A new Office Max opened up near my house. They had a promo last week & this week: $6.00 store credit for each ink cartridge you brought in, limit of 5 cartridges a day. I had a box of cartridges laying around (was going to Ebay them one day). I recycled 17 of them for a total of $102 free spending money at Office Max! I bought 2 office chairs, my cost was $10.00 each for these, and I got free ink, paper, and envelopes!

I actually bought the chairs last week at a cost of $20 each, but they were on sale for less this week, so I went in for a price adjustment!

I went back to CVS today. I went to a different store than last time. This store was more organized, had sales labeled, etc. I spent $7.84, using my gift card, and earned $12.00 bucks. I would have spent less, but I ran across a sale on a sunscreen that my daughter & I can use (strange allergy limits the sunscreens we can use). I think I'm getting the hang of it. I don't think I can totally commit to it, buying things I don't need, or switching certain brands, but we'll see how it goes. I'm not a total brand loyal person, but I am on a few items.

I took the CVS plunge today. I was waiting for my $45 gift card, but I had no laundry soap to do laundry today (I don't know how that happened - I always have some). Sorry to say, first time through, and I was not impressed. Maybe it's an acquired taste, so I will try it again. Plus, I have to use my ECBs. I found my CVS to be small and not all deals are marked. This was my biggest frustration. For example, the Garnier shampoo was not marked as a sale price or an ECB item. Thus, I had to double check the ad on size, etc. and closely watch what was rung up. I like my store shelves marked with a sale price. I spent $25 and now have $14 ECBs to spend.

I've read a lot about the potential savings at CVS if you work the sales, coupons, etc. It has always looked like a lot of work, but I've decided it will be new "hobby" this year. I like to have hobbies centered around saving or earning money. Another one of my hobbies is selling on Ebay. For CVS, I've ordered my free gift card, earned with points, from Discover. I also have a $4 off $20 coupon. As soon as my gift card arrives, I'm off to the store.