Frances | November 25, 2009

Can you roll over your ECBs from week to week and only pay the tax?

We know that you can use CVS ECBs to pay for products in CVS stores. We also know that CVS ECBs roll over, meaning you can pay for an item with ECBs and ECBs will still print out.

For example, two weeks ago (CVS 11/15 deals) you could get a $5 ECBs WYB $15 in Energizer Batteries. Of course you would use your store & competitor coupons to get this total as low as you could. Regardless of what you paid, you walked away with $5 in ECBs.

Then this week lets say that you took advantage of the Clean & Clear Deal where you would get another $5 ECBs WYB $15 in Clean & Clear products. Again using your coupons to get the total that as low as possible. Now, if you used the $5 ECBs from the Energizer deal to pay for the Clean & Clear products you purchased you would walk away with another $5 ECBs to use again on your next trip. This is “rolling ECBs“.

Like the Energizer bunny “it keeps going and going and going”, rolling those ECBs from week to week.

Here is a goal to work towards “roll over” your ECBs from week to week and pay only tax for the items you purchased.

Let’s look at the CVS Black Friday deals, there are a few deals that are freebies (meaning pay $1 get back $1 ECB):

• Mars King Size Bars $1.59 Get $1.59 ECBs
• Hersey Singles $.89 Get $.89 ECBs
• Philips Earbuds $6.99 Get $6.99 ECBs
• Degree Ultra Clear for Women $4 Get $4 ECBs -$1 coupon (money maker)
• Colgate 360 Toothbrush $2.99 Get $2 ECBs – $1 printable
  
• Bic Soleil Razor $6.99 Get $5 ECBs – $2 printable

If you were able to find all the deals we have listed above you would walk away with over $20 in ECBs. How long can you make that $20 ECBs last? Could you “roll” that $20 in ECBs for other products that give you back $20 in ECBs.

Let’s use $5 ECBs for a real sales ad example:

Deals for the 11/27 Black Friday
Bic Soleil Razor $6.99
-$2 printable

Out of pocket: $4.99
Received $5 ECBs

Deals for the 12/6 CVS Week
2 Essence of Beauty $4.99 (Get $8 ECBs WYB 2)
2 Merry Brite $3.99 (Get $7.98 ECBs WYB 2)
2 Merry Brite Ornaments $1.99 (Get $3.98 ECBs WYB 2)
Covergirl Foundation $4.99 (Get $1 ECB)
-$1 covergirl coupon
-$5 off $25 coupon

Out of Pocket: $20.93
Receive $20.96 in ECBs

We rolled the ECBs from 11/27 to the 12/6 week deals. In this example, we paid $4.99 for razors, 2 Essence of Beauty, 4 Merry Brite items, and a bottle of Covergirl and walked out with $20 in ECBs that we can use the following week.

Rolling…Rolling…Rolling…

If this is clear as mud, email me at Frances at Frugal Fairhope dot com and we can go over it together.

Category: CVS, Drug Store Deals | No Comments »
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Frances | November 23, 2009

If you are looking for some extra cash for the holidays or looking for a great deals listen to WABF 1220 AM Gulf Coast Swap Shop from 9am – 10am Monday – Saturday.

The Gulf Coast Swap Shop is a great resource to get deals locally. You can find anything on the Swap Shop, and we do mean ANYTHING. Last week there was a guy who was looking for a live armadillo and was willing to pay $50 for it.

If you miss the broadcast you can place your items that you want or to sell on their site at www.wabf1220.net/swapshop.html. They even have a section where you can post the details of  your garage sale.

We have added the WABF Swap Shop to our right side bar. Click on WABF Swap Shop anytime to find out what happened this week on the Swap Shop.

You can find some terrific local deals on the Gulf Coast Swap Shop.  If you call in please make sure you say hello for us from Frugal Fairhope!

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Frances | November 23, 2009

Target is not getting my vote of approval for the second change they have made to their price match policy. We maybe visiting our local Wal-Mart store, who will not only price match but will take the competitor and store coupons after the price match.

