HUGE savings on DIY gel manicures!

{Well Facebook was being funky about this post, so I decided to put it HERE!}


I discovered gel manicures about a year ago.  They are about $35 at the salon, but last about TWO WEEKS.  Really.  I had not gotten manicures for years because it was a waste of money, but not anymore!  I love love the gel manicures (when I can treat myself).

Then a few weeks ago I saw Sensationail at CVS for $59!  A DIY gel manicure (complete with light!) At $60, I knew that would easily pay for itself after just two manicures, but I didn't want to shell out the money without trying to get some sort of deal on it........












Through today (2/25) you can get this deal at CVS:


-Sensational is included in the buy $30, get a $10 cash card promo.  So you buy this and get TWO $10 cash cards.


-There is a $5 coupon on the Sensationail Facebook page


-Some people have reported getting a $10 Sensationail coupon from the Magic Coupon Machine (I did not, though--boo!!)


-You should also get $5 in ECB for buying $50 in beauty products (an on-going CVS promo).  Mine didn't print, but I told the manager and she manually printed them for me---this might vary by store or manager.

So I paid $54 OOP and got $25 back, bringing the overall price down to just $29!!!  
You get 10 manicures from the set, so that is just $3 for a $35 manicure!  
They have other colors as well, and I will be keeping an eye out for coupons and sales on those as well!!

CVS shopping 78% savings!

Here is the breakdown I promised from Facebook.  And no picture because my sweet little helpers came and got my things out of the car!  Maybe this can help some of you with your CVS scenario this week!

It was my first week since before Christmas to shop CVS, so I had my quarterly ExtraCare Bucks to spend (yay!) and the Magic Coupon Machine also awarded me a free pack of Huggies diapers 

(such a happy surprise!) 

That being said, many times !MANY TIMES! I will have some scenarios worked out and get to the store and they are out of things or my coupons do not match up.  I actually expected that to happen tonight, because my coupons were fairly complicated, but it amazingly worked out!

You have until Saturday to get similar deals at your store! 

 Let me know how it works out for ya!!

Transaction 1:

6 Stayfree pads $4.49 each

1 Huggies Snug and Dry $11.99

1 Finish Gelpac $3.50

3 Fuze drinks $3

(The Stayfree, Fuze and Finish were all apart of the Buy $30, Get $10 cash card promo)

Used (3) Stayfree buy one get one free coupons from 1/8 SS 

Used (1) $1/1 Finish coupon from 1/1 SS

Used my Free Huggies coupon (deducted $11.99)

Used my $4 quarterly Extra Care Bucks

Total: $14.97 and a $10 Cash card

Savings: $50.12

Transaction 2:

6 All small and mighty 32oz sale 2 for $8

1 Angel Soft Toilet paper 12 Big rolls for $5

1 Fuze drink $1

(All of these are apart of the Buy $30, Get $10 cash card promo)

Used (6) $1/1 All coupons from 1/1 RP

Used (1) $.45/1 Angel Soft from 11/13 RP

and the $10 cash card from Transaction 1

Total $13.55 and $10 cash card

Savings: $34.37

Transaction 3:

4 Mountain Dew 20oz 2 for $2.50

1 Mars candy $.75 and get $.75 in ECB

2 Triaminic $5.79 each (Buy 2, get $3 in ECB)

Used (2) $1/2 20oz Mountain Dew--Printable coupon NLA

Used (2) $3/1 Triaminic coupons 12/4 SS

and the $10 cash card from Transaction 2 (which covers tax too) 

Total: $0 with $.29 left on cash card and $3.75 in ECB

Savings: $14.52

Transaction 4:

(2) TG Lee Milks 3.79 each ($1 ECB earned on each)

Used (2) TG Lee coupons from here

$3.75 in ECB from Transaction 3

$.29 from cash card

Total: $1.54 and $2 in ECB for next week!

Savings: $6.15

Total was $29.97 before tax for a retail value of $135.10

Savings of $105.16 or 78%!!!!

