Target Trip!

This Week I Took a LONG POA With Me

And I Found Some Great Deals.. Some I Even GOT PAID to Take Home With Me.

I Heart Target.

This week's Target Post is a bit different. When I post ALL the deals I found, etc, it can be a bit daunting to sift through it all and get the overall big picture.  This week, I am going with more of an inspirational (I hope) post that will highlight what I view as my BEST deals at Target this week.  Just using a 50c off manuf Huggies wipes coupon on wipes I needed that weren't on sale just isn't that special or interesting for this post.  Yes, it is essential to what we are doing.. saving money one coupon at a time.. but this post is all about INSPIRATION! You can do this! Here are some of the great deals you can get for yourself when you do!

*when you see a dollar amount and then T, that means I used a Target coupon for that amount. A dollar amount and then M is manufacturer.  To get the PRE COUPON amount, just add the coupons back into the final price, which is what I am posting here. In the first example, A&D was $3.74, then I used two coupons to make the final value 74c.   And all prices are PRE TAX.

• A&D Baby Ointment   74c ($2T, $1M)
• Circo Socks  Was Paid 30c ($1T and they were 70c on clearance)
• Mini Oreos Snack Sack   $1 ($1T off 2.. was $1.50 pre coupon on sale)
• Mini Chips Ahoy Snack Sack  $1 ($1T off 2.. was $1.50 pre coupon on sale)
• 4 Ortega Taco/Fajita/etc Seasoning Packs at 19c EACH ($1 off 2 M)
• Kikkoman Teryaki  67c ($1M)
• Kikkoman Soy Sauce  67c ($1M)
• Bisquick Shake and Pour Pancakes $1.24 (50cM)
• CoffeeMate Powder Singles Creamers 52c ($1 off 2 M)
• CoffeeMate Powder Singles French Vanilla Creamer 52c ($1 off 2M)
• Dove Men BodyWash, FULL SIZE, Was Paid 2c  ($1T, $1M, and Was On Clearance for $1.98)
• Degree Men's Deodorant, FULL SIZE, Was Paid 3c ($1T, $1M, and Was On Clearance for $1.97)
• Colgate Total, Full Size, 14c ($1.50 M, $1 T)
• Tylenol PM, 24ct AND Motrin 24ct, Was Paid 13c ($6 off 2 M)
• Visine, Travel Sized, Was Paid 3c ($2 M)
• Visine, Travel Sized, Was Paid 3c ($2 M)
• Welch's Fruit Snacks  50c (50cM)
• Welch's Fruit Snacks  50c (50cM)
• Dasani 1 L Water  39c (BOGO T)
• Dasani 1 L Water 39c (BOGO T)
• Ore Ida Tator Tots 1.66 (Buy 2, Get 1 Free In Store Promotion)
• Ore Ida Hashbrowns 1.66
• Ore Ida Country Style Hashbrowns 1.66
• Skittles Blendeds (check out counter) 19c ($1 off 2 T, 50c M)
• Skittles Blendeds (orig 69c)  19c ($1 off 2 T, 50c M)

Total for all these good deals:  13.87

To recap, for just under $14, pre tax, I walked out of Target with:

2 packs of Skittles Blended Candies, 2 Family Sized bags of Ore Ida Hashbrowns, 1 Family Sized bag of Ore Ida Tator Tots, 2 One Liter Dasani Water Bottles, 2 bags of Welsh's Fruit Snacks, 2 Travel Sized Visines, 24ct Motrin, 24ct Tylenol PM, Full Sized Colgate Total, Full Sized Degree Men's Deodorant, Full Sized Dove Men's Body Wash, CoffeeMate Powder Singles, CoffeeMate Powder French Vanilla Singles, Bisquick Family Sized Shake and Pour Pancakes Mix, Kikkoman Teryaki, Kikkoman Soy Sauce, 4 Packs of Ortega Taco etc Seasoning, Oreo Snack Sack (Family Size), Chips Ahoy Snack Sack (Family Size), a Full Sized A&D Ointment, and Super Cute Baby Socks (pink pirate ones!)

