How to Shop at CVS

(logo above from CVS website)

I've posted quite a few times on CVS without ever explaining how to shop there, so I am gonna take a stab at it now. Let me know if you have any questions.

#1- CVS Extracare Card

An extracare card is key to saving at CVS and works just like your Kroger or grocery savings card. You MUST have a card to get sale prices, get ECB rewards, and other benefits. A extracare card is FREE. Sign up HERE online or in store.

Also when you shop with the card, you earn 2% for every dollar you spend and these print off for your quarterly.

Also after you get a card, sign up for their emais online and you will be emailed a $4 off $20 purchase right away. Also they randomly send coupons (good ones too!) to your email account.

#2- Coupons

To read or print CVS's official coupon policy click HERE.

Using Multiple Coupons: One CVS coupon and one manufacturers coupon can be used per item.

Using BOGO coupons/BOGO sales:  Two coupons may be used on a Buy One, Get One Free sale as long as it does not exceed the item total. Also, a Buy One, Get One Free coupon can be used with a Buy One, Get One Free Sale.

Using multiple $X off $XX purchase coupons: As long as your pre-coupon total exceeds the minimum purchase price of BOTH coupon purchase totals added together then you can use 2 coupons.

ex. If I have a $5 off $15 Covergirl and $3 off $10 Cosmetics then I need to purchase $25 of cosmetics with $15 of them being Covergirl in order to use both coupons.

#3- ExtraCare Bucks (ECBs)

The weekly circular lists the weeks ECB offers. Sometimes they make an item free and sometimes they just discount the item when taking the ECB into consideration. But since you CAN use mfr. coupons and CVS coupons against the items, they usually make for great deals. ECBs print out at the bottom of your receipt at checkout. They do have expiration dates but usually are 3-4 weeks out or more. Usually the ECB offers are limited and will say what the limit is in the circular. Unlike Walgreens Register Rewards, ECBs can be used to roll into another transaction containing the same item the ECB was given for. Also unlike Walgreens, there is no limit to the number of ECBs you can use to pay for a transaction.

Also if an item is Buy this, Get $X ECB limit 2, and you buy both in 1 transaction then your ECB will add together. Ex. Colgate Toothpaste is $4.99, Get $4 ECB Limit 2. I buy my limit of 2 in 1 transaction, then a $8 ECB will print. If I bought 1 in 2 separate transactions then a $4 ECB will print both times.

#4-  ExtraCare Coupon Center (Price Scanner Machine/ Magic Red Coupon Machine)

At the front of each store is a price scanner known to most as the Red Coupon Machine. Scan your Extracare Card EVERY time you go in CVS. Lots of times really good coupons print! Also, don't just scan once....keep scanning until it tells you it has no more coupons to print for you today. Everyone in the couponing world calls the coupons from the machine CRTs (or cash register tape because they print kinda like receipt coupons).

#5 Green Bag Tag

All CVS's sell a green bag tag. What you do is bring your own bag or just decline to use a plastic bag at checkout. When you do this, have them scan your Green Bag Tag and for every 4th scan you get a $1 ECB. The Green Bag Tags cost $1 each, so they pay for themselves after your 4th CVS trip.

#6 Beauty Club

After getting your ExtraCare Card, make sure you go online HERE and sign up for CVS's Beauty Club. After signing up you get a 10% off Beauty Club products. Also for every $50 of Beauty Club items (cosmetics, skin care, hair care, fragrance, hair tools, beauty tools, nail care, hair accessories) you purchase on your pre-coupon total, you will receive a $5 ECB! Also on your birthday, you will get a $3 ECB.

So that's about all I got on CVS. I just started CVSing last Thanksgiving time, but it has quickly become one of my favorite drugstores EVER. Keep it up CVS!!! You've taken the place of both RiteAid and Walgreens in this house!

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