CVS 2/21:
+ Gillette Shampoo $4.99
+ Natural Dentist Fluoride $9.99
- Coupons ($4: $1/1 CVS any shampoo, $1/1 Gillette shampoo, $2/1 Natural Dentist)
- ECBs ($10.50)
+ Tax
=$0.71 on gift card, $0.00 out of pocket, $15.50 saved, 100% savings
Avg. cost per item: $0.00
*Plus I earned back $7 in ECBs and I can send in for a $10 rebate for the 2 Natural Dentist Fluorides!
Also, I got back $3.xx in cash from a return on CVS cotton rounds that I had bought. (I bought the wrong ones.)
Total left for this month: $261.80
Saturday, February 21
Bzz Report: CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain
This is my first Bzz Report as a Buzz Agent. Check out the website here to find out more about becoming an agent. It is a marketing agency that relies on word of mouth referrals. That means, as an agent, you often get samples of products or coupons for products to try out in hopes that you will like them and spread the word. The CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain was my first product sample I received.
My review:
The CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain is a really unique product. I do not like regular lipstick, feeling it is too heavy for me, but this is quite different. To me, it is very comparable to a marker. You simply use the pen to draw the color onto your lips, and instead of a heavy matte finish, you end up with a stain of color that won't come off and is super lightweight. The pen-like tip makes application really easy, too. My only complaint is the color I chose to receive really wasn't right for me; it was much too orange. I'm sure that I would have been able to pick a better color for myself if I had purchased this in the store at the display instead of judging by colors from my monitor screen. I recommend this product to anyone looking for a little more color than lipgloss offers while avoiding the heavy feel of lipstick. This is also great for a more casual look than traditional lipstick!
My review:The CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain is a really unique product. I do not like regular lipstick, feeling it is too heavy for me, but this is quite different. To me, it is very comparable to a marker. You simply use the pen to draw the color onto your lips, and instead of a heavy matte finish, you end up with a stain of color that won't come off and is super lightweight. The pen-like tip makes application really easy, too. My only complaint is the color I chose to receive really wasn't right for me; it was much too orange. I'm sure that I would have been able to pick a better color for myself if I had purchased this in the store at the display instead of judging by colors from my monitor screen. I recommend this product to anyone looking for a little more color than lipgloss offers while avoiding the heavy feel of lipstick. This is also great for a more casual look than traditional lipstick!
Friday, February 20
CVS: Good News, Bad News
Ok, let's start with the bad news. I let an $18 ECB expire by accident. It expired yesterday but I thought the date on it was the 20th. Okay, mourn with me here...... :(
Now, on to the good news. I got some really good deals today. Thanks Thrifty Mama for the heads up on most of these!
CVS 2/20:
+ 1 Gillette 2 in 1 shampoo $4.99
+ 2 CVS cotton rounds $0.99/ea
+ 2 Neutrogena soaps $2.99/ea
+ 4 Stayfree pads 16 ct/ea $3.99/ea
+ 1 Natural Dentist Fluoride $9.99
- Coupons: $2/1 Gillette shampoo, 2 x $1/1 Stayfree pads, 2 x BOGO Stayfree pads, $2/1 Natural Dentist Fluoride
- ECBs ($21.98)
=$1.95 on gift card, $0.00 out of pocket, $38.96 saved, 100% savings
Avg. cost per item: $0.00
*Plus I earned back $27 in ECBs and a coupon for $1/1 any shampoo, conditioner, or hair styling product!
The really great deals were these:
*The Gillette shampoo was completely free after coupon and ECBs (1 cent overage).
*The Neutrogena soaps cost me $5.98 but earned back a $10 ECB ($4.02 overage).
*The CVS cotton rounds were $0.99 each and earned back a $2 ECB (2 cents overage).