Target has changed their policy to accepting Target coupons before the price match. “Yuck Deal Alert”

Using the a Sample DVD example below, here is how this change worked before and after the policy change.
Advertised price for Sample DVD

Wal-Mart $15   /  Target $25
We have a $5 Target Coupon for Sample DVD

Before. Here is how it worked before the new policy change:
Target would price match the Sample DVD to $15 (Wal-Mart’s price)
-$5 Target Coupon for Sample DVD
Final Price: $10

After. Here is how it works now:
Target Sample DVD $25
-$5 Target Coupon for Sample DVD
Target will price match the Sample DVD at $15 (Wal-Mart’s price)
Final Price: $15

If you have a manufacture coupon it will be applied after the Target’s price matching.

Here is another way to look at this, here is the order of how they will work the price match, competitor coupons, and manufacture coupons:

#1 Target Price
#2 -Target Coupon
#3 -Target Price Match to Competitor
#4 -Manufacture Coupon

Locals: You are better off going to Wal-Mart where they still apply all coupons (Target & manufacture) after the price match.

Here is the information from Target’s site.

Can I use coupons when price matching?

A guest can use coupons when price matching per Target’s normal coupon policy. When the guests presents a coupon(s), these steps will be followed:

Manufacturer Coupons:
Manufacturer coupons will be applied after the price match is made.

Target Coupons:
Target coupons will be applied before the price match is made. If the competitor price is still lower than the price after the Target coupon has been deducted, the ad match can be adjusted to match the competitor’s price.

Combining both a Target and Manufacturer Coupons:
The Target coupon will be applied before the price match is made. If the competitor price is still lower than the price after the Target coupon has been deducted, the ad match can be adjusted to match the competitor’s price. Once the price match is made the manufacturer coupon will be applied.

Reminder: We accept one manufacturer coupon and one Target coupon for the same item unless either coupon prohibits it.

Target does not ad match a competitors coupon-required offers.

This is the second time this month that Target has changed their price matching policy. Here is the link to the new policy FAQ.

Category: Grocery Store Deals, Target | No Comments »
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Frances | November 16, 2009

A note from one of our readers.

Hi Frances!

I had a wonderful time at the coupon class at West Mobile Baptist.  I have been couponing for about 1 month but you gave straight forward advice that has driven me even more.  Like you, we believe in Dave Ramsey’s philosophy and are well on our way to being debt free.  We have even paid off our car!  I wanted to thank you for the time that you put into the class and your sweet spirit.

When I felt led at church yesterday to choose a child to purchase Christmas gifts for, I was able to reach for a name and take it off of the tree, knowing that I can give to the child now that I am saving money in other areas. For years, I have not been able to do that.  What an incredible feeling!

I am a stay at home Mom who sometimes misses the accomplishments and raises that being employed brought.  Now, when I return from Publix, I feel like I got a raise!

My husband’s spirits have lifted too because he now feels like he is a better provider because the money he brings home is stretching further.

The joy that I receive now from something as simple as being a coupon fairy at times is astonishing.  Who knew that some time and scissors could bring so much joy and create a “pay it forward” effect!  My cup overflows…”

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Frances | November 7, 2009

The other night in the Frugal Fairhope Coupon Workshop at The Dwelling we discussed the difference between price matching and accepting competitor coupons.

Accepting Competitor Coupons
This is when a store accepts another competitive store’s coupons. For example our local Fairhope Publix store will accept Target coupons.

Price Matching
Price matching is when a store will reduce their product price to match another competitive store’s price. For example you can get Hunt’s Tomato Sauce for $1/3 at Walgreens this week. You can get the same price at Target and Wal-Mart if you take the Walgreens circular into the those stores

The Fairhope Publix store will accept the following competitor coupons:

• Target
• Rite Aid
• Walgreens
• CVS
• Winn-Dixie
• Bruno’s
• Greer’s

Pensacola, Florida Publix stores will not take Rite Aid coupons.

Target will price match but will not take competitor coupons.

Wal-Mart will price match but will not take competitor coupons, at this time. “Store managers make the final decision in always taking care of our customers, but we do have guidelines for matching our competition.

• We do honor “Preferred Shopping Card” advertised prices. Must be like items, be advertised and require a competitor’s shopping card, for the discount to apply.
• We do not honor advertisements that require a purchase in order to receive the advertised price or free product.
• We do not honor “Buy One / Get One Free” advertisements.
• We do not honor double or triple coupons or percent off advertisements.
• We do not honor other retailers’ “Misprinted” advertised prices.
• We do not honor Internet Pricing.
• We do not honor competitor advertisements from outside of the store’s or Club’s local trade territory.”

