Slow (but good) week!

Hi everyone out there in the couponing world!  It has been a very slow week for me with coupons, however I did make one trip.  A few days ago I went to CVS to get water that's on sale for a great price, and this fantastic nail polish I spotted the last time I was there.

3 Zephyrhills water (24 pack)
1 Milani nail polish
1 Heath bar--I was hungry! lol
--(1) $3/$15 coupon (found here on page 31)
Total Savings: $10.50 (57%)
Out of Pocket Total: $13.90

I think this was a great trip considering I didn't really have coupons!  And I noticed that on my receipt it says my Year to Date Savings is $135.23, and that's only since June! :)

This picture of the polish is from Manicure Mommas,   it's called Whimsical, by Milani.

I also have some great news about CVS that I got from Shellie from Saving with Shellie.  They are introducing the new Green Bag Tag.  You can purchase this for $0.99, put it on your bag, and earn $1 every fourth use.  So when you go to CVS they'll scan your CVS card, see that you have the reusable bag, and scan the Bag Tag to give you credit.  I know this will be a great coupon-earner with me since I ALWAYS take my bags with me.  To see more details go to Shellie's post here.

Shopping trip and a link

Earlier this week Stephanie, at Couponing 101, shared the anatomy of a coupon.  This was a very interesting article, decoding the coupon as well as the barcode.  What I took away as the most important was the information about the fine print:

• Limit one coupon per purchase.  Each qualifying item(s) is a purchase.  If the coupon is for $1 off 2 boxes of cereal and you buy 2 boxes, that is 1 purchase.  If you bought 2 more, that is another purchase and you can use another $1/2 coupon.  This is on just about every coupon.  It means you can not use 2 coupons on 1 product.
• Limit one coupon per transaction.  This means you can only use one of each coupon per transaction.  Each transaction is concluded with a receipt.
• Limit one coupon per day/visit.  You can only use one of those coupons per store visit.
• Limit one coupon per person/customer/household. You can only use one of these coupons.

I think this information is something all of us couponers should go to the stores armed with.  If you understand how the coupon works, you might be able to explain it to a confused cashier.  I've even thought of printing her post and keeping it in my coupon organizer to help clear up any difficulties that may arise.  Definitely check out her post!


A few days ago I went to CVS, here is the breakdown.
3 Scott Toilet Tissue 12 packs (On sale $6.88 each, $5.11off/each)
2 boxes Kleenex Tissues (BOGO)
4 cans Progresso Chicken Soup (BOGO)
--(2)$0.50/1 Progresso coupon
--(1)$1/2 Progresso coupon
--$2.50 ECB I earned over the summer
--(1) $3/15 CVS coupon (found here on page 31)
--(1) $5/$25 CVS coupon (found here, here, or here--all different links that you can print from!)
Total Savings: $36.60 (67%)
Out of Pocket Total: $17.95

An old shopping trip to CVS

Yesterday while going through some papers I came across a receipt for CVS from July 10.  I was still fairly new to couponing and am very pleased with my savings.  :)

2 Olay Body Wash
4 Head & Shoulders Shampoo
2 Schick Intuition razor refills
--(2) BOGO Head & Shoulders coupons
--(2)  $2/1 coupons (I forget which was for the Olay and which for the razors)
--(2) $3/1 coupons (the one for the razors was a peelie on the package)
Total Savings: 37.95 (60%)
Out of Pocket Total: $25.98

CVS coupon policy

I finally received an email back from CVS regarding their coupon policy.  What follows is the email they sent, but I am putting the main points in bold.  As always, if you have any questions or problems, contact the store's customer service department or speak with your local store's manager.





Thank you for contacting CVS/pharmacy.  We have received your e-mail requesting our coupon policy.

Our registers are set to allow one CVS coupon and one manufacturer coupon per item.  However, the staff should be allowing customers to use ExtraBuck coupons in combination with other CVS coupons since these are coupons you have "earned."  In the addition, similarly they should be allowing the use of "offer at the register" coupons which would be an open offer of $3.00 off of $15.00 or a certain dollar amount off of a specific item.  Since our registers are programmed to only accept 2 coupons (1 CVS, 1 manufacturer) per item if the number of coupons exceed the items purchased a member of management will need to assist the cashier in processing the coupons.  I apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause you.

You can use coupon towards clearance items but the coupon will be adjusted if it is more than the price of the item.

CVS/pharmacy will accept coupons printed from the Internet obtained from an approved Web site sponsored by the manufacturer.  They must have a legible barcode that will scan at the register.  If the coupon does not scan at the register, the cashier should politely inform you that we are unable to accept your coupon.  We do not allow manual overrides at the register for coupon printed from the Internet.  CVS/pharmacy will not accept offers printed from unauthorized Internet postings or reproduction, copies, or facsimiles.

Please feel free to visit www.cvs.com and go to the "Save With In-store Coupons" box and click on "start printing now".  To print coupons, check the box next to the Clip! icon, (or click "Select All Offers") and then click "Print Now".  Please note that these coupons can be redeemed at CVS/pharmacy stores only and all manufacturer requirements must be met. 

In the case where a particular item is on sale for “buy one get one free” (BOGO), you are only allowed to use one manufacturer’s coupon.  For instance, if Revlon lipstick is on sale for BOGO, you can use one manufacturer’s BOGO coupon and both items will essentially become free. Customer will be responsible for any taxes, if applicable.


Also, two manufacturer coupons can be used on a buy one get one free purchase as long as two items are scanned at the register.  The system logic sees two items scanned and will allow two coupons.  The Store Manager can limit quantities.

If we can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.  Again, thank you for contacting CVS/pharmacy.

Sincerely,  



CVS/pharmacy
Customer Relations Representative

Good sites for Couponing

A Full Cup is where I go for my printable coupons.  Under the 'coupons' tab, if you click 'printable coupons' it takes you to a database of most of the known printable coupons and links you to them.  Under the same tab, you can also access printables from Smart Source, Coupons.com, and Red Plum.  AFC has many other great features:  A comprehensive coupon database, forums, blog lists, and a tool box where you can organize your coupons.

 

RetailMeNot is a site where people can put up coupon codes for websites, as well as printable coupon links for stores.  Before I make any purchases online i always check retailmenot to see if I can save any extra money.  Once on the site just type in the website/store you're looking for and it will bring up a list of everything that have for it.  Users can also rate codes/coupons as to whether they were successful at using them or not.

 

Living Rich With Coupons is a great blog for people up north.  Cindy posts deals and match-ups for ShopRite, Pathmark, CVS, and Walgreens.  She also has great info for beginners and links to coupons where you can print coupons.

This page on BeCentsable lists grocery stores around the country and links you to blogs that cover those stores.  Most likely you'll be able to find something in your are to help you out!



There are many more sites out there, so these are just a few to get you started.  Are there others that you use?  Please share with me!