*The Stayfree pads cost me $5.98 total after coupons but earned back $8 in ECBs. ($2.02 overage)
*The Natural Dentist Fluoride cost me $7.99 after my coupon, but I earned back $4 in ECBs. I am going back tomorrow and will buy another one for the same deal. Then I am going to send in for the $10 rebate for buying 2. That means I will have earned $2.02 for buying the fluoride after I receive the rebate.
Now, on to the good news. I got some really good deals today. Thanks Thrifty Mama for the heads up on most of these!
CVS 2/20:
+ 1 Gillette 2 in 1 shampoo $4.99
+ 2 CVS cotton rounds $0.99/ea
+ 2 Neutrogena soaps $2.99/ea
+ 4 Stayfree pads 16 ct/ea $3.99/ea
+ 1 Natural Dentist Fluoride $9.99
- Coupons: $2/1 Gillette shampoo, 2 x $1/1 Stayfree pads, 2 x BOGO Stayfree pads, $2/1 Natural Dentist Fluoride
- ECBs ($21.98)
=$1.95 on gift card, $0.00 out of pocket, $38.96 saved, 100% savings
Avg. cost per item: $0.00
*Plus I earned back $27 in ECBs and a coupon for $1/1 any shampoo, conditioner, or hair styling product!
The really great deals were these:
*The Gillette shampoo was completely free after coupon and ECBs (1 cent overage).
*The Neutrogena soaps cost me $5.98 but earned back a $10 ECB ($4.02 overage).
*The CVS cotton rounds were $0.99 each and earned back a $2 ECB (2 cents overage).
*The Stayfree pads cost me $5.98 total after coupons but earned back $8 in ECBs. ($2.02 overage)
*The Natural Dentist Fluoride cost me $7.99 after my coupon, but I earned back $4 in ECBs. I am going back tomorrow and will buy another one for the same deal. Then I am going to send in for the $10 rebate for buying 2. That means I will have earned $2.02 for buying the fluoride after I receive the rebate.
Tuesday, February 17
Freecycle
I had heard of Freecycle before, but I just recently signed up to be in the group. So far, I have offered up a few things and had a few takers. I have not received anything yet, but it is fun to check my email to see what things are being offered.
What a cool way to keep things out of landfills: don't throw it away--give it away!
You can find a group near you by clicking here!
What a cool way to keep things out of landfills: don't throw it away--give it away!
You can find a group near you by clicking here!
More Craigslist Buys/Sells
Buys:
*Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair $80 (can you believe I have purchased two matching Tripp Trapps off of Craigslist in the last 3 months that look brand new and cost me much less than the price of 1 new one?!?!?!)
Sells:
*1 can Similac formula $4
*1 Gerber bottle lot $8
*huge lot of ribbon $20
I don't normally count these transactions in the monthly budget totals because I try to use my money earned from selling things as my money for buying things.
*Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair $80 (can you believe I have purchased two matching Tripp Trapps off of Craigslist in the last 3 months that look brand new and cost me much less than the price of 1 new one?!?!?!)
Sells:
*1 can Similac formula $4
*1 Gerber bottle lot $8
*huge lot of ribbon $20
I don't normally count these transactions in the monthly budget totals because I try to use my money earned from selling things as my money for buying things.
Friday, February 13
Craigslist Buys/Sells
Buys:
*Britax Roundabout carseat $50 (looks almost brand new--was used in 2nd car--and is only 2 years old)
Sells:
*3 canisters Enfamil formula $21
I don't normally count these transactions in the monthly budget totals because I try to use my money earned from selling things as my money for buying things.
*Britax Roundabout carseat $50 (looks almost brand new--was used in 2nd car--and is only 2 years old)
Sells:
*3 canisters Enfamil formula $21
I don't normally count these transactions in the monthly budget totals because I try to use my money earned from selling things as my money for buying things.
Wednesday, February 11
Amazing Savings: Gap, CVS, Stride Rite, Maola, Walmart!
We went out for about 2 hours tonight, and boy, did we rack up!
