Hi all! Christy of Haphazardly Hobbying here. As I’m sure you’ve noticed by now, Michelle and I get a lot of questions for Ask I Heart Publix from people who are interested in starting to coupon at the drugstores, but aren’t quite sure of how to start. So we thought we’d forego the regular Ask I Heart Publix during this busy holiday week and instead focus on putting together a few scenarios for you all to try at the drugstores this Friday!
Black Friday is a GREAT day to stop by the drugstores – there are a ton of freebies and you can really get a lot for very little! We did our best to come up with scenarios that will work for newbies and old hands alike – you don’t need anything but regular insert or printable coupons to ‘play’. If you have questions about the scenarios or drugstore couponing in general, ask in the comments and we’ll do our best to answer!
We’ll be back to our regularly scheduled Ask I Heart Publix next week!
CVS
You’ll need a CVS ExtraCare Card in order to get sale prices and ECBs (Extra Care Bucks) – if you don’t already have one, you can pick one up in the store before you start to shop.
Trasaction #1
Buy:
$4 ECB wyb Old Spice Fresh Collection or Gillette Odor Shield Deodorant, 2.6 oz, $4
$3.99 ECB wyb Herbal Essences Hydralicious Shampoo or Conditioner, 10.1 oz, $3.99
Use:
-$2/1 Gillette Deodorant 10/31/2010 P&G Insert (exp 11/30/2010)
-$2/1 Clairol product 10/31/2010 P&G Insert (exp 11/30/2010)
Pay $3.99 + tax OOP, get $7.99 ECB
Transaction #2
Buy:
$6.99 ECB wyb Eucerin Daily Skin Balance Body Lotion, 6.4 oz, $6.99
99¢ ECB wyb Carmex Lip Balm, 0.15 to 0.35 oz, 99¢
99¢ ECB wyb Advil PM, 4 ct, 99¢
79¢ ECB wyb Reese’s Singles, 1.4 to 2 oz, 79¢
Use:
-$1/1 Eucerin Product 11/7/2010 RP Insert (exp 1/31/2011) or –$1/1 Eucerin Product (IE) Rolling Printable (FF)
-$0.30/1 Carmex Lip Balm 11/7/2010 SS Insert (exp 1/31/2011)
-$7.99 ECB
Pay 47¢ + tax OOP, get $9.76 ECB
Transaction #3
Buy:
$2.99 ECB wyb Listerine Pocketpaks, 3 pk, 72 strips total, $2.99
$3.99 ECB wyb Colgate Sensitive Toothpaste, 6 oz, $3.99
$2.99 ECB wyb L.A. Looks Styling Gel, 20 oz, $2.99
$1.59 ECB wyb Mars King Size Assorted, 1.94 to 3.63 oz, $1.59
Use:
-$.50/1 Listerine Products 10/10/2010 RP Insert (exp 4/30/2011)
-$1/1 Colgate Total Sensitive Toothpaste 11/14/2010 SS Insert (exp 12/4/2010)
-$9.76 ECB
Pay 29¢ + tax OOP, get $11.56 ECB
Transaction #4
$4.99 ECB wyb Renpure Organics Shampoo or Conditioner, 13.5 oz, or Amazing Miracle Reconstructor, 8 oz, $4.99
$6.99 ECB wyb Philips In-ear Headphones or Universal Remote Control, $6.99
-$11.56 ECB
Pay 42¢ + tax OOP, get $11.98 ECB
You’ll pay just $5.14 + tax OOP for over $40 worth of items AND $11.98 ECB! Remember, you can use your ECB on anything else you need in the store, or save them to ‘play’ with next week!
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I’ve heard reports that a lot of people received a $5/$25 CVS email coupon – if you got this coupon too, here are two transactions that help you to get the most out of it!
