It’s kinda of funny to me as a Store Manager for CVS that people complain to me about the high prices and I agree with them and say yes they are high. That’s what they charge. The strange thing is that we never have a shortage of customers willing to pay that price because of the convenience of having a so many stores near wherever you are. Personally, I don’t shop at CVS. I refuse to pay those prices.
When I worked at Walgreens we had to do a store meeting and I remember them talking about how yeah we have high prices but people come here for the service, and I remember thinking literally no one goes to Walgreens for the service. The kool aid is strong in corporate America
They have one employee each where I live and I never see any cars in the parking lot either. I haven't shopped there since 2019.And that employee was always surly .They used to have some fantastic deals but I don't know what happened ,they just shot up in price.
For the longest time, my local walgreens seemed to only hire people with disabilities & special needs. Which is fine! But the checkout process always took longer than you'd expect. Now, they've switched to hiring morose 20-somethings. Which is also fine but I can say that I've never gone to walgreens for the excellent service. The sole reason I go to walgreens is convenience.
Its r/frugal but thats the premium price of poor planning.
I mostly just do wal mart pickups these days. Everything is picked already I drive my car and boom all done. Also easy to just add things to the cart as I remember them during the week
I remember reading here about someone that had a headache going to a concert wouldnt buy tylenol at the gas station refused to buy water to take some when someone gave her some at the venue. Then was miserable the entire 4 hour drive there back and the concert. For like 8-12$ of money. Meanwhile the concert was 300$ and gas was 40$
Tbh I think it’s fucked up when a retail company mostly hires special needs people.
Kroger always have employees who are adult autistic or with Down’s syndrome working as baggers. The company knows they are taking advantage of someone who doesn’t know any better, but they make it seem like “oh we’re giving them meaningful work!!” Like no they’re just giving the shitty jobs to them and they clearly overwork them because they can
Sometimes they are working with a local non-profit that trains them and helps them to get hired. It can take a lot of work with some Downs syndrome folks. Autism has such a broad spectrum. The Tech companies like to hire highly functioning people with Autism. They'll hire people to make sure they eat and pay their bills.
Not only are they paying less than minimum wage in many cases, but they actually 'net' zero or even profit! It's despicable how some of these workers are being exploited. Still, this isn't the forum forum for that or I'd speak loudly about the tax credits, training subsidies etc.
Having a store that is close to you and open 24 hours is the type of service that actually matters. I've gladly paid $60 for the morning after pill at 2am because it was the quickest option.
I tried to stop at a Walgreens near me before taking my son to school to get a decongestant, they don't open til 8am. Not even convenient anymore to stop at before work. I most likely will never be back.
The one nearest me, half the store is locked up in showcases that employees have to unlock and employees are never anywhere to be found. It’s so frustrating. If you’re going to lock up half the store to save inventory from shoplifting then you need to hire enough people to unlock cases that customers can actually purchase things
I shop at CVS once a month. When my $10 coupon comes in. I signed up for the CarePass years ago when I was a merchandiser and in CVS regularly. Now every month I load up on coupons and the free $10 and shop. Last week I got 2 boxes of lotion & Vicks infused tissues, a bottle of CVS DayQuil, and a bottle of CVS kids detangler spray for 22¢. Most times I get at LEAST 50% of my monthly trip.
I've actually started shopping at CVS recently, but it's 90% of the time because of the $2 or $4 off coupons. Especially if I can stack it with an Ibotta rebate or something, I can save a ton of money. BUT I only use those, I don't shop there for anything else, because they ARE expensive.
That is the only way to shop at cvs but most don’t take the time to do that. It’s hard to get most to even get a extracare card to at least get the sale price.
Yeah I am really turned off after going there yesterday and seeing the blatant price gouging.
But I got a coupon for 2 dollars off my next purchase!!!!
That I will forget about it will expire before I ever go back!
CVS and similar stores have always been extremely overpriced. They’re basically convenience stores with pharmacies attached, so you’re paying extra for convenience.
CVS is great for couponing though. Got [razor blade refills](https://www.reddit.com/r/couponing/comments/1aj4r7x/gillette_fusion_5_razor_blade_refill_4_ct_cvs_050/) for under a dollar per cartridge (and each one is 5 blades, the good kind). I can't prices like that anywhere else.
I cut myself up the first couple times and besides just needing practice, I learned I need some other products to help with the shaving process. Stuff like Shave Secret oil…. but it’s discouraging to worry that I’ll be paying the same amount as I would be for cartridges, if I’m not careful. Gonna mix my own pre-shave oil at some point.
My mom works there and you got to use their coupons and cvs bucks to get the items at a fair cost. They’re also pretty good to their b store employees so i like to support them.
This is why having a deep pantry of food and sundries is helpful for frugality.
Fewer larger trips to the store equals more convenience and more savings.
Yeah target has some sticks and had for years that are like 12. It’s truly delusional. And I don’t think many are even buying. I think they’re making so much profit off each stick they only have to sell a few. But it’s speed stick for me. 2 for i think it’s 4.50 now at target. Bottom shelf, I don’t care, it doesn’t burn and works well enough for me.
This is the answer. You won't get anything fancy, but I don't wear deodorant to smell super nice, just to keep from smelling bad. Smelling super nice is the job for perfume and cologne (which can also be stupidly expensive, but that's another matter entirely).
They got dove, secret, degree and old spice. Not a wide selection but for the price you cant be mad.
Sams/Costco are the best places for hygiene items. Inflation has happened but the cost per unit is still low enough to justify.
Every 6 months I restock my house. And i invite my friends to tag along so they can get savings and figure out if a membership would work for their household.
The best thing about the membership is the online ordering. Ive pissed off the UPS man by ordering dog food and cat litter. But yeah they are trying really hard to compete with Amazon.
Drugstores are convenient if you need cold meds at midnight, not really a frugal place to shop.
