Mailbox Monday 5/31/10 - Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day and Mailbox Monday everyone! I hope you are all enjoying the holiday.

These are all the freebies that I received in the mail last week:

May 24th
-L'Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base from Allure Magazine's February 2010 giveaway. The CVS website says the price is $12.99!
-Hot Tamales Candy
-Free Garnier Hair Color Coupon from Lucky Magazine's April 2010 Lucky Lookout for being one of the first 100 people to register on their website. The CVS website says the price is $8.49!

May 25th
-Forbes Magazine

May 26th
-People Style Watch
-Entertainment Weekly with Sue Sylvester from Glee!
-20% off coupon at Bed, Bath, and Beyond
-2 boxes of popcorn, Dark Knight DVD & Free Willy DVD I won from "The Pop Secret® Hollywood VIP Experience Instant Win Game" that is now over.

May 27th
-Shape Magazine with Kim Kardashian
-Entertainment Weekly Magazine

May 28th
-South Beach Bar

May 29th
-Dove Deodorant Sample from Walmart (Samples sold out)
-Warner's White Panty from Warner's True Fit Challenge (Promotion is now over)

If you have any freebies you've received in the mail lately feel free to share them with me and the other Mailbox Monday participants at http://www.afrugalfriend.net.



Also, if you haven't already, please publicly follow my blog by clicking the "Follow" button under the "Followers" section on the right hand side of the posts. Thanks!

Free Sample of Ritz Cheddar Cheese & Bacon Crackerfuls - While Supplies Last! Facebook Required

Credit to TattyBear from Slick Deals

While supplies last, Ritz is offering a free Sample of Ritz Cheddar Cheese & Bacon Crackerfuls through their Facebook page.

When you get to their Facebook page, look for this image below and click on it.


You'll be taken to another page where it'll ask you to connect your Facebook page with Ritz. Once you connect, a form will appear. Just fill out to receive a free Sample of Ritz Cheddar Cheese & Bacon Crackerfuls.

One sample per household while supplies last!

After you fill out the form, you should receive this message:

Congratulations!

Thank you

You’re getting a free** sample of Cheddar Cheese & Bacon
flavored Crackerfuls.

Then look in your e-mail inbox for a confirmation e-mail with the subject:

Your Ritz Crackerfuls sample request has been received!

Leave a comment and let me know if you were able to successfully register for a sample.

Mailbox Monday 5/24/10 - $15 Best Buy Gift Card, Fekkai spray from Lucky Magazine, Kraft Sample Pack, & more!

Happy Mailbox Monday everyone! I received a lot of useful freebies last week!

Here's a group picture of everything:

May 17th
-Pantene Shampoo & Conditioner samples from Vocal Point (Samples are no longer available.)
-Pantene Shampoo & Conditioner samples from Proctor & Gamble (If you haven't requested your samples yet you can sign up through clicking Proctor & Gamble.)
These Pantene samples will come in handy when I travel to see Backstreet Boys in concert this summer! I've also seen these samples for sale at CVS for $1.99.
-John Frieda Root Awakening Shampoo & Conditioner sample from Walmart (Samples are no longer available.)
-CoverGirl Eyeshadow from Harpers Bazaar March 2010 issue (Promotion is now over.)
-OK! Magazine
-Kraft's Delicious Summer Savings package from Kraft's Facebook Page (Promotion is now over.)

The Kraft package came with:
-4 bags of Wheat Thins: Sundried Tomato & Basil
-3 packets of Maxwell House Vanilla Caramel Latte
-1 coupon for any 1 package of Kraft Cheesy Explosion Macaroni & Cheese Dinner,
-1 coupon for any 1 package of Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Angus Beef Bologna or Turkey Pastrami

May 18th
-Carefree Ultra Protection Liner
-Peanut Chews

May 19th
-Wired Magazine
-Vogue Magazine

May 20th
-Aveeno Shampoo & Conditioner samples which you can request through clicking here.
-$15 Best Buy Gift Card from My Coke Rewards Instant Win Game which is now over.

May 21st
-OK! Magazine
-Bloomberg Business Magazine
-BioFreeze Sample (I've tried this before & it really does work with relieving body aches.)
-Fekkai Marine Summer Hair Beach Waves Spray that I won from Lucky Magazine for being one of the first 75 people to submit a hair question on their website. According to the Bath and Body Works website it costs $23.00!

