CVS Basics

SHOPPING AT CVS!

CVS is one of my favorite stores because of their great deals. 

First thing you'll want to do is review their coupon policy. 

Next you'll want to sign up for their Extra Care Rewards card.  You can do this in store or online here.  Signing up is absolutely free. 

Tips/Terms to know:

ECB - Extra Care Buck.  These are CVS coupons for a discount on your next purchase.  Typically these print at the end of your receipt when you have purchased certain items.

Price Scanner/Magic Coupon Machine:  This is the gift that keeps on giving.  Located in every CVS store is a price scanner machine that, when you scan your ExtraCare card, will give you a variety of CVS coupons and/or extra care bucks.  Be sure to keep scanning your card until it tells you "no more coupons".

Sign up for the CVS emails!!  Almost every week I get an email with a $/$$ purchase (ex. $4/$20 purchase).  Better yet you dont have to print out these coupons,  CVS has a "send to card" option that will do just that.  When you go to checkout and the cashier scans your card they will tell you what coupons are on your card (it automatically pops up on their register in a nice pop up window).  Plus these emails often have customer specific deals just for you.

2% back on purchases (a few exclusions, check their policy) - this is paid out quarterly via an ECB printed at the Magic Coupon machine.

Weekly circular - shows you the current advertised deals.  You can often find these in advance by searching "CVS ad scan XX/XX"  where XX/XX is the day the ad begins.  CVS ads in most areas start on sundays.

Limits - Its important you note the ECB limits.  Most are limit 1.  If its just a sale price there is usually no limit but be sure to check your local weekly circular.

How to shop at CVS!

Now for the fun stuff!!!
First you will want to plan your trip out BEFORE you go to the store.  There are literally hundreds of websites out there that figure out the deals for you, pairing coupons with sales.  Just google "CVS coupon match ups" and you'll find them.
BE ORGANIZED! I take an empty envelope with me and as I put my items in the cart I put the corresponding coupon in the envelope.  This makes checking out fast and smooth. 
KNOW WHAT YOUR SPENDING! I usually do this before I leave.  I put together a list and/or spreadsheet detailing every aspect of the deal, including tax.  This way there are no surprises at checkout.
ROLLING! ROLLING! ROLLING!  The best way to pay little or nothing out of pocket is to roll your ECBs.  See examples below for details on how this works. I usually dont do more than 2 transactions in a shopping trip but its up to the store to allow multiple transactions.
STACKING!  The key to any couponers success.  CVS allows pairing one purchased item with both a manufacturers coupon and a CVS coupon.
FREE ITEM ECB deals!  These are the items you want to be on the look out for especially if you have a coupon.  For example is Advil is $2.99 and receive a $2.99 ECB the item is free after ECBs, however if you have a $1/1 advil coupon this becomes a $1 moneymaker after ECBs!!!

Examples of rolling ECBs (these are examples and NOT actual deals)

Transaction #1
Buy 3 Hallmark cards ($.99ea) get $3.00 ECB
Buy 2 Smuckers Jelly ($2.50ea) get $3.00 ECB
Use $1/2 Smuckers coupon
Pay $6.97, Receive $6.00 in ECBs (2 @$3.00ea)

Transacation #2
Buy 4 Pledge products ($3.00ea) get $4.00 ECB with a $12 Pledge purchase
Buy 1 Softsoap ($.99)
Use 2 $2/2 Pledge coupons
Use $1/1 softsoap coupon
Total $8.00 - Use $6.00 ECBs from transaction #1. 
Pay $2.00 and receive $4.00 in ECBs

Final out of pocket = $8.97 with $4 ECBs remaining. So basically $4.97 for over $20 worth of merchandise, a 75% savings.