Rite Aid Trip 4/9

I got a text from a friend who happens to be the newest employee of our friendly(ish) local Rite Aid.  She told me there was some clearance on Maybelline, so I decided to check it out.  I loooooooove me some nail polish so I was excited to find some priced 50% off, and it was $2.07 after the discount!  I had some $1/1 ANY Maybelline New York Product coupons, and unfortunately for me, this did not mean an easy deal on some nail pretties.


I grabbed 7 different shades.  Can't beat $1.07 a bottle!  Well, actually I could beat it.  There's a month-long +Up Reward on Maybelline (Buy $15, get $5 +Up), and I already had $2.00 going toward it.  So, another $14.49 in nail polish put me over the top.  So, I got 4 bottles for $2.49 (before tax) after +Up.  =) HOWEVER...  NONE of the bottles rang up the right price, and I got the "Did you check the tag and look at the specific color that was on clearance???" attitude.  Ya, I checked.  I have fallen victim to a misplaced item in a sea of cosmetics with clearance tags.  You have to check and make sure the number/color/variety matches because sometimes the wrong one gets put in the clearance spot and you think it's a great deal, but they point out that technicality and no amount of "it's not my fault you guys tagged the wrong item" will get them to mark it down for you.  They will tell you to look at the tag or you don't get the price.  (I've found MONTHS old sale flags at that store so beware when you're finding spontaneous deals that they are valid!!!)

So, she had a manager go check after I told her that there was only one price tag on the display and the clearance flag said "Maybelline display items only" (to indicate not ALL nail polish was on sale.)  She still acted like it was my fault the register wasn't ringing in the right price, or that I somehow voodooed the clearance flag or manager who read it exactly as I did.  But, on with the story...

I had coupons for each of the items, and was going to split the order into two so I could do 4 coupons on one, 3 on the other (since I was told they only allow 4 like coupons per transaction).  However, the coupon wouldn't scan.  Again, this must have been my fault because the cashier first pointed out that it was only on Maybelline NEW YORK products.  But guess what...all Maybelline is NEW YORK, because that's their full brand name (and to be sure, I pointed it out on the bottles "Maybelline" with "New York" under it in small letters.  Then, she said it's probably only on makeup, so I pointed to the stack of coupons, on the display just feet away from the register, next to the nail polish, and told her I got them from the display.  She continued to scrutinize and then said "Yup, it must be because it's only for makeup." So, I kindly pointed out that it said ANY product, not just makeup, and she (however quietly) snapped "I KNOW I CAN READ IT."  Wowwwwwwwwwww... 

So, at last, after wasting both her time and mine (and this was about 15 minutes into the transaction after price checking and scanning other items), she manually entered the 4 coupons, then told me that she'd just try all 7 bottles and coupons in one transaction, likely in an effort to speed things along and get me OUT of there!

So, finally, I got my nail polish, other items, and +Up Rewards...  Here's a list of what I got... It was worth the effort, I'd say.

2 Glad 13 Gallon kitchen trash bags - $4.49 each
1 Lysol No-Touch kitchen starter system (with bonus refill) $6.99
8 pkgs Up2U Gum $.99 each
4 pkgs Mentos gum 15 pk $.99 each
7 Maybelline Express Finish nail polish $2.07 each
1 Duracell AA 8 pk $6.99
2 Glad Plug In Warmers $1.00 each

Used
(1) $2.00/2 Glad 13 Gallon trash bags printable
(1) $3.00/1 Lysol No-Touch Kitchen System Starter Kit
(4) $1/2 Up2U gum packs
(4) $.55/1 Mentos gum 15+ pack
(7) $1/1 Any Maybelline New York Product
(1) $1/1 Duracell Coppertop batteries
(2) $1/1 Glade Plugins Scented Oil Warmer
 $6 +Up Reward from previous transactions

Paid $26.70

Got back $2 +Up for Duracell
               $5 +Up for Maybelline

Will get $3.00 Lysol No-Touch rebate

Final cost was $16.70. Not bad for what I got (although the gum drove up my final OOP because I spent about $6 on that by itself, but we chew a lot of gum and less than $.50 a pack is better than paying $1.29 regular price otherwise!)  But to break it down by item:

Glad Bags - $3.49 each after coupon (they also count toward a $5 Single Check Rebate gift card in April.
Lysol No-Touch - $.99 after coupon and rebate
Up2U gum - $.49 each
Mentos gum - $.44 each
Maybelline Nail Polish - $.36 after clearance, coupons, and +Up Reward
Duracell 8 pk - $3.99 after coupon and +Up Reward
Glade Scented Oil Warmers - Free after coupon

After all that, I think that cashier is going to seriously either kill me or quit her job if I grace her register again... She was politely laughing and smiling as I apologized profusely for the trouble (though none of it was my fault, aside from finding a deal and using coupons) but that was probably more out of relief that I was leaving.

