This weekend we had to drive down to Milwaukee for a special errand. It was an opportunity to hit stores we don’t usually shop. This time we went to Whole Foods (wanted to use the $5/25 coupon), CVS (free candy and toothbrushes, how ironic!) and Costco. We received in the mail a coupon booklet from Costco and we wanted to use one of the coupons to get oil for the car since my husband changes the oil in our cars himself.
Our first stop was Whole Foods. I was very excited to go to this store and figured it would take no time for me to add $25 worth of items to my cart so that I could use the coupon. Also, at the entrance I found lots of copies of the Mambo Sprouts booklets and figured I would find great use for those coupons right away. Twenty five minutes later and after walking down all of the aisles my cart is empty. First I figured that maybe I could find my son’s cereal (Earth’s best) there. Regular price $2.99, I pay $1.78 at Walmart or Target for the same. Then I noticed that ZClif bars are on sale for 49 cents and there’s a $0.50/1 coupon in the Mambo Sprouts booklet. Yay! free bars!! Sure, if you can find them. I spent another 10 minutes looking for them and was never able to find them. So we left the store empty handed.
Then we headed to Costco. Besides the oil we also needed ketchup, fruit preserves, Equal and I found a cheap pineapple. We left the store with $101 worth of items for $82 thanks to the oil coupon. My husband is finally noticing that our trips are so infrequent that it may be time to drop our membership and save the $50 membership fee.
Redemption awaited us at CVS. My initial intention was to roll my extra care bucks. But once there I noticed that I had more ECBs that expired on the 21st. Even though this store takes expired ECBs the last time I was at CVS was 4 weeks ago, so I decided to do the diaper deal. I left the store with two packs of diapers, two tubs of wipes, 4 packs of toothbrushes, one toothpaste, two bags of candy, one flashlight and one bib for $3. Now my extra care bucks don’t expire for another 30 days.
I know I am preaching to the choir here, but I am so happy I use coupons. I am able to save my money with little effort. Sure, couponing takes time but not as much as non-couponers think and I have been able to save so much money. Now, if only all of my shopping could be similar to CVS shopping that would be huge!
Hi! I am Mercedes and this is my blog Common Sense with Money! Helping other people live better, spend less, and save more is something I am very passionate about. I combine simple frugal living tips and smart shopping techniques to help moms across the U.S. become better home economists. Thank you for visiting my blog.
Which store takes expired ECBs? I’ve never chanced upon one and I should go there. I have about $70 ECBs that expired.
This is the Cedarburg CVS in WI.
Do you eat Frosted Mini-Wheats? The current Catalina promotion with all the recent printables for $1/1 helped me make out like a bandit! I just posted it to my blog
http://angelknits.blogspot.com
I haven’t been able to find the Agent Blue Listerine yet. I’m hoping CVS can sub the green one for me as my hubby loves it LOL but they aren’t even on the shelf either. Resets before a sale…odd.
My husband was telling me about the Zcliff bars this morning–how he’d used the coupon and gotten them free–they are great for mornings when we are running late, I just give them to my son for breakfast (they serve breakfast at his day care, but I don’t like sending him on empty.)
Another source of coupons for baby things? Your insurance company! Many will send out things during your pregnancy including samples and coupons from baby companies. And even if you don’t have a baby shower, register at all the stores–they will send you coupons, and Target also offers 10% off everything left on your registry after the birth.
Just some more things I am doing to prepare for this baby.
I love the video at your review blog! Nice to finally put a face to your name!! How cute are you!!!
I decided to not go to Whole foods for the same reason. Their free range eggs were on sale for a good price, but I couldn’t buy $25 worth of them, of course
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What’s the diaper deal at CVS this week? WHere did i miss it?
The diaper deal (which I did super at today BTW
) Buy $25 worth of Huggies jumbo packs of diapers and wipes (among several other things)and get $10 ECB!! I got 2 packs of diapers and 2 boxes of wipes for $6.97 OOP!! Had $2 and $1.50 coupons for diapers and two 50cent coupons for wipes along with a $5 off $25 CVS coupon! Woo hoo!
Mercedes,
Were you able to get the $1.25 packs of toothbrushes? Yesterday, I got five with my card (paid $1.25 each, got back $3.99 each!) , but today when I went back with DH’s card the same ones rang up $3.99 (hey, still free right?!?)
Man! I am SOOOOO jealous of you CVS folks. I love Walgreens and am luke warm lately with Rite Aid but feel left out of all the great CVS deals! =D
Andrea,
No I couldn’t find the clearanced Gum TBs. I think people had already bought them previously to this deal. I was still good with the coupons
I find myself thinking that I wish my mother taught me about coupons before I went out on my own. I probably could have had a down payment on a house by the time I was 25!!!
I want to make sure my daughter understands what value the couponing process has so that she can be in control of her finances right from the start.
Oh thats far. How do I find out if the stores closer to my house take expired ECBs? Do I just call?
Hi Jem,
I would call if I were you. I know that I overheard a cashier sharing that ECBs didn’t expire at this store to another customer. It doesn’t hurt to ask and it’s over the phone anyways.