Freebies: Rebates and Coupons

I've heard many people say that coupons are not for products they actually use or the value of the coupon is so small that it does not make a difference. I think that Mindi at Moms Need to Know has written eloquently about these comments, but I wanted to add a few practical examples from my own life.

I've had to cut back on the amount of time I spend organizing coupons and shopping trips because of life with two small children, but I still love getting a good deal!

Recently at Rite Aid, I spied this Smart Start cereal with a 'Try Free' add on the box. I was able to use a coupon when I bought it, so I'm actually getting paid to eat this box of cereal!

This week (also at Rite Aid) I bought John Frieda conditioner and Blink tears eye drops. I didn't have any coupons so I paid $4.99 for the conditioner and $7.99 for the eye drops, but because of Rite Aid's single check rebate program, I will be getting a check in the mail from Rite Aid for $5 for the conditioner and $7.99 for the eye drops...completely free! (If you haven't already signed up for the Single Check Rebate Program, you totally should! It is free of charge, and is one of the biggest ways that I get our personal care products for cheap...and often for free)

On the left of this picture are items that I picked up for free at Target this week. I had a coupon for a free Children's Tylenol from the recall last year. The Oscar Mayer deli meat was a free coupon from Kraft First Taste. And the Suave Dry Shampoo was a free coupon through Facebook. I also used a BOGO coupon for Frosted Mini Wheats (not pictured) that I got from Vocalpoint (along with a free sample of their new cereal).

Want to get coupons like these for FREE full sized products? I have my favorites listed in the Coupon Resources tab. Be sure to sign up for Kraft First Taste and Vocalpoint -- I am always getting samples and free coupons from these two in particular.

For my instructions on shopping at Rite Aid, check out this post.

Do you have any favorite ways to get things for free with coupons and rebates?

Rite Aid shopping trip

I had a bunch of errands to run today, and I am so glad that I was able to stop by Rite Aid. I spent $12.97 out of pocket and have $4 in rebates coming as well as $5 UP+ reward on my next RA trip PLUS my receipt has a survey with a coupon for $3 off a $15 purchase.

Here's what I got:




2 Biore - $7.99 each
1 Carefree - $1
1 eos lip balm - $2.99
2 Tylenol precise - $5 each
2 Finesse - $3.99 (bogo sale)

I had coupons for nearly everything.
-Buy one Biore cleaning strips get any cleanser free 3/6 smart source insert
-$1/1 carefree 5/8 smart source insert
-2 $5/1 Tylenol precise printed from Tylenol's website
-2 $1/1 Finesse hair care from May All You and 5/8 smart source insert

The eos has a $2 SCR. In the 5/8 smart source was a Finesse rebate for $2. The 2 Biore products produced a $5 UP+ reward. With the rebates my cost will be just $8.97 plus the $5 UP+ and $3/$15 purchase coupons to get something for cheap or free in the next two weeks!

Thanks to Mindi @ Moms Need to Know for the trip inspiration!

Rite Aid: Week of 2/27-3/5 - Sales and Clearance

I made a trip to Rite Aid today and thought I would share a few noteworthy sales I took advantage of from this week's sale ad.

Through tomorrow 3/1 only, you get a $1 +UP reward for every Lays Stax you buy. These are priced at $1 with a limit of 2. I bought 2 which cost me $2 and I earned 2 $1 +UP coupons to use on my next purchase.

I always like to take a quick look at the clearance items when I'm at Rite Aid. There were a few Valentine's items that were 75% off, so I grabbed a coconut filled chocolate heart to surprise my husband. Cost: 22 cents. I also saw BBQ sauce, Ranch dressing, and croutons that were 50% off, making each a whopping 50 cents.

Finally, I bought 3 Secret deodorants. They are on sale buy one, get one 50% off this week. I used a buy 2 get 1 free coupon from the 2/6 Red Plum insert (there is another one in the 1/9 insert). Three cost me $8.23, and also generated a $1 +UP coupon.

I used 2 $1 off +UP coupons that I earned when I stocked up on Theraflu, so I spent $9.95 out of pocket and have 3 $1 +UP coupons to use on another trip to Rite Aid.

Have you made any good trips to Rite Aid lately?

