Lesson learned at CVS.
So I live in Massachusetts and grew up in Rhode Island. Because I sort of live on the MA/RI border, I shop in both states frequently. Massachusetts has lower sales tax, although not by much as of last year - 6.25% vs RI's 7% (Mass used to be 5%). Massachusetts also has no sales tax on alcohol, versus RI which does tax on alcoholic beverages. For some reason, in most Mass. stores, they charge you tax POST coupons, which is a HUGE deal! BUT... I realized today that the bottle deposits in Mass. on most beverages really SUCKS!
Yes, I know you can cash in your bottles and get your deposits back, but it screws up my savings Darn It!
CVS Today:
5 12-pks of Coke Products - $3/ea = $15.00
3 Loreal H.I.P eye shadows - regularly $8.XX, 75% off, $2.12/ea = $6.36
2 Revlon eye shadows - regularly $5.49 ea, 75% off, $1.37/ea = $2.74
1 Revlon nail polish - regularly $5.49 ea, 75% off, $1.37
Coupons used -
$3/$10 order CVS coupon
$5/2 Loreal
$2/1 Loreal
3 x $1/1 Revlon
$10 ECB
My soda should have cost $2 total
My Loreal was FREE
I should have paid $1.01 or so on my Revlon
BUT.... my total was $6.13 because I paid $3.00 in bottle deposits!!!!!
Yes, I wish redeem the bottles to get my deposits back, but in my house all the bottle deposits go into a separate jar, rather than back in my grocery budget :-(
I still scored an amazing deal!
Happy Couponing!
-Coupon Mama
I hate the bottle deposit too!
ReplyDeleteI used to buy my soda in RI and them redeem the cans in Ma but we moved a bit farther away from the border so I don't bother anymore. I suck it up and pay the stupid deposit and have trained my husband to never, ever throw a soda can in the trash (he thinks that I am crazy for caring about 5 cents but it is the point of that 5 cents is my money and I want it back).
I usually cash my cans in at the grocery store and use the money towards my bill but it is still such a pain and I hate the higher out of pocket costs when I try to do drugstore deals.