Up To 227 Item in the $25 CVS Challenge!

I'm way behind on updating my $25 CVS Challenge - having a baby has cramped my shopping & blogging style :) I had/have $1.54 left, but that was a little deceiving because when I did transaction #39 on Nov. 26, they gave me $5 cash because I initially forgot to use the coupon. So I really had $5 & $1.54 on a gift card before I did the following transactions.

Transaction #42 (Jan. 17)
$1.76: 1 each VO5 shampoo & conditioner
$6.00: 1 6-pack Soyjoy Bars
$.99: 1 CVS Green Bag Tag (I hope you have this easy way to earn ECB's!)

Used $2.00 ECB
Used $4.98 ECB

Paid $1.80 cash

Transaction #43 (Jan. 17)
$12.00: 2 6-pack Soyjoy Bars

Used $2.00 ECB
Used $3.00 ECB
Used $6.00 ECB

Paid $1.00 cash

Transaction #44 (Feb. 5)
$1.25: 1 LaraBar
$2.99: 1 Colgate Maxfresh Toothpaste
$.75: 1 Reese's Peanut Butter Egg

Put $.49 on gift card

Transaction #45 (Feb. 15)
$.38: 1 Snickers Heart
$2.31: 2 VO5 shampoo & 1 VO5 conditioner
$2.99: 1 Aussie conditioner
$2.99: 1 Colgate Total Advance toothpaste
$3.50: 1 Crest ProHealth Mouthwash
$3.50: 1 Crest ProHealth Toothpaste

Used $2.00 off Crest Mouthwash coupon
Used $1.50 off Colgate toothpaste coupon
Used $1.00 off Aussie conditioner coupon
Used $10.98 ECB

Put $.20 on gift card

Transaction #46 (Feb. 28)
$4.50: 3 Kind Bars
$5.00: 2 Colgate Total Advance toothpastes
$4.99: 1 Softsoap Serums bodywash
$1.50: 1 Powerbar Gel

Used 2 $1.50 off Colgate total toothpaste
Used $1.00 off Powerbar gels coupon
Used $6.99 ECB
Used $2.00 ECB
Used $2.00 ECB
Used $1.00 ECB

Put $.03 on gift card

Transaction #47 (Feb. 28)
$14.99: 1 Accu-check Aviva blood glucose monitor

Used $5.00 off coupon
Used $9.99 ECB

Broke even - no OOP

Transaction #48 (Mar. 19)
$9.99: 1 24-pack CVS Premium bath tissue

Used $2.00 ECB
Used $3.00 ECB
Used $4.99 ECB

Broke even - no OOP

Total spent so far: $21.61 (transactions 1-10) + $15.91 (transactions 11-20) + $3.35 (transactions 21-30) + $.09 (transactions 31-40) + $.49 + used cash + used cash + $.49 + $.20 + $.03 + $.00 + $.00 - $10 rebate - $7.99 rebate = $24.18

ECB's earned: $9.50 + $2.20 cash (This does not include the ones I cashed in)

Stuff I've Gotten So Far:
1 bottle CVS Chewable Aspirin, 36 count
1 bottle Excedrin, 10 count
3 bottles Mylanta Ultimate Strength Mint
2 Neutrogena facial soaps
2 Stayfree Pads, 16 ct
2 bottles Natural Dentist Mouthwash
1 Extreme Energy Shots
1 Renuzit TriScents Air Freshener Starter Kit
1 Maybelline Dream foundation
1 Irish Spring Body Wash 15-18 oz.
4 Dry Idea roll-on deodorant
1 Colgate Maxwhite toothpaste
1 CVS Vitamin D 400 iu, 100 ct
1 Schick Intuition Plus razor
1 Bayer Contour blood sugar meter
5 Crest ProHealth toothpastes
4 boxes Post Trail Mix cereal
1 Ensure 6 pack
3 packs gum
1 Paas Egg Dyeing Kit
2 bags Easter Grass
2 Easter baskets
1 Skintimate Shaving Cream
1 Edge Infused Shaving Cream
6 3M Hooks
1 Garnier Fructis Conditioner
2 boxes Frosted Mini-wheats
1 box Frosted Flakes
1 Adidas A3 Deodorant
2 Speed Stick Pro deodorants
9 Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste
2 Mennon Speed Stick Pro deodorants
1 Pampers Cruisers packages
34 SoyJoy Bars
4 Thermacare Heat Wraps, 1 ct boxes
2 Always Infinity 32 & 36 ct maxipads
2 Caliber 1-Subject Notebooks
2 12″ Wood Rulers
2 School Glue
2 5″ Pointed Tip Scissors
3 Paper Mate Grip Pens (8-ct.)
2 CVS 5-Subject Notebook
2 Tylenol Arthritis
2 Papermate Pen, 10-ct
2 Pencil packs, 24-count
2 Filler Paper packs, 150 sheets
1 CVS Tampons, 10-ct
2 Composition Books, 100 sheets
1 Pencil Case
1 Cow tale candy
2 Pilot Easytouch Pen, 2 Pk
2 Caliber 100-Page Composition Books
1 Caliber Index Card Case
1 Caliber Sticky Notes
1 Blink Tears eye drops
2 Stayfree Pads (28-48 ct.)
2 Caliber Brand Pens (20-ct.)
2 Caliber pharmacy 1-Subject Notebooks
2 Caliber Compass/Protractors
2 Caliber Flexi Rulers
2 Caliber Glue Stick (3-pk.)
1 CVS Mouthwash, 250 mL
1 Revlon ColorStay Mineral Mouse Makeup
2 Paper Mate Pens, 10 pk
2 Caliber Filler Paper (150-sheets)
2 Caliber Mini Composition Notebook
2 Caliber Recycled School Box
1 Philips Earhook Headphones
2 Caliber Composition Books
1 Carefree Ultra Protection pads
1 Tot Stapler
4 Larabars
1 Glade Scented Reed Diffuser
1 pack Schick Slim Triple ST3 Disposable Razors
1 Crest with Scope Outlast Toothpaste
1 Crest with Scope Outlast Mouthwash
1 Dyna Pep Energy Micro-Shot (2-pk.)
1 Duracell AA (16-pk.)
1 Bounty Basic 6 Big Rolls
1 Dawn (10.3-oz.)
2 Bounce Dryer Bar (1-ct.)
1 32 ounce bottle CVS Brand Apple Juice
1 2-liter bottle Sprite
1 Revlon Nail Polish
2 4-in-1 Pumpkin Carving Tool
1 Halloween Nylon Treat Bag
1 bag Brach’s Candy Corn
1 Boston Globe
1 Boston Herald
1 Nova Max Glucose Meter
1 Gillette Fusion Razor
2 Vaseline Sheer Infusion Body Lotion
1 Degree Ultra Clear for Women deodorant
1 St. Ives Body Wash
1 Bic Soleil Razor
1 Colgate 360 Toothbrush
1 small pack Reese’s PB cups
1 Snickers King-size Bar
1 Schick Quattro Razor
1 Nivea Body Wash
1 Crest Pro-health mouthwash
1 Oral-B Single Manual Toothbrush
2 Hot Wheels Cars
1 Johnson & Johnson Baby Wash pack
1 Nature Valley granola bars 2-pack
3 VO5 shampoos
1 CVS Green Bag Tag
1 Colgate Maxfresh Toothpaste
1 Snickers Heart
2 VO5 conditioner
1 Aussie conditioner
1 Crest ProHealth Mouthwash
3 Kind Bars
1 Softsoap Serums bodywash
1 Powerbar Gel
1 Accu-check Aviva blood glucose monitor
1 24-pack CVS Premium bath tissue

CVS Challenge: $1.54 left!

I did my first transaction of 2010 this past week, and plan on heading out today to get the newspaper, as well as the SoyJoy bars that are free after ECB's. You can find out more about this week's deals here. CVS is also doing a deal until 2/14 where you can get ECB's on multipacks of items (which is what I did in the following transaction); find the details here. There was a display in the front of my store; the sale items were not in the aisles that I expected them to be, so ask an employee if you can't find what you are looking for.

