Here is the CVS 101 post for all of you fellow CVS shoppers. I tried to be as detailed as possible, but please let me know if you have any questions and I will be glad to help in any way that I can!
CVS 101
Are you new to CVS shopping? Want to know how to shop at CVS using their Extra Care Buck (ECB) program. Here are some things that you should know:
If you do not already have an Extra Care card, ask the cashier for one the next time that you are at CVS or you can sign up HERE for FREE. You will want to have this card with you at all times when shopping at CVS as it will allow you to receive some really sweet and even FREE deals! Make sure to hand over your Extra Care Card each time that you shop at CVS, so that you can receive sale prices as well as Extra Care Bucks when you purchase qualifying items. Having an Extra Care Card will not only allow you to receive Extra Care Bucks and sale prices, but it will also allow you to earn 2% back on all of your purchases! Make sure to register your Extra Care Card online as CVS will send out emails with coupons and special offers.
What is an Extra Care Buck (ECB)? Extra Care Bucks are coupons that print out at the bottom of your receipt when you pu
rchase qualifying items that have Extra Care Bucks attached to that item. Extra Care Bucks are like money and can be used on anything in the store except for gift cards, alcohol, cigarettes, stamps, phone c
ards, etc… You can use these ECB’s as a form of payment the next time that you make a purchase at CVS.
Here is an example:
First Trip: Purchase one tube of toothpaste @ $2.99 and receive back an ECB for $2 on the bottom of your receipt.
The next trip to CVS, purchase one package of diapers @ $7.99. Use the $2 ECB from your previous purchase and pay just $5.99. If you have manufacturer’s coupons to use along with your ECB’s, you can add those in to maximize your savings even more!
What is an Extra Care Coupon? Have you ever noticed the red scanner machines when you walk in the front door at CVS? These machines are actually coupon machines, and when you scan your Extra Care Card, it will print out Extra Care Coupons! These Extra Care Coupons are CVS store coupons that can be combined with your manufacturer’s coupons and ECB’s to get some really sweet deals!
Example:
You scan your Extra Care Card at the red scanner machine and receive an Extra Care coupon for $3 off Huggies diapers. They are on sale that week for $8.99. You also have a $2 manufacturer’s coupon and a $3 ECB from a previous purchase. You can combine all of those coupons together and pay just $0.99 + tax out of pocket for the package of diapers!
What does it mean to roll my ECB’s? Rolling your ECB’s at CVS allows you to get really great deals. In fact, this is one of the reasons that make shopping at CVS so much fun! Rolling your ECB’s simply means that you buy an item that earns ECB’s and use those ECB’s to buy another item that earns ECB’s. This allows you to pay very little money OOP (out of pocket) when you utilize your ECB’s this way. In fact, you can get items for FREE many times! You can roll your ECB’s onto the same deal and still get the ECB’s as long as the limit for that particular deal is more than one. Make sure that you look at the limit of each item (found in fine print) before you roll your ECB’s on the same item.
Example:
Huggies Diapers are on sale for $8.99 per package with a $3 ECB (limit per Extra Care Card is 2)
So, you buy one package of diapers @ $8.99 and get a $3 ECB. You then can use that $3 ECB you just received to purchase another package of diapers and get the $3 ECB again. And, don’t forget if you have manufacturer’s coupons to use them along with the ECB’s to maximize your savings even more!
What is a moneymaker deal at CVS? Moneymaker deals are when you purchase an item and make money on the deal in the end!
Example:
Crest Mouthwash is on sale @ $3.99 each with a $3 ECB. You have a manufacturer’s coupon for $2 off the mouthwash. After the coupon, you pay $1.99 OOP, but receive back a $3 ECB. In the end, after your coupon and ECB, you made $1.01 on the deal! And, if the limit on the item is more than one, you can roll your ECB’s and do the deal again!
What are $/$$ Coupons? It is important to register your Extra Care Card online and to sign up for CVS promotional emails. When you register your card for the first time, you will be able to sign up for a $4/20 purchase coupon. They will often send out other $/$$ coupons that you can use along with your other coupons. These are often coupon for $4/20 purchase or $5/30 purchase. These coupons are valid to use BEFORE all other coupons are deducted.
Example:
Purchase 2 packages of Huggies Diapers $8.99 each, receive $3 ECB per for each package purchased (limit 2)
Purchase 3 bottles of Dawn Hand Soap at $0.99 each.
Total: $20.95
Use: $4/20 Purchase CVS coupon, 2 $3/1 Huggies Manuf. Coupon, 3 $0.50/1 Dawn Hand Soap Manuf. Coupons, + $5 ECB from a previous transaction.
Pay : $4.45 OOP after all coupons and get back a $6 ECB for having purchased 2 packages of Huggies diapers to use on your next trip!
Is there a specific order that I should hand over my coupons in at CVS? I find that it is always best to hand over your coupons in this order:
- Extra Care Card-all discounts will not come off unless the cashier scans this.
- $/$$ coupons
- Manuf. Coupons
- CVS Coupons
- ECB’s-Always make sure to hand these over last!
If you present your $/$$ coupons after your manufacturer’s and store coupons, your total transaction amount may not be high enough for the register to accept your coupons, that is why it is best to hand coupons in this order.
Also, please keep in mind that you will not receive change on your ECB’s if you do not use the full amount. I always try to have a detailed plan of action before I head to the checkout to avoid this problem; however, there have been a few times that I have needed to grab a pack of gum or candy bar to use the full amount of my ECB’s. Just something to keep in mind-you always want to get the most bang for your buck!
Your ultimate goal when shopping at CVS: to spend as little money OOP (out of pocket) as possible and to roll your ECB’s on items that produce ECB’s and actually make you money. Once you get the hang of the drug store game, it will become addicting and you will never want to pay full price for items again–I promise! 🙂