If you have any freebies you've received in the mail lately feel free to share them with me and the other Mailbox Monday participants at http://www.afrugalfriend.net.



Also, if you haven't already, please publicly follow my blog by clicking the "Follow" button under the "Followers" section on the right hand side of the posts. Thanks!

"Here Comes The Bride" - A Filipino Film Review

(A production still from the Filipino film "Here Comes The Bride" with the bride Stefanie played by Angelica Panganiban and the groom Harold played by Tom Rodriguez)

My mom really wanted to see a Filipino film entitled "Here Comes The Bride" which was being exclusively shown at my local movie theatre for one week only. I had some movie tickets I won from Coke's Twist Txt Get Instant Win Game so I took my mom and dad to see it.

The total cost of 3 movie tickets was $32.25 at $10.75 each but thanks to Coke I paid nothing!

Although I don't fully understand the Tagalog language I got the general idea of what the movie was about. I kind of wished there were English subtitles so I could have understood more of the jokes. There were some points that the audience laughed but I didn't since I had no idea what was funny.

The film has similar themes to the films 17 Again and Freaky Friday. It's Stefanie's wedding day and on the way to the ceremony there's an eclipse that causes 5 people involved in the wedding to switch bodies with each other. After they switch, lots of comedy ensues as they each adjust to their new body.

The bride, Stefanie, trades places with her Ninang aka God mother, the God Mother switches places with a Nanny, the Nanny switches places with the groom's grandfather, the groom's grandfather switches places with the gay wedding "Image Stylist/Make Up Artist", and the gay "Image Stylist/Make Up Artist" switches places with the bride. (Whew, did you all catch that?!)

It was a very light hearted story and the 5 actors who switched places with other did a great job imitating the person they switched with. What was heavily missing from the story was strong a moral reason why the switch happened and a lesson for the audience to learn. It seemed the only valid reason for the 5 characters to switch bodies was to make the audience laugh.

I give the film a C+.

Sunday Savings at CVS! How I saved $28.45!

I was able to fulfill my CVS fix on Sunday. My mom needed minutes for her prepaid Virgin Mobile cell phone so I suggested we go to CVS so that I could use some coupons I had that were expiring soon.

Here's what was in the transaction:

-3 x $1.00 Barilla Elbows Macaroni Boxes: $3.00
-6 x 2 for $0.99 CVS Facial Tissue Packs: $2.97
-3 x $0.99 Cosmetic Cotton Swabs: $2.97
-2 x $4.00 Gillette Men's Body Wash: $8.00
-1 x Halls $2.19: $2.19
-1 x $30 400 Virgin Mobile Minutes: $30.00
-1 x $29.99 Lipo-Flavonoid Plus: $29.99
-1 x $4.99 Paper Plates (not pictured): $4.99
-1 x $3.49 Jif Peanut Butter: $3.49

Coupons used:
-3 coupons for $1 off a CVS Cosmetic Product which I used on the 3 packages of Cotton Swabs
-3 coupons for $1 off 2 CVS Paper Products which I used on the 2 for $0.99 Facial Tissues
-$8 Extra Care Bucks from prior purchases which I used for the 2 Men's Gillette Body Washes
-$10 off $50 purchase which I got from the coupon machine in the store

Total without coupons: $95.70
Total with coupons: $67.25

Total savings: $28.45 + $9.00 Extra Care Bucks

I received $8 Extra Care Bucks from the 2 Men's Gillette Body Washes and $1 Extra Care Buck for using my own reusable bag for the 4th time for a grand total of $9 Extra Care Bucks.

Mailbox Monday 5/17/10 - Magazines, Pads, Nail Polish, & Coupons!

Happy Mailbox Monday everyone!

Here's what I received:

May 11th
-Victoria's Secret Free PINK panty coupon

May 12th
-Forbes Magazine
-"Soothing Petals" Skintimate Nail Polish
-U by Kotex Samples from Walmart

May 13th
-$5.00 check from magazines.com

May 14th
-Eucerin lotion samples from Walmart (I think these are so cute!)
-All You Magazine
-Entertainment Weekly Magazine
-Bloomberg Business Magazine
-Aveda Coupon

If you have any freebies you've received in the mail lately feel free to share them with me and the other Mailbox Monday participants at http://www.afrugalfriend.net.



