by H2 on September 2, 2010
Here are a couple freebies that aren’t that high in value but nonetheless, you can get for free easily through Saturday.
Staples has Avery label pads (in very cool colors might I add) on sale this week for $1. Use this printable coupon from the Avery website to get them free.
Walgreens has Trident Gum on sale for $1. “Like’ Trident on Facebook to print a $1 off coupon (the last coupon under the coupon tab). Combine that with the Walgreens September coupon booklet (available right when to walk into the store, they are with the weekly flier) to get both free.
There is a printable coupon and online code for 30% off good at Gap, Old Navy or Banana Republic. Expires August 29th.
When I first started couponing I used to go to the big three drugstores every weekend: CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid. I’ve learned over time though that CVS is the best use of my time and it’s become one of my favorite places to shop, because I can save the most there. Here are ways you can maximize your savings-
- Get an Extra Care Card Sign up to get one of these. This enables you to deals each week along with special offers. You present this each time you checkout.
- Sign up to Receive Their Emails They will then email you coupons for x off x dollar amount, which can be combined with other CVS coupons, manufacture coupons and ECB’s to save even more. The also randomly email coupons for completely free CVS brand items.
- The Coupon Machine Once a day you can scan your Extra Care Card at the special coupon kiosk located in each store. CVS coupons print out that you can use in conjunction with manufacturers coupons and offers.
- ECB’s CVS offers Extra Care Bucks, better know as ECB’s. An ECB is kind of like a catalina coupon. It prints out at the register after you’ve made your purchase and in essence is store cash to use at your next visit. Weekly and monthly they offer certain items or group of items that when you purchase them you receive ECB’s.
- Rolling ECB’s The key to maximizing ECB’s is to roll them each week. Take the ECB’s you have and use them the next week buy items that in return get you more ECB’s. Combining the ECB offer with coupons each week will continuously yield you free items.
- Deals start early on Saturday It took me a year before I realized that CVS actually turns their register and deals over on Saturday. Most stores do this between noon and six o’clock on Saturday, though they do not publicize this anywhere. That means you can get the deals earlier AND combine the deals for both weeks together during this time frame.
- Green Bag Tag For $.99 you can buy a green bag tag and attach it to your reusable grocery bag. Bring the bag with the tag in with you and scan it when you checkout. Every (4) visits you a $1.00 ECB! It’s a very easy way to earn them.
- Friendly coupon policy Of all the stores I shop, CVS has the most liberal coupon policy. You can use (1) manufacturers coupon and (1) CVS store coupon per item. You can also use as many ECB’s as you want and combine all of this with those x off x dollar amount CVS coupons they email you. Hand your coupon over in the correct order though. Also do the x off x dollar amount first, manufacture coupons, CVS coupons and then ECB’s.
- Plan Your Trips Weeks in Advance The website www.iheartcvs.com has the weekly flyers for CVS posted usually at least three weeks in advance. This helps you plan your scenarios out and work ahead to get the stuff you need at the lowest price.
- Become a CVS Advisor It’s free to sign up to be an advisor.They send out survies a few times a year and when you complete them you earn self-printable ECB’s.
I’m no health nut, but I love the Strawberry Granola Parfait at Panera Bread. I can’t believe something that taste that good is actually pretty good for me. Mind you I live far, far away from any Panera Bread. So, I set out to try to figure out how I could replicate this at home. Well, it only took one try! On a level of difficulty ranging from 1-10, this is a -5. The hardest part was choosing the granola. Being my first time ever purchasing it, I was a little overwhelmed by all the choices, so I was conservative and choose original.
It just consist of:
- 1 container of Yoplait Whips strawberry yogurt
- 2-3 sliced strawberries
- 1 handful of Back to Nature classic granola
After a little research I see Panera Bread uses Stoneyfield vanilla yogurt, which is available at the grocery store and maple butter pecan granola. Maybe next time I’ll live a little and try the maple butter. Either way its an easy, healthy and delicious breakfast item. Not to mention it looks cool and trendy….
I get so many questions on coupons and I’m glad to have found a book I can recommend that thoroughly explains coupon strategy. If your just getting started or want to figure out how to get started, this book covers everything from where to find coupons, how to organize them, how to stack coupons to rain checks. I even learned a few things about rain checks and the laws that govern them I wasn’t aware of. I was excited to see a chapter devoted to drug stores. So many people over look drugstores as a place to save money and get items for free.
It was disappointing there wasn’t any pictures in the book, but that also helps to make it thin and a quick read! This book is a good investment, because once you read it, you’ll want to hang on to it as a reference guide.(Though others will want to know your ’secret’ and you’ll probably end up sharing it).
The book is written by fellow Ohio blogger, Kristin Peoples. It was neat to get to read her book, because I occasionally catch her on my local station, Fox 45 in Dayton, sharing the latest coupon tips. Kristin blogs on saving you time and money at Coupon Scribbles.
Don’t Throw Those Coupons Away is available on Amazon for a very reasonable price. Or you can win a copy!
Leave a comment below telling me the most you’ve ever saved using coupons or how much you’d like to cut from your monthly grocery budget. Winner will be randomly chosen at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, August 25th by random.org. Winner will also receive an Ohio Proud Heartland Cuisine cookbook.
Disclosure: I was provided the book Don’t Throw Those Coupons Away to review and also one to giveaway to a reader
