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Survival of the Cheapest!

Archive for October, 2008

My continuing love affair with Walgreens

October 24th, 2008

Walgreens deals just keep on coming! They released a new $5 off $20 coupon, and that coupled with the Easy Saver Rebate deals and the Register Rewards deals is making for some very good deals. Compare that to the crappy deals we’ve seen recently from CVS!

Right now through Saturday (10/25), the following items will produce Register Rewards coupons:

Oral-B CrossAction manual toothbrush ($4.49 produces $4.50 RR)
Alka-Seltzer Cold Plus ($4.99 produces $5.00 RR)
St. Ives Elements products ($4.99 produces $5.00 RR)
3 Robitussin 4oz. Cough Syrups (3 x $5.99 = $17.97 less 3 x $3.00 printable coupons = $8.97 produces $10.00 RR plus $5.00 RR)

Also through Saturday, you can purchase items for the Easy Saver Rebates for both October and November (see catalogs here). The following items were also added to the October rebate in response to product shortages for September rebate items:

Nivea for Men Body Wash RAINCHECK $4.99 (October Rebate #45; same as Sept. rebate #2)
Lypsyl lip moisturizer RAINCHECK $3.99 (October Rebate #46; same as Sept. rebate #6)
Loreal Revitalist Anti Wrinkle Concentrate RAINCHECK $16.49 (October Rebate #47; same as Sept. rebate #3)
Chemistry Hair products RAINCHECK $7.99 (October Rebate #48; same as Sept. rebate #5)

I went out today and stopped at several stores and spent $45.80 in Walgreens gift cards and increased my roll of Register Reward coupons by $39.00 and should have another $27.98 in rebates coming, meaning I made a profit of $21.18 from today’s run (in addition to all the stuff I got). This also doesn’t include the six electric razor replacement heads I bought at less that $10 each to resell on eBay (usually go between $15 and $25).

You must remember on Register Rewards items that no matter how many items you buy a Register Reward coupon for a promotion will only print once per transaction, and you cannot use a Register Reward coupon from a promotion to get another Register Reward coupon from the same promotion. Keep those things in mind and you’re golden. The nice thing about Walgreens Register Rewards deals is that because they don’t use a card you can do the deal several times over as long as you purchase them on different transactions.

Happy hunting!!!

2 comments »

Posted in Deals, Walgreens

2008 CECK Pumpkin Carving Contest – Vote For Your Favorite!

October 19th, 2008

As we did last year, we are sharing our family Halloween tradition with you and asking for your help in deciding who has the best pumpkin of them all. Below you will find the inspired creations of various members of our family (posted anonymously) with a picture and short description. All we ask is that you leave a comment voting for your favorite. We’ll tally the votes received through midnight Halloween night and feature the winner with its own post shortly thereafter.

If you are visiting us for the first time, please take a few minutes and have a look around, laugh at my cheapness, and maybe make a quick $25 by opening an ING online savings or checking account. Enjoy!!!

#1 Mr. Pumpkin Head – I wasn’t carved. I was accessorized. VOTE FOR ME. You know I look like a member of your family.

#2 Boogie Man – Is anybody scared?

#3 Mummy – Everyone’s favorite Halloween snack Pumpkin mummy wrap.

#4 Rocky – “Mr. T ain’t got nothing on me.”

#5 Ghost of Seasons Past – In memory of a fallen hero. Super was your game. Kitten was your name.

#6 The X-Husband – Cute but deadly

#7 President Obama – A political statement on the policies of Barack Obama. “It’s not that I want to punish your success…when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.” Welcome to communism, comrades! Vote Obama!

#8 Lucky – The name’s Lucky. Or maybe Unlucky. I just had a harmless disagreement with my husband and somehow 40 laptops fell right on my head… It’s the weirdest thing…

#9 – Bumpkin – Call me Bumpkin! Not because of my bad complexion but because I don’t have a job. I’m coming to your house! Not to eat your kids but to sit on your couch! What you got to eat?

#10 The Enforcer – Does someone own you money, call you names, or just tick you off? Call on me and I’ll take care of it; no questions asked!

#11 Super Spider-Pac-bat – Inspired by comic books and game systems. P.S. All freehand, no stencil was used.

And finally, bringing up the rear…

#12 Les Smiles – This prankster can hardly contain himself. Why? Because there’s a full moon tonight!!!

