Would you like to shop and get things for free? Would you like to learn how to never pay for toothpaste, deodorant, and shampoo again? It is possible, thanks to CVS and the ExtraCare program!
How to get started:
Head to your nearest CVS and sign up for an ExtraCare card. You can sign up online too, but you’ll have to wait for your ExtraCare card to arrive in the mail. Once you receive your card register it online at CVS.COM or call 1-800-SHOP-CVS. Registering your card ensures that you will receive special offers and coupons via email.
Learn the Lingo. When figuring out deals and reading blogs it is helpful to know “coupon speak.” Click here for a list of common coupon abbreviations.
Plan your shopping trip ahead of time. Check the sales ad and look for items that earn Extra Bucks. Extra Bucks are slips that can be used like cash and print out on the bottom of your receipt when you purchase qualifying items. You will want to match these qualifying items up with your coupons. Keep in mind when planning your trip that there are limits on the number of Extra Buck qualifying items that can be purchased. You’ll be surprised to find that many Extra Buck items end up being free/very cheap when combined with manufacturer coupons!
Multiple transactions are your friend! There are several advantages to doing multiple transactions – 1.) If you’re using a CVS money off coupon {for example a $5 off $20 purchase coupon} breaking up your transaction can save you money and 2.) You can use the Extra Bucks that print from your first transaction to pay for your next transaction.
Roll Baby! Roll! Rolling means using extra bucks you’ve earned to pay for items in another transaction. The goal is to pay little or nothing out of pocket.
For Example- Let’s say, Soy Joy Bars are on sale for $6.00 each and you earn $6.00 in ExtraBucks with a limit of three. In the first transaction you will pay $6.00 out of pocket and earn $6.00 in ExtraBucks. Next, you will purchase more Soy Joy Bars for $6.00, but this time you’ll pay using the $6.00 in EB you earned in your first transaction. You pay nothing out of pocket (except tax) and earn another $6.00 ExtraBucks! Rinse and Repeat until your limit is reached!
Make a Profit with Extra Bucks. The easiest way to make a profit at CVS is by combining Extra Buck qualifying items with manufacturer/CVS coupons and using CVS money off coupons ($5 off $20 purchase). Tip: The CVS money off coupons are calculated based on the BEFORE coupon total!
Take the Soy Joy Bars for example: Purchase four Soy Joys at $6.00 each for a total of $24.00. Use a $5/$20 coupon and you’re looking at a $5.00 profit in Extra Bucks! Easy Peasy!
Now, when you get to the checkout… have your ExtraCare card, coupons, and extrabucks ready to go. Nothing is worse than getting behind a shopper who doesn’t have their act together! Calculate your transactions before you head to the checkout and your shopping experience will go much smoother and the cashier will love you for it.
Present Your Coupons In This Order:
1) CVS money off coupons ( this is you $5 off $20 purchase coupon)
2) Manufacturer Coupons/ CVS Store Coupons
3) ExtraCare Bucks
Before you leave the store… check your receipt! You’ll want to make sure that all your ExtraBucks print. If they do not print, it is no big deal for your cashier to print your extra bucks from the register.
More Extra Bucks (EB) Tips:
*EB expire one month from the day they print.
*If you don’t use the entire value of the Extra Bucks, you lose it. {If you’re total comes to $5.99 and you have $6.00 EB the EB can be adjusted down to $5.99. No big deal right? However, say you’re total comes to $5.50 and you have a $6.00 EB, in that case you might want to grab a $0.50 candy bar so you don’t lose out on $0.50.}
*EB can be used immediately after they print and can be used to purchase almost anything in the store.
*EB cannot be used to purchase- prescriptions, alcohol, gift cards, lottery, money orders, postage stamps, pre-paid cards, and tobacco products.
*Purchase a CVS GREEN BAG TAG {located at checkout for $0.99} and earn $1 EB on every fourth visit when you bring your own shopping bag.
*Earn 1 EB for every 2 prescriptions purchased in-store and online at CVS/pharmacy.
What are your CVS tips and tricks?
Click HERE to follow my most recent drugstore shopping trips.
Disclaimer: This is not meant to be a comprehensive guide to shopping CVS, but rather a jumping off point for those of you who are just getting started.
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Hi! I'm Jamie, a wife and mom who is passionate about living debt-free, saving for a rainy day, and spending money wisely. This blog is my way of teaching other how to save so that they can live a debt-free life!