Rite Aid Deals 4/8

This week I was excited to get the Rite Aid flyer in the mail because the copy I found online was grainy and I couldn't really see a whole lot, but I had read that there were some REALLY great deals to be found in it.  I'm happy to say it wasn't just a rumor because I found some great deals that are going on my shopping list!

Softsoap & Irish Spring
Buy $20, get $10 +Up (limit 4 +Up offers)

Softsoap Body wash ($5.29)
     $1/1 Softsoap body wash 12 oz or larger
Softsoap Hand Soap 8-8.5 oz ($4.29)
     $1/2 Softsoap Liquid Hand Soaps 8 oz or larger
Softsoap Bars ($5.29)
     $1/1 Softsoap Bar Soap 2 pack or larger
Softsoap Hand Soap 7.5 oz ($3.49)
Irish Spring Body Wash ($5.49)

Always Radiant Infinity Pads/Tampax Radiant
Get $2 +Up Reward on 1 (Limit 2 +Up Offers)

Always Radiant Infinity 12-16 ct $3.99
     $1/1 Always Infinity or Radiant Infinity (P&G 4/1/12)Tampax Radiant 16 ct $3.99
     $1/1 Tampax Radiant (P&G 4/1/12) 

$.99 After Coupon and +Up 

eos Shave Cream 7 oz., Bic Twin Select Silky Touch Disposable Razor 10 ct
$2.00 +Up Reward on 1 (Limit 4 +Up Offers)

Bic Twin Select Razors
     $2/1 Bic Disposable Razors (SS 3/18/12) 

$.99 for eos Shave Cream
$1.00 MM on Bic Razors (with coupon, after +Up Reward)

Lysol No-Touch Kitchen System $6.99

     $3/1 Lysol No-Touch Kitchen System (SS 3/18/12)
     $3/1 Lysol No-Touch Kitchen System (All You, March 2012)
     $.75/1 Lysol No-Touch Kitchen Starter Kit (Lysol.com Printable)
     $3/1 MAIL IN REBATE (All You, April 2012) 

$.99 After Coupon and MIR 

Up2U, 5 Gum, Trident, Stride, Tic Tacs, Mentos, Altoids $.99
     $1/2 Up2U packs (SS 3/25/12)
     $.50/1 5 Gum (Rite Aid Video Values, March)
     $1/2 Stride Single Packs (SS 2/12/12)
     $.55/1 Mentos Bottles 15 ct.+ (SS 3/25/12)    

Carefree, Stayfree, o.b. Tampons 2/$6.00

Carefree Pantiliners 36-60 ct, or Ultra 16 ct
     $1/1 Carefree (SS 3/18/12)
     $.50/1 Carefree (Coupons.com)
 Stayfree Pads 14-24 ct
     $2/2 Stayfree Products (SS 3/18/12)
     $1/1 Stayfree Product (Coupons.com)
o.b. Tampons 18 ct
     $.75/1 o.b. Product (SS 3/18/12)

     $.75/1 o.b. Product (Coupons.com) 

$.50 each for Carefree/Stayfree
$.75 each for o.b. Tampons 

Glad Trash Bags $4.49 
Buy $20 Get $5 Giftcard (Single Check Rebate)
     $2/2 Glad Kitchen Trash Bags (Coupons.com)
     $1/1 Glad 30 Gal Trash Bags (Coupons.com) 

Glade Scented Oil Warmer $5/5 (single purchase price $1.29)
     $1/1 Glade Plug-Ins Scented Oil Warmer 

Duracell Coppertop Batteries $6.99
Get $2.00 +Up Reward on 1 (Limit 2 +Up Reward Offers)

Duracell AA, AAA 8 Pack, C or D 4 Pack, or 9 Volt 2 pack
     $1/1 Duracell Product  (P&G 4/1/12)
Duracell Ultra AA or AAA 6 pack

    $1/1 Duracell Product (P&G 4/1/12)

$3.99 after coupon and +Up Reward

A couple of other items I'm going for are the Pepsi 12 packs (4/$11 after $2 +Up on 4), and Tostitos/Lays, which are 2/$4 after $2 +Up Reward on 2.  I might grab the B1G1Free Finish detergent since there are $.75/1 and $.50/1 coupons on those. 