Also, if you haven't already, please publicly follow my blog by clicking the "Follow" button under the "Followers" section on the right hand side of the posts. Thanks!

I'm Officially Obsessed with CVS - How I spent $2.96 at CVS & got back $11

I can't stop eliminating full price at CVS.

Today I went to use the $3.50 crest toothpaste ECB (Extra Care Bucks) on another toothpaste so that I could get another $3.50 in ECB. However, the register was already set to next weeks deal of $2.75 each and no ECB.

I told the cashier I didn't get the $3.50 crest ECB. I was afraid she'd have me pay the difference between $3.50 & $2.75 but she didn't. I ended up getting $4 ECB instead of $3.50 for the toothpaste!

Here's what I got:

2 Right Guard Deodorants $2.99 each
1 Crest Toothpaste $2.75
1 CVS Shampoo $0.99
1 Reach Floss $1.99 (tag on shelf said $1.99 but rang up $3.39 so cashier adjusted the price)
1 bottle of Starbucks Frapp $2.49 + $0.05 CRV
1 can of Sweet Peas $0.49

Coupons used:

$3 off $15 CVS coupon (this beeped for me but the cashier pushed it through)
$3.50 ECB from previous Crest Toothpaste purchase
$3 off 2 Right Guard Deodorants
$1 off CVS Shampoo
$1 off Reach Floss (this also beeped for me but the cashier pushed it through)
$1 off Starbucks Frapp

Total after coupons/discounts: $2.96

ECB's I received: $1 from 4th Green Tag scan + $2 Floss Reach/Johnson & Johnson Product + $4 Right Guard + $4.00 Crest Toothpaste = $11 :bounce:

Thrity Friday! - I can't get enough of CVS! How I got over $16 worth of items for $2.42!

I can't get enough of going to CVS It's such a great store to eliminate full price.

Here's what I got today for only $2.42:

Dove Soap Bars 2 pack $3.99
Dove Shampoo $3.00
Crest Toothpaste $3.50
Bayer 24 Ct. Pills $1.00
CVS Island Shampoo $0.99
CVS Coastal Shampoo $0.99
Vitamin Water $1.00 + $0.05 CRV
Diet Cherry Pepsi $0.88 + $0.10 CRV

Subtotal without tax: $15.40

Coupons I used:

$3 off $15 CVS coupon
$3.99 off Dove Soap Bars coupon (from a contest I won that's now over)
$3.00 off Dove Shampoo coupon (from a contest I won that's now over)
$1.00 off Bayer coupon
$1.00 off CVS shampoo (printed from the CVS coupon center)
$1.00 off CVS shampoo (printed from the CVS coupon center)
$1.00 off Crest Shampoo (from Rogue Magazine)

Total paid after coupons & sales tax: $2.42 Plus I got $3.50 ECB for the Crest Toothpaste!

Thrity Thursday! - How I got $15.27 worth of Shampoo & Conditioner for $1.45

I can't get enough of CVS and their awesome deals.

I went to CVS today and took advantage of the buy 1 get 1 50% off John Frieda products discount.

I had a CVS coupon for $5 off any John Frieda product from a Glamour Magazine survey that's now over and one $5 off 2 John Frieda Root Awakening products coupon from the latest Smart Source coupon insert.

Without Coupons & Discounts:

1 John Frieda Root Awakening Shampoo - $6.99
1 John Frieda Root Awakening Conditioner - $6.99
Total with tax: $15.27

With Discounts:

1 John Frieda Root Awakening Shampoo - $6.99
1 John Frieda Root Awakening Conditioner - $3.49 (50% off $6.99)
Total with tax: $11.45

With Discounts & Coupons:

Total with tax: $11.45
-$5.00 off CVS coupon
-$5.00 off MQ for buying 2 John Frieda Root Awakening Products
Total with coupons: $1.45

$15.27 (without coupons/discounts) - $1.45 (with coupons/discounts) = $13.82 savings!

It feels good to save money

Thrifty Tuesday! How I spent $1.05 total at CVS & Safeway!

