Black Friday at CVS

After spending time reading blogs about shopping at CVS for practically nothing, I have decided to give it a go. Thanks Mama Cheaps, Savings with Shellie, and Kingdom First Mom! My first week I did have to put in a little bit to get my initial Extra care Bucks (ECB), but now I am bringing home lots of goodies for very little money. I am still getting the hang of it, so there is a mistake here or there, but that's no biggie. Here was my shopping trip today!

Transaction 1

Leftover ECB: $1 ECB

Buy: 1 Carmex Lip Balm @ $1

Get: $1 ECB

Total Cost: FREE

Transaction 2

Leftover ECB: $1 ECB

Buy: 2 Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste @ $2.87 each

Use: (2) $1/1 Colgate Advanced Toothpast coupons

Get: $5.74 ECB

Total Cost: $2.74 ($1.87 each)

Transaction 3

Leftover ECB: $5.74 ECB

Buy: 1 Philips Earbuds Headphones @ $6

Get: $6 ECB

Total Cost: $1.25

Transaction 4

Leftover ECB: $6 ECB

Buy: 1 Cepacol Lozenges @ $4.99

Buy: 1 Mars Chocolate Singles @ $0.75

Buy: 1 Kleenex Pocket Tissues @ $0.69

Get: $5.74 ECB

Total Cost: $0.43

Transaction 5

Leftover ECB: $5.74 ECB

Buy: 3 Mars Chocolate Singles @ $0.75 each

Buy: 2 Holiday M&Ms large bags @ $2.50 each

Use: (1) $1/2 Holiday M&Ms coupon

Get: $2.25 ECB

Total Cost: $0.51

Transaction 6

Leftover ECB: $2.25 ECB

Buy: 2 Holiday M&Ms large bags @ $2.50 each

Use: (1) $1/2 Holiday M&Ms coupon
Buy: 1 Kleenex Cool Touch Tissues @ $1.50

Get: $5.50 ECB (1 ECB @ $4 and 1 ECB @ $1.50)

Total Cost: $3.25

Total Cost of Products: $32.41

I Spent: $8.18

Savings: 75%

Happy Savings!

By George, I Think She's Got It!

Eurekea! I've got. I have spent the past several months trying to figure out exactly what I want this blog to be and I figured out that that I should mix my two new hobbies together; nursing (yes, it's a hobby in addition to a profession) and couponing. Yes, I have been dragged into the couponing craze, and yes, it is addictive. While I have initially had to put some money in, I am already saving.

Today being Black Friday means that there are deals to be had and as we all know, Dana LOVES a good deal. Last night I was crazy or stupid enough (you decide) to stand in line at Best Buy when the store opened at 1 AM. I did meet some great people and it was something that I believe everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. We got to b*tch out some linecuter and party it up for a few hours since I did arrive at 9:30 PM. While I was unable to score the 42" HDTV for $199 that I initially went for, but I did manage to get my hands on a $79.99 Blue Ray player for only $39.99. After spending all that time in line, I couldn't not get anything. I figure that when I do finally get a new HDTV, I will have a pretty Blu Ray player all ready to make the experience complete and a couple of Harry Potter Blu Rays that have never been played.

My other purchase today was the fabulous All You magazine. Every month this magazine is filled with over $75 worth of coupons. I figured that this would aid in my addiction. I purchased this magazine from Magazines.com through eBates. It's a truly fantastic system. eBates gives you cash back for shopping at certain retailers. Yesterday eBates was offering 52% back from Magazines.com. The purchase price for 2 years was $34 dollars. Through eBates I will get $17.68 back, meaning that 2 years is only $16.32 or $0.80 an issue. The magazine also has recipes and articles that should keep me entertained on the bus to and from school.

I hope to have my CVS shopping escapades published soon, but until then, toodles!