Transaction #41 (Jan. 12)
$4.49: Johnson & Johnson Baby Wash pack
$6.99: Nature Valley granola bars 2-pack

Used $2 ECB, bonus on last quarter's purchases
Used $2 ECB
Used $2 ECB
Used $5 ECB

Put $.49 on a gift card

Total spent so far: $21.61 (transactions 1-10) + $15.91 (transactions 11-20) + $3.35 (transactions 21-30) + $.09 (transactions 31-40) + $.49 - $10 rebate - $7.99 rebate = $23.46

ECB's earned: $9.98 + $5 cash (This does not include the ones I cashed in)

Stuff I've Gotten So Far:
1 bottle CVS Chewable Aspirin, 36 count
1 bottle Excedrin, 10 count
3 bottles Mylanta Ultimate Strength Mint
2 Neutrogena facial soaps
2 Stayfree Pads, 16 ct
2 bottles Natural Dentist Mouthwash
1 Extreme Energy Shots
1 Renuzit TriScents Air Freshener Starter Kit
1 Maybelline Dream foundation
1 Irish Spring Body Wash 15-18 oz.
4 Dry Idea roll-on deodorant
1 Colgate Maxwhite toothpaste
1 CVS Vitamin D 400 iu, 100 ct
1 Schick Intuition Plus razor
1 Bayer Contour blood sugar meter
4 Crest ProHealth toothpastes
4 boxes Post Trail Mix cereal
1 Ensure 6 pack
3 packs gum
1 Paas Egg Dyeing Kit
2 bags Easter Grass
2 Easter baskets
1 Skintimate Shaving Cream
1 Edge Infused Shaving Cream
6 3M Hooks
1 Garnier Fructis Conditioner
2 boxes Frosted Mini-wheats
1 box Frosted Flakes
1 Adidas A3 Deodorant
2 Speed Stick Pro deodorants
6 Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste
2 Mennon Speed Stick Pro deodorants
1 Pampers Cruisers packages
16 SoyJoy Bars
4 Thermacare Heat Wraps, 1 ct boxes
2 Always Infinity 32 & 36 ct maxipads
2 Caliber 1-Subject Notebooks
2 12″ Wood Rulers
2 School Glue
2 5″ Pointed Tip Scissors
3 Paper Mate Grip Pens (8-ct.)
2 CVS 5-Subject Notebook
2 Tylenol Arthritis
2 Papermate Pen, 10-ct
2 Pencil packs, 24-count
2 Filler Paper packs, 150 sheets
1 CVS Tampons, 10-ct
2 Composition Books, 100 sheets
1 Pencil Case
1 Cow tale candy
2 Pilot Easytouch Pen, 2 Pk
2 Caliber 100-Page Composition Books
1 Caliber Index Card Case
1 Caliber Sticky Notes
1 Blink Tears eye drops
2 Stayfree Pads (28-48 ct.)
2 Caliber Brand Pens (20-ct.)
2 Caliber pharmacy 1-Subject Notebooks
2 Caliber Compass/Protractors
2 Caliber Flexi Rulers
2 Caliber Glue Stick (3-pk.)
1 CVS Mouthwash, 250 mL
1 Revlon ColorStay Mineral Mouse Makeup
2 Paper Mate Pens, 10 pk
2 Caliber Filler Paper (150-sheets)
2 Caliber Mini Composition Notebook
2 Caliber Recycled School Box
1 Philips Earhook Headphones
2 Caliber Composition Books
1 Carefree Ultra Protection pads
1 Tot Stapler
3 Larabars
1 Glade Scented Reed Diffuser
1 pack Schick Slim Triple ST3 Disposable Razors
1 Crest with Scope Outlast Toothpaste
1 Crest with Scope Outlast Mouthwash
1 Dyna Pep Energy Micro-Shot (2-pk.)
1 Duracell AA (16-pk.)
1 Bounty Basic 6 Big Rolls
1 Dawn (10.3-oz.)
2 Bounce Dryer Bar (1-ct.)
1 32 ounce bottle CVS Brand Apple Juice
1 2-liter bottle Sprite
1 Revlon Nail Polish
2 4-in-1 Pumpkin Carving Tool
1 Halloween Nylon Treat Bag
1 bag Brach’s Candy Corn
1 Boston Globe
1 Boston Herald
1 Nova Max Glucose Meter
1 Gillette Fusion Razor
2 Vaseline Sheer Infusion Body Lotion
1 Degree Ultra Clear for Women deodorant
1 St. Ives Body Wash
1 Bic Soleil Razor
1 Colgate 360 Toothbrush
1 small pack Reese’s PB cups
1 Snickers King-size Bar
1 Schick Quattro Razor
1 Nivea Body Wash
1 Crest Pro-health mouthwash
1 Oral-B Single Manual Toothbrush
2 Hot Wheels Cars
1 Johnson & Johnson Baby Wash pack
1 Nature Valley granola bars 2-pack

Continuing the $25 CVS Challenge

I've been absent for a while, with very good reason; I had a successful HBAC on November 16th! So we've added another male to our family. So between the dog, my husband, and our 2 sons, there is a lot of testosterone around here :)

I was laying low for quite a while, but I did manage to sneak out to the super-convenient CVS up the street on Thanksgiving and do some money-making deals for my never-ending $25 CVS challenge.

As I was tallying up my numbers today for this post, I realized I made a mathematical error back in July. Oops! I actually have more money left than I thought! Because CVS sometimes makes mistakes on my transactions, sometimes I get refunds. They can't give you back ECB's, so they put that on a money card. If you pay out of pocket, they can give you cash(like they did on Thanksgiving when I forgot to include my $5 off coupon in my transaction - oops!). So I actually have just over $2 left! That's why it's called the never-ending CVS challenge :)

Transaction #38 (Nov. 26)
$4: 1 Degree Ultra Clear for Women deodorant
$7.99: 1 Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotion
$3.99: 1 St. Ives Body Wash
$2.88: 1 Colgate Total toothpaste

Used $1.50 off Colgate Total coupon
Used $1 off St Ives coupon
Used $1 off Vaseline lotion coupon
Used $5 ECB
Used $9.99 ECB
Used $.37 ECB, adjusted down

Broke even - no OOP

Transaction #39 (Nov. 26)
$6.99: 1 Bic Soleil Razor
$2.99: 1 Colgate 360 Toothbrush
$0.89: 1 small pack Reese’s PB cups
$1.59: 1 Snickers King-size Bar
$9.99: 1 Schick Quattro Razor

Used $2 Bic Soleil Razor coupon
Used $1 Colgate Toothbrush coupon
Used $2 Schick Quattro Titanium Razor or Refill coupon
Used $5 off $15 CVS coupon
Used $3 ECB
Used $7.99 ECB
Used $1.46 ECB, adjusted down

Broke even - no OOP

Transaction #40 (Dec. 21)
$5.99: 1 Nivea Body Wash
$2.88: 1 Crest Pro-health Mouthwash
$4.98: 2 ThermaCare Neck to Arm Wrap (1-ct)
$2.99: 1 Oral-B Single Manual Toothbrush
$1.69: 2 Hot Wheels Cars, $1.69 (B1G1)

Used $2/1 Nivea Women’s Body Wash coupon
Used $4 ECB
Used $8 ECB
Used $2 ECB
Used $.89 ECB
Used $1.59 ECB

Put $.05 on a gift card

Total spent so far: $21.61 (transactions 1-10) + $15.91 (transactions 11-20) + $3.35 (transactions 21-30) + $.00 + $.00 + $.04 + $.00 + $.00 + $.00 + $.00 + $.00 + $.00 + $.05 - $10 rebate - $7.99 rebate = $22.97

ECB's earned: $13.98 + $5 cash (This does not include the ones I cashed in)

