Its hard to say that a company who paid me to take candy off of the shelf at CVS this week is a Grinch, but if you are planning to buy holiday candy you may want to take a second look at the package. While at CVS I discovered that a package of Holiday Hershey Kisses are only 8.5 oz while the regular package is 12 oz. Both packages are on sale for $2 each before the buy $20 get $10 ECB deal. You may prefer the holiday packaging if you are planning a special project using Chirstmas colors, but if you are looking for the least expensive candy buy the normal packaging instead.
Due to our current economic state, more companies are reducing the contents of the packages without lowering the price. Some companies are redesigning their packaging while other packages are staying the same but are not as full as they previously were. Most reductions will be 10% or less to prevent most consumers from noticing the decrease in size. Lisa recently sent me this Newsweek article discussing decreases in the package contents.
The long term reduction in the amount is a form of inflation if the cost of the product stays the same. In the case of the holiday candy, I would say Hershey's is taking advantage of the sentimental consumer and possibly trying to make up for the additional costs associated with the promotional packaging. However, I wouldn't be too surprised if there is a reduction in the size of their regular packages in the near future.
Remember to stay alert for price and size changes when purchasing products. Even a seemingly small difference adds up over time.
Showing posts with label CVS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CVS. Show all posts
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Earn CVS ECBs - No Purchase Required!
I just earned $5 ECBs and I didn't have to use a coupon or even buy anything! Recently, I received my first invitation to fill out a survey for the CVS Advisory Panel. The survey took less than 5 minutes for me to fill out and I will get $5 ECBs printed on my receipt at the end of the month. Some surveys credit even higher amounts. I hope that I will be selected again, but it took several months before I got an invitation to participate.
You won't get rich off of it by any means, but it is a nice bonus of CVS ECBs. This is just another easy way to help lower you out of pocket expenses for things that you need!
You won't get rich off of it by any means, but it is a nice bonus of CVS ECBs. This is just another easy way to help lower you out of pocket expenses for things that you need!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
CVS Loves Me Again!
I just received a $4/$20 purchase coupon in my e-mail! This is the first one I have received in months so be sure to check your e-mail to see if you have one too. The e-mail read as if they had reset my card to receive CVS offers via e-mail. I hope I will continue to get these like I did in the past. Hopefully everyone else will get one too! I'm sure that this will come in handy next week.
Mine is specific to my card and can only be used once at CVS. However, Publix will accept it as a competitor's coupon! It expires 9/28.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
CVS National Ad Week of September 14
After such a great week at CVS last week this week looks kind of slim. Remember, these are the National Ad Deals. The Test Markets (including Metro Atlanta) may not have the same sales.
ECB Deals:
Excedrin Express Gels $3.99 Get $3.99 in ECBs Limit 1
FREE after ECBs
It appears that the coupon is only for Excedrine Migraine, but you can check here for Excedrin coupons.
Aleve D $3.99 Get $3 ECBs Limit 1
Use $1/1 printable coupon
FREE after ECBs and coupon; however, I only recommend getting this if your family will use it because of the legal restrictions placed on this product.
Non ECB Deals:
Revlon BOGO starting at $3.49
Less expensive items will be FREE if you use 2 $2/1 coupons (7/20 S or 8/24 S)
Revlon Beauty Tools Buy One Get One 50% starting at $1.29
Less expensive items (emery boards and nail clippers) will be FREE or cheap after 2 $1/1 coupons (5/18 S2 or 9/14 S)
Other ECB Deals - Special Situations:
Only a deal if you have not done this rebate:
Just for Men $7.99 Get $2 ECBs Limit 1
Use $2/1 Printable coupon
Request rebate of $7.99 (currently 2 available for different products)
Profit of $4 after ECBs, Coupons, and Rebate
Details and links for coupons and rebates can be found here. If you have not done either one start with the one that expires December 2008. The second rebate expires December 2009 and we are likely to see more deals on this product in the future.
Reader Request:
The following is not a hot deal for most bargain hunters, but I had a request to look for deals on toothbrushes. Coupon shoppers can regularly get adult toothbrushes for free and sometimes even get paid to take them off of the shelf, but toothbrushes for children are much harder to find for free/cheap. However, most dentists will give your child a toothbrush when they go for a cleaning so be sure to ask. The dentist office is also a great place to look for coupons.
