Friday, August 6, 2010

Giving the Drugstore Game a Try

I typically don't play the "drugstore game" in which you use coupons to buy products you may or may not need (but can donate to others) because the products are free (or nearly so) after matching coupons with sale prices. Typically these deals also include coupons at the bottom of your receipt that you can use like cash on your next visit to the store. These trips appear to be broken up into as many transactions as possible in order to get the most value for your money.

I have seen how this works for others and tried it at CVS a few times, but without much success. My family is brand-loyal to several personal-care items - and they're not cheap ones!! From Crest Whitening Expressions (cinnamon rush flavor only) to the Venus Embrace razor (that's me) to L.A. Looks Mega Hold hair gel, the cost of these products add up quickly! When I saw that they were on sale at Rite-Aid this week, I gathered my coupons and thought I would try to work a little magic in the checkout line.

For my first venture at Rite-Aid, I think I did pretty well. I got the items pictured for $14.56 and according to my receipt saved $23.76. I have $6.00 in rewards to spend on later trips and will be receiving a $.99 rebate.


I'm curious as to whether or not this will prove worth my while in the coming weeks. If you know of a blog that specializes in Rite-Aid deals, share the website and I'll check it out. I'll keep you posted on the results!

Do you have a favorite drugstore? How do you decide which deals to get each week?
Posted by Tracey at 6:00 AM
Labels:

12 comments:

  1. I am a die-hard drugstore girl (lol that sounds weird!), and I used to use CVS exclusively but I've been coming around to Rite Aid as well. Their new Up Rewards system is so easy to use and almost exactly like CVS - I've been getting some great deals there lately!

    Shannon at For The Mommas has a great Rite Aid post every week - you should check her out!

    forthemommas.com :)

    ReplyDelete

  2. Jessica,

    Thanks for the recommendation! I will definitely visit her site.

    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete

  3. Jennifer is my teacher for the 411 on coupons at drug stores. Here's here site:

    (this link is to what she just posted today about Rite Aid)
    http://justpeachyindixie.blogspot.com/2010/08/shopping-drugstores-rite-aid-101-part-2.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+blogspot/aKgYG+(Just+Peachy+in+Dixie)

    ReplyDelete

  4. Jessica,

    I'll be checking out this link, too! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

  5. Tracey,
    That's some great savings! Yes, it is a little harder to get the deals when you are brand specific, but those deals will come around for you too. Thanks for stopping by my blog, and thank you Jessica for passing it along! I will be posting deals in the future as well. Hope to see you again.

    P.S. I like your blog, I'm going to follow! ;)

    ReplyDelete

  6. I've never tried the drugstore game! I've always been intrigued by the many bloggers I've read that do and all that they get for so little. Thanks for posting about your experience. Looking forward to your analysis later on! Have a great weekend, Tracey!

    ReplyDelete

  7. I used to do this big time, seriously big time, and while I am pretty flexible when it comes to brands (well at least within a range of brands) my husband is not at all.

    I have not been doing the CVS'ing for a while, because it is not easy to do with three boys in tow, a stack of coupons and a calculator:) I don't really have a need for it though, as I have a closet full of shampoos, soap, conditioners, shaving gel and....drumroll please Venus Embrace. Seriously, a year ago they had all of these promotions, where you could get them free after coupons at CVS and I still have a big stock.


    I would love it, if you would link up you savings, at the Weekly Savings Linky @
    Frugality Is Free

    ReplyDelete

  8. you should check out this site : http://www.iheartriteaid.com/

    she has the sales flyers for up to three weeks ahead!! she also has i heart cvs and one for walgreens!

    ReplyDelete

  9. I love Rite-Aid! You did great! I've found for things we are brand loyal about I stock up when they are on sale and I have coupons. I also do match-ups for Rite-Aid. I match sale items with printable coupons, I make it Easy for you to save money! Would love for you to check it out!
    http://www.supercouponlady.com/category/rite-aid/

    ReplyDelete

  10. That's a great deal! Thanks so much for linking up!

    TIght Wad in Utah

    ReplyDelete

  11. Last week was my first Rite Aid attempt too! After taking it on, I came up with another scenario for this week - you can check it out here -
    http://passionatepennypincher.com/blog/?p=3412

    Great job!

    ReplyDelete

  12. Good job! I try to post the really great weeks at Rite Aid :) And try to do posts for beginners. . .

    Love the drugstores. :) I mostly do RA and Wags myself.

    ReplyDelete

I look forward to hearing your comments and welcome your questions and suggestions. Thanks for visiting my blog!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)