Stuff I've Gotten So Far:
1 bottle CVS Chewable Aspirin, 36 count
1 bottle Excedrin, 10 count
3 bottles Mylanta Ultimate Strength Mint
2 Neutrogena facial soaps
2 Stayfree Pads, 16 ct
2 bottles Natural Dentist Mouthwash
1 Extreme Energy Shots
1 Renuzit TriScents Air Freshener Starter Kit
1 Maybelline Dream foundation
1 Irish Spring Body Wash 15-18 oz.
4 Dry Idea roll-on deodorant
1 Colgate Maxwhite toothpaste
1 CVS Vitamin D 400 iu, 100 ct
1 Schick Intuition Plus razor
1 Bayer Contour blood sugar meter
4 Crest ProHealth toothpastes
4 boxes Post Trail Mix cereal
1 Ensure 6 pack
3 packs gum
1 Paas Egg Dyeing Kit
2 bags Easter Grass
2 Easter baskets
1 Skintimate Shaving Cream
1 Edge Infused Shaving Cream
6 3M Hooks
1 Garnier Fructis Conditioner
2 boxes Frosted Mini-wheats
1 box Frosted Flakes
1 Adidas A3 Deodorant
2 Speed Stick Pro deodorants
6 Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste
2 Mennon Speed Stick Pro deodorants
1 Pampers Cruisers packages
16 SoyJoy Bars
4 Thermacare Heat Wraps, 1 ct boxes
2 Always Infinity 32 & 36 ct maxipads
2 Caliber 1-Subject Notebooks
2 12″ Wood Rulers
2 School Glue
2 5″ Pointed Tip Scissors
3 Paper Mate Grip Pens (8-ct.)
2 CVS 5-Subject Notebook
2 Tylenol Arthritis
2 Papermate Pen, 10-ct
2 Pencil packs, 24-count
2 Filler Paper packs, 150 sheets
1 CVS Tampons, 10-ct
2 Composition Books, 100 sheets
1 Pencil Case
1 Cow tale candy
2 Pilot Easytouch Pen, 2 Pk
2 Caliber 100-Page Composition Books
1 Caliber Index Card Case
1 Caliber Sticky Notes
1 Blink Tears eye drops
2 Stayfree Pads (28-48 ct.)
2 Caliber Brand Pens (20-ct.)
2 Caliber pharmacy 1-Subject Notebooks
2 Caliber Compass/Protractors
2 Caliber Flexi Rulers
2 Caliber Glue Stick (3-pk.)
1 CVS Mouthwash, 250 mL
1 Revlon ColorStay Mineral Mouse Makeup
2 Paper Mate Pens, 10 pk
2 Caliber Filler Paper (150-sheets)
2 Caliber Mini Composition Notebook
2 Caliber Recycled School Box
1 Philips Earhook Headphones
2 Caliber Composition Books
1 Carefree Ultra Protection pads
1 Tot Stapler
3 Larabars
1 Glade Scented Reed Diffuser
1 pack Schick Slim Triple ST3 Disposable Razors
1 Crest with Scope Outlast Toothpaste
1 Crest with Scope Outlast Mouthwash
1 Dyna Pep Energy Micro-Shot (2-pk.)
1 Duracell AA (16-pk.)
1 Bounty Basic 6 Big Rolls
1 Dawn (10.3-oz.)
2 Bounce Dryer Bar (1-ct.)
1 32 ounce bottle CVS Brand Apple Juice
1 2-liter bottle Sprite
1 Revlon Nail Polish
2 4-in-1 Pumpkin Carving Tool
1 Halloween Nylon Treat Bag
1 bag Brach’s Candy Corn
1 Boston Globe
1 Boston Herald
1 Nova Max Glucose Meter
1 Gillette Fusion Razor
2 Vaseline Sheer Infusion Body Lotion
1 Degree Ultra Clear for Women deodorant
1 St. Ives Body Wash
1 Bic Soleil Razor
1 Colgate 360 Toothbrush
1 small pack Reese’s PB cups
1 Snickers King-size Bar
1 Schick Quattro Razor
1 Nivea Body Wash
1 Crest Pro-health mouthwash
1 Oral-B Single Manual Toothbrush
2 Hot Wheels Cars, $1.69

Update on $25 Personal CVS Challenge

Still pregnant (37 weeks!) and still working on my $25 personal CVS challenge. Here's the update :)

Transaction #34 (October 6)
$2.99: Colgate Total Toothpaste
$3.99: Revlon Nail Polish

Used $1.50 off Colgate Total
Used $.50 ECB
Used $4.98 ECB (adjusted down)
Broke even - no OOP

I had some ECB's I needed to use, so I went ahead and bought my newspapers with them.
Transaction #35 (October 11)
$3.98: 2 4-in-1 Pumpkin Carving Tool
$.99: 1 Halloween Nylon Treat Bag
$.44: 1 bag Brach’s Candy Corn
$3.50: 1 Boston Globe
$2.00: 1 Boston Herald

Used $9.99 ECB
Used $4.99 ECB
Used $3.00 ECB
Used $2.92 ECB (adjusted down)
Broke even - no OOP

I have more transactions that CVS royally messed up because I used a raincheck that had been filled out incorrectly, so I'm going to do my best to make sense of it here.

Transaction #36 (October 27)
$9.99: Nova Max Glucose Meter
$9.99: Gillette Fusion Razor

Used $4.00 off Gillette Fusion Razor coupon
Used $10.00 ECB
Used $3.00 ECB
Used $2.00 ECB
Used $.98 ECB (adjusted down)
Broke even - no OOP

Transaction #37 (October 27)
$4.99: 1 Vaseline Sheer Infusion Body Lotion

Used $1.50 off Vaseline lotion coupon
Used $3.49 ECB (adjusted down)

Broke even - no OOP

Total spent so far: $21.61 (transactions 1-10) + $15.91 (transactions 11-20) + $3.35 (transactions 21-30) + $.00 + $.00 + $.04 + $.00 + $.00 + $.00 + $.00 - $10 rebate - $7.99 rebate = $22.92

ECB's earned: $15.49 (This does not include the ones I cashed in)

I still have my $2.08 left to spend, but I no longer have a profit margin. I'm OK with that because look at all the stuff I've gotten!

1 bottle CVS Chewable Aspirin, 36 count
1 bottle Excedrin, 10 count
3 bottles Mylanta Ultimate Strength Mint
2 Neutrogena facial soaps
2 Stayfree Pads, 16 ct
2 bottles Natural Dentist Mouthwash
1 Extreme Energy Shots
1 Renuzit TriScents Air Freshener Starter Kit
1 Maybelline Dream foundation
1 Irish Spring Body Wash 15-18 oz.
4 Dry Idea roll-on deodorant
1 Colgate Maxwhite toothpaste
1 CVS Vitamin D 400 iu, 100 ct
1 Schick Intuition Plus razor
1 Bayer Contour blood sugar meter
4 Crest ProHealth toothpastes
4 boxes Post Trail Mix cereal
1 Ensure 6 pack
3 packs gum
1 Paas Egg Dyeing Kit
2 bags Easter Grass
2 Easter baskets
1 Skintimate Shaving Cream
1 Edge Infused Shaving Cream
6 3M Hooks
1 Garnier Fructis Conditioner
2 boxes Frosted Mini-wheats
1 box Frosted Flakes
1 Adidas A3 Deodorant
2 Speed Stick Pro deodorants
5 Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste
2 Mennon Speed Stick Pro deodorants
1 Pampers Cruisers packages
16 SoyJoy Bars
2 Thermacare Heat Wraps, 1 ct boxes
2 Always Infinity 32 & 36 ct maxipads
2 Caliber 1-Subject Notebooks
2 12″ Wood Rulers
2 School Glue
2 5″ Pointed Tip Scissors
3 Paper Mate Grip Pens (8-ct.)
2 CVS 5-Subject Notebook
2 Tylenol Arthritis
2 Papermate Pen, 10-ct
2 Pencil packs, 24-count
2 Filler Paper packs, 150 sheets
1 CVS Tampons, 10-ct
2 Composition Books, 100 sheets
1 Pencil Case
1 Cow tale candy
2 Pilot Easytouch Pen, 2 Pk
2 Caliber 100-Page Composition Books
1 Caliber Index Card Case
1 Caliber Sticky Notes
1 Blink Tears eye drops
2 Stayfree Pads (28-48 ct.)
2 Caliber Brand Pens (20-ct.)
2 Caliber pharmacy 1-Subject Notebooks
2 Caliber Compass/Protractors
2 Caliber Flexi Rulers
2 Caliber Glue Stick (3-pk.)
1 CVS Mouthwash, 250 mL
1 Revlon ColorStay Mineral Mouse Makeup
2 Paper Mate Pens, 10 pk
2 Caliber Filler Paper (150-sheets)
2 Caliber Mini Composition Notebook
2 Caliber Recycled School Box
1 Philips Earhook Headphones
2 Caliber Composition Books
1 Carefree Ultra Protection pads
1 Tot Stapler
3 Larabars
1 Glade Scented Reed Diffuser
1 pack Schick Slim Triple ST3 Disposable Razors
1 Crest with Scope Outlast Toothpaste
1 Crest with Scope Outlast Mouthwash
1 Dyna Pep Energy Micro-Shot (2-pk.)
1 Duracell AA (16-pk.)
1 Bounty Basic 6 Big Rolls
1 Dawn (10.3-oz.)
2 Bounce Dryer Bar (1-ct.)
1 32 ounce bottle CVS Brand Apple Juice
1 2-liter bottle Sprite
1 Revlon Nail Polish
2 4-in-1 Pumpkin Carving Tool
1 Halloween Nylon Treat Bag
1 bag Brach’s Candy Corn
1 Boston Globe
1 Boston Herald
1 Nova Max Glucose Meter
1 Gillette Fusion Razor
1 Vaseline Sheer Infusion Body Lotion

