If you are new to any of the “Drug Store Games”, please begin with CVS since I have done a quick video tutorial that will explain the basic premise of using your ECBs. (Extra Care Buck coupons). These are are printed at the end of your receipt, and usable as free money at your next CVS transaction.)
Click here and see other tips before you begin on this CVS adventure.
I did this video spontaneously last September in answer to questions that I was receiving. I will be updating it with tips I’ve learned this year.
I have not had to pay for toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, ibuprofen, soap or a myriad of other household essentials by just learning how to use their gracious extra care bucks system. The small learning curve is so worth the hassle. Some weeks are better than other weeks, but slowly stockpiling items will lead to a long term savings.
Unfortunately, on any major holiday weekends, there are no coupon inserts, but that doesn’t mean this isn’t a great week to begin. You can get your first free toothpaste. 🙂
I have added the deals below.
Your first time shopping the CVS Extra Bucks system (abbreviation from now on – ECB), you will have to spend some Out of Pocket (OOP) money. After that, you will continue to “roll” your bucks for the free items, with virtually no OOP money.
I even recommend that you consider doing two transactions your first time. That way you minimize your out of pocket expense and turn around and use those bucks immediately on other “Free items.” Many stores offer a machine that allows you to swipe your CVS card when you first enter. Often this spits out additional ECBs and coupons. Look to see if your store has that option. Unfortunately, the one I frequent does not, but when I am “in town,” I take advantage of the stores that do.
Please note that it is a benefit for CVS that you use your CVS bucks. The CVS management is incentivized by customers using their bucks. I had some negative comments left on on my video, and after those comments occurred, I questioned the managers. They explained the benefits that stores receive by having a higher percentage of used ECBs, and said the negative comments probably came from hourly employees that just don’t want the hassle.
Deals will vary as some stores DO take internet coupons, while some managers will not. Try them, and they will let you know.
If you are just beginning couponing, you may not get all of these items for free, but there are still wonderful “almost free” deals, and the next time you shop….they’ll be free!
Thanks for the tips. You have convinced me to get going with CVS! I couldn’t see a video anywhere on your other blog entry. Am I missing something? Thank you for your inspiration!
I have GOT to start organizing my coupons better so I can start doing this! I have gotten very lazy about it, and by the time I’m ready to start clipping, I have created a coupon monster that I end up just throwing away. UGH!!!
Hmmm…think I’ll get off here and go start clipping…if they even added them in our paper this week.
I don’t have a CVS Pharmacy nearby but I had to tell you about my lucky shopping trip…I got BBQ for free! I have never ever in my shopping trips (using coupons) gotten anything for free. I was so excited I just had to tell you about it! (probably won’t happen again…sigh…)
There are no coupons in this week’s paper, but there are tons of printables to match with sales! This is a great week to get started, I totally agree!
We had no coupons in Sunday’s paper. Even though I could not find your video, last night at 9:00 I got the appropriate coupons and headed to CVS. I’m going back today with $5 in ECB’s to for “free” purchases.
Thanks for the motivation!
Melanie@Bella~Mella
There are ordinarily no coupons in the ‘paper on a major holiday weekend.
There is a printable Colgate coupon, though, for the Total Advanced, if your store takes internet coupons. (Ours does.)
Also, if you print coupons.com coupons regularly, make sure you sign up for My Points (mypoints.com), and print your coupons through them. They have the same coupons, and you earn points every time you print and/or redeem them. 🙂
Man, you really are good at this coupon stuff. We use CVS by mail, so we don’t get recepts. I wonder about this??
Thanks for the great coupon ideas. I use pinching your pennies a ton and this will really help as well.
Great post! I love CVS! They are building a new store in my hometown right now, so they have a temporary very small store. So I’m not able to get quite the deals right now. I was able to make money this week on the tampons though.
~Liz
Sooooo helpful! Thank you!!!
Thanks for the tips. You have convinced me to get going with CVS! I couldn’t see a video anywhere on your other blog entry. Am I missing something? Thank you for your inspiration!
I may have missed this, but how do you apply your extra care bucks on your next purchase?? Do you bring the receipt in from your last visit?
Thanks. Love your blog, just found it today
Have to stress: don’t spend you extra care bucks on some of the items that they jack up in price. IE grocery items are 1 or 2 dollars more than the grocery store. A loaf of Jiffy bread was $3.99