My two little ones have ear infections, so I had to go out to CVS last night to pick up their meds. I went out alone (can you believe it??), so I also stopped at Walgreens to pick up some Motrin. It’s amazing how fast you can do transactions when it’s just you!
Here’s what I did last night:
CVS
Transaction #1
I picked up 2 prescriptions that cost $9.74 and used 2 $10 Kmart prescription coupons
Total Cost: I made $10.26
Transaction #2
1 Palmolive Dish Soap $.88 (used $.70 coupon)
2 Oral-B Toothbrushes $5.98 (used B1G1 and $2 coupons – the $2 wouldn’t scan, but she pushed it through)
2 Fig Newtons $2 (used 2 $1 Fig Newton printable coupons)
(I also used $1 ECB)
Final Price: $.83
I got back $2 ECB from Oral-B
Total Cost: I made $.17
Walgreens
Transaction #1
1 Stayfree $2.99 (used $2 coupon)
1 Plackers Picks $2 (used $.50 coupon)
3 Scotch Packing Tape $3 (used $3 Scotch printable coupons and in-ad coupon)
1 Hershey’s Special Dark $1 (used $1 coupon and in-ad coupon)
1 Skintimate $2.99 (this was my filler)
(I also used $5 Nature’s Bounty RR)
Final Price: $1.66
I got back $8 RR ($3 Stayfree, $2 Plackers, $3 Skintimate)
Total Cost: I made $1.34
Transaction #2
2 Children’s Motrin $14.98 (used $3/2 and $3 in-ad coupon)
1 Stayfree $2.99 (used $2 coupon)
1 Skintimate $2.99 (filler)
(I also used $5 Nature’s Bounty RR)
Final Price: $5.77
I got back $6 RR ($3 Stayfree, $3 Skintimate)
Total Cost: $4.77
Transaction #3 was one more Stayfree w/$2 coupon, Got $3 RR – I made $1.70
The Motrin was $7.49 at my store (not $5.99 like it quoted online), but I needed them, so this was the best deal I could come up with.
Since my kids were feeling a little better and we had no plans for the morning, we ran out to Jewel. I thought that I would try to come up with a few “no coupons” transactions for the Conagra deal. I know that many of you are new to this and don’t have as many coupons, so I wanted to find a few deals that anyone everyone could do (in addition to these). Plus, I needed tomatoes for soup! Here’s what I came up with:
4 Hunt’s Tomatoes 28 oz $6/$11
5 Healthy Choice Soup $5/$14
(I used $11 CATs)
Final Price: $.25 in tax
I got back $10 Conagra CATs
Total Cost: $1.25
If you do this transaction, make sure that your total is $25 before tax. This deal was exactly $25 before tax at my store. If you’re a penny off it won’t work.
For my second transaction I included a few other “no-coupon” options:
4 Hunt’s Tomatoes 28 oz $6/$11
4 Orville Redenbacher Popcorn $6.36/$14.36
2 Oscar Mayer Selects No Nitrate Hot Dogs $3
4 Lawry’s Marinades $4
(I used $19 CATs and RR)
Final Price: $.80
I got back $14 CATs ($10 Conagra, $1 Oscar Mayer, $3 Lawry’s)
Total Cost: $5.80
The Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs were $1.50 each (not $.99), but I think I miscalculated the original deal when I mentioned it. There was supposed to be a $1/2 peelie on some of the hot dogs, but those turned out to be for the wrong product. In my “no sleep for 3 days” haze (ear infections!), I think I may have confused the deal. Anyway, $1 each after CAT is a good deal – particularly for “healthier” hot dogs (I’m laughing just reading that!).
One more note – Some of the Orville Redenbacher 3 pks are on clearance for $1.59. You DO NOT want this variety. These will ring at $1.59 (not $3.59) and throw your total off. If you really ant any of these, buy them separately.
Alli is a Chicago based wife and mother of two children. She has turned money-saving into a game and enjoys searching out the best deals to help you save money! Alli shares her insight, tips and up-to-the-minute deals for local and national retailers and brands. Her hope is that you will play the game and learn to save money at the same time!