Giving Green and Saving Green

One of my favorite aspects of couponing is it affords me to be very generous—what I call “giving green.” I’m trying to teach my children that giving during the holidays is equally important to getting. Please consider picking up a few of these to donate to worthy causes. Now, there are freebies nearly every week but never this many at once. Black Friday week is considered the Super Bowl of Freebies!

You will find lots of free goodies in oral hygiene, multivitamins, and hair care at Walgreen’s Black Friday sale, but my favorite store for freebies is CVS. If you’re unfamiliar with how to shop the deals at CVS, check out tutorials from either Coupon Katie or this video from Southern Savers. 

Personally, I’m excited that CVS is starting the coupon fun well before Black Friday on Sunday, November 18. For a list of all the freebies (yes, there are more than I list below) and links to printables for all the Black Friday deals, go to Southern Savers.

A few tips before you start: 

• The number of items bought represents the limit per card. 
• Couponing trips, especially this big, rarely go as planned, but you have to start with a plan. If they are out of an item, ask for a rain-check. 
• Below you will see several “moneymakers” or MM. Those will help offset whatever tax you will pay. Since I find scenarios most helpful and I will be starting with $12.49 ECBs (like store credit) from previous trips, here’s my plan. Ready?

November 18 - 21 Transaction #1:

·      1 Children’s Advil (1oz): $2.37, get $2.37ECB, use $2 coupon from pediatrician; there is also a $1.50 printable off Facebook = $2MM.

·      1 Starbucks Refreshers (12oz): $1.50, get $1.50ECB, use $1 printable = $1MM.

·      1 Carmex lip balm: $1, get $1ECB, use $.30 MC = $.30MM.

·      1 Glade plugins scented oil warmer (1ct): $1.25, get $1.25ECB, use $1 MC = $1MM.

·      1 Air Wick scented oil warmer (1ct): $.99, get $.99ECB = FREE.

·      1 Charmin Basic single roll: $.99, get $.99ECB, use $.25MC = $.25MM.

·      1 South Beach snack bars (5ct): $4.99, get $4.99ECB, use $1 MC from Kroger Fresh Ideas mailer = $1MM.

·      1 Kraft Mac & Cheese: $.99, get $.99ECB = FREE

·      1 Scooby-Doo Fruit Snacks (8oz): $2, get $2ECB = FREE

·      1 Command Hook sample pack: $.99, get $.99ECB = FREE

·      1 Powerade (32oz): $1, get $1ECB = FREE

Use $12.49 ECBs from previous trips

OOP (out of pocket): $.03 plus tax

ECBs earned: $18.07 ($2.37, 1.50, 1, 1.25, .99, .99, 4.99, .99, 2, .99, 1)

Transaction #2:

·      1 Starbucks Double Shot (6.5oz single can): $1.99, get $1.99 = FREE.

·      1 Play-Doh soft pack (8oz bag): $1, get $1ECB = FREE.

·      1 Hot Wheels die cast car: $1, get $1ECB = FREE.

·      1 ThermaCare lower back and hip heat wrap (1ct): $3.49, get $3.49ECB = FREE.

·      1 Advil (10ct): $2.99, get $2.99ECB, use $1MC (if allowed) = $1MM.

·      2 Right Guard Total Defense 5 antiperspirant / deodorant: $2.99 each, get $2ECB each, use $2/2MC = 2 for FREE.

·      2 Listerine products (500ml): $2.99 each, get $2ECB each, use 2 $.50/1 MC = $.50 each.

Use $18.07 ECB from transaction #1

OOP: $.36 plus tax

ECBs earned: $18.47 ($1.99, 1, 1, 2.99, 3.49, 4, 4)

Transaction #3:

·      1 Haviland Thin Mints or Nips (3.5-4oz): $.88, get $.88ECB = FREE.

·      1 Coca Cola product (1.25L): $.99, get $.99ECB = FREE.

·      2 Chex Mix or Gardetto’s snacks (5.5 – 8.75oz): $1 each, get $1ECB, use $.50/2 MC = $.25 each. Tip: If you buy just one, it will be free.

·      1 Nasal Ease allergy reliever (.18oz): $9.99, get $9.99 = FREE

Use $4, 4, 3.49, 1 ECBs from transaction #2

OOP: $.87 plus tax

ECBs earned: $12.86 ($.88, .99, 1, 9.99)

*I will hold my $18.84 ECBs left to use during the Black Friday sales that actually start Thursday. Some are calling it Grey Thursday.

November 22 – 24 Transaction #1:

·      2 CVS dental flossers (90ct): $2 each, get $2ECB each = 2 FREE.

·      1 CVS alkaline batteries (4pk): $3.65, get $3.65ECB = FREE.

·      2 GUM toothbrushes (2ct): $2.50 each, get $2.50ECB each, use $.75 Saving Star esaver = 4 free toothbrushes + $.75 MM.

·      1 Phillips Ear Buds: $6.99, get $6.99ECB = FREE

Use $18.84ECB from previous trip

OOP: $.80 plus tax

ECBs earned: $19.64 (4, 3.65, 5, 6.99)

Transaction #2:

·      2 Mars candy singles (1.08 -2.15oz): $.75 each, get $.75ECB each = 2 FREE.

·      4 packs M&Ms (9.9 – 12.6oz): $2.50 each, get $4ECB wyb 4, use 2 $1/2 MC from 11/11RP = $1 each.

·      1 Wet n Wild perfect petite nails kit - $2.99, get $2ECB = $.99.

Use $5 and $6.99 ECBs from previous transaction.

OOP: $.50 plus tax

ECBs earned: $7.50 ($1.50, 4, 2)

Total value of all purchases: $88.49

Total spent for all purchases: $2.56 plus tax!!!!!

ECBs remaining for next trip (more than what I started with): $15.15 (4, 3.65, 1.50, 4, 2)

Now that is saving some green! Just make sure you spread the joy. Happy sharing!

~Margaret

Margaret blogs about a Green Triangle Philosophy: Go Green, Save Green, and Give Green. Learn more at http://bluefrogcreations.blogspot.com/