Free Chick-Fil-A Spicy Chicken Sandwich

It has been far too long since my last post. Chalk that up to my job as a teacher and the fact that it is May. The entire month is utter insanity.


I've not been doing a lot of crazy-saving lately, though I can certainly say there are many things I haven't had to shop for in quite a while, thanks to stocking up when things were on sale. It pays off.


I wanted to pass this along while it's still good. Chick-Fil-A (one of my favorite fast-food restaurants) is coming out with a new spicy chicken sandwich, and you can reserve one free to try during its first week. 





Each restaurant is allotted a certain number of sandwiches to be reserved. Choose your local restaurant and fill in your contact info, and a link to a coupon will be emailed to you. You also have to choose the day and time frame you would like to redeem your coupon. I'm looking forward to trying this--and it's free, so it makes it that much better!

Lunchables "Field Trips For All" Promotion

Okay, this is not a freebie or a deal, and it doesn't have to do with coupons, but it's awesome nonetheless and I want to share it.

Lunchables is sponsoring a field trip giveaway to 50 classes who are nominated as deserving. Anyone age 6 and up can nominate a class, and any class in 1st-8th grade is eligible. 

I teach in a low-income area, and my students don't get too many opportunities to go on field trips outside our immediate area of the state. I did my student teaching at an award-winning school in a more "well-off" area of a larger city, and the students there were always going on trips. The fifth grade (the grade level where I student taught) took all six of its classes on a three-day, two-night trip to an amazing environmental education program at a barrier island; the program was perfectly aligned with SC standards for fifth-grade science, and the kids learned so much firsthand about ecosystems and oceans/landforms. It was an amazing experience both for them and for me. I can think of so many brilliant students at my school in the fifth grade that would be so grateful and so impacted by a trip like this, but I just don't think the funding for such a big trip is available.

There are so many students in my state alone who are currently suffering the consequences of the recession and the subsequent school budget cuts. What a trip like this would mean to them (and to their teachers) at such a time... well, I know it would be something they would never forget.

Please nominate a class you care about. If you can't think of a class, let me know if you'd like the information for the fifth-grade science class I nominated at my school. I figure multiple nominations can't hurt.

Frappuccinos Half-Price at Starbucks starting Friday

I've been absolutely terrible about posting lately. Welcome to the last month of school for a teacher! I haven't even had a good shopping run in several weeks. But the fact that my cupboards, frige, and freezer are still full definitely attests to the benefits of couponing and sale-shopping! Even though I haven't shopped in a while, I'm stocked up.


I'm breaking my hiatus to share something that's not free... but half-price isn't bad!

I love Starbucks Frappuccinos. Always have, always will. It's one of my guilty pleasures. And to celebrate the new "fraps your way" promo, May 7-16 from 3-5pm is half-price Happy Hour on all fraps. Not a coffee fan? Good news for you, too--"frap" also includes creme-based beverages in strawberry, vanilla, chai, green tea, chocolate chip, or choose any syrup flavor and they'll make it into a creme frap.


Starbucks has always offered a variety of flavors and customization options, but now they're making a big, public deal about being able to personalize your beverage--not just the flavor, but the option to have it light (for most coffee-based beverages), choose your type of milk, extra coffee or espresso, whip or no whip, drizzle or chocolate chips on top... so now ordering a Frappuccino can be just as complex as ordering any other kind of coffee! I'm reminded of Tom Hanks' great line from You've Got Mail: 

"The whole purpose of places like Starbucks is for people with no decision-making ability whatsoever to make six decisions just to buy one cup of coffee. Short, tall, light, dark, caf, decaf, low-fat, non-fat, etc. So people who don't know what... they're doing or who on earth they are can, for only $2.95, get not just a cup of coffee but an absolutely defining sense of self: Tall. Decaf. Cappuccino."

Spartanburg Herald-Journal Coupons 4/25

It's not a week to get too excited about in Spartanburg... of course, the released list didn't really hold anything particularly exciting, either. There were some coupons for Margaritaville products I would have liked to try, but they didn't come to S-burg. Oh, well!

