Rite Aid - 9/23

I stopped by Rite Aid tonight because I needed some new makeup and they have Cover Girl cosmetics for Buy 1, Get 1 Free. They also still have the diapers for $8.99 and I had a $3.00 coupon for them. I also had a $5.00 off $25.00 purchase. I decided to peruse the store and see what other things looked good. I found Rite Aid wipes for $6.29 with a $2.00 rebate and I had a $1.00 coupon. I decided to do all of these deals.

I got 2 Cover Girl products (normally $9.99 and $8.59, on sale for B1G1), a pack of diapers (normally $11.99, on sale for $8.99), and a pack of 420 wipes (normally $6.99, on sale for $6.29).

It would have been $37.56.
After sales it was $25.27.
I used my $5.00 off $25.00 purchase = $20.27.
I used a $3.00 off (diapers), $1.00 off (wipes), $1.00 off (CG), and a $1.00 off (CG) = $14.27.
I used $6.00 in UP! Rewards = $8.27.
I got a $2.00 SCR for the wipes = $6.27.
I got a $2.00 UP! Reward
I saved 83%.

Got Paid $5 to "Buy" Diapers at Rite Aid

I LOVE RITE AID!!! I think I may love Rite Aid more than CVS. With the UP! Rewards program, Single Check Rebates, Gift Card programs, $5.00 off $25.00 purchase coupons they have on their website a lot, and the fact that they will take as many coupons as are applicable, you can make out like a bandit there.

Well, today I literally did make out like a bandit. I got paid $5.00 to "buy" 3 packs of Huggies diapers. Each pack was normally $11.99, but was on sale for $8.99. They had a $2.00 UP! Reward (and you could get one per pack on the same transaction - no limit). If you bought 3 packs (over $25.00 - you could also mix and match with other items, but I wanted diapers), you got a $10.00 Rite Aid gift card. When I matched it with all of my coupons and previous UP! Rewards, it was awesome. Here's the breakdown.

3 packs Huggies diapers normally $11.99 each = $35.97
On sale for $8.99 each = $26.97
Used $5.00 off $25.00 purchase = $21.97
Used (3) $3.00 off Huggies diapers = $12.97
Used $3.00 UP! Rewards from previous transaction = $9.97
Paid $9.97 + tax = $11.05
Got a $10.00 Rite Aid gift card = $1.05
Got $6.00 UP! Rewards = -$4.95

SAVINGS = 100+%

So today we got a package from Gerber. It contained 2 little boxes. Each box had a canister of their Good Start formula, a onesie (so cute), a $6.00 coupon for a canister of formula, and a $1.00 coupon for Gerber apparel. I was so excited. Of course if you know how much I love couponing, I saw Rite Aid was having a deal on this exact formula. If you buy $25.00 worth of Gerber Good Start Formula, you get a $10.00 rebate. I am going tomorrow and will get a 26oz canister of formula for like $1.50 with all my coupons and the rebate. I am excited to get these coupons and freebies from companies so that I can go get stuff super cheap for the babies. Of course we are hoping I can nurse or pump, but I know we will need formula at some point and if we don't, we can donate it. :)

Rite Aid - 8/30

I ran into Rite Aid today and did 3 transactions. If you haven't read previous posts about Rite Aid, I divide my shops into different transactions now that they have the UP Rewards because you can only get one per transaction, but you can roll them and get another with a different transaction. I also do this because I usually have a $5/$25 or $4/$20 purchase so it makes sense to break it up into $20 or $25 transactions.

I got 3 40ct packages of Pampers Swaddlers diapers, 1 240ct package of Rite Aid wipes, 1 tube of Boudreaux diaper cream, 2 Colgate toothpastes, 2 Nivea body washes, 3 Gain dish soap, and 3 Downy fabric softeners.

It would have cost $97.55 (before tax).
I had $33.16 in Rite Aid savings.
I had $42.50 in coupon savings.
I had $2.00 in SCR savings.
I spent $19.89 (before tax).
I saved 80%.
I had a per item cost of $1.33 (pretty good for diapers, wipes, and fabric softener). ;)

CVS & Rite Aid - 8/22

Today could be called Toilet Paper Day. Lee and I stopped by CVS and Rite Aid and I ran in and got some awesome deals on toilet paper, diapers, and laundry detergent.

CVS

3 packs (16 double rolls) of Charmin toilet paper - normally $11.99 each, on sale for $9.99 each

Total before sale = $35.97
Total after sale = $29.97
Used $5.00 off $25.00 purchase = $24.97
Used 2 25c coupons = $24.47
Total with tax = $26.41
Got back $10.00 ECBs

Saved 60%.