Drugstore Shopping

If you have taken my coupon class, you know that drug store shopping is my FAVORITE.  Believe it or not, I don't even go every week!!!  I really depends on how much time I have or how badly I want the items that are on sale.  Remember--it all goes on sale again eventually!


Here is what I did this week--no crazy scenarios, but I still managed to score diapers, medicine, a pedicure for a Christmas party, gifts for my RACK project (candy) and stocking stuffers for my kids for just $11=tax!


Take a look:

Walgreens:

Transaction 1:

(2) Triaminic Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer 2 for $10

-(2) $3/1 Q from 12/4 SS

Total OOP= $4 with $3 Register Rewards ($.50 each!)

Transaction 2:

(6) Snicker’s Nutcrackers $39 with in-ad coupon

-(2) $1/2 Mars coupons (December All You mag and printable NLA)

I bought six so I wouldn’t get beepage –all 6 totaled only $0.34!

(3) Nestle Butterfinger Coins at 3 for $1.50

-$.45/3 December Coupon booklet

Kiss Nail art kit $7.99

-$1/1 coupon my Jedi cashier hooked me up with

-$1/1 December Coupon booklet

-Used my $3 RR from Trans 1

Total OOP:$4.05

CVS:

1 pack Luv’s diapers at $6.99          $2 ECB

1 box Candy canes at $1.27             $1.27 ECB

And after FINDING peelies on the ground PLUS getting a coupon from the coupon machine I got…..

2 bags M&M’s 2 for $5                     $1 ECB

-$1/2 peelie on ground

-$.50/2 CVS coupon from Magic Coupon Machine

-Used Black Friday ECB’s: $2.99, $.99, $4

Total OOP: $3.78                               $5 ECB total                          

My total could have been lower, but I only went with the coupons I had in my coupon wallet (and found on the ground! ha!) so the M&M’s were a last minute purchase!

In total I spent $11.83 and saved $33.48 or 65% PLUS $5 ECB left to spend next week!

What is your favorite drug store to shop???

CVS BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING {My plan!}+Update

My plan of attack for CVS shopping!--See my update below!

Here we go!  See where I got my matchups here.

Transaction 1

Colgate toothpaste 4oz $2.87

-.50/1MQ

-$1/1 CVS coupon

OOP=$1.37                $2.87 ECB

L.A. Looks Styling Gel 26oz $2.49

-$1/1 Manu Q.

OOP=$1.49                $2.49 ECB

Bayer 20ct $.99

-$2/1 MQ (if overage is allowed)

OOP=$-1.01  

Carmex .15-.35oz $1.00

OOP=1.00                  $1.00 ECB

Benefiber sticks trial size 3ct $1.49

-$2/1 MQ (if allowed)

