CVS Weekly 3/8-3/14

[Jennifer in MI]

Yeah, I was born with TGA (Transposition of the greater arteries) I had open heart when I was 14, they basically placed a tube in a hole from one place to another, and that is the grafted vavle that it failing. Still 16 years in is pretty good, we always thought by this point in my life I'd be in heart failure and on the waiting list for a transplant. I feel good about it though, I really was afraid I was in heart failure, and they said that my heart is actually in good shape....

I do have to lose some weight though, which is super hard for me cause I'm a total stress eater

Wow Robin! That is a lot to deal with. I know I don't post on this thread a lot, but I do read it. Please know my family will pray for you.

My cousin was born with the same thing - I think. When he was born it was called Transposition of the Great Vessels. That was 39 years ago when they really didn't know what to do with these patients. His treatment was very different than yours! (Lots more surgeries and finally a heart transplant.)

Anyway, I'd never met anyone else with this condition!

 

[tngramma]

Does anybody know of any good Suave deals coming up before 3/31? I just a coupon for free product that has to be used soon.

 

[leagirl12]

Robin....you are in my prayers!!!

 

[slamzim]

I went to CVS and found a MM!!

The Secret Flawless - unscented was on clearance for $2.75. I had a $2 q and got back a $1 ECB!! $.25, but still a MM

 

[RobinFabulous]

Wow Robin! That is a lot to deal with. I know I don't post on this thread a lot, but I do read it. Please know my family will pray for you.

My cousin was born with the same thing - I think. When he was born it was called Transposition of the Great Vessels. That was 39 years ago when they really didn't know what to do with these patients. His treatment was very different than yours! (Lots more surgeries and finally a heart transplant.)

Anyway, I'd never met anyone else with this condition!

Mine is actually the vessels as well. I'm 30 and when I was born they just assumed I had a murmer. I was private schooled, so having a note to get out of PE wasn't really a huge deal. I was always pretty normal sized. When I finished 6th grade my parents moved me to a public school. That school tested for scolosis and they found mine. I was back & forth to Atlanta and surgery was planned. When I went in for surgery they had a cardiologist consult and I was found to need more studies before they did the back surgery. I had pulmonic stenosis and an aortal septal defect. Mine is congenitally corrected. The valve they inserted helps allow the blood to flow better to the lungs. It's starting to narrow, but the Echo can overstate it, so they're going to try to basically angioplasty it. Hopefully that will solve the problem.

I've never met anyone else with the problem before, either. And since I'm female it's very rare, the condition is predominately seen in males. I was questioning wether they made the right decision to use a cadaver valve all those years ago. I didn't know that mechanical vavles would have prevented me from having children. I definately think I've been very blessed to have lived as normally as I have. And for those of you who are curious, yes, a few months after open heart I had steel rods placed in my spine, but have not been sick since

Thanks everyone for the well wishes, I really do appreciate them. I've just been nervous because all the previous medical decisions were made by my parents and this is the first time that I've been in charge of my own health, I really want to avoid surgery if at all possible.

 

[RobinFabulous]

Does anybody know of any good Suave deals coming up before 3/31? I just a coupon for free product that has to be used soon.

The spend $6 get $2in ECB is still up in my area. I haven't been brave enough to try the shampoos but I got a load of bodywash. It's ending tomorrow 3/14

 

[flakypuff]

Thanks Flakypuff, it's great! Also, weren't you the one that had the car accident and you were yelling at the police to grab your CVS bag since it had all your ecbs in it???!!! I always think of that story since your DH posted to tell us you were OK.
am I right? or am I confusing you with someone else?

well whatever, thanks for doing the thread!




PM smiller (my sister) she hangs out at all the CVSes in the loop and up on the northside.

SMILLER: look for the washcloths while you're hanging out at the CVSes.


okay. I'm eating my chocolate POT OF GOLD from wallgreens from the christmas sale. smiller and i bought like 13 boxes. Someone take the candy away from me! i can't fit into my pants!!

YES! It was so funny. I had a very bad concusion and they thought thats why I kept asking for my ECB They thought it had to do with paying extra for my car at the accident...

Thank you for doing this for us, Flakypuff! We appreciate it!

