My 3 favorite deals of the week

Sorry for the lack of posts, my computer is dying, a slow painful death. A new one is on the way and I am running in slow, safe mode. Here is a quick rundown of my favorite deals this week, no "hard" coupons needed.

1. 3 Free cards at Rite Aid. Use in ad coupon for $3 off 3 cards. Several cards are priced at 99 cents each, so three for free. You do need your wellness card, I believe.
   
2. Free batteries at Staples. Get 2 free packs of batteries at Staples. You will need an Easy Rewards Card (free at register). Then buy 2 participating packs of batteries (AA and AAA) priced at $12.99 each and get back the full purchase price in the form of a Easy Reward Coupon. This will come in your email in a few weeks, but can be used to buy almost anything in Staples. Usually they have these batteries displayed at the front of the store.
   
3. Albertsons Milk and Cereal Deal, for every 3 boxes of participating Kellogg's cereal you buy (priced at 3 for $5), you can get a catalina coupon for free milk. The best part is you don't have to break it up into separate transactions, multiple catalinas will print!
   

Stop: advanced part of the Albertsons deal, continue if you want to...

1. For more coupons to use sign up atKelloggs
2. Reports of doubles coming this weekend
3. You may be able to get a $10 rebate for every ten boxes you buy...however this rebate looks to be for AARP members only. I am not sure yet...
   

Staples Deals

My daughter had a day camp this week (one less kid at the stores), that combined with great sales and it was Christmas in July! First stop Staples! Remember you need a Staples reward card, but you can get one at the register if you don't have one. Also easy rebates are done automatically when they scan your card. You will get a Staples coupon in the amount of your rebates in about a month.

1 cent deals! (through Wednesday, limit 2)

• Bic Round Stick 8 pack pens
• Staples multipurpose paper 500 sheets (pay $4.99 get, $4.98 back in easy rebate)

25 cent deals!

• Zebra retractable gel pens, 5 pack (pay $4.99, get $4.74 back in easy rebate), limit 1
• Staples Hype 6 pack highlighters, limit 2
• Really Useful boxes, limit 2

In store coupons:

*Please note, these coupons are only found in the newspaper ad or online. The store ad does not have them, so clip them before you come in. I just learned this today!

• $1 12 pack Ticonderoga #2 pencils
• $1 Scotch Magic Tape 3 pack
• $1 Scotch Packing Tape
• $2 Staples Jumbo Glue Stick 2 pack
• $2 dry erase board and calendar
• $4 School tool kit
• $4 3 pack Westcott scissors
• $4 18 pack Pentel retractable pens

Binders Buy 2 get 1 Free

Free backpack!! Buy ANY backpack (priced from $9.99-$129.99) get 100% back in the form of a Staples Gift card. You have to mail in the easy rebate form that prints with your receipt. Limit 1 per household.

Staples Deals

School supply deals are starting! Even if you don't have a little one in school, it is a great way to stock up on art supplies and gifts. The only problem I have is my daughter's school hasn't released "the list" of supplies yet, and they are very particular about brand and size. Here are the great deals at Staples this week.

1 cent deals (I have read that you need to spend $5 minimum, but I don't see that on my ad?) These deals are good through Wednesday.

• 2 pocket folder (limit 10)
• #2 yellow pencils 8 pack (limit 2)
• Staples multipurpose paper 500 sheets $4.99, but get back $4.98 in easy rebate (limit 2)

$1 deals:

• Bic Atlantis ballpoint pens 4 pack
• Staples mini stapler
• Staples pencil box
• Staples Hype! grip highlighters 6 pack
• Westcott scissors 2 pack
• Staleps glue sticks 4 pack
• Post it novelty shapes 2 pack
• Rose Art colored pencils 15 pack
• Scotch tape
• Quartet dry erase board
• Staples #10 envelopes 25 pack
• Staples photo supreme paper 50 pack, $14.99, but get back $13.99 easy rebate (limit 2)

Binders:

• $1.50, Avery 1" 3 ring binders
• Avery Heavy Duty binders, buy 2 get 1 free
• Staples Better binders, buy 2 get 1 free

20% off coupons:

• All Texas instruments graphing calculators
• All Skullcandy Dub earbuds

25% off coupons:

• All Sharpie writing
• All shredders
• All LockerMate accessories
• All BIC writing
• All poster board
• All construction paper

There is also an in ad coupon for $5 off any $30 purchase.

Staples

Staples is another store, I am hardly spending any "real" money at! One I factor in my Staples Rewards and ink recycling. Deals this week:

1. Spend $40 on any combination of case or ream paper and get back $25 in Staples Rewards.
2. Buy Duracell Batteries, on sale for $9.99 each (20 pack of AA or AAA) and get back $9.99 in Staples Rewards, limit 2.
3. Ink Recycling, recycle ANY ink cartridge and get $3/cartridge back in Staples Rewards. You can recycle up to 10 per month. This deal is always running.

