Weekly Savings Review 2/14-20/2010

Total Spent = $34.11

Total Saved = $134.91

Saved approximately = 80%

FINALLY met my goal and spent less than $60 in a week! It helped that I had already done a lot of spending stocking up over the first two weeks of February. (Week 1, Week 2) But, I was also able to avoid coupon temptation and only used them, for the most part, when I found an AWESOME deal.

I also applied for some great rebates this week and you can read about all of that here.

Below is the breakdown for this week’s savings. If you want a detailed breakdown for a particular store just click on that store’s name.

Walmart

Total Spent = $10.15 Total Saved = $32.32 76%

Walgreens

Total Spent = $0.52 Total Saved = $6.49 93%

Aldi

Total Spent = $10.84

Publix

Total Spent = $0.45 Total Saved = $17.98 98%

Target

Total Spent = $7.07 Total Saved = $23.87 77%

Bi-Lo

Total Spent = $0.33 Total Saved = $8.29 96%

CVS

Total Spent = $4.75 Total Saved = 45.96 91%

Rebates – Olay, SC Johnson, Staples, P&G

I used to ignore rebates completely (I know.. what a waste) because I felt like they were too much hassle, but I am now starting to learn what a great savings tool they really are. Especially when they are added to coupon and sale price savings. And, seriously, what’s the hassle? Fill out a form, attach the receipt, address/stamp an envelope, and put it in the mail. Easy peasy!

This month I submitted $25.98 in rebates plus a rebate for $100 in coupons.  That’s not the whole story though because when you look at what I spent for the rebate required products you will see that I am actually MAKING MONEY on most of these rebates.

Here’s what I did…

Oil of Olay Rebate

I bought (3) Olay Definity face washes at $7 each on clearance at Walmart. I used (3) $3/1 Olay Definity product coupons which made the total $12. After the $15 rebate I made a $3 profit.

~~~~~~~~~~

SC Johnson Rebate

I bought (3) Glade Plug-ins Scented Gel Warmers for $5/3 on sale at Target. I used (3) $1.50/1 Glade Plug-ins Scented Gel Warmers coupons which made the total $0.50. After the $5 rebate I made a $4.50 profit. This rebate can be used a total of three times and is good through the end of June, so you can bet I’ll be looking for more deals.  🙂

~~~~~~~~~~

Staples

Technically I don’t include office supplies in my household spending allowance (even though I print 100’s of coupons using office supplies) because the majority of our office supply usage is for business of entertainment purposes.  In spite of that I wanted to include this rebate here because, let’s face it, money back is money back!

So, I bought (2) packs of Multi-purpose Bright White paper for $4.99 each on sale at Staples. They were giving back a rebate of $2.99 each (limit 2) this week only which made each pack of paper just $2.

