I go to grocery stores too..

You're probably thinking that I do all of my shopping at CVS...

I love to go to CVS because it's ultra close and I can pick up a few things at a time. There is something unattractive about going to a Supermarket for only 3 items. Maybe it's the parking or the enormity of the stores?

I only like going to the grocery store in the evening or early morning (before work). The mornings are certainly the best. Shelves are stocked (or they in mid-stock), zero crowds, and pleasant cashiers.

With an ultra busy work week, I didn't have a minute this week to go to the grocery store. I had planned my shopping trip last weekend and it really would have been a waste to discard all of that knowledge.

I poured over the circular, reviewed the matchups in my favorite forum (http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/shoprite/), hunted through my coupon holder and devised a plan.

(4) Boxes Kelloggs Rice Krispies $1.88 each

(2) $1.00/2 Coupons

(3) Boxes Kelloggs Pops $1.88 each

(3) $.70/1 Coupons - doubles

(1) Caress Body Wash $2.74

Coupon Expired 6/19 :(

(2) Crystal Light Boxes $1.99 each

(2) $1.00/1 Coupons

(4) Jolly Time Boxes PopCorn $5.00/2

(4) $.50/2 Coupons-doubles

(1) Goya Adobo Spice $1.29

(1) $.55/1 Coupons-do not double

(1) Skintamate Shave Gel $1.99

(1) $.55/1 Coupons-doubles

(1) Terra Chips $2.99

(1) $1.00/1 Coupon

(1) Ciao Bella -$1.99

(1) $.50/1 Coupon-doubles

(2) Baileys Creamers - $1.34 each

(2) $1.00/1 Coupon

(4) Colgate Total Tootpaste -$1.49

(4) $.50/1 Coupon-doubles

(1) Snuggle Fabric Softener-$3.79 **will each SavingStar $1.00 on this

(1) $.75/1 Coupon-doubles

(1) J&J Baby Bubble Bath -$2.88

(1) $1.00/1 Coupon

(2) Scotch Brite (1pk) Sponges $0.99 each

(1) $1.00/2 Coupon

(1) Butterball Turkey Burgers $7.49 *MISTAKE*Meant to purchase item on sale, but it wasn't

(1) $1.50/1 Coupon

Items on sale with no coupons

(2.12 lbs) Grapes $3.16

(2) Gatorades $1.00 each

(2) Hass Avocados $3.00/2

(8) Lemons $1.99/8

(2) Pop Chips $3.00/2

(2) Pop Corners $3.00/2

(1) Turkey Hill MooseTracks $2.50

(2) Borden's Shredded Cheese $1.99 each**new flavors: Gouda & Pepper Jack**

Items not on sale and no coupons

(1) Cento Garlic Powder $1.99

(1) Goya Ground Cumin $2.49

(1) Cheapo Brand Onion Powder $1.00

(1) Baking Powder $1.99

(3) Shoprite Brand Baking Soda $2.00/3

(1) Heinz Apple Cider Vinegar $1.69 **will each SavingStar $1.00 on this

Before Sale/Price Plus Card/Coupons:$154.54

Manufacturers Coupons used: $21.24

Thank you Shoprite Sales: $37.62

Shoprite PricePlus Discounts: $11.04

TOTAL SAVINGS: $78.35 = 51%

OutOfPocket: $76.19

the best things in life are free

When you are shopping, there is no better feeling in the world than getting something for free.

Absolutely Free! ie: You Owe, Nothing!

I had a few coupons collecting dust in my coupon holder waiting for the right sale to be used.. and then that sale revealed itself to me. Simple Asia Noodle bowls on sale at CVS 10 for $10! Jackpot.. I have 9 coupons for $1.00/1 bowl.

I did confirm that I did not have to purchase all 10 to get the deal, and thank goodness because my regular CVS only had 4 in stock :( .

Luckily I have 2 CVS stores within 5 miles of my house, so I left 1 store and jetted off to the other, where I picked up another 5 soup bowls!

A Chardonnay Anyone Will Looovee!

Move over Napa, See ya later Sonoma.... Hello California's Central Coast-Monterey.

I'd bet the house that you'll adore this delicious Monterey Chardonnay. It's not your typical buttery chard, but instead has a pang of acidity you would normally find in a sauvignon blanc.

With a gorgeous light wheat color and a bountiful aroma of all the fruit I love to eat, pears..pineapples..citruses.. and a touch of vanilla to cut down the acid - I'm getting thirsty writing this! Pair this beauty with chicken or fish (eww) or vegetarian dishes.

http://www.jlohr.com/wines/estates/chardonnay-2009

(image courtesy of this site)

I first experienced J.Lohr's Riverstone Chardonnay 2009 while at happy hour with Jason's co-workers. It's perfectly priced at liquor stores (currently on sale at Joe Canal's in Princeton and Woodbridge for $9.99/bottle -if you are a bottleclub member) and even www.wine.com stocks this gem for about $15.00.