Ahh you are welcome. Happy to step in. I know its not like usual...but I am learning

Does anyone talk to IAHD? I'm sort of worried..... She always does these threads. I hope everythings okay




<~~~ Has taken over her sister's laptop, because the shaking from withdrawals of not beingable to print coupons was more than she could handle




In other news I went to Emory yesterday.... Not bad news, but not great news.... I'm not in heart failure, but my artificial valve is failing, so I'm looking at a heart cath pretty soon, and possibly going to balloon it to clear the valve opening....It's gotten narrow... If that doesn't work, then it will have to be replaced

I will keep you in my prayers. I hope all goes well

Nope, wasn't me! What deal is that? I would check back every couple of days - there is no rhyme or reason to their stocking process as far as I can tell.

There are $1 Qs for any Fischer product over 4 oz. At the commissary they are priced at .99. You can find them in the snack aisle on pegs over the nuts.
DS is TDY and my shopping letter has expired so hopefully they will be well stocked when he gets back in town.

FALKYPUFF thank you so much for starting this weeks thread. I love that you have put the coupon match up in the OP also.

On HCW and AFC everyone helps out by posting a coupon match up to a deal and OPer adds it to OP. That would make it much easier for you if you continue to start the thread. Not sure I made myself clear.

WOW that would be great. Like I wrote above. I am trying. I know its not perfect. However, I know how much the others have done to keep the thread going and I am sure they need a break sometimes

 

[waughzee]

I found some awesome 90% off deals at my Mall CVS today! I got a DVD player fpr $4, windshield wiper fluid for .35 and green M&M's for .35! My Mom picked up a flat iron for $2! I would have bought all of the wiper fluid they had but since I was parked quite a distance from where the CVS in the mall was, I didn't want to carry all 4 of them that far! (no carts).

 

[RobinFabulous]

I found some awesome 90% off deals at my Mall CVS today! I got a DVD player fpr $4, windshield wiper fluid for .35 and green M&M's for .35! My Mom picked up a flat iron for $2! I would have bought all of the wiper fluid they had but since I was parked quite a distance from where the CVS in the mall was, I didn't want to carry all 4 of them that far! (no carts).

Also in SOME areas all the 90% off from last week is ringing up FULL PRICE this week. I found a few things that are full price this week....


I did run across a cart of clearance.... They had 7 resealable bags of the small sized Dingo bones (my dog LOVES these and they run from $5 to $7 a pack) marked .69...... I of course, grabbed them all. they also had the airhose (not sure what brand as I tan) in the cart, marked pretty cheap.

 

[RobinFabulous]

WOW that would be great. Like I wrote above. I am trying. I know its not perfect. However, I know how much the others have done to keep the thread going and I am sure they need a break sometimes

You did GREAT this week! Thanks for doing it

 

[tngramma]

The spend $6 get $2in ECB is still up in my area. I haven't been brave enough to try the shampoos but I got a load of bodywash. It's ending tomorrow 3/14

Oh thanks I will try that. I have some other Suave coupons too.

 

[iwynlea]

Ok, I've been reading blogs and this thread and others, and I'm going to take the plunge tomorrow after work! I have a list of stuff we use that is on sale AND that I have coupons for, which will also generate ECBs. I think my out of pocket will be about $10 for my initial investment. I also realized that I can use my HRA health reimbursement card (which my employer puts money on, so it's already "free" money) to purchase qualifying health items that have ECBs, which doesn't cost me anything out of pocket! Wish me luck -- I'll post what happens tomorrow night!

For me (not a professional CVSer) I only get the free after ECBs (thar I don't need and then donate)if I need to roll my ECBs because they are expiring in the next few days before the next sale.

Also don't forget to use coupons with ECB deals.

Great ideas -- thanks!!

Check with your bank on how much interest you'd get on that $15 for 1 month. Seriously the only time you "need" to do deals for products you don't want is when your ECBs are going to expire or when they could be a MM (money maker) for you.

I know the interest isn't much. It's more like, if I spend that $15, is the checking going to overdraw. Which has happened WAAAY too much lately, hence the need to start saving $$ with couponing!