It was a "Thrifty Tuesday" for me! I was able to eliminate full price at CVS and Safeway.

I only spent $1.05 total on all the items in the pictures below.

Here's how:

CVS Trip

I had a $5 off a $25 purchase coupon I got online. I gathered up some free product coupons I had and made sure my total would be over $25.

My original total was $25.33 but the manager wouldn't accept my free Pace salsa coupon which in the end worked out in my favor.

Without the Pace salsa my total became less than $25. I was afraid the cashier would tell me to find something to put my total over $25 to use the coupon but she didn't!

I only paid $0.55 after coupons

Here's what I got and their full prices:

CVS Green Bag Tag $0.99
11.40 oz bag of Peanut Butter M&M's $2.00
4.69 oz bag of Ghiradelli Chocolate $4.29
U by Kotex Panty Liners $4.99
Clairol Natural Instincts Hair Color $9.49

Subtotal: $21.76
Total with sales tax $1.07: $22.83

Coupons I used:

$5 off $25 CVS coupon
$0.50 ECB Winter Spending Reward
$1.00 off U by Kotex
$2.00 off M&M's (free coupon)
$4.29 off Ghiradelli (free coupon)
$9.49 off Clairol Hair Color (free coupon)

Coupon/Discounts Total: $22.28
$22.83 (Total) - $22.28 (Coupon/Discounts Total): $0.55

After all the coupons were deducted my total was $0.55!

I also got $4.99 Extra Care Bucks for buying the U by Kotex panty liners. Extra Care Bucks aka ECB's are basically free money to use on a future CVS purchase. It's like I made a $4.44 profit.

Safeway Trip

I received a coupon in the mail from Safeway for $2.oo off a Tropicana juice product 59 oz. or more. In their store ad, the Tropicana was listed at $2.50 each so I got one. With the coupon my total was $0.50!

$2.50 Tropicana juice - $2.00 off coupon = $0.50 Total

Without coupons my total would have been: $22.83 (CVS) + $2.50 (Safeway) = $25.33

With coupons: $0.55 @ CVS + $0.50 @ Safeway = $1.05

$22.28 (coupons/discounts @ CVS) + 2.00 (coupon @ Safeway) = $24.28 Total Savings!

Walmart Freebies: Dove Deodorant, Secret Deodorant, & Old Spice/Gillette Men's Body Wash

Walmart often has great freebies available through their website. I've received a ton of great samples from them in the past so it's very legit.

These are the current freebies offered. Sign up while supplies last!

Click the "Get Free Sample" button near the bottom half of the page to get a sample of Dove's New Ultimate Beauty Care Deodorant.

Click "GET A FREE SAMPLE" to get a sample of Mens Old Spice Body Wash/Gillette Body Wash.

Click the "GET A FREE SAMPLE" button to get a sample of Secret's Clinical Strength Deodorant.

Click the "Request Your Sample" button to get a sample of John Frieda's Root Awakening.

Click "GET YOUR SAMPLE" to get a sample of Eucerin's Daily Skin Balance Body Lotion.

Leave a comment and let me know if you signed up for any or all of the samples!

Mailbox Monday 5/10/10 - Glee DVD fom HitPredictor, Clinique product from Sephora, $100 from UPS, & more!

Happy Mailbox Monday everyone!

I received so many great freebies last week!

Here is a group picture:

May 3rd
-For Earth Day the @rawbeautyteam had a contest on Twitter. They asked, "WHY is it important to go green?"

I replied: It's important to go green b/c it's so much healthier, safer, & better for their earth. It's also important to go green b/c the earth is so beautiful & it doesn't need anymore damage from waste & trash.

My answer won the RAW Minerals: Pure Minerals Awakened by Nature - Mineral Eye Shadow Trio (The price tag and the RAW Minerals website say the full price is $35.00!)

It also came with an all-over eye shadow brush (RAW Minerals website says the full price is $20.00), a crease/blending brush (RAW Minerals website says the full price is $20.00), and a brow/eyeliner brush (RAW Minerals website says the full price is $18.00).

