First, be sure to sign up for an Extra Care card, which can be done in person at the register or online, which won't cost you dime. When signing up online you may even get a $4 off coupon emailed to you.
CVS Coupon Center
When you walk into CVS, keep an eye out for the red CVS Coupon Center, a red machine which is usually located right by the entrance (not all CVS locations have this). Swipe your card and the machine will spit out 1 or more coupons just for swiping.
ExtraBucks & Discounts
Each time you make a purchase at CVS, hand the cashier this card. This will get you the discounts and 2% back on all your purchases. Even more important are the ExtraBucks (ECB) that you receive on qualifying purchases. ExtraBucks are coupons that print out on the bottom of your receipt when you make qualifying purchases. There is usually a limit on how many of these ECB deals can be cashed in on. The limits are associated with your card so going to a different store or sending in your spouse wil not make a difference. These ExtraBucks can be applied to future purchases but they do expire so pay attention to the exp. date. This is where the deals are!
Each week CVS puts out it's weekly ad, found in the store and in your Sunday paper. I will also be posting these deals each week labeled CVS Coupon Matchups, where I will also list coupons that can be used with the deal. Please note...the Matchups and Trip Ideas do not include sales tax since that varies state by state. The Matchups will look something like this:
- Buy 1 Combos $2 (limit 1)
Pay $2
Get $2 ECBs
Final Price: Free after ECBs
- Buy 2 Revlon Matte Eye Shadow $4.99 each
Use two $1/1 Revlon coupon RP 12/13
Pay $7.98
Get $5 ECB
Final Price: $1.49 each after coupons and ECBs
Rolling ECBs
Now that you know how to get ECBs, the next thing is to roll the ECBs to get free items. Many couponers separate their purchases into smaller transactions. They then use the ECBs earned on one purchase to pay for the next. Check in regularly to see some CVS trip ideas. They will look somewhat like this:
CVS Trip Idea:
Transaction 1
Buy 1 Combos $2
Buy 2 Revlon Matte Eye Shadow $4.99 each
Use two $1/1 Revlon coupon RP 12/13
Get $7 ECB
Pay $9.98
Transaction 2
Buy 2 Revlon Matte Eye Shadow $4.99 each
Use two $1/1 Revlon coupon RP 12/13
and $7 ECB
Get $5 ECB
Pay $.98
Total OOP $10.96, Get $5 ECBs
To sum it up, in this trip idea I rolled the $7 ECBs that I earned in Transaction 1 into Transaction 2. In the end I walked out of the store with $21.96 worth of merchandise but only paid $10.96 and I still have $5 in ECBs left for next time.
Rain Checks
CVS is very good about issuing rain checks. If an item is on sale but they are out, ask for a rain check. If the deal is associated with ECBs, the cashier will write it up with that amount deducted from the total, ie. If Dove soap is advertised at pay $4.99 and get $2 ECB, then the rain check will be written up at $2.99. If there is a limit on the deal then you can only get that amount of rain checks. CVS rain checks don't expire and you can use coupons on rain check items once they get the merchandise back in.
Green Bag Tag
The CVS Green Bag Tag is another way to pile n the savings. Next time you go to the register, pick one of these up for just $1. Then attach it to your own reusable shopping bag. Use this bag each time you shop at CVS and have the cashier swipe the card...you'll get an additional $1 ECB on every 4th visit. IMPORTANT! The Green Bag Tag is limited to 1 per customer, so buying multiples won't help. Also, the tag must be attached to a reusable shopping bag. I have heard of people buying the tag and putting it in their wallet, this does not qualify.
Find the official CVS Coupon Policy here!
I hope this helps get you started on the HUGE savings that can be had at CVS! It may seem like a lot at first but after a few trips to the store you'll be shopping like a pro. Have fun!
Cheers,
Nancy
*Questions? Comments? Ideas? Let me know :)
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