2010-07-29 -- $5.88

I began with 2.00ECB.

Regular Prices:
8.39 Tylenol Precise
5.99 Nyquil Sinus (12ct)
4.99 Kotex U
3.79 M+Ms
3.49 Vlasic Kosher Spears
0.99 Gold Emblem Mixed Nuts
0.99 CVS Pantiliners
0.99 CVS Pantiliners
0.89 Dove Chocolate Bar
0.89 Dove Chocolate Bar
0.89 Dove Chocolate Bar

32.29 TOTAL Regular Prices

Sale Prices:
5.99 Tylenol Precise
1.49 Nyquil Sinus (12ct)
4.99 Kotex U
2.50 M+Ms
1.50 Vlasic Kosher Spears
0.99 Gold Emblem Mixed Nuts
0.50 CVS Pantiliners
0.50 CVS Pantiliners
0.50 Dove Chocolate Bar
0.50 Dove Chocolate Bar
0.50 Dove Chocolate Bar

19.96 TOTAL Sale Prices

Coupons and Discounts Applied:
4.00 STORE Coupon "Save $4 Off $20"
2.00 STORE Coupon "Any Gold Emblem Nuts"
0.79 STORE Coupon "Any Dove"
0.79 STORE Coupon "Any Dove"
0.79 STORE Coupon "Any Dove"
2.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Tylenol Precise"
1.49 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any Nyquil"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any M+Ms"
2.00 ExtraBuck

14.86 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts

The total came to $5.10, plus an additional $0.78 in local taxes, for a grand total of $5.88.  I spent 2.00ECB, earned back 7.99ECB (4.99ECB for KotexU, 2.00ECB for Tylenol, and 1.00ECB for Pantiliners), leaving Card2 with a month-ending balance of 7.99ECB

The Wednesday Balance

Card1 = 9.98ECB
Card2 = 2.00ECB
Card3 = 11.97ECB

As July nears its end, I have 23.95ECB spread out among all three cards.

Card3 Un-Retires: 2010-07-28 = $8.60

For most of the past year, I have juggled using two CVS cards.  I had gotten the first card years ago while on an East Coast visit.  That card always gets a reaction from cashiers, as it is the "old-style" logo and somewhat worn.  The card for my second household was acquired when CVS began a massive expansionin Southern CA.  Having both cards has worked nicely, as often the coupons vary.  No one has yet figured out the coupon algorithm, but many many times, my East Coast-originated card will generate different coupons from the West Coast-originated card.  I rotate them and rest one or the other from time to time.

I also acquired a third card when CVS expanded wildly in Southern CA.  This card seems to generate the same coupons as my other SoCal card.  I rarely use the card, only pulling it out when the good deals are limited by card.

In early July, when some school supplies were offered for Free After Extra Card Bonus, I pulled out Card3 (for my third household) and made a few minor purchases, never much more than a dollar, rolling the ECBs just like the cards for my first two households.  I was about ready to re-reture Card3 when BOOM, out of the blue came a nice STORE Coupon "Save $4 on $20+ Purchase".

Well, I couldn't put that to waste, so I made a small investment and started up Card3 once again.

I began with 1.99ECB.

Regular Prices:
5.99 NyQuil Sinus (12ct)
5.99 DayQuil Sinus (12ct)
4.99 Kotex U
3.79 M+Ms
2.99 BioTrue (4oz)
2.99 BioTrue (4oz)
0.99 CVS PantiLiners
0.99 CVS PantiLiners
0.99 CVS PantiLiners
0.99 CVS PantiLiners
0.89 Dove Chocolate Bar
0.89 Dove Chocolate Bar
0.89 Dove Chocolate Bar

33.37 TOTAL Regular Prices

Sale Prices:
1.49 NyQuil Sinus (12ct)
1.49 DayQuil Sinus (12ct)
4.99 KotexU
2.50 M+Ms
2.99 BioTrue (4oz)
2.99 BioTrue (4oz)
0.50 CVS PantiLiners
0.50 CVS PantiLiners
0.50 CVS PantiLiners
0.50 CVS PantiLiners
0.50 Dove Chocolate Bar
0.50 Dove Chocolate Bar
0.50 Dove Chocolate Bar

19.95 TOTAL Sale Prices

Coupons and Discounts Applied:
4.00 STORE Coupon "Save $4 Off $20+ Purchase"
0.79 STORE Coupon "Any Dove"
0.79 STORE Coupon "Any Dove"
0.79 STORE Coupon "Any Dove"
1.49 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any NyQuil"
1.49 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any DayQuil"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any M+Ms"
1.00 ExtraBuck
0.99 ExtraBuck

12.34 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts

Since I did not have many product coupons, my balance came to $7.61, plus an additional $0.86 in local tax, for a Grand Total of $8.60.  I began with 1.99ECB, spent all of them, but earned back a whopping 11.97ECB (5.98ECB for BioTrue, 4.99ECB for KotexU, and 1.00ECB for CVS PantiLiners).