SmartSource 4/25

$1 off Air Wick Aqua Mist  (exp 6/6)
$4 off Air Wick Freshmatic Compact i-Motion Starter Kit (exp 6/6)
$4 off Air Wick Scented Oil i-Motion Starter Kit  (exp 6/6)
$1 off Air Wick Scented Oil Twin Refill Pack (any 1) or any (2) single refills (exp 6/6)
$1 off Archway Brand Cookie Variety (exp 5/31)
$5 off Aveeno Ageless Vitality product  (exp 5/31)
$1 off Aveeno product (exp 5/31)
$10 Rebate wyb any Aveeno Ageless Vitality product by 5/31/10$1 off Benefiber Orange product (exp 5/22)
$1 off Benefiber product (exp 5/22)
$4 off Bufferin product, 130ct  (exp 6/20)$1 off Colgate 360 Sonic Power Toothbrush  (exp 5/15)
.75/1 Colgate Adult or Children’s Toothbrush, (exp 5/15)
.50/1 Colgate Kids Toothbrush (exp 5/15)
.50/1 Colgate Kids Toothpaste (exp 5/15)
.75/1 Colgate Total, Max White, Max Fresh or Sensitive Toothpaste, 4oz+ (exp 5/15).75/2 Dole Gel Fruit Bowls  (exp 6/30)
.75/2 Dole Fruit Bowls or Parfaits (exp 6/30)
$1 off Edwards Singles (exp 7/31)
$5/3 Ensure Shakes 6pk (exp 6/27)
$1.50 Ensure Shakes 6pk (exp 6/27)
$1 off Excedrin product, 20ct+  (exp 6/27)
$1.50 Excedrin product, 80ct+  (exp 6/27)
$2 off Gas-X Prevention (exp 7/10)
$1 off Gas-X product  (exp 7/10).55/1 Hershey’s Bliss Chocolate Bar, 1.3oz  (exp 7/25)
$1 off Hershey’s Bliss Chocolates, 8.6oz+ bag  (exp 7/25)
.50/1 Irish Spring Body Wash or any (2) Irish Spring Multbar Soap Packs, 3bar+ (exp 5/15)$1 off Jose Ole 16oz+, includes Taquitos, Mini Tacos, Mini Chimichangas, Quesadillas  (exp 6/30)$2 off LamisilAT product (exp 7/30)$1 off Maalox Advanced or Total Relief product (exp 7/10)
$2.50/2 Maalox Advanced or Total Relief product (exp 7/10)$2 off Marcal Small Steps Bath Tissue, 4-roll+ (exp 5/31) *Limit 1 coupon per person
Free Marcal Small Steps Single Roll Bath Tissue or Facial Tissue or $1 off off (exp 5/31).55/1 Mentos Gum, bottle (exp 7/31)
$1 off NoDoz product (exp 7/30).75/1 OxiClean MaxForce Gel Stick or any OxiClean Spray (exp 6/30)
$2 off OxiClean MaxForce Power Paks or Liqui-Gel (exp 6/30)
$1 off OxiClean Versatile Powder, 56oz+ (exp 6/30)
$1 off Oxydol, 50oz+  (exp 6/14)
.70/1 Palmolive Liquid Dish Soap, 20/25oz  (exp 5/15)
.75/1 Palmolive Pure + Clear or Pure + Caring Dish Soap (exp 5/15)$4 off Prevacid 24HR exp 5/22)$1.50 Red Baron Pan Pizza or Pan Pasta product  (exp 6/25)$1 off Rubbermaid Premier, Produce Saver, Lock-its, or Easy Find Lids Container or Set (exp 6/26).50/1 Speed Stick or Lady Speed Stick Antiperspirant/Deodorant,  (exp 5/15).50/1 Tabasco brand Family of Flavors product, any size/flavor (exp 6/6).55/1 off Tostitos Tortilla Chips, 9oz+ AND Tostitos Dip, 15oz+ (exp 5/26)
.60/1 Viva Paper Towels Big Roll (exp 6/6)
$1 off Wholly Guacamole or Wholly Salsa (exp 6/6)
.50/1 Yoplait Delights Yogurt Multipack (exp 6/19)
.40/6 Yoplait Yogurt Cups, Original or Light Smoothies (exp 6/19)
.50/8 Yoplait Yogurt Cups, Original or Light Smoothies (exp 6/19)$1 off Pepperidge Farm Petite Cake (exp 7/31)
$3 off Rayovac Hearing Aid Batteries, 8, 16, or 24 pk (exp 6/25)
$1 off Tyson Frozen Breaded Chicken, bag (exp 7/24)
$2 off Revlon Color Cosmetic Product (exp 5/30)
$1/2 Velveeta Shells & Cheese Cups (exp 5/25)
$1/2 Tony's Crispy Crust Pizza or Tony's Pouches Twin Pack (exp (7/31)
$2 off Similasan (exp 7/31)