A great thing about Staples’ rebates is that most of them can be done online making the whole process that much easier! 🙂

~~~~~~~~~~

Proctor and Gable Coupon Rebate

I came across this Proctor and Gable rebate (spend $50 and get $100 in coupons) this week and realized I had already spent $50 on Proctor and Gamble products this month. Actually I didn’t really spend $50 thanks to coupons, but the price before coupons of the above items was $50.29 and that’s what counts.

I bought these items in multiple stores in three transactions, and I’m not exactly sure what I actually paid for them (that’s more work/math than I want to do right now) but I can guarantee that it wasn’t $50.29! I’ve heard that in the past the coupon books from these types of rebates have been really great so I’m definitely looking forward to getting mine this time around.

If you know of any other rebates that are available right now please let me know… I’m on a REBATE HUNT! 🙂

CVS Trips 2/14-20/2010

Total Spent = $4.75

Total Saved = $45.96

Trip 1

Spent $1.95 Saved $18.98

I started this trip with $2, $2, and $5 ECBs

I bought:

• Aussie Shampoo $2.99 (reg price $4.29) – get back $2 ECB
• Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste $2.99 (reg price $3.89) – get back $2 ECB
• (2) Crest Pro-Health Enamel Shield rinse $3.50 (reg price $5.39) – get back $3.50 ECB x2
• CVS Green Bag $0.99 – get back $1 ECB every 4th visit

I used:

• $1/1 Aussie product RP 2/14
• $1/1 Colgate Advanced January All You
• (2) $2/1 Crest Pro-Health rinse PG 2/7
• $5.98 CVS Discounts
• $5 and $2 ECBs

Product Total: $0.99

SC Tax: $0.98

Total Paid: $1.95

Total Saved: $18.98

I ended this trip with $2, $2, $2, and $7 ECBs

Trip 2

Spent $2.80 Saved $26.98

I started this trip with $2, $2, $2, and $7 ECBs

I bought:

• Cover Girl Clean foundation $6.00 (reg price $6.99) – get back $5 ECBs wyb 2
• Cover Girl Clean pressed powder $6.00 (reg price $6.99) – get back $5 ECBs wyb 2
• (2) Neutrogena Shampoo $6.99 ea – get back $5 ECBs wyb 2

I used:

• Cover Girl B1G1 = $6/1 PG 2/7
• $1/1 Cover Girl product PG 2/7
• (2) $2/1 Neutrogena Shampoo printable
• $1.98 CVS Discounts
• $2 and $7 ECB

Product Total: $0.98

SC Tax: $1.82

Total Paid: $2.80

Total Saved: $26.98

I ended this trip with $2, $2, $5, and $5 ECBs

There were problems with getting the items to ring up correctly at first and due to the confusion I forgot to have them swipe my new Green Bag Tag. 😦 I had my bag in my purse and everything. I’m going to have to learn to make it a habit and to not let myself get distracted. 🙂

Bi-Lo Trip 2/14-20/2010

Total Spent = $0.33

Total Saved = $8.29

I bought:

• (2) Land O’ Frost 1lb Honey Ham Premium lunch meat $4.29 ea

I used:

• (2) $2/1 Land O’ Frost Premium printable
• $4.29 Bi-Lo Discount (from B1G1 sale)

Product Total: $0.29

SC Tax: $0.04

Total Paid: $0.33

Total Saved: $8.29

Target Trip 2/14-20/2010

Total Spent = $7.07

Total Saved = $23.87

I bought:

• (3) Glade Plug-ins Scented Gel Warmers $5/3 sale price
• Oreo Golden Double Stuffed $2.79 sale price
• Oreo Cakesters $2.79 sale price
• NYC Lip balm $1.91 clearance price
• (2) 3.5lb Iams Premium Protection dog food $7.54

I used:

• (3) $1.50/1 Glade Plug-ins Scented Gel Warmers (source?)
• Free Oreo Golden Double Stuffed home mailer
• Free Oreo Cakesters wyb Oreo cookies tear pad
• $1/1 NYC product
• (2) $3/1 Iams Premium Protection dog food
• $5 SC Johnson Rebate

Product Total: $5.47 (after rebate)

SC Tax: $1.60

Total Paid: $7.07

Total Saved: 23.87