My nearly eleven dollar expenditure ($8.60 + 1.99ECB) yielded nearly twelve dollars in future in-store ECB.  I would have been one dollar better off had I not mistakenly purchased four boxes of CVS PantiLiners @$0.50.  For the past few months, CVS has set up their registers to only yield one set of ECB for certain month-long deal items.  The Free After ECB PantiLiners were available to be purchased in sets of two all month long, but only generated one lonely 1.00ECB in a single transaction, instead of the 2.00ECB I had expected.

Oh well.  Now I have 11.97ECB loaded on Card3, the card for my Third Household.

2010-07-26 -- 68 Cents

Yet another lackluster week. I began with 1.99ECB on Card2 for Household2.

Regular Prices:
3.99 Dove Soap 2-Pack
0.89 Dove Chocolate Bar
0.89 Dove Chocolate Bar

5.77 TOTAL Regular Prices

Sale Prices:
3.00 Dove Soap 2-Pack
0.50 Dove Chocolate Bar
0.50 Dove Chocolate Bar

4.00 TOTAL Sale Prices

Coupons And Discounts Applied:
0.79 STORE Coupon "Any Dove Chocolate Bar"
0.79 STORE Coupon "Any Dove Chocolate Bar"
1.00 ExtraBuck
0.99 ExtraBuck

3.57 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts

My total came to $0.43, plus an additional $0.25 for tax, making my total cost $0.68.  I began with 1.99ECB, spent all of them, and earned back 2.00ECB (Dove Soap).  That leaves with 2.00ECB for Card2.

2010-07-20 -- 29 Cents

It's the return of the lackluster week.  It's barely worth the effort, but I figured I could enjoy some more cheap candy.  Yawn.  I began with 2.98ECB.

Regular Prices:
0.89 MM Pretzel
0.89 MM Pretzel
0.89 Three Musketeers
0.89 Three Musketeers
0.89 Three Musketeers

4.45 TOTAL Regular Price

Sale Prices:
0.50 MM Pretzel
0.50 MM Pretzel
0.89 Three Musketeers
0.89 Three Musketeers
0.00 Three Musketeers (Buy Two, Get One Free)

2.78 TOTAL Sale Price

Coupons and Discounts Applied:
0.50 STORE Coupon
1.00 ExtraBuck
0.99 ExtraBuck

2.49 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts

My total came to $0.29, with no additional local tax.  I spent 1.99ECB, but earned back 1.00ECB (MM Pretzel).  My new ExtraBuck balance for Card2 is now 1.99ECB.

2010-07-12 -- $ 3.85

I began with 5.99ECB on Card1.

Regular Prices:
9.99 Complete Lens Solution
2.99 CVS Caliber Scissors
1.99 Papermate Pens (10ct)
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.99 Hallmark Card

18.93 TOTAL Regular Prices

Sale Prices:
7.99 Complete Lens Solution
0.99 CVS Caliber Scissors
0.99 Papermate Pens (10ct)
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.00 Hallmark Card (B3G1)

12.94 TOTAL Sale Prices

Coupons and Discounts Applied:
1.00 STORE Coupon "Any Two Greeting Cards"
1.00 STORE Coupon "Any Two Greeting Cards"
2.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any Complete"
3.00 ExtraBuck
2.99 ExtraBuck

9.99 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts

My balance came to $2.95, plus an additional $0.90 in local taxes, making the total purchase amount $3.85. I began with just 5.99ECB, spent all of them, but earned back 9.98ECB (7.99ECB for Complete, 0.99ECB for CVS Caliber, and 0.99ECB for Papermate.)

Card1 for Household1 now has a 9.98ECB balance.

2010-07-12 -- 21 Cents

I began with 8.99ECB.