My Out of Pocket for this trip was $69.34. I saved $42.82 in coupons, etc.  My weekly budget is $120.  I bought 56 items (one of which was a $10 stroller!!!).  I used 29 coupons.  I saved a little more than 38% off my total using coupons this week at Target.  Were I to save $42.82 every week, I would save $2226.64  just in weekly groceries/necessities coupons. Keep in mind that this budget includes items such as DVDs, Gifts, some Clothes, and even my new Stroller. Also, I saved 50.66 off my weekly budget by looking for the deals that didn't necessarily need a coupon.  That savings adds another $2634.32 annually if I can keep that trend up!  That is a total of  $4860.96 projected savings for the year this year if I keep this trend going. Not bad for 3 hrs a week!! It really all adds up and makes a big difference!

*when I say I got Paid to Own an item, in this posting's case, it means that instead of undervaluing my coupon, the cashier just accepted my coupons at face value. Usually, if it is a 97c item and you have $1 off, they will override the coupon to be 97c off instead. This time, even though I was honest enough to say "Here's a $2 off, but it was $1.97", they accepted the coupon, or the computer automatically took the full value off anyway.  Thus, giving me a discount greater than the cost of the item it was being used for.  This isn't always the case, so don't get too excited. Always know your store's coupon policy and always know what the fine print and exclusions on the coupons are.  My fave managers were working today and I heart them! They know I am honest and usually take my beeping coupons no problem! 

Coupon Puzzler of the Day

Here's Your Couponing Philosophy Puzzle

For Today

To be a savvy shopper and deal snagger, you need to pay close attention to the deals offered and not be fooled into thinking you are getting one sort of deal when you see signage in a store.  Today's puzzle is about taking the time to really stop and think about the deal you have found.  Think about what the store is wanting you to think about the deal, and what the deal or signage actually is.

Which deal scenario is better? 

A.  You see a sale where all items included are 1/2 price.

B.  You see a sale where all items included are BOGO.

C.  Neither one is better.. it is 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of another.. they are the same thing, just worded differently

The answer is A.  

I get really annoyed when I hear folks discussing the first two scenarios and claiming them to be "really the same thing."  Because, it really is NOT the same thing. The only time it is "the same thing" is when you buy two identically priced items. Then, ok. You can call it the same thing.

In couponing, the little adds up to be big. Whether it is in savings, or in nickel and diming the money out of your wallet, every penny counts.  In a BOGO scenario, (still a nice sale, don't get me wrong.. and more often than not, you can usually use a manufacturers coupon on each of the items in this scenario, most places!) the lower priced item is the Free Item.  If you buy Chips for $2 and Salsa for $4, and the sale is "BOGO", that means you will save $2 by getting the chips free. (This is a hypothetical.. swap out chips and salsa for widgets and gizmos, or whatever.)  In an "Everything is Half Off" sale, you would save HALF the cost of both items.. in this case, $3.  

Think about this when you are shopping and especially when you are looking through the weekly circulars. IF you see two competing stores and one has a half off sale and one has a BOGO sale, don't think they are the same sale.  Would you rather pay $1 too much? In couponing, this can be a BIG mistake.

Know what I bought for $1 this week? Shout wipes, 2 loads of Tide Detergent, 10pk of Finish Dishwashing Detergent, a tube of Colgate Toothpaste, and some Planter's Peanuts.  Yep. All that for $1 out of pocket. 

So, do the math and stay savvy when you see a deal.  Don't be blase and don't take these deals at what appears to be face value. 

Just changing how you see deals is enough to save you some money in your wallet!

My Less Than $1.50 Brag for the Week

This Week, I Got Many Items Less Than $1.50 or FREE. Some Items I Even Got Paid to Own.