Hopefully this helps you out in planning your trip!  This is just a list of the best items I saw.  I'm loving the MM on Bic Razors and REALLY cheap Tampons!  I am not lacking in pads or liners in my stockpile, but my sole box of Playtex tampons could use some company.  I should be bringing home at least 6 more boxes tomorrow! Woot!

My Rite Aid Disater 4/1

So, some days couponing is a big rush, and some days you're glad you hit snooze when your "Black Sunday" alarm goes off because you just didn't feel like making a mad rush to Rite Aid to be there as soon as the doors opened.

Today, was one of those days... I hit snooze.  And boy, am I glad I did.  Had I been operating at still-groggy capacity, I don't even know what could have happened.  I just know that if sleeping in an extra hour helped at all, getting up early would have just been VERY bad.

I had everything planned.  The blog I posted last night, other than my John Frieda order, was exactly how my shopping trip was supposed to go.  However....

Transaction #1.

I started off with $4 in +Ups, so In Theory, this should have been easy-breezy.  However, I didn't figure for tax last night because I was Just.Too.Exhausted to do the math.  I knew there would be tax, I just didn't want to put in the effort.  So when my order rang up more than I had planned on, I looked puzzled, asked the cashier if there were anymore coupons, she said nope, and even told me she scanned two gum coupons.  Well, I paid it and chalked it up to not figuring out tax, even though I knew over a dollar more on a transaction that would have cost no more than $10 without coupons or Up Rewards wouldn't have accumulated THAT much tax.  But, I let it go thinking my math was screwed up.  I paid $2.87 OOP.

Transaction #2. 

No hitches.  I went in the other day to get some stuff that was advertised in the flier that started today, but I noticed it said "Good 3/30 - 5/1".  So, I tried it, failed, and instead of putting everything back they held it behind the counter because first of all, it was printed in their flier and I could have argued but didn't, and second, I somehow knew they wouldn't restock and they'd be all gone.  The last time this deal ran, everyone else got in on it, but I missed out and got a whole TWO of them (it was the Baby Lips by Maybelline).  Thankfully, they still had my bag of stuff held, this order went through 100% fine.  I paid $5.91 for 6 of them, and got a $5 +Up

Transaction #3. 

John Freakin Frieda.  I priced stuff, but after finding the video values coupon for the Full Repair products, I wasn't positive how much the Shampoo would be.  So, upon finding it was cheaper than I had thought, I couldn't reach the $15 without throwing in another product.  So I found a trial size item ($3.29) that I did not have a coupon for, but threw it in anyway just to push me over the $15 mark.  However, trials don't count, apparently, even though it does NOT state that in the sale flier (and one would think a $3 bottle of hair product wouldn't be considered a trial anyway!)  So I'm deducting that item from my total because I plan to return it later.  So, I had to buy another product to put me over $15.  But since I now apparently get a store-wide discount because of my Wellness Plus points, it was cheaper than I thought it would have been, and I used a $2 off coupon and only paid $4 for something that was normally $7.29.  Anyway, after two transactions, I got the $5 +Up reward.  I paid $5.73 OOP for 3 products totalling $26.32 (with tax).

Transaction #4. 

Gillette.  No Problems.  I paid $1.38 OOP using coupons and the +Up from John Frieda.  Woot Woot! Something went right. 

Transaction #5.

Halls.  All I wanted was 6 packages of Halls.  The sale wasn't flagged yet so I was trying to pick stuff from the flier, but the print was small.  So I grabbed the $1.99 packages that said "33% More Free!" (because those are usually the ones we go for, right?  More stuff, same price as the smaller ones.)  Usually that works, but apparently this time, they did not.  No +Up printed.  I told the cashier I'd get out of her hair and just call Customer Service.  I got in the car, went to call, they're CLOSED on Sundays.  So I was just gonna put my receipt away and call tomorrow, but I noticed that they rang up $1.79 each, not $1.50 each.  The +Up ones were on sale 2/$3.  So I went back in, asked to exchange for the right ones.  They let me, no problem.  I asked if the +Up would print if they did it through an exchange, they said yes.  WRONG.  No +Up printed, but thankfully the manager just gave me $3 cash in lieu of the +Up she told me would print but didn't.  So, I originally paid $4.28 using 3 $1/2 coupons and $4 +UPs from Gillette.  They ended up giving me back $1.83 for the difference since the ones I bought before, and $3 for the +Ups.  So I made $.55 on this order.  I guess. 