OOP=$-.51

(2) Theraflu Caplets 8ct $1.87

-$3/2

OOP=$.74                   $1.87ECB

Finish Quantum 10ct. $2.99

-1/1 Finish Manu Q

OOP=$1.99                $2.99ECB

Total OOP $5.07      $12.71ECB

Transaction 2

G.U.M. Toothbrush 2pk $2.99

Breathe Right Strips Bonus size 10+2ct. $5.99

-$1.50 Breathe Right Manu Q

OOP=$4.49                $5.99ECB

FiberOne 90 Cal bars $3.99

-$.40/1 MQ

OOP=$3.59                $3.99ECB

Listerine Pocket Paks 3pk $2.99

-$.50/1 Listerine Manu Q

OOP=$2.49                $2.99ECB

Total=$13.01

-$12.71 ECB from Trans 1

OOP= $.85                 $15.96ECB

Transaction 3

Sheets Energy Strips 10ct $3.99/$3.99ECB

Be Koool for kids 4ct $4.49/$4.49ECB

Softlips $2.00/$2.00ECB

Advil PM 4ct  $.99/$.99ECB

CVS Batteries AA or AAA $3.99/$3.99ECB

(1) Mars Candy $.75/.$75ECB

Total=$16.21

-$15.96 ECB from Trans 2

OOP=$.25               $16.46 ECB

Transaction 4

Universal Remote $6.99/$6.99 ECB

Exederin 8ct+bonusPM $.99/$.99ECB

Kleenex Cool Touch $1.50/$1.50 ECB

Balance Bar $1.69/$1.69 ECB

Starbucks Double shot $1.69/$1.69 ECB

Pepto Bismol 4oz $2.99/$2.99 ECB

(1) Mars Candy $.75/$.75 ECB

Total $16.60

-$16.46 ECB From Trans 3

OOP=$.14               $16.60 ECB

Transaction 5

Advil 10ct $2.99/$2.99ECB

CVS Flossers 90ct $1.99/$1.99ECB

Revlon nail $4.99

-$1/1MQ=$3.99/$4.00ECB

iChill Relaxation shot $5.29/$5.29ECB

Theraflu travel size $.99/$.99ECB

(2) Hershey bar King size $1.98/$1.98ECB

Total=$17.23

-$16.60ECB from Trans 4

OOP=$.63                  $17.24ECB

Transaction 6

Phillips Earbuds $6.99/$6 ECB

Wet n Wild nail kit $2.88/$2ECB

$9.87

-$5.29 and $3.99 ECB from Trans 5

OOP= $.59                 $8.00ECB

Total OOP= $6.38 plus tax

Retail $92.44

ECB left to spend $15.95

Profit after ECB=$9.57

I will come back and update to let you know how it goes!!


Update:  They were out of the Sheetz and BeKOOOL fever patches I needed for Transaction 3 so I subbed in the two items from Transaction 6.


My total was $9.87OOP and saved $100 with $17.97 in ECB left to spend! 

CVS Black Friday Scenarios

Here is the first of my Black Friday CVS Scenarios!  I don't know about you, but I will be skipping the malls this year in favor of some Black Friday shopping at CVS!!!  Even as a beginner, you can score some great products (for yourself or to donate!) PLUS make $3.50!

MOMumental Savings CVS Black Friday Scenarios (Beginner)

Transaction 1:

L.A. Looks Styling Gel 26oz $2.49

-$1/1 Manu Q.

OOP=$1.49                $2.49 ECB

Transaction 2:

Finish Quantum 10ct. $2.99

Hershey King Size $.99

-1/1 Finish Manu Q

-$2.49 ECB From trans. 1

OOP=$.49                   $.99ECB and $2.99 ECB

Transaction 3:

Listerine Pocket Paks 3pk $2.99

Hershey King Size $.99

Hot Wheels or Matchbox car $.50

-$.50/1 Listerine Manu Q

-$2.99 ECB and -$.99 ECB from trans. 2

OOP=$0                      $.99ECB and $2.99 ECB

Transaction 4:

Breathe Right Strips Bonus size 10+2ct. $5.99

-$1.50 Breathe Right Manu Q

-$.99 ECB and -$2.99ECB from trans. 3

OOP=$.51                   $5.99 ECB

Total OOP=$2.49=tax

Total Retail value=$17

$5.99 ECB to spend next visit.

$3.50 Moneymaker plus $17 in products!!!!!!

See this post for details on where to find your coupons.

Happy CVS'ing!

CVS $5 Challenge

The CVS $5 Challenge is hosted by Kingdomfirstmom.  The goal is to roll your ECB's and keep your total OOP under $5, while earning MORE ECB's.

Transaction 1:
Plackers Dental Flossers 90 ct. $2.99=$2Ecb (limit 1)
Use the $1/1 coupon from the 11/1RP
OOP: $1.99


Transaction 2:
Gillette Disposable Razors (2-12 ct) $5.99=$2Ecb (limit 1)
Use the $3/1 coupon from the 11/1PG

Use $2 ECB from above
OOP: $.99


Transaction 3:
Buy 2 Reach Toothbrush 2pks $3.99 each=$7.98 (Earn $2 ECB)
Use the buy one get one free coupon from the 4/26RP
Plus, use the $1/1 coupon from the 3/15, 6/14 or 10/18RP
Use $2 ECB from above
OOP: $.99


Total OOP: $3.97+tax
Earn $2 ECB to roll next week!
Retail value=$14.96

Coupon Institute Week 4-CVS Weekly Deals

Want to see the weekly ads before they arrive at your door each week?  Check out iheartcvs for the ad scans.


