Deal Shopping 101

Saving on everything from school supplies to cosmetics and toiletries is great whenever possible. Especially with "Back To School" approaching quickly for me (September 2nd!), lab fees and parking permits are putting a big hole in my wallet. There are a handful of local stores I frequent weekly, coupons in hand, and a meticulous list compiled of all items I intend to buy, for nothing or almost nothing.

Let's begin with Rite Aid. Rite Aid has a few ways of saving. If you subscribe to the Sunday Newspaper, begin with clipping coupons from the Smart Source, Red Plum, and P&G Saver booklets included. These coupons are often good for a few months, so if you don't use them on this shopping trip, hang onto them for the next! Store sales and promotions may not always coincide with when these manufacturer's coupons are disbursed.

Secondly, visit www.riteaid.com and enroll in their Single Check Rebate program. Each month they post rebate offers. Add your preferred items to your grocery list and once you return from shopping, enter your receipt online to qualify for the rebate. Once a month, you can request your rebate check to be cut. (I typically request this the last day of the month to ensure I have taken full advantage of all the offers that I can).

Lastly, Rite Aid has weekly advertised sales and most often has a second circular available in store with additional coupons. Keep an eye out for items that are on sale in store that have Single Check Rebate Offers available, as well as a manufacturers coupon! You can use all three in conjunction and maximize your savings.

I am big on BOGO (Buy One Get One Free) items. For example, this week Rite Aid has advertised St Ives Skin & Bath products BOGO. I also have a manufacturer's coupon from the Smart Source two weeks back for BOGO St Ives Elements Products. When used together, I got both products free, a retail value of $6.99 each!

Here are a few other deals for this week:

St Ives Elements BOGO Free: All St Ives Skin & Bath Products are BOGO Free, plus I used a coupon from Smart Source from 2 weeks ago for BOGO (retail $6.99 each) = $0.00

BeFine Food Skincare: At the front of my local Rite-Aid they had the Single-Serving Facial Masks for $1.99 each. In the Rite-Aid In-Store Coupon Circular, there is a $5 Off Any Befine Products Coupon. So 5 Befine Products x $1.99 - (2) $5 Off Coupons = $0.00

L'Oreal HIP Cosmetics: Right Now, the new L'Oreal Hip Products are BOGO Free. With a $1.00 Off any L'oreal Eye Products from last week's Smart Source, it comes out to 2 for $6, regular retail $7 each! = $6.00

Revlon Cosmetics: Right now, Revlon Cosmetics are also BOGO Free. With a $1.00 Off any Revlon Color Cosmetic coupon from last week's Smart Source, the Single Color Eye shadows come out to 2 for $3.29, retail $4.29 each! = $3.29

Happy Shopping!