So I ended up paying $15.34 OOP, Tax Included, with NO +Up Rewards left, since they credited me in cash for that.  More than the $11 and change I said last night, but take into consideration I bought an extra John Frieda product I didn't intend to, and the cashier missed out on one coupon for $1.  So, I did pretty well. 

Total Retail (regular prices from receipt):  $86.80
Total OOP:  $15.34
Total Savings:  82.3%

(20 Items purchased, $.77 per item!)

Rite Aid Scenario 4/1/12

Here is a list of what I plan to get tomorrow (4/1/12) at Rite Aid!

Transaction #1

Scunci 18 ct Elastics - 1.99
2 Dentyne Ice Bags -  5.98 (2.99 each)
Subtotal                      7.97

Use (2) $1.00/1 Dentyne/Trident 80 ct or larger
Use (1) $.50/1 Dentyne Gum Video Values
                    
Total OOP   $5.47

Get back $3.99 +Up Rewards ($1.99 from Scunci, (2) $1.00 from Dentyne 80 pack)

Transaction #2

6 Baby Lips by Maybelline (B1G1 50% Off) - $17.07 (they are 3.79 each, and 3 of them will be 1/2 off)
Subtotal     $17.07

Use (2) $2/1 Maybelline Lip Product  (2/5/12 RP)
Use (4) $1/1 Maybelline NY Product (Tearpad found at Rite Aid)
Use $3.99 +Up Rewards

Total OOP $5.08

Get $5 +Up Reward (Buy $15 Maybelline, get $5 +Up)

Transaction #3 (This one depends on the prices, but according to what I priced the other day, I may be able to do it this way, if not, skip this one and move to #4, since it results in the same +Up Reward and the next transaction will stay the same.)

1 John Frieda Full Repair Styling Item - $10.49
1 John Frieda Full Repair Shampoo or Conditioner - $5.25 (1/2 off, since the sale is B1G1 50% off)
Subtotal - $15.74

Use $5.00 off John Frieda Full Repair Styling Item AND John Frieda Full Repair shampoo or conditioner
Use (2) $2.00/1 Any Full Size John Frieda Item.
Use $5.00 +Up

Total OOP $1.74

Get $5 +Up (Buy $15 John Frieda, get $5 +Up)

Transaction #4

2 Gillette Bodywash $7.98 ($3.99 each)
Subtotal $7.98

Use (2) $1/1 Gillette Bodywash or Deodorant (4/1/12 P&G)
Use $5 +Up Reward

Total OOP: $.98

Get $4.00 +Up (2 $2 +Ups for Gillette/Old Spice Body Wash)
Transaction #5

6 Halls $9.00 (2/$3)
Subtotal $9.00

Use (3) $1/2 Halls (3/25/12 SS)
Use $5 +Up

Total OOP: $2

Get $3.00 +Up (3 $1 +Up on 2 pkgs)
 
So, these are the things I'm planning for tomorrow's trip, and I know not everyone has these same coupons, but it gives you a chance to see what types of deals you can do.  My total OOP will be about $15.27 before tax.  (Actually, mine will be $11.27 because I have $4 in +Up Rewards from last week's sale, but I didn't factor those in since not everyone has that amount to start off with).  In addition to that, I will leave the store with $3 +Up Rewards.  The total regular or advertised price is $68.67, so you can see I will save considerably.  My only fear is that I won't be able to find John Frieda items at that price, since most of them run around 7.49, but there are a lot priced higher, at $10.49.  If I don't hit $15 on that transaction, I won't get a +Up Reward to roll into the next transaction.  So, if I have to skip that one, I will. 

Rite Aid clearance

I've decided to put my coupon binder back together! I was browsing through Rite Aid today and I found a BUNCH of clearanced items!  If only I'd had my coupons organized in Binder style, I would have brought home a whole lot of stuff for really cheap!  Well, I did bring home a whole lot of stuff for cheap, just nothing I would have had coupons for.

I found a lot of clearanced items, some of which were cleared off the shelves already.  I always check the makeup sections because I've gotten about 20 bottles of nail polish and lip gloss in the past month and probably have paid no more than $5 for most of it.  There are a LOT of clearance tags for 75% off items that are $4 and under.  Today, I found Rimmel nail polish for .99 each (regular price 3.99), BOD men's body spray for .24 each (good stocking stuffers!), and nail growth formula for $1.61 (a bit more expensive than the other items, but my nails keep breaking and it was better than paying nearly $7 for this somewhere else!)