Close to Wrapping Up My CVS Challenge

I only have $2.08 left to spend in my $25 personal CVS challenge! In aniticipation of wrapping this up, I've actually been letting the CVS cashiers adjust my ECB's down. I've only lost pennies here & there, but I'm trying to maximize the ECB's I do have. Because of this, my profit margin has decreased. Plus, my transaction today cost $3.80 (the balance when figuring in coupons & ECB's spent versus earned), but it was stuff I needed for after the new baby comes.

In other great news, a brand new CVS opened just a few blocks from my house!! They sent out some coupons, which I used in Transaction #33 below. It's quite large and has a different set-up than I'm used to, but I couldn't be more excited!

That said, here's what I've been up to:

Transaction #28 (September 11)
$6.99: Schick Slim Triple ST3 Disposable Razors
$6.98: 1 Crest with Scope Outlast Toothpaste, and 1 Crest with Scope Outlast Mouthwash

Used $3/1 Schick Disposable Razor
Used $1.98 ECB
Used $3.98 ECB
Used $3.98 ECB
Used $6.99 ECB
Put $.04 on a gift card

Transaction #29 (September 14)
$4.99: 1 Dyna Pep Energy Micro-Shot (2-pk.)
$2.99: 1 Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste

Used $1.50 off Colgate coupon
Used $1.98 ECB
Used $3.79 ECB
Put $.75 on a gift card

Transaction #30 (September 21)
$5.98: 2 Dry Idea roll-ons

Used 2 $2.00 off Dry Idea roll-on coupon
Used $1.98 ECB
Broke even - no OOP

Transaction #31 (September 21)
$2.99: 1 Dry Idea roll-on

Used $.99 ECB
Used $2.00 ECB
Broke even - no OOP

Transaction #32 (September 29)
$10: 1 Duracell AA (16-pk.)
$6: 1 Bounty Basic 6 Big Rolls
$1: 1 Dawn (10.3-oz.)
$8: 2 Bounce Dryer Bar (1-ct.)

Used $1.00 off Duracell multi-pack coupon
Used $1.00 off Bounce multi-pack coupon
Used $.20 off Dawn coupon
Used $1.50 off Bounce Dryer Bar coupon
Used $2.50 off Bounce Dryer Bar coupon
Used $5/$20 coupon (for giving CVS my e-mail address)
Used $1.00 ECB
Used $1.81 ECB
Used $6.99 ECB
Used $4.00 ECB
Broke even - no OOP

Transaction #33 (September 29)
$2.99: CVS Brand Apple Juice
$1.99: 1 2-liter bottle Sprite
$.05: bottle deposit

Used $1.99 off Srpite
Used $3 off any CVS product

Put $.04 on gift card

Total spent so far: $21.61 (transactions 1-10) + $15.91 (transactions 11-20) + $.07 + $.66 + $.00 + $.06 + $.00 + $.92 + $.85 + $.04 + $.75 + $.00 + $.00 + $.00 + $.04 - $10 rebate - $7.99 rebate = $22.92

ECB's earned: $25.99 (This does not include the ones I cashed in)

Profit: $2.23 (minus 2 42 cent stamps)

Stuff I've gotten:
1 bottle CVS Chewable Aspirin, 36 count
1 bottle Excedrin, 10 count
3 bottles Mylanta Ultimate Strength Mint
2 Neutrogena facial soaps
2 Stayfree Pads, 16 ct
2 bottles Natural Dentist Mouthwash
1 Extreme Energy Shots
1 Renuzit TriScents Air Freshener Starter Kit
1 Maybelline Dream foundation
1 Irish Spring Body Wash 15-18 oz.
4 Dry Idea roll-on deodorant
1 Colgate Maxwhite toothpaste
1 CVS Vitamin D 400 iu, 100 ct
1 Schick Intuition Plus razor
1 Bayer Contour blood sugar meter
4 Crest ProHealth toothpastes
4 boxes Post Trail Mix cereal
1 Ensure 6 pack
3 packs gum
1 Paas Egg Dyeing Kit
2 bags Easter Grass
2 Easter baskets
1 Skintimate Shaving Cream
1 Edge Infused Shaving Cream
6 3M Hooks
1 Garnier Fructis Conditioner
2 boxes Frosted Mini-wheats
1 box Frosted Flakes
1 Adidas A3 Deodorant
2 Speed Stick Pro deodorants
4 Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste
2 Mennon Speed Stick Pro deodorants
1 Pampers Cruisers packages
16 SoyJoy Bars
2 Thermacare Heat Wraps, 1 ct boxes
2 Always Infinity 32 & 36 ct maxipads
2 Caliber 1-Subject Notebooks
2 12″ Wood Rulers
2 School Glue
2 5″ Pointed Tip Scissors
3 Paper Mate Grip Pens (8-ct.)
2 CVS 5-Subject Notebook
2 Tylenol Arthritis
2 Papermate Pen, 10-ct
2 Pencil packs, 24-count
2 Filler Paper packs, 150 sheets
1 CVS Tampons, 10-ct
2 Composition Books, 100 sheets
1 Pencil Case
1 Cow tale candy
2 Pilot Easytouch Pen, 2 Pk
2 Caliber 100-Page Composition Books
1 Caliber Index Card Case
1 Caliber Sticky Notes
1 Blink Tears eye drops
2 Stayfree Pads (28-48 ct.)
2 Caliber Brand Pens (20-ct.)
2 Caliber pharmacy 1-Subject Notebooks
2 Caliber Compass/Protractors
2 Caliber Flexi Rulers
2 Caliber Glue Stick (3-pk.)
1 CVS Mouthwash, 250 mL
1 Revlon ColorStay Mineral Mouse Makeup
2 Paper Mate Pens, 10 pk
2 Caliber Filler Paper (150-sheets)
2 Caliber Mini Composition Notebook
2 Caliber Recycled School Box
1 Philips Earhook Headphones
2 Caliber Composition Books
1 Carefree Ultra Protection pads
1 Tot Stapler
3 Larabars
1 Glade Scented Reed Diffuser
1 pack Schick Slim Triple ST3 Disposable Razors
1 Crest with Scope Outlast Toothpaste
1 Crest with Scope Outlast Mouthwash
1 Dyna Pep Energy Micro-Shot (2-pk.)
1 Duracell AA (16-pk.)
1 Bounty Basic 6 Big Rolls
1 Dawn (10.3-oz.)
2 Bounce Dryer Bar (1-ct.)
1 32 ounce bottle CVS Brand Apple Juice
1 2-liter bottle Sprite

More CVS: $25 Personal CVS Challenge

I am close to coming to the end of my $25 CVS challenge! It's been over 7 months, and I've acquired a whole lot of stuff: 142 items so far! I've spent $22.09, leaving me $2.91 to spend in addition to the $32.67 in ECB's I have.

Here are my last few transactions:

Transaction #21 (July 27)
$.13: 1 Cow tale candy
$1.98: 2 Pilot Easytouch Pen, 2 Pk
$1.98: 2 Caliber 100-Page Composition Books
$.99: 1 Caliber Index Card Case
$.99: 1 Caliber Sticky Notes

Used $6.00 ECB
Put $.07 on a gift card

Transaction #22 (August 2)
$7.99: 1 Blink Tears eye drops
$10.00: 2 Stayfree Pads (28-48 ct.)