Regular Prices:
9.29 Advil PM (40ct)
9.29 Advil PM (40ct)
2.99 CVS Caliber Scissors
1.99 Papermate Pens (10ct)
0.99 CVS Panty Shields (22ct)
0.99 CVS Panty Shields (22ct)

25.54 TOTAL Regular Prices

Sale Prices:
9.29 Advil PM (40ct)
0.00 Advil PM (40ct)
0.99 CVS Caliber Scissors
0.99 Papermate Pens (10ct)
0.50 CVS Panty Shields (22ct)
0.50 CVS Panty Shields (22ct)

12.27 TOTAL Sale Prices

Coupons and Discounts Applied:
2.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any Advil PM"
2.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any Advil PM"
7.99 ExtraBuck
1.00 ExtraBuck

12.99 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts

For the first time in awhile, my total went negative, costing me a -$0.72.  Add in $0.93 in tax, and the total cost for all items comes to $0.21.  Of course, the transaction depleted my ECB balance, as I used all 8.99ECB, but earned 2.98ECB (1.00ECB for CVS Shields, 0.99ECB for Caliber Scissors, and 0.99ECB for Papermate).  That leave Card2 for Household2 with a 2.98ECB balance.

2010-07-12 -- 66 Cents

I began with 5.99ECB.

Regular Prices:
9.99 Complete Lens Solution

9.99 TOTAL Regular Prices

Sale Prices:
7.99 Complete Lens Solution

7.99 TOTAL Sale Prices

Coupons and Discounts Applied:
2.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any Complete"
3.00 ExtraBuck
2.99 ExtraBuck

7.99 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts

My total came to exactly zero, plus 66 cents in tax.  I spent all 5.99 ECB, but earned back 8.99ECB (7.99ECB for Complete and 1.00ECB for the fourth use of my cloth bag).  I now have 8.99ECB for Card2 (well, briefly).

2010-07-09 -- $1.03

One last purchase to wrap up the final eighty-odd-cents of the 3.00ECB candy deal.

I began with 3.99ECB.

Regular Prices:
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.89 Dove Chocolate Bar
0.89 Dove Chocolate Bar

3.76 TOTAL Regular Prices

Sale Prices:
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.50 Dove Chocolate Bar
0.50 Dove Chocolate Bar

2.98 TOTAL Sale Prices

Coupons and Disocunts Applied:
1.00 STORE Coupon "Any Two Cards"
1.00 ExtraBuck

2.00 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts

My total came to 98 cents, plus an additional 5 cents in local tax, for a grand total of $1.03.

I began with 3.99ECB, spent 1.00ECB, and earned 3.00ECB for finally reaching $10 in candy purchases on the card for Household1.  My total for Card1 is now 5.99ECB.

2010-07-09 -- $8.05

Yikes. Spendapalooza.  I began with 0.00ECB.

Regular Prices:
4.49 Dove Chocolate (9.5oz)
2.99 BioTrue Eye Wash
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.89 Dove Chocolate Peanut Butter

10.35 TOTAL Regular Prices

Sale Prices:
3.50 Dove Chocolate (9.5oz)
2.99 BioTrue Eye Wash
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.22 Dove Chocolate Peanut Butter

8.69 TOTAL Sale Prices

Coupons and Discounts Applied:
1.00 STORE Coupon "Any Two Cards"

1.00 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts

My whopping merchandise total came to $7.69, plus another $0.56 in local taxes, for a massive total of $8.05.  Ouch!

However, I began with 0.00ECB, having depleted my supply in an earlier transaction, and earned 5.99ECB (2.99ECB for BioTrue and 3.00ECB for purchasing $10 worth of candy).  So, my $8.05 investment yielded  the five items purchased and nearly 6.00ECB for future use.

2010-07-09 -- $3.75

I began with 2.99ECB.

Regular Prices:
4.49 Dove Chocolate (9.5oz)
2.99 BioTrue Eye Wash
0.89 Three Musketeers

8.37 TOTAL Regular Prices

Sale Prices:
3.50 Dove Chocolate (9.5oz)
2.99 BioTrue Eye Wash
0.50 Three Musketeers

6.99 TOTAL Sale Prices

Coupons and Discounts Applied:
0.50 STORE Coupon "Any Three Musketeer"
2.99 ExtraBuck

3.49 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts Applied

My merchandise total came to $3.50, plus an additional $0.25 in local taxes, making my total out-of-pocket cost $3.75.

I began with 2.99ECB, spent 2.99ECB, but earned back 3.99ECB (2.99ECB for BioTrue and 1.00ECB for the fourth use of my cloth bag).  That leaves me with 3.99ECB on Household1 Card1.

2010-07-09 -- $1.94

I began with 1.50ECB.