GUM Toothbrushes Twin Pack (picture shows Crayola toothbrushes) 2/$5
Get $1 ECB when you buy 2 Limit 5 offers (10 packages, 20 toothbrushes)
Use 2 .75/1 GUM (6/29 RP or 8/3 RP)
Final Cost after Coupons and ECBs $2.50 for 4 toothbrushes = .63/each
ECB Deals:
Excedrin Express Gels $3.99 Get $3.99 in ECBs Limit 1
FREE after ECBs
It appears that the coupon is only for Excedrine Migraine, but you can check here for Excedrin coupons.
Aleve D $3.99 Get $3 ECBs Limit 1
Use $1/1 printable coupon
FREE after ECBs and coupon; however, I only recommend getting this if your family will use it because of the legal restrictions placed on this product.
Non ECB Deals:
Revlon BOGO starting at $3.49
Less expensive items will be FREE if you use 2 $2/1 coupons (7/20 S or 8/24 S)
Revlon Beauty Tools Buy One Get One 50% starting at $1.29
Less expensive items (emery boards and nail clippers) will be FREE or cheap after 2 $1/1 coupons (5/18 S2 or 9/14 S)
Other ECB Deals - Special Situations:
Only a deal if you have not done this rebate:
Just for Men $7.99 Get $2 ECBs Limit 1
Use $2/1 Printable coupon
Request rebate of $7.99 (currently 2 available for different products)
Profit of $4 after ECBs, Coupons, and Rebate
Details and links for coupons and rebates can be found here. If you have not done either one start with the one that expires December 2008. The second rebate expires December 2009 and we are likely to see more deals on this product in the future.
Reader Request:
The following is not a hot deal for most bargain hunters, but I had a request to look for deals on toothbrushes. Coupon shoppers can regularly get adult toothbrushes for free and sometimes even get paid to take them off of the shelf, but toothbrushes for children are much harder to find for free/cheap. However, most dentists will give your child a toothbrush when they go for a cleaning so be sure to ask. The dentist office is also a great place to look for coupons.
GUM Toothbrushes Twin Pack (picture shows Crayola toothbrushes) 2/$5
Get $1 ECB when you buy 2 Limit 5 offers (10 packages, 20 toothbrushes)
Use 2 .75/1 GUM (6/29 RP or 8/3 RP)
Final Cost after Coupons and ECBs $2.50 for 4 toothbrushes = .63/each
Now Entering the Test Market Phase
When I went to post the deals from the new CVS ad tonight I had a bit of surprise. It appears that the test market phase has officially begun. Currently on the CVS website there is a midweek ad posted for Wednesday through Friday. It mainly focused on non ECB deals and lesser ECB deals (generally not the ones we would be looking for) that had been in the weekly circular.
I must admit I freaked out upon first glance because I thought that the small midweek ad was the ad for next week. Since there were no great ECB deals, I was sure that it was the end of CVS as we know it.
Since previous test markets have not had the same deals as the National ad I will have to wait until I see a copy of the local ad to post the deals for our area. Hopefully, it will be the same as usual with no bumps in the road.
I must admit I freaked out upon first glance because I thought that the small midweek ad was the ad for next week. Since there were no great ECB deals, I was sure that it was the end of CVS as we know it.
Since previous test markets have not had the same deals as the National ad I will have to wait until I see a copy of the local ad to post the deals for our area. Hopefully, it will be the same as usual with no bumps in the road.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
News From the Managers
A couple of items of interest that I learned this week when I was speaking with my managers. Establishing and having good relationships with your local managers is important if you are a regular shopper, but even more so if you frequently use coupons. If you don't know the manager (or assistants) at least by face at the store you most frequent I encourage you to say hello the next time you are shopping.
CVS
When I was at CVS this week my manager told me that Atlanta will be a test market starting in a couple of weeks. I was not clear on all of the details, but it sounded like the possibility of a different ad schedule and maybe even two ads per week. I have not seen an upcoming ad yet to determine if this is a good or bad thing. I thought I would share this so that you can expect to see some changes coming.