Red Plum 4/25

$4 off Bausch & Lomb Alaway Anti-histamine Eye Drops (exp 6/30)
$1 off Bausch & Lomb Opcon A Eye Drops (exp 6/30)
.75/1 Bertolli Pasta Sauce (exp 5/23)
$10 off Breeze 2, Contour, Contour USB or A1C Now Selfcheck Monitor (exp 8/31)
$1 off Cheer BrightClean (exp 5/31)
$20 off Contour or Breeze 2 test Strips 50ct + (exp 8/31).75/2 Degree Men Adrenaline Series Antiperspirant & Deodorant (exp 5/23)
.75/2 Degree Men or Women Antiperspirant & Deodorant or Body Mist (exp 5/23)
$1 off Degree or Women Natureffects Antiperspirant & Deodorant or Body Mist (exp 5/23)
$1 off Dove Deodorant or Body Mist (exp 5/23)
$1 off Eucerin Hand or Body Product (exp 6/30).75/1 Folger’s Coffee, Folger’s Singles and Pods
$1 off Fungicure (exp 5/31)
$1 off Gain Detergent (exp 5/31)
$1 off Gain Fabric Enhancer (exp 5/31)$1/2 Land O’Frost Bistro Favorites (exp 7/31)
$1 off Land O’Frost Sub Sandwich Kit (exp 7/31)
.50/1 Mahatma or Water Maid Rice (exp 7/31)
.75/2 Mahatma Rice Mixes (exp 7/31)$1 off McCormick Seasoning Blend, Spice, Herb, Extract or Food Color (exp 5/23)$2 off Pedigree Dentastix Treats for Dogs (exp 6/20)
$2 off Pedigree Food for Dogs - 8.8lb Bag or larger (exp 6/6)
$1 off Pedigree Good Bites Treats for Dogs (exp 6/20)
$1/2 Pedigree Little Champions Pouch Variety Packs (exp 6/20)
$1 off Prosacea (exp 5/31)
$1 off Psoriasin (exp 5/31)
B1G1 Pure Protein Bar (exp 6/5)
$1 off Pure Protein Powder or Drink Shake (exp 6/5)
$3 off Soothe or Soothe XP (exp 6/30)
$1/2 Tropicana Pure Premium or Trop50 - 59oz or larger (exp 6/30)$1.50 Whiskas Dry Cat Food
B1G1 Whiskas Tray
$1 off Woolite Heavy Traffic (exp 7/31)
$3 off Woolite Rug Stick (exp 7/31).55/1 Sara Lee Delightful Bread, Buns or Bagels (exp 6/12)
$1 off Real Simple magazine (exp 5/21)
$1 off Land O'Frost Premium One Pound (exp 7/31)
$1 off Smooth Away or Smooth Away Vibe (exp 8/31)

Spartanburg Herald-Journal Coupons 4/18

Running super late this week. Soon I'm going to do a post on couponing burnout--those off days when you can't find the motivation! I've been feeling it a little lately. But, we press on! : )

