Free Samples Update #40

Okay, is there anybody else out there who is tired of winter? I don’t know about you, but I am feeling run down and achy, even a little anxious, all from the weather! That’s why I was so excited when I opened my mailbox the other day and saw my Emergen-C sample kit from Smiley360! Also, on the awesome news-bandwagon, I received my prize from the Milani cosmetic giveaway: a purple liquid eyeliner pencil! I love eyeliner and this one is perfect for a bold look.

This is two weeks worth of samples. For the first week, this is what I received:

• Equate Feminine Wellness Sample Kit
• Cantu Hair Styling Cream
• Multi-function Bar Tool from Marlboro
• Pond’s Luminous BB Cream and Coupon
• Folgers Vanilla Biscotti Coffee and Coupon
• Pilon Espresso Coffee
• Seattle’s Best Coffee and Coupon
• Shape Magazine
• Family Circle Magazine with Coupon Insert
• Living Magazine

This is what I received for the second week:

• L’Oreal Gold Rewards Free Product Coupon
• Bvlgari Perfume Vial
• Milani Liquid Eyeliner Pencil (won from giveaway)
• Disney Movie Club Stickers (from a mailer that I receive, but will never send back)
• Dolce and Gabbana Perfume Swatch

Shopping Trip to CVS: Cheap Body Wash and Soda!

I was recently planning to buy these items and when a great sale came up, I was thrilled. I stocked up on some cheap body wash and four cases of soda which should last us awhile. It’s been great getting back into the swing of using coupons with one of my favorite places to shop, CVS. This purchase was made over two transactions: one for the initial items that had ECBs on them and a second to use up the ECBs I had just received. I love how CVS allows you to use the ECBs you get on the same day you receive them. I thought it was a pretty good day and simple enough that I didn’t want to hide from the cashier out of couponing shame.

Transaction One:

• 2 Irish Spring Body Wash: $3.00 each on sale, used 2 $1.00/1 coupons (SS 1/19/14, exp. 2/8/14) = $4.00 for both
• 2 Softsoap Body Wash: $3.00 each on sale, used $1.00/2 coupon (SS 1/19/14, exp. 2/8/14) = $ 5.00 for both

The total was $9.54 after coupons and tax. This is like getting each bottle for only $2.38. Not fantastic, but I also received $6.00 in ECBs for purchasing 4/$12.00 worth of these selected products.

Transaction Two:

• 4 12-Can Cases of Coca Cola Products: $2.50 each on sale, buy $30 in selected products and receive $10 ECBs (just FYI), and I used $6.00 ECBs from Transaction One = $4.24 for all four cases with tax

So essentially, I got all eight items for a total of $13.78, which I thought was awesome. A total savings of $30.92 after coupons and sales.

Free Samples Update #39

This post is another one that is long overdue, but lately everything has slowed down because of the weather; even my blog posting. This free samples update also includes some really good deals at Walmart that I could not pass up.

In the mail, I received:

• Roadsides in Bloom 2014 Calendar
• Glad Odor Shield Trash Bag, Clorox To-Go Wipes, and Coupons
• Frizz-Ease Shampoo and Conditioner Packets
• Living Magazine with Bonus Everyday Food Magazine
• Family Circle Magazine
• Maker’s Mark Bottle Santa Hat
• Real Cup K-cup
• Coupon for a Free Box of Rice Thins
• Mrs. Dash Chili Seasoning and Coupon
• Italian Espresso Coffee Sample

As for the great deals at Walmart, here is what I bought:

• 2 Bird’s Eye Recipe Ready Veggies: $1.96 regular price, used 2 $1/1 coupons (printable) = .96 cents each
• 2 Boxes of Truvia (40 Count): $3.58 regular price, used 2 $2/1 coupons (printable) =$3.16 for both boxes
• 1 Dole Smoothie Shaker: $1.50 regular price, used $1/1 coupon (printable) = .50 cents
• 2 Kraft Shredded Cheese: $2.58 regular price, used $1/2 coupon (printable)  = $4.16 for both

For a total of $9.74 after an $8.00 savings in coupons.

Review: Hershey’s Chocolate with Hazelnut Spread

The hazelnut flavor really is similar to other competitor’s, except made with Hershey’s chocolate instead. Here’s a little background: having visited Hershey Park a few times, it was really easy to fall in love with this chocolate company in the first place. Now, with smooth hazelnut and sweet, milk chocolate, this spread has won me over.

The spread is just about right on the mark for what I would expect calorie-wise. A two tablespoon serving size at 200 calories, is pretty understandable for what it is. So far, my favorite pairing with this spread is bananas, though I’ve also tried it with bread, apples, and vanilla wafer cookies. I also love adding a tablespoon of this spread to a cup of coffee. Delicious!

My boyfriend also really liked this spread and we were both excited when I opened the bubble mailer. Literally speaking, the seal was off in a few minutes. However, we had to wait a bit to enjoy it because it was frozen solid from its time spent sitting outside in the mailbox in single digit temperatures.  This spread certainly didn’t last long in my house; it was that good. I love how you can still taste the signature Hershey’s flavor and that it’s not completely overpowered by the hazelnut. 

I would love to try the chocolate spread without any additional flavoring and I will definitely be buying it as soon as I find it in stores. For those who are interested, there are two other flavors: chocolate and chocolate with almond. At a retail value of $3.38 on Walmart.com, I feel that this is a reasonable buy. I would be absolutely thrilled to see coupons on this product as I haven’t seen any yet.

Please Note: I received this complimentary sample from Crowdtap for testing and review purposes.

Free or Cheap Hair Dye at CVS!

If you haven’t hightailed it over to CVS for this deal yet, you might consider going after hearing about this! There is a clearance sale going on right now at CVS on Clariol Nice N’ Easy Foam Hair Color. I managed to pick up four boxes, but they had been picked through quite a bit by the time I had stopped in today. Two of the boxes were marked at 75% off and the other two were marked at 50% off. It was great deals all around when you add in the P&G coupons that were in the paper this past Sunday.

I bought:

• 2 Nice N’ Easy Foaming Hair Dye: 75% off at a sale price of $2.62 each
• 2 Nice N’Easy Foaming Hair Dye: 50% off at a sale price of $5.24 each
• and used 4 $3.00/1 coupons (PG 12/29/13 limit of 4 coupons per day, exp. 1/31/14)
• and used .50 cents ECBs

I paid only $3.41 for four boxes of hair dye! That’s a savings of $38.74 (92%)!