My grapes are delish but cost me dearly! Credit: kirstea/Flickr
I jumped on a toilet paper and Kleenex deal yesterday and paid $23.22 for $44.32 worth of goods, a hot 47% discount. I scored by combining three CVS deals with $3.50 in Extra Care rewards I had earned from previous purchases.
Deal No. 1. Get a 3-pack of Kleenex tissues for $2, down from $1.29 per pack. I put two in my cart.
Deal No. 2. Get an 18-pack of Cottonelle toilet paper for $10, down from $13.29 per pack. I stuffed two 18-packs in my cart.
Deal No. 3. Spend $25 in Kleenex and Cottonelle products and get $10 in Extra Bucks, which are vouchers that can be used on future purchases at CVS.
My total before the deals, coupons, and Extra Bucks came to $34.32. I used two $.50 off coupons, my $3.50 in Extra Care bucks, and scanned my loyalty card to get the sale prices, bringing my total to $23.22. My receipt printed out with a $10 Extra Bucks voucher that is good through Feb. 9, 2011. Some folks would say that $10 voucher brings my cost down to $13.22, but that is technically not true because I paid $23.22 out of pocket. However, I now have a credit of $10 at CVS, so the total value of goods I received for the $23.22 purchase is actually $44.32. Make sense?
My savings were, unfortunately, wiped away by a splurge that same day at the grocery store. I went into compare prices for a future post and to buy fruit. That’s when I noticed the green grape display. No price, which made me cringe. I suspect my grocery store sometimes leaves off the price of items that are particularly high. But the grapes were high quality and were a better way to quench my sweet tooth than candy, I reasoned. When I got to the register they rang up as $3.99 per pound. Oh my goodness!
The grapes alone cost $11.17, not a purchase I am especially proud of. I am making sure not a single grape is wasted. What’s the last great deal or splurge you got?
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price.
CVS had gnocchis, (those potato balls) on sale for 3 packs for $5 if you have a card. SO yummy and lower in calories than pasta! Very filling too.
Learned my lesson on buying items that I don’t know the cost…was at a Ralphs, the tomatoes were not priced…I bagged 4 …what a shock…at the check-out…it was like $7.50…now I always find someone to tell me the price…even if i have to wait 5 minutes,even if I have to get the manger…he is never happy when items are put out with out a price sign.
I went to CVS this week too – bought 3 $6 Airwicks (had $4 off coupons, which made them $2 each) plus a $3 Finish Dishwasher tabs (minus -$2.25 coupon which made it .75). Received the $10 Register Rewards.
Then went back with my $10 register rewards and bought 3 $10 Cottonelle and used my $10 towards that purchase. Received another $10 register reward.
I will take that $10 register reward and go back this week for the Pepsi deal and put that towards it. And then I’ll receive another $10 register reward.
And the self-scanner thing spit out a “save $10 off a Physician Formula makeup” coupon, which was on sale for $7.79 so I got for free that PLUS the overage put towards my purchase.
I do look for bargains at CVS, Target and certain markets where I can combine sales prices with coupons and $$ rewards. It’s amazing how much one can save by doing that. And I agree with William about checking the price of unmarked produce (or anything else), as I’ve been stung before, and don’t want to embarrass myself by asking to have the item deleted from my bill and returned to the shelf/produce counter. Better to ask first.
Thanks for all the great info! There are coupons at coupons.com for the 3 pack of kleenex of .50 off and also for the Cottonelle TP and wipes at cottonelle.com after registration. As soon as I can get out of the frozen tundra here in Georgia, I’m taking advantage o the sale!
@Kathy I’m not a fan of gnocchi but I’m sure other readers will appreciate your tip!
@Chris You are a pro! Way to “roll” the Register Rewards vouchers on your next purchase, and then again, and again…!
WoW, the CVS deal is hot , and I have to go pick up my prescription tomorrow!
And Julia, that was a pricy splurge on grapes. I have dont that many times on items. I always tell them to take it back as I am not paying that price. I dont like to say that , but I have to being on a strict budget.