Smart Source 4/18

.55/1 A.1. Steak Sauce or Marinade (exp 5/16)
$1 off Act Mouth Wash, 18oz+ (exp 5/31)
.40/1 Ban product (exp 6/5)
$1 off Ban Solid (exp 6/5)
$3 off Bic Flex4 Shaver 3pk, Comfort 3 Advance 4pk or Hybrid Advance Shaver  (exp 5/30)
.50/1 Birds Eye Bag or Box Vegetables, excludes Steamfresh varieties (exp 5/16)
.50/1 Birds Eye Steamfresh Vegetables, Rice or Pasta, bag  (exp 5/16)
$1 off Brita Multipack Filters (exp 5/30)
$4 off Brita Pour-Through or Faucet Mount System (exp 5/30)
$1 off Burt’s Bees Natural Toothpaste (exp 7/11)
$1 off Burt’s Bees Non-Lip product (exp 7/11)
$1/2 Bush’s Grillin Beans only  (exp 5/16)
.50/1 Chex Mix Bars, box  (exp 6/12)
.50/2 Chex Mix or Chex 100 Calorie Snack, 4.5oz+  (exp 6/12)
.50/1 Chocolate Cheerios Cereal, box  (exp 5/29)$2 off Claritin Non-Drowsy, 10ct+  (exp 5/16)
$5 off Claritin Non-Drowsy, 24ct+ (exp 5/16)
$7 off Claritin Non-Drowsy, 24ct+ (exp 4/25)
$2 off Claritin-D Non-Drowsy, 10ct+  (exp 5/16)
.50/1 Cottonelle Flushable Wipes, (2) 36ct Tubs or (2) 42ct Refills or (1) 72ct+ Refill (exp 5/29)
.50/1 Cottonelle Toilet Paper, any (2) 4pks or (1) 12pk+ (exp 5/29)$1 off Dole Fruit Crisp 2pk (exp 6/13)
.55/1 El Monterey Family Pack Burritos (exp 7/17)
$1 off El Monterey Taquitos (exp 7/17)
$1/12 Fancy Feast Gourmet Cat Food Elegant Medleys, 3oz cans, (exp 7/18)
$1/24 Fancy Feast Gourmet Cat Food, 3oz cans, any vareity  (exp 7/18)
.75/1 Fiber One Cereal (exp 5/29)
.50/2 Fiber One Chewy Bars, boxes  (exp 6/12)
$1.50 GoodNites Underpants, jumbo pack+  (exp 5/16)$1 off Grande Tortilla Chips  (exp 7/31)
$1.50 Green Works Laundry Detergent (exp 5/30)
.50/1 Green Works product  (exp 5/30)$1 off Hershey’s Extra Dark Chocolate Bar or Bag 3.5oz+ (exp 6/13)
B1G1 Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate or Special Dark w/ Almonds Bar 1.46oz (exp 5/30)
.50/1 Huggies Baby Wipes, 64ct+ (exp 5/15)
$1.50 Huggies Diapers (exp 5/15)
$1.50 Huggies Little Snugglers or Little Movers Diapers (exp 5/15)$2 off L’Oreal Healthy Look Haircolor  (exp 7/11)
$1 off Lea & Perrins Thick Classic Worcestershire Sauce  (exp 6/30)
$1 off Lightlife Veggie Entree  (exp 5/31)
.40/1 Nature Valley Granola Bars, box  (exp 6/12)
.50/1 Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters, bag (exp 6/12)
.75/2 Ortega products (exp 7/31).50/1 Philadelphia Cream Cheese Minis, 4pk  (exp 5/16)
$1 off Physician’s Formula Cosmetic product (exp 7/31)
$1 off Pieces Candy, 10oz+  (exp 7/18)
$1 off Pull-ups Flushable Moist Wipes  (exp 5/16)
$1.50 Pull-ups Training Pants, jumbo pack+  (exp 5/16)
$1/15 Purina Friskies Cat Food, (15) 5.5oz cans, (2) 12ct or (1) 24ct+ (exp 7/18)
$1/6 Purina Friskies Selects Adult Cat Food, (6) 5.5oz cans or (1) 12ct (exp 7/18)
.75/1 Reynolds Wrap Foil, excludes 20, 25 or 30 sq.ft  (exp 5/31).75/1 Sargento Reduced Sodium Natural Cheese, 5oz+ (exp 7/18)
.50/1 Scott Flushable Wipes, tub or refill  (exp 5/30)
$1 off Scott Naturals Bath Tissue 4+ rolls (exp 5/30)
$1 off Scott Naturals Paper Towels  6+ rolls (exp 5/30)25% off Sherwin-Williams Paints and Stains (exp 4/25)
$4 off off Sherwin-Williams CS Soft Woven 3-pk Roller Covers 9″x3/8″, (exp 4/25)
B1G1 Sherwin-Williams .4 Mil Plastic Drop Cloth 9′x12′ (exp 4/25)
$1 off Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain & Odor Eliminator product  (exp 7/31)
$1/5 Totino’s Crisp Crust Party Pizza products (exp 7/10)
.40/2 Totino’s Rolls Snacks (exp 7/10)
.75/2 Yoplait Go-Gurt or Trix Mulitpack Yogurt  (exp 6/12)
.351 Yoplait Go-Gurt, Kids Cup Yogurt, Kids Yogurt Drink, or Trix Multipack Yogurt (exp 6/12)
.40/6 Yoplait Yogurt Cups, Whips or Yoplait smoothie (exp 6/12)
.50/1 YoPlus or YoPlus Light Yogurt 4 pk  (exp 6/12)
$4 off Zegerid OTC, 14 ct + (exp 6/13)

