$25 CVS Gift Card Challenge: Final Tally--$259.24 Value 90% Savings

My shopping trip on Saturday finished off my $25 from Cheryl at Simply CVS.  Here is a rundown of the final tally of everything I got with my $25.  (Click images to see individual posts.)

Trip 1:

$39.61 Value, Paid $5.10

Trip 2:

$21.25 Value, Paid $0.28

Trip 3: 

$27.77 Value, Paid $3.62

Trip 4:

$22.52 Value, Paid $0.61

Trip 5:

$37.64 Value, Paid $0.63

Trip 6:  

$35.97 Value, Paid $7.91

Trip 7:

$34.60 Value, Paid $5

Trip 8:  

$27.74 Value, Paid $1

Trip 9:

$12.14 Value, Paid $1.24 (last $0.85 on GC plus $0.39)

Overall, I was able to get $259.24 worth of items (shelf price), for just $25.39!  That's an average savings of 90%!

Now, I want to make one thing VERY clear:  You can do this, too!

In fact, this is not my best work, by far!  During this challenge, I went through some pretty rocky patches of life:  A child starting school, a husband working two jobs, a death in the family, three sets of houseguests!  I was busy.  I was stressed.  Coupons were not the foremost thing on my mind.

These trips were rushed, and frankly, i'm a little bit disappointed in myself.  I know that under different circumstances, I could have saved even more.  But, you know what?  I'm glad things weren't different!  I'm glad things were crazy and hectic.  

Why?  Because I don't think this challenge is at all about making myself look good with how much stuff I was able to get.  It's about showing how easy it is to get a lot of stuff for a little at CVS, and I think that anyone, no matter how short of time they've been couponing, should be able to accomplish at least this level of savings at CVS.  It's EASY! 

I'd like to say thanks to Cheryl at Simply CVS for giving me the opportunity to take this challenge, and share my shopping trips with everyone.  If you'd like to see a true CVS master in action, go over and have a look at the $50 CVS GC Challenge she gave to herself!  She's doing an *amazing* job!

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CVS Trip (Black Friday Sale)

Sorry it took me so long to get this trip posted, but here it finally is!

I did not get to CVS until late Saturday afternoon since I spent much of Thanksgiving day baking and Friday my husband worked two shifts at Radio Shack and the kids were nuts.  I was actually in the middle of doing some freezer cooking on Saturday when I had the realization that these sales ended that day, so I did a hurry up and grab some coupons and hit the store trip.  I was doubly in a rush because my husband also had to work Saturday night, so I had a time frame to be back home.

Now, if you'll recall my last CVS trip, I left the store with only $3 in ECBs and $0.85 left on my gift card, so I didn't really have much to work with.  I made a small list, and planned two small transactions, but I went to the store assuming they would be out of most of them and I would have to regroup...I was right!

I actually was only able to find one item after I asked for a raincheck, and the cashier pointed me to a small display down by the photo counter that was apparently the few FREE after ECB items they had left.

Here is everything I got, minus a Starbucks double shot that I handed off to my husband as he was walking out the door when I got out of the van.

See!  Very small trip!

First Transaction:  

• LA LOOKS  $2.49  Used $1/1 coupon
• Carmex  $1.00   Used $0.30/1 coupon
• Starbucks  $1.69  (no coupon)

Paid With $3 ECBs.  Owed $0.88 + tax.

Paid with $0.85 remaining on my CVS Challenge Gift Card, and 7 cents of my own cash.  Got back $5.18 in ECBs.  ($2.49, $1, and $1.69)

At this point I asked for rainchecks for the Finish, and also the Breath Right strips.  They led me over to the Finish, so I grabbed one and got back in line.  A line of about 4 people had stacked up by this point, and I was running out of time to get back home, so I opted to not worry with the other Rain Check I wanted.  I always find those at the $0.99Cents Only Store, anyway.

Second Transaction:

• Finish Quantum  $2.99  Used $1/1 coupon

Paid with $1.69 ECB from transaction 1, and owed $0.32.  Got back $2.99 in ECBs.

So, when all was said and done, I didn't walk away with much in my bag, *BUT* I only spent $0.39 of *my* money, and left with over twice the amount of ECBs that I walked in with.  ($6.48 now)

I've still yet to decide if I want to shop CVS this week or wait until next week.

Will you be shopping CVS this week?  My favorite makeup that my kids just ruined in son sale, so maybe I should!