Technically I saved more than $23.87 because many of the items were on sale so, if I had remembered to write down the regular prices, I could have shown the savings difference from the sales.  Oh well 🙂

Publix Trip 2/14-20/2010

Total Spent: $0.45

Total Saved: $17.98

I bought:

• (3) 8oz Breakstone sour cream $0.99 ea
• (4) Yoplait Fiber One 4pk $2.50 ea
• (2) Country Crock spread 2pk $1.99 ea
• 20oz Diet Coke $1.39

I used:

• $2/3 Kraft products from tear pad Breakstone included
• (4) $1/1 Yoplait Fiber One printable
• (2) $0.50/1 Country Crock printable (Doubled)
• $0.50/1 20oz Diet Coke tear pad (Doubled)
• $6.98 Publix Discounts
• $1.50 Double Coupon Discounts
• $2.00 Catalina from Kroger for Pillsbury purchase

Product Total: $0.35

SC Tax: $0.10

Total Paid: $0.45

Total Saved: $17.98

Walgreens Trip 2/14-20/2010

Total Spent: $0.52

Total Saved: $6.49

I started this trip with $3, $3, $1, and $1 RRs.

I bought:

• (2) 4lb bag Imperial Sugar $2.09 (sale price)
• 25oz Morton Salt $0.99

I used:

• $0.10/1 Walgreens coupon for Imperial Sugar x2
• $0.49/1 Walgreens coupon for Morton Salt
• $3 and $1 RRs

Product Total: $0.48

SC Tax: $0.04

Total Paid: $0.52

Total Saved: $6.49

I ended this trip with $3 and $1 RRs.

Walmart Trip 2/14-20/2010

Total Spent: $10.15

Total Saved: $32.32

I bought:

• sm bag Iams dog food $5.76
• (3) Olay Definity face wash $8.94 ea
• Poppy seeds $2.62
• 4pc Valentine’s Heart cookie cutter set $3.00
• 18ct Eggs $2.24

I used:

• $1/1 Iams dog food
• (3) $3/1 Olay Definity
• $7.32 Walmart Clearance Discounts
• $15.00 Olay Rebate

Product Total: $8.12 (after rebate)

SC Tax: $2.03

Total Paid: $10.15

Total Saved: $32.32

The best part about this trip were the Olay washes. They were on clearance for $7 ea, add the $3/1 Olay coupons I had and I got them for $4 ea. After the $15 Olay rebate (which I mailed off today) they were FREE plus a $3 overage!

Weekly Savings Review 2/7-13/2010

Total Spent = $212.94

Total Saved = $389.87

Saved approximately 65%

I spent WAY more than I had planned this week, but I was able to stock up on a lot of essentials… diapers, laundry supplies, paper goods, cheese/meats, etc. So, I guess the extra spending was justified.  My goal is to buy the bare minimums the rest of the month (just milk, eggs, etc.). This means I will have to resist using my coupons just because I have them.  I swear that coupons burn a bigger hole in my pocket than actual money does. 🙂

Here is the breakdown by store (if you want to see a store’s detailed breakdown just click on the store’s name):

Kroger

Total Spent = $19.89 Total Saved = $69.92 78%

Publix

Total Spent = $11.85 Total Saved = $43.08  78%

Bi-Lo

Total Spent = $39.78 Total Saved = $76.88 67%

Target

Total Spent = $28.87 Total Saved = $51.08 64%

Aldi

Total Spent = $33.55

CVS

Total Spent = $2.29 Total Saved = $36.48 94%

Walgreens

Total Spent = $62.73 Total Saved = $112.43 64%

Misc.

This week I also bought:

• (4) Sunday papers $1.50 ea
• 25 lb bag of flour at Walmart $7.98

Total Paid: $13.98

Walgreens Trips 2/7-13/2010

Total Spent = $62.73

Total Saved = $112.43

Trip 1

I haven’t done any shopping at Walgreens in a long time so I started this week with zero Register Rewards (RR).

$4.91

I bought:

• Dove Men +Care body wash $5.99 – get back $6 RR (I made this purchase primarily to get the RRs.)

I used:

• $1.50/1 Dove Men +Care body wash printable

Product Total: $4.49

SC Tax: $0.42

Total Paid: $4.91

Total Saved: $1.50

I ended this trip with a $6 RR.

Trip 2

$6.95

I started this trip with a $6 RR.