In lieu of a large item by item description of my weekly trip to Target, I decided to make this post about items I got for less than $1.50, Free, or even got Paid To Own.  Sometimes, it is hard to see why it is worth it to clip coupons or deal seek. It can be tedious at times.  But, items like the ones listed below are why I do this.  Last year, I saved my family more than $4000 working one deal at a time.

Here's what I did this week: 

In the mail so far, this week, I received FREE: Being Girl Tampax/Always sample pack, Secret Flawless Berry scented deodorant, a FREE Parents Magazine with a $10 off Any Baby Item Amazon.com coupon, and the week is still going on...

At Target, I got the following deals (after coupons, etc. Not going to break it down this week..)

•   Huggies Travel Wipes for the diaper bag, 47c
• Huggies Travel Wipes for the diaper bag, 72c
• Finish QUANTUM Dishwasher Tabs, 10ct (reg $5), FREE
• Shout Wipes(we use these all the time), 7c
• Tide 1 load Detergent, 12c
• Tide 1 load Detergent, 12c
• Planters Peanuts, 3oz, 24c
• Colgate, 6 oz, 44c
• Travel Size Herbal Essence Conditioner, Got Paid 3 c to own!
• Kraft Shredded Cheese, $1.29
• Kraft Shredded Cheese, $1.29
• Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs, $1.50
• Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs, $1.50
• Kraft Deli Sliced Cheese, $1.30

Rite Aid was pretty wonderful this week. The prices below reflect the +Up Rewards added back into the original cost.

• Colgate Sensitive, got Paid 50 c to own!
• Colgate Toothpaste with FREE Toothbrush, got Paid $1 to own!
• Gain Apple Tango Dish Detergent, Reg. Size, got Paid 13 c to own!
• Gain Apple Tango Dish Detergent, Reg. Size, got Paid 13 c to own!
• Gain Original Dish Detergent, Reg. Size, got Paid 13 c to own!

CVS deals were pretty nice too. Again, the prices below reflect the Extra Bucks added back in as reimbursement.

•  Listerine Total Care Mouthwash, Full Size, FREE

• Colgate Toothpaste, FREE
• Colgate Toothpaste, FREE

I do this weekly deals brag just to show you that you can do this! The deals this week were pretty straightforward.  The Gain moneymakers were using a $1 off coupon.. I got paid to own these instantly since they were only 87c on sale, and the computer took the full $1 off coupon amount without beeping. 

It takes a little time and effort.. but not having to pay for toothpaste, dish soap, dishwasher detergent, etc?? Totally worth it!

2 Drug Stores, 45 Minutes, And Getting Paid to Own Things I Need

This Week, I Broke Tradition 

and Went to 2 Drug Stores: 

Rite Aid and CVS 

Usually, I go to one drug store a week.  Usually, that store is CVS. This week, I went to both CVS and Rite Aid.  I am trying to work some good Rite Aid deals so I can use Register Rewards to pay for a really amazing deal I have in the works.  That will come later.. but for now, here is a summary of my trips:

RITE AID: 

As per the cicular, Rite Aid has 87 c Gain Dish Soap this week, and they have select Colgate Toothpastes on sale. These toothpastes are on sale for $3.50 this week (down from the regular $4.99). ALSO, you get a $3.50 +Up Reward to use on a future transaction with each participating Colgate you buy, limit 2.

This is my transaction:

Gain Dish Soap    .87

Gain Dish Soap    .87

Gain Dish Soap    .87

Colgate Sensitive  3.50

Colgate w/ Bonus Free Tooth Brush  3.50

• Then, I used 3 Gain coupons, valued at $1 each.  (From the P&G brands rebate coupon book I submitted for a few months ago). The computer TOOK OFF THE WHOLE AMOUNT! It didn't beep to let the clerk know to value the coupon down to 87c.  Therefore, I got PAID 13c each dish soap to take it out of the store.

• I also had  a coupon for $1 off the Colagate, and 50c off the other Colgate.  Since I received $7 in +Up Rewards for buying these items, it is like I got PAID $1.50 to take these out the store.  