Used BOGO free Stayfree
Used $1.50 off Blink Tears eye drops

Used $.99, $4.00 & $5.98 ECB's
Put $.66 on a gift card

Transaction #23 (August 2)
$1.98: 2 Caliber Brand Pens (20-ct.)
$1.98: 2 Caliber pharmacy 1-Subject Notebooks
$3.00: 2 Caliber Compass/Protractors
$1.98: 2 Caliber Flexi Rulers
$1.98: 2 Caliber Glue Stick (3-pk.)
$2.59: 1 CVS Mouthwash, 250 mL

Used $1.98, $4.96, & $3.98 ECB's
Broke even - no OOP

Transaction #24 (August 11)
$9.99: 1 Revlon ColorStay Mineral Mouse Makeup

Used $1.98, $1.98, $1.98, $2.00, & $.99 ECB's
Used $1 off Revlon coupon
Put $.06 on a gift card

Transaction #25 (August 16)
$1.98: 2 Paper Mate Pens, 10 pk
$1.98: 2 Caliber Filler Paper (150-sheets)
$3.98: 2 Caliber Mini Composition Notebook
$3.98: 2 Caliber Recycled School Box
$6.99: 1 Philips Earhook Headphones

Used $.93, $7.99 & $9.99 ECB's
Broke even - no OOP

Transaction #26 (August 24)
$1.98: 2 Caliber Composition Books
$3.79: 1 Carefree Ultra Protection pads
$.99: 1 Tot Stapler

Used $1.89 & $3.00 ECB's
Used $1 off Carefree coupon
Put $.92 on a gift card

Transaction #27 (August 31)
$3.75: 3 Larabars
$6.99: 1 Glade Scented Reed Diffuser

Used 4 $1.98 ECB's
Used $2 off Glade Reed Diffuser coupon
Put $.85 on a gift card

Total spent so far: $21.61 (transactions 1-10) + $15.91 (transactions 11-20) + $.07 + $.66 + $.00 + $.06 + $.00 + $.92 + $.85 - $10 rebate - $7.99 rebate = $22.09

ECB's earned: $32.67 (This does not include the ones I cashed in)

Profit: $9.74 (minus 2 42 cent stamps)

Stuff I've gotten:
1 bottle CVS Chewable Aspirin, 36 count
1 bottle Excedrin, 10 count
3 bottle Mylanta Ultimate Strength Mint
2 Neutrogena facial soaps
2 Stayfree Pads, 16 ct
2 Natural Dentist Mouthwash
1 Extreme Energy Shots
1 Renuzit TriScents Air Freshener Starter Kit
1 Maybelline Dream foundation
1 Irish Spring Body Wash 15-18 oz.
1 Dry Idea roll-on deodorant
1 Colgate Maxwhite toothpaste
1 CVS Vitamin D 400 iu, 100 ct
1 Schick Intuition Plus razor
1 Bayer Contour blood sugar meter
4 Crest ProHealth toothpastes
4 boxes Post Trail Mix cereal
1 Ensure 6 pack
3 packs gum
1 Paas Egg Dyeing Kit
2 bags Easter Grass
2 Easter baskets
1 Skintimate Shaving Cream
1 Edge Infused Shaving Cream
6 3M Hooks
1 Garnier Fructis Conditioner
2 boxes Frosted Mini-wheats
1 box Frosted Flakes
1 Adidas A3 Deodorant
2 Speed Stick Pro deodorants
2 Colgate Total toothpaste
2 Mennon Speed Stick Pro deodorants
1 Pampers Cruisers packages
16 SoyJoy Bars
2 Thermacare Heat Wraps, 1 ct boxes
2 Always Infinity 32 & 36 ct maxipads
2 Caliber 1-Subject Notebooks
2 12″ Wood Rulers
2 School Glue
2 5″ Pointed Tip Scissors
3 Paper Mate Grip Pens (8-ct.)
2 CVS 5-Subject Notebook
2 Tylenol Arthritis
2 Papermate Pen, 10-ct
2 Pencil packs, 24-count
2 Filler Paper packs, 150 sheets
1 CVS Tampons,, 10-ct
2 Composition Books, 100 sheets
1 Pencil Case
1 Colgate Total toothpaste
1 Cow tale candy
2 Pilot Easytouch Pen, 2 Pk
2 Caliber 100-Page Composition Books
1 Caliber Index Card Case
1 Caliber Sticky Notes
1 Blink Tears eye drops
2 Stayfree Pads (28-48 ct.)
2 Caliber Brand Pens (20-ct.)
2 Caliber pharmacy 1-Subject Notebooks
2 Caliber Compass/Protractors
2 Caliber Flexi Rulers
2 Caliber Glue Stick (3-pk.)
1 CVS Mouthwash, 250 mL
1 Revlon ColorStay Mineral Mouse Makeup
2 Paper Mate Pens, 10 pk
2 Caliber Filler Paper (150-sheets)
2 Caliber Mini Composition Notebook
2 Caliber Recycled School Box
1 Philips Earhook Headphones
2 Caliber Composition Books
1 Carefree Ultra Protection pads
1 Tot Stapler
3 Larabars
1 Glade Scented Reed Diffuser

Four More CVS Transactions

I've done 4 more transactions for my personal CVS challenge based on all the school supply sales of the past 3 weeks.

Transaction #17 (July 19)
$1.98: 2 Papermate Pen, 10-ct
$1.98: 2 memo books

Used 2 $1.98 ECB's - broke even

Transaction #18 (July 20)
$3.98: 2 Pencil packs, 24-count

Used 2 $1.98 ECB's

Put $.02 on a gift card

Transaction #19 (July 20)
$4.00: 2 Filler Paper packs, 150 sheets

Used $1.00 ECB
Used $2.97 ECB

Put $.03 on a gift card

Transaction #20 (July 26)
$1.89: 1 CVS Tampons,, 10-ct
$1.98: 2 Composition Books, 100 sheets
$0.99: 1 Pencil Case
$2.88: 1 Colgate Total toothpaste

Used $1.50 off Colgate coupon
Used $6.00 ECB

Put $.25 on gift card

Total spent so far: $21.61 (transactions 1-10) + $.97 + $1.78 + $2.59 + $0 + $4.11 + $6.16 + $0.00 + $.02 + $.03 + $.25 - $10 rebate - $7.99 rebate = $19.53

ECB's earned: $28.80 (This does not include the ones I cashed in)

Profit: $8.43 (minus 2 42 cent stamps)

Stuff I've gotten:
1 bottle CVS Chewable Aspirin, 36 count
1 bottle Excedrin, 10 count
3 bottle Mylanta Ultimate Strength Mint
2 Neutrogena facial soaps
2 Stayfree Pads, 16 ct
2 Natural Dentist Mouthwash
1 Extreme Energy Shots
1 Renuzit TriScents Air Freshener Starter Kit
1 Maybelline Dream foundation
1 Irish Spring Body Wash 15-18 oz.
1 Dry Idea roll-on deodorant
1 Colgate Maxwhite toothpaste
1 CVS Vitamin D 400 iu, 100 ct
1 Schick Intuition Plus razor
1 Bayer Contour blood sugar meter
4 Crest ProHealth toothpastes
4 boxes Post Trail Mix cereal
1 Ensure 6 pack
3 packs gum
1 Paas Egg Dyeing Kit
2 bags Easter Grass
2 Easter baskets
1 Skintimate Shaving Cream
1 Edge Infused Shaving Cream
6 3M Hooks
1 Garnier Fructis Conditioner
2 boxes Frosted Mini-wheats
1 box Frosted Flakes
1 Adidas A3 Deodorant
2 Speed Stick Pro deodorants
2 Colgate Total toothpaste
2 Mennon Speed Stick Pro deodorants
1 Pampers Cruisers packages
16 SoyJoy Bars
2 Thermacare Heat Wraps, 1 ct boxes
2 Always Infinity 32 & 36 ct maxipads
2 Caliber 1-Subject Notebooks
2 12″ Wood Rulers
2 School Glue
2 5″ Pointed Tip Scissors
3 Paper Mate Grip Pens (8-ct.)
2 CVS 5-Subject Notebook
2 Tylenol Arthritis
2 Papermate Pen, 10-ct
2 Pencil packs, 24-count
2 Filler Paper packs, 150 sheets
1 CVS Tampons,, 10-ct
2 Composition Books, 100 sheets
1 Pencil Case
1 Colgate Total toothpaste

Today's CVS Challenge Purchases

The CVS school supply sale that I took advantage of today is great! I was a bit concerned after my last transaction because I walked away with a $16 ECB & a $4.98 ECB. Big ECB's can be hard to spend! But I got my money's worth today, and ended up with much smaller ECB's - and a lot of them!