Transaction #1
$4 ECB wyb Old Spice Fresh Collection or Gillette Odor Shield Deodorant, 2.6 oz, $4
$3.99 ECB wyb Colgate Sensitive Toothpaste, 6 oz, $3.99
$6.99 ECB wyb Eucerin Daily Skin Balance Body Lotion, 6.4 oz, $6.99
$3.99 ECB wyb Herbal Essences Hydralicious Shampoo or Conditioner, 10.1 oz, $3.99
$2.99 ECB wyb Listerine Pocketpaks, 3 pk, 72 strips total, $2.99
99¢ ECB wyb Carmex Lip Balm, 0.15 to 0.35 oz, 99¢
99¢ ECB wyb Advil PM, 4 ct, 99¢
$1.59 ECB wyb Mars King Size Assorted, 1.94 to 3.63 oz, $1.59Use:
-$2/1 Gillette Deodorant 10/31/2010 P&G Insert (exp 11/30/2010)
-$1/1 Colgate Total Sensitive Toothpaste 11/14/2010 SS Insert (exp 12/4/2010) or -$1/1 Colgate Toothpaste
10/31/2010 SS Insert (exp 11/20/2010)
-$1/1 Eucerin Product 11/7/2010 RP Insert (exp 1/31/2011) or –$1/1 Eucerin Product (IE) Rolling Printable (FF)
-$2/1 Clairol product 10/31/2010 P&G Insert (exp 11/30/2010)
-$0.50/1 Listerine Products 10/10/2010 RP Insert (exp 4/30/2011) or -$0.50/1 Listerine Pocketpaks, Pocketmist, or Plax 4/11/2010 RP Insert (exp 12/31/2010)
-$0.55/1 Carmex Lip Balm 11/7/2010 SS Insert (exp 1/31/2011)
-$5/$25 CVS email coupon
Pay $13.48 oop, get $25.53 ECB!
Transaction #2
$6.99 ECB wyb Philips In-ear Headphones or Universal Remote Control, $6.99
$2.99 ECB wyb L.A. Looks Styling Gel, 20 oz, $2.99
$4.99 ECB wyb Renpure Organics Shampoo or Conditioner, 13.5 oz, or Amazing Miracle Reconstructor, 8 oz, $4.99
99¢ ECB wyb Excedrin Migraine, PM or Extra Strength, 8 ct, 99¢
$5 ECB wyb Sarah Peyton Wellness 4 pc. Personal Spa Set, Hot or Cold Applications, $9.88
Use:
$25.53 ECB
Pay 42¢ + tax OOP, get $20.96 ECB!
Get $46.50 worth of items AND $20.96 in ECB for just $13.90+ tax OOP!
Walgreens
No card of any sort is required to get Walgreens Register Rewards – so you can get right to shopping! The rule to remember at Walgreens is that your item to coupon ratio must be equal. Register Rewards count as a coupon so keep that in mind when creating your scenario–thus fillers com in handy! Check your store’s clearance section for super-cheap items.
Transaction #1:
$2.99 RR wyb Nivea For Men Shave Gel, 7 oz, $2.99
$2.99 RR wyb Colgate Total Advanced or Enamel Strength Toothpaste, 4 oz, $2.99
99¢ RR wyb Advil PM Caplets, 99¢
Use:
-$1/1 Nivea For Men Face Care or Shave Gel 10/10/2010 RP Insert (exp 11/30/2010)
-$1/1 Colgate Total or Sensitive Toothpaste 11/14/2010 SS Insert (exp 12/4/2010)
Pay $3.97 + tax OOP, get $7 RR back
Transaction #2:
$2.49 RR wyb ThermaCare Heath Wraps, Trial Size, Neck, Shoulder & Back, $2.49
$2.25 RR wyb Gum Eez-Thru Flossers, 90 pk, $2.25
$2.99 RR wyb Crest 3D White Vivid Toothpaste, 4 oz, $2.99
99¢ RR wyb Dr. Pepper, 7 UP, A&W, Sunkist, Canada Dry or Hawaiian Punch, 2 Liter Bottle, 99¢
2 small filler items, around 10¢ each (check clearance section)
Use:
-$7 RR from previous transaction
–$0.75/1 GUM Flossers (IE) Rolling Printable (FF)
-$0.75/1 Crest Toothpaste 10/10/2010 P&G Insert (exp 11/30/2010)
Pay 42¢ + tax OOP, get $8.75 RR back
Transaction #3:
$2.50 RR wyb Olay Body Wash, 10 oz, $3.49
$5.49 RR wyb Gillette Fusion ProSeries Skin Care, 1.7 to 5 oz, $5.49
99¢ RR wyb Advil PM Caplets, 99¢
3 small filler items, around 10¢ each (check clearance section)
Use:
-$8.75 previous RR
-$1/1 Olay Body Products 10/31/2010 P&G Insert (exp 11/30/2010)
