Each week, Columbia SC Moms Blog features ways for you to save money in our Sunday Saver series.
I was an avid couponer. I could scour the deals and get the best ones; and I still shop by the sales. But as my family has grown, my mind has become more scattered, and there is absolutely no way that I can keep up with the little slips of paper that are necessary to save the most money at the grocery store.
But, the one place where I still put my savings savvy to good use is CVS. There seems to be one on every corner. And CVS is an excellent place to save on health and beauty products, over the counter medications, and occasionally on paper products and grocery items.
Sign Up For Their ExtraCare Card
The key to saving at CVS is signing up for their ExtraCare Card which allows you to earn Extra Care Bucks (also known as ExtraBucks Rewards) and additional savings on items in store.
You can get a card that slides into your wallet, or dangles from your keys (and I’ve had both) but the best thing that CVS has going for them is the fact that they have a free app that has all of their locations, their sales, and the capability of loading your ExtraCare Card right on the app itself.
ExtraCare Coupon Center
Once you’ve signed up for their ExtraCare Card, swipe it at the ExtraCare Coupon Center (aka “magic coupon machine”) when you enter the store. This bright red machine is located close to the front of the store, and often right next to it is an item that’s free (or greatly price reduced) once you scan your card. I always take advantage of the free item, because even if I can’t use it then I will donate it to Lexington Interfaith Community Services (or consider donating to a charity of your choice).
The coupons printed from the machine are often $$ off purchase coupons, which can be used in conjunction with manufacturer’s coupons. So if you receive a coupon at the machine for $4 off a $20 baby item coupon, you can absolutely use that coupon along with your Pampers or Huggies coupons.
Note: The coupons from the ExtraCare Coupon Center are coupons are only valid with YOUR ExtraCare Card (in other words, they are card specific), so if you have several coupons that you aren’t going to use, you can’t pass them on to someone else.
Personalized Coupons
When you sign up for your ExtraCare Card, make sure you provide CVS with your most accurate email and postal addresses, because they frequently send out coupons in both forms.
Most often you will get a percent off coupon via email (or perhaps a $$ amount off coupon), and the coupons sent via USPS vary. I’ve received several baby care item coupons in the mail as well as razor and accessories coupons, since these are items that I frequently purchase from CVS.
Sometimes the coupons that are sent are manufacturer’s coupons, but most often they are store coupons. This means you can stack your savings by using manufacturer’s coupons, store coupons, and reward bucks from your card that you’ve accumulated.
Extra Care Bucks / ExtraCare Rewards
Extra Care Bucks (also known by it’s more formal name of ExtraCare Rewards) are basically extra cash towards your next purchases or transactions. The most awesome thing about Extra Care Bucks (or ECB according to couponing lingo) is you can turn around and use it immediately on a purchase in the store on just about anything.
The ECB will have printed exclusions such as prescription drugs, and a few other things. An ECB is usually valid for a month, and is only valid for that card holder. It will print at the end of the receipt, assuming that you purchased the items required to receive it. ECBs compound quarterly as well, so four times a year you’ll get notification that you’ve received a few extra dollars to spend there!
Often times to receive the ECB, you must purchase items up to a threshold (i.e., $20 of Schick razor products and shaving cream in order to get $10 in Extra Care Bucks); but again, you are always able to use manufacturer’s coupons to get that deal, as well as any % off coupons that you may have received via email or by the USPS. You can really rack up on the savings!
Making the Most at Check Out
When you go to check out, make sure that you have your transactions planned out the way you’d like for them to go. It’s awesome to see how far you can make your ECBs “roll,” which is couponer lingo for buying ECB generating items with your ECBs.
I have found that most CVS cashiers are incredibly accommodating with coupons, and will gladly check me out in multiple transactions, especially provided that I’ve laid everything out so that the transactions go smoothly. Of course, always be a polite couponer, and if a line comes up behind you as you check out, it’s good etiquette to excuse yourself to the end of the line if you are proceeding with multiple transactions.
Just Do It!
I sincerely used to think that CVS was an expensive store in which to shop, but in the past five years I’ve gotten great deals on baby items (including their store brand diapers which are decent!), razors and blades, toothbrushes, and other personal care items. It’s my first stop whenever my stockpile is running low.
If you haven’t gotten an ExtraCare Card yet, or have one from several addresses ago, get one or update it! Try a couple of small deals at first, and hold onto those receipts! My two year old cries, “Money, money, money,” every time he gets ahold of a receipt, and in this case, he’s absolutely right!
Got any other CVS secrets to share? Comment here!