If you want to try this, start by buying these items next Sunday morning:

One (1) $4.99 Irish Spring Body Wash (some regions in the US got a Proctor and Gamble home mailer with $1 coupon)
One (1) $2.99 Colgate toothpaste or toothbrush ($0.75 coupons from 2-22-09 Smart Source insert)
One (1) $2.99 Dry Idea roll-on ($2 coupon for roll on at coupons.com or couponbug.com)

Lets count on you having at least the $2 Dry Idea coupon, so you'll pay $8.97 plus tax (less if you have a Colgate coupon)

You will earn these Extra Bucks on your receipt: $4.99, $2.99, $2 = $9.98

Right there, you've already earned more in store credit (Extra Bucks) than you've spent.

Thanks for the tips, this really helps!! Between all the printed coupons and the last 3 weeks of papers (should I be ashamed that I made DH go through the apartment newspaper recycle near the dumpster to find me more coupons?? hehehe), I have enough to have a good start this week!

Here is what I can tell you about this. 2 years ago a friend encouraged me to try CVSing. They were offering a $25 gift card with new or transferred prescription (they still do this). I used that $25 to get me started and have been playing on the same $25 eversince. My ECBs have been as high as $120 and as low as $10 at times.

CVSing is an addiction that pays off big time! .

WOW!!! That's an incredibly convincing testimonial!! Do you purchase everything that's free after ECBs just to get the ECBs, or only what you need? I'm very curious about your strategy!

iwynlea-

I don't have anything additional to add from the others....but just wanted to share that I have been doing this since June. I pretty much buy everything that is Free after ECB and/or coupon. My stash is HUGE! I donated a lot of items around the holidays as well as used lots of stuff for gift bags and baskets. I will be trying to sell items at our community yard sale next month and then the rest of my stockpile will get donated and I will start over. It is amazing what you can accumulate for a $15-$20 initial investment and a few dollars a month.

If you want to get started this week, I can give you the deals that I figured out for an article my local paper is doing on me. It isn't the best week in terms of earning tons of ECBs, but you can get a really good lot of products (things most families would actually use) for cheap. Plus, you will have ECB's left over to start rolling next week. Just let me know and I will pull the post off of last weeks thread.

Thanks. I actually went back to last week's thread and found your post. That gave me a REALLY good start to what I want to buy this week. Maybe part of my issue is that this isn't a "good" week...can't wait to see what one of those looks like, and maybe by then I'll have my own stock of ECBs to spend.

Thanks everyone for the well wishes, I really do appreciate them. I've just been nervous because all the previous medical decisions were made by my parents and this is the first time that I've been in charge of my own health, I really want to avoid surgery if at all possible.

WOW. Good luck!! You're much braver than I am!! They thought I might have a thyroid issue earlier this year, and I freaked out just about that. I totally understand being the first big medical issue facing as a "adult" (I just turned 30, too), but yours is obviously a much different scale than mine! You're in my thoughts and prayers for as painless experience as possible to get you all fixed up again!

 

[amcc]

Robin, here's to keeping you healthy as quickly as possible. Sounds like you've done a very good job so far

I got coupons from mycokerewards to get the 12-packs, but they beeped if more than one was used in a transaction. My husband was buying them and he said that the coupon said one per transaction, so be aware if you are going to use those. On the same trip, he wasn't paying attention because of all the beeping coupons, and the cashier took a 6 ecb that wasn't supposed to go through (because of only 1 12-pack, not 4), but she must have put it in the coupon drawer because it disappeared. He's a good guy for doing some of the deals for me, but he sometimes just hands over the ecb / coupon packet without paying attention to what is in there. I love him for it, I just sort of, maybe, hoped that he would pay attention better. It doesn't help that the cashiers are generally coupon-phobic and ecb ignorant.

Thanks for putting up the ecb list this week! I love the coupon matchups. For next week, on coupons.com, there is a $2 dry idea coupon that will make it a mm.

 

[RobinFabulous]

Ok, I've been reading blogs and this thread and others, and I'm going to take the plunge tomorrow after work! I have a list of stuff we use that is on sale AND that I have coupons for, which will also generate ECBs. I think my out of pocket will be about $10 for my initial investment. I also realized that I can use my HRA health reimbursement card (which my employer puts money on, so it's already "free" money) to purchase qualifying health items that have ECBs, which doesn't cost me anything out of pocket! Wish me luck -- I'll post what happens tomorrow night!

You'll do great! I'm one of those converts that really thought Walmart was cheaper too. I think my reciept today said I've saved $1,408.xx this year already. Now, a lot of mine was 90% clearance, but I've got so many toothpaste & deodrants it's pathetic....

