -2.00 kashi coupon, -$2 Arnicare coupon, -$6.45 ECB's
OOP: $1.29, get $2 ECB from Suave and $8ECB from Arnicare = $10ECB total!

Transaction #3
2 Kashi Bars @ $2.00
1 CVS lotion (filler, thanks K)
1 Neutrogena Moisture skin @ $9.69

Use $2/10, -2.00 kashi coupon, -$8 ECB's
OOP: $.79, earm $5 ECB

Transaction #4:

2 CoverGirl Aquasmooth foundation BOGO 9.99
1 CVS toothbrush

Use $2/10, -CVS free toothbrush coupon, -$5.00 ECB's
OOP: $3.19

Total Spent OOP: $7.11, and still have $2 ECB for next week's deals! Not bad, this was my best night and I got a ton of stuff that I actually needed (and a few items I didn't!). Week one was very successful!

No, I'm Not an Addict

Ok so after basically dreaming of deals and ECB's last night, I just had to rush to the nearest CVS store (or two...) and check out some more deals. Today browsing through some things I realized I may be able to snag an amazing deal, and make money out of it. I was right.... well, I was, but it took me 2 transactions to get there but I ended up making more extra ECB's than I thought! Success!

CVS Store 1:

2 Kashi Bas for 2.00
1 Suave body wash for 2.00
5 Goody Pain relivers 1.29 each

Coupons:
-2/10 CVS
-2 Kashi coupon
-2 ECB's from yesterday

OOP: $4.79, ECB's earned $6.45!! WOW PROFIT! This was a deal on a "WHIM" and I mean whim. I had a plan all mapped out, they didnt have the Arnicare and most of the coupons were in the car. So......being a new to frugal but oh so clever, I pulled this deal out of nowhere! So off in the car I went to store #2, since I was embarrassed so far to try 2 transactions on my own in the same store! And, by the way, it was on the way home so it wasnt out of the way.

CVS Store 2: (0riginal deal planned)

1 Arnicare Pain 9.49
1 Kashi bar at 1.00
1 Kashi bar at .82 (extra sale)

Coupons:
-2/10 CVS
-$2 Kashi (they wouldnt let me use 2 kashi coupons, so beware!)
-$2 Arnicare coupon printable (beware- this didnt ring up but the cashier said she would just put it on...whew).

Total OOP $5.86 and earned $8 ECB from the Arnicare! PROFIT AGAIN.. and no I didnt use the ECB because I had more then it was worth, so I am saving them for tomorrows transactions!

I'm a Believer!

After some reflection on the many money saving conversations me and thrifynester have had, I decided she actually wasn't crazy and that CVSing might actually work! I'm very competetive and have to say I love a challenge, so this is like a game to me. I attempted my first try at this once thought crazy idea and became a believer! After some planning, I met up with thriftynester and we began our first adventure. Did I mention we also have our very own CVS cheerleaders that tailgate with us? Yes, noneother than supportiveheels and qqflyboy, who brought a special aspect to our new hobby.

Here is the breakdown from my first experience :

Transaction #1:

1 Dawn dishsoap .99 (regular 1.99)
2 Colgate Total Avance toothpaste 2.99 each (regular 3.95)
1 CoverGirl Wetslicks 5.99
2 CG outlast lipstick 9.99 BOGO
1 FF Pringles 2.99

-.50 dawn coupon
-1.00 colgate coupon
-1.50 colgate coupon
-5.99 CG BOGO coupon (here is where I went wrong...and did all the CG lip stuff in one and should have done in 2)

Total Before Coupons: $25.94 + tax
OOP Spent: $18. 56
ECB's earned: $10.99 (5.99 for CG, $4 for colgate, $1 for Pringles)

Transaction #2:

3 Suave products $6
2 CG Aquasmooth foundation 9.99 each BOGO
-1.00 CG coupon
-10.99 in ECB's

OOP: $4.34 and earned $2 ECB for Suave

TOTAL OOP today: $22.90
Total Savings: $45.83
ECB's total earned: $12.99, used 10.99 so have $2ECB plus a free toothbrush to use for next transaction. Pretty good for my first adventure!