Wagging for Walgreens

Today, my dog and I went shopping at Walgreens.  He had to stay in the car, but he was sure to sniff my coupons and nose my bags when I came out.  Finally, a beautiful day and a score of a haul at Wags, I mean Walgreens.  (The pic above was taken last summer, but the view was the same.)

All I needed was Tylenol but you know that I had to get other stuff to get them for a good price.  I took

Just Running Errands

The fruits (veggies?) of my labor

I told my husband that I was dropping off stuff at the food shelf and then running a couple errands.  Two stores, two hours and some amazing deals later, I returned home with a bounty of things, spent less than $25 OOP and still have $20 in gift cards from Target, earned over $5 in BR at Walgreens plus have $4.50 in RR.  Plus, I have $17 in rebates to submit.  A money maker morning!

Here's how it went down:

Stop #1 - Buffalo Food Shelf

$5.00

I just did a Walgreens, Cub and Target circuit and was amazed at the really great deals this week.  So here's a list of things you can get at each store for around $5.00.

Cub

• 10 ears of corn - $1
• 2 pounds Everyday Essential butter $3
• 2 boxes of Ronzonii pasta $ .88 each, apply $1/2 (SS 6/2) = $ .76

= $4.76

Walgreens

• Select Glade scented products 3/$3, apply 3 - $1 coupons (from coupons.com) = free
• 2 Betty crocker cookie mixes for $3.00, use coupons.com $ .75/2 = 2.25
• 2 - 14oz bottles of Walgreens peroxide = 1.32
• Walgreens first aid bag = free with peroxide
• Scrubbing Bubbles toilet cleaner starter kit 2/$6, apply $4.00 from their facebook page = $2

= $5.57

Target

• 3 - Colgate 8.4oz mouth washes $2.99, but 2, get 1 free = 5.98, apply 3 - $2.00 Colgate coupon from coupons.com = free
• Benadryl Itch stick $2.39, apply $2.00 coupon from SS 6/9 = $ .39
• Mott's Tot Juice $ 1.99, apply $1.00 coupon from SS 6/9 - $ .99
• Silk Almond Milk $3.00, apply $1.00 Target.com, $1.00 coupons.com coupon = $1.00
• 2 - Keebler Fudge Shop cookies $1.99 each, apply $1/2 coupons.com coupon and Target Carthweel 5% deal = $2.78

= 5.16

Walgreens Balance Rewards Redemption Time

It took me about 6 weeks to accumulate 40,000 Balance Rewards at Walgreens which is worth $50.00.  I did redeem some points during that time too, but I did save the bulk of it up for a big shopping trip.  For the last few weeks, I combed through the ad to see if there were enough sale items that I wanted to get for this trip, and it finally came together during their 2-day Memorial Day sale which ended yesterday.  I had a few guidelines:

1. Because Walgreens regular prices are higher than Cub, I would not get anything at full price to maximize my savings
2. I would not get anything that earned Balance Rewards, since I can't earn BR when I redeem them

I got out a spreadsheet and calculated the costs including coupon savings, to a total around $51.00.  I also had a couple store gift cards to use which would make anything over $50 at no out of pocket cost.

At the store, I noticed only 1 familiar face and realized that most of the regular Monday staff were probably taking a much deserved break.  I sure hoped the cashier I got would be coupon friendly or this wouldn't work.  There were also a few items that were not in stock or were not priced like I thought they should be, that I passed on.  I opted for a few other items instead to get my totals back up.

I finally got everything and went up to the registers - but first I needed to do a price check.  The Off! spray wasn't marked on the shelves, but they were in the ad and in the picture of the ad.  So I asked the cashier, an elderly man to price check before I started my large transaction.  If the spray wasn't the right price, I'd end up paying $8.00 too much and it wouldn't be a deal.  Another cashier came along, the cosmetic lady and helped me out.  Turns out, the spray should've been on sale but it wasn't.  I brought it to the store's attention.  Yep, I'm becoming that kind of customer.

I checked out at the cosmetic counter, which is always my first choice!  She told me that she's glad she checked me out, because the other man wasn't very good with coupons and it would stress him out.  We had a win-win situation!  Yes, it does help to get the right cashier.  The cosmetics counter is so much nicer because they usually know more about coupons and deals and there is rarely a line forming behind me.  

Everything worked perfectly, and my total was $54.86 with tax.  I redeemed 40,000 points for $50.00, then used a gift card balance for the rest = TOTALLY FREE!

Here's what I got:

• 2 - Samy Fat hair sprays - b1g1 1/2 off
• 3 - bags of chips $1.99 ea
• Indiana popcorn $1.99
• 3 - 24 pack water $1.99 ea
• Bread $.99
• Lipton stix black tea lemon, clearance for $ .94 (filler item)
• 2 - All 28 load detergent $3.49ea
• Steakhouse jerky, clearance $1.19 (filler)
• 2 - Kellogs fruit crisps $2.50 ea
• 3 - Triscuits $2.99 ea
• Oral B toothbrush $2.99
• Heinz ketchup $3.79 (wasn't on sale but I needed it and had a coupon)
• 2 - Nice! lunchmeats 2/$3
• 2 - Off! Deep Woods spray $4.99ea
• 2 - Simply lemonade 59oz $1.99 ea

Balance Rewards savings: $31.87

Store coupons: $5.98

Store savings: $6.45

MQ's: $11.75

= $109.03 worth of groceries

Plus, I received $2 in RR from the Oral B brush and still have 4,050 BR points left

I love my Wags!

