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I headed to CVS this morning to film a new Watch Me Score! segment for WalletPop, and I had such a fantastic trip that I wanted to give you all a sneak preview of my savings!
I got everything you see here for . . . $15.55, including tax!!! AND I have $10 in ECBs from the P&G deal this week to spend on my next shopping trip.
I was lucky enough to find a stack of the Reinventing Beauty magazine inserts on the newspaper rack, so I was able to get all of the Fruitopia and Viologie shampoo and conditioner pictured free after coupons! Note that the coupons do state one per customer, which I did not realize prior to checking out. But the manager was gracious enough to make an exception for me this time.
Here's what I got:
(3) Tide Stain Release Liquid at $4 ea. (reg. $4.49)
(3) Tide Stain Release Gel Packs at $4 ea. (reg. $4.49)
(1) Dawn Dishwashing Liquid at $1 (reg. $1.99)
(3) Mom's Best Oatmeal at $1 ea.
(2) CVS AA Batteries at $2.99 (BOGO)
(6) Chunky Soup at $3.19 (BOGO)
(4) Cheerios Single Serve Bowls at $1 ea.
(2) Fruitopia Shampoo at $1.99 ea. (reg. $3.99)
(2) Fruitopia Conditioner at $1.99 ea. (reg. $3.99)
(2) Viologie Shampoo at $1.99 ea. (reg. $3.99)
(2) Viologie Conditioner at $1.99 ea. (reg. $3.99)
And here's how I did it:
(1) $5/$25 CVS purchase coupon
(1) FREE Tide Stain Release coupon (from BlogHer)
(3) $1.50/1 Tide Stain Release (from various magazines)
(2) $1/1 Tide Stain Release (from in-store machine)
(1) $0.25/1 Dawn, exp. 10-31-09 (P&G 9/27/09)
(3) $0.75/1 Mom’s Best Naturals printable
(3) FREE Chunky Soup coupon (can't recall where came from)
(4) $1/1 Cheerios printable
(4) $2/1 Fruitopia coupons (Reinventing Beauty Magazine)
(4) $2/1 Viologie coupons (Reinventing Beauty Magazine)
Retail price on everything before sales and coupons was $91.97! I paid just $15.55 (including tax) after coupons, and I received $10 in ExtraCare Bucks to use on a future transaction!!!
How did you do at CVS this week?
Tara Kuczykowski is a married mom of three boys and two girls, ages 4 to 10 years, living in Columbus, OH.
{ 54 comments… read them below or add one }
Just curious,why didnt you do three transactions with 3 $5 off $25 coupons?
CVS asked me not to do multiple transactions in the segment, so I abided by their wishes.
Hey Tara,
i watched ur target trip video on wallet pop.....awesome!!! can't wait to watch your CVS trip video...:)
OMG! u r my new idol ^O^
Awesome deals!
Nichole
You win! You are the Coupon Queen!
Great job! The Reinventing Beauty coupons beeped at me this week too - I didn't realize they were limited to one per customer either. The cashier did an override, no problem. They have great customer service at CVS. :)
Do you have to buy the Reinventing Beauty magazine or is it free?
I'm amazed...and jealous! I really need to figure this CVS thing out, haven't had the guts to try yet! good job!
Amazing. You rock!
Maybe you should reread what you told everyone on your website below. Talk about being greedy!!! You say lucky but honestly I thought sites like this were for "SHARING" and not to be outright "GREEDY" by taking more than you should and then acting like the manager did you a favor. I think this is horrible and the fact that you openly admit it to everyone is even worse. People like you are the ones who keep others from missing out on the deals that are meant to be "ONE PER CUSTOMER" not "MANY FOR ONE" as you did.
YOU SAID: I was lucky enough to find a stack of the Reinventing Beauty magazine inserts on the newspaper rack, so I was able to get all of the Fruitopia and Viologie shampoo and conditioner free after coupons! Note that the coupons do state one per customer, which I did not realize prior to checking out. But the manager was gracious enough to make an exception for me this time
Great score!! My CVS is always giving or having great deals.