Get 2 Free Black & Decker LightsOut AutoSwitches Mail in Rebate

.75/1 Banquet Family Size (exp 5/30)
$1 off Marie Callender's Home-Style Creations (exp 6/15)
$1 off GE Energy Smart, Reveal or GE Edison Halogen product (exp 6/16)
$1 off Krunchers Kettle Cooked Potato Chips (exp 7/31)
.55/1 MoonPie Crunch, MoonPie, or Mini MoonPie carton (8, 10, or 12 ct) (exp 6/30)
$2 off Bio-Oil 2fl.oz. or 4.2fl.oz. (exp 6/30)

Red Plum 4/18

$3 off Acne Free Kit, Clear Skin, Sensitive Skin, Severe to Clear or sport Clear Skin Systems
$6 off Adult Zyrtec - 24 ct +.55/1 Aunt Millie’s Fiber for Life Bread
.55/1 Aunt Millie’s Hamburger or Hot Dog Buns$1 off Best Life Buttery Spread or Buttery Spray
$1 off Cesar Chewies Prime Rib Flavor
$1 off Cesar Treats
$4 off Children’s Zyrtec$1 off Del Monte Chillers Cups or Tubes
$1 off Del Monte Fruit Chillers Cups or Tubes
$1 off Dole Sensations Lemon Lime or Watermelon$5 off Facelift Wrinkle Free, Brow Patch or Youth Serum Syn-ake.75/1 Florida Crystals Sugar Product
$1 off Grain Berry Antioxidant Cereals
$1 off Grain Berry Antioxidant Snack Crackers
$1 off Grain Berry Pancake or Muffin Mix
.50/1 Grill Mates Blend, Marinade or Spice Rub
$2 off ICAPS Vitamin Formula - 10oz or twin pack.55/2 Keebler Cookies 8.5 oz +
.55/1 Keebler Sandies 9.5 oz +
$1 off L’Oreal Vive Pro Glossy Style StudioLine Styling Product
$1 off L’Oreal Vive Pro Shampoo or Conditioner
.50/1 Lawry’s Marinade
.50/1 Lawry’s spice Blend
$3 off Motrin PM
$1 off Acne Free Treatment, single non kit item
$1 off Olay Facial Moisturizer or Facial Cleanser
B1G1 Old Spice Body Wash
B1G1 Old Spice Fresh Collection Invisible Solid
$4/2 Opti-Free Solution 10oz or twin pack
$1 off Pedigree Jumbone Treats for Dogs
$1 off Pedigree Marrowbone Treats for Dogs
$2 off Purex Complete 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets - Excludes 2Load To-Go Pack
.35/1 Purex Ultra Concentrate or Natural Elements Liquid Laundry Detergent
.55/1 Purex Ultra Detergent or Classic Fabric Softener
$2 off Purina ONE Dry Cat Food$1 off Real Simple Magazine
$1 off Renuzit Pearl Scents or Super Odor Neutralizer Fine Mist Air Freshener$1 off Rimmel Lipcolour SPF 18
$1 off Rimmel Products
$2 off Smart Balance Milks$1 off Sun Crystals All Natural Sweetener
$2 off Systene Product
$1/2 Temptations Treats for Cats 2.1-3oz
$1 off Temptations Treats for Cats  2.1oz
$2 off Zyrtec Itchy Eye Drops$1 off NYC New York Color product $1.72+ (exp 5/16)$1 off NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Custom Compact or Eyeshadow Product (exp 5/16)$1/2 Hillshire Farm Smoked Sauage (exp 5/16)
$1 off Purina Yesterday's News cat litter (exp 7/18)
$2 off Nice 'n Easy hair color product (exp 5/31)

Spartanburg Herald-Journal Coupons 4/11

Not a bad week for Spartanburg (though I'm getting a little miffed that we never get the Garnier coupons in the RedPlum *frown*). I got two RedPlum inserts in my paper this week--I love happy accidents like that!