Pay 52¢ + tax OOP, get $9 RR back
Transaction #4
$1.50 RR wyb Herbal Essences Hair Care, 5.7 to 12 oz, $2.49
$3.49 RR wyb Secret Scent Expressions Body Splash, 3 oz, $3.49
$1.99 RR wyb Scunci Hair Elastics, No Slip or No Damage, $1.99
$2.99 RR wyb Nivea For Men Shave Gel, 7 oz, $2.99
Old Spice Body Spray, @$4.99
2 small filler items, around 10¢ each (check clearance section)
Use:
-$9 RR from previous transaction
-$0.50/1 Herbal Essences or Aussie Products 11/14/2010 RP Insert (exp 12/31/2010)
-$1/1 Nivea For Men Face Care or Shave Gel 10/10/2010 RP Insert (exp 11/30/2010)
-FREE Old Spice Body Spray WYB Secret 10/31/2010 P&G Insert (exp 11/30/2010)
Pay 66¢ + tax OOP, get $10 RR back
Pay just $5.57 + tax OOP for $40 worth of items AND $10 RR!
Rite Aid
You’ll need a Wellness+ Card to take advantage of +UP deals. If you don’t already have one, pick one up in the store before you start to shop.
These scenarios rely on a few Video Values coupons – go HERE to watch the videos and get your coupons.
In order to get the SCR (Single Check Rebate), you’ll need to register your purchase – go HERE for more details.
Transaction #1
$1 +UP wyb Cottonelle Double Roll Bath Tissue, 4 pk, Moist Wipes, 42 ct, Kleenex Facial Tissues, White, 260 ct, or Splash & Go Wipes, 42 ct, $1.88 (Limit 3) (Buy 1 Bath Tissue and 2 Moist Wipes, $5.64)
$1 +UP wyb Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste, 4 oz, or 360 Degree Manual Toothbrush, 1 ct, $1.77 (Limit 2) (Buy 1 of each, $3.54)
Use:
–$1/2 Cottonelle Moist Wipes Rite Aid Video Values (exp 12/25/2010)
–$0.50/1 Cottonelle Bath Tissue (IE) Rolling Printable (FF)
(2)-$0.50/1 Cottonelle Flushable Moist Wipes 11/7/2010 SS Insert (exp 12/19/2010)
-$1/1 Colgate Total or Sensitive Toothpaste 11/14/2010 SS Insert (exp 12/4/2010) OR -$1/1 Colgate Toothpaste 10/31/2010 SS Insert (exp 11/20/2010)
–$1/1 Colgate Total Products Rite Aid Video Values (exp 12/25/2010)
–$1/1 Colgate Toothbrush Rite Aid Video Values (exp 12/25/2010)
Pay $3.68 + tax OOP, get $5 +UP
Transaction #2
$1 +UP wyb 2 Hershey’s, Reese’s, M&M Mars and Nestle Single Serve Candy Bars, 2/$1 (Limit 5) (Buy 10, $5)
Use $5 +UP, pay just tax OOP, get $5 +UP
Transaction #3
$2 +UP wyb Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion, 10 oz, $2.99
$3 +UP wyb 2 Old Spice High Endurance or Secret Invisible Solid, 2.6 to 3.25 oz, 2/$5
(2) Old Spice Body Spray @ $4.99 each, $9.98
Use:
-$1/1 Vaseline Lotion 11/14/2010 RP Insert (exp 12/12/2010) OR –$1/1 Vaseline Aloe Fresh Product (IE) Rolling Printable (FF)
(2) -FREE Old Spice Body Spray WYB Secret 10/31/2010 P&G Insert (exp 11/30/2010)
-$5 +UP
Pay $1.99 + tax OOP, get $5 +UP
Transaction #4
got 2b Hair Stylers (Excluding Glue Stylers), $4.99 ($4.99 SCR #62)
$1 +UP wyb Gillette Series or Satin Care Shave Gel, 7 to 9 oz, or After Shave Gel, 2.54 oz, $1.99
Use:
-$2/1 Got2B Styling Product, Full Size, Any – All You (Special Fashion Issue), November 2010 (exp 11/30/2010) OR -$2/1 Got2b styling product – All You, October 2010 (exp 11/30/2010) OR -$2/1 got2b fat-tastic styling product (MQ with Walgreens Logo) – Marie Claire, October 2010 (page 244) (exp 12/31/2010)
-$5 +UP
Pay just tax OOP, get $1 +UP and a $4.99 Single Check Rebate at the end of the month!
