Total Merchandise Value: $18.74
Total Out-of-Pocket Cost: $8.74
Ending ECBs: $4.00
Final Cost: $4.74
Savings: $14.74 (79%)

It’s been a LONG time since I’ve bought cereal, but I decided that this was a good deal. So I now have a few emergency go-to boxes. I had spent last week’s ECBs on some OTC meds we needed, so I started this week with ZERO ECBs. Yikes! I did two transactions to try to limit my out-of-pocket costs.

Transaction #1:

2 Colgate Total Advanced – $5.00
1 Twix Bar – $.75
1 U by Kotex Liners – $3.99
- 2 $1/1 Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste, exp. 5/13/12 (SS 04/15/12)
Out-of-Pocket Cost: $7.74 + tax
ECBs Earned: $7.75 ($4 Colgate, $3 Kotex, $.75 Twix)

Transaction #2:

3 Cheerios – $9.00
- 3 $0.75/1 Cheerios Coupon (need 2 computers to print 3)
- $7.75 ECBs from transaction #1
Out-of-Pocket Cost: $1.00
ECBs Earned: $4.00

Total Merchandise Value: $18.74
Total Out-of-Pocket Cost: $8.74
Ending ECBs: $4.00
Final Price: $4.74
Savings: $14.74 (79%)

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Merchandise Value: $21.95
Out-of-Pocket Cost: $.46 plus tax
Savings: $21.49 (98%)

I was doing a happy dance when I scanned my card at the CVS magic coupon machine today. I had stopped by on Sunday just to scan my card (not shop) because I’d heard rumors that it was printing coupons for $1 off any toothpaste and $1 off any deodorant. I got both on Sunday! And I got both again today! Definitely happy dance-worthy. I put all those coupons to good use today.

What I Bought:
2 Speed Stick Deodorants – $2.50 each
2 Colgate Toothpastes – $2.99 each
1 RevitaLens – $8.99
2 Puffs Tissues – $.99 each

Coupons Used:
2 $1.00 off any deodorant CVS coupons
B1G1 Speed Stick or Lady Speed Stick, exp. 5/19/12 (SS 04/29/12) – Took off $3.99
2 $0.50/1 Colgate Toothpaste, exp. 5/19/12 (SS 04/29/12)**
2 $1.00 off any toothpaste CVS coupons
2 $0.25 off Puffs Facial Tissue, exp. 5/31/12 (P&G 04/29/12)
$2/1 Revitalens Ocutec Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution, exp. 6/4/12 (SS 04/29/12)
$10 ECBs from last week

Out-of-Pocket Cost: $.46 plus tax
ECBs Earned: $7.98 ($4.98 Colgate, $3.00 – RevitaLens)

** I’ve seen some people posting the $1/1 Colgate coupon from 4/15, but it’s not good for the types of Colgate listed in the ad.

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Merchandise Value: $9.48
Out-of-Pocket Cost: $8.48
ECBs Earned: $9.00
Final Price: $.52 moneymaker

I just realized that I never posted this week’s CVS trip. It was an unexpected moneymaker…. always a nice surprise.

U by Kotex – $3.99
Physicians Formula Concealer Stick – $5.49
$1/1 U by Kotex Product printable
Out-of-Pocket Cost: $8.48
ECBs Earned: $9.00 ($7 Physician’s Formula, $2 Kotex)
Final Price: $.52 moneymaker

From what I’m hearing, not all of the Physician’s Formula products less than $7 are triggering the $7 ECB to print. Mine did not, but the cashier printed it because the ad did not state a size or dollar amount that had to be met for the ECB deal. This will vary by store depending on your store interprets the ad.

I stopped at CVS for laundry detergent today and noticed this deal. The Arm & Hammer Power Paks (16 ct.) are on sale BOGO this week. The packages all had Try Me Free rebate peelies on them too. Plus there’s a coupon! Here’s how to make the most of this deal:

Buy 2 Arm & Hammer Crystal Burst Power Paks (BOGO this week) – $6.99
Use $1/2 Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent, exp. 6/1/12 (SS 04/22/12)
Pay $5.99 OOP
Submit rebate $5.99 (price after coupon)
Final Price: both free after rebate

Merchandise Value: $25.13
Starting ECBs: $6.50
Out-of-Pocket Cost: $.16 plus tax
Ending ECBs: $4.00 ECBs
Savings: $24.97 (99%)

We were out and about today, so we swung by CVS for a quick shopping trip. I was pleasantly surprised at the little red coupon printing machine. I got a $2 off Biore CVS coupon. AND the $5 Biore ECB deal is still going on this week. Double woo hoo! Here’s what I ended up doing.

Transaction #1:
1 Biore Cleanser – $7.99
1 Biore Pore Strips – $7.99
Reach toothbrush 2-pack – $1.99
FREE Biore Cleanser wyb Pore Strip, exp. 5/31/12 (SS 03/04/12)**
$2/1 Biore CVS coupon from print machine in-store
$1/1 Reach Toothbrush, exp. 5/31/12 (RP 03/04/12)
$6.50 ECBs from last week (rounded down)
Out-of-Pocket Cost: $0 plus tax
ECBs Earned: $5.00 (Biore)

** So the Biore coupon scanned $9.00 automatically. The cashier didn’t put anything in. It just took $9 off. And I couldn’t figure out why. Anyone else had this happen?

Transaction #2:
2 Jelly Beans (50% Easter clearance) – $.59 each
2 Colgate Toothpaste – $2.99 each
2 $1/1 Colgate Total Advanced printable coupon (no longer available)
$5.00 ECBs from Transaction #1
Out-of-Pocket Cost: $.16 plus tax
ECBs Earned: $4.00 (Colgate)

Overall Savings: $24.97 (99%)

And the irony…. I always seem to buy candy when I’m also buying toothpaste or toothbrushes… or in the case of this trip BOTH! I guess I’m covered.