Stocking Up: Theraflu at Rite Aid

I've been dealing with a nasty cold this week, so this sale on Theraflu was perfect timing for me! I bought 2 packages at Rite Aid and will end up making $2 for my trouble! Here's how:

Theraflu on sale for $4.99
Purchased 2 for $9.98
Used $3 off 2 Theraflu products from Sunday's Smart Source insert
Used 2 $1 +UP rewards (generated from a previous purchase last week at Rite Aid)
Paid $4.98 out of pocket
Each Theraflu purchase generated a $1 off next Rite Aid purchase coupon ($2 total +UP rewards)
Submit for full ($4.99) Theraflu rebate (found in this Sunday's Smart Source insert also)

Now we are set for cold medication for a while! I hope this helps you prepare for the rest of cold season too!

Rite Aid: Feb. 7-13

I am really excited about a bunch of the sales at Rite Aid this week because so many of them are things that I needed! Also, this is the last week that P&G purchases will count toward the Visa Reward Card. Items marked with (***) are participating P&G products. Here are some of my favorite sales with coupon match-ups.



***Pringles, 4 for $5
use $1/4 from 1/31 RP


Comtrex Cold Med., $3.99
use $1.25 from 2/7 SS
receive $1 SCR


Dove Men +Care
use $1.25 from 1/31 RP
receive $4 SCR


***Duracell Rechargeable Batteries, $11.99
use $2 from 1/17 P&G
receive $3 SCR


Finish Automatic Dishwasher Detergent, $4.49
use $1 from 2/7 SS (NOT in the DE News Journal) or $.75 Printable (sign up required)
stack with $1 Video Values coupon
receive $1.50 SCR


***Pampers Jumbo Pack, $8.99
use $1.50 from 2/7 P&G
receive $2 SCR


***Vicks Nyquil or DayQuil, $3.99
use $2 from 1/17 P&G
receive $1 SCR


Remember to bring you $5/$25 coupon or $5/$20 coupon, as well as the Rite Aid Coupon Acceptance Policy. This is a great tool, especially if you are ever told that you cannot use a coupon, but you know the policy allows it! One other thing I learned from reading the policy, you can only use 1 money off your total purchase coupon, like the ones above. They often will accept 2, but they really are not supposed to. For a great article on coupon ethics, check out this post by Mindi @ Moms Need to Know!

90% off clearance at Rite Aid

Just a heads up - my Rite Aid has the remainder of their Christmas things on sale for 90% off! You can get 50 sq. feet of wrapping paper for 20 cents! There are also a few other things like decorations. Most things are picked over, but it only takes a minutes to check.

Rite Aid week of Jan. 17-23, 2010

There are some good deals this week at Rite Aid, especially thanks to the new $5/$25 coupon.

I have listed some of my favorites, along with a scenario where you can make over $8 by purchasing the following products.

2 Olay Quench lotions, $9.99 and $5.98

$2/1 Olay Hand or Body Lotion, exp. 2-28-10 (P&G 01/17/10)

or $1/1 Olay Body Wash Bar or In-Shower Lotion, exp. 2-28-10 (P&G 01/17/10)

1 NyQuil, $3.99

$2/1 Vicks Nyquil or Dayquil, exp. 2-28-10 (P&G 01/17/10)

2 Tums, $1.98

$1/1 Tums Product printable

1 Bayer Asprin, $1.99

$1/1 Bayer Aspirin Low Dose Regimin or Heart Health Advantage Product, exp. 3-31-10 (SS #2 1/3/10)

stack with $2/1 VideoValues coupon

1 WetOnes, $1.99

$1.50/1 Wet Ones Wipes printable

Subtotal: $25.92
- $5/$25 Rite Aid coupon
-$2 Olay lotion
-$2 Olay lotion
-$2 NyQuil
-$1 Tums
-$1 Tums
-$1 Bayer
-$2 Bayer Video Values
-$1.50 WetOnes

OOP Total: $8.42

Submit for Olay Quench rebate: get back full purchase price ($15.97)
Submit for SCR: NyQuil ($1)

Profit after rebates: $8.55

Also have $19.96 towards Visa Rewards Card when you buy select P&G products (through2/13/10)

Sale and Clearance items at Rite Aid this week

I have not been posting the coupon match-ups for Rite Aid lately, mostly because of being busy. This is something that I hope to get back to doing, and I hope that it is helpful!