Pay just $5.68 + tax OOP for almost $40 worth of merchandise, get a $4.99 SCR, AND have $1 +UP left over – like getting everything for FREE!
Michelle here…hey guys remember if you would like to see all the drugstore ads just head over to I Heart Saving Money and click the appropriate tab at the top of the site. Be sure and visit me there for all the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales 😀
Thanks for the info! I’ve actually been thinking of trying out the drugstore scene, but was a bit overwhelmed by the idea. I might have to try it out this weekend…
I’m going to go for the Walgreens one. I don’t have a Rite-Aid near me and it sounds more complicated than the others. The CVS is the closest one but I think I’m getting more use ot of the products from Walgreens for this week.
What is everyone else thinking of doing?
Hi Christy.
Do you put these suggested transactions for the drugstores together on Haphazardly Hobbying each week? I’m afraid I’ll miss out on the most effective combinations on my own.
I found a more effective way for Walgreens Transactions #3&4. In the 10/31 P&G Insert I found a $5 off Olay Bar,Body Wash,in-shower body lotion or hand&body lotion WYB 1 Secret. So you’d actually be making money on the body wash/secret body splash combo. Here’s the transactions as I have them with this coupon:
Transaction #3:
$2.50 RR wyb Olay Body Wash, 10 oz, $3.49
$3.49 RR wyb Secret Scent Expressions Body Splash, 3 oz, $3.49
$5.49 RR wyb Gillette Fusion ProSeries Skin Care, 1.7 to 5 oz, $5.49
99¢ RR wyb Advil PM Caplets, 99¢
4 small filler items, around 10¢ each (check clearance section)
Use:
-$8.75 previous RR
-$5/1 Olay Body Products 10/31/2010 P&G Insert WYB 1 Secret Product(exp 11/30/2010)
Pay 11¢ + tax OOP, get $12.47 RR back
Transaction #4
$1.50 RR wyb Herbal Essences Hair Care, 5.7 to 12 oz, $2.49
$1.99 RR wyb Scunci Hair Elastics, No Slip or No Damage, $1.99
1 small filler items, around 10¢ each (check clearance section)
Use:
-$4.08 RR from previous transaction
-$0.50/1 Herbal Essences or Aussie Products 11/14/2010 RP Insert (exp 12/31/2010)
FREE & get $11.88 RR back
Anyone see why this wouldn’t work? First time for me but this is how I’m planning on doing Walgreens this weekend.
that is way too much for me. The problem i have found, is half the time, they don’t have all of the items. That throws a kink in the whole scenario.
Wow!!! Great Drug stor games I have alway want to try and make up my own but it never works out for me. Dont know what im doing wrong but I cant get it to do right.
