Walmart Deals

To round out my week of good deal finding, I made a quick stop at Walmart last night. I had several coupons I wanted to use and had read about some deals on NWA Deals. I wasn't sure about their time sensitivity so I wanted to be sure to go before the new ad goes into effect tomorrow. It turns out most of the prices were probably not that time-sensitive, but I still feel like I got some good deals (and some laundry detergent, which I just needed anyway).

Items Purchased:

• Bacon-wrapped beef filets, $3.98 less $3/1 coupon
• Nestle cookies, $2 less $1.50/1 coupon
• Snuggle fabric sheets, $1.87 less $2/1 coupon
• All fabric softener, $4.97 less $2/1 coupon

Total Paid: $5.22 including tax

Speaking of tax, I've come to a somewhat startling realization. On most of my Walgreens purchases, I was charged sales tax on the entire sale amount before coupons. I noticed on my Walmart transaction that I was only charged on the net total. Then, I realized that most of my Walgreens purchases had been made on the Kansas side of the state line, while the Walmart I go to is on the Missouri side. I thought back to the one item I bought at a Missouri Walgreens and the sales tax was charged after coupons. I'm assuming there must be different rules in each state for how to apply the sales tax charge. Since Missouri charges after coupons, I need to make an effort do my shopping on the Missouri side and save an extra 8% on all of my coupon savings!

Target Deals

Thanks to various sites detailing Target deals (especially Money Saving Mom) I was able to take advantage of quite a few opportunities this week. This is a photo of everything I bought - my total (including tax) was $1.67!

Here's how I did it:

• Mr. Potato Head, $6.99 less $5 coupon
• Renu travel-size contact lens solution, $1.67 less $2 coupon (should have been reduced to the price of the item but my cashier didn't do this)
• Johnson's travel-size shampoo, $.97 less $1 coupon
• Swiss Miss cocoa (2 boxes), $.97 less $1 coupon (this was a Target coupon and automatically adjusted to the purchase price)

Walgreens - Week 2 (I think I'm improving)

I am getting better at this Walgreens game, though I am still working out some of the kinks. Most notably, it took me no fewer than 7 trips this week to get everything I wanted! Part of the problem is I was indecisive, but there is also the problem that many Walgreens sell out of the sale items. Luckily, I have found a stealth Walgreens location that seems to have plenty of everything available. Hopefully their lack of traffic won't result in their going out of business just as I start to get really good at this!

Here is a summary of my transactions for this week:

#1 - Stayfree maxi pads, sale price $1.99, used $1/1 coupon, paid $.99 OOP and received $2 RR

#2 - Conair brushes, sale price $2, Stimudent dental picks, sale price $2, Christmas bows, $.39 w/in-ad coupon (filler item, might not have been necessary had I planned a little better), used $4 RR from previous purchases, paid $.39 OOP and received $4 RR

#3 - Renu contact solution twin-pack, sale price $9.99, used $2/1 coupon, candy canes, $.39 B1G1 free w/in-ad coupon (filler item), used $4 RR from #2, paid $4.38 OOP and received $10 RR

#4 - Dove soap, (2) 6-packs, sale price $5.99, used $1/1 coupon, used $10 RR from #3, paid $.98 OOP and received $3 RR

#5 - Kellogg's cereal, 4 boxes, sale price $1.99, used $5/4 coupon, another package Stayfree maxis, used $1/1 coupon, used $3 RR, paid $.95 OOP and received $2 RR for next week!

Total spent OOP: $7.69 (not including tax, which is charged on the total before coupons, so really I spent about $10.75)

RR remaining for next week: $2 (not great but better than nothing)

Average price/item: $.55!!!

For comparison's sake, I normally buy Dove soap at Walmart or Target, the 6-pack on Walmart's website is currently $7. So, for $.69 more, I got an extra 6-pack of soap, 2 packages of maxi pads, 2 bottles of contact solution, 2 hair brushes, a package of dental picks, 4 boxes of cereal, 25 Christmas bows and 2 candy canes. Plus, I still have $2 to spend next week. Wow!!!

A Note on Freebies

My name is Laura and I am addicted to freebies. There, I said it. The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. Ever since I lost my job and discovered this new world of couponing and deal hunting, I have become obsessed with the idea of getting as much stuff as possible for free. I'm trying not to let it rule my life, and I am trying even harder to resist getting something for free if I do not need it. Sometimes, I fail.
To this end, on Saturday I knew that there would be free lip gloss at Estee Lauder counters around the country. Did I need free lip gloss? No. But did I want some? Yes. Plus I was in the area of a store that was participating in the freebie, so I decided to stop in.
The store I went to is called Von Maur. I've never shopped there before and most likely won't again. I was expecting them to be upscale and snooty about it, and they lived up to my expectations!
When I arrived there was no one manning the Estee Lauder counter, so someone from another counter offered to help. When I told her I was there for the free lip gloss, the look of disdain was clear on her face. She had to ask another person about the offer, who first confirmed that they were near the register. Then, to her horror, when she asked what I'd be buying to get the lip gloss, I told her it was just supposed to be free. She looked incredulously at the other woman, who nodded her head with pursed lips. Begrudgingly she went behind the counter and got me my lip gloss, which I took and left with a smile.
It helps that I have no desire to ever shop at this store, otherwise I might have been embarrassed to be such a freebie junkie. Also, if an Estee Lauder representative had been at the counter, I would have been more apt to at least pretend to be interested in their product, but as that wasn't the case I didn't feel the need. I have a feeling I would have never done this in my old life (just about 2 months ago), but apparently living leaner can drive me to do formerly unspeakable things - like getting free samples without a purchase!