RITE AID

Transaction #1 -

2 packs (12 rolls) Cottonelle toilet paper - normally $11.49 each, on sale for $6.49 each

1 pack Huggies diapers - normally $11.99, on sale for $8.99

2 Xtra detergents - normally $3.49 each, on sale for $2.00 each

Total before sale = $41.95

Total after sale = $25.97

Used $5.00 off $25.00 purchase = $20.97

Used $1.00 and 50c off coupons on Cottonelle = $19.47

Used $2.00 and $3.00 off coupons on Huggies (stacked RA & mft cpns) = $14.47

Used 2 $1.00 off Xtra coupons = $12.47

Total with tax = $13.71

Got back $1.00 UP reward for Xtra and $2.00 UP reward for Huggies

Transaction #2 -

2 packs (12 rolls) Cottonelle toilet paper - normally $11.49 each, on sale for $6.49 each

1 pack Huggies diapers - normally $11.99, on sale for $8.99

2 Xtra detergents - normally $3.49 each, on sale for $2.00 each

Total before sale = $41.95

Total after sale = $25.97

Used $5.00 off $25.00 purchase = $20.97

Used 50c coupon on Cottonelle = $20.47

Used $3.00 coupon on Huggies = $17.47

Used $1.00 coupon on Xtra = $16.47
Used UP rewards ($2.00 and $1.00) from previous transaction = $13.47

Total with tax = $14.71

Got back $1.00 UP reward for Xtra and $2.00 UP reward for Huggies

I also get a $5.00 SCR for the 4 Cottonelle.

What I would have spent = $83.90 (minus tax)

What I did spend (after sales, coupons, SCR, and UP rewards) = $17.94 (minus tax)

SAVED 79%.

My First Rite Aid UP! Rewards Transactions

So like I said in my previous post, Rite Aid has a new program called UP! Rewards. It is kind of like Register Rewards at Walgreens in that you can do it multiple times during the week as long as you don't try to get more than one per transaction. They do this program in addition to the Single Check Rebate (SCR) program which is where you buy something that has a SCR and enter your receipt on their website, and they send you a check once a month. I always loved the SCR program, but when you combine it with the UP! program, it is amazing savings.

Here's how to use coupons, SCR, and UP! Rewards program:

#1 - ALWAYS look for a $5 off $25 purchase. They are printable and require a little bit of searching sometimes, but are great (basically 20% if you get $25 exactly).

#2 - Go to SouthernSavers.com to find the deals, figure out where the coupons are, and plan your trip.

#3 - Get a Rite Aid Rewards card (if you don't have one) - you have to have one to get the sales and the UP! Rewards.

#4 - Get exactly what you need to total $25 if you have the $5 off $25 coupon.

#5 - Ring up. Use the $5 off $25 first!!!! If not, your coupons will bring your total down to below $25 and they won't take it anymore. Then use your coupons. Pay. Get your UP! Rewards. Repeat! ;)

Here's what I did:

Transaction #1 -
31 count Pampers diapers - normally $11.99, on sale for $8.99, SCR of $2.00, UP! Rewards of $2.00, used a coupon for $1.50 off
72 count Pampers wipes - normally $3.49, not on sale, used a Buy 1 Diapers, Get 1 Wipes Free coupon
26 load Tide detergent - normally $9.99, on sale for $5.99, UP! Rewards of $1.00, used a coupon for $1.00 off
Herbal Essences 2-n-1 - normally $4.49, on sale for $2.50, UP! Rewards of $1.00 (when you buy 2 HE products)
Herbal Essences mousse - normally $4.49, on sale for $2.50, UP! Rewards of $1.00 (when you buy 2 HE products), used a Buy 1 HE Shampoo or Conditioner, Get 1 HE Styler Free coupon = FREE
Aussie shampoo - normally $4.69, on sale for $2.50, UP! Rewards of $2.00 (when you buy 2 Aussie products)
Aussie leave-in conditioner - normally $4.69, on sale for $2.50, UP! Rewards of $2.00 (when you buy 2 Aussie products), used a Buy 1 Aussie Shampoo or Conditioner, Get 1 Aussie Styler Free coupon

So I would have spent $43.83, I saved $15.36 in store savings. I used $15.99 in coupons. I had $5.00 in UP! Rewards. I had a $2.00 SCR.

Transaction #2 -
31 count Pampers diapers - normally $11.99, on sale for $8.99, SCR of $2.00 (let my sister get it as it is one per household), UP! Rewards of $2.00, used a coupon for $1.50 off
60 count Pampers wipes - normally $3.49, not on sale, used a Buy 1 Diapers, Get 1 Wipes Free coupon
2 Skippy peanut butter - normally $2.99 each, on sale for $2.50 each, UP! Rewards of $5.00 (when you buy $15.00 in Skippy and/or Ragu), used 2 60cents off coupons
4 Ragu spaghetti sauce - normally $3.49 each, on sale for $2.50 each, UP! Rewards of $5.00 (when you buy $15.00 in Skippy and/or Ragu), used $1.25 of 3 coupon

So I would have spent $35.42. I had $7.94 in store savings. I had $16.44 in coupon savings (I used some of my UP! Rewards from Transaction #1). I had $7.00 in UP! Rewards. I had $2.00 in SCR.

