CVS 101

CVS is one of my favorite stores to shop.  I always get great deals on items I use and the savings are always really high, making it even more fun.  However, it takes some time to figure out and it can be overwhelming to beginners.  I have been asked a lot lately how it works, so I am going to try to explain it here!

First, make sure that you have a CVS loyalty card.  This will be used EVERY time you shop.  Not only do you have to use it to get sale prices and Extra Care Bucks (ECBs), but you will also earn 2% back on every purchase you make. Be sure that you give your phone number (this is how they find you if you forget your card), and your email address (you'll get great coupons in your email!).

What are Extra Care Bucks (ECBs)?  Basically, ECBs are CVS money.  You earn ECBs by buying an item that advertises ECBs back, quarterly as your 2% reward, or for buying prescriptions.  They print out at the bottom of your receipt.  Cut them off and save them like they are cash.  The next purchase you make at CVS, use them like money!

You can maximize your savings by "rolling" ECBs.  Instead of shelling out a ton of money and then getting a whole bunch of ECBs back, you can split your transactions and pay for each one with ECBs from the previous transaction.  Let's look at some examples from this week:

    Transaction 1:
       (1) Complete Contact Solution, 12 oz, $7.99 (Earn $7.99 ECB)
     
           Total: $7.99 plus tax
           ECBs earned: $7.99

    Transaction 2:
       (1) Balance Bar $1.69 (earn $1.69 ECB)
       (1) Bic Soliel Razor $6.99 (earn $3 ECB)
              Use:
              -$3 off Bic Soleil Disposable or System, Razor, SS 7/10
       (2) Coca-Cola Products, 2 Liters, 99¢
       (1) Caliber One Subject Notebook 33¢

         
           Total after coupons: $7.99 plus tax
            Use: $7.99 ECB
            Total after ECB: ONLY PAY TAX!
            ECBs earned: $4.69

This isn't a great week at CVS, but you still got contact solution, a balance bar, a razor, 2 liters of coke, and a start on school supplies for less than $9, and you still have $4.69 in ECBs to use next week.  If you had started out with ECBs, your out of pocket (OOP) would have been even less!

A few tips:
-If you have a $/$$ coupon (like $5 off $25), always hand that over first so that your total is before coupons.
-Always make a list and have a current ad handy so you know exactly what is on sale.  Sometimes the sale item is very specific so you want to make sure you get the right product.
-Having a calculator is helpful when you are trying to figure out transactions.
-You must spend as much as you have ECB for, so filler items come in handy.  In transaction #2, I used the  33¢ notebook as a filler as I was 33¢ short of the $7.99 ECB I had.

Find the latest ad at Southern Savers!

Happy Shopping!