Transactions #16 (July 12)
$1.98: 2 Caliber 1-Subject Notebooks
$1.98: 2 12″ Wood Rulers
$1.98: 2 School Glue
$5.98: 2 5″ Pointed Tip Scissors
$2.98: 3 Paper Mate Grip Pens (8-ct.)
$7.98: 2 CVS 5-Subject Notebook
$7.98: 2 Tylenol Arthritis (20-24 ct.) with coupons, MONEY MAKER!

Used $4.98 ECB
Used $16.00 ECB
Used 2 $2.00 off Tylenol coupons from 5-17-09 Red Plum circular

Put $6.16 on gift card

Total spent so far: $21.61 (transactions 1-10) + $.97 + $1.78 + $2.59 + $0 + $4.11 + $6.16 - $10 rebate - $7.99 rebate = $19.23

ECB's earned: $26.98 (This does not include the ones I cashed in)

Profit: $6.91 (minus 2 42 cent stamps)

Stuff I've gotten:
1 bottle CVS Chewable Aspirin, 36 count
1 bottle Excedrin, 10 count
3 bottle Mylanta Ultimate Strength Mint
2 Neutrogena facial soaps
2 Stayfree Pads, 16 ct
2 Natural Dentist Mouthwash
1 Extreme Energy Shots
1 Renuzit TriScents Air Freshener Starter Kit
1 Maybelline Dream foundation
1 Irish Spring Body Wash 15-18 oz.
1 Dry Idea roll-on deodorant
1 Colgate Maxwhite toothpaste
1 CVS Vitamin D 400 iu, 100 ct
1 Schick Intuition Plus razor
1 Bayer Contour blood sugar meter
4 Crest ProHealth toothpastes
4 boxes Post Trail Mix cereal
1 Ensure 6 pack3 packs gum
1 Paas Egg Dyeing Kit
2 bags Easter Grass
2 Easter baskets
1 Skintimate Shaving Cream
1 Edge Infused Shaving Cream
6 3M Hooks
1 Garnier Fructis Conditioner
2 boxes Frosted Mini-wheats
1 box Frosted Flakes
1 Adidas A3 Deodorant
2 Speed Stick Pro deodorants
2 Colgate Total toothpaste
2 Mennon Speed Stick Pro deodorants
1 Pampers Cruisers packages
16 SoyJoy Bars
2 Thermacare Heat Wraps, 1 ct boxes
2 Always Infinity 32 & 36 ct maxipads
2 Caliber 1-Subject Notebooks
2 12″ Wood Rulers
2 School Glue
2 5″ Pointed Tip Scissors
3 Paper Mate Grip Pens (8-ct.)
2 CVS 5-Subject Notebook
2 Tylenol Arthritis

CVS Challenge, Continued

Here are a few more CVS transactions. I have about $12 left to spend.

Transaction #14 (June 8)
$8.99: 1 Pampers Cruisers packages

Used $1.00 off Pampers coupon (adjusted down to 99 cents)
Used $3.00 ECB
Used $5.00 ECB

Balance was $.00.

Transaction #15 (June 27)
$16.00: 16 SoyJoy Bars
$4.98: 2 Thermacare Heat Wraps, 1 ct boxes
$9.98: 2 Always Infinity 32 & 36 ct maxipads

Used 2 $4 off Always Coupon
Used 2 B1G1 SoyJoy bars coupon
Used $2 off 10 SoyJoy bars

Used $7.98 ECB
Used $2.00 ECB
Used $5.00 ECB

Put $4.11 on a gift card

Total spent so far: $21.61 (transactions 1-10) + $.97 + $1.78 + $2.59 + $0 + $4.11 - $10 rebate - $7.99 rebate = $13.07

ECB's earned: $20.98 (This does not include the ones I cashed in)

Profit: $7.07 (minus 2 42 cent stamps)

Stuff I've gotten:
1 bottle CVS Chewable Aspirin, 36 count
1 bottle Excedrin, 10 count
3 bottle Mylanta Ultimate Strength Mint
2 Neutrogena facial soaps
2 Stayfree Pads, 16 ct
2 Natural Dentist Mouthwash
1 Extreme Energy Shots
1 Renuzit TriScents Air Freshener Starter Kit
1 Maybelline Dream foundation
1 Irish Spring Body Wash 15-18 oz.
1 Dry Idea roll-on deodorant
1 Colgate Maxwhite toothpaste
1 CVS Vitamin D 400 iu, 100 ct
1 Schick Intuition Plus razor
1 Bayer Contour blood sugar meter
4 Crest ProHealth toothpastes
4 boxes Post Trail Mix cereal
1 Ensure 6 pack
3 packs gum
1 Paas Egg Dyeing Kit
2 bags Easter Grass
2 Easter baskets
1 Skintimate Shaving Cream
1 Edge Infused Shaving Cream
6 3M Hooks
1 Garnier Fructis Conditioner
2 boxes Frosted Mini-wheats
1 box Frosted Flakes
1 Adidas A3 Deodorant
2 Speed Stick Pro deodorants
2 Colgate Total toothpaste
2 Mennon Speed Stick Pro deodorants
1 Pampers Cruisers packages
16 SoyJoy Bars
2 Thermacare Heat Wraps, 1 ct boxes
2 Always Infinity 32 & 36 ct maxipads

CVS Personal Challenge Update

My goodness! Every time I go to CVS lately, they are out of everything I want. I went Monday & found nothing. I went again today, just praying they restocked because I had 2 expiring ECB's - and I found most of what I wanted. So I was thankful for that.

Because of the CVS drought and my life being busy, I let 2 ECB'sexpire at the beginning of May :( But my experiment proves you can bea CVS slacker and still score lots of nearly free stuff!

Transaction #12 (from May 9)
$6.67: 2 boxes Frosted Mini-wheats
$3.34: 1 box Frosted Flakes
$3.99: 1 Adidas A3 Deodorant

Used $1 off Adidas Coupon
Used B1G1 Frosted Mini-wheats coupon in Vocalpoint mailer
Used $2.89 ECB
Used $4.00 ECB
Used $1.00 ECB

Put $1.78 on a gift card

Transaction #13
$7.98: 2 Speed Stick Pro deodorants
$2.99: 1 Colgate Total toothpaste

Used $1.50 off Colgate coupon (internet coupon from a while ago)
Used $2.00 ECB
Used $5.00 ECB

Put $2.59 on a gift card

Total spent so far: $21.61 (transactions 1-10) + $.97 + $1.78 + $2.59 - $10 rebate - $7.99 rebate = $8.96

ECB's earned: $17.98 (This does not include the ones I cashed in)

Profit: $8.18 (minus 2 42 cent stamps)

Stuff I've gotten:
1 bottle CVS Chewable Aspirin, 36 count
1 bottle Excedrin, 10 count
3 bottle Mylanta Ultimate Strength Mint
2 Neutrogena facial soaps
2 Stayfree Pads, 16 ct
2 Natural Dentist Mouthwash
1 Extreme Energy Shots
1 Renuzit TriScents Air Freshener Starter Kit
1 Maybelline Dream foundation
1 Irish Spring Body Wash 15-18 oz.
1 Dry Idea roll-on deodorant
1 Colgate Maxwhite toothpaste
1 CVS Vitamin D 400 iu, 100 ct
1 Schick Intuition Plus razor
1 Bayer Contour blood sugar meter
4 Crest ProHealth toothpastes
4 boxes Post Trail Mix cereal
1 Ensure 6 pack
3 packs gum
1 Paas Egg Dyeing Kit
2 bags Easter Grass
2 Easter baskets
1 Skintimate Shaving Cream
1 Edge Infused Shaving Cream
6 3M Hooks
1 Garnier Fructis Conditioner
2 boxes Frosted Mini-wheats
1 box Frosted Flakes
1 Adidas A3 Deodorant
2 Speed Stick Pro deodorants
1 Colgate Total toothpaste

CVS & Another $500 Gift Card

Hello, friends! I've been busy. I have 1 CVS transaction that I still need to post toward my CVS challenge. I went again earlier this week, but they didn't have anything I wanted. Bummer!