Transaction #3 -
2 26 load Tide detergents - normally $9.99, on sale for $5.99, UP! Rewards of $1.00 (you can only get one per transaction but I didn't care since I was just wanting to use my UP! Rewards from other transactions and get the Tide on sale, plus if I forget to go back, I am only out $1.00), used 2 $1.00 off coupons = $8.98

So I would have spent $19.98. I had $8.00 in store savings. I had $11.00 in coupon savings (I used some of my UP! Rewards from Transactions #1 and #2). I had $1.00 in UP! Rewards.

So in total, I spent $24.23 (subtracting out the SCR). I would have spent $106.17. I saved 77%.

New Program at Rite Aid

I am soooooo excited to share the new program at Rite Aid with you guys. Some of you may already know all about it, but I have been in hibernation a bit lately and haven't couponed at my normal level. Anyways, I thought I would share it with you and explain the details I have figured out.

#1 - You now have to have a Rite Aid card (much like a VIC card or CVS card) to get any and all deals.
You just apply and fill out an application. It takes about 30 seconds. Each time you use the card, you have to tell them the phone number you applied with so don't forget. ;)

#2 - They have a new program called UP Rewards.
It is a lot like Walgreens Register Rewards in that when you buy certain things (ie 2 Aussie hair products) you get a coupon on the bottom of your receipt that is so much money off (ie $2.00 off) your next order courtesy of that manufacturer (ie Aussie). They expire roughly 2 weeks after you get them.

Here are some tips about UP Rewards:
#1 - You cannot get more than one per transaction (ie buy 4 Aussie hair products and get 2 $2.00 off coupons).
#2 - I don't know if you use one coupon and buy the same product if you can get another coupon (at Walgreens you cannot). I didn't try it because I didn't want to risk it. Try to use them on different products and go back and forth (ie buy 2 Aussie, get $2.00 off, use the $2.00 off on Tide, use the $1.00 off on Aussie again...).
#3 - You can use coupons on the items that give you UP Rewards.
#4 - You can get Single Check Rebates (SCR) on items that have UP Rewards if they are eligible for SCR.
So you can match sale + coupon + UP Reward + SCR and get some crazy savings.

An example I have for today is:
I bought 1 pack of Pampers diapers and 1 pack of Pampers wipes. The diapers would have been $11.99 but were on sale for $8.99. The wipes were $3.49. The diapers had a SCR for $2.00 and an UP Reward for $2.00. I used a $1.50 off Pampers diapers coupon and a Buy 1 Pampers diapers get 1 free pack of Pampers wipes coupon. So I paid $7.49, got $2.00 Up Reward got a $2.00 SCR, so I paid $3.49 for the wipes and diapers (THE DIAPERS WERE BASICALLY FREE).

#3 - Like I said, they still have SCR and it works the same.

Rite Aid might just be my favorite drug-store now. It might sound complicated but once you get the hang of it (it only took me one day), it can add up to some amazing savings.

How to Play the Drugstore Game

This is a general breakdown of how to shop at CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens. I will be devoting a post to each one individually, but I thought I would give you a general idea of "How to Play the Drugstore Game."

CVS
CVS Extra Care Bucks (ECBs) program is an instant rebate program that prints out CVS “money” on the bottom of your receipt when you purchase qualifying items. They work just like cash on your next purchase (or any purchase before the expiration date). You also get an additional 2% or your total spending quarterly. This program is a great money maker for toiletries and baby items. You can use manufacturer coupons, store coupons, and ECBs on the same item. You need a CVS card (FREE!!!) to access these bucks.

Rite Aid
Rite Aid’s Single Check Rebate (SCR) program is a monthly rebate program that gives you money back in the form of a monthly check for qualifying items. You simply buy the item (hopefully using a coupon in addition), pay for it, go on their website and type in a few things off of your receipt, submit for your check at the end of the month, and a couple of weeks later you get a check. You can only request a check once in the month, so it’s best to wait until the end of the month.

Walgreens
Walgreens Register Rewards (RR) program is an instant rebate program that prints out WAGS “money” on a coupon when you purchase qualifying items. They work just like a cash coupon on your next purchase (or any purchase before the expiration date). You can only use as many coupons as you have items (ie if you have 4 things, you can use 4 coupons – a RR counts as a coupon). You can get a cheap filler item to get past this.

Rite Aid

Today I took a quick trip to Rite Aid and got a few things:

2 tubes of Wet Ones (great with all these germs floating around)
2 boxes gallon-sized Ziploc freezer bags
2 boxes quart-sized Ziploc freezer bags
Crest toothpaste (8oz)
Nyquil
Stacy's pita chips (yummy!)

I spent $4.00 on all of this. It would have cost $32.61 so I saved 88%. My per item cost was 44 cents.

PS When I say I get those Ziploc freezer bags for pennies, I mean it. In this example, they cost 2-3 cents a bag. :)