The marketers got me.

I was getting ready for bed the other night when I noticed blue dye all over my white, 1000-thread count pillow case.  I don't know where the heck it came from, but I wanted it gone!  So, I washed it.  Seems like a simple solution/task, but it was quite the opposite.  Let me walk you through my process.  I washed an entire load of whites, by the way.

First, I pre-treated the pillow case stains with Shout stain remover and let that sit for five minutes.  While the pillow case was was being treated, I started the washing machine.  To it, I added Tide detergent and Clorox bleach.  But then I thought, "what if that ink comes off and gets on the rest of my whites?"  So I added a Shout Color Catcher sheet.  I then added the clothes to the machine, but before I closed the lid I thought, "what if the pre-treatment wasn't enough??"  So I tossed in a packet of Tide Stain Release for good measure.  I opened the dryer to make sure it was empty (it really peeves me when I go to put wet clothes in the dryer and it's full!) and remembered I had a Tide Dryer Bar that I've been wanting to try.  So I cleaned and dried an area in the dryer and stuck on a dryer bar.

I was really proud of myself after I was done.  As I exited the laundry area, I began to feel like a fool.  Did I really need all of those products??  Probably not.  I'm sad to say that the marketers got me.

FREE Irish Spring Deodorant from 3/13 - 3/19

If you like Irish Spring soap, you just might like the new Irish Spring deodorant, too.

Walgreens is running the following promotion: buy 2 sticks of Irish Spring deodorant for $6 and get $4 Register Rewards (valid toward your next purchase).  I'll explain Register Rewards a bit later in case you don't know what they are, so keep reading.

Here's how you get these products essentially free:
Step 1: Visit the Irish Spring website and print the $1-off coupon TWICE (hit the back button on your browser after you print the first coupon)

Step 2: Go to Walgreens, buy two sticks of deodorant and give the cashier your two coupons.  Your total will now drop from $6 to $4.  After you pay for the purchase, you will receive a $4 Register Reward.

Step 3: Find something in Walgreens you want that costs $4 (soap, perhaps? ) and use your $4 Register Reward to pay for it!  (You get $4 off a purchase of $4 or more).

Let's recap your purchase:

• $6 for the deodorant - $2 in coupons = $4 cash out your pocket
• $4 for the soap (or whatever)  - $4 register reward = $0 cash out your pocket

You just got 2 sticks of deodorant and some soap (or whatever) for $4...and the soap (or whatever) cost $4 anyway!

Voila!  You've effectively purchased 2 sticks deodorant for...NOTHING! (Ok, you gotta pay the tax, but still).

More on Register Rewards

Walgreens Register Rewards are Catalina coupons which print up separately from your register receipt after you purchase qualifying items. The Register Rewards can be used similar to cash on your next purchase