This week at Rite Aid the Christmas stuff is finally on deep discount (75% off!). I also found a few good freebies (through Single Check Rebates and coupons).

Here's what I got:

3 rolls of wrapping paper: $.49 each (for 50 sq. feet!)

4 chinese take-out style Christmas boxes: $.24 each

A birthday present for my dad: (no picture don't worry, Dad!)

And the rest: 2 bottles of fish oil (200 total softgels), Listerine, 100ct. Tylenol, and 2 Nivea lip care products




I spent $18.90 OOP (out of pocket) and will receive $11.50 via rebate check from Rite Aid. So all of this will only cost me $7.40.


Coupon match-ups:

Nature's Bounty Vitamins, Buy One, get one free
2 $1/1 Nature's Bounty from 1/3 RP
stack with $.50/1 from Video Values (watch short commercials and receive Rite Aid store coupons)

Nivea lip care, buy one, get one free
use BOGO lip item from 1/3 inserts (note: this one was in the Philly paper inserts, but not the News Journal inserts)

Listerine, sale, $3.50
use $.50 from 1/3 inserts
receive $3 SCR

Tylenol, sale, $7.99
$1/1 from 1/3 inserts (another paper had it too, 12/6 I believe)
receive $3 SCR

I also used the $5/$20 purchase I earned watching Video Values commercials.

Remember to have a print out of the Rite Aid corporate coupon policy with you when you go to the store in case you need to stand up for the coupons you are using. The policy clearly states that you may use a BOGO coupon with a BOGO sale (Nivea this week) and you can use a coupon on both items in a BOGO sale (Nature's Bounty). Thanks a million times to Tara @ Deal Seeking Mom for posting the coupon policy!

Rite Aid and Walgreens this week

Normally, I'm much more of a fan of Rite Aid than Walgreens. Rite Aid is so much more customer friendly and has gone to great lengths to make their policies clear. Be sure to print out and carry their Corporate Coupon Acceptance Policy with you in case you ever run into any conflicts (thanks to Deal Seeking Mom)! I wish that Walgreens had something like this because I have personally run into problems with cashiers, managers, and different corporate reps telling me different things, which is soooo frustrating! Anyhow, I digress....this week I see some really great deals at Walgreens, and only so-so ones at Rite Aid (remember the Gift of Savings program is going on at Rite Aid now though).

Here are the best deals I see at Walgreens this week:

In-ad coupon deals

150 ct fold & close sandwich bags, $.99

Black or Color Printer cartridge refill, $9.99

Old Spice or Secret deodorant, $2.29
stack with $1/2 Old Spice Deodorants or Body Washes, exp. 12-31-09 (P&G 11/29/09)
or B2G1 Secret Product, exp. 12-31-09 (P&G 11/1/09)
or $0.50/1 Secret Product, exp. 12-31-09 (P&G 11/1/09)

Yardley bar soap, $.69
Just in time - I am all out!

Ecotrin 24 ct., $1.99
stack with $2/1 Ecotrin Aspirin Therapy Product, exp. 12-31-09 (RP 10/11/09)
OR $7/2 Advantage Brands, exp. 12-31-09 (RP 10/11/09)
OR $10/3 Advantage Brands, exp. 12-31-09 (RP 10/11/09)
check out this post on how to turn this into a freebie with overage!

Register Reward deals

Glade Fragrance Collection products, 2/$5, get $1 RR when you buy 2
use $3/2 Glade Fragrance Collection Product, (ALL YOU December '09)
OR $3/2 Glade Fragrance Collection Product, (SS 11/22/09)
OR $3/2 printable from Right at Home

Gillette Fusion Razor, $8.99, get $4 RR when you buy 1
use $4/1 Gillette Fusion Razor, (P&G 11/29/09)

Complete Multi-Purpose Contact Solution, $7.99, get $7.99 RR when you buy 1
use $1/1 Complete Multipurpose Solution, (RP 10/25/09)

Rite Aid Gift of Savings Program returns!

Do you remember the Fall Gift of Savings program that Rite Aid ran? Well, there is a holiday version that started this past Sunday. All purchases between November 22 and December 24 qualify, and you could earn up to $20 in the form of a gift certificate to Rite Aid!