I bought: (prices shown are sale prices)

• (4) Vicks NyQuil/DayQuil $4.49 ea – spend $20 get back a $10 RR
• (2) Puffs with Vicks $1.67 – spend $20 get back a $10 RR
• Dozen Lg Eggs $0.99

I used:

• (3) $2/1 Vicks NyQuil/DayQuil PG 1/17
• $1.50/1 Vicks NyQuil/DayQuil PG 2/7
• (2) FREE Puffs tissues wyb 2 Vicks NyQuil/DayQuil PG 2/7
• $6 RR
• $4.14 Walgreens Discounts

Product Total: $5.45

SC Tax: $1.50

Total Paid: $6.95

Total Saved: 20.98

I ended this trip with a $10 RR.

Trip 3

$4.84

I started this trip with a $10 RR.

I bought: (prices shown are reg and sale prices)

• Huggies Jumbo Pack $8.99 – get back $3 RR
• Gillette Fusion Razor $8.99 – get back $4 RR
• (2) Lindsay Olives $4/2
• Box of Sweethearts (filler item) $0.59

I used:

• $2/1 Huggies Diapers printable
• $4/1 Gillette Fusion Razor PG 2/7
• $1/2 Lindsay Olives (from a magazine?)
• $10 RR
• $4.02 Walgreens Discounts and Coupons

Product Total: $3.55

SC Tax: $1.29

Total Paid: $4.84

Total Saved: $21.02

I ended this trip with $3 and $4 RRs.

Trip 4

$6.62

I started this trip with $3 and $4 RRs.

I bought: (prices shown are sale prices)

• 20 Valentine’s Cards $0.14 ea (sale price)
• Huggies Jumbo Pack $8.99 – get back $3 RR

I used:

• $2.00 Huggies Diapers printable
• $4.00 RR
• $12.19 Walgreens Discounts and Coupons

Product Total: $5.79

SC Tax: $0.83

Total Paid: $6.62

Total Saved: $18.19

I ended this trip with $3 and $3 RRs.

Trips 5, 6, 7

$30.02

I started this trip with $3 and $3 RRs.

Trip 5 I bought:

• Mucinex D 24 ct $23.99 – get back $5 RR

I used:

• $3.00 RR

Product Total: $20.99

SC Tax: $1.68

Total Paid: $22.67

Total Saved: $3.00

I ended this trip with $3 and $5 RRs.

Trip 6 I bought:

• Gillette Fusion Razor $8.99 – get back $4 RR
• (2) Heart shaped baskets $3/2

I used:

• $4/1 Gillette Fusion Razor PG 2/7
• $3 RR
• 15% off total purchase Walgreens coupon = $1.80

Product Total: $3.19

SC Tax: $0.71

Total Paid: $3.90

Total Saved: $8.80

I ended this trip with $4 and $5 RRs.

Trip 7 I bought:

• Huggies Pull-ups $8.49 (clearance price) – get back $3 RR
• (2) Heart shaped baskets $3/2

I used:

• $2/1 Huggies Pull-ups from newspaper (?which one)
• $5 RR
• 15% off total purchase Walgreens coupon = $1.72
• $2.12 Walgreens discount (for the pull-ups)

Product Total: $2.77

SC Tax: $0.68

Total Paid: $3.45

Total Saved: $10.84

I ended this trip with $4 and $3 RRs.

Trips 8, 9, 10

$9.39

Trip 8 I bought:

• Gillette Fusion Razor – get back $4 RR
• Skittles

I used:

• $4/1 Gillette Fusion Razor PG 2/7
• $3 RR
• 15% off total purchase Walgreens coupon = $1.48
• $0.34 Walgreens discount coupon (for the skittles)

Product Total: $1.06

SC Tax: $0.53

Total Paid: $1.59

Total Saved: $8.82

I ended this trip with $4 and $4 RRs

Trip 9 I bought:

• Huggies Pull-ups $8.99 – get back $3 RR
• (3) Musketeers Truffle Candies $2/3 – get back $1 RR for 3

I used:

• $2/1 Huggies Pull-ups from newspaper (?which one)
• $4 RR
• 15% off total purchase Walgreens coupon = $1.64
• $2.02 Walgreens discount (for the pull-ups)

Product Total: $3.35

SC Tax: $0.55

Total Paid: $3.90

Total Saved: $9.64

I ended this trip with $1, $3 and $4 RRs.

Trip 10 I bought:

• Huggies Pull-ups $8.99 – get back $3 RR
• (3) Musketeers Truffle Candies $2/3 – get back $1 RR for 3

I used:

• $2/1 Huggies Pull-ups from newspaper (?which one)
• $4 RR
• 15% off total purchase Walgreens coupon = $1.64
• $2.02 Walgreens discount (for the pull-ups)

Product Total: $3.35

SC Tax: $0.55

Total Paid: $3.90

Total Saved: $9.64

I ended this trip with $1, $1, $3 and $3 RRs.