Under $1 Office Store Shopping

Yes, I did a TON of shopping today!  I got everything pictured above at Office Depot and 2 Staples.

Office Depot:
8 Clipboards, Clearance Priced $.25 each
12 Mini-Clipboards w/ Notepad, $.25 each
Subtotal: $5, Total: $5.35
I paid with a FREE $5 gift card on the smartphone app Wrapp that my friend Derik of couPWNing sent me for FREE! (Read about Wrapp and other awesome apps in this post.)
Net Cost: $.35 (tax)

Staples (2 transactions):
4 Bic RoundStick (8 ct), $.25 each (limit 4)
Used $1/2 from 7/29 SS
Martha Stewart Avery Labels, $2
Used $2/1 coupon previously found in store
Subtotal: $0
Totals: $.07 and $.24 (tax)
One store took off the $2 coupon as a manufacturer coupon, rather than a store coupon making tax higher.

Net Cost for Everything: $0.66

Staples Shopping, $0.08

Not that I needed more pens...but for FREE, why resist? :)

4 Bic Roundstick Pens (8 pk), $.25 each (limit 4)
Used $1/2 from 7/29 SS

Martha Stewart Avery Labels, $2
Used $2/1 Martha Steward Label coupon ( previously found elsewhere in store)

Subtotal: $0, Total: $0.08

Be sure to check your local Staples ad, as they do differ.

Staples: Possibly FREE Martha Stewart Labels

Next time you're at Staples, be on the look out for $2 off any label from Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery coupons.  I found them in a random aisle, not by the product.

Several Martha Steward Labels are on sale for $2, so FREE after coupon!

Staples: Possible FREE Bic Items After Coupon

You may be able to score some FREEBIES at Staples through Saturday, using the $1/2 Bic coupon found in the 7/29 SS (or $1/2 printable here or here).  I say may because some Staples may choose not to honor the coupon because you'll be using it to get THREE items FREE!  I was able to successfully use the coupon at 2 Staples locations today, so hopefully you have the same luck!

Here's the breakdown. Buy:

2 Bic Velocity Gel Pens (2 ct), $.25 each (limit 2)
Bic Wite Out (2 pk), $.50 (limit 2)
Use $1/2 from the 7/29 SS or $1/2 printable here or here

My Subtotal was $0...and I paid just 7 cents in tax!

School Supply Shopping, $9.49

I've been taking advantage of school supply sales here and there all week.  The highlights include penny folders, penny backpacks (after rewards), and FREE Bic mechanical pencils!  Here are my breakdowns:

Office Depot 1:
20 folders, $.01 each
The limit is 10, but I asked if the limit was higher for teachers.  They let me get 20.
Subtotal: $.20, Total: $.22

Office Max:
Backpack, $44.99
Backpack, $64.99
1 penny each after MaxPerks Bonus Rewards (limit 2)
Subtotal: $109.98, Total: $118.22 (Ouch!)
Will get back $109.96 in MaxPerks Bonus Rewards (which can be rolled in other Max Perks items!)
Net Cost: $8.26

Staples 1:
4 Bic Mechanical Pencils (5 ct), $.25 each (limit 4)
Used $1/2 from 7/29 SS (printables also available here and here)
Subtotal: $0, Total: $0.08

Office Depot 2:
30 Folders, $.01 each
Again the limit is 10, but this store had a limit of 30 for teachers.
Office Depot Pens (10 pk), $.25
Hand Sanitizer with Clip, $.25
Subtotal: $0.80, Total: $0.86

Staples 2:
4 Bic Mechanical Pencils (5 ct), $.25 each (limit 4)
Used $1/2 from 7/29 SS (printables also available here and here)
Subtotal: $0, Total: $0.07

Net Cost for Everything: $9.49

Staples Shopping, $3.21

4 Staples Stickies ½” Tape Flags, $0.25 each (limit 4)

4 Sharpie Accent Tank Highlighters (5 pack), $0.50 each (limit 4)

Subtotal: $3.00, Total: $3.21

Staples: FREE Zebra Pens (5 ct)

Head over here and click on the "All You Exclusive" link for a $2/1 Zebra Pen Writing Instrument coupon!  Through 7/21, 5 ct. Zebra Z-Grip Retractable Ballpoint Medium Pens are just $1!