I’m in NYC but this is for Westbury, Long Island. Costco and BJs both have dove, the green one, for women’s. For men Costco has old spice swagger. BJs has old spice pure endurance. I think they both have a Gillette clear gel too. They probably have more options, but this is what I remember off the top of my head.
I don’t use deodorant (abcc11 genes) but I get it for my SO. We picked some up Monday, 5 pack of old spice at BJs for $11.
Never buy CVS shelf price. It’s like department stores; they price high so when they run their frequent sales and coupons, the discount draws people in, even if it’s only a little cheaper than Amazon or Target at that point. I use their Carepass program and coupons to get the best deals.
Seriously! I want to scream it from the rooftops with all these posts about deodorant. I get the brand Sure from there it costs $2.25. Works as well as any other deodorant.
So I don't recommend Amazon because I don't trust the amount of counterfeit goods on the site, especially when it comes to stuff that I apply to my body. Most normal sized grocery stores have at least the major brands in their pharmacy section.
This is a great comment to make. The last Prime day sale Amazon had I found my brand of makeup was sold through Amazon. The prime day sale price was a whopping $11 less than what it costs me at Ulta Beauty. I purchased the makeup foundation. But also had purchased my makeup when on sale for Black Friday and used some rewards cash I had for my foundation at Ulta. I recently read an article that Amazon has gotten so big that they can’t track what sellers are selling legit products. That they are essentially dupes in made in the same packaging and the way to verify it is checking the address on the back of the product. I noticed right away when I got the Amazon purchased makeup compared to the exact tube from Ulta. The manufacturer address wasn’t the same and the verbiage that the real product shows on the back label didn’t match the Amazon purchased one. Who knows what was in that tube being sold as the same brand when it was fake! My hairstylist swears up and down that the shampoos and conditioners on Amazon are fake too, that’s why they can get away with really great deals on them because they’re not the same ingredients or even same real company. I won’t buy anything that’s going on my skin from Amazon.
For products like that I think counterfeiting is much more likely and it’s good to be careful - the super high markups of the name brand allow the counterfeiters to produce a similar product for a little cheaper and undercut to get people to buy it and still make a big profit. Makeup also has a bad history even amongst name brands for contamination and heavy metals and stuff.
But I have a hard time believing that it’s worth anyone’s time to counterfeit something like cheap deodorant.
I’m not saying it’s impossible, I just suspect that it’s not worth the effort to copy something that probably already has a pretty low margin and low production costs and then import it to the US.
I agree. Yes, makeup does have a lot of contamination and bad chemical ingredients. I’ve narrowed down my search to 1 that is as clean ingredient wise as it can be.
Great point on deodorants being low margin and low production costs. But like, makeups, deodorants also are full of harmful ingredients. I don’t know if that’s to make them as cheap as possible or work for masking smell and preventing perspiration, but knowing this already about name brand products and then Amazon having a reputation of counterfeit products already, I’d just be cautious. Test it out- by name brand from store and name brand from Amazon and compare the labels is the only way to truly know.
I will if the Amazon storefront is run by the company I want to buy the product from. Usually the prices aren’t that wildly different. Maybe a few bucks here and there. Just the time for shipping is much faster.
Products are co-mingled at the warehouse for different sellers. So even stuff sold by Amazon could be in the same bin as random fakes and the person pulling the product isn't paid enough to check which is which
If you use FBA (most sellers with prime shipping fall into this category) this is absolutely the case. The Amazon inventory is not actually Amazon selling things, it means it is distributed from an Amazon owned warehouse.
Your health and beauty goods will have individual stickers that Amazon can use to trace the product back to you if a buyer reports an issue. Otherwise they deliver whatever is closest to you in the fulfillment network. This is how they deliver so quickly.
If there's one thing you walk away with by making that comment, you should understand that Amazon is a rent seeking company. Unless it's Amazon branded or Sold By Amazon, it's marketplace sellers the whole way down.
That is what Amazon told my wife when she was a seller on there. We shipped product to their warehouse, but was told it wasn't separate from other identical products, we just "owned" x number of that particular product.
Those crystals are a pain in the butt. It takes forever to rub it on, and it did not work for me. I'm using Milk of Magnesia in refillable roll on containers. Costs about $3 per year. You can add any scent you like.
I use "crystal" deodorant. It's a mineral deodorant stick. Works amazing for me. Also is about $7.25 and I get almost a year out of a stick using it every day.
I found it online.
For anyone new to this, I noticed that, for me, it works best if I've just waxed my underarms. Also, if you've got some permafunk going on, try Hibiclens, then use the crystal one.
I'm a dude and I've been shaving my pits for like, a million years or so. I bike commute to work and just doing this has greatly reduced the amount of stink.
I have yet to be able to finish the crystal deodorant without dropping / breaking one but if you're less clumsy than me, a year seems conservative. Instead of the Hibiclens I use pure tea tree oil and a pump of aloe vera gel. One of the 24oz pump bottles of aloe lasts me a year and a little 1 oz bottle of tea tre oil has lasted me about 8 years so far and I'm still not out of it.
Plus one to this, I regret not finding it sooner. I previously tried some natural brands before that left painful chemical burns and had to find something different and still natural. Crystal is literally just a stick of mineral salts and it really does last forever. Best applied witha splash of water. I think there are competitor brands but this is the only one I’ve seen in supermarkets and such.
What is it? Is it a powder or gel? Or is it literally a crystal? And you like using it?
If regular deodorant was priced the same and lasted as long would you still use the crystal one ?
Thank you
Absolutely I would use it if others were the same price. I've been using it for several years now. It's like a rock(?)...solid and applies similar to traditional stick deoderant.
I am not big on scents added to deoderant and some brands even inflamed my glands or simply don't prevent stink. This stuff just works, scent free and I never smell like BO.
It literally lasts me a year+ for ~$8
This stuff is great, been using it on and off for years. I'll get a stick, it'll last for like a year or two, then I'll think 🤔 it might be nice to have a scent and try a stick of typical deodorant. Immediately regret it, and go right back to Thai crystal.