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Shopping Trip 11/7: CVS, Kroger and Albertsons (Saved 63%)

This morning I took full advantage of having my in-laws here.  I gathered up my coupons and went out shopping by myself.  I had to go to CVS today, even though the deals weren't that great, because my ECBs were expiring.  Kroger and Albertson's were also both having Mega Sales this week.

For my first stop at CVS, I did two small transactions, which I do not normally do, but today it worked out in my favor.  I actually ended up spending less that I thought I would because the scanner printed me a $2 off 2 Glade products, so I opted to get Glade instead of shout an fantastic along with my 2 Pledge products and $2/2 from yesterdays SS.  I had $8 in ECBs already, so my total came to $0.00 for my first transaction, and I got back $4 in ECBs.  Then I purchased 2 Jif peanut butters for $5, used my $4 ECB, and paid just $1 from my gift card.  I have $0.85 remaining, and I got back just $3 in ECBs.

Here is what I came home with:

Total Shelf Price:  $27.74

Total Sale Price:   $17.00   (already 39% Savings)

Price Paid OOP:   $1.00     (96% Savings and $3 ECBs remaining)

I will have a full post of my CVS Gift Card Challenge up to this point later.

At Kroger, I grabbed 3 sets of Mega items, along with a few things I needed around the house (cat food, little, bread and butter).  Those elevated my total OOP a bit, but Kroger has these items cheaper than other stores in their store brand, so i opted to grab them while I was out.

Here is what i got from Kroger:

Total Shelf Price:  $90.74

Total Sale Price:   $54.49  (Already 40% Savings)

Price Paid OOP:  $43.72   52% Savings  (Just my mega items were 70% Savings)

After this, I stopped by Albertsons.  Persistence paid off in returning to the milk aisle three times.  There were no Silk Dark Chocolate almond milks on the shelf, but the dairy truck had just arrived and they were unloading boxes.  I finally saw someone with a stack of boxes, and asked.   She quickly grabbed me a couple from a box.  I love these.  I also got several boxes of $0.88 cereal (I still have more coupons for them that I did not use, but I had to have multiples of 10 items.)

Here is everything I got at Albertsons:

Total Shelf Price:  $44.30
Total Sale Price:   $23.85  (Already 46% Savings)
Price Paid OOP:  $14.77  (67% Savings)

Altogether today I spent $59.49 on $162.51 worth of products.  That's an average savings of 63%.

Did you do any shopping this week?  I'd love to hear about it!  Leave a comment or link up below!

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Week 10 CVS Gift Card Challenge: $5 OOP 86% Savings

I did not have a chance to make it to CVS towards the beginning of the week, like I usually do.  I thought that  I may just let this week go by without shopping at CVS, but then I got a $5/$25 coupon by email.

The coupon would have expired tomorrow, so I had to decide if I wanted to shop this week's sale, or hurry up and shop tomorrow for next week's sale.  After comparing this week's ad with the 10/9 Ad Scan on Simply CVS, I decided to do my shopping today.  I mean, I can't pass up ECBs on Frappucino's....you know me. ;)

I only had $6.85 left on my CVS gift card after my last trip, and I knew this would use up a big chunk of that.  But, the items I was buying today were all grocery items, and quite honestly, we need that sort of thing (and we go through that sort of thing) a lot more than any of the other items in the add, such as toiletries and drug items.

Here is what I grabbed tonight:

Total Shelf Price:  $34.60
Total Sale Price:   $25.50
Price Paid OOP After Coupons and $12 ECBs:  $5.00  And I got back $8 in ECBs to use next time.

This is a savings of 86 %!

So far I've been able to buy $219.36 worth of items for just $23.15.  That's an average savings of 89%!

I still have $1.85 remaining on my CVS gift card, as well as my $8 in ECBs to use next time.  It may be the last trip, or it may not! You never really know with CVS.

Now quite honestly, I could have found a way to spend less on this trip.  I could have gotten some make-up items using my great $8/2 covergirl coupons.  But, I'm not a make-up person, really.  These items were more practical for my family, and will be enjoyed by all.  Plus, i got all of that for the cost of just the green tea! =)

If you'd like to see how my other shopping trips went, you can check them all out through the links below:

Week 1: Spent $5.10 OOP on $39.61 worth w/ $12 ECBs remaining.

Week 2: Spent $0.28 OOP on $ 21.25 worth w/ $10.99 ECBs remaining.

Week 3: Spent $3.62 OOP on $27.77 worth w/ $7 ECBs remaining.