What is Staples Rewards? Staples Rewards is a program you sign up for. You get an account and a card. Just scan the card when you purchase your items and the Staples Reward items will automatically get credited to your account. About a month later, Staples will mail you a coupon to use at Staples. I use mine to buy what else, but more ink!

Here is a breakdown of my fab deal today:

1. Bought 2 batteries $19.98
2. Used a $10 Staples Rewards coupon (rebate amount from previous purchase)
3. Turned in 10 ink cartridges
4. Paid $9.98
5. Will get back $49.98 in Staples Rewards coupons! Looks like more free ink in my future!

Friday Food for Thought: Ink

Since we all print a lot of great coupons from online, I am sure you go through as much ink and paper as I do. Who pays for all of that? Do you let Staples help you? I recently bought two ink cartridges and my daughter's science fair display box for $1.87 after Staples Rewards.

Staples has several reward programs, especially on ink and paper. You get 10% back on ink and paper products (mailed to you in the form of a coupon to use at Staples). Also did you know that each ink cartridge you recycle is worth $3 and sometimes they even double that to $6? Sign up for a Rewards card next time you go in to reap these benefits.

Random President's Day Deals!

Besides tomorrow being a great day to buy a car, mattress, or computer...here are some other finds from my Sunday papers.

• Kmart: Free tub of Huggies Wipes when you buy a $20 worth of Huggies/Goodnights/or Pullup Products. Big Boxes are on sale for $20 and there are some $2 and $3 coupons floating around that you might have. (Promo goes all week)
• Fred Meyer: 18 gallon Storage tubs $2.99. In ad coupons for $5 off accessory item $14.99 or more, $5 off apparel item of $14.99 or more, and extra 15 % off apparel, shoes and accessories. (Valid 7Am-1PM tomorrow only)
• Albertsons: 3 more double coupons in the paper. Also in the Red Plum $1/2 StarKist tuna products. The StarKist pouches are $1, pair with a double to get two pouches for free! (Deal good through Tuesday.)
• Staples: Free (after easy rebate) Sharp printing calculator. (I just got my last rebate, they do come but it takes awhile.)

1. $1 deals: Westcott scissors, Bic Brite Liners, Sharpie 5 pack, Staples pull and seal envelopes, Staples stickies, Staples mechanical pencils, and HP 8.5"x11" photo paper ($9.99-$8.99 easy rebate).
2. $2 deals: Staples Xeno retractable pens, Scotch packing tape, Staples 9x12 clasp envelopes, Staples 3 pack invisible tape, Quartet dry-erase board, Double writing pad, Staples bright colored paper (after easy rebate), and Staples multipurpose paper, 500 sheets (after easy rebate). (Deals through Saturday).

Deals of the week

Fred Meyer:

In ad coupons for

• Tree Top Apple Juice 3 for $5 limit 9
• Kraft Shredded Cheese 4 for $5, limit 8, stack with $1/2 from coupons.com or today's SS
• Suave shampoo 0r conditioner 88 cents, stack with $1/2 from 1/17 SS=76 cents for 2!
• Fred Meyer canned tomatoes of beans 2 for $1
• Fred Meyer Butter 3 for $5
• Fred Meyer 18 pack eggs 2 for $4

*Also all Apparel and Home Clearance an additional 50% off.

Staples:

$1 deals

• Staples stickie notes 12 pack
• Scotch Magic tape
• Pilot Frixion highlighters
• Zebra z-grip retractable ballpoint pens
• Hammer Mill copy plus paper (after instant savings and easy rebate)
• Staples photo paper (after easy rebate)

*Staples brights color paper only $3 after easy rebate, limit 2. Art supplies for the kids!

Staples

Staples' New Year's Resolution must have been to have more easy rebates and freebies because they have another set this week. First a few clarifications, Staples has two programs Staples Rewards and Easy Rebates.

• Staples Rewards go automatically onto your account and you get a "coupon" to spend at Staples for that amount. These purchases do not show up on your online account, but they are there and will show up on your coupon. (I just emailed them this week to clarify. This is like the batteries from about a month ago).
• Easy Rebates you get the money back to you in the form of a check that can be cashed and spent anywhere. You have to enter the information online or via mail. It is still a pretty easy process.
• Both of these programs require you to pay up front and be reimbursed later, which could be expensive up front. Also watch out for other "must haves" in Staples. Last week, I couldn't pass up Oregon Trail, near the register, and have been trying to win all week. (LOL, I guess I really did get my money's worth out of it...but still it was a impluse buy.)
• Also, I went on Thursday and they were out of almost everything that was either $1 or free, so you might want to plan your trip early.

On to the deals...

FREE: (After Staples Rewards) Limit 1 per item per household

• Staples perforated writing pads (6 pack)
• Bankers Box (6 pack)
• Staples file folders (50/box)
• Staples #10 envelopes (100 count)
• Zebra Sarasa gel pens (5 pack)
• Staples small binder clips (40 count)

Just FYI the total of these products is $41.95, you will get 100% back, but you have to pay that upfront.