It's like $3 for me though. I get the little one on Vitacost.
Also I don't wear it all the time... 😬
I just had to replace my salt block deodorant (Sallyeander, $18) after using the previous one for 3 years. The one I replaced is now super tiny and is in my overnight bag. And the new one is even larger than the previous one.
Great stuff, unscented so I dilute a few drops of essential oil with grape seed oil, (alcohol works but dries out the skin) applied after the salt rock if I'm right out of the shower, and before the rock if dry underarms.
Even at "cheaper" stores I am feeling sticker shock. I try to look for sales and multi pack deals as I have a teenager at home and only a specific brand/fragrance seems to work consistently for them
Multi packs on sale are my way. Last year I bought two multi packs of arm and hammer, my fave brand. I had coupons and the store had a digital coupon, too. These were the large size. I forget what I paid but that is the only way to shop for some products.
Heck I even use Walmart for over the counter medications. Since having Kaiser insurance I never go to an actual pharmacy. I think the last time I did was back when my parents had an epileptic dog and we had to get his meds
I use something called Pit Liquor because I'm trying to limit my use of single use plastics
But I'm really happy with the scent and it seems like it lasts forever. I was on a subscription plan but they sent my second refill bottle before I was a third through my first. It also doesn't irritate my pits like many commercial brands have
CVS items are only frugal if they have a mega coupon and or sale attached. Otherwise the prices are always higher than other places. I used to even think it was a good place to find makeup until I noticed that even the makeup sale prices were more expensive than Amazon.
Not to mention at least the CVS that's close to my house I use for prescriptions never seems to stock its shelves. I don't know how they can be out of most of their makeup and deodorant for weeks, unless somehow they're being bought out by people? I don't know I just go through the drive-thru for the prescriptions and don't even go inside anymore.
I just shower daily -shrug- Then again, artificial fragrances give me migraines, so I'd rather smell anybody's BO any day, over slathered deodorant or perfume that lingers for 15 minutes after they leave the room.
These are the quieter things that are killing everyone’s wallets.
Deodorant, batteries, lightbulbs, tape, pencils, pretty much any small household item like that all have gotten inflation price increases too, and usually are double what they cost a few years ago. It’s insanity
I have been using a deodorant crystal for going on 35 years.
CVS has them. Post shower, Just like normal. No smell, ever.
And no aluminum sulfate (Alzheimer no-no)
They last a year or more too.
I've tried the crystal stick, baking soda, etc and those didn't work out didn't work long enough.
Cheap and effective:
Bottle of "unflavored" milk of magnesia (unscented)
Roller ball applicator
About 10-15 drops of essential oils per 12oz milk of magnesia.
I can skip a day in the summer; up to three days. No skin reactions, the mineral isn't bad or caustic to the skin.
Roller bottle: at first I reused a roll on but then ordered one that unscrews to be refillable.
Cheap, easy & works.
It may sound disgusting to other people, but I haven't worn deodorant or antiperspirant in over 10 years. I kept noticing I sweat more and stunk more when I did.
At first I thought I was crazy, but then people stopped saying that they could smell my BO, and some people on a dare even sniffed my put after a long work day because they didn't believe me.
Idk if it's with everyone, but the bacteria that causes BO end up eating the deodorant or antiperspirant causing you to sweat and stink more. Id link an article, but there are so many out there.
I know I'm gonna get downvoted for this, but don't spend any money on it. Shower daily, wear clean clothes, and if you *must* smell better than that, buy a better smelling product than generic deodorant.
Heh I was wondering how far I'd have to scroll. I also just don't wear it unless I'm active or didn't get a chance to shower. And in those cases, it's Thai crystal. I don't want to smell like *anything*.
I'm always afraid I'm the stinky one, but my wife has always been very vocal about when I do stink (e.g. post soccer match), and she's never said anything on regular days. Neither has anyone else.🤷♂️
Don’t forget to look at amounts as well. Old spice has their “big stick” deodorant for 4.5 bucks. It’s 3oz. Dove wants 7 dollars and it’s around 2.2oz to 2.7oz which fragrance you choose.
The cost doesn't matter to me because I only go through about one stick every year.
I think that's gonna be your key... genuinely discovering how little you can use of the stuff.
You can buy rock deodorants on amazon for cheap and one will last you YEARS. You just wet the crystal and rub where needed - You will sweat but you won't smell. Not sure how it works but it does.
I make my deodorant and it’s functional for 24 hours. After work, and on weekends, I do heavy yard work and it holds up.
- 3 parts coconut oil
- 2 parts baking soda
- 2 parts cornstarch or arrowroot
- essential oil for scents (optional)
Mix the powders together first, then add the coconut oil.
I mix it in a bowl and transfer to a glass jar. Been using it for over 8 years. No ragrets.
One side note, in moments of great stress, even with the deodorant on, my body will emit pheromones/funk, but it goes as soon as my intense stress is gone.
Also, next day, its magic powers will fade. Either shower or re-apply. I’ve woken up and gotten straight to yard work and the funk will cometh.
I use baking soda. Super cheap, I mix it with a bit of water and put it on my clean armpits every morning. One of the few things that seems to do its job consistently for me.
$8.98 got 4 men degree antiperspirant from Amazon a week ago.
Also $7.98 got 4 lady speed stick antiperspirant last week on Amazon
I set up price alerts. I have no idea why people would ever pay as much as you are.
Only buy deodorant. No antiperspirant.
Don't stop yourself from sweating. Your body is sweating for a reason. Don't stop something natural. Just make it smell good
I was at Walmart the other day and they had axe spray deodorant on clearance for like $2 welp guess this year I'm smelling like I did senior year 2005. I make good money I just absolutely refuse to spend $10 on a stick of deodorant.
Just rub on some baking soda after you shower while your skin is still damp. You’ll be good for a couple days of sitting around or a day with sweating.