In total, we got 2 gallons of milk, a King size Snickers candy bar, 5 Gerber onesies, an infant shirt, infant Gap overalls and matching hat, and a pair of Stride Rite tennis shoes, all for $25.90 out of pocket!!! We saved $50.54 for a total savings of 66%!
Our first stop was Baby Gap at the mall. DS turns 1 tomorrow (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABY!!!!) and we had to grab him a birthday/picture outfit since we are taking him to have his portraits made at Sears in the morning. I had picked out an outfit that I loved a few days ago from Gap, but DH vetoed it. Well, he reconsidered and we went back to get it tonight, and guess what?!?!?! It was on sale!!!
Gap 2/11:
+ Gap Striped overalls $26.50 (marked down to $14.99)
+ matching bucket hat $12.50 (marked down to $8.99)
- coupons ($20 Gap Card reward)
= $4.25 out of pocket, $34.75 saved, 89% savings
Avg. cost per item: $2.13
Our next stop was Walmart to find a onesie to wear with the cute Gap overalls. We found those and also found a shirt that we had been searching for all week(the reason is a surprise!), and it was on sale!!!
Wal-Mart 2/11:
+ 5 pack Gerber onesies
+ surprise shirt $5.00 (marked down to $3)
- gift card $5.00
= $7.78 out of pocket, $7.00 saved, 47% savings
Avg. cost per item: $3.89
We stopped at Ross next. I had been there this morning and saw cute Stride Rite tennis shoes for $12.99 there. I almost bought them this morning, but decided I'd like for DH to see them first. He liked them, too! (I didn't mark any actual savings on these shoes because they were full price at Ross, but keep in mind Stride Rite shoes average costing about $50 at the SR store!)
Ross 2/11:
+ Stride Rite tennis shoes
= $13.87 out of pocket
The final stop was CVS. We needed some milk and I have tons of ECBs built up, so I decided to use some up. I added a candy bar to the mix to add up to enough to use my $7.98 ECB. DH appreciated it. :)
CVS 2/11:
+ Maola Skim milk gallon
+ Maola Whole milk gallon
+ Snickers king size candy bar
- ECBs ($7.98)
= $0.69 on gift card, $0.00 OOP, $8.10 saved, 100% savings
Avg. cost per item: $0.00
*Plus 4 coupons printed on my receipt! :)
Total left for this month: $261.80
In total, we got 2 gallons of milk, a King size Snickers candy bar, 5 Gerber onesies, an infant shirt, infant Gap overalls and matching hat, and a pair of Stride Rite tennis shoes, all for $25.90 out of pocket!!! We saved $50.54 for a total savings of 66%!
Our first stop was Baby Gap at the mall. DS turns 1 tomorrow (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABY!!!!) and we had to grab him a birthday/picture outfit since we are taking him to have his portraits made at Sears in the morning. I had picked out an outfit that I loved a few days ago from Gap, but DH vetoed it. Well, he reconsidered and we went back to get it tonight, and guess what?!?!?! It was on sale!!!
Gap 2/11:
+ Gap Striped overalls $26.50 (marked down to $14.99)
+ matching bucket hat $12.50 (marked down to $8.99)
- coupons ($20 Gap Card reward)
= $4.25 out of pocket, $34.75 saved, 89% savings
Avg. cost per item: $2.13
Our next stop was Walmart to find a onesie to wear with the cute Gap overalls. We found those and also found a shirt that we had been searching for all week(the reason is a surprise!), and it was on sale!!!
Wal-Mart 2/11:
+ 5 pack Gerber onesies
+ surprise shirt $5.00 (marked down to $3)
- gift card $5.00
= $7.78 out of pocket, $7.00 saved, 47% savings
Avg. cost per item: $3.89
We stopped at Ross next. I had been there this morning and saw cute Stride Rite tennis shoes for $12.99 there. I almost bought them this morning, but decided I'd like for DH to see them first. He liked them, too! (I didn't mark any actual savings on these shoes because they were full price at Ross, but keep in mind Stride Rite shoes average costing about $50 at the SR store!)
