Tuesday, April 7, 2009

CVS Basics

If you're just getting started on frugal living, couponing, stockpiling, etc., it can be too overwhelming to tackle all at once.

My suggestion is to start with CVS. Their reward program is tops on my list and you can really get the hang of couponing and sale matching at this one store. In the meantime, your budget will begin to loosen as you no longer have to spend much for health, beauty and household items.

When I was getting started, I went Deal Seeking Mom, clicked on Drugstores and read through the How-To section. This blog contained the most concise and easy-to-follow plan description and deal scenarios.

Just tackle CVS and then, as you build confidence, branch out a little more. Most people who have adopted the frugal lifestyle did not make every change all at once. Don't worry -- the great deals will still be there! : )

Monday, April 6, 2009

My Kroger Plans - 4/7

Here's what I'm planning for my Kroger run:

Kroger White Eggs 1 doz $1

Kroger Food Color 4 pack $1

General Mills Cereal or Bars (selected varieties) $2.49
Use Fiber One $.50 coupon 3/8 SS
Use $.75 on MultiGrain Cheerios in the coupons.com link in right side bar
Use $.75 on MultiGrain Cheerios Printable here
Use $.55 on Cheerios via Cellfire
Final Price $1.49 - $1.74 each
**Buy 3 and you get 2 boxes of Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks FREE


Duncan Hines Cake Mix $1
Use $.35 coupon 3/29 SS
Final Price: $.30 each

Kellogg's Cereal (Selected varieties) $2.18
Use $1/2 coupon 3/29 SS
Use $1/1 coupon 4/5 SS
Final Price: $1.18 - $1.68 each

Wish-Bone Salad Dressing $1.49
Use $.75 coupon 3/15 RP
Use $1 coupon 3/15 RP
Final Price: $.49 - $.74 each

I Can't Believe It's Not Butter $1.49
Use $.50 coupon 3/29 RP
Final Price: $.49 each

Revlon ColorSilk Hair Color $2.50
Use $1/2 coupon 4/5 SS
Final Price: $2 each wyb 2

Idaho Potatoes 5lb bag BOGO

Private Selection Ice Cream 48 oz $2.50

Kroger Butter Quarters 1lb $1.99

That's it for me. For more info, check Mommy Snacks.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

My CVS Plans - 4/5

There's only a few things I'm planning to grab at CVS tomorrow:

Bamboo Easter Baskets $1.99 (Sunday and Monday only)
Receive $1.99 ECBs
Final Price: Free

Excedrin 20-24 count $1.99
Use $2/1 Excedrin Migraine Printable
Final Price: Free

Skintimate Shave Cream $3.49
Get $3.49 ECBs
Final Price: Free

Colgate Max Fresh Toothpaste $2.99
Get $2 ECBs
Use $1 coupon 3/29/09 SS
Final Price: Free

Pringles $.88
Use $1 off 2 coupon 3/15/09 PG
Final Price: $.38

There's plenty more deals -- just check Nickels-n-Dimes.

My Walgreens Plans - 4/5

Here's what I'm planning for Walgreens tomorrow:

1 Mentos $1
Use $1 coupon 3/1/09 SS
Final Price: Free

Glade Soy Candles $5.99 each
Use $4 printable coupon (I printed this two weeks ago, but it has reached it's print limit now)
Use $2 Easy Saver Booklet coupon
Final Price: Free

Wal-Itin $6.99
Easy Saver Rebate $6.99
Final Price: Free

Edge Shaving Gel: $3.59
Easy Saver Rebate: $3.59
Final Price: Free

Skintimate Shaving Gel: $2.99
Get $2.99 in RR
Final Price: Free

Reach Toothbrush 2/$5
Get $2.50 in RR after you buy 2
Use $1 coupon 2/8/09 on each one
Final Price: $.25 each

Palmolive Dish Liquid $.99 each with ad coupon
Use $.50 coupon
Final Price: $.50

Visine Eye Drops $3.99
Get $3 in RR when you buy 2
Use $3 coupon 3/15/09 on each one
Final Price: Free + $1.02 Overage

