I am a sucker for deals. This week there are two that I'm debating. Both CVS and Walgreens have a special to buy $20 of Pepsi & Frito Lay products and get $10 off your next purchase. There is also a rebate sponsored by the same companies to get $15 back in coupons if you buy so many of each of the items. I have about $3 or $4 worth of coupons, so in reality I might only pay $16-$17 plus tax, and I can get both the coupon for $10 off my next purchase and the $15 worth of coupons. What a great deal! But you know what? I'm trying to cut back on the grocery budget, drink less diet colas and lose weight, and I don't NEED any of the junk!
The other deal is at Walgreens. I don't recall the other products, but if you buy 8 jars of either Skippy peanut butter or Ragu spaghetti sauce priced at $1.99 each, you get $10 off your next purchase. The deal also works in smaller numbers, but not as great a deal, like buy 4 get $2 back. I have another $3 or $4 worth of coupons so if I went for the best deal, I'd pay my $13 or $14 and get $10 back for next time. There was a time when I first started couponing that I'd run out and do this because it's a pretty good deal, but it just doesn't thrill me. Could I use another jar or so of peanut butter stocked away? Sure, but I'd rather wait until it's on sale for less than $1.99 somewhere, use my coupons and get just a few jars for $2 or $3.
So, I think I just decided. By NOT doing these deals this week, I just saved $30 on my grocery bill. In the long run, since I would have gotten $20 back, I might only have saved $10. Or, if I count the coupons I COULD have gotten back on the rebate deal, I might have actually lost $5 in the long run with this decision. And I think that's what the retailers and manufacturers want me to think..."if you don't do this, you're missing out on saving money, so buy, buy, buy!!!!"
Buy this and get that....or NOT
January 20th, 2009 at 12:18 am
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January 20th, 2009 at 06:12 am 1232431934
I have to admit that I've never gotten on the CVS bandwagon. I've heard so many talk about it, so I look at their ad flyer every week, but have not once found anything that makes sense for me to buy. In the last flyer, the only item I could possibly use was BOGO Dryer's ice cream. But the price was $6.49 for one! If I wait for a sale, I can buy one for $2.99 which not only is less expensive but it means I only have to buy 1. If I bought 2, not only would I be tempted to eat more, but I'd take up more of my precious small freezer space.
January 20th, 2009 at 10:30 am 1232447415
there is a deal i sometimes go for though, with my makeup brand. clinique have a special sometimes where if you spend more than a certain amount you get a makeup bag full of goodies for free. i try to hold off any makeup purchases until a deal like that pops up, as I only probably buy makeup once or twice a year.
January 20th, 2009 at 06:01 pm 1232474509
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