Please note, not all Staples accept manufacturer coupons.  I'm also not sure how they'd handle this coupon since it's over the cost.  Another option would be to price match at Walmart.

Major Thumbs Down for Staples Back to School Promotions for Teachers

So I wrote to Staples to share my disappointment with their new Back to School teacher promotions.  Below is their response which outlines how their new promotion works, compared with last year:

Hi Erin, I received your email regarding teacher pricing for our Back to School (BTS) season extreme
deals.

We believe that our country's teachers deserve the very best. While our BTS promotion for teachers
for 2012 will be different from last year?s, we will continue to support our educators by offering
exclusive savings opportunities as illustrated below.

Previous Teacher benefit (using a hypothetical purchase of twenty-five $1.00 folders on special for
$0.01, with a limit of three):

Teacher - can purchase 25 at $0.01 each for a total cost of $0.25.

Non-teacher - can purchase 3 at $0.01 each; an additional 22 would cost $1.00 each, for a total cost
of $22.03.

New Teacher Rewards benefit (using the same scenario):

Teacher - can purchase 3 at $0.01 each; an additional 22 would cost $1.00 each, for a total cost of
$22.03; teacher receives $22.03 back in Rewards for net cost of $0.00.

Non-teacher - can purchase 3 at $0.01 each; an additional 22 would cost $1.00 each, for a total cost
of $22.03.

Thank you for this opportunity to respond to your inquiry. I hope you will continue to look to
Staples with confidence and satisfaction for all of your office supply needs.

If you would like to contact one of our representatives, please reply to this email or call us at
the number listed below.

Cheryl
Staples Customer Service Supervisor

Am I reading this correctly?  Are they really trying to convince me that it's better to spend $22.03 out of pocket and file rebates than to just pay a quarter out of pocket?  Because really, as a teacher, I'm rolling in dough to spend that money out of pocket...and at back to school time, I'd rather fill out rebates than concentrate on creating a positive learning environment for my students.  (Sarcasm intended.)

Again, you can contact Staples here, if you are as displeased as I am with this new promotion.

And So Begins Back to School Shopping, $4.28

Stores are starting the Back to School sales already!  As a teacher, I don't want to think about "Back to School," but as a Couponer, bring on the deals!

I went to Staples and Office Max today.  You can view the Staples Weekly Ad here and the Office Max Weekly Ad here.

Staples:
4 PaperMate Mechanical Pencils (5 ct), $.25 each (limit 4)
4 Bic Dry erase Markers (4 ct), $.50 each (limit 4)
Subtotal: $3, Total: $3.21

Office Max:
Sharpe Fine Black Markers (12 ct), $1.00 with in-ad coupon
Subtotal: $1, Total: $1.07

A word of warning for fellow teachers, Staples used to allow teachers to get class sets of items at the special prices.  They have changed their policy.  Now teachers must follow the limits set.  Additional items can be purchased at regular price, then teachers can get the difference via rebate.  Ummm...no thanks!  As a teacher who took a pay freeze last year and will probably begin this year without a contract, I don't have that extra money to throw into rebates.  Sure, I'll get around it by hopping between Staples or dragging my boyfriend along, but it saddens me that Staples would do this to teachers.  If you're a teacher and wish to write to Staples regarding this, or you're someone who just respects teachers, please e-mail Staples corporate here.

$1/1 Wonderful Pistachios Coupon = FREE Snack Size Bags

Head over here to print a $1/1 Wonderful Pistachios coupon, with NO size restriction!  You may be able to find snack size bags at Jewel or Staples for $1, making them FREE with coupon!

(Thanks, MashupMom!)

ShopAtHome: $2.99 Windex 2-Pack + Free Shipping

Today's WILD deal over at ShopAtHome is a 2-Pack of Windex for $2.99 + Free Shipping from Staples!  You'll pay $4.99, but get $2 cash back in your ShopAtHome account within 30 days, for a net cost of $2.99!