Thanks to hip2save for pulling together this week's CVS matchups!

Extra Care Buck Deals

Plackers Dental Flossers 90 ct. $2.99=$2Ecb (limit 1)
Use the $1/1 coupon from the 11/1RP
Final cost FREE!

Buy $10 worth of Oral-B Pulsar Power or Manual Toothbrush single packs=$5Ecb (limit 1)
Prices starting at $2.69
Buy 4 for a total of $10.76
Use 4 $1/1 coupons from the 11/1PG
Pay $6.76
Get back a $5Ecb
Final cost $0.44 per toothbrush!

Buy Listerine Total Care 16.9 oz, Reach Toothbrush 2 pk, or Reach Floss 30 yd $3.99=$1 Ecb (limit 3)
Deal scenarios:

#1
Buy 2 Reach Toothbrush 2pks $3.99 each=$7.98
Use the buy one get one free coupon from the 4/26RP
Plus, use the $1/1 coupon from the 3/15, 6/14 or 10/18RP
Pay $2.99
Get back a $2Ecb
Final cost $0.49 per 2 pk!

#2
Buy Listerine Total Care 16.9 oz $3.99
Use the $2/1 coupon from the 3/15SS or 4/26RP
Pay $1.99
Get back a $1Ecb
Final cost $0.99!
*******************************

Colgate Total Advanced 5.8 oz or Total 7.8 oz $2.99=$1Ecb (limit 2)
Use the $1/1 coupon from the 10/25SS
Final cost $0.99!

Clairol Nice & Easy $5.99=$1Ecb (limit 1)
Use the $2/1 coupon from the 11/1PG
Final cost $2.99!

Gillette Disposable Razors (2-12 ct) $5.99=$2Ecb (limit 1)
Use the $3/1 coupon from the 11/1PG
Final cost $0.99!

Schick Quattro Razor or Refills $7.99=$3Ecb (limit 1)
Use the $2/1 coupon from the 10/4SS
Final cost $2.99!

Buy $20 in Select Cold Remedies=$10Ecb (limit 1)
Deal Scenarios:

#1
Buy 10 bags of Ricola Cough Drops $2 each=$20
Use 5 buy one get one free coupons from the 10/11SS
Pay $10
Get back a $10Ecb
Final cost 10 bags for FREE!

#2
Buy 2 Neti Pot $11 each=$22
Use 2 $3/1 coupons from here
Pay $16
Get back a $3Ecb
Final cost $3 each!

Buy $10 worth of Glade Scented Oil Candle Refills 3 ct. or holders $2.50=$3Ecb (limit 3)
Deal Scenario:
Buy 6 Refill 3 ct packs $2.50 each=$15
Buy 6 Oil Candle holders $2.50 each=$15
Total=$30
Use 6 buy holders get refills FREE coupon from the 11/1SS
Or use the printable coupon from here
Pay $15
Get back a $9Ecb
Final cost ONLY $0.50 per item!


( There is a better deal going at Target right now--hang onto those coupons until next week!)

Buy Softsoap Ensembles Hand Soap Pump (online price $7.99) & Refill base 8.3 oz (online price $3.99)=$4Ecb (limit 1)
Use the $3 coupon from the 10/25SS
Plus, use the $1 CVS coupon from the $100 CVS flu coupon booklet
Pay $7.98
Get back a $4Ecb
Final cost $3.98 for both!

Nova Max Blood Glucose Meter $9.99=$9.99Ecb (limit 1)
Final cost FREE!