Weeks 4-5: Did Not Shop

Week 6: Spent $0.61 OOP for $22.52

Week 7: Spent $0.63 OOP for $37.64

Week 8:  Spent $7.91 OOP for $35.97.

Week 9:  Did Not Shop

Week 10:  Current Trip--Spent $5 OOP for $34.60.

Today was the last day of this week's sale, and tomorrow starts a whole new ad.  Cheryl over at Simply CVS already has next week's deals ready to go, so you can pre-plan your trip!

ECB Deals are always my favorite, but she also has some $5 and $10 scenarios that you may want to check out as well.

While you're there, have a look at her $50 CVS gift card challenge that is is doing herself (starting over with $0 ECBs and a brand new CVS card!).  I think she's doing great!

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Week 8: $25 CVS Gift Card Challenge--They Paid Me For Diapers!

The thing I love most about CVS is that sometimes we can get really awesome deals on items our family really needs, even if they aren't completely free!  We can spend much less than we would buying them elsewhere, and get ECBs back as a reward.  That was my main motivation in making my trip today.

Today, I spent the most that I have ever spent during my CVS challenge (half of what what remaining on my gift card, actually!), and I only have three items to show for it, but I still think it's one of the best deals I have gotten at CVS...maybe ever.  

You see...they kinda paid me to walk away with 3 packs of diapers.

Total Shelf Price:  $35.97

Total Sale Price:  $27.00

Price Paid After Coupons:  $15.50

Price Paid After $8.19 in ECBs from last trip:  $7.31 +  .60 tax =  $7.91 OOP  

 That's a 78 % savings on diapers!  I got three packs for less than the cost of 1!!!

Then, I got back $10 in ECBs for purchasing $25 worth of baby items!

So, if you factor in the ECBs, I actually made $2.09 buying these diapers.  (I don't factor those into my totals this week, since I didn't actually use them.  I will factor them into my savings on next trip!)

Here's how I did it:

Got 3 packs of Huggies Slip On Diapers @ $9.00 each  ($27 total to meet the $25 requirement to get the ECBs)

--Used 3  $3/1 Huggies Slip On Diapers from 9/11 SS

--Also used $2.50/1 Huggies Slip On CVS coupon that randomly appeared in my mailbox last week! =)

  (I had already seen this week's ad scan, thanks to Cheryl--she always has them up by Monday, and I knew they would be part of this ECB deal, so I was ecstatic!)

--Used $8.19 in ECBs from last week.

--Got $10 in ECBs at the register.

So far in my challenge, I have been able to purchase $184.76 worth of items for just $18.15.   That's an average savings of 90%.

I still have $6.85 left on my gift card, as well as my $10 in ECBs to spend next time, so its like still having $16.85 to spend.  We all know that can go a long way at CVS!

If you'd like to catch up on my progress, you can check out all of my posts under my CVS Gift Card Challenge label, or you can take a look at a single one.

Here is the breakdown of each week:

Week 1: Spent $5.10 OOP on $39.61 worth w/ $12 ECBs remaining.

Week 2: Spent $0.28 OOP on $ 21.25 worth w/ $10.99 ECBs remaining.

Week 3: Spent $3.62 OOP on $27.77 worth w/ $7 ECBs remaining.

Weeks 4-5: Did Not Shop

Week 6: Spent $0.61 OOP for $22.52

Week 7: Spent $0.63 OOP for $37.64

Week 8:  Current Week--Spent $7.91 OOP for $35.97.

There are a ton more great deals to be had at CVS this week, and you can find them all listed out, which coupon match-ups, over at Simply CVS's 9/18 Deals Page.  I always pay special attention to the ECB deals!

If you need a little help planning your trip, she has some great $5 and $10 scenarios as well!

If you have a CVS trip or scenario that you wish to share, please link it up below:

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Week 7: CVS Gift Card Challenge--$0.63 OOP and 98% Savings

Tonight I made my 5th shopping trip using my $25 Gift Card supplied by Cheryl at SimplyCVS (I took two weeks off from shopping, but this is week 7 since I got the card.)

I was able to snag a lot of great deals that my family needed, and there were even more great deals that I passed on, since we didn't need them!

Here is everything I picked up tonight:

Total Shelf Cost:  $37.64

Total Sale Price:  $27.65

Price Paid After Coupons and $10.49 in ECBs from last week:  $0.63 (98% Savings)  and I got back $8.19 in ECBs for next time.

