2010-02-18 -- $1.16

Often, I will split my purchase into two transactions, allowing me to benefit from extra discounts. Most cashiers will gladly allow this. If the store is busy or short-staffed, I may take my first purchase to the car and return through the line a second time with my items.

Since I was the only person shopping at 855PM, I simply asked the cashier if it would be OK to do two transactions and he gladly agreed.

I began with 13.50ECB and of course, another copy of the $5OFF$20 coupon from the online San Francisco Chronicle.

Regular Prices:
1.99 CVS Tissues (200ct)
1.99 CVS Tissues (200ct)
3.99 Glade Jar Candle Apple Cinn
3.99 Glade Jar Candle Apple Cinn
9.99 Glade Sense+Spray Starter Kit
4.99 Aussie Hair Gel
5.39 Crest ProHealth Enamel Rinse
3.99 Planters No-Salt Peanuts (16oz)
3.99 Planters No-Salt Peanuts (16oz)

40.31 TOTAL Regular Non-Sale Cost

Sale Prices:
0.99 CVS Tissues (200ct)
0.99 CVS Tissues (200ct)
3.00 Glade Jar Candle Apple Cinn
3.00 Glade Jar Candle Apple Cinn
6.00 Glade Sense+Spray Starter Kit
2.99 Aussie Hair Gel
3.50 Crest ProHealth Enamel Rinse
1.00 Planters No-Salt Peanuts (16oz) -- 75% Clearance!
1.00 Planters No-Salt Peanuts (16oz) -- 75% Clearance!

22.47 TOTAL Sales Item Cost

Coupons and Discounts Applied:
5.00 Store COUPON $5OFF$20 from SFChronicle
1.00 Store COUPON "Buy Two Boxes CVS Tissues Save $1"
1.00 Store COUPON "Save $1 on Any Haircare Item"
3.00 Manufacturer COUPON Glade Sense+Spray
3.00 Manufacturer COUPON Buy One Glade Jar Get One Free
2.00 Manufacturer COUPON Save $2 on Any Crest Rinse
1.00 Manufacturer COUPON Save $1 on Aussie Haircare
1.00 Manufacturer COUPON Save $1 Off Two Planters
2.00 ExtraBuck
3.47 ExtraBuck

22.47 TOTAL Discounts (Coupon/ECB)

As you can see, my discounts matched my purchases, for a ZERO balance. The cashier had to reduce my 3.50ECB by three cents to 3.47ECB in order to complete the transaction. Sometimes, the register will allow you to go into a negative balance, while other times it will not. No one has been able to fully explain this, although part of it involves the cashier's routine and part of it involves the order of coupons being applied to the purchase.

Regardless, my tax came to 1.16.

I started this transaction with 13.50ECB. I spent 5.50ECB (actually 5.47ECB, but the ECB is out of my possession now). And I earned 4.00ECB for the Glade purchases, 2.00ECB for the Aussie hair gel, and 3.50ECB for the Crest ProHealth Rinse.

So now, the card for my second household has 17.50ECB. Once again, CVS has paid me about $3.00 to shop.

I received nearly $70 in merchandise and paid only $2.26.

I started the day with 9.00ECB and ended with 17.50ECB.