They do have the best customer service I have ever had.The manager is patient and keeps his cool threw all the the many transactions I do at one visit.
Um, wow, Jeanie -- I think you misunderstood. I meant that I got all of the Fruitopia and Viologie in my photo for free. There were lots of coupon inserts still on the rack and the shelves were fully stocked, so there was plenty left for other shoppers. I always leave some on the shelves for my fellow deal seekers unless I stumble upon the very last one.
I got what you really meant Tara and I think you did a great job on the shopping trip. Some how I doubt that your CVS only had 2 of each (shampoo & conditioner for each product). If they did, well then shame on them.
Great job and thanks for sharing.
My point was that the coupon stated "One" and that is all you should have gotten whether the manager want to do you a favor or not. I didn't understand anything. You clearly took more than you were entitled to by using more than "one"
Taking more than one is completely up to the manager's discretion. I didn't throw a tantrum and demand that he accept them all. He simply showed me the language on the coupon but said he'd accept them.
Tara you did a great job and I don't believe you did anything wrong. Thanks for sharing!
Uh, greedy would be not sharing all these great deals with us. Thanks for all you do Tara!!!
I got 3 Bounce Dryer Bars, 3 Tide Stain Release, and 1 Dawn Hand Renewal for $0.53, plus I got back another $10 in ECB! I used 3 $1 Bounce coupons, one $1.50 and two $1 Tide coupons, and one $1 Dawn, plus my $5/25 coupon and $12 in ECBs. I'm set for doing laundry for a while (wait, should I be happy about that?).
I was hoping to get both Bounce Bars and Tide Stain Release, but the Bounce Bars were all gone. There will be more deals, though!
Greedy = finding out that an RR for a "free after RR" product at Walgreens is rolling, and then you empty the shelves just because you can. I mean, who needs 50 bottles of Garnier Fructis shampoo, seriously.
In any case, what a great selection of useful stuff - and after the ECBs earned, the net cost was really only $5.55. And oh boy, if you'd been able to split that up into 3 transactions, you'd have scored a $10 MM - not easy to do with large quantities of Tide products! Often the only way I can "show off" like this is to get some of the weird or junky items on special, like ear rinses or 12 bags of toffee popcorn. Some things aren't even easy to GIVE away.
By the way, you are completely right as to using coupons at the manager's discretion. I've had questions like that before; some managers will make you only do 1 per customer, others will be kind and allow for more. I feel that if you are still able to come back and do it more than once (like daily), it probably doesn't make a difference as to how the coupon is used in the end. Either way I will accept what a manager has to say, and I don't get mad if I can't use more than one. As for taking multiple items, I always agree to leave some for others if things are marked for a weekly sale; however, when things are on clearance, it's first come, first served. This past week I went to 3 Wags and purchased 13 nine packs of Charmin Basic. In my opinion, they must not be an item that generates sales in that store, so they are dumping the merchandise (at $1.09 per 9 pack), therefore the sooner they get rid of it the better. I did share 2 more packs with a nice lady in the 2nd store I went to, since she asked nicely. The same packs are selling for over $5 at Rite Aid this week.
Great job, Tara. I appreciate all you have shown and taught us. I love reading your blog and I follow it very closely. Thank you for "putting yourself out there" as a free service to each of us.
It's allowed me to grow into a professional couponer and now I am able to donate so much to churches, needy families and food pantries because now I have an abundance :)
Greedy would be not sharing your wealth of information with us.
God bless you and think of all the people you ARE able to help.
It is absolutely the Manager's discretion and I think that you could have possibly said, "No" but honestly that is kind of ridiculous especially since you only bought 2 or 3 of the items.
Definition of "GREEDY", as you Jeanie state Tara aka DSM is: "Excessively desirous of acquiring or possessing, especially wishing to possess more than what one needs or deserves."
The manager states they will allow her the amount of items she NEEDS. Obviously if she were buying in excess the manager would not have allowed it.
Please, I want to know the reason to verbally attack DSM in the comments section instead of personally contacting her in regards to this?
I know how much it takes to put a blog together, to do the deals and post about it. DSM you are doing a wonderful job and all your efforts are appreciated.