The Bengay did not produce ECBs this trip, but it was only $0.49 after the coupon, so I used it as a filler item to reach my $25 limit to be able to use my $5/$25 coupon.

I was also very thrilled to get some of the new Huggies Slip On Diapers because my daughter is potty training, but she is sooo very tiny.  She is 25 1/2 months old not and still *well* within size 3 diaper weight limit.  However, Pull-Ups and other such training pants begin their sizes at 2T, which is equivalent to a size 4 diaper, so they were so bulky on her!  These are made just like a Pull-Up and seem to fit her much more snugly.  I imagine they will feel drier if she happens to wet them as well, which is great for overnight when she needs them the most!

Here is the breakdown of the items I purchased and the coupons I used:

• Ritz Crackerfuls   $2.50 (Used FREE coupon from scanner) =FREE
• Huggies Slip On   $8.99 (Used $3/1 from today's paper) Get $1 ECB
• Colgate Optic White Toothbrush  $3.99 (Used $0.75/1 from today's paper)  Get $1.50 ECBs.
• Irish Spring Body Wash  (Used $0.50/1 printable)   Get $2 ECBs
• CVS Allergy Relief  5ct.  $3.69.   Get $3.69 ECBs
• Bengay $5.49  (Used $5/1 from today's paper) 
• --Also used $5/$25 coupon that I was sent via email, and my existing ECBs from last week.

I currently have $14.76 left on my gift card along with my $8.19 in ECBs.  That is like still having $22.95 left to spend towards my challenge.

So far I have spent just $10.24 on $148.79 worth of items.  That's a total savings of 93%!

If you are just catching this challenge, you can read my post where I first introduced it.

If you've missed any of my trips and would like to catch up, check out these posts:

Week 1: Spent $5.10 OOP on $39.61 worth w/ $12 ECBs remaining.

Week 2: Spent $0.28 OOP on $ 21.25 worth w/ $10.99 ECBs remaining.

Week 3: Spent $3.62 OOP on $27.77 worth w/ $7 ECBs remaining.

Weeks 4-5: Did Not Shop

Week 6: Spent $0.61 OOP for $22.52

Week 7: Current Trip--Spent $0.63 OOP for $37.64

There are a ton more great deals to be had at CVS this week, and you can find them all listed out, which coupon match-ups, over at Simply CVS's 9/11 Sale Ad Deals Page!  (Scroll down to see them all).  The ones I used mostly were the ECB deals!  I love when I get paid back to shop! ;)

If you have a CVS trip or scenario that you wish to share, please link it up below:

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CVS Trip 9/4 Saved 97% $0.61 OOP

I shared with you the other night how I had taken a couple weeks off from my CVS Gift Card Challenge, but I was ready to jump back in!  I was very excited writing out my shopping list using the Extra Buck Deals listed by Cheryl at Simply CVS.

While my younger daughter was napping this afternoon, and my older daughter was playing quietly (after we finished her math homework), I grabbed my newly organized coupons and my CVS ad and began circling the items I wished to purchase.  I used the post linked above to see if there were any coupons to go along with my planned purchases, and I was able to put together a list and gather up my coupons in about 10-15 minutes!  (I say this just to let you know that drug store shopping is not *nearly* as time consuming as people think it is!).

My daughter napped on and on, so I was able to finish putting together my Aldi list (more on that in a bit) and do my dishes and fold all of my laundry (while my older one, who had now insisted that she be addressed as princess unicorn, was giving me a ballet performance---she even danced the folded clothes to there proper locations for me!)

Once the little one finally woke up, we left for CVS.  I was able to quickly find everything on my list except for the Keebler Granola bars.  When I looked closely at the ad, it stated that they were available in select locations.  I did not even see a spot for them, so I guess we are not a select location.

That purchase was part of my plan to use my $4/$20 purchase (which I had subtotaled to be $19.97, so I planned to toss in a 3 for $1 notebook and call it a day).  I would not be able to use my $4 coupon if I didn't find a replacement for these items, and I had to think fast because my children were getting antsy!  (I'd had to stop by the pharmacy first and drop off an Rx with new insurance cards....)

I knew that after the coupons I planned to use on the granola bars, I was going to be spending $3.50, so I decided to instead grab a tube of the Colgate Optic White.  I'm sure there was a coupon for this that I didn't bring along, but so be it!