To score this deal:
1. Sign up or login to ShopatHome.  New members will earn $5 cash!
2. Click on the WILD deal on the right hand side.
3. Follow directions from there. :)

ShopAtHome: Free Antibacterial Hand Soap + Free Shipping

Today's WILD deal over at ShopAtHome is Free Antibacterial Softsoap Hand Soap + Free Shipping, from Staples!  You'll pay $1.49, but get $1.49 cash back in your ShopAtHome account within 30 days, for a net cost of just tax!

To score this deal:
1. Sign up or login to ShopatHome.  New members will earn $5 cash!
2. Click on the WILD deal on the right hand side.
3. Follow directions from there. :)

ShopAtHome: 42 oz. M&M's for $6.99 + Free Shipping

Today's WILD deal over at ShopAtHome is a 42 oz. Bag of M&M's for only $6.99, plus FREE shipping from Staples!  You can choose from 4 kinds!  You'll pay $8.99, but get $2.00 cash back in your ShopAtHome account within 30 days, for a net cost of $6.99!

To score this deal:
1. Sign up or login to ShopatHome.  New members will earn $5 cash!
2. Click on the WILD deal on the right hand side.
3. Follow directions from there. :)

Staples: FREE Bic Brightliner Grip Pens (1/22-1/28)

Staples has BIC Brightliner Grip Pens on sale for $1 this week (limit 4).  Use your $1/1 coupon from the 1/8 SS and get them for FREE!

ShopAtHome: 3-Pack of Anti-Viral Kleenex from Staples for $2.99 Shipped

Today's WILD deal over at ShopAtHome is a 3-Pack of Kleenex Antiviral Tissue + Free Shipping from Staples!  You'll pay $3.99 + tax, but get $1.00 cash back in your ShopAtHome account, for a net cost of $2.99!

To score this deal:
1. Sign up or login to ShopatHome.  New members will earn $5 cash!
2. Click on the WILD deal on the right hand side.
3. Follow directions from there. :)

ShopAtHome: BIG Rolls of Paper Towels for $.58 each SHIPPED!

Today's WILD deal over at ShopAtHome is 30 Rolls of 2-ply Sparkle Paper Towels from Staples (with FREE shipping)!  These retail for $28.99.  You'll pay $19.99 + tax, but get $2.60 cash back in your ShopAtHome account, for a net cost of $17.39, or $.58 a roll!  I usually try for under $.50 a roll, but considering these are being shipped to your door and are big rolls, this seems like a good deal!

To score this deal:
1. Sign up or login to ShopatHome.  New members will earn $5 cash!
2. Click on the WILD deal on the right hand side.
3. Follow directions from there. :)

Under $1 Shopping

I got everything above for under $1 (all tax)!

Walmart:
18 Teddy Grahams Cups, $1 each
Used 6 $3/3 from 1/8 SS
5 Bic Wite Out, $1 each
Used 5 $1/1 from 1/8 SS
Subtotal: $0, Total: $.70

Target:
2 Macaroni and Cheese, $.62 each
Used 2 $1/1 printables (coupon automatically adjusts down)
Subtotal: $0, Total: $0

Staples:
2 Bic Mark-it Permanent Markers (5 pack), $1 each
Used 2 $1/1 from 1/8 SS
Subtotal: $0, Total: $.14

Net cost for the day: $.84

Staples: FREE Bic Mark-It 5-pack

If you're not using your coupon(s) for FREE Bic Pens at Target, here's another use for that $1/1 Bic Stationary coupon found in the 1/8 SS!  Staples has Bic Mark-It Permanent Markers (5 pack) on sale for $1 this week!  FREE with coupon!

ShopAtHome: $3.99 for 13 Gallon Trash Bags (50 ct) + Free Shipping!

Today's WILD deal over at ShopAtHome is13 Gal Trash Bags (50 ct) from Staples (with FREE shipping)!  These retail for $8.99.  You'll pay $4.99 + tax, but get $1.00 cash back in your ShopAtHome account.

To score this deal:
1. Sign up or login to ShopatHome.  New members will earn $5 cash!
2. Click on the WILD deal on the right hand side.
3. Follow directions from there. :)

I'm taking advantage of this one!  Trash bag deals are hard to come by!

Staples: FREE Eco-Easy Bag + 15% Off

Through December 31, you can get a FREE Eco-Easy Bag and 15% off everything you can fit into it with this coupon!

(Thanks, FreebieShark!)