Should we stop to point out all your faults? Have a little "grace" dear DSM is only human.
BTW, Tara very nice shopping trip and "Thank You" for taking the time to show this to us. :)
Tara, you rock! I love your website and I just want to say, thanks for all of your hard work.
WOW Tara. You did great. I love buying and storing up items like Shampoo and detergent when I can find them on sale. Obviously I need to do my next CVS trip with you by my side!
That is a LOT of stuff for $15! Go Tara! I think it's great that you share so many good deals for us!
I used the deals this week to build back up my stash of ECBs. I paid $12.90 out of pocket for $65.49 worth of items. And I now have $17 new ECBs to work with! =)
p.s. Tara, you're awesome, and we all appreciate the hard work and caring attitude you put into this blog to help other people save money. I don't see how anybody could ever personally attack you or say such harsh things of you. Thank you for everything you do! =)
Tara- I adore your website and check it at least twice a day... thanks for all the time you take to educate us!
Don't let this one comment slow you down... you're GREAT!
The Fruitopia and Viologie products were a higher price in my local store. They were busy prepping for CVS VP visit so there were a lot of managers and employees. I asked one manager about the price. He said the sale price was probably a regional deal, not applicable here. I did not do a price check. Also, I went to grab a couple of the Dawn hand essentials and use with the $1 coupon. However none were left. Manager said 1 person came in early the same day and cleared out the store. Now that is greedy. In fact, he said he ran to all surrounding stores for different products and they were all sold out. they did give me a rain check for the Dawn even though they had dozens of the other types. They were also nice enough to dig me out the Reinventing Beauty magazine from the back room.
Too bad some people have nothing but negative things to say about others, even when they don't know what they're talking about. Tara, I've gotten so many deals because of you, given to our local Homeless and Animal shelters because I "greedily" bought more than just one item; shared my "greed" with others so that my neighbors could put food on the table for their children while they focused on looking for work. And when I myself lost my job, my "greed" helped put food on my own table when I was in doubt that I would ever find another job. So to those who are so quick to criticize and judge, remember that the world is not about black and white but shades of gray. For what it's worth...
thank you Tara for all the work!!! you make it really easy for a lot of us!...I have learned sooo much from you and other fine ladies like you that now I can share tips with family and friends! I just started so I dont have a big stock ..my only goal is just to stock up enough so I wont have to go running to the store during the winter time..I am so terrified of driving on the snow! Anyway I am sure by doing what you do you have received a lot of criticism and negative looks while shopping so I know you know how to take it .Ladies let just give a brake to the person who made this remarks too! I am not defending her but she probably just had a bad day/or experince, woke up on the wrong side of the bed who knows!..She rushed into conclusions yes! but everyone deserves a break.
Tara 100000 times thank you.You made possible for me to stay at home and my daughter to start on her cfgf diet.
I did the Tide deal this week, too - it was awesome! Especially since I really like that product and it is usually too expensive for our budget.
Thanks for sharing this great deals. I'll have to check my CVS more often for the beauty magazine..
Dang doesn't take much to get all of you going does it? ROFL
Does this beauty magazine cost anything???? What great savings! I LOVE your website and can't thank you enough for saving my family of 5 so many savings.
The magazine is priced at $0.99, and I typically find it on a rack in the cosmetics section. Stores often have loose coupon inserts from them laying around that are free though, and that's what I found near the newspapers at my particular store.
I really like it when you post pictures and details of your own shopping trips. I hadn't seen anything about the Tide Release buy $25, get $10 ecbs. Your post helped me see it so I could use my $1.50/1 and $1/1 coupons and get six of the Tide and 1 Dawn for like $2.50. Really appreciate that!! Excited to try this new product. Whenever I buy Tide, I feel spoiled because it is so expensive. Thanks again and don't get down by the negative comments. They are few and far between.
