Maximum Prices Paid for Products

After I started couponing this last January, I noticed that I mentally started developing price points that I would not exceed for certain products.  For example, I use Colgate toothpaste.  During my first coupon deal, I managed to get a tube of toothpaste for free!  I thought that was just one of the most amazing things that I had ever done!  Okay, so now you know that it does not take much to make me happy these days!  :-)  Anyway, little did I know at the time, that getting a free tube of toothpaste was something that I could do quite often.  Since January, I have "purchased" five tubes of toothpaste (none are travel size), and I have paid nothing for them. This week, I will get two more tubes (6 oz) for free.  In fact, I think I will actually be paid $1.00 for each tube to buy them.  Now that is amazing - being paid to buy something for free!  If you are wondering how I will manage this common feat, it is simple.  For example, this coming week (5/1/2011), CVS has Colgate toothpaste on sale (using one's Extra Care card) for $2.77 with a limit of two tubes per person.  For each tube, I will use a $1.00 coupon that I will clip from the May 2011 issue of All You magazine, which is told at Wal-Mart and Amazon.com (I'll do a posting about that magazine in a few days).  That coupon brings the price down to $1.77 per tube.  Since I will have the cashier scan my Extra Care card, I will end up getting back $2.77 in Extra Care Bucks (ECBs).  That brings the price down to $0, and gives me $1.00 of extra buying power at CVS.  When you coupon, you have to re-arrange your thinking when it comes to calculations for free things.  When I purchase these tubes of toothpaste this coming week, I will actually pay $1.77 per tube plus tax, but I will get back the ECB for $2.77, which I can use on a future purchase at CVS.  Of course, by using your Extra Care card without the $1.00 coupon, you can get the toothpaste for free; you just will not get the overage.

With that explanation out of the way, below are just a few products with the maximum prices that I will ultimately pay:

Toothpaste:  $0
Men's body wash: $0 (I donate this to a senior citizen's group)
Manual toothbrush: $0
Dental Floss: $0
Shampoo (full size): $ .50
Conditioner (full size): $ .50
Hair Color: $2.99
Sprite (2 litre bottle): $1.00
Blood glucose monitor: $0 (I donate this to a senior citizen's group)

As I said, these are just a few things.  Gas prices continue to rise, and that will impact the price of products.  Therefore, my maximum prices may have to be adjusted slightly, but not much.  :-)

Walgreens - Gotta Luv Free Stuff!

Walgreens was my favorite store this week!  That store had a blood glucose monitor that was $14.99 with a $14.99 mail in rebate in the box.  Added to that, I received a $5.00 register reward for purchasing it!  I was $5.01 ahead!  Colgate toothpaste was on sale for $2.99, and I ended up with a $3.00 register reward!  OK, so that makes $5.01 (less sales tax) that I made just for purchasing those two items!  I did not even need any coupons!   

Okay, so what am I going to do with the items?  The toothpaste is going into my stockpile, and the blood glucose monitor will probably go to a local organization that provides services to seniors citizens.  I am sure there is a senior in the county who needs a monitor.  :-)

As far as my stockpile in concerned, I have decided that I am going to determine the maximum quantity that I will stockpile for each item that I have obtained for free.  After that number is reached, I am going to donate the items.  I always create gift bags for at Christmas and give the bags to social workers to distribute to needy seniors, but the obtaining of free things will enable me to give things to seniors throughout the year.  Always be generous.