Walgreens Fail!

Thought I'd share with you that not all couponing trips are successful.  Yesterday I popped into Walgreens in Monti, got 2 Crest Pro-Health tubes that gives me back $3,000 points, intending to use my $5 RR on them. I get up to the register, flip through my wallet, and no RR!  There's now a line behind me and I look through again and realize that I left it at home, next to my camera from when I took a pic of it for this blog.  So I paid $5.00 for 2 after coupons.

I could've just said that I can't get this today and walk away.  But I felt the "cash register pressure" to be done with my transaction from the cashier and people behind me.  Next time, I'll be sure to check out at the cosmetics or photo counter to avoid this pressure.  

Luckily, I did find a few more of the $1 Crest coupons, so I'm going to make sure I put my RR into my wallet and try it again....maybe.

Rolling Toothpaste at Walgreens

When I was at Wags on Sunday to use my $10 off $35 coupon, I found I had gotten the wrong toothpaste.  We fixed it at the register (my cosmetic counter cashier rocks) and continued on.  Then I went home and I stayed awake thinking about the possibilities of rolling toothpaste.

I didn't think both these deals were advertised in the flyer, but they are so similar that I probably overlooked them.  Here's what they are:

1. Crest Pro Health toothpaste 6 oz $3.49 each, buy 2, get 3,000 BR
2. Crest Pro Health clinical toothpaste 4oz 2/$7.00, receive $5.00 RR

They are basically the same price, except one is 2 oz smaller.  However, with the $1/1 Crest coupon from the 4/28 SS, they come out to the same price: FREE.  I didn't see any of the couponers that I follow mention this deal, so I wasn't sure if I was missing something.  But when I went and double checked it online, it looked like it should work.  So I popped into my Wags today and tried it out to see if I could do it.

Just a note - I had a $5.00 RR from Sunday and if you want to try this, you'll need at least 4,000 BR to start, OR skip Transaction #3.

Transaction #1

4 - Crest Pro Health 6oz @$3.49 each = $13.96

4 - $1/1 Crest coupons = $9.96

I used the $5.00 RR from Monday's toothpaste deal

Received 6000 BR

= $7.92OOP with tax  (yikes, this thing better work or I screwed up my budget for the week)

Transaction #2

2 - Crest Pro-health clinical toothpaste $7.00

2 - $1/1 coupons

= $5.00

Redeemed 5,000 points for $5 off

Received $5.00 RR

= $ .48 (whew, it's working!)

Transaction #3 

2 - Crest Pro-health clinical toothpaste $7.00

2 - $1/1 coupons

= $5.00

Redeemed 5,000 points for $5 off

Received $5.00 RR

= $ .48 

Transaction #4 

2 - Crest Pro Health 6oz @$3.49 each = $6.98

2 - $1/1 Crest coupons = $4.98

2 - Skinny cow candies $.50

Used bogo coupon = $.25

I used the $5.00 RR from previous deal

Received 3000 BR

= $.56

In summary I got:

• 6 boxes Crest Pro-Health 6oz paste
• 4 boxes Crest Pro-Health clinical 4oz paste
• 2 skinny cow candies
• 1 - $5.00 RR left
• 1 - bogo Vidal Sasson Catalina

All for $9.44 

And if I had planned it better without just walking in and flying by SOP I could've just gotten 2 boxes in the first transaction and had only about $5.00 OOP.  And, I should have gotten 2 more of the 6oz Pro-Health at the end to bring my BR back up to better than it was.  But I can always stop by tomorrow.  I have 1 more $1/1 coupon and a $.50/1 to use and can pay for it with the $5 RR.  I'll update this list when I do it since it's connected with the same deals.

Learn to Shop Walgreens - Step 1

Learn to Shop at Walgreens, step by step.  This series will take you through a series of small shopping trips while you learn the ins and outs of Walgreens shopping while saving money.

The first step is to become a Balance Rewards card member and purchase 3-4 sale items with it.

Before you start, locate your nearest Walgreens store or the one most convenient for you.  Then, locate the current ad that you'll use, they run their sales Sunday - Saturday.  If you can't find an add, go to walgreens.com and click the "weekly ad" link at the top of the page and view it as a PDF.

Preparing To Shop
As you look through the ad, focus only on the regular sale prices, in-ad coupon items and the items priced "with card."  Ignore the "Balance Reward" and "Register Reward" deals for now, we will get to those later.

The Balance Rewards member card allows you to get the "with card" deals and to accumulate points for free store credit.  We'll start with just the "with card" deals and learn about the points later.  Pick out no more than 4 items that you'd like to get.  Feel free to stack manufacturer coupons on top of those deals.

