An Update on G...and Couponing

Please continue to keep G in your prayers as she is still having a pretty rough time. Her procedure on Friday went fine, and there were no complications, but as expected, she was in quite a bit of pain on Friday evening. By Saturday morning though, she was feeling much better and after taking her IV out and walking the halls a couple of times, they released her to go home later that day. Unfortunately, she started feeling pretty bad again Saturday night and didn't get much sleep. She called her doctor this morning and explained that she had chest pain the night before and was very "out of it" now, and he asked that we bring her back to the ER. After running a couple of tests, they decided to re-admit her back into the hospital. Unfortunately though, all the beds were full on the cardiology floor, so she was stuck in the tiny and uncomfortable ER room for almost 9 hours. She's in a room now though and is back on an IV. I talked to my mom just a minute ago, and she says that she's feeling a little better, so hopefully she'll be able to get some sleep tonight and feel even better tomorrow when she wakes up. I'll let everyone know what I find out tomorrow.

On a totally unrelated note, I also did a little bit of couponing this weekend. Although I spent most of my weekend at the hospital, I went to CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart between my visits as I have realized that this new "hobby" has become somewhat of a stress-reliever for me. I guess it's somewhat like retail therapy. Between all 3 stores, I saved a total of $78.32 and only spent a total of $49.55 (including tax and stuff not bought with coupons). Plus, I now have $1 in ECBs (CVS money) and $12 in RRs (Walgreens money).

Here's a picture of what I bought at CVS.
My total without coupons or sales would have been $76.90, but using coupons (including one that printed at the coupon machine when I first got there for $5 off a $30 purchase) and $7 in ECBs, I got everything shown above for only $17.98. I saved $58.92 or 77% off of the original total. I also received $1 in ECBs.

Box of 20 Assorted Greeting Cards -- $7.99
On 75% off clearance shelf
$1.99 for the package or $0.10 each

Ice Breakers Ice Cubes (40 count) -- $3.99 Buy 2 of these.
On sale for $2.50 each

Get $1 in ECBs when you buy 2

$2 each after ECBs

Vaseline Lotion -- $6.99
On 50% off clearance shelf
$1 off (8/1 RedPlum)
$2.49 after coupon

Bounty Paper Towels (8 rolls) -- $9.99
FREE with P&G purchase greater than $25 (shown below)

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$25 P&G purchase:

Charmin Toilet Paper (16 rolls) -- $12.99
On sale for $9.99
$1 off (coupon that printed at the coupon machine)
$0.25 off (8/1 P&G)
$8.74 after coupons

Pampers Diapers -- $11.99 Buy 2 of these.
On sale for $8.88
$3 off a $10 diaper purchase (coupon that printed at register last time)
$1.50 off (8/1 P&G) Use 2 of these.
$5.88 after coupon
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Pampers Wipes -- $3.49
FREE with diaper purchase (8/1 P&G)

Here's a picture of what I bought at Walgreens.
I actually bought all of this stuff in two transactions -- not because of strategy but because I had some Register Rewards (RRs) that expired on Friday, so I stopped by on the way home from the hospital, and because it was late at night and I was exhausted, I only bought enough stuff to use my RRs and then went back to get the rest of the stuff on my list on Saturday.

My total without coupons or sales would have been $19.99, but using coupons and $11.50 in RRs, I got everything shown above for only $7.49. I saved $12.50 or 63% off of the original total. I also received $12 in RRs.

Crayola Crayons (24 pack) -- $1.00

Get $1 in RRs

FREE after RRs

Complete Multipurpose Solution -- $7.99

Get $8 in RRs

FREE after RRs

Alive! Energy Multivitamins (50 count) -- $10

$1 off (here)
Get $10 in RRs
FREE + $1 moneymaker after coupon and RRs

Here's a picture of what I bought at Walmart using coupons.
My total without coupons or sales would have been $12.38, but using coupons, I got everything shown above for only $5.48. I saved $6.90 or 56% off of the original total.

Sesame Street Fizzy Tub Colors (6 count) -- $0.98

$1 off (here)
FREE after coupon

Yo-Plus Yogurt -- $1.92
$0.50 off (6/20 SmartSource)
$1.42 after coupon

Coffeemate Creamer -- $2.78
$0.75 off (here)
$2.03 after coupon