Chapstick 100% Naturals $1.99
Get $1.99 in RR
Final Price: Free

Colgate Total Advanced $3.49
Get $3.49 in RR
Use $.75 coupon 3/29/09 SS
Final Price: Free + $.75 Overage

Glade Flameless Candle or Lasting Impressions $5.99
Use $4 coupon 3/29/09 SS
Easy Saver Rebate $2
Final Price: Free

Oust Air Sanitizer $2.99
Use $2 coupon 3/29/09 SS
Easy Saver Rebate $1
Final Price: Free

There's other deals I'm not going to get this time. For a full listing, you can check Swaggrabber or Deal Seeking Mom.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Brand Name Prescription Drugs For Less @ Costco

I know, I know...there's a lot of offers for $4 generics out there. However, you don't always have a choice IF the medication is new and patented or if your physician has stated "dispensed as written" on your script. After calling around to all the local pharmacies and giant chains, I've discovered that Costco is, by far, the lowest -- I'm talking about prices for uninsured or "private pay" individuals.

Not only are they the least expensive -- in our case it was by a landslide -- BUT, that was the non-member price. If you purchase an annual membership for $50, your prices are even lower. And, if you purchase a business membership for $100, your prices are lower PLUS you receive 2% back on all purchases. Do the math here and you may find that this will be an even better deal, depending on the medications you may need.

Call your local pharmacy and they will price check your meds for you -- I found them very helpful.

Old Navy Weekly Hidden Coupons - Update #2

The site has been up since early this morning. I was able to print a 50% off one item and a 40% off one item. For some great hints, go here. Good luck!

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Old Navy Weekly Hidden Coupons - Update

Found this out from Krazy Coupon Lady:

More Old Navy coupon fun that will make you go Krazy!

The big $$ coupons at www.oldnavyweekly.com are making their way back this Friday!

The most valuable this week will be worth $45 off $100 purchase and the hiding places are getting trickier every week. So keep your hunting skills sharp…next week, the offers include $75 off 100!

Happy Hunting!

John A.
Brand Advocate working on behalf of Old Navy

Aldi Shopping Spreadsheet

I have revised my Aldi four week shopping list based on our consumption for the past few months. I do not buy every item each week, since I am able to find freebies or cheap deals from other grocery or drugstores. However, this list provides a great framework for me and I can get in and out of Aldi in less than 30 minutes. **This list is in order of items that I would find in my Aldi. YMMV.

Aldi Shopping List

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

My Shopping Week So Far - 4/1

I ended up getting most of my groceries at Aldi this week. As usual, I got a ton of basics for $65.00. I then found out yesterday afternoon about Harris Teeter TRIPLING coupons up to $.99 and the sale was ending that day! I threw my list together and managed to pick up two bagfuls of whatever for about $4. Beautiful.

I didn't realize that Harris Teeter tripled coupons like that -- apparently it's a random thing, but definitely worth it to keep your eyes peeled. I will be doing so from now on, and I'll make sure to give everyone a heads-up.

I cannot TELL you how bummed I am that I can't get my free toilet paper at Kroger anymore. (oh, that was a bit of a pun) They stopped carrying the 4-pack.

Alrighty, that's enough for now. More deals to come!

Dispensary of Hope

For anyone who is uninsured and taking expensive maintenance medication, this may be of interest. The following description is taken directly from the Dispensary of Hope website:

Founded in 2003, the Dispensary supplies both short-term and long-term medicines to people who can’t afford them and lack the insurance to access them. The Dispensary collects and distributes medication from a variety of sources including: Physicians’ offices, distributors and manufacturers who send us their donated medication and excess inventory.

Our centralized inventory system processes these shipments and distributes medications as requested by our dispensing sites to uninsured patients with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines."

To see if you qualify or to find a location near you, click here.

** There are plenty of locations in Tennessee, one in Louisiana and one in Alabama.