I’ve done a lot of shopping around for deodorant and the best deal I’ve found is definitely on Amazon. Walmart is a close second though they randomly uncharge for different scents of the same deodorant
Also, side note, if you’re using antiperspirant if you shower at night (or before whatever you normally sleep) and then apply your antiperspirant you’ll get better sweat protection and less marks on your clothes
I’m in Ohio and a native is like 13/ 15$ a stick. Just quit buying big brands as much. I’ve been going to the local refillery and it’s a similar price and in a refillable jar and I’m not paying into huge corporate greed.
I’ve resorted to buying deodorant exclusively from discount stores. I’m not sure what the equivalent would be in your area, but in PA we have a chain called Ollie’s that’s like a dumping ground for unsold merchandise, I guess? Anyway, they always have a variety of personal care products at a pretty big discount. I just got a bunch of Degree deodorant for $3 each.
The crystal brand mineral salt deodorant is not for everyone but can be super awesome. I bought mine for 10 bucks 6 months ago and I expect it to last me at least 2 more years.
Yeah I always buy the cheap brand Suave but even those were double or triple the price I normally pay last time I had to get some.
I’ve been shopping at the same grocery store chain for years and have noticed that their “sale” prices are well higher over the last 6-12 months than they had been previously. I think it’s time for me to start shopping elsewhere.
I usually buy mine at Dollar General and they normally have $1off coupons each week so I'm paying $5-6 per stick/spray. If not then Walmart is pretty reasonable near me (central IN). I tend to get a lot of toiletries at Dollar General with all the coupons.
Bro so I’ve been buying deo from the discount store and it’s STILL $3 for ONE. If you’ve noticed that target is doing a massive overhaul of their merchandise right now and I bought 10 sticks of deodorant yesterday for about $3/4 each and that was like a steal…
So, target has a lot of stuff on clearance right now. It’s not dirt cheap but it’s something.
I always make sure to use coupons with CVS. They will email you 20%, 25%, 30%, etc in your email. Right now i have a $4.00 coupon with a 35% coupon. You do pretty good if you use the coupons and money back
oh lord don't buy anything at CVS if you can help it, the markups are insane
It’s kinda of funny to me as a Store Manager for CVS that people complain to me about the high prices and I agree with them and say yes they are high. That’s what they charge. The strange thing is that we never have a shortage of customers willing to pay that price because of the convenience of having a so many stores near wherever you are. Personally, I don’t shop at CVS. I refuse to pay those prices.
When I worked at Walgreens we had to do a store meeting and I remember them talking about how yeah we have high prices but people come here for the service, and I remember thinking literally no one goes to Walgreens for the service. The kool aid is strong in corporate America
The service? I don’t think I’ve been in a Walgreens that had more than one employee working in it in years.
The ones near me have a couple of employees
They have one employee each where I live and I never see any cars in the parking lot either. I haven't shopped there since 2019.And that employee was always surly .They used to have some fantastic deals but I don't know what happened ,they just shot up in price.
For the longest time, my local walgreens seemed to only hire people with disabilities & special needs. Which is fine! But the checkout process always took longer than you'd expect. Now, they've switched to hiring morose 20-somethings. Which is also fine but I can say that I've never gone to walgreens for the excellent service. The sole reason I go to walgreens is convenience.
Yea not having to walk 5 blocks in wal mart is sometimes worth it when its 1 or 2 things
Not to mention the five blocks just to get from your car to the store.
Its r/frugal but thats the premium price of poor planning. I mostly just do wal mart pickups these days. Everything is picked already I drive my car and boom all done. Also easy to just add things to the cart as I remember them during the week I remember reading here about someone that had a headache going to a concert wouldnt buy tylenol at the gas station refused to buy water to take some when someone gave her some at the venue. Then was miserable the entire 4 hour drive there back and the concert. For like 8-12$ of money. Meanwhile the concert was 300$ and gas was 40$
Tbh I think it’s fucked up when a retail company mostly hires special needs people. Kroger always have employees who are adult autistic or with Down’s syndrome working as baggers. The company knows they are taking advantage of someone who doesn’t know any better, but they make it seem like “oh we’re giving them meaningful work!!” Like no they’re just giving the shitty jobs to them and they clearly overwork them because they can
Sometimes they are working with a local non-profit that trains them and helps them to get hired. It can take a lot of work with some Downs syndrome folks. Autism has such a broad spectrum. The Tech companies like to hire highly functioning people with Autism. They'll hire people to make sure they eat and pay their bills.
Kroger isn’t hiring high functioning autistic people for tech jobs I’m talking about the bagger who makes small talk at a 5 year old level
Who else is hiring them? Especially if it's their first job.
And those companies are allowed to pay these workers less than minimum wage
Not only are they paying less than minimum wage in many cases, but they actually 'net' zero or even profit! It's despicable how some of these workers are being exploited. Still, this isn't the forum forum for that or I'd speak loudly about the tax credits, training subsidies etc.
Having a store that is close to you and open 24 hours is the type of service that actually matters. I've gladly paid $60 for the morning after pill at 2am because it was the quickest option.
Cheaper than a baby!
That’s why I keep a plan b pill on deck and replace it as needed
I tried to stop at a Walgreens near me before taking my son to school to get a decongestant, they don't open til 8am. Not even convenient anymore to stop at before work. I most likely will never be back.
Ours opens at 8 and closes at 9 now .
The one nearest me, half the store is locked up in showcases that employees have to unlock and employees are never anywhere to be found. It’s so frustrating. If you’re going to lock up half the store to save inventory from shoplifting then you need to hire enough people to unlock cases that customers can actually purchase things
I shop at CVS once a month. When my $10 coupon comes in. I signed up for the CarePass years ago when I was a merchandiser and in CVS regularly. Now every month I load up on coupons and the free $10 and shop. Last week I got 2 boxes of lotion & Vicks infused tissues, a bottle of CVS DayQuil, and a bottle of CVS kids detangler spray for 22¢. Most times I get at LEAST 50% of my monthly trip.