Here is how the rewards are structured:

Spend between $25 and $49 and receive a $5 certificate

Spend between $50 and $99 and receive a $10 certificate

Spend over $100 and receive a $20 certificate


The program works this way:

Login or register at the Single Check Rebate site. Any receipts that you enter for SCR are automatically entered into the gift of savings program...but remember to enter all your receipts, even if there are no qualifying rebates!

Your "amount spent" is calculated based on the shelf price of the items you purchase. Any coupons or single check rebates do not affect the amount that qualifies towards the Gift of Savings Program. Your reward comes in the form of a gift certificate to Rite Aid that must be used in a single purchase (no cash back).

While programs like this one can be great, it is also important to not get caught up in the mentality of "spend more so I can save more". Weighing the actual cost and whether or not you need what you are buying is more important that getting money back later on.

Because of the sales during the Fall Gift of Savings Program, I was able to make money! My total expenses (after getting back my rebate checks) was $11.71 and I have a $20 gift certificate to use still. I am excited that I was able to hold onto it, so now I can roll it into the new gift of savings program!

Rite Aid Nov. 8-14

Do you think that drug stores are way overpriced? They are! But they run wonderful promotions that make it possible to get many things for cheap or free. To find out more about shopping wisely at Rite Aid, read this post.

There are many different coupons out there for Rite Aid, so remember to print and take with you $5/$20 Video Values, Coupons.com (mine is $3/$15!), or $5/$25. The purchase price is before any coupons!



Herbal Essences Shampoo, Conditioner, or Stylers, BOGO
use buy shampoo, conditioner, or styler, get styler free (10/11 P&G) to get 2 free!


Assorted Christmas Candies or Boxed Christmas Cards, B1G2 free


ChapStick True Shimmer, $1.99
-$1 SCR
get it for $.99


Oral B CrossAction toothbrush, $2.99
-$1 coupon from 11/1 P&G
-$2.99 SCR
They pay you $1 to take it out of the store!


Neutrogena Face Make-up
use in-ad coupon for $3 off (excludes eye and lip, trial size, clearance)
stack with $3 off coupon from November All You


Air Wick I-motion kit or Mini Freshmatic kit, 50% off
use $4 coupon from 10/11 SS to get it for $.99!


Hershey's Kisses bags, 2 for $5
use (2) $1/1 coupon from 10/11 SS to get 2 for $3

Rite Aid 10/25-10/31

I've talked with several people lately who were apprehensive about bargain shopping at Rite Aid. My encouragement is to take it slow and don't try to do a huge transaction the first time. Take a look at this post to see a further explanation of the Single Check Rebate program at Rite Aid. You can sign up online here. Unlike mail-in rebates which are easy to lose or forget about, Rite Aid's rebate program is all online! Just enter your receipt information on their website, and each month you can request one check based on what you have purchased.


I see a few things at Rite Aid this week that you can get for cheap or free.


Hershey’s, Mars or Nestle Fun Size or Snack Size Candy $2.44 ea
buy 3 get 1 free Hershey's, Reese's,, or Kit Kat (10/18 SS)
$1/2 Mars Candy (10/11 RP)
$1/2 Nestle candy (10/18 RP)
$1/1 printable Nestle or Wonka
note: the $2 Nestle or Wonka from coupons.com is for 24oz or larger


Vaseline Intensive Care Sheer Infusion Body Lotion
$4.99
-$4 Single Check Rebate (SCR)
-$1/1 coupon (10/18 RedPlum) or $1.50 printable
Final Cost: FREE or $.50 moneymaker after coupon and rebate


Naked Naturals shampoo or conditioner
$7.99
Buy one, get one free (of the same product) -- look for "try me free" tags on these to get 2 free with a mail-in rebate from the manufacturer!


Yardley Bar soap
buy one, get one free -- this should be a good deal (less than $1 a bar) and great for laundry detergent!


St. Ives elements skin care, apricot scrub, or collagen elastin moisturiser
$3.99
-$3 SCR
Final Cost: $.99 **note: $1 coupon in the 9/20 SS in some areas


Harvest Decor, Domestics, and Candles
75% off ---this could be a good opportunity to get some cheap fall decorations!