Publix
When I did my "Hamburger Helper Transaction" this week, I thought that with 63 coupons my transaction would require an overide by a supervisor, I had the cashier call one of the assistant managers. However, the assistant manager said that he thought Publix had raised the limit of coupons in one transaction to 99 because they were seeing increased coupon useage. I can tell you from first hand experience that the cash register will allow at least 63 coupons in one transaction. Is the increase coupon usage a sign of the downturn in the economy or people becoming more aware about couponing?
CVS
When I was at CVS this week my manager told me that Atlanta will be a test market starting in a couple of weeks. I was not clear on all of the details, but it sounded like the possibility of a different ad schedule and maybe even two ads per week. I have not seen an upcoming ad yet to determine if this is a good or bad thing. I thought I would share this so that you can expect to see some changes coming.
Publix
When I did my "Hamburger Helper Transaction" this week, I thought that with 63 coupons my transaction would require an overide by a supervisor, I had the cashier call one of the assistant managers. However, the assistant manager said that he thought Publix had raised the limit of coupons in one transaction to 99 because they were seeing increased coupon useage. I can tell you from first hand experience that the cash register will allow at least 63 coupons in one transaction. Is the increase coupon usage a sign of the downturn in the economy or people becoming more aware about couponing?
JUMPING UP AND DOWN!!
When I walked into CVS to do my weekly shopping trip today I saw 2 buggies marked Clearance 90%. Usually when clearance gets to this point at my store it is basically junk. However, upon closer inspection, one of the buggies was FULL of Huggies Little Swimmers Swim Pants and Pampers Splashers!
So here is how my shopping trip went:
9 Packages of Huggies Little Swimmers .89 each + I had a few coupons!
5 Right Guard Deodorants
3 Revlon Nail Polishes
1 Loreal Skin Genesis
1 Contour Meter with 10 test strips!
Paid with $18.99 in ECBs and $3.32 cash. I had an ECB about to expire that caused me not be able to get the OOP down lower. I should have bought a couple of more packages of Swim Pants to bring my total up, but I'm not complaining. Got back $29.99 in ECBs. An earning of $7.68 ECBs.
Just for the record, I did leave several packages of Swim Pants in the buggy.
This is the best part. I saved it for you to see if you were still reading. When I was going over my receipt tonight, I was thinking to myself too bad nothing on this receipt counts towards a rebate. Then it occurred to me that there was a possibility that each of the Huggies Swim Pants would count towards the Caregivers Marketplace Rebate. I ran to find my binder with the form in it and literally started jumping up and down (sorry no video) when I saw that each package would qualify for a $1 rebate. According to HCW people have gotten back the full $1 amount on clearance swim pants.
Now, I just need the Little Man's skin sensitivities to go away and to ask his Daddy for a beach vacation next year.
So here is how my shopping trip went:
9 Packages of Huggies Little Swimmers .89 each + I had a few coupons!
5 Right Guard Deodorants
3 Revlon Nail Polishes
1 Loreal Skin Genesis
1 Contour Meter with 10 test strips!
Paid with $18.99 in ECBs and $3.32 cash. I had an ECB about to expire that caused me not be able to get the OOP down lower. I should have bought a couple of more packages of Swim Pants to bring my total up, but I'm not complaining. Got back $29.99 in ECBs. An earning of $7.68 ECBs.
Just for the record, I did leave several packages of Swim Pants in the buggy.
This is the best part. I saved it for you to see if you were still reading. When I was going over my receipt tonight, I was thinking to myself too bad nothing on this receipt counts towards a rebate. Then it occurred to me that there was a possibility that each of the Huggies Swim Pants would count towards the Caregivers Marketplace Rebate. I ran to find my binder with the form in it and literally started jumping up and down (sorry no video) when I saw that each package would qualify for a $1 rebate. According to HCW people have gotten back the full $1 amount on clearance swim pants.
Now, I just need the Little Man's skin sensitivities to go away and to ask his Daddy for a beach vacation next year.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Save Your Excedrin Coupons!
I know you can get the Excedrin for free this week at CVS. However, I encourage you to save your printable Excedrin coupons for the upcoming ECB deal at CVS or for the Walgreens September Easy Saver Rebate. Both of these stores will offer the product for free after ECBs/rebate. So each coupon will make you $2 per offer.