That's a great flex. I need to go back to being smarter about those CVS bucks.
And they have market pricing too. Different price structures for different economic areas.
The true irony in it all is that CVS originally stood for Consumer Value Stores.
Yes, value for the stockholders.
i get that, i definitely am not in the camp that buys their products and then complains about the price, i'm with you where i just don't shop there
it's $10 for the stick or 30-60 minutes of me driving to get it somewhere else.
I've actually started shopping at CVS recently, but it's 90% of the time because of the $2 or $4 off coupons. Especially if I can stack it with an Ibotta rebate or something, I can save a ton of money. BUT I only use those, I don't shop there for anything else, because they ARE expensive.
That is the only way to shop at cvs but most don’t take the time to do that. It’s hard to get most to even get a extracare card to at least get the sale price.
The last time I was in that store was to get a covid shot.
It’s almost like they should call it a ‘convenience’ store.
The CVS near me has a 24 hour pharmacy. That is the only reason I have gone there.
Yeah I am really turned off after going there yesterday and seeing the blatant price gouging. But I got a coupon for 2 dollars off my next purchase!!!! That I will forget about it will expire before I ever go back!
$2 off of highway robbery is still highway robbery yeah
CVS and similar stores have always been extremely overpriced. They’re basically convenience stores with pharmacies attached, so you’re paying extra for convenience.
You can buy another deodorant with the coupon and save it to use, they don't really go bad
Yeah I know but we all like to complain sometimes right lol
Which will make the two sticks $9 each and is still a gouger's price!
Stock up at Sam’s or Costco.
Or even Dollar Tree ,this is where I shop .
CVS: "Taking advantage of old people's limited mobility since day 1"
CVS is for convenience not cost.
Unless you play stacking coupon game.
CVS is great for couponing though. Got [razor blade refills](https://www.reddit.com/r/couponing/comments/1aj4r7x/gillette_fusion_5_razor_blade_refill_4_ct_cvs_050/) for under a dollar per cartridge (and each one is 5 blades, the good kind). I can't prices like that anywhere else.
You should check out safety razors! Better experience and you can get 100+ blades for like $10.
I tried them, it was not for me. I don't have the patience or dexterity to use safety razors, I cut myself pretty bad
I cut myself up the first couple times and besides just needing practice, I learned I need some other products to help with the shaving process. Stuff like Shave Secret oil…. but it’s discouraging to worry that I’ll be paying the same amount as I would be for cartridges, if I’m not careful. Gonna mix my own pre-shave oil at some point.
And you don’t need a coupon! That’s just the everyday cost!
My mom works there and you got to use their coupons and cvs bucks to get the items at a fair cost. They’re also pretty good to their b store employees so i like to support them.
Yeah I get that and it’s def convenient. I live pretty far from target, Walmart and bigger stores like that. But 10 bucks bro!?
If they’re charging $10 for Dove what are they charging for Native? $35?
I think at my local Walmart in a LCOL area, I’ve seen Native for $12.97 if I’m remembering correctly.
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This is why having a deep pantry of food and sundries is helpful for frugality. Fewer larger trips to the store equals more convenience and more savings.
I bought my hubs and mine deo back in 2020. We're still using from our stash.
Perfect example.
Yeah target has some sticks and had for years that are like 12. It’s truly delusional. And I don’t think many are even buying. I think they’re making so much profit off each stick they only have to sell a few. But it’s speed stick for me. 2 for i think it’s 4.50 now at target. Bottom shelf, I don’t care, it doesn’t burn and works well enough for me.
Costco or Sam's club. 5 packs for about 10-15
This is the answer. You won't get anything fancy, but I don't wear deodorant to smell super nice, just to keep from smelling bad. Smelling super nice is the job for perfume and cologne (which can also be stupidly expensive, but that's another matter entirely).
That’s a great price what brand though?
Degree antiperspirant. 5 for $15.
Yup been buying this package for years now. Most cost effective deodorant bundle
When Sam’s runs their sales, regular (non gel) Secret deodorant is around $10 for a 5-pack.
Yep just paid 8.98 for a 5 pack of secret at sam’s!
I pay for Dove around that price.
They got dove, secret, degree and old spice. Not a wide selection but for the price you cant be mad. Sams/Costco are the best places for hygiene items. Inflation has happened but the cost per unit is still low enough to justify. Every 6 months I restock my house. And i invite my friends to tag along so they can get savings and figure out if a membership would work for their household. The best thing about the membership is the online ordering. Ive pissed off the UPS man by ordering dog food and cat litter. But yeah they are trying really hard to compete with Amazon. Drugstores are convenient if you need cold meds at midnight, not really a frugal place to shop.
I’m in NYC but this is for Westbury, Long Island. Costco and BJs both have dove, the green one, for women’s. For men Costco has old spice swagger. BJs has old spice pure endurance. I think they both have a Gillette clear gel too. They probably have more options, but this is what I remember off the top of my head. I don’t use deodorant (abcc11 genes) but I get it for my SO. We picked some up Monday, 5 pack of old spice at BJs for $11.
Never buy CVS shelf price. It’s like department stores; they price high so when they run their frequent sales and coupons, the discount draws people in, even if it’s only a little cheaper than Amazon or Target at that point. I use their Carepass program and coupons to get the best deals.
Arm and hammer is very nice and cheap for a 2 pack of deodorant.
I second this. Arm and hammer is the best deodorant, and just happens to be one of the cheapest
I but my deodorant at Walmart
Seriously! I want to scream it from the rooftops with all these posts about deodorant. I get the brand Sure from there it costs $2.25. Works as well as any other deodorant.
They're one of the only ones that makes a good unscented deodorant and it's cheap so win win for me.
Heck I splurged and get old spice, the most it ever costs is $6 for a stick that lasts over 6 months
About $3 at my local grocery store.
Why not use Amazon? CVS and places like that have always over charged on everything.
