UPDATE: On 9/09/11, CVS released an official corporate coupon policy. Be sure to print it off and keep it with you when shopping.
1. You need a CVS ExtraCare Card. You can sign up online or get one in stores. (that will work instantly) You will need to scan this everytime you do a transaction.
2. Have access to the weekly ads. If you buy newspapers, the ad will be in there, or you can stop by your store on Sunday to get the new one. Online at Cvs.com is always an easy option as well. And, of course, I will have all the best deals posted for you here, usually the day before the new ad begins.
3. Understand ExtraCare Bucks. ExtraCare Bucks, or ECBs, are essentially CVS cash! They are printed at the end of your receipt when you buy particular items, and are good for 4 weeks after issued. It will be very clear in the weekly ad and on store tags what items are valid for the ECBs. Many times there will be items that give you the same amount of ECBs as the item price.
Example: Get $2.99 ECBs when you buy 1 Crest toothpaste at $2.99.
In the coupon world this means it’s FREE. And if you had a coupon, let’s say for $1.00 off, then you are actually making $1.00 profit because you paid $1.99 and you now have $2.99 to spend.
Also, even though ECBs are like cash, you cannot get “change” back for them.
Example: My total is $3.75 and I want to pay with a $5 ECB.
I will not get $1.25 back. This would be a good opportunity to buy something like eggs or other items that you may need, but aren’t really “deals” on your list. I often use this towards Sunday newspapers.
4. Items that are on sale with ECBs have limits per household on them. This is a bittersweet spot about CVS. Many “free” deals like above have 1 limit. This is not per day, it is per card. Also, if the item has a limit of 2 ECB deals that can be done, and you do both of your deals in one transaction, your ECBs will print combined for those items.
Example: Toothbrushes are on sale for $3.00 and I get $2.00 ECB back. Limit 2. I buy 2 toothbrushes in the same transaction and pay $6.00. I will get a $4.00 ECB on the end of my receipt.
If I buy them in separate transactions, I will get two $2.00 ECBs back. Ideally you want smaller amounts so it is easier to “roll” them.
5. Know how to Roll your ECBs. The main goal of CVSing is to get your out-of-pocket expenses to a minimum. This means doing multiple transactions can be common.
Example: I see two deals I want to do. One is for makeup: $5.00 and $3 ECBs gained. Another is for a hair product: $3.00 and $2 ECBs gained. Even though the $5.00 seems more expensive, if you buy it first, you can buy the hair product with the $3 ECB (nothing OOP), and get $2 ECB back to save for later.
6. CVS Coupons. There is a price checker in CVS stores that you can scan your card, and coupons print out. You don’t even have to buy anything for these coupons to print. They can also pop up at the bottom of your receipt as well. You may also receive emails with dollar off amounts.
Example: Get $4 off $20 purchase, or $4/$20.
There is also a magazine called Reinventing Beauty (sold for $0.99) that has some great coupons in it. These are usually at the front by the registers. Reinventing Beauty magazine is not available at all stores.
Another easy moneymaker and “green” item is the CVS Green Bag Tag.
Hey! I'm Jasmine. 