Things I noticed around the store were feminine products (Always and Carefree pads, which were already cleared out, and OB Tampons) 75% off, Garnier dandruff shampoo 50% off, select Rimmel nail polish, lip gloss/sticks, and lip liners.  There were also a variety of nail polish brands with markdowns, but most of the REALLY cheap ones were cleaned out.  However, $2 for an $8 bottle of nail polish might be worth it! There were some Sally Hansen nail polishes clearanced as well, and some Sally Hansen skincare products.

So, it's time to start carrying EVERY coupon I have with me everywhere I go! Maybe you should consider investing in a coupon binder system as well!  As soon as I get the stuff to put mine together, I will post a blog so you can see how mine is made, and how I have it organized.

Super Cheap Skin Care!

So... I'm not one to splurge on skincare products, despite the "high value" coupons that come out for them.  I will be old and wrinkly (sooner than later), but it's because I refuse to spend $35 on something like the L'Oreal Youth Code pictured above.  HOWEVER...

While planning my shopping trip for the upcoming Rite Aid sale, I was checking the current flier (that ends today, 3/24) with the new coupons to see if there were any last minute deals to be had.  I noticed there was a Buy $15, get $5 +Up in a small box on the back page, and upon closer look, it was L'Oreal skin care products.  I figured I'd check for some coupons, and found a $5 Video Values coupon on Youth Code.  I also found a $5/1 Youth Code kit in the 2/19 Red Plum.  That was $10 off one product.  I also noticed a $10 Mail In Rebate WYB $30 in one transaction (L'Oreal.com).  So, that' was $20 off one product!  And, on top of that, it was $35.99, so that's TWO $5 +Up Rewards, since you get $5 for every $15 you spend (up to 2 +Ups per household.)  So, after adding up coupons, rebates, and ups, I was gonna save $30 on this start up kit.  So guess who gets to prolong the effects of aging (at least until this box runs out lol)??? This girl!

So, I apologize I didn't find this at the beginning of the week, but I figured it was worth sharing since there are still a few hours left before the sale ends and it's a GREAT deal to take advantage of!

Deals I've found this week

Hey there!  I just wanted to post a few quick deals I found in this week's inserts (3/18)

Of course, there is the Stayfree maxi pad deal at Rite Aid.  They are 2/$6, there is a $2/2 coupon (SS 3/18) bringing them down to 2/$4, and then there is a $2 +Up Reward on two.  So the final price for these is $1 each! There is a limit of 2 +Up Rewards per household, so you can get a total of 4 packages if you have 2 coupons.

Rite Aid also has Carefree panty liners advertised as $1, and there is a $1/1 coupon in the 3/18 SS.  This makes them free.  However, our Walmart has them regularly priced at .94, so you can make 6 cents per package you buy if they allow you overage.  I bought a couple the other day and they didn't mark the coupon down, so I got the overage. 

There was a wealth of Suave products coupons in the RP 3/18 Insert this week.  I used the Buy 2, Get 1 Free Body wash on the +Up Reward deal at Rite Aid (Buy $10, get $3 +Up Reward back, limit 2).  However, I was checking prices of other Suave products at Walmart and found the small deodorants (not trial size, just the 1.4 oz I think) are only .97 and there is a $1/2 coupon.  So I paid only .47 for each one I bought.  I know this is only about a 50% discount, but I'll take deodorant for less than 50 cents!  Especially since this is one of the items that my ever-growing stockpile was lacking... until today!

One other good deal I found was on Bic razors.  I price checked them at Rite Aid, since they are Buy One, Get One 50% off, but it honestly was cheaper regular price at Walmart! The Bic Silky Touch 10 pack is only $2.97.  They also have the yellow Bic men's razors (single blade, I think) for the same price, and I think it's a 12 pack.  Using the $2/1 Bic Razor (trials excluded) coupon from RP 3/18, you can get 10 or 12 razors for under $1.  I've stocked up on Schick Hydro and refills for the hubby, but I don't find many girly razors, and now that it's shorts weather (for now), I can't exactly hide hairy sasquatch legs under jeans (like I've ever done that............ well, maybe once or twice).  So, I was excited to find this deal.  I'm sure another sale will run and I'll be kicking myself for using up all my coupons now, but honestly, I thought it was a good price so I loaded up!

If I find anymore regular price deals, I will be sure to post them, and please feel free to share if you've found any of your own!