If you are looking to do an easy transaction this week to get your feet wet in the Single Check Rebate program, I suggest buying the Vaseline lotion. If you do not want to bother with coupons, you can get some really nice lotion for just $.99. If you have last week's coupon, you can get the lotion for free. Or, if you want to print out a coupon, you can end up getting paid $.50 to take this lotion out of the store!


Any questions about Rite Aid shopping or this week's circular? Leave a comment!

Rite Aid 10/11 - 10/17

There are tons of items that are FREE after Single Check Rebate this week, and they all deal with fighting colds! Remember, unless otherwise stated, you can only get 1 SCR for each product.



Comtrex 20ct. $3.99
-$3.99 SCR
-$1 coupon located by the product in store!
you make $1!



Sucrets Throat Lozenges 18ct. or Sucrets Ice pops 6ct. $2.99
-$2.99 SCR
FREE!



Breathe Again SinoMarin Nasal Spray 3.3 oz $7.99
-$7.99
FREE!



Beyond BodiHeat Pain Relieving Heat Pads 3-4 ct. $2.99
-$2.99 SCR
FREE!



Children's Throat Cooler 6ct. $2.99
-$2.99 SCR
FREE!



Dr. Thompson's Coldwar 20ct. $3.99
-$3.99 SCR
FREE!



Simply Saline Nasal Mist 3oz. $4.99
-$4.99 SCR
-$1/1 from 7/26 SS insert or peelie located on product
you make $1!



Simply Saline Children's Nasal Mist 1.5oz. $3.99
-$3.99 SCR
-$1/1 from 7/26 SS insert
you make $1!



Bee M.D. Throat Drops 21ct. $2.49
-$2.49 SCR
FREE!



Chloraseptic AllergenBlock Gel 20ct. $9.99
-$9.99 SCR
FREE!



Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Balm $2.29
-$2.29 SCR
FREE!



Carmex Lip Balm $1.99
-$1.99 SCR
FREE!



Sinus Buster or Allergy Buster $8.99
-$8.99 SCR
FREE!

Other deal:

Air Wick Ultra 50% off (makes it $6.49)
use $6/1 coupon (from August, don't know the date) to get it for $.49!



Remember to use a $5/$25 coupon from here or $5/$20 from Video Values to make some money this week!

Rite Aid Oct. 4-10

After so many great deals last week, there are not a ton this week at Rite Aid. I did want to highlight a few:

Colgate toothpaste or toothbrush: $.99

Clean & Clear products: 2 for $9 (coupons for this through the Video Values program)

Tylenol 8hr: $7.99 - $2 SCR - $1 (9/20 RP insert) $4.99 for 100

Dove shampoo, conditioner, or stylers: BOGO $1.50 and $1 coupons in 10/4 RP insert

Pampers jumbo pack diapers: $8.99 - $2 (9/27 P&G insert)

Ziplock: $1.99 ($1 coupons from 9/20 and 10/4 inserts)

Dawn dish soap: $.99 - $.20 coupon from 9/27 P&G insert


One note that I wanted to add about Rite Aid...if there is ever something advertised with a Single Check Rebate that is out of stock you can ask for a rain check. I have been told that the rain check should allow you to still qualify for the SCR for that item, though this is something that I have not yet done.

Rite Aid this week

There are some really great deals this week at Rite Aid! Here are the ones that I like the most:

Gillette Fusion Razor

$9.00 sale price

-$4.00 coupon (9/27 P&G insert)

-$5.00 SCR

Free!

Crest Scope Outlast toothpaste (4 oz)

$2.69 sale price

-$1 coupon (9/27 P&G insert)

-$2.69 SCR

You make $1

Softsoap Body NutriSerums Bodywash

$3.99 sale price

-$2/1 Rite Aid in-ad coupon

-$1 coupon (9/27 SS insert)

99 cents!

Nivea Lip Care

$2.99 sale price

-$1 coupon (8/30 RP insert)

-$2.00 SCR

Free!

Pringles

2 for $3 sale price

-$1 off 2 (8/30 P&G insert)

2 for $2

(sadly it looks like this is the last week for this good of a deal because the Pringles coupon in Sunday's paper was for $1 off 4 cans...lame)

Here is what I bought:

I paid $15.65 out of pocket and will get $11.69 back in my rebate check. So I got all of that for less than $4!