Full price of prize: $93.00

-Gillette Fusion ProGlide from Gillette's Facebook Page (The promotion is over.)
-Sample Showcase box from USPS (The promotion is over.) This box was filled with so many freebies!
Here's what was inside:
-2 Nescafe Taster's Choice Packets
-2 Shower to Shower Body Powder packs
-2 Splenda Sample Packets
-Aveeno Firming Body Lotion sample
-Aveeno Shampoo and Conditioner packets
-Aveeno Night Cream sample
-Aveeno Coupons
-Bengay Pain Pad
-Dove Milk Chocolate Bar
-Grill Mates Montreal Steak Marinade Packet
-Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant Sample

May 4th
-"Glee: Road to Sectionals" DVD from HitPredictor!
Glee is my favorite TV show of the moment so I was happy to get this! If you haven't joined yet HitPredictor you can join by clicking here. It's free to join and it's very easy to earn points towards great prizes. I've already received so many great prizes from HitPredictor.
-Poise panty liners and pad
-Marie Claire magazine with Sarah Jessica Parker on the cover

May 6th
-Entertainment Weekly magazine

May 7th
-Ok! Magazine
-Bloomberg Businessweek
-$100 Prepaid Visa Card I won from UPS' "$100,000 Trackside Challenge" Instant Win Game http://www.racing.ups.com/challenge/ (Contest ends on 5/19/10 so there's still time to play.)

May 8th
-Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector I won from answering a trivia question on @Sephora's Twitter. (According to Sephora's website, the full price is $49.50!)
-Tropicana $2 off coupon from Safeway

If you have any freebies you've received in the mail lately feel free to share them with me and the other Mailbox Monday participants at http://www.afrugalfriend.net.

Also, if you haven't already, please publicly follow my blog by clicking the "Follow" button under the "Followers" section on the right hand side of the posts. Thanks!

Free Mens Body Wash at Bath & Body Works - Ends May 9th

Happy Mother's Day Everyone!

Even though today is Mother's Day, Bath & Body Works currently has a promotion aimed toward men.

They have created a line of products for men called New Signature Collection. To promote this, Bath & Body Works has a coupon on their official Facebook page which you can print and bring to your nearest store to try out 1 of 4 scented body washes. The scents offered are ocean, noir, oak, and citron.

The full price of a 2 oz. bottle is $3.50 however they're marked down at a preview price for $1.00. BUT with the Facebook coupon the body wash is completely free! No purchase is necessary.

Here's how to get the coupon:

1. Visit the Bath & Body Works Facebook page and "like" them
2. Find the following Status Update on their Facebook Wall and click on the link to download the coupon:

Our Gift to YOU: This weekend only - try our NEW
Signature Collection Men's 2 oz Body Wash FREE! Available in 4 NEW
scents for men - invigorating Ocean, bold Noir, warm Oak and zesty Citron.
No purchase necessary. While supplies last. In stores only. Click here to download the coupon now at http://bit.ly/acCl0L

3. Print the coupon and bring it to your nearest Bath & Body Works store.

The coupon expires at the end of today, May 9th, 2010. No purchase is necessary to get the body wash.

I was able to get the Noir scent and my dad got the Ocean scent.

Leave a comment and let me know if you were able to get a free body wash. Also, let me know which scent you selected.

Free 8x10 Collage Print at Walgreens - Ends May 8th @ 11:59 PM CDT

Walgreens is eliminating full price on 8x10 collage prints!

The full price of one print is $3.99 but when you enter the code GOODTHOUGHTS while checking out the print is completely free if you choose to pick it up in person at your nearest Walgreens. There's also the option of having the print shipped to your home for $0.99 if there's no Walgreens near you.

This offer ends May 8th at 11:59 PM CDT.

To get your 8x10 print follow these steps:

1. Visit the Walgreens website (http://photo2.walgreens.com/walgreens/storepage/storePageId=SpecialOffer).

2. If you aren't a member of Walgreens' website, register here (http://photo2.walgreens.com/walgreens/registration).

3. If you are a member of Walgreens' website go ahead and follow the steps to creating your collage here (http://photo.walgreens.com/walgreens/info1/prd=prints/isfrom=_xffwalgreens_xffcollageit).

3. When you're done creating your collage make sure to enter the coupon code GOODTHOUGHTS while you are checking out. You have the option of picking up the print for free at your nearest Walgreens or having it shipped to your home for $0.99.