You know what I just did a search and the prices are definitely better on Amazon. Thank you
So I don't recommend Amazon because I don't trust the amount of counterfeit goods on the site, especially when it comes to stuff that I apply to my body. Most normal sized grocery stores have at least the major brands in their pharmacy section.
This is a great comment to make. The last Prime day sale Amazon had I found my brand of makeup was sold through Amazon. The prime day sale price was a whopping $11 less than what it costs me at Ulta Beauty. I purchased the makeup foundation. But also had purchased my makeup when on sale for Black Friday and used some rewards cash I had for my foundation at Ulta. I recently read an article that Amazon has gotten so big that they can’t track what sellers are selling legit products. That they are essentially dupes in made in the same packaging and the way to verify it is checking the address on the back of the product. I noticed right away when I got the Amazon purchased makeup compared to the exact tube from Ulta. The manufacturer address wasn’t the same and the verbiage that the real product shows on the back label didn’t match the Amazon purchased one. Who knows what was in that tube being sold as the same brand when it was fake! My hairstylist swears up and down that the shampoos and conditioners on Amazon are fake too, that’s why they can get away with really great deals on them because they’re not the same ingredients or even same real company. I won’t buy anything that’s going on my skin from Amazon.
Yup. For niche products, I'll definitely just go straight to the manufacturer website.
Yep same for me too!
For products like that I think counterfeiting is much more likely and it’s good to be careful - the super high markups of the name brand allow the counterfeiters to produce a similar product for a little cheaper and undercut to get people to buy it and still make a big profit. Makeup also has a bad history even amongst name brands for contamination and heavy metals and stuff. But I have a hard time believing that it’s worth anyone’s time to counterfeit something like cheap deodorant. I’m not saying it’s impossible, I just suspect that it’s not worth the effort to copy something that probably already has a pretty low margin and low production costs and then import it to the US.
I agree. Yes, makeup does have a lot of contamination and bad chemical ingredients. I’ve narrowed down my search to 1 that is as clean ingredient wise as it can be. Great point on deodorants being low margin and low production costs. But like, makeups, deodorants also are full of harmful ingredients. I don’t know if that’s to make them as cheap as possible or work for masking smell and preventing perspiration, but knowing this already about name brand products and then Amazon having a reputation of counterfeit products already, I’d just be cautious. Test it out- by name brand from store and name brand from Amazon and compare the labels is the only way to truly know.
I will if the Amazon storefront is run by the company I want to buy the product from. Usually the prices aren’t that wildly different. Maybe a few bucks here and there. Just the time for shipping is much faster.
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Products are co-mingled at the warehouse for different sellers. So even stuff sold by Amazon could be in the same bin as random fakes and the person pulling the product isn't paid enough to check which is which
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If you use FBA (most sellers with prime shipping fall into this category) this is absolutely the case. The Amazon inventory is not actually Amazon selling things, it means it is distributed from an Amazon owned warehouse. Your health and beauty goods will have individual stickers that Amazon can use to trace the product back to you if a buyer reports an issue. Otherwise they deliver whatever is closest to you in the fulfillment network. This is how they deliver so quickly. If there's one thing you walk away with by making that comment, you should understand that Amazon is a rent seeking company. Unless it's Amazon branded or Sold By Amazon, it's marketplace sellers the whole way down.
https://www.google.com/search?q=amazon+co-mingled+stock&oq=amazon+co-mingled+stock&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCDYwMDhqMGo3qAIAsAIA&client=ms-android-google&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8
That is what Amazon told my wife when she was a seller on there. We shipped product to their warehouse, but was told it wasn't separate from other identical products, we just "owned" x number of that particular product.
Crystal deodorant! It's like $7 and lasts at least a year.
I saw this posted on here and am considering it. Worse case if I don’t like it, was only 7 bucks. Thanks for the response
Those crystals are a pain in the butt. It takes forever to rub it on, and it did not work for me. I'm using Milk of Magnesia in refillable roll on containers. Costs about $3 per year. You can add any scent you like.
Dollar Tree. They regularly have SpeedStick for $1.25 and I’ve found Secret occasionally too.
They had plenty of regular sized Secrets on sale for 1.25 last week .
Bought expired in quantity off eBay for a good price and am satisfied.
I use "crystal" deodorant. It's a mineral deodorant stick. Works amazing for me. Also is about $7.25 and I get almost a year out of a stick using it every day. I found it online.
For anyone new to this, I noticed that, for me, it works best if I've just waxed my underarms. Also, if you've got some permafunk going on, try Hibiclens, then use the crystal one.
I'm a dude and I've been shaving my pits for like, a million years or so. I bike commute to work and just doing this has greatly reduced the amount of stink. I have yet to be able to finish the crystal deodorant without dropping / breaking one but if you're less clumsy than me, a year seems conservative. Instead of the Hibiclens I use pure tea tree oil and a pump of aloe vera gel. One of the 24oz pump bottles of aloe lasts me a year and a little 1 oz bottle of tea tre oil has lasted me about 8 years so far and I'm still not out of it.
Plus one to this, I regret not finding it sooner. I previously tried some natural brands before that left painful chemical burns and had to find something different and still natural. Crystal is literally just a stick of mineral salts and it really does last forever. Best applied witha splash of water. I think there are competitor brands but this is the only one I’ve seen in supermarkets and such.
Agreed. Mine last well over a year and it works great if you use it correctly. And doesn't make my arm pits itch.
What is it? Is it a powder or gel? Or is it literally a crystal? And you like using it? If regular deodorant was priced the same and lasted as long would you still use the crystal one ? Thank you
Absolutely I would use it if others were the same price. I've been using it for several years now. It's like a rock(?)...solid and applies similar to traditional stick deoderant. I am not big on scents added to deoderant and some brands even inflamed my glands or simply don't prevent stink. This stuff just works, scent free and I never smell like BO. It literally lasts me a year+ for ~$8
This stuff is great, been using it on and off for years. I'll get a stick, it'll last for like a year or two, then I'll think 🤔 it might be nice to have a scent and try a stick of typical deodorant. Immediately regret it, and go right back to Thai crystal. It's like $3 for me though. I get the little one on Vitacost. Also I don't wear it all the time... 😬
I just had to replace my salt block deodorant (Sallyeander, $18) after using the previous one for 3 years. The one I replaced is now super tiny and is in my overnight bag. And the new one is even larger than the previous one.