Summary:  I spent $5.11 out of pocket, after coupons and tax. I got $7 in Rewards to use like "cash" on my next trip to Rite Aid.  
*Ok, so WHY did I not ROLL the transactions? Why did I not buy one toothpaste, then turn around and use that $3.50 to pay for the next toothpaste? I could have done that. The thing is, you have to have $3.50 in the transaction to get the full$3.50 value.  AND, I wanted to use all my coupons. IF I had bought one toothpaste, and gotten a $3.50 UP Reward back, I could have used it to buy the other toothpaste. However, the dish soaps took off more than they were priced with the coupons. So, that would have left just the toothpaste on the transaction. The toothpaste was $3.50, but I used at least a 50 c coupon. Which made the transaction, had I done it that way, go below the $3.50 pre tax amount. I still could have used the +Up Reward, but I would have lost the extra value on it. They don't give cash back or another Reward when you use one for less than face value amount. I chose to use my coupons and get paid to own the toothpaste, rather than not use the coupons, use the +Up Reward and come out even.

CVS:

I needed some Pull Ups and Diapers. As per the circular, CVS has Huggies Pull Ups or Diapers, Jumbo packs, on sale for 2/$17.98, with $4 EB back.  (Target usually has these on sale every week for $8.99, so the CVS deal is a good one!)  I decided, IF I had to spend the $17.98 anyway, I might as well spend the same amount of money and come home with a lot more product/value by browsing the circular and working some of the other EB deals. Then, I would roll 4 transactions to get the best values for the least out of pocket cash. I went to the store at 8:20PM on a Tuesday, when it isn't busy and the cashiers are chatty. They don't mind doing 4 transactions back to back for you when it is slow! :)

1. In Transaction 1, I bought some clearance heart lollies for the girls for 50c. AND, I bought the Listerine Total Care Mouthwash from the circular. You Pay $3.99, You get $2 EB back. Also, I had a $2 off Listerine coupon (printed from Coupons.com a while back).  So, it was like I got the Listerine FREE!  Spent$2.79 OOP, after tax and coupons, got $2 EB.
2. Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste was Buy 1 at $3.79, get $3.79 in EB.  I used the $2 EB from Transaction 1.  Again, this was like FREE, or even getting paid to own as I spent $2.06 OOP, and got $3.79 EB back. 
3. Worked the Colgate Deal one more time, as the limit was 2.  I bought one at $3.79. I used the EB from the previous deal, $3.79 EB. My total was .27 c for tax.  I got $3.79 EB back. So, again, FREE toothpaste. 
4. The transaction I came to actually "do".  I bought one package of Jumbo Pull Ups, one package of Overnights diapers (both Huggies).  These were $8.99 each. Also, I had two $2 off coupons for these.  So, they were $6.99 each after coupon. THEN, I used the $3.79 EB from the last Colgate deal to pay for them.  My total came out to $11.45 for both "diapers", post tax and coupons, or  $5.72 each pack!  Pretty nice! AND, I got $4 in EB back!

Total Summary:  
I spent a total out of pocket amount of  $22.35 at both stores.  I have $11 worth of rewards to spend next week.  I saved $33.86 in in-store deals and coupons combined. It took me about 15 minutes to decide which deals to work at the drugstores and which coupons to pull out to work them.  IF you did not have any coupons and worked these deals you could have rolled the Rite Aid savings into each other. AND, once you work a deal or two like these "Rewards back" deals, you will always have some Rewards in your wallet to keep for the next week's deals. The goal is to always have some to work with so that your original money spent working the first deal keeps getting rolled forward into more savings and value with less out of pocket expense.  


**I want to note that I needed the Pull Ups and Diapers. To buy both at normal Target cost, sans coupons, it would have been about $18.   My CVS total was $16.57 for EVERYTHING! AND, I have $4 EB to use next week.