My CVS visit, yesterday 8/15/10

Key:

BOGOF or B1G1F=Buy One Get One Free

(C)=coupon

ECB=Extra Care Bucks

FAR=Free After Rebate

OOP=Out of Pocket

Head & Shoulders $4.99
Head & Shoulders Free! Used a B1G1F (C)
Pampers $8.88 (Will be FAR)
Crest toothpaste $3.49
M&M Pretzel $0.50 (Because of raincheck)
M&M Pretzel $0.50 (Because of raincheck)
M&M Pretzel Free! (Because of this week's sale of B2G1F)


Used:
$5.00 ECB
$7.99 ECB


Subtotal $5.37
6% tax $0.17
Total $5.54 OOP


Received:
$1 ECB for Green bag used (I have used it 36 times so far, making me a profit of $8!
$2.00 ECB for Head & Shoulders
$2.50 ECB for Crest toothpaste
$1.00 ECB for M&M Pretzel (making all 3 packages free!)
Raincheck for Zegerid OTC 14 ct ($9.99-7ECB-hopefully another $3 coupon will come out soon)


So, essentially I bought two Head & Shoulders for $3, free Pampers, $1 Crest toothpaste, and free M&M pretzels!!!

Tag sales and farmers markets

I love tag sales and farmers markets!  Today I bought:

Eclipse (paperback) for $1
New Moon (paperback) for $1
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (hardcover) for $1
Sweet Home Alabama DVD for $1
Pictionary collector's edition for $2
And Ben bought 2 DVDs for $1 each

Bunch of lettuce $1.25
Cucumbers 3/$1
Zucchini $0.50
Tomatoes $1.99/lb

Last weekend I bought two necklaces for $15 at a tag sale (not an excellent deal, but comparable to Laila Rowe sale prices), along with a cup of lemonade for $1 from a kid's lemonade stand.

I should blog about all of my tag sale deals....

Renting Textbooks

I keep reading about how renting textbooks is such a "good deal."  In my honest opinion, I think that renting is almost as big a rip off as is buying textbooks new (or even used, in most cases) from your college bookstore.  Buying used (or sometimes new is even cheaper) on abebooks.com, half.com, amazon.com, betterworldbooks.com, or alibris.com is easier (you aren't limited to the amount of time you keep the books), cheaper, and you can write and highlight in the books as much as you want.  And then you can sell them back at most of the same websites, if you choose to do so.  I love shopping at those websites, and I have found incredible deals on so many textbooks, regular books, and even CDs and DVDs.  Professors do not mind if you buy the required textbooks new or used, and they often don't mind if it is not the edition they told you to get--as long as it is similar enough and you can figure out the correct pages to read (page numbers often change between editions).

Saturday's CVS Trip

Went to a CVS that I have never been before in New Haven. It was very different than the Iowa City stores....different=bad. I had a lot of trouble finding almost everything on my list. Ben came with me since we had been running errands by car, and he was able to help me a bit. I am not planning on going to CVS this week or the next because of the very few items that I would get, it's not worth driving up to the bad part of New Haven to shop for so few things. In Iowa City, I would just plan the CVS trip around my walking trips to downtown.

Here is my paltry shopping trip from Saturday, July 24:

Key:

BOGOF=Buy One Get One Free

(C)=coupon

ECB=Extra Care Bucks

OOP=Out of Pocket

Brita pitcher filters (3 pack) $14.99

Celsius green tea (4 pack) $7.99

Used:

$0.99 ECB

$0.99 ECB

$1.00 ECB

$2.00 ECB

$2.99 ECB

$5.00 ECB (earned by taking an online survey)

Subtotal $10.01

Tax (6%) %0.39

Total $10.40 OOP

Received:

$7.99 ECB for Celsius green tea (made them free!)

$5.00 ECB for Brita filters

So essentially I made $2.59 on this trip.

My CVS Trip Today

This was probably my last trip to CVS in Iowa City for awhile. I will continue doing the deals in New Haven.

Key:

BOGOF=Buy One Get One Free

(C)=coupon

ECB=Extra Care Bucks

OOP=Out of Pocket

CVS pantiliners 50c

CVS panitliners 50c

Head & Shoulders $5.99

Head & Shoulders $5.99-BOGOF (C), but the limit was $4.74, so this wasn't free

Papermate 10 pk pens 99c

Caliber scissors 99c

Biotrue multi-purpose solution 2.99

Trident Layers gum 1.49-CVS (C) for one package free, limit was $1.29 though, so it wasn't free

Used:

$10 ECB

$1 ECB

Subtotal: $2.41

Tax (7%): $0.59

Total: $3.00 OOP

Received:

$0.99 ECB for Caliber scissors

$0.99 ECB for Papermate pens

$1.00 ECB for CVS pantiliners

$2.00 ECB for Head & Shoulders

$2.99 ECB for BioTrue

All in all, a good shopping trip. I just wish the second H&S had actually been free, and the gum as well.