If you have been couponing for more than a couple of months, do you really NEED any more Excedrin right now anyway? :)
If you have been couponing for more than a couple of months, do you really NEED any more Excedrin right now anyway? :)
Highlights CVS Week of September 7
The week of September 7 looks to be a good week for CVS coupon users!
Monday Only - All Revlon Nail Enamel $3.99 get $3 ECB Limit 3
Use $2/1 coupons (8/24 S or 7/20 S) Earn $1 in ECBs with each coupon!
All week
Loreal Revitalift or Age Perfect $5.99 get $5.99 ECB Limit 1 - HOT!
Use $1/1 (7/20 S) Earn $1 in ECBs after coupon!
Right Guard Pro $6.99 get $5 ECBs Limit 3
$1 after coupons (7/13 S or 8/10 S1) and ECBS
Right Guard $2.99 get $2 ECBs LIMIT 5
FREE after coupon (7/13 S or 8/10 S1)
Soft and Dry and Dri Idea is also included in the above deal and will be .25 after ECBs and coupon (7/13 S or 8/10 S1)
Genisoy $6/6 get $3 ECBs
BOGO coupon makes free after coupons and ECBs. This coupon is not from the insert so not very many people will have these coupons.
Bayer Contour Meter get $5 ECBs
Earn $5 in ECBs after coupon (6/1 S) and ECBs.
Schick Razors BOGO
Coupons (8/24 S or 9/7 S1) will make these fairly inexpensive.
Chex Mix $1/1 - Printable coupon for $1/1 will be free after coupon(each computer can only print 2) or .50/1 (9/7 GM, but if you only have the hard copy you will get a better deal at Kroger this week).
Malt O Meal $1/1 - Printable coupon for $1/1 will be free after coupon - Needs to be the one that says ANY. These boxes do not meet the size requirements for some of the Malt-O-Meal coupons that I have seen.
Black Rice Skincare buy 1 get $5 ECBs
There were CVS coupons for $5 off of 1. The less expensive items will be free/inexpensive after coupons and ECBs.
Gold Emblem Peanuts $1.99
CVS scanner coupons are $2/2 any Gold Emblem Nuts
Life Savers BOGO
Coupons for this expire on Monday 9/8, if you have any left.
Trident Xtra Care $1/1
Will be .25 after coupon (7/20 S).
Monday Only - All Revlon Nail Enamel $3.99 get $3 ECB Limit 3
Use $2/1 coupons (8/24 S or 7/20 S) Earn $1 in ECBs with each coupon!
All week
Loreal Revitalift or Age Perfect $5.99 get $5.99 ECB Limit 1 - HOT!
Use $1/1 (7/20 S) Earn $1 in ECBs after coupon!
Right Guard Pro $6.99 get $5 ECBs Limit 3
$1 after coupons (7/13 S or 8/10 S1) and ECBS
Right Guard $2.99 get $2 ECBs LIMIT 5
FREE after coupon (7/13 S or 8/10 S1)
Soft and Dry and Dri Idea is also included in the above deal and will be .25 after ECBs and coupon (7/13 S or 8/10 S1)
Genisoy $6/6 get $3 ECBs
BOGO coupon makes free after coupons and ECBs. This coupon is not from the insert so not very many people will have these coupons.
Bayer Contour Meter get $5 ECBs
Earn $5 in ECBs after coupon (6/1 S) and ECBs.
Schick Razors BOGO
Coupons (8/24 S or 9/7 S1) will make these fairly inexpensive.
Chex Mix $1/1 - Printable coupon for $1/1 will be free after coupon(each computer can only print 2) or .50/1 (9/7 GM, but if you only have the hard copy you will get a better deal at Kroger this week).
Malt O Meal $1/1 - Printable coupon for $1/1 will be free after coupon - Needs to be the one that says ANY. These boxes do not meet the size requirements for some of the Malt-O-Meal coupons that I have seen.
Black Rice Skincare buy 1 get $5 ECBs
There were CVS coupons for $5 off of 1. The less expensive items will be free/inexpensive after coupons and ECBs.
