Heh.  Someone asked what I do with all the stuff I get at CVS with ECBs, particularly detergent and toothpaste.  I figure this is best demonstrated with a photograph:

This is actually just a very small part of the items I have accumulated, but you’ll notice in particular the eight unopened boxes of toothpaste.  These are in addition to the opened tubes in each of my bathrooms and the kitchen, plus the one that’s still sitting in a bag I brought home when I lost my old job, plus one in a suitcase that was never completely unpacked after visiting Missouri, plus one that is sitting in a drawer because no one likes it (Arm & Hammer brand).

As a side note, I have every intention of purchasing four more tubes of toothpaste today.  Yes, the same kind.  I figure once I hit 10-12 tubes, I’ll start donating all the additional free ones.

You may also notice the bottles of conditioner.  Again, these are in addition to the opened bottles laying around the house.  I have at least four in my bath tub and three in the guest shower, that I am aware of.

Detergent?  Well, I don’t have a stockpile of that anymore.  We go through quite a bit, especially now that the boys are here.  My brother goes through two sets of work clothes a day (sweats through them while walking through the car lot), plus gym clothes, plus casual after-work clothes.  Hitler doesn’t sweat through his clothes during the day but has multiple wardrobe changes anyway because he’s kind of girly that way.  We use a lot of towels.  I have a blanket-washing obsession.  Plus, I like to stock up for pennies on the dollar and then not buy any for months at a time.  My plans are usually foiled because I never quite get enough stocked to last until the next good sale.

I actually just got done with a couple of transactions at CVS. 

First:
-4 SoyJoy bars (1.00 each)
-1 tube toothpaste (2.99)
-1 (500-count) package CVS brand cotton swabs (with free travel size container) (3.19)
Subtotal: 10.18
Redeemed $10 ECB
Total: $0.18
Earned 4 ECBs for SoyJoy, 2 for the toothpaste, and 2 for the cotton swabs

Second:
-7 SoyJoy Bars (1.00 each)
-Flamin’ Hot Cheetos grab bag (0.99)
Subotal: 7.99
Redeemed 8.00 ECB
Total: 0
Earned 8 ECBs

The reason I earned 8 ECBs when I only bought 7 SoyJoy bars is because a few days ago, I bought nine and the ECBs are only given in quantities of four for that particular product… So I only got 8 ECBs the day I bought 9 bars.  Confused yet?

So now I have 8 ECBs and they are burning a hole in my pocket.  I definitely want to get more toothpaste, especially since I have manufacturers coupons for them.  If I could find it in stock, I would like to get more of the Listerine mouthwash for kids, which is used by everyone in my house because it “doesn’t burn.”  I would like to get more of the store-brand band-aids that are free after ECB this month, but all the stores seem to be sold out.  The same is true of the Oral B Cross Action double-packs of toothbrushes.

I actually need laundry detergent, and the ALL (or ALL Small & Mighty) buy one-get-one-free deal isn’t awful.  It’s still a few pennies more than regular price at Wal-Mart, but it doesn’t involve me paying out real money, which is kind of a plus.  But I am wary of spending all my ECBs because there will be great deals next week and I can’t afford to start all over (again).

Exciting things for next week:
Xtra Laundry Detergent (2.99-3.49) – Buy One, Get One Free
Buy $10 of Swiffer starter kits or refills, get 5 ECBs
Get 5 ECBs when you buy Bic Soleil razor and refill cartridges (coupons in 6/22 newspaper, too)
Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Mascara (7.99) – Free after 7.99 ECB
Crest toothpaste (1.99) – Earns 1 ECB
Schick Intuition Plus Razors or Refills – Buy One, Get One Free
Get 10 ECBs when you buy two Coppertone suncare products

Plus, free (after ECB) tampons and pantiliners are part of the upcoming July monthly ECB deal.  It’s so good to know that CVS is looking after my feminine hygeine needs.

Note: SoyJoy bars suck.  I get them because they are free, and because some of the male members of my household will eat ANYthing.