Just Because it's a Deal doesn't mean it's a GOOD Deal

Lots of websites are doing these "Daily Deal" email alerts, along the same lines as Amazon's Gold Box Deal.  I've noticed that many bloggers seem to get caught up in sharing these deals, as if just because they exist they are a good deal.  One that I noticed recently that got a lot of play was a Wal-mart deal on a printer.  Even I got caught up in that one, I mean an All-in-One printer for just $30? But then I looked a little harder and found that it wasn't that good of a deal.  The regular price on Amazon was only $40 and I found other websites where you could easily get the same printer for $30-$35.  Granted the shipping from Wal-mart was a super cheap .97, but still.  Then I looked a little harder and realized that this was one of those printers where to replace the ink cartridges would cost you as much as a new printer.  Granted at only $30, it's hard to find ink for much cheaper, but the ink cartridges on this printer were a little high, IMO.

I've seen other deals that were along the same lines, and the moral of the story is don't get caught up in "deal" adrenaline.  Do some research before you buy and make sure that item you are buying is really worth spending ANY money on.  You also may want to ask yourself the question, "Do I really need this?".  I have to ask that question a lot when I see something that seems like a really great deal.  I mean, yeah, if you are going to give it to me for free I'll take it.  But, do I really want to spend my money on this?

Another thing in this same category that I see a lot, are all these survey sites, etc.  Remember that nothing in life is really free.  At the very least you are giving them your contact information.  Check the privacy policy.  Who are they passing your info on to?  What is the real price for all that free stuff?  Is your time really worth so little?  There are a handful (if not more) of these survey sites that will have you jumping through hoops just to get a "free sample" of something.  Chances are it's something you don't even need anyway.  And even if it is something you'll use, is it really worth that 10 minutes (or more) of your time? Aren't there better things you could have used your time for? (like reading this blog?lol).  I could easily be on the computer 24/7 filling out surveys and such just to get free items or get $5, etc.  And maybe for some it's worthwhile to do that.  Just make sure you ask yourself the question before you spend the time, and that you really think about what you are trading for what you are getting.  Is it really worth it? Is it really a good deal?

Rite Aid

Ok, so I got to Rite Aid yesterday to find that the sale ad at the store was different than the sale ad online.  This isn't unusual for Rite Aid, but it made me a little unhappy since two of the major deals I wanted to pick up were not on sale here (the Nivea and the Halls cough drops).  The upside was that in the in-store ad was another of the "transfer a prescription get a $25 gc" coupon.  The coupon is good until Nov. 20.

I've noticed that most of the time if our local stores are running this coupon that the Rite Aid ad does not show up in the paper.  That said, I'm now up to about $125 in gift cards from Rite Aid for transferring prescriptions (yes I take a lot of prescriptions). 

Another upside to shopping (and getting your prescriptions filled) at Rite Aid is their points program. Each dollar you spend earns you a point and you get 25 points for each prescription you fill.  As those points add up so do your discounts.  There are a few levels of discounts with the final one being 20% off all of your purchases.

Walgreens Deal of the Day

Walgreens has joined the fun of online Daily Deals.  If you sign up they send the deal directly to your email inbox each day.  Today's deal was right up my alley.  Funny how things work out like they should. 

Hubby and I have been using the Sonicare toothbrushes for a couple of years now and love them. The leave your teeth feeling so much cleaner and the proof is in the pudding when you go to the dentist and your cleaning goes by so much faster with so much less scraping.  Anyway, hubby's toothbrush died yesterday and I have a feeling mine is probably not far behind.  I'd been planning to check prices on them this week to get (at least) him a replacement toothbrush. But, thanks to Walgreens I was able to get us both one for about the price I'd normally pay for just one.

Sonicare Elite 5300, just $39.99
Today Only

Me Thinks I'll Give You Something

I gots a bunch more coupons that I'm not going to use, everything from baby/kid stuff to make-up to food and everything else.  All from the last two weeks newspaper inserts (including P&G), also a few from the Nov issue of ALL YOU.  While I'm at it I'll throw in a few random samples that we won't put to use around here.  If you'd like to win this just follow my blog (either on blogger, via email, or on network blogs - on facebook) and then comment on this post or on another post to let me know you are here.  I'll pick a winner at random on Thursday morning.

Making Friends Monday

Making Friends Monday

If "Making Friends Monday" is what brought you here (or not) please comment below. I'll be giving away something this week to someone who comments on my blog (more details to follow).

Drugstore Deals for 11/7-11/13

These are the deals I'll be grabbing this week at the drugstores.....

Walgreens:

• Domino Sugar $1.89 (with in-ad coupon) - .75 manufacturer coupon = $1.14
• Betty Crocker Cake Mix - .89
• Betty Crocker Frosting 2/$3
• Manufacterer coupon for .75 purchase of cake mix & frosting = $1.76 for both
• Schick Xtreme 3 4pk $5.99 - $3RR - $3 Coupon (from Smartsource.com) = FREE
• Degree deodorant 2/$5 - $2RR (wyb2) - (2) $1off coupons (printable) = 1/$1

CVS: 

• Gain dish detergent .99 - $1 coupon = FREE
• Glade products $2.50 - $3ECB (wyb $10worth) - $3/3 coupon (from Right@Home) = 4/$4

Rite Aid

•  Nivea Mens Body Wash $3.99 - $1+UP - $3 off coupon = FREE
• Oral B Cross Action toothbrush $2.99 - $2.99+UP - .75 coupon = (.75 profit)
• Halls cough drops 2/$3 - $1+UP - $1/2 coupon (AllYou Nov) - .50/1 VV coupon (Oct) - .50/1 VV coupon (Nov) = 2/FREE
• Ajax dish detergent .88 - .50 coupon = .33

Costco Members: Last Day to use your Coupons!

If you are a Costco member and you get the monthly packet of coupons, your coupons expire today!

There were some really great coupons in the packet including $4 off of the 40pk of Orville Redenbachers single serve popcorn (making it only $4.99 for 40 packs).

Also $3 off , Dove soap 14 bars, if I remember right that makes 14 bars for like $9 (it may be less, I'll be by there today to check and use that coupon).

Free Schick Xtreme 3 Razors at Walgreens Next Week

• 4pk Schick Xtreme 3 Razors Free at Walgreens next week.  If you don't already have the $3 off 4pk coupon, you can print it off here
• Walgreens Price $5.99
• -$3 coupon
• $3 Register Reward = FREE

- note - I found these on clearance at Kroger this past week for $3.14.

Nivea for Men Body Wash - Free at Rite Aid next week!

Yup FREE!  And these ain't no little bottles of body wash.  We picked them up for free at Walgreens a couple of weeks ago when they were 2/$5 (free after coupons) and I'll be picking up a couple more at Rite Aid this week.

$3.99 - $3/1 coupon (printable coupon which is probably no longer available if you didn't get it already) -$1+UP = FREE

Happy is in the Mail

• Just got a pair of free socks in my mail.  Free stuff in the mail makes every day feel like Christmas.
• Just saw this great deal on buy.com - don't miss it, especially if you are a fan of Burt's Bees.  The lip balm alone would be $2.99 and this travel pouch comes stocked with all kinds of stuff.  I just ordered two!