CVS

CVS…ahhh….  I could talk about CVS all day.  This is one of my favorite stores to shop at.  Their coupon policy and rewards policy is clear-cut and they offer some great deals in their weekly ads too.

Needless to say, you probably can’t tell I’m a bit biased when it comes to CVS.  And no, I don’t work there, know anyone who does work there, or receive any sort of incentive for saying so.  I just like the store.  Besides that, my two year old daughter likes it because they have “cars” in the front of their shopping carts so its a win-win for both of us.  :)

So on to how to save at CVS:

1.  Get a CVS card.  CVS has a savings cards.  No gimmicks here.  This is just how they keep track of your rewards and how you can redeem your rewards (otherwise known as Extra Care Bucks or ECB’s).  There are a limit to the number of ECB’s you can receive per card so this is how they keep track.

Note:  ECB’s are CVS’s register rewards.  When you buy a certain item that is advertised to get ECB’s back, the ECB will print out on your register receipt.  Save the ECB’s and you can use them as cash toward your next CVS purchase.  ECB’s are usually only good for one month from the print date (some even less).  So check your expiration dates.

2.  Scan your card at the Coupon Kiosk each visit.  You can scan your card at the card kiosk (usually located near the door) when you first arrive at CVS to obtain additional one-day only ECB’s.  So don’t forget.  It may just be a discount coupon for something you’d be getting anyway, extra dollars off your purchase, or free stuff.

3.  Sign up for emails online.  Every Thursday CVS will send you an email and most of those emails contain extra ECB’s that you can add to your card or print off and take into the store (usually a $3 off $15 or $4 off $20).

4.  Get a recycle bag tag.  These green leaf looking tags are usually located on the checkout counter and only cost a $1.  The return–have it scanned every time you come in and bring your own reusable bags.  Every fourth scan will earn you an extra $1 ECB.

5.  Roll your ECB’s.  Once you get started, you’ll easily be able to start rolling your ECB’s from one transaction to the next by using ECB’s to pay for a transaction in which you get more ECB’s back to use for a later purchase.


6.  Shop here on Friday’s.  Why?  See #3.  It just might be worth the wait.

7.  If an item is not in stock be sure to get a rain check.  By getting a rain check, you’ll still be able to get the good deal and/or register rewards even when the current ad is over.  Pair this with incoming coupons and you’ll have an extra deal.

8.  Use CVS coupons, ECB’s AND manufacturer’s coupons for maximum discounts.  When it comes to using redeeming coupons at CVS, make sure you redeem them in the following order so that the computer will not accidentally get confused.

1. CVS dollar off coupons (i.e. $5 off $25).  These are usually sent to you via email, received at the coupon kiosk, or as ECB’s on the end of your receipt.
2. CVS coupons and ECB’s.  Anything that equals cash.  Remember, if you have an ECB for $10, you must use it at a time when your transaction total equals more than $10 before tax.
3. Manufacturer’s coupons.

For more information on ECB’s and couponing at CVS, please visit their website.