In the end, I spent only 30 cents more than I had planned (because my makeup cost more in store than the website indicated) and received only 50cent less in ECBs than I had planned, so I don't think I made a bad substitution.  The little scanner machine even gave me a FREE dove bar coupon (or milky way)!  Gotta love FREE chocolate!  =D

Here is everything I got this afternoon:

1 Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Powder @$12.79  (Get $7 ECBs wyb $10)

---Used $1/1 from 8/7 SS

1 Carefree Pantiliner   $1.00  (Get $1 ECB)

---Used  $0.50/1 Printable or from 8/21 SS

1 Colgate Optic White  $3.49  (Get $1.50 ECBs)

---No coupons used.  (Cheryl does list a $1/1 toothbrush from 8/28 SS--also included)

2 Hershey Air Delight @ $0.99 each  (Get $0.99 ECB Limit 1)

--Used BOGO from 8/28 SS

1 Dove Bar  (FREE  with coupon from scanner)

Total Shelf Price:  $22.52

Total Sale Price:   $20.05  (talk about keeping it close to my $20!)

Price After Coupons (Including $4/$20):  $12.57

Price Paid OOP After my $12 in ECBs:  $0.57 + tax for a total of $0.61!    97% Savings

*Plus* I got back $10.49 in ECBs to use next trip!

I still have $15.39 remaining on my $25 gift card and $10.49.  That is like having $25.88 left to spend for my challenge!

So far altogether I have spent $9.61 on items that retail for $111.15.  That is an average savings of 91% each trip so far!

If you would like to catch up on my previous trips:

Week 1:  Spent $5.10 OOP on $39.61 worth w/ $12 ECBs remaining.

Week 2: Spent $0.28 OOP on $ 21.25 worth w/ $10.99 ECBs remaining.

Week 3: Spent $3.62 OOP on $27.77 worth w/ $7 ECBs remaining.

Weeks 4-5:  Did Not Shop

Week 6:  Current Trip--   $0.61 OOP for $22.52

If you need a little bit of help planning your trips, Cheryl at Simply CVS has you covered!  You can check out all of the current sale prices, and see the coupons available for each item on her page.

If you are like me and need some visual assistance, each Monday she posts a link up for bloggers to share their trips  (it will be on top once she posts it, so check back!).  I will be linking mine up there, as always, but it always helps me to see what others have bought.  I usually find something I missed out on just scanning the ad myself!

Cheryl will be beginning her own $50 GC challenge this week, armed with NO ECBs to begin with, so you will definitely want to check that out!  I can't wait to see how she does!


Did you go to CVS this week?  Do you plan to go?  Leave a comment and let me know what you got.  If you blog about it, link up!

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Update On $25 CVS Gift Card Challenge--Another Reason I Love CVS

I wanted to give a quick update on my progress in the $25 CVS Gift Card Challenge from Simply CVS.  You may have noticed that I haven't posted a shopping trip in a while.  Well, that is because I took a couple weeks off from shopping at CVS.

There are several reasons for this--poor sale items, busy schedules (my husband has been working soooo much, and we've have Kindergarten starting and family visiting), and disorganized coupons to name a few. But you know what, with CVS, that's ok!  One of the main things that I love about CVS is the LONG expiration dates on the ECBs.  They give you 3 week or more in which to use them, so you never have feel pressure to return week after week!

I've tried to keep up with Walgreens RR program in the past, but those are only valid for 10 days, and I was never able to keep up with "rolling" them the way I am at CVS, because there just were not items I wished to buy there each week.  I had gotten to where I would immediately spend them on something I needed.  In fact, I hardly ever shop there at all anymore.

I have been scouring the CVS ads each week trying to find great deals on items we've needed and coupons to spend very little OOP, but I just have not seen anything worth it these past two weeks, and with only $7 in ECBs, my OOP would have been high.

I was tempted to just go in and grab the St. Joseph's aspirin freebie with week, but that seemed like too much effort for something we don't even use.  I have been learning more and more lately that it is ok to let a deal go by.

I do plan on shopping early this coming week however, because I've scanned next week's sale ad over at Simply CVS and see quite a few things that I'd like to get. I was also sent a survey in my email from the CVS Advisor Panel (I've talked about this in the past, and you really should sign up!)  For taking a 10 minute survey, I was award $5 ECBs, so I now have a total of $12 in ECBs to spend at CVS, to go along with the $16 remaining on my giftcard (so that's like having $28 to spend).  I also was emailed a $4/$20 purchase coupon this week which will expire on Wednesday.  That is $16 towards my $20 purchase right there, without even using coupons!