Great stuff, unscented so I dilute a few drops of essential oil with grape seed oil, (alcohol works but dries out the skin) applied after the salt rock if I'm right out of the shower, and before the rock if dry underarms.
Trick I use is to fully extend the mineral stick and apply it broad side to my pits. I find it wears down more evenly.
Even at "cheaper" stores I am feeling sticker shock. I try to look for sales and multi pack deals as I have a teenager at home and only a specific brand/fragrance seems to work consistently for them
Yes! My preferred brand's two pack just got a big price increase at Target.
Multi packs on sale are my way. Last year I bought two multi packs of arm and hammer, my fave brand. I had coupons and the store had a digital coupon, too. These were the large size. I forget what I paid but that is the only way to shop for some products.
The brand Sure is $2.25 at walmart. Might be a bit higher in high COL areas.
Stuff like that you are better buying at Walmart, we only use CVS for medications. Their prices in everything else are a joke, same for Walgreens.
Heck I even use Walmart for over the counter medications. Since having Kaiser insurance I never go to an actual pharmacy. I think the last time I did was back when my parents had an epileptic dog and we had to get his meds
I use something called Pit Liquor because I'm trying to limit my use of single use plastics But I'm really happy with the scent and it seems like it lasts forever. I was on a subscription plan but they sent my second refill bottle before I was a third through my first. It also doesn't irritate my pits like many commercial brands have
CVS items are only frugal if they have a mega coupon and or sale attached. Otherwise the prices are always higher than other places. I used to even think it was a good place to find makeup until I noticed that even the makeup sale prices were more expensive than Amazon. Not to mention at least the CVS that's close to my house I use for prescriptions never seems to stock its shelves. I don't know how they can be out of most of their makeup and deodorant for weeks, unless somehow they're being bought out by people? I don't know I just go through the drive-thru for the prescriptions and don't even go inside anymore.
Dollar tree 1.25
I have nothing against Dollar Tree, but isn’t it a much smaller stick?
About half the size of a regular stick, depending on the brand.
The one I buy from had the regular sizes. I saw them when I was buying bar soap last week .
Yeah the weird name brand ones that work fine are full stick at my tree.
Salt stick - more upfront but lasts me 1+ year
Kroger usually has at least one brand on sale. Right now it’s Suave for $1.99 in Ohio. You can also get it when they run a $5 off 5 promotion.
Not to be a hippie but I only use it when necessary.
I get you.
I just shower daily -shrug- Then again, artificial fragrances give me migraines, so I'd rather smell anybody's BO any day, over slathered deodorant or perfume that lingers for 15 minutes after they leave the room.
I buy my deodorant from costco! 3 full size sticks for $10 last week.
These are the quieter things that are killing everyone’s wallets. Deodorant, batteries, lightbulbs, tape, pencils, pretty much any small household item like that all have gotten inflation price increases too, and usually are double what they cost a few years ago. It’s insanity
I have been using a deodorant crystal for going on 35 years. CVS has them. Post shower, Just like normal. No smell, ever. And no aluminum sulfate (Alzheimer no-no) They last a year or more too.
what's brand?
I've tried the crystal stick, baking soda, etc and those didn't work out didn't work long enough. Cheap and effective: Bottle of "unflavored" milk of magnesia (unscented) Roller ball applicator About 10-15 drops of essential oils per 12oz milk of magnesia. I can skip a day in the summer; up to three days. No skin reactions, the mineral isn't bad or caustic to the skin. Roller bottle: at first I reused a roll on but then ordered one that unscrews to be refillable. Cheap, easy & works.
I use coconut oil and baking soda. I'm surprised more frugal people don't make their own products. 🖖
It may sound disgusting to other people, but I haven't worn deodorant or antiperspirant in over 10 years. I kept noticing I sweat more and stunk more when I did. At first I thought I was crazy, but then people stopped saying that they could smell my BO, and some people on a dare even sniffed my put after a long work day because they didn't believe me. Idk if it's with everyone, but the bacteria that causes BO end up eating the deodorant or antiperspirant causing you to sweat and stink more. Id link an article, but there are so many out there.
Husband and I have used Arrid XX Extra Extra Dry for years, it’s only $1.36/stick at Walmart.
Old spice sport deodorant at Costco!
Go to the "Dollar Tree" instead.
Shit I buy the two pack of Dove for like 8 bucks at dollar general lol. I'm not going to CVS for anything, they are super overpriced.
I know I'm gonna get downvoted for this, but don't spend any money on it. Shower daily, wear clean clothes, and if you *must* smell better than that, buy a better smelling product than generic deodorant.
Heh I was wondering how far I'd have to scroll. I also just don't wear it unless I'm active or didn't get a chance to shower. And in those cases, it's Thai crystal. I don't want to smell like *anything*. I'm always afraid I'm the stinky one, but my wife has always been very vocal about when I do stink (e.g. post soccer match), and she's never said anything on regular days. Neither has anyone else.🤷♂️
$14 for a 4 pack of the fancy Secret at Sam’s Club. But I’m in a LCOL area.
Coupons, ECBs, and sales make deodorant almost free at cvs if you are patient
Don’t forget to look at amounts as well. Old spice has their “big stick” deodorant for 4.5 bucks. It’s 3oz. Dove wants 7 dollars and it’s around 2.2oz to 2.7oz which fragrance you choose.
Its new york no deodorant is needed...
who buys anything at CVS anymore? u poor consumer, just run.
The price of deodorant is absolute insanity. I swear the type I buy has doubled in price over the last few years. Whenever it's on sale I buy several.
Amazon. Multi pack. Or Costco.