J.Lohr's Riverstone 2009 is my go-to chardonnay, you can find it on many restaurant wine lists. A 1/2 bottle (typically 2.5 glasses**) at Legal Seafood's Test Kitchen gets me through airport-traffic delays during business trips out of Logan International Airport.

Run.. don't walk to the nearest liquor store and snag yourself a bottle.

**why spend $8.25 on 1 glass of wine when I can buy a 1/2 bottle for $16.00 and get 2.5 glasses?! Always looking for a deal!

Splitting Transactions @ CVS

I couldn't wait for next week to use my 30% and $8.99 in ECBs I earned yesterday. I decided to look at the CVS flyer again and devise a little shopping trip to get me some goods for "cheap."

Here is what I did based on the ad:

If you spend $10 on Crest ProHealth items you get a $5.00 ECB

If you buy 2 Kraft Mayo's, you get them for 2 for $4.00 (pretty good deal considering mayo is pretty expensive - and now that it's summer time BBQ's require at least 1 side made with mayonnaise).

Charmin 4 DoubleRoll tp was on sale for $3.00 each

I also need to buy a few Father's Day cards for Sunday.

...

I had a manufacturers few coupons

$1.00/2 Crest ProHealth Toothpaste

$1.00/1 Crest ProHealth Mouthwash

2-$1.00/1 Kraft Mayo

$1.00/2 Charmin Toiletpaper

I split my transactions into 2 purchases:

Trans 1

(2) Crest Toothpastes

(2) Father's Day Cards

(1) Good Luck Card

(1) Crest Mouth Wash

(2) Kraft Mayo

$4.00 in manufacturer coupons used

$6.20 off from the 30% off CVS coupon

$8.99 used in ECBs

Total Out of Pocket (OOP) - $5.45

Earned: $5.00 ECB

Trans 2

(2) Charmin 4 doublerolls toilet paper

$1.00 in manufacturer coupons used

$5.00 used in ECBs (from Trans 1)

Total Out of Pocket (OOP) - FREE

I purchased $42.80 worth of products for $5.45!

87.2% Savings!

56% Savings @ CVS

During lunch today I hopped out to pick up a few things at CVS. I’ve been getting back into couponing and I figured a good ‘ol CVS run would kick me back into gear.

When it comes to food and beauty products, I’ll never spend full price on anything. I typically wait for sales and even better sales + coupons.

Everything I purchased today was advertised in the June 12 – June 18 CVS Flyer. I had NO ECBs (Extra Care Bucks) going into this trip, since I haven’t been doing much shopping.

I purchased everything in 1 transaction, which means I probably could have paid even less if I bundled items together properly (more on that next week!)

Here is what I purchased

(2) Packs of FatFree Fig Newtons

Reg 4.79 each, on Sale for 2 for $5.00

(2) Boxes of Fiber One Cereal

Reg 6.49 each, on Sale for 2 for $6.00, Used (2) $.75 Qs

(1) Palmolive Dish Soap

Reg 1.99, on Sale for .89

(1) Dial NuTrition Body Wash

Reg 5.89, on Sale for 3.88, Used $2.00 Q

(3) 32Oz Gatorades

Reg 1.99 Each, on Sale for 0.88

(1) Mitchum Deodorant

Reg 4.29, on Sale for 1.99, Used $.75 Q

(2) John Freida Shampoo & Conditioner

Reg 6.99 Each, on Sale for 5.00, Used (2) $2.00 Qs

(1) Zyrtec Allergy Med (5 Count)

Reg 6.89, on Sale for 5.99, Used $2.00 Q

(4) Packs of Orbitz Gum

Reg 1.49 each, on Sale for BOGO, Used (2) $1.00/2 Q

Technically got 4 packs of gum .99 cents

(2) Dove Chocolate Bars

Reg 2.19, on Sale for BOGO-0.01, Used $1.00 Q

Technically got 2 dove choc. bars for $1.20

(3) TicTacs Packets

Reg 1.77, on Sale for B2GO-0.01, Used $1.00 Q

(3) Packs of Stride Gum

Reg 1.67, on Sale for B2GO-0.01 Used $1.00/3 Q

(2) Bayer Tablets (24 ct)

Reg $3.49, on Sale for BOGO-50%, Used (2) $1.00 Q

(2) Aleve Tablets (50 ct)

Reg $6.99, on Sale for BOGO-50%, Used (2) $1.00 Q

(1) $10 Gas Card FREE!

Total Bill without Sales and Coupons: $103.01

Total Coupons Used: $19.25

Total Paid after Sales and Coupons: $44.92

Saved: 56.4%!!! and I got $10 to spend on Gas!

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ECBs Earned: $8.99

Coupon Earned: 30% Entire Purchase, expires: 6/18