I'm pretty excited to jump back in and see what I can do this week!  In fact, Cheryl at Simply CVS is about to jump back in as well!  She has taken an entire month off of CVS shopping, and has decided to give herself a challenge!  She has saved up her swagbucks to get herself a $50 CVS Gift Card.  She has just received it and is ready to begin her shopping anew!  However, she wanted to start *completely* fresh.  She has spent up all of her ECBs, so she will be beginning with $0 to spend.  She has also taken it a step further and gotten herself a brand new CVS card.  This way, none of her previous shopping information is stored, so it won't even know what coupons to print for her at the scanner until she shops for a few weeks!

If you have never shopped at CVS before, and you are wanting to get started, I highly recommend you follow her as she wants this challenge to be geared toward new CVS shoppers.  I honestly cannot wait to see how she does!  You can hop over to her site using the button below, and follow her from there.

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Week 3: CVS Gift Card Challenge 87% Savings

Yesterday we were visiting family after church, and we did not get back home until after 8pm.  I only had 2 hours before the store closed to put my trip together.  I may have waited until later in the week to go, but I had a $4/$20 coupon that expired yesterday, and I didn't want it to go to waste!

I found the sales this week to be a little bit scarce, but I knew I wanted to take advantage of the Pampers deal and grab a pack of Easy-Ups for my potty-training one.  

I always try to get my totals as close to zero as possible, but sometimes the itmes on sale just do not wish to work out that way.  I planned two different scenarios using the ECB deals posted at Simply CVS., but I ended up straying from them both when I got into the store.

One of my plans had me getting a pack of Easy Ups, and then doing the Dove Deal with the BOGO coupons from 7/31 RP.  The coupon called for FREE "treatment" wyb a shampoo/conditioner.  We do not use stylers, but I thought perhaps there would be conditioning spray for my daughter's tangles, but all they had was hairspray, so I decided that doing this deal (which would have been the least OOP) was not the best fit for my family.

My second plan was to get the Easy-Ups, Fiber Gummies, and Schick Hydro (which my husband does not care for).  At home I was only looking for Extra Buck sale items that I knew I had a coupon for, and I completely overlooked the 12 pack of Lipton Green Tea.  I quickly figured out that if I added one of those to my order, it would cover the extra I needed to use the $4/$20 coupon, and it would also give me back $2 in ECBs, and I would spend a bit less than I would have getting the razor.  Plus I thought it would be a nice refreshing drink to have in this hot weather!

So here is what I came home with:

1 pack Pampers Easy Ups  $8.99   Used $1.50/1 that was attached to my cheerios box. Get $3 ECBs.

12 pack Lipton Green Tea   $5.99  Get $2 ECBs.

1 Pedia Lax Fiber Gummies   Used $1/1 printable.  Get $2 ECBs.

Also Used $10.99 in ECBs from last week.

Total Shelf Price:  $27.77

Total Sale Price:  $20.97

Price Paid OOP after coupons/ECBs:   $3.62 including tax   87% Savings  and I got back $7 in ECBs to use next week.

If you missed my other trips, you can catch up here:

Week 1:  Spent $5.10 OOP on $39.61 worth w/ $12 ECBs remaining.

Week 2: Spent $0.28 OOP on $ 21.25 worth w/ $10.99 ECBs remaining.

Week 3: Spent $3.62 OOP on $27.77 worth w/ $7 ECBs remaining.

So far in all, I've gotten $88.63 worth of items at CVS for just $9.00. I have $16.00 remaining on my gift card, as well as $7 in ECBs to spend.

 If you wish to shop at CVS this week too, you check out all of the deals for this weeks ad over at Simply CVS.  You can also check out the post where Cheryl allows others to share their shopping trips.  I really think seeing pictures of the actual products helps me out much more than browsing through an ad.

Good luck on your shopping!  I would love to hear how you did!

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Week 2: $25 CVS Gift Card Challenge Saved 99%

Last week I told you about Week 1 of my $25 CVS Gift Card Challenge sponsored by Cheryl at Simply CVS. 

This morning I woke up FAR too early and I couldn't get back to sleep.  I finally decided to get up and go grab my paper off the front lawn and see what coupons it contained.

I usually wait until Sunday to plan my CVS adventures because it seems to me (and today was certainly no exception) that drugs stores like to have their sales go along with the newly issued coupons.  They even put little symbols in their ads to let you know that there is a coupon that you can use on that item.

When I flipped through my coupon inserts this morning, I quickly recognized several items that I had known would be on sale because of this weeks ad-scan preview at Simply CVS.

