My CVS Bounty

I have never posted anything before about my thriftiness.  However, being a stay-at-home-mom we have to save where we can and I feel like a lot of other households are probably in the same situation so I wanted to share a couple of tips.

In any case, I am a frequent CVS shopper.  I am a coupon fanatic, and if there is a grocery store within a 20 mile radius, you better believe I read the flyer each Sunday to find out where the sales are that week.  Today was my weekly trip to CVS and I made out pretty well so I wanted to share.

Here is what I got at CVS today:

Colgate Total Toothpaste - retail $3.99

Crest Pro Health Toothpaste (2 tubes) - retail $7.58 for both

Tom's Wicked Fresh Mouthwash - retail $5.79

Orbit gum (2 packs) - retail $2.58 for both

The total of all of these items retails for $19.94.  I walked out of the store only paying $2.33. 

Here is how I did it:

I start with the items that are on sale in the flyer and find the ones that #1 I have a coupon for, and #2 have an extra bucks reward attached to them.  (In case you didn't know, extra bucks are basically CVS coupons that you can use on whatever you want on your next purchase.  Basically it is free money for the next time you shop). 

Still with me?? Good! Here is the breakdown of how I did it:

The colgate was on sale for $2.99 and I had a $1.00 off coupon.  I also got $1.00 extra buck for buying it (to use next time).

The crest was on sale for $2.99 each and I had a $1.00 off coupon for two.  I got $4.00 extra bucks for buying this (to use next time).

The Tom's mouthwash was on sale for $3.99 and I got $3.00 extra bucks for buying it (to use next time).

The orbit gum was buy one get one free.  Gotta love BOGO deals!

In addition to my 2 $1.00 off coupons, I also had a CVS extra bucks coupon worth $10.00 from my purchases last week (also a very good week)! 

After all the discounts and coupons came off, I walked out of the store only paying $2.33 and I got $8.00 worth of extra buck coupons for next week.  Not too shabby in my opinion!

My favorite part is seeing how much I saved during each shopping trip - today I saved $17.69. 

Needless to say, we will have very fresh breath in our household, at least until the supply runs out! One of these days, I should take a picture of my "stash"...I have a cabinet full of items I got from CVS either for free, or very cheap.

With a little planning and coupon clipping, you can be a CVS shopper saver too!

Dear Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes...

Dear Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes,

We had a great week.  I made six dozen of you and it was fun.  Unfortunately, after being covered in cocoa powder and peanut butter in places I don't want to mention, it is time to say goodbye for a while. I feel slightly guilty about this but I am going to share your recipe with others so that the love can go on...just not in my kitchen.  I hope you understand.

Sincerely,

Lindsay

Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting
very slightly adapted from: Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World: 75 Dairy-Free Recipes for Cupcakes that Rule

Ingredients:
1 cup milk
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup canola oil
1 1/2 tsp vanilla paste
1 cup unbleached all purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat the oven to 350.  Use paper or foil liners in a 12-cup muffin pan.  Using a standing mixer, combine the milk and apple cider vinegar in mixing bowl and allow to sit for a couple of minutes.  While the milk mixture is sitting, sift together the dry ingredients, minus the sugar.  Start the mixer and add the sugar, vanilla, and oil.  Begin adding the dry ingredients a little at a time until everything is incorporated.  Scrape down the sides if necessary.  Fill cupcake liners 3/4 of the way full.  Bake for 20 minutes. Allow to cool in the pan for 2 minutes and then remove to a cooling rake and allow to cool completely.   Makes one dozen cupcakes.

Peanut Butter Frosting
very slightly adapted from: Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World: 75 Dairy-Free Recipes for Cupcakes that Rule

Ingredients:
4 tbsp butter, softened
3 tbsp shortening
1/3 plus 2 tbsp creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 tsp vanilla paste
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2-3 tbsp vanilla flavored coffee creamer (you know...the one in the refrigerated section of the supermarket.  I know it is weird...just go with it.  You can substitute half and half or milk if you want.)

Using the standing mixer again, cream together the butter and shortening.  Add vanilla and peanut butter and mix until smooth.  Add sugar and creamer.  Beat until light and fluffy...about 4 minutes.  Don't forget to scrape down the sides to make sure everything is combined.  Frost cooled cupcakes.  Makes enough frosting for one dozen.

If you are a vegan...do the normal substitutions (soy milk, soy creamer, Earth balance).  Enjoy!

Homemade cards - It is so easy!

I talked a little bit before about how much I love making homemade cards.  I started doing it a couple of years ago, and while I don't do it all the time, when I get back into it, I just can't stop! I wanted to share a few that I have done, hopefully to inspire you to try it yourself! The hardest part is coming up with the design of the card...after that it is a piece of cake!

I tried to give you a couple of different designs hopefully to give you a few ideas. Don't forget the one that I made here.  It is one of my favorites! Most importantly, have fun with it! I know from experience, that friends and family love the thought of homemade cards and really appreciate the time you put into it.

Happy Crafting!