Honestly, Tara, this was the first website I found when I began couponing. I'm a newbie and have learned so much from you. Your honesty and integrity show through in all you do, especially in ethical couponing. I can't believe someone would have the audacity to condemn you! You could have done multiple transactions, gone on different days, visited a different location--regardless, what you did was not "excessive consumption" and I am appalled. It raises my blood pressure when I see someone who is earnestly trying to help others get attacked on their own site. I thank you, wholeheartedly, for all you do with the best intentions. Please know how much you have helped me andmy family during this most difficult time and please don't let the "few" ever bring you down. You are a Godsend for me as I struggle to keep from sinking. I have begun breathing again because I have a pantry with some food for my family, toothpaste, shampoo, and my kids are happy to have food from the supermarket instead of the food bank. So please keep up the outstanding work you do! We need you. I need you. Thank you.
Dear DSM,
Thank you so much for sharing these great deals with all of us you do an awesome job!!! This is the first website I found about nine months ago when I started my coupon shopping and it is my favorite one!!!
Keep up the great deals!!!
God Bless,
Sue
I personally chose to limit my purchases to 4 of an item that is on clearance, on sale, and/or with purchased coupons. To me it feels like that allows others to take advantage of the bargain as well. It is disappointing to take my two babies in and out of their car seats, in and out of several stores, and to see empty shelves because someone is hoarding. My pantry stockpile is growing and I do not feel greedy. Many people fail to read the "for a friend" on a stash of coupons mailed to them. The companies mailing coupons did not intend for one person to purchase 8 boxes of cereal. I greatly appreciate what you do. You do not tamper with coupons or intentionally use them beyond their expiration or in another immoral way. You are an inspiration to many of us and I GREATLY appreciate your fessing up to your mistake (you are human, just like us). Many of us have accidently overlooked the one per customer/one per transaction note. There are "greedy" hoarders out there. I hope that they can follow the ethics of couponning and not mess it up for others. I enjoy being inspired and challenged by you.
Thank you DSM for all you do! You've saved us a lot of money!
I think that some people can just be absurd about what others do to find a deal.. I have a family of five, and everything I buy using coupons is stuff my family can use. I absolutely take advantage of free items that I can use when I find it. I do not call it greedy, I call it smart. What is the difference if you buy 1 at a time, and come back 3 or 4 times, or 4 at one time.. The stores are not loosing out on the deal as they are reimbursed for every coupon plu an extra 8 cents coming from the manufacture who has plenty of money.. I find people that complain about others doing this are being negative because they can.. I thank god there are deals out there to stock up on things as I need all the help I can...
I took advantage of a roling deal at Meijer a few months back on buying dole salad mix for free with coupon and ground beef and you get a catalina back for $3 off your next purchase. I got like 60 bags of salad mix for free and donated all of it to a food bank, and stocked up on the ground beef for my use. I get free things all the time, and am always donating things I cannot use to nursing homes, churches, and missions so others can use them. I do not call what I am doing as greedy, but more like helpful to others that are unfortunate..
I love this site!! Thanks for the great deals!
Tara, I, too, just want to thank you for all you do. You have saved my family hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in the year I've been visiting your site. I live in Michigan. Everyone I know has been affected by this economy either through layoffs, reduced hours, pay cuts, etc. With your help, I've been able to run my household on a much smaller budget and my family is able to have little treats they would not get otherwise. I've also been able to help out friends and family who have lost their jobs. Thank you again.
Awesome job Tara and thank you for the deals. You did great getting these items free to almost getting them free. Keep up the good work..
I was wondering if you can settle a disagreement I am having with a friend of mine. When I figure my total out of pocket, I don't include the register rewards or extra bucks I have remaining because I will use those towards a later purchase. My friend figures hers out including the rewards or bucks she received but then turns around and uses those same rewards or bucks on a subsequent purchase. I told her that her "total spent" figures were inaccurate because she is basically figuring in the rewards twice. Can you please settle this for me.
For example, this week at Walgreen's, Halls were $1 with $1 register rewards. We both went in there and I had coupons for the Halls, she did not. I bought mine, but after my coupon, paid no money and got back $1 in register rewards. She bought hers, paid the $1 and got her $1 back. My out of pocket was $0, hers was $1. But she is adament that her oop is also $0, when you factor in the register reward she got back. Who is right?