I'm a believer in giving stuff away too. We didn't care for the Bodiheats, but DH's elderly parents love them.... There's always friends/family and charity. With the economy hurting so much right now being able to drop off things is so helpful. There's tons of places with needs, I'm sure you'll be able to get rid of extras....

And on the flip side there arethings I'd have never bought that my kids ended up loving..... They STILL ask for Soyjoys

 

[englishrose47]

I have been so busy with work thelast few weeks I hve not hd the time to be a really good CVSer but hopefully as things quiten down with anew manager at the other house I've been on call for for months I will be a litle less bsy and a whole lot less stressed !

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

You'll do great! I'm one of those converts that really thought Walmart was cheaper too. I think my reciept today said I've saved $1,408.xx this year already. Now, a lot of mine was 90% clearance, but I've got so many toothpaste & deodrants it's pathetic....

I'm a believer in giving stuff away too. We didn't care for the Bodiheats, but DH's elderly parents love them.... There's always friends/family and charity. With the economy hurting so much right now being able to drop off things is so helpful. There's tons of places with needs, I'm sure you'll be able to get rid of extras....

And on the flip side there arethings I'd have never bought that my kids ended up loving..... They STILL ask for Soyjoys

It is also a great feeling to be able to GIVE when you feel like money is so tight. We donate to shelters and send care packages to the troops with the extra CVS goodies.

DH keeps a bag of SoyJoys in his desk at work for when he gets the munchies.

 

[fofinia]

Wow Robin! Serious stuff! I hope you continue to get better!

Jennie

 

[tngramma]

WOW!!! That's an incredibly convincing testimonial!! Do you purchase everything that's free after ECBs just to get the ECBs, or only what you need? I'm very curious about your strategy!

I buy everything that is free or nearly free whether we need it or not. If someone in my family doesn't use an item it will be donated or put in gift basket. I try hard to make as many ECBs as I spend (known as rolling) but there are times I just buy things I can't resist. Like the robes that were marked down to $1.49, I think I bought 8 of those. Guess what all the ladies are getting for Christmas next year? Like I said before it is an addiction so be ready.

I have been so busy with work thelast few weeks I hve not hd the time to be a really good CVSer but hopefully as things quiten down with anew manager at the other house I've been on call for for months I will be a litle less bsy and a whole lot less stressed !

Rosie I hope work slows down a bit and you get back to CVSing. I am sure your stores miss you

 

[Kycha]

Wow. I am such a dork, but it you take the renuzit out of the equation, the results are shocking. The renuzit triscents really varied in price from store to store (and didn't even have it at Walmart) and Boost was on clearance so I didn't include them beow. For those that don't remember, these are the remaining products I bought for the article.

Schick Quattro for Women
3/$10 GM deal (Fiber One bars, Lucky Charms, Total)
Maalox
Herbal Essence Hydralicious Shampoo
Herbal Essence Hydralicious Conditioner
Crest Pro Health
Secret Flawless
Palmolive
Aveeno Shave Gel

CVS- $8.30
Giant- $25.01
Walmart- $25.49
Target- $26.35

Is anyone else as shocked as me about the grocery store beating Target/Walmart?

I am honestly shocked. I don't find shop at Giant often because I find even their sale prices are too high. So I'm shocked to see they beat out Target and Walmart. Very interesting.

ETA: I just wanted to let everyone know that there will be another P&G insert out with this Sunday's(3/15) insert. It is supposed to be "$26 in coupon savings, including essential savings on basic beauty". So, it will be a small one. But hopefully will include some covergirl coupons.

Yeah, I was born with TGA (Transposition of the greater arteries) I had open heart when I was 14, they basically placed a tube in a hole from one place to another, and that is the grafted vavle that it failing. Still 16 years in is pretty good, we always thought by this point in my life I'd be in heart failure and on the waiting list for a transplant. I feel good about it though, I really was afraid I was in heart failure, and they said that my heart is actually in good shape....

I do have to lose some weight though, which is super hard for me cause I'm a total stress eater

Wow Robin! I am sending you my prayers and a ton of pixie dust and positive energy that you will make the right decision. And that you will get better quickly.

 

[flakypuff]

Here is next weeks.
I know the gals need a well deserved break but feel free to come back anytime

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2117544