The big news is that I started another deal for a $500 gift card last night. This one is for a gift card to IKEA! Sometimes the company opts to send you a check or a general Visa card, but since I used the same company that sent me the $500 Sears card, I imagine I will get the IKEA card.

I'll be documenting this journey as well for those of you who are considering doing one of these deals. Stay tuned!

CVS Transaction #11

I did another CVS transaction this week, counting toward my personal $25 CVS challenge.

Transaction #11
$15.00: 6 3M Hooks
$2.99: Garnier Fructis Conditioner

Used $1 off Fructis Coupon (from tearpad, but they're also in 1/4 insert)
Used 5 $2.50 off 3M Metal hooks printable coupons
Used $1.99 ECB
Used $1.58 ECB
Used $1.00 ECB (my "cash back" from last quarter)

Put $.97 on a gift card

Earned $7.00 in ECB's

Total spent so far (I changed the format of this so it's more clear): $21.61 (transactions 1-10) + $.97 = $22.58
ECB's earned: $21.36 (This does not include the ones I cashed in)
Profit: $16.77 (includes $10 rebate & $7.99 rebate, minus 2 42 cent stamps)

Stuff I've gotten:
1 bottle CVS Chewable Aspirin, 36 count
1 bottle Excedrin, 10 count
3 bottle Mylanta Ultimate Strength Mint
2 Neutrogena facial soaps
2 Stayfree Pads, 16 ct
2 Natural Dentist Mouthwash
1 Extreme Energy Shots
1 Renuzit TriScents Air Freshener Starter Kit
1 Maybelline Dream foundation
1 Irish Spring Body Wash 15-18 oz.
1 Dry Idea roll-on deodorant
1 Colgate Maxwhite toothpaste
1 CVS Vitamin D 400 iu, 100 ct
1 Schick Intuition Plus razor
1 Bayer Contour blood sugar meter
4 Crest ProHealth toothpastes
4 boxes Post Trail Mix cereal
1 Ensure 6 pack
3 packs gum
1 Paas Egg Dyeing Kit
2 bags Easter Grass
2 Easter baskets
1 Skintimate Shaving Cream
1 Edge Infused Shaving Cream
6 3M Hooks
1 Garnier Fructis Conditioner

CVS Challenge, More Transactions

I'm still here! My son has been sick for over 2 weeks, and that certainly put a damper on my shopping. I also haven't gotten any of my rebate checks in the mail yet, so my balance is running low and I'm only trying to snag the best deals. But I have 2 old transactions to post, plus one I did yesterday. I'll update the totals at the end of all 3 transactions.

So here goes:
Transactions #8 (of my CVS challenge)
$1.99: Paas Egg Dyeing Kit

Used $2 ECB

OOP after tax & ECB's: $0
ECB's earned this transaction: $1.99

Transactions #9
$1.58: 2 bags Easter Grass
$3.98: 2 Easter baskets
$3.49: Skintimate Shaving Cream

Used $3.49 ECB
Used $5.00 ECB

OOP after tax & ECB's: $.59
ECB's earned this transaction: $9.05

Transactions #10
$5.76: 2 Crest Pro-health Toothpastes
$2.89: 1 Edge Infused Shaving Cream

Used 2 $1 off Crest Coupons (3/15 or 4/5 P&G insert)
Used $3.49 ECB
Used $3.00 ECB

OOP after tax & ECB's: $.17
ECB's earned this transaction: $8.65

Total spent so far: $4.28 + $3.41 + $8.67 + $1.05 + $1.01 + $.27 + $2.16 +$0 + $.59 +$.17 = $21.61
ECB's earned: $17.93 (This does not include the ones I cashed in)
Profit: $13.47 (includes $10 rebate & $7.99 rebate, minus 2 42 cent stamps)

Stuff I got:
1 bottle CVS Chewable Aspirin, 36 count
1 bottle Excedrin, 10 count
3 bottle Mylanta Ultimate Strength Mint
2 Neutrogena facial soaps
2 Stayfree Pads, 16 ct
2 Natural Dentist Mouthwash
1 Extreme Energy Shots
1 Renuzit TriScents Air Freshener Starter Kit
1 Maybelline Dream foundation
1 Irish Spring Body Wash 15-18 oz.
1 Dry Idea roll-on deodorant
1 Colgate Maxwhite toothpaste
1 CVS Vitamin D 400 iu, 100 ct
1 Schick Intuition Plus razor
1 Bayer Contour blood sugar meter
4 Crest ProHealth toothpastes
4 boxes Post Trail Mix cereal
1 Ensure 6 pack
3 packs gum
1 Paas Egg Dyeing Kit
2 bags Easter Grass
2 Easter baskets
1 Skintimate Shaving Cream
1 Edge Infused Shaving Cream

More CVS

Good news! The free Crest toothpaste deal for this week appears to have a limit of 2, not 1! I bought one earlier in the week, and it didn't say "Limit Reached" on my receipt. So I got another one today, and received another ECB! Now it says "Limit Reached", so the limit seems to be 2.

Transaction #7
$3.49: Crest ProHealth Enamel Care toothpaste
$4.79: Post Trail Mix cereal, 2 boxes (buy one, get one free)
$12.87: St. Ives Facial Scrub, 3 tubes
$2.38: Doublemint gum, 2 slimpacks
$1.19: Wrigley's Spearmint, 1 slimpack

Used $1 off Crest coupon from 3/1 P&G insert
Used 3 $1 off St. Ives Facial Scrub from 3/8 SS insert
Used $2 off Post Trail Mix cereal printable
Used 3 Free slimpack gum coupons from 3/15 SS insert

Used $5 off $15 CVS coupon
Used $5 ECB
Used $2.99 ECB

Total OOP after tax & ECB's: $2.16

ECB's earned this transaction: $8.49

Total spent so far: $4.28 + $3.41 + $8.67 + $1.05 + $1.01 + $.27 + $2.16 = $20.85
ECB's earned: $16.98 (This does not include the ones I cashed in)

Profit: $13.28 (includes $10 rebate & $7.99 rebate, minus 2 42 cent stamps)

Stuff I got:1 bottle CVS Chewable Aspirin, 36 count
1 bottle Excedrin, 10 count
3 bottle Mylanta Ultimate Strength Mint
2 Neutrogena facial soaps
2 Stayfree Pads, 16 ct
2 Natural Dentist Mouthwash
Extreme Energy Shots
1 Renuzit TriScents Air Freshener Starter Kit
1 Maybelline Dream foundation
1 Irish Spring Body Wash 15-18 oz.
1 Dry Idea roll-on deodorant
1 Colgate Maxwhite toothpaste
1 CVS Vitamin D 400 iu, 100 ct
1 Schick Intuition Plus razor
1 Bayer Contour blood sugar meter
2 Crest ProHealth Enamel Care toothpaste
4 boxes Post Trail Mix cereal
1 Ensure 6 pack
3 packs gum

Hopefully, my $10 rebate will come soon! Otherwise, I might use up the money on my gift card.

CVS Challenge Continued

I went to CVS on Tuesday to pick up the free Crest toothpaste, only to discover that I had $12 in ECB's, ready to expire the next day.

Oh, no! ECB emergency!