$1 deals (with in ad coupons)

• Pentel RSVP pens
• Pentel e-sharp mechanical pencils
• Staples full strip stapler
• Staples Accel 1 subject notebook
• Staples envelopes (photo size)
• Quartet magnetic dry-erase board
• BIC Great Erase dry-erase markers
• Staples glue sticks (4 pack)

Reasons to go to...

Fred Meyer:

• In ad coupon for Huggies Big Pack Diapers $17.99, can stack with a manufacturer's coupon.
• Instant Quaker Oatmeal $1.88/box

Albertsons:

• Double coupon in paper, good through Tuesday
• Spend $25 get $10 catalina on P&G products, details here

KMart:

• New $45 coupons booklet release and available in store. These are mostly manufacturer's coupons that will be good at other stores. UPDATE, they are KMart coupons only, but still good ones. There is also a flu/cold coupons book with $10 worth of coupons, but it is all manufacturer's.
• Join shopyourway rewards program. Get 1-2% percent back on qualifying products. Go here for more details or to sign up. I am going to investigate this more at my KMart this week.

Staples: Running low on school supplies, lots of $1 deals (limit 2 of each item):

• Westcott scissors
• Staples 1 subject notebooks
• Staples composition books
• Staples envelopes
• BIC mechanical pencils
• Staples writing pads
• Quartet dry-erase markers
• $1 after easy rebate: HammerMill CopyPlus paper and Staples Photo paper (limit 2 rebates of each offer)
• Free after easy rebate: Scotch pop-up tape dispenser, Pentel Hyper G gel pens, (must submit info online for rebate, similiar to Rite Aid)
• Free with Staples Rewards (automatically done) Avery binders (limit 4)

Rite Aid:

• Seriously, do you need another reason to shop at Rite Aid? How about a sweepstakes? Read my Rite Aid post above!

Q & A

Question:
I had a question about Staples Rewards. I've never used the program. Is it like a rebate or do they give you a gift card to use at Staples? I'm trying to decide if the battery deal is good for me at not. We rarely go to Staples otherwise.


Good question, I will try to explain the Rewards program a little more. Please review Staples Reward program at their website if you have more questions.

Staples Rewards program is simple. You sign up at the store or online and then are given a card to use each time. It tracks your purchases automatically. The main benefits are:
*10% back in Staples Rewards on all ink & toner purchases
*10% back in Staples Rewards on all case & ream paper purchases
*10% back in Staples Rewards on all Copy & Print purchases

In addition to these, they also give you $3 for each ink cartridge you recycle.

They also will frequently have rebates. Right now the rebate is on batteries, you buy them and it is automatically attached to your account. You can check this online to make sure it was credited to your account. Once a quarter, they will mail out coupons for the amount you have earned. It is an actual coupon with a bar code. It has your name and account number on it (for tracking) and an expiration date, so be sure to use it before it expires, which is usually a few months.

To sum it up, if you don't have a rewards card:

1)Go to Staples, buy batteries (at front display in my store)
2)Cashier will ask for your rewards card, if you don't have one they can give you one right there. It is a simple 3 minute form with just a few name/address/email/etc type questions. (It is not a credit card!) Once you have a card, the rest is done automatically by Staples. All you have to do is wait for your coupon.
3)Your coupon should come in the mail for $12.99 in January. (You can double check your account status online if you want, but not necessary)
4) Use it like cash on anything in the store. No minimum purchase amount required.

It really is free batteries with very little effort. However, like all "deals" you have to decide if it is worth the time and effort on your part, to get to the store, to find the product, to fill out a card, etc... Use your best judgment.

Staples Deals

Staples has a couple of good deals right now. First ink, through 12/19/09 Buy $50 in ink, get 20% back in Rewards and $6 back per recycled cartridge. This is double the 10% and $3 you usually get. This Reward is in the form of a Staples coupon that they mail out quarterly. You must sign up for Staples Rewards (free and easy to do). You can also recycle up to 10 cartridges per month. This is a good deal if you need ink.

The best deal though: FREE BATTERIES. Also need Staples Reward, but buy a 20 pack of AAA or AA Duracell Batteries and get the full purchase price of $12.99 back in the form of a couple for Staples mailed out in January. Limit of 2 per customer per week. Offer good through 12/26/09.

Store Secrets: Staples Ink

I love Staples! They often have free or cheap after rebate items. Plus their rewards card, which sends you a rebate coupon on your total purchase amount every quarter. The best part of all though, is their ink cartridge recycling program. Just bring in any empty (I mean any...even that old one from the mid 1990s...) and they will credit your account for $3 each. Sometimes they even run promotions where they credit you for $5 each. My Staples usually lets me turn in 3 cartridges at a time. Then at the end of each quarter, they mail you a coupon check for the amount. I usually use mine to buy what else, more ink! This is a great program, especially since you are using lots of ink to print coupons, right? Now you know another store secret: that was easy :)