Onward to studying, cleaning, and packing!

Books!

I am moving out of state in just five days!

I have 60 books left that I am selling on Amazon. I do not want to take all of them with me....so, please help me reduce my inventory. Here is my storefront: http://is.gd/dkrEG

Thanks for looking!

My CVS trip 7/7/10

I forgot to post what I bought at CVS last week, and now I can't find the receipt. Here is yesterday's meager shopping trip!

Key:

(C)=coupon

ECB=Extra Care Bucks

OOP=Out of Pocket

Now & Later candy on clearance $0.22

Sobe water $1.59 buy one get one free-(C) for buy one get one free Sobe water

Sobe water $0.00

Subtotal: $0.22

Tax (7%): $0.13

Total: $.35 OOP

Received:

$1.00 ECB for using my Green Bag tag and my reusable bags

Twitter, etc.

I know I haven't been writing much. I do write often on Twitter though, particularly sharing interesting news tidbits.

I didn't do a cool shopping trip at CVS this past week, I only picked up a prescription. I plan on going this coming week though, and will share the details later.

I have handed over the baton of taking care of The Savvy Boutique's website, email newsletter, Facebook and Twitter accounts. I hope everything stays up to my standards! ;-) *wink*

I'll be moving in less than 3 weeks. Yay. Boo. I'm now close enough to my move-out date that I no longer want to leave. Perhaps Ben could get a job in Iowa City and move back...

csnstores.com Contest

One of my favorite blogger's (Deal Finding Chik) is giving away an $80 CSN gift certificate! I would love to win this because I will be needing more furniture when I move from Iowa to Connecticut in a month.

Here are the details from her blog

"""CSN Stores have generously offered to give away an $80 Gift Certificate to one of my readers! This gift certificate can be used at any of their 200 stores!! Each person has up 4 chances to enter!

1) Leave a comment letting me know your a Follower Deal Finding Chik.

2) Leave a comment letting me know you "like" Deal Finding Chik on Facebook.

3) Leave a comment letter me know you Subscribe to Deal Finding Chik.

4) Blog about this Giveaway and leave a link to your post.

-

Only 4 entries per person are allowed and all other entries will be deleted before the winner is chosen. This giveaway will end Friday, June 18th, at 9PM CT and I will announce the winner on June 19th!! **Please keep in mind that once you receive your certificate that may be shipping charges and if your a Canadian resident, then there may be an international fee for certain products.

-

Good Luck!"""

Go *here* to enter your comments in order to enter the contest.

Friday's CVS Trip

6/11/10 trip to CVS

Key:

(C)=coupon

ECB=Extra Care Bucks

OOP=Out of Pocket

Skinny Cow ice cream $1.00-$1.00(C)

Skinny Cow ice cream $1.00-$1.00(C)

CVS "Claritin" 30ct (for my mom) $9.99-$1.00 CVS (C)

Powerbar $0.99

Powerbar $0.99

Powerbar $0.99

Vitamin D supplements 200ct (for my mom) $10.49-$1.00(C)

Vitamin D supplements 200ct (for my mom) FREE (B1G1 Free!)

CVS Calcium supplements chewables 60ct (for my mom) $6.39

CVS Calcium supplements chewables 60ct (for my mom) FREE (B1G1 Free!)

Cascade action packs 20ct $3.97-$2.00(C)

Always pads 18ct $2.97-$1.00(C)

Always liners 40ct $2.97-$1.00(C)

CVS cranberry supplement 100ct (for my mom) $6.89

CVS fish oil supplement 240ct (for my mom) $18.99

Used:

$1.00 ECB

$10.00 ECB

$5.00 ECB

(C) for $5 off a purchase of $15 or more, expires 6/11/10

Subtotal: $38.63

Tax (7%): $3.93

Total: $42.56 OOP

Received:

$2.97 ECB for the three powerbars

I saved $58.22 with coupons, CVS coupons, ECBs, and things being on sale!