Regular Prices:
2.50 T-Shirt
2.50 T-Shirt
1.99 Pantene Travel Pack
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.89 Three Musketeers
0.89 Dove Chocolate Peanut Butter
0.89 Dove Chocolate Peanut Butter
0.89 Dove Chocolate Peanut Butter
0.89 Dove Chocolate Peanut Butter

13.42 TOTAL Regular Prices

Sale Prices:
0.63 T-Shirt
0.63 T-Shirt
1.99 Pantene Travel Pack
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.50 Three Musketeers
0.22 Dove Chocolate Peanut Butter
0.22 Dove Chocolate Peanut Butter
0.22 Dove Chocolate Peanut Butter
0.22 Dove Chocolate Peanut Butter

6.61 TOTAL Sale Prices

Coupons and Discounts Applied:
2.00 STORE Coupon "Any Pantene"
1.00 STORE Coupon "Any Two Cards"
0.50 STORE Coupon "Any Three Musketeers"
1.00 ExtraBuck
0.50 ExtraBuck

5.00 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts

My merchandise total came to $1.61, plus an additional $0.33 in tax, for a total amount of $1.94.  However< I spent my final 1.50ECB and earned no ExtraBucks.  Back to Zero ExtraBucks for Card2!

2010-07-07 -- $4.64

Oh well. I had intended to "rest" this Household Card1 for awhile, but nearly-free candy put the card back into action.  I began with absolutely no ECB.

Regular Prices:
2.99 BioTrue Eye Solution
1.99 Pantene Mini Travel Pack
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.89 Dove Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar
0.89 Dove Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar
0.89 Dove Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar
0.89 Three Musketeers
0.89 Three Musketeers
0.79 CVS Gold Emblem Caramels
0.79 CVS Gold Emblem Caramels
0.79 CVS Gold Emblem Caramels

13.78 TOTAL Regular Prices

Sales Prices:
2.99 BioTrue Eye Solution
1.99 Pantene Mini Travel Pack
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.22 Dove Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar
0.22 Dove Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar
0.22 Dove Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar
0.50 Three Musketeers
0.50 Three Musketeers
0.19 CVS Gold Emblem Caramels
0.19 CVS Gold Emblem Caramels
0.19 CVS Gold Emblem Caramels

9.19 TOTAL Sales Prices

Coupons and Discounts Applied:
2.00 STORE Coupon "Any Pantene"
1.00 STORE Coupon "Any Three CVS Candy"
1.00 STORE Coupon "Any Two Greeting Cards"
0.50 STORE Coupon "Any Three Musketeers"
0.50 STORE Coupon "Any Three Musketeers"

5.00 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts

My total came to a whopping $4.19, plus an additional $0.45 in tax.  That made my total out-of-pocket expense to "resurrect" this card exactly $4.64.  I began with no ECB, but earned 2.99ECB (BioTrue).  So my net cost for candy, cards, shampoo, and eye rinse is roughly $1.65.  I can now continue rolling this card and it's 2.99ECB into future deals.

2010-07-07 -- 57 Cents

Depleting ECBs left and right.....

I began with 6.49ECB.

Regular Prices:
3.49 Crest Toothpaste (6.2oz)
3.49 Crest Toothpaste (6.2oz)
2.29 Betty Crocker Warm Delights
2.29 Betty Crocker Warm Delights
2.29 Betty Crocker Warm Delights
2.29 Betty Crocker Warm Delights
1.50 CVS Gold Emblem Candy
1.50 CVS Gold Emblem Candy
1.50 CVS Gold Emblem Candy
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.89 Three Musketeers
0.89 Three Musketeers
0.89 Three Musketeers

25.29 TOTAL Regular Prices

Sales Prices:
2.49 Crest Toothpaste (6.2oz)
2.49 Crest Toothpaste (6.2oz)
0.88 Betty Crocker Warm Delights (RainCheck)
0.88 Betty Crocker Warm Delights (RainCheck)
0.88 Betty Crocker Warm Delights (RainCheck)
0.88 Betty Crocker Warm Delights (RainCheck)
0.38 CVS Gold Emblem Candy
0.38 CVS Gold Emblem Candy
0.38 CVS Gold Emblem Candy
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.50 Three Musketeers
0.50 Three Musketeers
0.50 Three Musketeers