45 comments »

Posted in Off Topic

Tags: carving contest halloween jack-o-lattern pumpkins

Get rainchecks for out of stock CVS deals (YMMV)

October 17th, 2008

Someone recently posted an interesting question on Slickdeals: “May I ask for a raincheck for a free after extra care bucks item at CVS?” For those of you who don’t know, a raincheck is like a coupon that is given to a customer when an advertised item is not in stock allowing the customer to get the item at the sale price once it is back in stock after the sale is over. It is an interesting question to me since one of my biggest frustrations with CVS deals recently (besides the lack of good ones) is that it seems like the stores never have these items in stock, especially the monthly deals. For instance, I have probably been to at least 10 different CVS stores so far this month and have not seen a single one of the heating pads that are free this month.

So what’s the verdict? It looks like it is a big YMMV based on the store manager’s discretion. Here are the results other users at SD have posted:

Denial of a raincheck, saying it was policy that they couldn’t write rainchecks on free after ECB items.
Success in getting a raincheck, after having to call customer service to explain to the manager how to write the raincheck.
Getting a raincheck for the item with “free” written in the price blank.
Getting a raincheck for the item where it is rung up at the advertised price and the ECB award amount is provided on a gift card.
Substitute for a similar item taking the ECB amount off at time of purchase.
Substitute for a similar item but scan the UPC for the advertised item at time of purchase to generate the ECBs.
Calling corporate customer service for a raincheck to be mailed to you (reportedly done successfully last month).

So as you can see, there apparently isn’t a standard CVS policy for how to handle these request, or if there is they obviously don’t train their store personnel on what that is. So although it may take a few minutes (and perhaps a few tries), this may be best way to get in on these deals that never seem to be in stock without driving all over town searching.

1 comment »

Posted in CVS, Deals

Tags: CVS Deals Extra Care Bucks rainchecks

Is Circuit City going under? Spend your gift cards now!

October 15th, 2008

It may be time to use up any Circuit City gift cards you may still have. As detailed in this post at The Consumerist, between the stock’s collapse, the firing of its CEO, the loss of a takeover bid, and a huge quarterly loss, things aren’t looking too good for the chain. And now comes news that Circuit City lost a recommendation from a firm that advises manufacturers on whether to ship merchandise to retailers, signaling that there is a strong belief that Circuit City may no longer be able to pay its vendors, which may result in manufacturers refusing to sell product to them out of fear of not getting paid. This would start a quick spiral of the company down towards bankruptcy.

If the company goes bankrupt, consumers holding gift cards are considered creditors and the gift cards may become worthless. That’s what happened to customers with Sharper Image gift cards when that company declared bankruptcy earlier this year.

There have been other examples where customers were allowed to redeem their gift cards after a bankruptcy, but to be on the safe side it may be a good idea to unload those cards now.

1 comment »

Posted in Customer Service, Gift Cards

Tags: bankruptcy circuit city Gift Cards sharper image

“I’m mad as hell!”

October 14th, 2008

This guy’s sentiments sum up pretty well my feelings and those of many others out there. We only have to look to the bailout package and the government’s plan to purchase stakes in banks to see that we are definitely marching towards socialism.

This clip was from a McCain campaign rally last week. Sadly I don’t think either candidate turns us around from a socialist march, although McCain probably at least marches it at a slower pace than Obama. If there was ever a time for a third party to rise, this would be it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuSYHnVpYbs

No comments »

Posted in News/Trends, Off Topic

Tags: bailout McCain Obama politics socialism socialist

Amazon.com Baby Deal: $15 off $25 Baby Purchase After Rebate

October 13th, 2008

Here’s a cool deal I stumbled upon this evening at Amazon.com: when you purchase $25 worth of items from Amazon’s baby store, you can get a $15 rebate by mail.

The deal is from a promotion they are running offering a free 2 year subscription to a magazine named Cookie when you purchase at least $25 worth of merchandise from Amazon’s baby store. If you read the fine print on the offer, you will find instructions for requesting a refund of the subscription by mail. From the offer detail:

Offer valid for US subscribers only. Limit one subscription per customer. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of your first issue. If you would like a refund for your 24 month subscription (a $15 value) as part of your purchase, send a completed copy of this form with a copy of your Amazon.com order confirmation, within 30 days, to: Amazon Special Offer, PO Box 37722, Boone, IA 50037-0722

Also, if you sign up for a free trial of Amazon Prime you can get your order sent via two day shipping for free, and can have any other order (no minimum) sent with free two day shipping as long as you are a member. You can cancel at any time through the “My Account” page. And because Close Encounters of the Cheap Kind is an Amazon associate, you will also be helping to support this blog.

