Transaction 1:

CVS had an offer where you could get $10 in Extra Care Bucks (ECBs) back if you purchased $20 of Oil of Olay products.

Olay Regenerist $5.99
Olay toner $3.99
Olay soap $5.79
Olay body wash $8.99
$1 q SS 7/12
$1 q SS 7/12
$2 q SS 7/12
got back $10 ECBs

$20.76 out of pocket (OOP) plus tax

Transaction 2:

2 Kotex, sale 2/$7.00, used $1.50 blinkie q, got back $2 ECBs
Excedrin migrain 100 ct, sale $6.99, used $2 CVS printable q, used $2 q SS 7/12
4 packs of Huggies pull-ups, sale $8.99, used 4 qs - two $3 printables, one $2 printable, $2 q SS 6/14
Electrasol power tabs, $3.99 sale, $2.50 q SS 7/12

I also used $1.98 ECB from purchase earlier in the week (composition notebooks), the $10 ECBs from the Oil of Olay, and a $5 CVS coupon for a $25 purchase.
OOP $18.96 plus tax

Transaction 3:

Scott paper towels, $5.49 sale, used $1 q SS 7/12
Scott toilet tissue, $6.99 sale, used $1 1 SS 7/12

I also used the $2 ECB from the Kotex in transaction 2.
OOP $8.48 plus tax

The regular price of all of these items would have been $119.76. I paid $48.20 which is a savings of about 60%. We should be stocked up for a while, especially on Pull-Ups. (I will be sooooo glad when we’re done with pull-ups!!!)

For more information, visit the post on this week’s CVS sale and coupon match-ups. 

Did you shop at CVS this week?  Feel free to leave your scenarios/savings below.

image (c) Karen Weideman

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

One lucky winner is going to receive rent or mortgage relief for an entire year. Nice. Garry Graham, Burlington Coat Factory’s SVP of Marketing, says, “Money is tight for most consumers, and while Burlington Coat Factory offers budget-friendly prices that are easy on the wallet everyday, we wanted to do something special for one of our customers… Through the Live Free for a Year sweepstakes, we will help one lucky customer in a very real and meaningful way.”

Burlington Coat Factory’s official rules note that they will pay up to $20,000 towards the winner’s principal and interest payments for a home mortgage or residential rent payments for one year. The contest kicked off on July 6th and ends at the end of business on Wednesday, September 9th.

To see all the official rules visit the Burlington Coat Factory website. To enter head to a Burlington Coat Factory store near you and fill out the official entry form.

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

There are some ways to save money on your college textbooks though.

Go used: This actually only works if you manage to take classes that are using the same books from last semester. When I started college new books came out every few semesters. By the time I was ending college it seemed that books were changing over faster and faster, often from semester to semester. That sucks. Still, if you can, look for last semester’s version.

Partner up: If you’ve got pals taking the same classes, split the costs and share your books. Don’t do this with potential slackers. They might lose the book.

Get a different book: Just because the teacher says you need this year’s version is not, in my opinion, enough reason to buy the new version. They honestly change very little from year to year (computer texts not included). The bookstore won’t buy back last semesters text which means anything you’ll give last year’s student is better than the nothing they’ll get at the bookstore. You can get texts for half the price this way.

Rent a book: If they have the book you need you can rent one cheaper from Book Renter or Chegg than it’ll cost to buy it.

Trade books: Often you’ll meet pals in college who will be taking a class you just took and maybe you’ll be taking one of their classes soon. Trade!

Go rebel: Forget the book. If it’s a big fatty lecture heavy class you may not need the book. Instructors and the bookstores will want to strangle me for saying this but about 40% of my books - TOTALLY useless. My math texts were always useful, but I could have bought any number of cheaper biology or anatomy texts and made it through fine. Within the first couple of weeks you should be able to tell if you’ll really need the book, or if it’s just a tradition to have one. Attend and see how the lectures and handouts work for you, then skip the book.

Got any other secrets about how to save on college textbooks? Share in the comments.

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Get printable coupons to use at the event.  Save 15% when you spend $25-$34.99.  Save 20% when you spend $35-$49.99.  Save 25% when you spend $50 or more.

You can also save up to 70% on select Bibles.

Enjoy the savings.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Finish Electrasol Powerball Tabs
$6.29 reg, $3.99
$2.50 q SS 7/12
$1.49

Purex 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets
$8.99 reg, buy 1 get 1 free
$2.00 q SS 6/14
$3.50 each

Purex 2X Laundry Detergent
$6.99 reg, buy 1 get 1 free
$.35 q SS 6/14
$3.32 each

Scott Bathroom Tissue 1000 sheets
$11.99 reg, $6.99 sale
$1 q SS 7/12
$5.99

Scott Paper Towels 8 pk
$9.49 reg, $5.49 sale
$1 q SS 7/12
$4.49

Excedrin 80-100 ct
$10.99 reg, $6.99 sale
$2 q SS 7/12
$4.99

Huggies Pull-Ups
$12.49 reg, $8.99 sale
$2 q SS 6/14
$2 printable
$3 printable (hit the back button to print 2 coupons)
(Thanks, Money Saving Mom)
$5.99-$6.99

Old Spice Deodorant
$4.99 reg, $3.50 sale
$1.00 q PG 6/7
$2.50

Colgate toothpaste
$2.99 reg, buy 1 get 1 free
$1 q SS 7/12
$.75 q SS 6/28
(use 2 coupons)
$.62 each

Special K Bliss Bars
$3.69 reg, $3.33 sale
$1 off 2 RP 7/12
$2.83 each

Do you have any other CVS coupon match-ups? Please leave them in the comments below.