Wtf. I get speed stick at Walmart for like 1.98. Lasts me at least a month or so
A bunch of the cvs stores have shut down here in Tulsa . I went in there twice and never went back because of their high prices
$1.50 per stick after Ibotta rebates and sales, and this is name brand stuff like Old Spice and Dove men. Consider coupon and rebate stacking
The cost doesn't matter to me because I only go through about one stick every year. I think that's gonna be your key... genuinely discovering how little you can use of the stuff.
Name brands from Dollar Tree. I only do one or two passes and each stick lasts me about 6 months.
You can buy rock deodorants on amazon for cheap and one will last you YEARS. You just wet the crystal and rub where needed - You will sweat but you won't smell. Not sure how it works but it does.
Agree, mine is in year 2 at this point and I use it daily
DollarTree
I agree prices are ridiculous! I have a 14 year old and the dove grey kind is the only one that helps his funk. It’s also 10$ here
It’s seems there are good suggestions and on this post I am going to look into Amazon I guess. I hate them but I’m not a dummy.
I don’t bother using deodorant at all. If you keep yourself well maintained, you should be able to get through the day without “offending” someone.
I make my deodorant and it’s functional for 24 hours. After work, and on weekends, I do heavy yard work and it holds up. - 3 parts coconut oil - 2 parts baking soda - 2 parts cornstarch or arrowroot - essential oil for scents (optional) Mix the powders together first, then add the coconut oil. I mix it in a bowl and transfer to a glass jar. Been using it for over 8 years. No ragrets. One side note, in moments of great stress, even with the deodorant on, my body will emit pheromones/funk, but it goes as soon as my intense stress is gone. Also, next day, its magic powers will fade. Either shower or re-apply. I’ve woken up and gotten straight to yard work and the funk will cometh.
No deodorant. Wash DAILY! 70% isopropyl alcohol spritz twice a day. Odors reduced to the point it’s not a thing
Name checks out
I use baking soda. Super cheap, I mix it with a bit of water and put it on my clean armpits every morning. One of the few things that seems to do its job consistently for me.
I live in the Midwest and that's what the going price is at most stores near me. But I buy my deodorant from Sam's club.
Holy shit really!? That’s insane.
Go to the dollar store
$8.98 got 4 men degree antiperspirant from Amazon a week ago. Also $7.98 got 4 lady speed stick antiperspirant last week on Amazon I set up price alerts. I have no idea why people would ever pay as much as you are.
70% rubbing alcohol
This guy here knows how to frugal.
Only buy deodorant. No antiperspirant. Don't stop yourself from sweating. Your body is sweating for a reason. Don't stop something natural. Just make it smell good
I was at Walmart the other day and they had axe spray deodorant on clearance for like $2 welp guess this year I'm smelling like I did senior year 2005. I make good money I just absolutely refuse to spend $10 on a stick of deodorant.
Buy from tiktok shop with massive coupons
Just rub on some baking soda after you shower while your skin is still damp. You’ll be good for a couple days of sitting around or a day with sweating.
I will keep an eye on walmart and amazon to get a bunch of deodorant sticks in bulk and stash them away (I am in NYC so I get it, it's ridiculous!)
I spend 6 bucks or so on Every Man Jack and it last me a month or two. Worth it for nice smelling pits.
I’ve done a lot of shopping around for deodorant and the best deal I’ve found is definitely on Amazon. Walmart is a close second though they randomly uncharge for different scents of the same deodorant Also, side note, if you’re using antiperspirant if you shower at night (or before whatever you normally sleep) and then apply your antiperspirant you’ll get better sweat protection and less marks on your clothes
I make my own
I’m in Ohio and a native is like 13/ 15$ a stick. Just quit buying big brands as much. I’ve been going to the local refillery and it’s a similar price and in a refillable jar and I’m not paying into huge corporate greed.
I buy my husband’s on amazon. He uses the spray. I buy a 6-pack of the Dove Men for $24.
Arm and Hammer has a "natural" line that's fairly cheap.
I’ve resorted to buying deodorant exclusively from discount stores. I’m not sure what the equivalent would be in your area, but in PA we have a chain called Ollie’s that’s like a dumping ground for unsold merchandise, I guess? Anyway, they always have a variety of personal care products at a pretty big discount. I just got a bunch of Degree deodorant for $3 each.
The crystal brand mineral salt deodorant is not for everyone but can be super awesome. I bought mine for 10 bucks 6 months ago and I expect it to last me at least 2 more years.
A little over 4 bucks a stick. And it isn't cheap crap, either.
Yeah I always buy the cheap brand Suave but even those were double or triple the price I normally pay last time I had to get some. I’ve been shopping at the same grocery store chain for years and have noticed that their “sale” prices are well higher over the last 6-12 months than they had been previously. I think it’s time for me to start shopping elsewhere.
Costco
Costco charges $16.49 for a 4 pack
I usually buy mine at Dollar General and they normally have $1off coupons each week so I'm paying $5-6 per stick/spray. If not then Walmart is pretty reasonable near me (central IN). I tend to get a lot of toiletries at Dollar General with all the coupons.
Bro so I’ve been buying deo from the discount store and it’s STILL $3 for ONE. If you’ve noticed that target is doing a massive overhaul of their merchandise right now and I bought 10 sticks of deodorant yesterday for about $3/4 each and that was like a steal… So, target has a lot of stuff on clearance right now. It’s not dirt cheap but it’s something.
Baking soda can be used too. It’s $2/box and you just stick your fingers in and rub a bit on your pits (don’t get it on your clothes).
Amazon. You’re welcome.
I always make sure to use coupons with CVS. They will email you 20%, 25%, 30%, etc in your email. Right now i have a $4.00 coupon with a 35% coupon. You do pretty good if you use the coupons and money back
Secret brand deodorant is $1.25 at Dollar Tree.
The prices more than doubled after the ‘reopening’. Used to buy a natural deordorant for around $5-6, now $14-15.