So I went home to gather my thoughts & figure out the best way to spend those ECB's. So here's Transaction #6 from yesterday:
$8.99: Schick Intuition Plus razor
$14.99: Bayer Contour blood sugar meter
$3.49: Crest ProHealth Enamel Care toothpaste
$4.79: Post Trail Mix cereal, 2 boxes (buy one, get one free)
$7.99: Ensure 6 pack

Used $4 off Schick razor coupon from 3/22 Smart Source insert
Used $3 off Ensure coupon printable
Used $1 off Crest coupon from 3/15 P&G insert
Used $2 off Post Trail Mix cereal printable
Used up to $30 off Bayer Contour Meter from 10/26 RP, 2/01 RP or 3/22 SS insert ($14.99 in this case)
Used $4 ECB
Used $8 ECB
Used $2.99 ECB

Total OOP after tax & ECB's: $.27

ECB's earned this transaction: $6.49
Will also get $7.99 rebate for Ensure

Total spent so far: $4.28 + $3.41 + $8.67 + $1.05 + $1.01 + $.27 = $18.69
ECB's earned: $16.48 (This does not include the ones I cashed in)
Profit: $14.94 (includes $10 rebate & $7.99 rebate, minus 2 42 cent stamps)

Stuff I got:
1 bottle CVS Chewable Aspirin, 36 count
1 bottle Excedrin, 10 count
3 bottle Mylanta Ultimate Strength Mint
2 Neutrogena facial soaps2 Stayfree Pads, 16 ct
2 Natural Dentist MouthwashExtreme Energy Shots
1 Renuzit TriScents Air Freshener Starter Kit
1 Maybelline Dream foundation
1 Irish Spring Body Wash 15-18 oz.
1 Dry Idea roll-on deodorant
1 Colgate Maxwhite toothpaste
1 CVS Vitamin D 400 iu, 100 ct
1 Schick Intuition Plus razor
1 Bayer Contour blood sugar meter
1 Crest ProHealth Enamel Care toothpaste
2 boxes Post Trail Mix cereal
1 Ensure 6 pack

I also got a $5 off $15 coupon that expires on Saturday. I may take advantage of the St. Ives deal and buy some more cereal!

CVS & Walgreens Runs

Today, I hit Walgreens for a few deals and to cash in one of my register rewards from the Huggies deal last week.

I also went to CVS to continue gathering purchasing for my $25 CVS challenge. I honestly haven't been to CVS in several weeks. I got my newspapers at Shaw's last week, cashing in some of my $88 in catalinas (I found another one hiding in my wallet!), so I didn't even hit CVS for that. But I stopped by CVS because there were a few good deals this week.

I almost forgot to add this transaction from February 28th! Here's what I picked up in transaction #4 of my $25 CVS challenge:
$7.50: 2 bottles Mylanta Ultimate Strength Mint
$9.49: Maybelline Dream foundation

Used $2/1 Maybelline coupon from 2/8 insert
Used $3 off Maybelline CVS coupon from mailer (it pays to give them your address!)
Used $4 off 2 Mylanta coupon from 1/4 insert
Used $2 ECB
Used $4.99 ECB

Total OOP after tax & ECB's: $1.05
ECB's earned: $11.00

Transaction #5 from today:
$4.99: Irish Spring Body Wash 15-18 oz. (this deal ended Tuesday, but I forgot and bought it. Since the tags were still up, the very nice cashier force-printed a $5 ECB for me!)
$2.99: Dry Idea roll-on deodorant
$2.99: Colgate Maxwhite toothpaste
$2.99: CVS Vitamin D 400 iu, 100 ct

Used $2/1 Dry Idea roll-on coupon here
Used $5 ECB
Used $6 ECB

Total OOP after tax & ECB's: $1.01
ECB's earned: $12.98

Total spent so far: $4.28 + $3.41 + $8.67 + $1.05 + $1.01 = $18.42
ECB's earned: $24.98 (This does not include the ones I cashed in)
Profit: $16.56 (includes $10 rebate, minus 42 cent stamp)

Stuff I got:
1 bottle CVS Chewable Aspirin, 36 count
1 bottle Excedrin, 10 count
3 bottle Mylanta Ultimate Strength Mint
2 Neutrogena facial soaps
2 Stayfree Pads, 16 ct
2 Natural Dentist Mouthwash
Extreme Energy Shots
Renuzit TriScents Air Freshener Starter Kit
Maybelline Dream foundation
Irish Spring Body Wash 15-18 oz.
Dry Idea roll-on deodorant
Colgate Maxwhite toothpaste
CVS Vitamin D 400 iu, 100 ct

More CVS Finds & Money Makers

Today, I continued gathering purchasing for my $25 CVS challenge! This week, the Natural Dentist mouthwash is a $2 money maker after rebate, and the Renuzit TriScents is a $.51 money maker after ECB's. You can read more about this week's deals over at Common Sense with Money or Deal Finding Mom.

Transaction #3
$7.98: 2 Stayfree Pads, 16 ct
$19.98: 2 Natural Dentist Mouthwash
$4.99: Extreme Energy Shots
$5.49: Renuzit TriScents Air Freshener Starter Kit

Used 2 $2 off Natural Dentist coupons
Used BOGO Stayfree coupon from 1/4 insert
Used $4 off Renuzit TriScents Air Freshener Starter Kit from 2/22 insert
Used $5 off $15 CVS coupon printed out on last receipt
Used $10 & $3 ECB from last transaction

Total OOP after tax & ECB's: $8.67
ECB's earned: $18.99

Will also get $10 in rebate for mouthwash.

Total spent so far: $4.28 + $3.41 + $8.67 = $16.36
ECB's earned: $18.99
(This does not include the ones I cashed in)

Profit: $12.21 (includes $10 rebate, minus 42 cent stamp)

Stuff I got:
1 bottle CVS Chewable Aspirin, 36 count
1 bottle Excedrin, 10 count
1 bottle Mylanta Ultimate Strength Mint
2 Neutrogena facial soaps
2 Stayfree Pads, 16 ct
2 Natural Dentist Mouthwash
Extreme Energy Shots
Renuzit TriScents Air Freshener Starter Kit

My $25 Personal CVS Challenge

So far, I've done 2 transactions in my $25 personal CVS challenge.

Transaction #1
$1.99: CVS Chewable Aspirin, 36 count
$2.49: Excedrin, 10 count

I got a 40 cent discount on the aspirin because my health insurance has a deal with CVS.

Total OOP (out-of-pocket) after tax: $4.28
ECB's earned: $4.48
20 cent profit

Transaction #2
$3.75: Mylanta Ultimate Strength Mint
$5.98: 2 Neutrogena facial soaps

Used $2 off Mylanta coupon
Paid with $1.99 & $2.49 ECB's from transaction #1

Total OOP after tax & ECB's: $3.41
ECB's earned: $13.00

Total spent so far: $4.28 + $3.41 = $7.69
ECB's earned: $13.00
(This does not include the ones I cashed in)

Profit: $5.31

Stuff I got:
1 bottle CVS Chewable Aspirin, 36 count
1 bottle Excedrin, 10 count
1 bottle Mylanta Ultimate Strength Mint
2 Neutrogena facial soaps

CVS Money Makers This Week

There are some money makers at CVS this month, and for one of them, you don't even need coupons!

Neutrogena Facial Bars:
Buy 2 at $2.99 (works on regular & fragrance-free)
Get $10 ECB's (buy 2 Neutrogena products, get $10 ECB)
$4.02 money maker!

Mylanta Ultimate Strength (Cherry or Mint):
Buy up to 5 at $3.75 each (price in Boston)
Use $2/1 printable or $4/2 Pepcid, Mylanta, Lactaid, Rolaids, or Imodium Product coupon from 1/4 Red Plum insert
Get $3 ECB back for each (these are hard to find!)
$1.25 money maker for each one!

My Personal $25 CVS Challenge

At the beginning of the year, I bought a $25 CVS gift card. My plan was to see how much stuff I could get over the course of several months (maybe a year?) using only the gift card, coupons & ECB's.

I spent the month of January staring at my gift card and my red CVS card, trying to figure out how to zero out my current ECB's so I could truly start from scratch. I never did find a solution :)

So what I've decided to do is use a different CVS card until I use up my ECB's on my 1st card, and then just get rid of the 1st card. You see, I've had 2 CVS cards for a while. Before you think badly of me, my husband's health insurance sent us a shiny white CVS card a few months back. They have some agreement with CVS that if we use that card, we get a discount (20%, maybe?) on CVS brand OTC medication. I have not been using it to routinely double up on all the good deals. First of all, the people who do this, I have no idea how they keep all those ECB's straight! I hear of people using 4 cards, and my head starts spinning. ECB's are card-specific, and there's no way I could keep all that straight! I've only bought 1 thing that was free after ECB's on my husband's card, and that was something that was actually for him. I think the rule is that each person in the household can have one anyways, so I don't think I've broken any laws. I still have about $36 in ECB's for my old card. I plan on buying my newspapers with them, plus a few random other things. But most of my buying will go on my new card.

But all new purchases will go on my shiny new white card. I'm going to try to maximize it so I get the most for my money. I'll keep you updated as to how it goes!