Happy savings!

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Here’s the lowdown: Starting today, Monday, July 13th through Thursday, August 31st, 2009 for every EXPEDIT bookcase sold at all IKEA stores nationwide, a $5 donation will be made to Save the Children’s Early Steps to School Success program. This IKEA program in partnership with Save the Children, provides early childhood development services for families living in poor, rural communities across the United States.

About the program:

The Early Steps to School Success program gives children access to quality early learning from birth to age five - the time period in which experts note is most crucial period in children’s cognitive development. The program also provides support to parents and caregivers plus ongoing training to educators in local communities. The support and training is meant to allow adults to assist children with early language development, social and emotional development and help equip parents with the skills and knowledge needed to support their child’s growth.

About the bookcase:

The EXPEDIT bookcase is a cool open bookcase great for a shared sibling bedroom - can be used as a room divider. It can also be placed vertically or horizontally; suitable for use both as a bookcase and as a sideboard. It’s currently available for $89.99 in black-brown, white and birch. You can also fit this bookcase with door for an enclosed couple of shelves. This is a good bookcase for back to school time - or even college kids. If you were thinking of getting a bookcase anyhow, why not get one that donates $ to a good cause?

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Buy 2 get 3 free:

• Pictsweet seasoned vegetables
• Crystal Farms shredded cheese
• Lowe’s Foods microwave popcorn
• Lowe’s Foods potato chips
• jumbo mangoes
• Lowes Foods laundry detergent

Buy 1 get 1 free:

• boneless top round London broil
• boneless skinless chicken breast
• Hormel canned ham
• Lowes Foods thin sliced lunch meats
• Lowes Food or Blue Bunny ice cream
• Klondike ice cream bars
• Lowes Foods elbow macaroni
• Lowes Foods foam plates
• Lowes Foods rising crust pizza
• Lowes Foods raisin bran
• Sorrento stringsters string cheese

Also, cherries are on sale for $1.99/lb (save $5/lb).

Hurry, this sale ends Tuesday, July 14.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Caliber or CVS pharmacy 1 subject notebook $.99,
get back $.99 ECB
Free after ECBs (limit 2)

Paper Mate Grip pens 8 ct $.99
get back $.99 ECB
Free after ECBs (limit 3)

Caliber or It’s Academic 5″ pointed or blunt scissors $2.99
get back $2.99 ECB
Free after ECBs (limit 2)

Caliber or CVS pharmacy school glue 5 oz $.99
get back $.99 ECB
Free after ECBs (limit 2)

Caliber or CVS pharmacy 12″ plastic or wood ruler $.99
get back $.99 ECB
Free after ECBs (limit 2)

A few other good school supply sales:

2 pocket portfolio folders - $.05

Caliber or CVS pharmacy 3-subject 120 sheets or 5-subject 180 sheets notebook $3.99
get back $3 ECB
$.99 after ECBs

My CVS was out of a lot of these items, but said they would get a truck in tomorrow. You may want to call first to see if the items are in stock.

This sale ends Tuesday, July 13.

Remember, even if you don’t need the school supplies, you can still use them to help someone in need. You can donate these to a family in financial need or use them to fill up your shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Since you’re paying for part of your insurance with each and every paycheck you may as well find all those hidden perks you may be missing. Here’s how…

• Sit down with your health care paper work and look through it carefully. Jot down questions you come up with - it’s ok to go drill HR about your form questions.
• Look for the term flexible-spending account (or FSA). Most companies offer these but few people I’ve ever worked with use them. An FSA allows you to set aside pretax cash to cover expenses like eyeglasses, co-pays, and medication which can add up to large savings over time.
• Ask about healthy choice incentives. Some companies offer (in the small print) wellness programs or seminars on topics like weight-loss or smoking cessation, and some even offer cash bonuses or great prizes to employees who meet specific get healthy goals.
• Check out deals offered by your insurance carrier or company. Some companies offer group discount memberships to gyms. Many companies have policies that allow deals on extras like contacts or teeth whitening. Often times deals and discounts change so it’s smart to check up on your insurance providers website or talk with HR from time to time to learn about new promotions and deals.

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

This sale ends Monday, July 13, 2009.  You must have a printer to print out the gift certificates.

image from restaurant.com

Post from: Thrifty Mommy