Fashion Fun

I work for The Savvy Boutique in Iowa City, Iowa. I am responsible for keeping our website, Facebook page, and Twitter updated. On Facebook and Twitter I have been posting useful links and tips regarding fashion. Here are some:

No clothing will keep you safe enough from the sun. Learn the facts about SPF: Sun Smarts: "Everything You Need to Know About SPF": http://bit.ly/c2RyKu via @addthis

Did you gain some weight this winter? You're not the only one! See tips on how to dress thinner here: http://bit.ly/PqIBr RT @Real_Simple

A brightly colored wallet is easy to find in a handbag. Find cheerful wallets at Savvy. RT @Real_Simple

Use pushpins and a bulletin board to keep your jewelry organized and tangle free. RT @Real_Simple

Staying on top of color trends? Find your favorite spring/summer 2010 colors at Savvy! http://bit.ly/3mqwAT

Wait at least 15 minutes after applying perfume or body lotion before putting on jewelry, otherwise there will be a greasy buildup. Find jewelry at Savvy! RT @Real_Simple

Tips on how to dress for any occasion: http://bit.ly/duQnTC RT @Real_Simple

Jeans with fading that is centered on the thighs is slenderizing: The combination of light and dark shading tricks the eye. RT @Real_Simple

Tips for Trying on Clothes Quickly RT @Real_Simple http://bit.ly/cVZiAt

Need a laugh? Read Most Embarrassing Fashion Moments here: http://bit.ly/c6oJlN RT @Real_Simple

How To Iron a Dress Shirt RT @Real_Simple: http://bit.ly/5eVwfO

Safety-pin socks together before throwing them in the wash. You'll never search for matching socks again! RT @Real_Simple

See fashion and beauty made out of paper here: http://www.realsimple.com/magazine-more/fashion-beauty-paper-sculptures-00000000031779/index.html

Stylish for Pennies (or pretty darn close)---How to Shop at Consignment Stores - at WomansDay.com http://shar.es/mu4bx

My CVS trip today

Key:

(C)=coupon

ECB=Extra Care Bucks

OOP=Out of Pocket

LifeSavers Gummies Sours $0.25 (clearance)

Gillette Fusion ProGlide $9.97-$4.00(C)

Coppertone Continuous Spray Sunscreen (50 SPF) $10.49-$1.00(C)-$6.00 CVS (C)/2

Coppertone Continuous Spray Sunscreen (50 SPF) $10.49-$1.00(C)-$6.00 CVS (C)/2

Palmers lotion $6.99

Used:

$6.99ECB

$8.00ECB

Subtotal $11.20

Tax (7%) $2.67

Total $13.87 OOP

Received:

$1.00 ECB for using my Green bag tag

$10.00 ECB for Coppertone Continuous Spray Sunscreen

$5.00 ECB Gillette Fusion ProGlide

(C) for $5 off a purchase of $15 or more, expires 6/11/10!

So I essentially made $2.13.

JCPenney towels

I saw that in their newspaper ad today that JCPenney is having an Appreciation Sale, which means you can take 15% off anything through tomorrow (Saturday). I did want more green and blue towels for my apartment in Connecticut, so I went shopping online at jcpenney.com I settled on these.

I was going to use the 15% off code (15JUST4U), but then I remembered that one of my favorite bloggers: The Thrifty Mama had posted a code for JC Penney for $10 off a $10 purchase (DADROCKS). I chose one olive green and two serene blue towels to make my total go above $10. I shopped through upromise.com, so I should get 3% of my purchase back (I think it will be just 3% of $1.97, which was my subtotal, but hey $0.05 is 5 cents!).

Here are the details:

Towels were $3.99 each ($9.99 originally)

Promotion: ($10.00)

DADROCKS

Total Savings: ($28.00)

Subtotal: $1.97

Standard Shipping & Handling: $5.95

Tax: $0.48

Order Total: $8.40

I don't think I could have done any better than $2.80 per towel, and that includes shipping and tax!

First Post!

Besides LiveJournal, I've never had a blog before, I thought it was about time to make one though. Hopefully blogger.com is not a website that will die in a year or two, and delete all my posts.

Why the name "The Adventures of Danielle 05"?

My godfather, Mark Egleseder (or is it Egelseder?), was known for saying, "Just think of this as an adventure." That quote has gotten me through some tough times, and it was my senior quote in my high school yearbook.

My name is Danielle, surprise, surprise.

I graduated in '05, and I later met the love of my life, Benjamin Oakes in '05.

In this blog, I hope to keep friends and family updated on the happenings of my life especially once I move away from Iowa. I also will try to post my weekly deals at CVS, which are totally awesome, and I hope to inspire others to score great deals like mine. I also want a central place to save fashion stories or photos that I love. I have been interested in fashion for several years now, and have worked at a women's clothing consignment store for the past 3+ years.

Don't expect a lot of postings, I may lose interest in doing this, who knows?

I would love comments, so feel free to post them! :-)