Tip: if you choose a coupon deal, look for the fine print.  Most will limit the number of items you can get with that coupon such as "Limit 4."  In this case you could get either 1, 2, 3 or 4 of the item at the coupon price.  Any more than that will be regular priced.

Write out your list and gather your coupons (if any) and plan on about 30 minutes for shopping.  Try to go during a non-busy time if you can so you won't feel rushed.

At the Store
You can choose to either get your Balance Rewards card before you check out or while you check out.  If it's not too busy when you arrive, get it right away.  A cashier can help you either at the register, photo or cosmetic counter.  They should also give you a little brochure about how the program works.  Put the card in your wallet.  There's also a key fob card attached to the card, put it on your key ring now.

Browse through the store and locate the items on your list.  Familiarize yourself with layout so that next time you'll know a little more about where things are.  If an item you wanted to get is gone, make a note (mental or written) to ask the cashier to see if there are more in stock.  Otherwise you may ask for a rain check if you want to get the deal later.

It's check out time!

You may discover that you check out at a different counter, depending on what cashier is available, just flow with it and be polite.  My favorite is the cosmetic counter because you can ask for coupons and get free samples.

Present your Balance Rewards first if you got one when you first arrived.  Otherwise, tell the cashier that you would like to get one.  Put your items on the counter, and then be ready to hand over your coupons if you have them.  If there was an item you couldn't find, ask the cashier if she can check on it for you or issue a rain check.

You should be able to watch the transaction amounts on the digital display attached to the credit card swiper.  If something doesn't ring the way you thought it should, don't be afraid to speak up.  Hand over any coupons you have for the transaction and watch them ring up.

Pay for your purchases, put your card safely back in your wallet and congratulate yourself on your first Walgreens shopping trip!

On the way out of the store, grab a monthly coupon book and stick in your bag.  We'll use this on a future trip.

Reading Your Receipt
The bottom of each receipt will show the percentage that you saved and an amount.  This includes the savings that you received from being a Balance Rewards member.  There will also be a Balance Reward total, of how many points you earned today and your running total.  You may receive a certain amount of points for signing up.

I recommend registering online at Walgreens and adding your card when you get home.  This is a great way to keep track of your points and search for other great deals plus you should receive points for registering online.

Now you have a Balance Rewards card, are a little familiar with the store and have already saved some money.  The next step is to get a Register Reward.

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I Just Needed Bread...

You know when you go into a store and just need 1 thing, and come out with a whole bunch more stuff?  Usually when this happens, I end up spending a lot more than I had planned on.  But not today.  Today I spent nothing out of pocket at Walgreens.

First, I transferred a prescription.  With an online coupon, I received a $25 store gift card.

Then, I started shopping for free stuff.

• Sally Hansen nail colors B1G1 1/2 price.  I had 4 - $4 coupons, making them all free
• 2 - Oral B toothbrushes on sale for $3.49 each, applied 2 - $1 coupons for $2.49 each PLUS earned 3,000 BR points (worth at least $3, see note below on this one)
• 4 - Starbucks frappucinos, on sale for 4/$5, applied 2 - $1/2 coupons = 4/$3
• Wondering how this adds up to free?  Keep reading...
• Calagel first aid, itch lotion $6.79, applied $1 coupon PLUS received $5 coupon for next shopping trip = $ .79
• 1 dozen eggs $ .99
• Loaf of bread $ .89
• Used $1.50 RR coupon from previous transaction
• Used $4.00 RR coupon from previous transaction

= $2.03
Applied gift card
= $0.00

This would have been great without the gift card too, I saved 98% or $48.75 (including card discounts) and would have been happy to pay only $2.03.  But free is better.

To top it all off, I received 2 more store coupons and disounts:

• $5 off my next store purchase (mentioned above from Calagel cream)
• $10 off purchase of $35 or more valid Friday-Monday
• PLUS 3,000 BR points which brings my total to over 40,000 which means $50 credit on most everything
• Side note: I didn't initially get my 3,000 points at the register, I called Walgreens to check this out.  Looks like I can't earn points when using my "store credit/gift card."  But they were nice and gave them to me anyway.
• And, I have $22.95 still on my gift card

= $87.95 in store credit!
Pretty good deal for just needing to get bread.

Looks like I'll be shopping there again on Sunday!

Walgreens Shopping Trip 4/26/2013

I did 2 transactions at Walgreens today to make sure that I got all my BR points and could use the RR right away.

#1

• 2 boxes of band aids $1.99ea, $.75 coupon = $3.23 PLUS 3000 BR points
• Planters peanut butter $2.99, $1 coupon = $1.99 PLUS $3 RR

$5.49 after saving $8.25, plus received $3 in BR and $3 in RR

#2

• 2 packs Twizzlers $1.99 ea PLUS 1000 BR
• 2 packages Neosporin $3.99 each, $2 coupon off each PLUS 3000 BR points
• 3 boxes GM cereal 3/$7, $.85, $.85 and $.75 coupons

Redeemed $3 RR

Total: $9.41 after $24.02 off

Plus - have enough BR points for $20 off next order

Plus - can get a $5 rebate off of Neosporin and Band-Aid products

I think I'm finally rolling at Walgreens!