13.12 TOTAL Sales Prices

Coupons and Discounts Applied:
1.00 STORE Coupon "Any Three CVS Candy"
1.00 STORE Coupon "Any Two Greeting Cards"
0.50 STORE Coupon "Any Three Musketeers"
0.50 STORE Coupon "Any Three Musketeers"
0.50 STORE Coupon "Any Three Musketeers"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any Two Warm Delights"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any Two Warm Delights"
0.75 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any Crest"
0.75 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any Crest"
2.99 ExtraBuck
1.00 ExtraBuck
1.00 ExtraBuck
1.00 ExtraBuck

12.99 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts

My balance came to 13 cents, plus 44 cents in tax, for a grand total cost of 57 cents.  As noted above, I depleted my stash of ECBs, however.  I began with 6.49ECB, spent 5.99ECB, but only earned back 1.00ECB (Two Crest).  That leaves with just 1.50ECB.

2010-07-05 -- $1.29

I began with 10.47ECB.

Regular Prices:
10.99 Bounty (8-Roll)
4.49 Dove Chocolate (8.5oz)
3.19 BioTrue
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.99 Hallmark Card

20.65 TOTAL Regular Prices

Sale Prices:
6.99 Bounty (8-Roll)
3.50 Dove Chocolate (8.5oz)
2.99 BioTrue
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.99 Hallmark Card

15.46 TOTAL Sale Prices

Coupons and Discounts Applied:
2.00 STORE Coupon "Expired Merchandise"
2.00 STORE Coupon "Any Bounty"
1.00 STORE Coupon "Any Dove"
1.00 STORE Coupon "Any Two Cards"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Bounty"
5.00 ExtraBuck
2.97 ExtraBuck

14.97 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts

My total came to $0.49, plus $0.80 in tax, for a grand total of $1.29.  I began with 10.47ECB, spent 7.97, but earned back 3.99ECB (2.99 for BioTrue and 1.00 for Bounty), leaving me with a grand total of 6.49ECB

2010-07-03 -- 5 Cents

Since the sales and ECB-earning opportunities have been lackluster of late, I decided to blow out my ECB and rest the card for Household1 for a bit (famous last words).

Regular Prices:
4.49 Dove Chocolate (8.5oz)
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.89 Three Musketeers Bar

7.36 TOTAL Regular Prices

Sale Prices:
3.50 Dove Chocolate (8.5oz)
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.99 Hallmark Card
0.89 Three Musketeers Bar

6.37 TOTAL Sales Prices

Coupons and Discounts Applied:
1.00 STORE Coupon "Any Dove"
1.00 STORE Coupon "Save $1 on Two Cards"
0.50 STORE Coupon "Any Three Musketeers"
2.97 ExtraBuck
1.00 ExtraBuck

6.47 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts

My balance went negative ( - $0.10), but there was 15 cents in tax, making my total out-of-pocket cost exactly one nickel.  I also used my last 3.97ECB, earned no ECB, leaving me with absolutely no ECB.

I have earned 35% of a 3.00ECB by buying some chocolate, but spending another $6.50 in chocolate, I could earn 3.00ECB and keep rolling along.

2010-07-02 -- 2 Cents

Since I had a nifty $1 Off Two Warm Delights, and the CVS 88-cent sale ends soon, I popped in to make a tiny purchase.  I also found that the store had finally 75% clearanced some of their office supplies.  I had been eyeing this strangely odd tape dispenser donut, and finally pulled the trigger at 67 cents.

Regular Prices:
2.29 Betty Crocker Warm Delights
2.29 Betty Croxker Warm Delights
2.69 Scotch Tape Donut Dispenser

7.27 TOTAL Regular Prices

Sales Prices:
0.88 Betty Crocker Warm Delights
0.88 Betty Crocker Warm Delights
0.67 Scotch Tape Donut Dispenser

2.43 TOTAL Sale Prices

Coupons and Discounts Applied:
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "$1 Off Two Warm Delights"
1.00 ExtraBuck
0.43 ExtraBuck (reduced from 0.50ECB)

2.43 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts

My balance came to zero (after the cashier reduced my 0.50ECB by seven cents to 0.43ECB.  There was a measly 2 cents of tax, which became my total amount spent.  I earned no ECB, spent 1.50ECB, leaving the Household1 Card with 3.97ECB.

Second Quarter ECB

Each quarter, CVS awards you a special one-time quarterly ExtraBuck that represents 2% of your purchases. Since my out-of-pocket amounts are always so minimal, it's rare that I get much beyond the bare minimum, which is $0.50ECB.

When I scanned each of my cards earlier today, out spit 0.50ECB  for each card.  As a result, my balances are:

Card1 =
Card2 =