CVS $5 Charity Challenge: 11/9 - 11/15

I seem to be an early bird this week, so I've already done my CVSing for the week.  You can view my original plan here, and my resulting haul here.  But I'm still going to be participating in the $5 Charity Challenge, even though I won't be able to carry out the exact transactions.  The $5 Charity Challenge is a great learning tool and a great starting point for newbies.  I tend to plan my transactions to suit the coupons and ECBs I have on hand, and since my latest trip resulted in a $9 ECB and a $11.99 ECB, chances are I won't be able to do any less-than-$5 transactions anytime soon.  But time permitting, I will still try to participate in the $5 Charity Challenge for educational purposes.

Without further ado, here are my transactions:

Transaction #1
Buy 1 Listerine Cool Blue: $3.99
Subtotal: $3.99
Use $1/1 Listerine printable (-$1.00)
Grand Total: $2.99
OOP so far: $2.99
ECBs returned: $3.00 (Listerine)

Transaction #2
Buy 1 Glaceau Vitamin Water: $1.59
Buy 1 Garnier Fructis shampoo/condition/styling product: $2.99
Subtotal: $4.58
Use $1/1 Garnier mfg coupon (-$1.00)
Grand Total: $3.58 (use $3.00 ECBs)
OOP so far: $2.99 + $0.58 = $3.57
ECBs returned: $1.59 (Glaceau) + $2.00 (Garnier) = $3.59

Transaction #3
Buy 1 Listerine Cool Blue: $3.99
Subtotal: $3.99
Use $1/1 Listerine printable (-$1.00)
Grand Total: $2.99 (use $2 ECBs)
OOP so far: $3.57 + $0.99 = $4.56
ECBs returned: $3.00 (Listerine) + $1.59 (Glaceau from transaction #2): $4.59

I could keep going by buying a Crest ProHealth and another Listerine, but that would require me to go $0.45 over my $5 limit.  But, I'll also end up with $6.49 in ECBs...it's a tough judgment call.  You'll also need access to a second computer for just one more Listerine printable.  For you big spenders, here's the costly fourth transaction:

Transaction #4
Buy 1 Listerine Cool Blue: $3.99
Buy 1 Crest ProHealth: $3.49 (November monthly ECB deal, limit of 2)
Subtotal: $7.48
Use $1/1 Listerine printable (-$1.00)
Use $1/1 Crest mfg coupon (-$1.00)
Grand Total: $5.48 (use $4.59 ECBs)

OOP so far: $4.56 + $0.89 = $5.45 Scandalous!  $0.45 over!!!
ECBs returned: $3.00 (Listerine) + $3.49 (Crest) = $6.49

Merchandise total: $20.04
OOP spent: $5.45 (I'm such a big spender)
ECBs left over for next time: $6.49

Technically, I didn't go over, considering the last time I did the $5 Charity Challenge I only spent $3.98 and had $3 ECBs left over.  Not even counting my ECBs, that means I should have $1.02 to play with.  But either way, $0.45 shouldn't break the piggy bank.  But $0.45 can get a lot, considering I bought $28.54 of stuff for $0.47 OOP (on CVS giftcard) this week...read all about my haul here.