SmartSource 4/11

-.55/1 2000 Flushes Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner (exp 7/31)
-$1/2 Arm & Hammer Laundry Products (exp 6/15)
-$1 off Arm & Hammer Power Gel Detergent  (exp 6/15)
-$1/2 Arm & Hammer Total 2-in-1 Moist Dryer Cloths (exp 6/15)
-$2 off Boudreaux’s product (exp 12/31)-$1 off Colgate ProClinical Toothpaste, 4oz (exp 5/1)
-.40/6 Dannon, Single Serve Cups 6oz  OR (1) Light & Fit 4pk (exp 5/9)-$1 off Eatsmart Naturals Snack, 5oz+  (exp 7/31)
-$3 off Enfagrow Powder, 24oz+  (exp 5/31)
-$3 off Enfamil Premium Large Size Powder, 23.4oz+ (exp 5/31)
-$5/2 Enfamil Premium Larget Size Powder, 23.4oz+ (exp 5/31)-.25/1 Finish Powder or Gel (exp 5/9)
-.75/1 Finish Quantum or Powerball Tabs  (exp 5/9)
-$1 off French’s Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce (exp 6/30)
-.75/1 Glade Relaxing Moment, 9.7oz Spray, 4oz Jar Candle or PlugIns Scented Oil (exp 5/22)
-$2/2 Glade Relaxing Moments 9.7oz Sprays, 4oz Jar Candles or PlugIns Scented Oils  (exp 5/22)
-.75/3 Hamburger, Tuna, or Chicken Helper Home Cooked Skillet Meals  (exp 6/5)
-$1/2 Hershey’s Kisses brand Caramel or Meltaway Chocolates, 10oz+ bags (exp 6/11)
-$1/3 Hershey’s Kisses, Reese’s, Hershey’s Miniatures, and York Candy, 10oz+ bags (exp 6/11)-$1 off Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizer, Regular Moisturizer 7.5fl.oz+ (exp 5/15)-$6 off Prevacid 24HR, 14 or 28ct (exp 5/8)
-$10 off Prevacid 24HR, 42ct  (exp 5/8)-$1/2 Scotch-Brite Greener Clean Products  (exp 5/31)
-$1 off Scrubbing Bubbles Power Sprayer Refill (exp 6/6)
-$5 off Scrubbing Bubbles Power Sprayer Starter (exp 6/6)-$1 off Snyder’s of Hanover Organic Pretzel Sticks (exp 7/31)-$1 off Stouffer’s Corner Bistro Toasted Sub  (exp 8/31)
$5 Target Gift Card wyb (3) Scrubbing Bubbles Products, excludes Toilet Gel and Automatic Shower Cleaner (exp 5/4)
$5 Target Gift Card wyb Windex Outdoor All-In-One Starter Kit (exp 5/4)
-$1/3 Trident Single Packs, Multipacks, or Bottles Gum  (exp 6/5)
-$1 off Trident Superpack Gum  (exp 6/5)-$1.50 off Wanchai Ferry Frozen Entree (exp 6/5)
-$1 off Windex Multi-Surface Cleaner or Wipes Canister (exp 5/9)
-$1 off Windex Original or Crystal Rain Glass Cleaner (exp 5/9)
-$3 off Zaditor  (8/31)
Buy any 4 bags of Hershey’s Candy and get a FREE Movie Ticket (up to $12.00 value)

$2 off Zicam Extreme Congestion, Intense Sinus, or Allergy Relief
$4 off Scotch Fur Fighter (exp 6/30)
.55/1 Armour Meatball Product (exp 5/31)
$1 off Hartz Groomers Best Shampoo (exp 7/10)

$1 off Hartz Crunch 'n Clean Dog Biscuits or Cat Treats (exp 7/10)