There are probably several items that previously had coupons available that I missed, but I decided that I wanted to hurry up and make my trip in the morning before we had to leave for church, so I clipped out a few just from this week's paper, and those were the only coupons I used this trip.  That means that if you are new to drug store shopping, and want to get started, this is a good week to do it!  

Here is what I bought this morning (I wanted to get the Bic Soliel Women's Razor, but they were none on the shelf.  That change in my plan actually made me spend much less):

1 Gillette Fusion Proglide (These are my husband's favorite, so I pick up one whenever I can):  $9.99

  --Used $4.00/1 from 7/31 PG  (Get $5 ECBs)

1 Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief   $4.99

  --Used $1.50/1 from 7/31 SS    (Get $3 ECBs)

2 Skinny Cow Bars @ $0.99 each

  --Used BOGO from 7/31 RP    (Get $0.99 ECBs -limit 1)

1 Kotex U Pantiliner  $1.49 on my receipt

  -Used FREE product coupon that printed from the scanner this morning (I notice $1.77 *the upper limit* was actually deducted)

Total Shelf Price:   $21.25

Total Sale Price:    $18.45

Price After Coupons listed Above:  $10.19

Paid with $10 of my ECBs from last week:  $0.19 +  $0.09 tax =  $0.28 OOP  and I got back $8.99 in ECBs  to use next time (plus $2 left from last week for $10.99 total).  That's a 99% Savings!

If you are keeping track:

Week 1:  Spent $5.10 OOP  on $39.61 worth w/ $12 ECBs remaining

Week 2:  Spent $0.28 OOP  on $ 21.25 worth w/ $10.99 ECBs remaining.

Total:  $5.38 spent on $60.86 worth of products

Total remaining:  $19.62 + $10.99 in ECBs.

If you are planning on shopping at CVS this week, Cheryl can help you get the most out of your trip.  I tend to focus on her Extra Bucks deals (since those are the ones that pay you back to shop), but she also has great coupon match-ups for grocery items, household items, and even BOGO items and $1 or less items.

Look carefully through her lists if you have a supply of older coupons, because there are some I noticed that came out before this morning for the same items that were higher in value.  

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Week 1: $25 CVS Gift Card Challenge 87% Savings

Last week, I told you how Cheryl at Simply CVS had asked me to participate in her $25 CVS Gift Card Challenge.  I was very excited to begin my challenge this week, but things did not go exactly as I intended.

To begin with, I usually try to get to CVS on Sunday evening, but I had a very good friend from college visiting me this weekend, so I did not get out on Sunday.  I also did not spend very much time on the computer this weekend in general, and because of that, I missed out on a few printable coupons that could have made my trip tonight even better, and one of the coupons I had planned on using expired.

I had to redo my plan, so I went back through Cheryl's ECB Deals post, and I also checked out some of the posts that had already been linked up on her Share Your CVS Shopping Trip post for this week.  I found the one at Thrifty Texas Penny to be especially helpful.

My store was also out of a few items that I intended to purchase. I had to leave a few things off, and substitute a couple of items that I did not have a coupon for.

My original plan was this (I had $9 ECBs to begin with from my last trip):

Transaction 1:
--Buy Papermate Pens  $1.99   (Get $1.99 ECBs)
--Buy Renu Sensentive $7.89  Use $2/1 Printable (no longer available). (Get $6 ECBs)
Total:  $7.88 +tax
I intended to pay with $7 ECB, and Get back $7.99 to add to my $2 remaining for $9.99 total ECBs, and only owe $0.88 + a very small amount of tax.

Transaction 2:  *means I did not know what the price would be until I reached the store.
Bengay  (Get Back $2 ECBs) *  Use $5/1 printable.
Schick Disposable Razors *  Use $1/1 from 6/19 SS.
Schick Disposable Razors*  Use BOGO from 6/26 SS.
Skintimate Moisturizing Shave Cream $2.19 Use $1.50/1 printable (no longer available).
Skintimate Moisturizing Shave Cream  $2.19 (if needed to reach $20)  Use $1/1 printable.  Also in 7/24 SS.  (Get $10 ECBs for spending $20 on Schick/Skintimate)

Well, here's how it actually went down....Transaction 1 they were completely out of, so I decided to just skip it and only do Transaction 2.  If my calculations were correct, it should have only cost me about $1 more in the end.  However, they were also all out of the Moisturizing Shave Cream that I had coupons for.  I didn't want my trip to be a total waste, so I decided to substitute the Skintimate Shave Gel, which was the same price, only I did not have coupons for those (there are $0.55/1 in the 7/24 SS, but I did not bring them along).  That ended up costing me $2.50 extra right there.  Also, I decided to grab an extra Bengay, since they were only $5.89, and I had two $5/1 coupons.  I did not receive ECBs for the second, but I thought it was a great price anyway. =)  I also found they had the single cans of Seatle's Best Coffee in the refrigerated section.  I had not been able to find these anywhere, and had 3 FREE coupons, so I grabbed three of those as well.