4. Before ordering your collage print make sure to preview it to make sure it's the way you want it. Also, make sure the total is $0.00 if you're picking it up in store or $0.99 if you're having it shipped to your home before pressing the submit button.

5. Once you are satisfied with your order, press submit, and then wait for an e-mail from Walgreens which will let you know when you can pick up your photo or when your photo will be shipped to you.

I decided to make a collage of the pictures I took with Backstreet Boys from my weekend in Napa, Ca.

Leave me a comment if you were able to create a collage and tell me what pictures you used.

Starbucks Happy Hour: 50% off Frappuccinos 3pm to 5pm May 7th-16th

Starbucks is eliminating full price!

From May 7th to May 16th, Starbucks is having a "Happy Hour" promotion. Just stop by a participating Starbucks store between 3pm to 5pm and the frappuccinos will be 50% off!

Today I bought 2 Grande Caramel Frappuccinos and 1 Cafe Vanilla Frappuccino for $5.71 at my local Starbucks! The Grande frappuccinos I got cost $3.95 each so this was a great savings for me.

Without 50% off: 2 Grande Caramel Frappuccinos + 1 Cafe Vanilla Frappuccino = $11.85
With 50% off: 2 Grande Caramel Frappuccinos + 1 Cafe Vanilla Frappuccino = $5.71

Savings: $6.14

This 50% off promo is a great opportunity to try different frappuccino flavors. I usually get a Caramel or Coffee Frappuccino but I wanted to try out the new Cafe Vanilla Frappuccino. I think it's delicious. It's a nice blend of vanilla and coffee.

What's your favorite frappuccino at Starbucks? Leave a comment and let me know!

Free Cami with coupon at Lane Bryant (while supplies last/offer ends 5/10/10)

I have a lot of extra junk in my trunk so this freebie was great for me!

Lane Bryant is giving away free cami tops at their stores while supplies last. The full price of these cami's are $19.50 but you have the opportunity to get them for free. I have already gotten 2 cami's from 2 different Lane Bryant stores. The color selections are either black or white.

No purchase is required to get the cami. All you have to do is print the coupon from their website and bring it to the store. Their sizes start at 14 and go up.

The promotion ends May 10th, 2010.

To get the coupon visit this link: http://printable.couponfeed.net/stores/lanebryant/12864f9d10ad8af0.html

Visit Lane Bryant's website (http://www.lanebryant.com) to find a store close to you.

If you got a free cami leave a comment and let me know!

Mailbox Monday 5/3/10

Happy Mailbox Monday everyone! I'm amazed it's May already! I hope my mailbox and yours will be overflowing this month.

The last week of my April mail was light but my incredible shopping trip on Friday April 30th made up for it. I saved $54.25! You can read about it here: Fabulous Friday Savings! - How I spent only $4.37 on my shopping trip!

Here is what I received:

April 26th
-Forbes Magazine
-The Square Soundtrack I won from @43KixNorCal on Twitter.
-Coach 25% off PCE coupon
-Bloomingdales catalog with $25 off $100 purchase coupons
-Sally Beauty 20% off coupon

April 27th
-People Magazine Style Watch

April 29th
-Entertainment Weekly
-Free Pemmican Beef Jerky coupon I won from Pemmican's Outfit Your Escape Instant Win Game

April 30th
-OK! Magazine
-Bloomberg Businessweek Magazine
-Pace Coupon from Pace's Hand-Pick and Win Instant Win Game
-Nevada Tourist Guide Magazine/Visitor Map (I don't know why I received this since I don't remember signing up for it.)

If you have any freebies you've received in the mail lately feel free to share them with me and the other Mailbox Monday participants at http://www.afrugalfriend.net.

Free Revlon Lipstick to first 12,000 people (while supplies last)

Hurry!

While supplies last, Walgreens is having a special promotion on their website where if you're one of the first 12,000 people to share a goal you'll receive a free Precious Pink Revlon lipstick!

Share your goal and register for a free lipstick here:

http://share.walgreens.com/

When you get to the website in 75 words or less share your goal and then click on continue. Then enter your name and address.

After you click submit a confirmation page should appear. To know if you were one of the first 12,000 people you should see this image at the bottom right corner of the confirmation page:


Leave a comment and let me know if you were able to successfully be one of the first 12,000 to get a lipstick!