$1 off Hartz UltraGuard Flea & Tick Drops for Dogs or Cats (exp 7/10)

$1 off Hartz Training Pads (exp 7/10)

RedPlum 4/11

-$1 off 9Lives Dry Cat Food, 3.15lb+ bag  (exp 6/15)
-$1 off 9Lives Wet Cat Food, (1) 12-can variety pack, (12) individual cans or (3) 4pks  (exp 6/15)-$1.50 off Breathe Right product, 10-12ct (exp 10/31)
-$2.50 off Breathe Right product, 26-30ct  (exp 10/31)
-.35/1 Comet Spray or Soft Cleanser product (exp 6/11)-.40/1 Del Monte No Sugar Added Canned Fruit, 14.5-15oz  (exp 7/4)
-.75/1 Del Monte No Sugar Added Fruit Cup 4pks (exp 7/4)-.55/1 Jimmy Dean D-Lights Bowls (exp 6/30)
-$1 off Jimmy Dean D-Lights Sandwich (exp 6/30)
-$1 off Jimmy Dean Fully Cooked Sausage  (exp 6/30)
-$1/2 Kellogg’s All-Bran, Crispix, Rice Krispies, Smart Start, Raisin Bran, and/or Corn Flakes (exp 5/23)
-$1/3 Kellogg’s Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, Corn Pops and/or Frosted Flakes Cereals, 10oz+ (exp 5/23)
-$1/2 Kellogg’s Frosted Miniwheats Cereals, 14.5oz+ (exp 5/23)-.75/1 McCormick Perfect Pinch Seasoning Blend  (exp 6/6)-$1 off Nivea Body Wash for Women, 8.4-16.9fl.oz  (exp 5/31)
-$1 off Nivea for Men Body Wash, 8.4-16.9fl.oz  (exp 5/31)-$2 off Pepcid product  (exp 7/31)-$1 off Seventh Generation Disinfecting Spray Cleaner  (exp 7/30)
-$1 off Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent, Dish Liquid, All-Purpose Spray or Window Cleaner (exp 7/30)-$1.25 off Slim-Fast 100 Calorie Snack Bar or 200 Calorie Meal Bar Multipack (exp 7/4)
-$1.75 off Slim-FAst Shake Multi-pack or Shake Mix (exp 7/4)-$1/2 Turkey Hill Iced Tea, Nature’s Accents, Lemonades, or Fruit Drinks (exp 7/11)-$1.25 off Vaseline product 3.1oz+, excludes Renewal or Glow (exp 5/9)
-$3.75 off Vaseline Sheer Infusion product, 6.8oz or 13.5oz  (exp 5/9)-$1/2 Zatarain’s Frozen Entrees (exp 7/10)-$1/4 Zatarain’s Rice Mixes or Pasta Mixes (exp 7/10)
$5 off DermaSilk Miracle Cream (exp 5/31)
$5 off DermaSilk Double Chin Firming (exp 5/31)
.50/3 or (1) multipack Scotties facial tissues (exp 5/31)
$1 off Southern Living (exp 6/25)
$1 off Carbona 2-in-1 Oxy-powered Carpet Cleaner (exp 7/10)
$1/2 Turkey Hill Premium Ice Cream, Light Recipe, All Natural Recipe, No Sugar ADded, Frozen Yogurt, Duetto, Sherbet, or Dynamic Duos, 1.5 qt (exp 7/11)
B1G1 Covergirl face product (exp 5/31)

CVS Couponing WIN

There are some weeks (like this one) in which I have neither time nor motivation nor really a need to do any big shopping/saving trips. I find, however, that I get antsy if I don't go out and get a deal somewhere.


This week's "saving fix," we'll call it, brought to mind some tips for couponing (particularly at CVS) that I thought I would pass along. For those that might be new to (or still struggling with) the whole couponing deal, I'm going to give the long story of my shopping trip.


Here was my shopping list with prices as marked:
~Stride Shift gum $1.49
~Pantene Nature Fusion $4.99 (x3)
~Head & Shoulders $4.99 (x2)
~... and a Charleston Chew for hubby, who went along for the trip : ) $1.88
Total value = $28.32


Now, factor in the sales I got by using my CVS ExtraCare card:
~Stride Shift gum $1.49 $.99
~Pantene Nature Fusion $4.99 $2.99 (x3)
~Head & Shoulders $4.99 (x2) regular price
~Charleston Chew regular price
Savings just by using my ExtraCare card = $6.50
Tip #1: Always use your ExtraCare card. Don't have one? Get one.