Weekend Shopping - Walgreens

I am still getting used to shopping at Walgreen's, so I didn't do as well as I could have this weekend.

Goody hair elastics, paid $2, got $2 in RR
Christmas pencil - paid $.39 (apparently there was a coupon I could have used for this but I missed it)

Total OOP: $.57 (used $2 RR from previous purchase)

So, to round up my first week of Walgreen's shopping, I got:

1 Gillette Fusion Razor
2 Dove deodorants
1 nail clipper
1 Goody hair elastics
1 pencil

Total Spent (including tax) - $9.35

Total RR Remaining - $2.00

I think this is pretty decent for my first try! We'll see how next week goes...

Weekend Shopping - Hen House

I got some incredible deals at Hen House on Saturday! It was their holiday open house so I got to try quite a few samples and they were having a one-day sale.

• Rotel Tomatoes: 3 cans on sale for $.79, saved $1.53
• Wonder Bread: On sale for $1.28, saved $1.61 (this was even cheaper @ Hy-Vee but we needed it for lunch that day and I didn't want to make an extra stop)
• Fritos: On sale for $1.48, saved $1.51
• Grande tortilla chips: On sale for $1.88, saved $1.61
• Kraft singles: On sale for 2/$3, saved $2.30
• Florida's Natural orange juice: On sale for $1.98, less $1 coupon, saved $2.37
• Blue Bunny ice cream: On sale for $1.49, used 2 $1 coupons, saved $6.72
• Onions: 3lb bag on sale for $.99, saved $2.01
• Russet potatoes: On sale for 3lbs/$.99, savings unknown as they didn't ring up on my receipt!
• Got $.20 off for using reusable bags!

Total Spent: $12.73

Total Saved: $19.86!!!

Weekend Shopping - Target Deals

Here are the deals I got at Target this weekend:

• Cottonelle toilet paper, 24 double rolls: $11.99 less $1 off coupon - Target didn't have their regular price posted but Wal-Mart's price was $14.42, so I saved $3.43!
• Purina dog treats: $2.84, used B1G1 free coupon, saved $2.84
• 2 12-packs of Dr. Pepper: On sale for $2.50 each less 2 $1 coupons, saved $5.98
• Barilla pasta: Not on sale (didn't plan that very well) but used $.75/2 coupon, saved $.75
• Iams Dog Food: Was not on sale but we had to have it...Went on sale the next day so I took my receipt back and got a refund, saved $2.80
• Also got $.05 for bringing a reusable bag!

Total Spent: $36.20
Total Saved: $15.85

The Weird and Wonderful World of Walgreens

I have never shopped at Walgreens, but in my attempt to save money I've been reading blogs that mention all of their deals. So, I decided it might be time to give it a try. As I am a beginner, I was unable to keep my weekly costs under $5 (see $5 Walgreens Challenge for more info) but I still feel I did a reasonable job!

Transaction #1:
Gillette Fusion Razor: $8.99 less $4 from 11/29 P&G coupon circular
Total Out-Of-Pocket (OOP)=$4.99 + $4 Register Rewards (RR) (certificate to be used for next purchase)

Transaction #2:
Dove Deodorant: 2 for $7 less $1.50 coupon from dovedimensions.com
Nail clippers: $.99, needed for a hangnail emergency!
Used $4 RR from previous purchase
OOP =$2.50 + $2 RR

Transaction #3:
Not sure yet, but I will use my $2 RR on something that costs apx. $2 so OOP will be $0!

Total weekly OOP= $7.49

Target deals (part 2)

I almost forgot about my trip to Target last Saturday! I had wanted to go on Friday to take advantage of their black Friday deals but just couldn't get myself up to dealing with the crowds.

One of the items I wanted was the "Sex and the City" movie on DVD, priced per the circular at $3.99. They still had it available at that price on Saturday and it actually rang up even cheaper for only $2.99!

I don't normally buy movies but I loved the TV show and have been meaning to see this and now I own it for less than a rental would have cost!

Also, at the front of the store near the $1 section they had another amazing deal - $1 for a package of 12 Target bakery leaf-shaped sugar cookies w/chocolate coating! I love these kind of cookies and you can't beat $1/package! They had an expiration date of 12/18 so they weren't even on markdown because they were close to their due date. They still had some available when I was shopping last night and I had to resist the urge to buy more!

Target deals (part 1)

I went to Target last night to check on some of the deals I had read about online and I found some exciting deals of my own. I got a can of Steaz iced tea, a pair of underwear and a bag of lettuce (strange grouping of items, I know) for $1.85 including tax!

I had a coupon to try the tea for free, the underwear were on the clearance rack for $.75/pair and the bagged Dole Romaine salad mix was also on clearance for $1!

Unfortunately my excitement about the deal was dampened when I found out the salad had already gone pretty slimy, even though it was not supposed to expire until today. I was able to pick out a usable portion for dinner and have purchased salads at Target before with better results so I will try not to let this stop me from getting another good deal in the future!

Tip: If you like bagged salad mixes, I have noticed that Target puts them on clearance with a day or two left before their sell-by date. I have only seen these when I visit Target during the week, not on weekends. If you are willing to try it and want to serve the salad that day, you can save big $$$!!!