2010-11-26 -- $8.90 + $0.50 + $0.08 + $1.34 = $10.82

Well, that didn't last very long.  I had retired Card1 earlier in the month, but decided that the Black Friday Weekend Deals were just too good to pass up.

I began with absolutely no ECB on Card1. I decided to re-start that card by purchasing a couple of VISA gift cards.

Regular Prices:
4.95 Activation Fee VISA Gift Card
3.95 Activation Fee VISA Gift Card

8.90 TOTAL Regular Prices

Sale Prices:

4.95 Activation Fee VISA Gift Card
3.95 Activation Fee VISA Gift Card

8.90 TOTAL Sale Prices

There were no discounts or coupons used, since you cannot "discount" gift cards. However I earned 9.00ECB from the transaction (5.00ECB for purchasing two gift cards and 4.00ECB for using the Holiday Coupon and spending at least $20 in a single transaction).  So, in effect, I was paid 10 cents to buy the two gift cards. Card1 for Household1 had 9.00ECB and I made the following transaction:

Regular Prices:
5.89 Gillette OdorShield Roll-On
1.69 M+M King Size
0.89 Reeses

8.47 TOTAL Regular Prices

Sale Prices:
4.00 Gillette OdorShield Roll-On
1.59 M+M King Size
0.79 Reeses

6.38 TOTAL Sale Prices

Coupons and Discounts Applied:
2.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any Gillette"
4.00 ExtraBuck

6.00 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts

The balance came to $0.38, plus an additional $0.12 in local tax, for a grand total of $0.50.  I spent 4.00ECB, but earned 6.38ECB (4.00ECB for Gillette, 1.59ECB for M+M, and 0.79ECB for Reeses).  Card1 had a balance of 11.38ECB when I made the next transaction:

Regular Prices:
1.69 M+M Mini King Size
1.69 M+M King Size
0.99 Advil PM (4ct)
0.89 Reeses
0.89 Reeses
0.89 Reeses

7.04 TOTAL Regular Prices

Sale Prices: 

1.59 M+M Mini King Size
1.59 M+M King Size
0.99 Advil PM (4ct)
0.79 Reeses
0.79 Reeses
0.79 Reeses

6.54 TOTAL Sale Prices
Coupons and Discounts Applied:
5.00 ExtraBuck
1.54 ExtraBuck (reduced from1.59ECB)

6.54 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts

The balance came to ZERO, plus an addditional $0.08 in local tax, for a grand total of $0.08.  I hadn't intended on reducing the ExtraBuck, but since it was only 5 cents, I didn't bother grabbing another candy bar.

I spent 6.59ECB and earned back 6.54ECB.  Card1 has 11.33ECB as I began the fourth and final transaction.

Regular Prices:
4.59 Herbal Essense Hydralicious Shampoo
4.59 Herbal Essense Hydralicious Conditioner
0.99 AdvilPM (4ct)

10.17 TOTAL Regular Prices

Sale Prices:

3.99 Herbal Essense Hydralicious Shampoo
3.99 Herbal Essense Hydralicious Conditioner
0.99 AdvilPM (4ct)

8.97 TOTAL Sale Prices

Coupons and Discounts Applied:
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any Herbal Essense"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any Herbal Essense"
4.00 ExtraBuck
2.37 ExtraBuck

8.37 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts

The balance came to $0.60, plus an additional $0.74 in local tax, for a grand total of $1.34.  I spent 6.37ECB and earned 7.97ECB (6.98ECB for Herbal Essense and 0.99ECB for AdvilPM).

So, after four transactions, costing $10.82 in actual cash, Card1 went from 0.00ECB to 13.93ECB.  CVS paid me over two dollars and I have two bottles of shampoo, 7 bags of candy, 8 Advil PM, and 1 roll-on deodorant.  The regular price for all the items bought, including activation fees for two gift cards was $34.58.