CVS for Newbies!!

I have been couponing at CVS the longest so I know it the best.  CVS is pretty straight forward but as always there are ways to make it even easier. 

First you need a Extra Care Card they are free and are connected to your phone number, so if you forget your card just tell the cashier your phone number.

Second know the ad ahead of time which you can get at Iheartcvs.com.  They have match ups and an awesome coupon database. The coupon database helps you know what coupons are available for any product listed and where to find it (like the smart source or red plum and what date and when they expire). 

There is always one or two great deals with a lot of Extra Care Bucks. Extra Care Bucks or ECB are as good as cash (can only be used at CVS). ECBs are printed at the bottom of your receipt when you buy products that have them attached. ECBs are earned BEFORE coupons.  For example Revlon Nail Polish is on sale for $4.99 with 4 ECBs coming back.  You can use $1 off coupon and pay $3.99 and get 4 in ECBs back then do the transaction again, buy Revlon nail polish for 4.99 use $1 off coupon and use the 4 ECBs and get the item for free and get 4 ECBs for your next trip. In order to do this scenario you have to make sure there isn't a limit.  If there is a good deal like Hershey Bliss is on sale for $5.99 with 5.99 in ECBs back LIMIT 1.  That means you can only get that deal once per card. 

With the scenario above you got 4ECBs BUT only spent 3.99 you will lose that cent. If you had a $2 off coupon and the Revlon Nail Polish is $4.99 making the polish $2.99 and had 4ECBs from the previous transaction and you use that then you would either lose 1 ECBs or you could use a filler.  A filler is something like gum or a candy bar or pop something that is a dollar that way you don't waste the ECB and you get a free item! You can not use ECBs for tax.

You can use manufacturer coupon with CVS coupons.  You can get CVS coupons either online and sign up at CVS.com or the Magic Red Box. The Magic Red Box (pic below) just scan your card and coupons print.

You have to first make what I call an initial investment.  Pick out something you want or need in the sale paper that has a lot of ECBs or something that has a good coupon with it and it makes it cheap with ECBs coming back to you. Then you can either roll the ECBs or save them for next week and get super cheap/free stuff next week. You could save so much on simple things like toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, body wash, razors, etc.

*There are some TIPS I like to share.  CVS deals start Saturday at 4pm EVEN though it says in the paper that they start Sunday.  So actually you can get the week before deals on Sat and get the deals that start Sun. 

*Check IHeartCVS.com to verify this BUT there are times when the CVS ad has something on sale saying something like "Spend $15 and get 5 EBCs" There are times when you don't have to spend EXACTLY 15 it could be 14.99 or 14.98 or 14.97.  Please verify this on a blog you trust!!

GOOD LUCK AND PLEASE ASK ANY AND ALL QUESTION!!!