No comments »

Posted in Deals, Rebates

Tags: Amazon Amazon.com baby rebate

$25 (after gift card) Costco Membership Deal – Houston Only

October 13th, 2008

I posted this deal over on SD, but I thought I would share it here as well.

For those looking to join Costco in Houston, I stumbled upon this deal for new memberships.

To promote the opening of the new Galleria location, Costco is offering $25 back in Costco Cash Cards when you join as a Gold Star Member between now and 12/07/08 at one of their Houston locations. Membership is $50/year, so this effectively makes it $25 for your first year membership. All you have to do is print out the following promotional flyer.

Costco Offer Link

Here is the fine print:

Offer expires 12/07/08 and is valid only for non-members for their first year of membership. Limit one Costco Cash Card offer per household and may not be combined with any other offer or coupon. Awareness code: 22529.

Our family’s Sam’s membership expires at the end of the year, so I’ll probably jump on this closer to the deadline. They offer a satisfaction guarantee on their membership, so worst case scenario I sign up and request a refund and they pay me $25 for trying them out.

No comments »

Posted in Deals

Tags: Costco Deals Houston membership

CVS deals for 10/19/2008 to 10/25/2008

October 11th, 2008

CVS deals haven’t been that good recently, but hopefully the deals for the week of 10/19/2008 are a sign of improvements going into the holiday shopping season. Nothing spectacular, but free is free (lifted from Slickdeals):

Pumpkin pail $0.99 FREE after ECBS Sunday and Monday only limit 2

Brach’s Pumpkins, autumn mix, Indian or candy corn 10 oz. $1.29 FREE after ECBs Sunday and Monday only limit 2

Funlight 6″ smart light $0.99 FREE after ECBs Sunday and Monday only limit 2

Powerade 32oz $1.69 Free after ECB’s limit 1
Powerade or Powerade Zero, 20 or 32 oz. $1 (11-30-08) SS 7/13/08
Powerade or Powerade Zero, 20 or 32 oz. .75 (10-31-08) SS 6/8/08

Butler ToothBrush 2 pack $3.99 Free after ECB’s limit 5

Just for Men Touch of Gray $7.99 Free after ECB’s limit 1
Just For Men, $2 off, Printable
$8 MIR : http://www.touchofgraycoupon.com/…6&SiteID=+

If you want to review the rest of the ad, you can find the Slickdeals thread here.

No comments »

Posted in CVS, Deals

Tags: 10/19/2008 CVS Deals Extra Care Bucks

I found a job!!!

October 10th, 2008

Well, there is some good economic news in my house, even with the huge losses in my 401k. I received a great job offer which I have accepted! I start my new job a week from Monday. As much as it sucked to get laid off, I will be making considerably more money that I did in my old job, plus the benefits are much better.

Oddly enough I ended up with two offers to choose from after four months of looking, but one offered an equity component while the other didn’t, making the decision easy.

I am also happy to report my mother who was laid off about a month after I was also accepted a job this week.

Especially considering the economic crisis we seem to find ourselves in, I am quite thankful to have a good job now before things get worse. Thanks to everyone who has been supportive and left me encouraging comments!

4 comments »

Posted in Working

Make a total of $50 for opening an ING Electric Orange Checking Account

October 8th, 2008

Here’s a quick update to my post yesterday where I provided several ING referral links. Per our friend over at Hustler $$$ Blog, you can now get an extra $25 on top of the $25 new account referral bonus when you open an ING Electric Orange Checking account.

Extra $25 Bonus:

ING is now offering another $25 bonus when you sign up to their Electric Orange Mastercard debit card. To be eligible for the $25, be sure to enter Reference Code EM222. Once you get your card, make at least 3 signature-based purchases in the first 45 days after your account has been opened and get a $25 bonus.

As posted yesterday, here are the referral links for the checking account.

Please note that these links expire on 11/6/2008. If you see a message at the top of the ING signup page saying the link is invalid or expired, it means it has probably already been used. Just use one of the other links to complete the signup. Thanks!