New to CVS? Intimidated by CVS? Read on!
Understandably CVS can be new-charted territory for beginning couponers or for those of you who just haven't ventured into the "Land of Extra Bucks". Trust me, I know! I have now been shopping CVS for about 3 years and it only gets better! I have learned so much about getting good deals there that I probably haven't paid for toothpaste, deodorant, toothbrushes, shampoo, or make-up for at least 2 years. I consistently get my Health and Beauty items plus many name-brand food products for less than half of their retail price. "Doing" CVS allows me to have more wiggle room in my grocery budget to buy healthy products that my family enjoys- like Simply Orange Juice and Organic Milk.
So, if you are new to CVS begin here:
Step 1: Get a CVS Extra Bucks card. They are free at all CVS stores. Simply fill out the registration form and begin using it.
Step 2: Make sure you are registered on CVS.com with your Extra Bucks card number. Simply go here. If you have a new CVS card click on the "Join ExtraCare" link. If you already had an Extra Bucks Card click on the "Update Info" link. The advantages of doing this is that they will email you printable coupons to use and sometimes they send samples with coupons attached to your snail mailbox.
Step 3: Learn the Lingo
An Extra Buck is a coupon that prints out after your transaction that you can use like cash on your next purchase. For example, suppose Colgate toothpaste is on sale for $2.00 and the ad says you earn $2 Extra Bucks for your purchase. You have the store scan your card, then pay your $2.00, when you get your receipt you have a coupon for $2.00 off your next order. You can then use this $2 ExtraBuck to buy another $2 tube of toothpaste and pay nothing for it, but still earning another $2 ExtraBuck
A CRT is a coupon that is for a specific product that prints at the bottom of your receipt. For example, last week I received a $4 off when you buy $10 in health or nutrition products coupon.
A $/$$ coupon is for a specific amount off when you purchase a specific amount. These are usually $2/$10 or $4/$20 or $10/$50.
A printable coupon is one that is either sent to your email or you print from a specific site like http://www.smartsource.com/.
The coolest thing is you can combine all of the above coupons on a transaction!
Step 4: Check your local CVS ad for good deals. Usually there is at least one product that is completely free after Extra Bucks. Each month there are also monthly Extra Buck Specials that run the entire month.
Step 5: Use http://www.thriftyfloridamama.blogspot.com/ to plan your purchases. I usually post the good deals on Sunday or Monday. I almost always "try out" the deals before I post them. Another great source for CVS deal information is http://www.moneysavingmom.com/
So, there is CVS in a nutshell. Try it this week! You'll be hooked just like the rest of us!
9 frugal friends said:
Excellent run-down of how CVS works! I'm linking to your post.
You have certainly gotten ME hooked! using the $4.00 off $20 purchase, the $5. off $15 and the $2. off $10, I got $20.00 worth of product for $9.00! That's before the OTHER coupons, of course. I couldn't believe it! I am in love! This comes at the perfect time, too, because we are a bit short on cash as I am socking everybit we can spare into our savings account. Diapers are now a CVS bought item! WaHOO!
Now, if you don't mind I would love it if you could answer a few questions...
1) I signed up for the extracare and received the confirmation email but haven't recieved anything else since then (two weeks ago). I was wondering, how often do those typically come and is that where you find the money off total purchase coupons?
2) How do you handle the other customers? I have noticed in my (very short experiences) that the cashiers are super-friendly and don't mind a bit that you take a bit more time or have more than one transaction...but the people BEHIND you definately don't share the enthusiasm. The last time I went I had everything sorted out wonderfully, coupons paperclipped together with a list of that transactions purchases on top. It really didn't take all that long but I got quite a few scoffs. I thought I should ask you what you do and if there is a certain time of the day that isn't very busy...
I think that's all. FOR NOW. :-)
Thanks so much for all the work you do. You are an inspiration and SUCH a wonderful help to me (and my family).
I signed up online for my card which I received a few weeks ago. Do I need to do anything else online or am I already registered? Thank you!
Some answers to comment questions:
Rebecca, I receive email from CVS sort of hit or miss. Sometimes it will be 2 weeks between emails and sometimes 2 in one week. Sometimes I go in and change my email just to see if I get new stuff! LOL!
I try to tell customers behind me that I have a lot of coupons. But usually at my store there is just one cashier working?? Most customers don't seem to mind but then there are others that make huffy sounds. I just try to take it in stride and realize that I'm there with a right to use coupons and I'm doing what is best for my family.
Anonymous, if you registered online you should be set but you might want to log in and still click on update information to make sure they have your email and home address.
Great questions everyone!
Thank you for the info...I"m one who is totally scared to try this. LOL
www.homeschoolblogger.com/Diane
Wow your blog is great. Step-by-Step instructions on how to take care of the coupons. That is something I can do!
Thanks
Angie has saved me SO much!! I sent my CVS run down report to my mom and now my dad wants me to teach her! My total savings last year with coupons and ecb's combined was $1947.62! I live only about 2 minuets form a CVS so I try not to do multiable transactions. (My 3 year old can't control himself long enough for me to get through one!) I usually stop by 2-3 times each week. They know me well enough now that this past week they took 2 of my expired coupons. They've never done that before.
Thanks again ANGIE!!! :)
Thanks Angie. Your post is awesome, I linked to it. I tell people about CVS-ing and they are scared to try it. Your post explains it well.
Sara
http://bethriftylikeus.blogspot.com/
Thanks so much for explaining all of this! This week will be my first ever attempt at CVS-ing...I'm linking to this post for sure!
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