I cashed out for my first Gather card, a $10 CVS gift card. I am keeping track of how far it goes. I was hoping to get at least $100 in retail price--but I surpassed that in Chapter 5, so now I will just hope to make it last as long as possible.
I will use coupons, rain checks, sales and any extra bucks (instant CVS store rebates--show up as coupons on the bottom of the receipt) that I earn on purchases from this card.
So here is today's trip. The CVS card goes shopping.
Today's Beginning Balance (7/5/09):
Gift card $5.44; $12.00 & $4.98 extra bucks. Total left: $22.42
CVS Extra bucks cvs extra bucks cvs extra bucks cvs extra
Transaction # 1 (only one today)
ECB=Extra Buck
1 -- Febreze noticeables
Used a $4 manufacturer coupon
1 -- Febreze Air Effects
Used a $3 manufacturer coupon (free with Fabric Ref)
1 -- Febreze Fabric Refresher (get $5 ECBs on total of these)
3 -- CVS tape (get $4.47 total ECBs on these) FREE
3 -- Pencil sharpeners (get $2.97 total ECBs on these) FREE
2 -- Dry Idea (used a raincheck--2/$5 get $2 ecbs)
Used two $2 printable coupons
Total Retail: $36.29
Total Sale Price: $26.94
Paid with:
$12.00 Extra Buck
$4 off $20 purchase email CVS coupon
$11 in manufacturers coupons listed above
$.74 tax on the Gift Card
Received: $5.00, $4.47, $2.97 and $2.00 in extra bucks
Total spent on gift card: $.74
New Balances: $4.70 gc, $5.00, $4.47, $2.97, $2.00 and $4.98 extra bucks:
Total left to spend: $24.12
Total Retail Purchased so far: $427.92
So I increased the total amount again with coupons and extra bucks but used quite a bit on the gift card.
I am glad to reduce the $12 extra buck into smaller ones--they will be easier to use.
Can you tell this is my hobby? I love it. It gives me lots of necessary items for free and I even have leftovers to donate often. I actually have started a gather group so others can share their experiences and/or learn how to get the savings for themselves.
To see the other trips click on the links for each "total trip."
$32.33 in retail products, balance $9.20 gc and $3.99 extra buck. Total left: $13.19
$19.16 in retail products, balance $8.92 gc and $2, $2.89 extra bucks. Total left: $13.81
$4.29 in retail products, balance $8.85 gc and $2 and $2.89 extra bucks. Total left: $13.74
$4.99 in retail products, balance $8.75 gc and $4.99 extra bucks. Total left: $13.74
Total trip 5: $102.64 in retail products, balance $7.57 gc and $5.00 & 2.00 in extra bucks. Total left: $14.57 Total Retail so far: $163.41
Total Trip 6: $13.47 in retail products, balance $7.30 gc and $5.00 & 2.00 in extra bucks. Total left: $ 14.30
Total Trip 7: $ 42.60 in retail products, balance $6.88 gc and $3.99, 3.99, & 3.00 in extra bucks.Total left $17.86
Total Trip 8: $ 119.40 in retail products, balance $5.70 gc and $5.00, 4.00 and 4.99 in extra bucks. Total left $19.69.
Total Trip 9: $ 44.77 in retail products, balance $ 5.52 gc, $12.00, $4.98 extra bucks. Total left: $22.50
Total Trip 10: $7.98 in retail products, balance $5.44, $12.00, $4.98 extra bucks. Total left: $22.42
Total left to spend: $22.42
Total Retail Purchased so far: $427.92
CVS CVS CVS CVS CVS CVS CVS CVS CVS CVS CVS CVSLearn all about CVS shopping: CVS 101 Tutorial Series and visit CVS Extra Bucks Make Cents for current information.
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Comments: 22
You are amazing. I wish they'd offer Walgreens cards! Then, I could be like you!
Oh, I'd love to read your Walgreens adventures. I never could get into Walgreens--too many steps and ours was NOT coupon friendly, nothing ever seemed to work!!
We don't have a CVS; so I'd have to go with Walgreens. They alway take my coupons and such. I love going in for things and leaving w/o having to pay a dime! :)
great post
Awesome!
You could write a book!
I have to figure out how you are doing this! I am all about the coupons and savings...
Candy, if you have a CVS nearby join my gather group, CVS Extra Bucks Make Cents. I started it so others could learn to do this and that is why I put this adventure on--if you read thru the details of each post you get an idea of how it is done.
On the groups home page is a list of CVS 101 posts that walks you thru the beginning of understanding how to shop at CVS. There are also some other posts where I have explained some things. Go look around and see if you can learn how to do it--I always have the weekly stuff up that is the best deal. I'll be glad to answer any questions.
Wow
You boggle my mind you are so good at this. Great job!
Impressive!
OK, read the CVS tutorial and I think I can figure this out. I am a huge coupon clipper so I know I could save a ton of money. I belong to several freebie sites and havent had to pay for toothpaste or deodorant for 2 years. Plus I have a drawer full of sample size shampoo, conditioner, lotion, laundry soap, etc. We travel on our motorcycle quite a bit and these items are perfect for a trip, no big bottles to carry and you can throw away the packaging so less to carry around! I will definately be picking up the travel size items for my "fillers". Thank you for the info!!
Great, Candy! So you also know to use some coupons for cheap or free travel sizes, too, like the schick razors or right now (exp. 7/10) the St. Ives apricot scrub is 1.49 and the coupon is for 1.50.
At our store they have made a new trial size for CVS brand items only and it is in the beauty section--not with the other travel sizes.
I'd love to see posts about how you make you!!
Welcome to the wonderful world of CVSing.
Oh, and check out this weeks' deals--febreze is an awesome deal if you have many coupons--I have a post. Also a post I put on for cereal with printable coupon link to make it free.
I forgot to get the paper yesterday=( and I work at the grocery store! Hope I can find someone with the coupons to trade me...
Oh, no! I hope you can get a trade. You could also go to CVS at the end of the week and hope they are out and get a raincheck and keep working on a trade. The P&G was the only insert.
The limit on the febreze is 5 per card so it may be worth your while to order some coupons if you ever do that.
wow!!!!!!
That's great dear. Thanks for sharing. Don't you just love it here? I think it is the best place on the internet. Getting paid to enjoy friendships and sharing?
Girl you make my head spin with those gift card and extra buck shenanigans. I'm still holding on to my card as I haven't seen anything I want to spend it on. Going out to cruise at the four CVS in my neighborhood tomorrow:)
I love their clearance sales:)
FOUR CVS's....that makes my head spin:) I do have three within 20 miles. My little one is only 5 or 6 miles away, though, so that is nice.
Remember, next week is the free after extra bucks photo book you might enjoy making.
OH you're SO GOOD! Keep it up girl! My grocery $ is dwindling this week. Any "real food" deals?
Thanks
Do you like Post Trail Mix Crunch? Can you print coupons? How does earning a $1 for buying three sound? check out this post.
I don't remember other food deals this week but here are the hightlights and ad scan if you want to check it out.
I pick up food there that is on a good sale with extra bucks that Ihave made by buying other things with coupons--so I actually never pay cash except for tax at CVS and buy quite a bit of food. So as you continue and your extra bucks increase you can really cut your grocery bill. I buy at least all my apple juice, oj, and cereals there for free, and often get other sales, but those things I will no longer buy at the grocery store.