Yesterday after I got off work I was craving macaroni and cheese. I decided I was going to stop at CVS to pick up a box. As I got to where the food was, there was a great debate: Kraft macaroni and cheese ($1.59) versus Velveeta Shells and Cheese ($3.19). I decided on the Velveeta Shells and Cheese because it sounded better, picked up my box, and made my way to the cash register. On the way, I was kicking myself because: 1. I just bought the more expensive box of macaroni and cheese and didn’t feel like depriving myself, and 2. I should stock up on these types of things while I do my normal grocery shopping. I’d save time, money, and gas.

When I got up to the register, the girl asked me if I had some type of card. I told her no, and she scanned one, rang up my box of macaroni and cheese, and sent me on my way. I was a little disturbed she didn’t offer me a card. Of course on the flip side, I should have asked, but I was in a hurry and wanted to go home. When I got home, I took Tiffany’s advice and checked out the CVS deals from Money Saving Mom. The CVS deals sound a lot better than the Walgreens Easy Saver Rebates! I wish I would have known about this awhile back. I would have been doing this all the time.

There is a CVS right up the street from me, and I’ll be visiting there to take advantage of the deals from now on. Not only is it closer, but I’m saving more money on gas and time from having to drive a lot farther to Walgreens! I feel like I should have known about this already, but I’m glad I found out now.

What’s a money saving tip that you wish someone had told you earlier?

Posted under Freebies

Normally I love going to Walgreens once a month and getting the free items, purchasing them with my gift card, and getting the price back plus 10% because I have the rebates reloaded on the gift card.  I drug Mr. Money into a Walgreens yesterday to check out July’s free items, and I was so disappointed!

Here are the free items for July:

• TheraBreath Starter Kit, up to $10.99.

• Hebert’s Fully Loaded Chocolate Bars, 2.75 oz., up to $.99.

• Nature Made Rx Essentials, up to $9.99.

That’s it!  I know I should complain about free items, and I hope this doesn’t make me sound greedy or ungrateful, but it just seems like the items that they have been offering the past few months have gone downhill.  I remember when I used to get free toothpaste and free toothbrushes and stockpile those.  No more, I guess. I really enjoyed getting the items that I already was going to buy free.  I liked having a stash of toothpaste built up.

One good thing about the Walgreens Easy Saver Rebate program is that they’ve changed it so that you are able to enter your receipts online.  When I bought Mr. Money the 99 cent candy bar last night, he made the comment that it wasn’t worth it because I wouldn’t end up doing the rebate and it would cost me 42 cents for the stamp anyway.  I can happily inform him tonight that I submitted that rebate online today. Yay me!

I’m curious- if you do the Walgreens Easy Saver Rebate Program, have you noticed it go downhill?  Should I try another drugstore’s rebate program instead? 

Posted under Economy, Freebies

Last month I posted about Redbox and how wonderful I thought it was. Since then, I’ve found this site that lists all the current redbox codes so you’ll never have to pay for a Redbox rental again! I absolutely love a bargain, as I’m sure most of you do too, and I think this is just an amazing site. Be sure to check here before you go to rent another movie again!

Now, a few things before you think I am promoting unethical policies: Redbox actually posts these codes each week if you sign up for their email or SMS service. In turn, you will get a free rental each Monday for one day’s use. When you get the codes, remember which card you use because each code can be used once with each card you have. If you have five credit/debit cards, you can use one code per card and get five free rentals. Sound like a good deal? It is!

Posted under Freebies, Save Your Money