Some Kmart, Walgreen’s, and Michael’s craft stores will accept competitor coupons.

Petco will price match ” a competitor’s retail store that is in the same market and/or within a reasonable distance of our store”. “You have the choice of the local competitor’s offer and price OR our offer and price, but not both. For example, you cannot receive a price match on an item and then apply a coupon or other form of savings to further reduce the price.”

Lowes and Home Depot will accept each others coupons.

CVS store will accept competitor prescription drug coupons.

Some Walgreen’s and Rite Aid stores will accept competitor prescription drug coupons.

Office Max, Office Depot, and Staples will accept each others coupons.

Best Buy will price match, “lower advertised price on the same available brand and model prior to your purchase or during the exchange and return period, we will match that price. Simply bring in the ad of the local retail competitor or Best Buy, while the lower price is in effect and receive your price match”.

Bed, Bath & Beyond will accept their own expired hard copy coupons. Don’t toss the expired coupons.

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Frances | November 3, 2009

Here is the final chapter on the free diapers from Arquest.  We posted Really? Free Diapers & $10 on September 1st. We though they were pulling our leg when the Free Diapers Arrived on September 9th.

We got our first $10 check in the mail from Arquest this week. The word first was not a typo, we have signed up for another diaper survey and the diapers arrived tonight.

Now you know how much we are loving this, a month worth of diapers and a $10 check, where can we sign up for more.

Here is the information:

The company is Arquest and they could be taking applications in your area. It took us months to get the call back, so be patient. This is a recorded message so you will need to leave your name, address, phone number and the details of your child (age and sex).

For Girls call 1-888-342-7372 ext. 646
For Boys call 1-888-342-7372 ext. 634

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Frances | November 3, 2009

The Fairhope Publix store did not get the shipment of Green Advantage Buy booklets in this week. They are not expecting them for a couple of days.

We are so inspired with hope from our shopping trip at Publix today, ever third person we saw had coupons and binders. It was so exciting. Today seemed like the day for the “coupon ladies” and “guys”. We even ran into someone who was teaching their friend how all this works. Now, that is the best!!! Pass the love and give out those “happys” because the world is changing for the better.

Last Thursday at our Free Coupon Workshop someone asked us about the reset of blinkie machines. Well, someone remember the date and track the trend, because there were lots of new blinkie machines filled with new coupons at the Fairhope store. We found following blinkies, there may have been one or two we missed or they were out.

• $.55 Krusteaz Bakery Style Cookie Mix
• $.55/2 Pop Secret
• Free Heinz HomeStyle Gravy WYB 2 Ore-Ida Steam m’ Mash
• $.75 Scott Naturals Wipes
• $1 Dove Ice Cream
• $1/2 Crisco Shortening
• $.75 Pedigree Treats
• $1/2 Hungry Jack Potato Products
• $.75 I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter
• $1 Cesar Treats
• $1.50/2 Pillsbury Refigerated Cookie Dough
• $.55 Sargento Shredded Cheese
• $1 Chinet Cut Crystal Cups
• $.55 Cottonelle
• $.5 Scott Bath Tissue

For those of you who are new to Frugal Fairhope and don’t have a clue what a  “Happy” is, the following is for you.

If you get anything out of Frugal Fairhope we hope that it is not just to get the best deals but to give back to your community. The smallest thing could mean a lot to one person.

“You Can’t Help Everyone Everywhere, ButYou Can Help Someone Somewhere”.

This statement sums up the entire purpose of why we started Frugal Fairhope.

We want to help as many people as we can.

“Rough economic times” or not we are here to make an impact on someone’s life.

Post by post, coupon by coupon, freebie by freebie…saving that $.50 to getting a smile on your face when you open the mailbox and find something there besides bills. A “happy” (gift) as my 99 year old great grandmother Mamo use to put it. She loved getting “happys”. She was such a caring person that she wanted to re-gift the “happy” and give it back to the original person or to someone new. It was almost like she wanted to share the happiness with everyone.

Frugal Fairhope is our “happy” to you and we hope that you will share it with everyone you meet.

Category: Frugal Fairhope Thoughts, Grocery Store Deals, Publix | No Comments »
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Frances | November 2, 2009

If you have old games not being used at your house, trade those used games in for Toys R Us gift cards. They are also offering free shipping for values of $10 or more.

Here is the link to all the information about this program.

Category: Department Store Deals | No Comments »
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