I actually would have spent only 97 cents for it all, but I misread a sign at the store. The carmex chapstick that I bought had a sign for a full rebate, which is why I picked it up. When I got home I realized that the rebate is good only when purchased the second week of October. I should have paid closer attention to the dates on the store tag.

The way I was able to get such a good deal on all this is through Rite Aid's Video Values program (yet another way to save!). After you sign up, you can choose different videos (basically commercials) to watch. Once you've watched each video, you earn points and a coupon for the item. The coupon is a Rite Aid store coupon (which you can stack with a manufacturer's coupon), and after you earn 20 credits you get a coupon for $5 off $20 at Rite Aid! Remember the $20 is BEFORE your coupons, making it possible to get things very cheap or even free!

There is also a $5 off $25 at Rite Aid coupon that does not expire until December 15. Its a PDF, so you can print it as many times as you want!

To see coupon more coupon matchups and deal scenarios click here.

Rite Aid Gift of Savings Program

I thought this would be a good follow-up to last week's Rite Aid post.

Rite Aid is rewarding us for shopping at their store (on top of the Single Check Rebate) based on the amount of money that you spend from September 13 to October 17 through a program called Fall Gift of Savings. The best part is that your "amount spent" is not what you pay out of pocket, but the price it is selling for at Rite Aid!

Here is the break down for the gift certificate amount that you will receive based on what you spend:

Spend $25-$50, get $5 back
Spend $51-$100, get $10 back
Spend over $100, get $20 back

I have made 2 trips to Rite Aid that qualify, paying just around $10 out of pocket. Of that I will get $2 back in SCR. But the amount that qualifies for the gift of savings program is just under $30 (so $5 back)! Even if I do not spend anything else at Rite Aid through the 17th of October I will have gotten all this:

for a mere $3!!

Enter your receipts on Rite Aid's website the same way you would for a Single Check Rebate. Here is the link. Any receipts you have entered for SCRs are already entered into the Fall Gift of Savings Program! Remember, just as with the SCR, you can only request one check for the Gift of Savings....so make sure all your receipts are entered first!

Shopping at Rite Aid

I wanted to share about drug stores and the possibilities for saving (and sometimes even making) money by shopping at places like Rite Aid, Walgreens, and CVS. With the deals that these stores run, you can get cheap and free razors, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste....basically any personal care products!

 

In Middletown we have a Rite Aid and several Walgreens. Each of these stores has a "rewards" program of sorts. At Rite Aid there is the Single Check Rebate and at Walgreens they have Registry Rewards. In short, Registry Rewards (RR) are like catalinas -- they print out after you make your purchases and are like cash towards your next purchase. This has been less appealing to me so far, simply because I feel like the deals at drug stores are sporadic enough that I would have a greater potential for my RRs to expire before I used them.

I much prefer the Single Check Rebate (SCR) program at Rite Aid. The way it works is you pay out of pocket and at the end of the month are mailed a check for the value of the rebates you did. Many times a rebate will be for the full cost of a product. You can use a coupon on top of the rebate, which is how money can be made. Remember that Rite Aid does not double coupons, but they do accept manufacturer's coupons on top of coupons printed in their ad.

The really great thing is that this is all done online -- no receipts to mail in! To sign up for SCR go here and register your address (so you can be mailed your check) and your email. You enter four things online from the receipt: the store number, register number, transaction number, and date. In 2 or 3 days you can check back and make sure that your rebate posted. Here's the most important part: you can only request one check a month, so make sure that you wait to request it until the end of the month. If you request your check on week 2 of September and then buy something the next week hoping to get the rebate, you're out of luck!
My check for August was for just over $30!
Quick example about how I was able to get some free lotion this week. Suave products are on sale for $1.99 with a SCR of $1. I had a coupon for $1 off Suave lotion (from the 8/2 inserts). I paid 99 cents at the store and will receive $1 rebate in my check at the end of the month. Free lotion!


Also, if you are headed to Rite Aid, check out the clearance section. There are Nature Valley granola bars (2 pack) on clearance for 49 cents each, and there was a coupon for 40 cents off in this Sunday's paper. 2 granola bars for 9 cents!

Any questions? Let me know in the comments!