I do not believe that you have to buy one more item than you have coupons at Walgreens. You only have to have the number of items=the number of coupons(including RR). You also have to be careful. You do not want to use a RR on a transaction that you will be expecting to get an equal $ value RR from the same manufacturer(does not have to be the same item). The new RR will likely not print, if I understand correctly what I have read on other sites.
I don’t quite understand what you mean by the following part – “You do not want to use a RR on a transaction that you will be expecting to get an equal $ value RR from the same manufacturer(does not have to be the same item). The new RR will likely not print, if I understand correctly what I have read on other sites.”
Can you clarify a bit?
Because they do not have a rewards card, in order to limit deals, they do not allow you to use the RR to pay for the same item again-otherwise you could just wipe them out of their inventory for free(when you get RR for the amount of the purchase). They have a glitch in their computer system that will not allow you to pay for any item with a RR that was obtained by buying a product from the same manufacturer that is in the same amount as the RR you will be expecting in the same deal. Sometimes this glitch also causes the system to not print a RR when you use a regular coupon because the RR and the coupon have the same coding. Walgreens can be quite complicated. I would recommend a beginner starting very slow until they understand the system. For a more detailed explanation-please refer to the website wildforwags.com.
Your number of coupons/RR can be equal to the number of items. You don’t need one extra. Another rule is that you cannot use a RR from an item to use in another transaction to purchase that same item. For example, if you buy Huggies diapers and get a 2 RR, you should not use it to buy more Huggies diapers because it will not print you out another reward. Apparently the registers thing that when people use a coupon that is the same value of the RR it will print, it thinks you are using a RR from that product to buy more of that product. So, going back to the diapers, you would not want to use a $2 coupon on your diapers because the register will think you are using the $2 RR. However, I would still try to use the coupon and just get the manager to print you the RR if it doesn’t print.
Yes, I think Christy just wanted to make sure there were no issues. I changed the wording a bit. You have to make sure that your MQ coupon/item ratio is equal. RR’s count as a MQ so you may have to use a filler to ensure you have the correct ratio!
And yes…never use a RR from a company on the same product or another RR deal from the same co or the RR will not print! So if P&G is offering a $2 RR you can not use it to purchase any other P&G RR deals or the RR will not print 🙂
I just love this site because I shop at Publix all the time! This is awesome! Thank you so much for sharing! I had planned on going to CVS because I recently acquired a $25 gift card from a prescription I had to fill, and I have some extra bucks expiring next week. I’ll admit, 90 percent of what is listed I don’t need, but I just take it to our local shelter or up to church to go to whomever needs it. Thanks again!
At CVS if an item has a limit of 2, with no stated transaction limit can you buy 2 in one transaction, or will only one ECB print for each item?
You can buy both items in one transaction but it will combine the ECB amounts from the 2 items into 1 larger ECB.
You can buy both items in one transaction but it will combine the ECB amounts from the 2 items into 1 larger ECB. Hope that helps!
Ok, so with the different transactions, do you just seperate them and do one at a time, all in one shopping trip? And how do the employees “act” with this? I’ve done a little couponing at Rite-Aid, but only doing one order!
Yes, you do them in the same trip. I’ve never done more than two. If there is someone behind you, volunteer to go to the back of the line as a courtesy.
Just completed my midnight shopping trip to CVS and Walgreens using the above transactions ( plus a few of my own) Here is what I got for a total money maker of 6.00
3 Shampoos
3 Toothpastes
7 Rolls of Paper Towels
4 Packs ofAdvil PM
1 Pack of Excedrin PM
1 Styling Gel
1 M&M
1 Carmex
1 3 Pack Listerine strips
1 pair ofIPod Earphones
1 Soda
2 Shaving Gels
1 Body Wash
1 Deodorant
1 Floss Sticks
1 Bottle of Lotion
1 Pack of Thermacare heat patches
1 Pack of hair bands
1 Body Spray
1 Spa Gift set ( not pictured)
2 Newspapers ( not pictured)
The renpure organics at my CVS had try it free hangtags. I was able to get the item free with register rewards and have the rebate for a 10$ moneymaker.