Here's what I came home with:

3 Seattles Best Single Serve Coffee

2 Bengay

2 Skintimate Shave Gel

20 Schick Disposable Women's Razors  (2 Bonus packs with 8 + 2 free)

WEEK 1 Totals:

Total Shelf Price:  $39.61

Total Sale Price:   $37.21

Total After Manufacturer Coupons:  $13.45

Price Paid After $9 ECBs:   $4.45 + $0.65 tax = $5.10    87% Savings

I have $19.90 left on my gift card, and $12 in ECBs to start with on my next trip (which I can already begin planning, because Cheryl has the 7/31 Ad Scan Preview already posted)!

Part of me is a little bit bummed that things did not work out as I would have liked, and that I ended up paying a little bit extra because of that, but the sane part of me is somewhere in the back of my mind telling me that $5.10 is an amazing price to pay for 20 razors, 2 shave gels, 2 Bengay, and 3 single serve coffees.

I am also kind of glad that it happened this way, because it shows that even couponers are human.  Life gets in the way (we do have lives!), we slack off, we miss printable coupons, we let coupons expire, we miss out on items being in stock.  But I like to think that saving money with coupons, especially at CVS, is like a game.  I didn't want to "bench myself" this week because things didn't go exactly as I planned, so I changed it up, and I think I still came out a winner!

I'd love to hear how your trip to CVS this week went!

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$25 CVS Gift Card Challenge Sponsored By Simply CVS

I wanted to let you guys know about something pretty exciting that is about to happen on my blog.  I have been asked by Cheryl at Simply CVS to be the second participant in her $25 CVS Gift Card Challenge!  I will be sent a $25 CVS gift card by Cheryl, and the challenge is to see exactly how far I can make that $25 stretch by using coupons and rolling my ECBs.

Cheryl began this challenge after she put herself to the challenge with a $10 gift card!  I believe she wanted to show her readers that anyone can do it (not just her), and that is something I want to show to you all as well!

JrFrugalMom at Frugality is Free was her first participant, and she did an amazing job!  She made her $25 last for 15 weeks and was able to purchase over $426 worth of merchandise!  I watched her posts each week with awe. =)

CVS is probably one of my favorite stores to shop at, as well as the store that I save the most at, but quite honestly, I've gotten pretty slack on my CVS shopping recently. I think this is just what I need to get myself out of my rut and excited about it again.  I think it has been mostly because I've been busier, and already have a good amount of items on hand, but I have only been shopping at CVS about every 2-3 weeks, instead of every week.  That is certainly not maximizing my savings, and I've missed out on many, many great deals!

I know that enormous savings are possible by shopping at CVS, and I have been able to virtually eliminate our toiletry spending, as well as many over the counter medicines, and sometimes diapers!  I am very excited to see how far this $25 can go!

In my state, I am only taxed on the post-coupon amount, so I am often able to get my total OOP very low.  If your state has different rules, Cheryl has a post with great tips about how coupon order can affect your final OOP spending.  She also begins posting deals from Sunday's new CVS ad on the previous Monday, giving you plenty of time to begin planning your trip and gathering your coupons for the following week.

She already has next week's ad-scan posted (which is my favorite, because I'm a very visual person and need to actually see the ad to remember what is on sale...lists just don't do it for me).  She will also begin listing deals by category (Household, BOGO, ECB deals, etc) with coupon match-ups about mid week.

I think my favorite post that she has each week is the link-up where she allows bloggers to share their CVS shopping trips.  I frequently have my shopping done before she posts this each Monday (and I always link my trip up), but if I haven't gone yet, I will always swing by and check on what has been posted because I always find a deal that I missed!  Again, it just helps for me to see the images of other's shopping trips.

I am very thankful to Cheryl for allowing me to participate in this challenge.  If you want to make sure you keep up with my progress each week, make sure you Subscribe to Saving Myself Silly by Email,  and if you aren't already following Simply CVS, I highly recommend it. ;)

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