Other Great Deals 

Honey Bunches of Oats buy one get one FREE
Use 2 $2/1 coupons from here
Final cost 2 boxes possibly FREE?

Mom's Best Naturals Oatmeal regularly priced at just $1
Use the $0.75/1 coupon from here
Final cost $0.25!

Dove Silky Smooth Chocolate bag 8.5-9oz $2
Use the $1/1 coupon from the 8/16RP
Final cost $1 per bag!

Revlon Eye or Lip Care buy one get one free
Prices starting at $3.90
Use 2 $1/1 coupons from the 10/11SS
Final cost as low as $0.95 each!

Kleenex Tissue buy one at $2.39, get one FREE
Use 2 $0.50 coupons from the 10/4SS
Plus, use the $1 CVS coupon from the $100 Flu coupon booklet
Final cost $0.39 for 2 boxes of Tissue!

Cascade Gel or Powder $2.99
Use the $1/1 coupon from the 11/1PG
Final cost $1.99!

Dawn Dish Liquid 9.5-10.3 oz $0.97
Use the $0.25/1 coupon from the 11/1PG
Final cost $0.72!

Get $15 off Ice Age 3 DVD ($19.99) with $20 in select Coke or Mar's products
Plus, use the $2/1 Ice Age coupon from here
Final cost Ice Age ONLY $2.99--with $20 Coke/Mar's purchase!

Coupon Institute Week 4 --CVS shopping basics

Compared to Walgreens, CVS has the easiest to understand policy.


Hopefully you have signed up for an Extra Care Card. If you have not, do it NOW.  Also make sure you sign up for email alerts--you will get more money saving coupons (like $4 off a $20 purchase, $3 off a $15 purchase, etc...) via email and those are how you really score at CVS!


  Here are the basics on the Extra Care Bucks program:

1. You earn 2% back on purchases in store and online.  Every quarter, your total earned will print out on the bottom of your receipt.
2. You can earn 1 ECB for every 2 prescriptions filled
3. You can earn ECBs for buying certain advertised products (much like Wags RR's.)  For example if Secret deoderant is advertised at $2.49 and you get $2.49 in ECB's to use on your next purchase, it is as good as FREE. You goal is to "roll" your ECB's as you have seen in my $5 Challenges to keep your OOP as low as possible.

UNLIKE Walgreens, the ECB's are NOT like a coupon, so there is no worry with a "coupon to item 1:1 ratio" I told you with Walgreens.

There are 4 types of coupons you can use at CVS:

• $/$$: These are those special coupons you might get via email or in store for a dollar amount off your total purchase amount.
• Manufacturer coupons: Use them just like you would at any store
• CVS coupons: You can "stack" a CVS coupon with a Manufacturer coupon
• ECB's: These are like cash and will print out at the bottom of your receipt.

To maximize your savings, hand over your coupons in this order:

1. $/$$--If your total is right at that amount (if you are using, say, a $4/$20 Q) your other coupons could make it fall below the $20 amount.  So hand this over first!
2. CVS Coupons
3. Manufacturer Coupons
4. ECB's--You can't use ECB's on sales tax, so hand these over last.  You will also NOT get change if there is overage, so plan carefully before heading out to the store!

Always be on the lookout for coupons--especially from the "magic machine" located right inside the door.  Sound fun, right?  Well the "magic machine" is a red box, usually located right inside the front door, and my CVS has another one in the middle of the store too.  It is generally used to "price check" items by scanning the barcode on the item.  However, make sure you scan your Extra Care Card each time you go to CVS on this machine because you never know what you might get! (hence the "magic").  Sometimes it will print out your quarterly ECB's earned or a $/$$ coupon (love those!) or CVS store coupons.  You just never know what you are going to get, so scan each time you walk in the door!

CVS advisor panel

 Sign up here to become a part of the new CVS advisor panel.  Sign up takes less than 5 minutes and there are Extra Care Bucks in it for you now and throughout the program, I'm sure!

Make sure you have your Extra Care Card number handy as you complete the application.