Ross 2/11:
+ Stride Rite tennis shoes
= $13.87 out of pocket
The final stop was CVS. We needed some milk and I have tons of ECBs built up, so I decided to use some up. I added a candy bar to the mix to add up to enough to use my $7.98 ECB. DH appreciated it. :)
CVS 2/11:
+ Maola Skim milk gallon
+ Maola Whole milk gallon
+ Snickers king size candy bar
- ECBs ($7.98)
= $0.69 on gift card, $0.00 OOP, $8.10 saved, 100% savings
Avg. cost per item: $0.00
*Plus 4 coupons printed on my receipt! :)
Total left for this month: $261.80
Going Green!
In addition to trying to save my family money on groceries and household items, I've also tried to take us down a "greener" path. In the last few months, here are some things we've implemented in our household to reduce waste.
*reusable shopping bags: We have some cloth canvas ones from a local store and also some Baggu ones. I love how you can fold the Baggu bags down so small. I keep 3 in my purse and then I also have a carry-bag full for trips to the grocery store. Here is a post on Jane4girls about other types of reusable bags and a giveaway!
*cloth napkins: I bought a pack of 10 from Bed, Bath, & Beyond with one of their 20% off coupons. I also picked some up when Linens N Things was going out of business. We use them instead of paper napkins with meals and also for cleaning up small messes (and faces!).
*cloth paper towels: I actually use flour sack towels from Target. Their actual purpose is for drying glassware lint free. I absolutely love them! They are large enough that you can use each corner for a different purpose before you have to wash it. They are very light-weight, but also very absorbent.
*cloth diapers: We've been using cloth diapers for one year now--since DS was 4 days old. I love how DS never gets rashes and I actually look forward to diaper changes because his diapers are so darn cute. We've tried out lots of different brands and all different styles. Some of our favorites are BumGenius pockets, Fuzzi Bunz pockets, Thirsties AIOs, Goodmama fitteds, and PeanutButter & Ellie bamboo velour preflats.
*front load washer: When our top-load washer was on it's last legs, we looked into getting a front loader. They use lots less water in a wash cycle than a top-loader does. We ended up going with a Frigidaire machine, and I absolutely love it. It uses less water per cycle and I think it gets our clothes (and diapers) a LOT cleaner!
What do you do to be GREEN?
*reusable shopping bags: We have some cloth canvas ones from a local store and also some Baggu ones. I love how you can fold the Baggu bags down so small. I keep 3 in my purse and then I also have a carry-bag full for trips to the grocery store. Here is a post on Jane4girls about other types of reusable bags and a giveaway!
*cloth napkins: I bought a pack of 10 from Bed, Bath, & Beyond with one of their 20% off coupons. I also picked some up when Linens N Things was going out of business. We use them instead of paper napkins with meals and also for cleaning up small messes (and faces!).
*cloth paper towels: I actually use flour sack towels from Target. Their actual purpose is for drying glassware lint free. I absolutely love them! They are large enough that you can use each corner for a different purpose before you have to wash it. They are very light-weight, but also very absorbent.
*cloth diapers: We've been using cloth diapers for one year now--since DS was 4 days old. I love how DS never gets rashes and I actually look forward to diaper changes because his diapers are so darn cute. We've tried out lots of different brands and all different styles. Some of our favorites are BumGenius pockets, Fuzzi Bunz pockets, Thirsties AIOs, Goodmama fitteds, and PeanutButter & Ellie bamboo velour preflats.
*front load washer: When our top-load washer was on it's last legs, we looked into getting a front loader. They use lots less water in a wash cycle than a top-loader does. We ended up going with a Frigidaire machine, and I absolutely love it. It uses less water per cycle and I think it gets our clothes (and diapers) a LOT cleaner!
What do you do to be GREEN?
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