Reluctant CVSing

I think I'm losing my touch. I used to LOVE to pull up scenarios for CVS and Walgreens, but lately I have been slacking on them and it's becoming more of a chore than a treat. I don't think this is permanent though...I think it's just due to the utter lack of freebies and exciting coupons lately. Hopefully next week will be a bit more exciting, because I don't want to get rusty!

I'll be making my trip on Thursday, so here are the two scenarios that I hope to pull off.

Transaction #1
Buy 1 Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste: $3.49
Buy 2 Nature's Bounty Vitamins ($4.49 each): $8.98
Subtotal: $12.47
B1G1 CVS free promotion (-$4.49)
Use $1.50/1 Colgate coupon (-$1.50)
Use 2 $2/1 Nature's Bounty printable (-$4.00)
Grand Total: $2.48 (use $2.29 ECB)
OOP expense: $0.19 + tax
ECBs returned: $2.00 (Colgate) + $2.00 (Nature's Bounty) = $4.00

Transaction #2
Buy 1 Swiffer Sweeper Starter Kit: $7.99
Buy 1 Swiffer Dusters Starter Kit: $6.99
Buy 2 Nature's Bounty Vitamins ($4.49 each): $8.98
Subtotal: $23.96
B1G1 CVS free promotion (-$4.49)
Use B1G1 Swiffer coupon (-$6.99)
Use $1/1 Swiffer coupon (-$1.00)
Use 2 $2/1 Nature's Bounty printable (-$4.00)
Grand Total: $7.48 (use $8.00 ECB - find $0.50 filler item)
OOP expense: depends on filler
ECBs returned: $2.00 (Nature's Bounty) + $5.00 (Swiffer) = $7.00

Merchandise total: $36.43
OOP expense: Under a dollar (depends on filler item)
ECBs used: $10.29
ECBs returned: $11.00

If you're sticking strictly to $5, stop after the first transaction...otherwise you'll go a grand total of $0.96 over. If you do decide to take the plunge though, you'll come out with $7 for next time. Is it worth it? I'll let you decide.

Ever since I started CVSing 7 months ago, I've always had a $/$$ coupon at my side. It is seriously DEPRESSING to shop without a $/$$. For me, part of the thrill of putting together scenarios was to try and get as close to the necessary amount to maximize my savings. Without the $/$$, I can pretty much throw the deals together in whatever order I please, and that's just not challenging enough!

To be completely honest, I had thoughts about just skipping CVS this week, but since the dogs take fish oil with their food, I want to check out the Nature's Bounty deal and see if I can get some fish oil for free. Either way, I won't be "losing" any money this week - I'm not exactly making money either, but it'll be getting $36 of stuff for free after coupons and ECBs. I can live with that.