Gold Emblem Peanuts $1.99
CVS scanner coupons are $2/2 any Gold Emblem Nuts
Life Savers BOGO
Coupons for this expire on Monday 9/8, if you have any left.
Trident Xtra Care $1/1
Will be .25 after coupon (7/20 S).
Thursday, August 28, 2008
CVS Deals Week of August 31 in Most Areas
The Metro Atlanta area is not part of the test market so our sales ad will start on Sunday. However, I decided to list the CVS deals early so that the areas that are in the test market can have them for their ad week beginning on Friday.
Here is what I found to be the best deals for the week:
Covergirl Wetslicks $5.99
Free after $5.99 ECBs without coupons
Limit 1 Deal
Use coupons to sweeten the deal.
Current $1/1 coupon expires 8/31, but ad shows new coupons to come out on 8/31.
Choice of coupons on this
Use $1/1 Covergirl and earn $1 ECB
OR
Use BOGO Covergirl Lip Product and get 2 for free.
Readers, please comment or e-mail me if you find the limit on this deal is higher than the printed limit of 1. Recently, some of the CVS limits have been different than what is listed in the ad. If it is that would be a GREAT deal!
Accu-Check Monitor $9.99
Free after $9.99 ECBs - No coupons needed
Limit 1 Deal
Roll your ECBs and donate this item. As mentioned in a previous post, sample test strips are not included with this meter. :(
Colgate Total Advanced Clean
Buy 1 get $2 ECBs without coupons
Limit 2 Deals
Use $1.50 coupon for Colgate Total Advanced Whitening
Earn .50 ECBs when you use the coupon.
Suave Body Wash
Buy $6 get $2 ECBs
Limit 5 Deals
To maximize on this deal buy in multiples of 6 bottles.
Use 3 BOGO (6/22 RP) coupons
.33/ bottle after ECBs and coupons.
Not free but a good deal if you use it. I found that the body washes also work well as liquid hand soap refills.
Atkins Bars $1
Use $1/1 coupons (8/17 S) and will be free after coupon.
Here is what I found to be the best deals for the week:
Covergirl Wetslicks $5.99
Free after $5.99 ECBs without coupons
Limit 1 Deal
Use coupons to sweeten the deal.
Current $1/1 coupon expires 8/31, but ad shows new coupons to come out on 8/31.
Choice of coupons on this
Use $1/1 Covergirl and earn $1 ECB
OR
Use BOGO Covergirl Lip Product and get 2 for free.
Readers, please comment or e-mail me if you find the limit on this deal is higher than the printed limit of 1. Recently, some of the CVS limits have been different than what is listed in the ad. If it is that would be a GREAT deal!
Accu-Check Monitor $9.99
Free after $9.99 ECBs - No coupons needed
Limit 1 Deal
Roll your ECBs and donate this item. As mentioned in a previous post, sample test strips are not included with this meter. :(
Colgate Total Advanced Clean
Buy 1 get $2 ECBs without coupons
Limit 2 Deals
Use $1.50 coupon for Colgate Total Advanced Whitening
Earn .50 ECBs when you use the coupon.
Suave Body Wash
Buy $6 get $2 ECBs
Limit 5 Deals
To maximize on this deal buy in multiples of 6 bottles.
Use 3 BOGO (6/22 RP) coupons
.33/ bottle after ECBs and coupons.
Not free but a good deal if you use it. I found that the body washes also work well as liquid hand soap refills.
Atkins Bars $1
Use $1/1 coupons (8/17 S) and will be free after coupon.
Enjoy a free snack on CVS!
I haven't seen this deal posted anywhere so I thought that I would share it with my readers.
The CVS scanners are printing out coupons for $2/2 Gold Emblem Nuts this week.
The single serve bags of cashews and the peg bags of chocolate covered peanuts are .99/bag! So for every coupon you have you get two bags for free! Each CVS card should print one coupon per day at the scanner kiosk.
The CVS scanners are printing out coupons for $2/2 Gold Emblem Nuts this week.
The single serve bags of cashews and the peg bags of chocolate covered peanuts are .99/bag! So for every coupon you have you get two bags for free! Each CVS card should print one coupon per day at the scanner kiosk.
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