I also have coupons--I wouldn't be shopping without my coupons!
~ $2 off Pantene Nature Fusion (x3) that came in the mail with my full-size sample of the shampoo from VocalPoint. As if they weren't doing enough by sending me a free bottle of the stuff, they also saved me $6--proof that you should sign up for VocalPoint. It's a win-win. There is no drawback here!
~ B1G1 Head & Shoulders coupon from a recent newspaper insert
Additional savings from coupons = $11
Tip #2: Send off for as many free samples as you can. They often come with coupons.
Tip #3: Always plan and match ExtraCare sales with coupons.


Now comes the CVS-specific part: using (and chaining) ExtraCare bucks. ECB's are lovely little things that print on the bottom of your CVS receipt when you buy certain products and use your ExtraCare card. They can be used immediately on any CVS purchase. This week's ECB deals:
~ Buy Pantene, earn $1 ECB (so I earn $3)
~ Buy Head & Shoulders, earn $1 ECB (so I earn $2)
~ Buy Stride Shift, earn $.99 ECB
Tip #4: Match sales and coupons with ECB deals for money back on your purchases.


But I'm not done yet! Recently, CVS installed these handy little machines at the entrance where you can scan your ExtraCare card and get coupons printed instantly for you to use. I've gotten into the habit of scanning my card every time I go into the store, because I never know what coupons will print and how I might be able to use them. It never hurts to have extra coupons! But today I learned that these machines also print ECB's earned for the quarter. So I had $1 ECB to start myself off.
Tip #5: Always check the ExtraCare machine when you enter a CVS store.


So here's how my shopping trip went:


Transaction #1:
~Head & Shoulders $4.99 (x2)
~Pantene $2.99
~Stride $.99
Subtotal: $13.96
- $4.99 (B1G1 Head & Shoulders coupon)
- $2 (Pantene coupon)
- $1 ECB (printed at the machine in-store)
Total with tax = $6.69
Total ECB's earned to use on my next transaction = $3.99


Transaction #2:
~Pantene $2.99 (2)
~Charleston Chew $1.88
Subtotal: $7.86
- $4 (2 Pantene coupons)
- $2.86 ECB's (from my last transaction) *Technically, my $.99 ECB was adjusted to $.86 because the ECB's cannot exceed the value of the transaction. Normally the cashier will not do this and will ask you to buy a small "filler" item. This lady was apparently feeling extra nice!
Total = just tax $.36
Total ECB's earned to use on my next transaction = $2
Tip #6: Do multiple transactions and chain your ECB's to spend the least amount possible out of pocket. (Really, in this scenario I could have planned my chaining better by buying the Head & Shoulders on a third transaction by itself, but there was a line growing behind me and I didn't want to be rude.)


Total value: $28.32
Total spent out of pocket: $7.15
Total ECB's I have to use on my next shopping trip: $3


Technically, if you figure in the $3 I have to spend next time, you could say I spent a net $4.15, which means I saved 85%. Ahhh. I've gotten my fix for the week, and I have enough shampoo to last me and my husband several months.


So, to summarize:

Tip #1: Always use your ExtraCare card. 

Tip #2: Send off for as many free samples as you can. They often come with coupons.

Tip #3: Always plan and match ExtraCare sales with coupons.
Tip #4: Match sales and coupons with ECB deals for money back on your purchases.
Tip #5: Always check the ExtraCare machine when you enter a CVS store.

Tip #6: Do multiple transactions and chain your ECB's to spend the least amount possible out of pocket.


While each of these tips by itself will save you some money, you can save the most by using all these techniques at once. I.e., just using your ExtraCare card will save you some, but it really starts to be worthwhile when you match those sales with coupons and deals that get you ECB's; and when you chain those ECB's, it's even better.


CVS can be one of the more confusing places to shop, but as long as you have a strategy when you walk in the door, it can be one of the most money-saving stops on your shopping circuit. I hope this helps!