CVS 101

CVS is one of my favorite places to shop and get deals. My wife and I go every Sunday and make sure to take advantage of any free offers or sales where we can stack our coupons to get things at unbeatable prices! You won’t have to pay for many things like toothpaste, shampoo / conditioner and lotions ever again if done right. Also we find when the right deals hit these are the best places to buy most of the make up needs for our family.

If you don’t already have your ExtraCare card from CVS you are missing out on some really great money saving deals. The program can seem a little complicated but it is well worth the time. Plus it is free. Here’s what you do.

First, sign up for your ExtraCare card at your local CVS. You can also sign up on-line but I recommended going to the store so you can start saving immediately. You will be given two cards, a little one to put on your key chain and a bigger one for your wallet. We keep ours in our coupon book.

Second, before the cashier begins ringing your purchase, simply hand them your card to scan and start saving money by earning Extra Bucks. Extra Bucks are coupons for dollars off your next purchase that are printed at the bottom of your register receipt. This is one way you get things free (you may pay today but will get ECB’s as they are called towards your next purchase). Simply save them for your next weeks trip.

Here’s how it works:

First you earn 2% back on in-store or online purchases. These are given out quarterly. You also earn $1 Extra Buck for every 2 prescriptions purchased.

The best part of the program is each week CVS runs promotions in which you can earn more Extra Bucks. Here are a few examples:

Buy Duracell Batteries for $2.99 and you get $1 Extra Buck Reward. But wait, it gets even better. I can also use my $2 off coupon on Duracell Batteries. So I am going to pay 99 cents for the batteries and get $1 Extra Buck for my next purchase.

You can also stack your coupons. Here is an example: The promotion is buy $10 on Band-Aids or Neosporin and get $5 Extra Bucks. So lets say the Neosporin is $3 and the Band-Aids are $2. You are going to have to buy several items. So let’s buy 2 Neosporin’s for $6 and 2 Band-Aids for $4 equaling the $10 needed to get the $5 Extra Bucks. Then use 2 Neosporin coupons for $2 off each one and 2 Band-Aid coupons for $1 off each one. Now I have spent $4 out of pocket and got back $5 in Bucks.

Now, you can start saving some serious cash by stacking your Extra Bucks to limit the amount you spend out of pocket.

There are a few items that you can’t use Extra Bucks on like alcohol, tobacco, lottery, gift cards, money orders, postage stamps, pre-paid cards, prescriptions, and special order Home Health Care items, including footwear.

It takes some practice. Each week sit down with the CVS ad and find the products that offer Extra Bucks. Match those products up with your coupons. You will be amazed at the amount of products you can get for little or no money at all. Because of this program we haven’t paid for items like tooth paste and shampoo in months because we are able to get it free using coupons and ECB’s.

Another thing to keep in mind is at the front of each CVS is a red machine where you can scan your CVS card. Do this as you start each shopping trip because often times it will print valuable coupons for you to use. Also after every quarter you can print your rebate (2% back on purchases) from this kiosk.