CVS Deals 4/30/10

Over the weekend, my son wanted to buy Avatar with his birthday money. We picked up a copy at Walmart for $15 and then Sunday, I saw that CVS had a deal on the movie.  The deal was you could get Avatar for $5 when you purchased $25 in products listed in the flyer. 

I purchased the $25 in products and then combined all of my coupons. I ended up with 1 All laundry detergent, 8 boxes of cereal, 2 small packages of Fig Newtons, and the Avatar movie for only $18.71!

I used a $4 CVS email coupon, $2 All coupon, 2- $1 printable Fig Newton coupons (made these free), and several GM cereal coupons.  For just a few dollars more I was able to get all of the food and detergent. What a deal!  Now we get to take our unopened Avatar dvd back to Walmart fora refund. 

*Be sure to check the dates on the cereal or any food products from CVS.  I just noticed that two boxes of cereal are out of date. A few weeks ago I also purchased another expired item. I will take these boxes back to exchange next week.

Did you find any deals at CVS this week?

Reader Question: CVS Extra Care Bucks

I received a question from one of our readers, Tanesha.  I was going to answer her question in the comments, but realized that many others of you probably have the same questions.

At first, I too was overwhelmed and confused by the CVS Extra Care Buck sales.  It does take some getting used to and some strategizing, so at first you may want to take it slowly.

How do the ECBs work at CVS?

CVS offers something called Extra Care Bucks, commonly known as ECBs.  Basically, you purchase the ECB sale item and then at the end of your transaction you will receive your ECBs which you can use on another transaction.  The Extra Care Bucks work like cash within the CVS store.

Example:  Last week, Colgate was $2.99. The sale stated that you would receive $2 in ECBs. Technically, that makes your cost $.99 since you got back the $2 to use in the store, but to get the ECBs you have to pay for the item out of pocket. 

Some items are free with your ECBs.

Example:  Last week, CVS had Dove shampoo or conditioner for $4.50. When you purchased the Dove product, you received $4.50 in ECBs. You had to spend the initial $4.50 but you got it back at the end of your transaction to use on a future purchase.

Can you use coupons with ECBs purchases?

Ok, she didn’t really ask this question, but I thought I’d throw it in there because it’s important.

Yes, absolutely! You can combine coupons with ECB transactions.

Example:  Dove shampoo is $4.50 and you’ll get back $4.50 in ECBs.  On your transaction, you can hand the cashier your Dove hair care product coupon for $1 off. You’ll pay $3.50 (instead of $4.50) and you’ll still get back the $4.50 in ECBs.  It’s like making money!  Isn’t that exciting?!

Isn’t there a limit to bucks like so many per card?

Yes, there is a limit on ECB specials. Last week, the limit on the Dove shampoo was 1 per CVS card. Sometimes there is a limit of 2 or 4.  The CVS ad will state the limits.  And if you’re not sure how many you’ve purchased that week, you can check the bottom of your receipt and it will state if you have fulfilled the maximum on the offer.

Do you purchase all your ECB things first?

There are a few ways to handle the ECB transactions.  I’ll tell you some options and then give you the one that I choose most often.

1.  Ring up all of your merchandise in one transaction and save your ECBs for the following week to use on more sale items.

2.  Ring up all of your merchandise in one transaction and use your ECBs on splurge items such as make-up, hair care products, cool office supplies.

3.  Split up your merchandise into separate transactions to utilize your ECBs as quickly as possible. This avoids you losing your ECBs or them expiring for you use them.  This is the method I choose but it does take some strategizing.

If you’ll notice my previous CVS posts, you’ll see that I sometimes have multiple transactions.  That’s because I’m trying to leave the store with the littlest out of pocket expense (OOP) possible while utilizing my ECBs.

Example:  Dove shampoo is $4.50 and you will get back a $4.50 ECB. Softsoap body wash is $5.50 and you will get back a $4.50 ECBs. Pampers Easy Ups are on sale for $7.99.  I would do this:

Transaction 1:
Dove shampoo $4.50, plus receive $4.50 in ECBs
use $1 manufacturer coupon
OOP = $3.50 and received $4.50 in ECBs

Transaction 2:
Softsoap body wash $5.50, plus receive $4.50 in ECBs
use $.75 manufacturer coupon
use $4.50 ECB sale from transaction 1
OOP = $.25 and received $4.50 ECBs

Transaction 3:
Pamper Easy Ups $7.99 sale
use $2 manufacturer’s coupon
use $4.50 ECB from transaction 2
OOP = $1.49

As you can see, it does take some strategizing to use method #3 but the out of pocket expense is very limited.

How do I get the most ECBs?

1.  You can get ECBs on specially marked items. You can find these items listed in the CVS flyer. Sometimes you might find some unadvertised ones in the store. If I have a few extra minutes, I’ll cruise the store looking for ECB sales and clearance items. 

2.  Scan your card at the coupon machine during each visit to CVS. You might receive special coupons or ECBs. 

3.  Get a CVS reusable bag and tag. For every 4th visit, you’ll receive $1 ECB.

If this doesn’t answer your questions, please let me know. Also, feel free to submit your questions in the comments or by using our contact button. Thanks for your questions, Tanesha!

CVS Deals April 18-24

I dropped in to CVS this morning to see if their coupon machine would scan anymore of those great coupons for $1 off paper products.  No such luck.  I did get a $1 off two packages of cookies and some other coupon that I have no intent of using. Oh well. Sometimes the coupons are good and I can’t complain.

By the way, I ended up with 14 free rolls of toilet paper last week!!!  I am so excited about that!  I put all of it upstairs in the kids’ bathroom. Since it’s the 1000 sheet toilet paper, I’m hoping it will last them 6 months or more. 

I didn’t spend much today, but here are my transactions.

Transaction 1:
CVS shopping tag $.99*
receive $.99 ECBs back

Transaction 2:
CVS green bag $.99*
used $.99 ECB from transaction 1
FREE plus tax

CVS/pharmacy will donate 5 cents to World Wildlife Fund** for every Green Bag Tag™ sold between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011. To learn more about WWF, visit worldwildlife.org

Transaction 3:
V05 shampoo $.66 sale
I purchased this in a separate transaction so that I could get my CVS tag scanned.
This is another purchase for the kids’ bathroom. haha My 12-year-old is getting better about not being wasteful, but it’s still an issue. It’s nice to buy inexpensive shampoo and not worry about him wasting a $4 bottle.

*In case you’re wondering what the CVS tag and bag are all about . . . CVS has an ongoing deal. Purchase one of their reusable bags and CVS tags. Each time you shop in the store, have them scan your CVS tag. After four store visits, you’ll get a $1 ECB. If you shop often at CVS, then this is a good deal for you. At the bottom of your receipt, you’ll see how many visits you’ve made and how many more until you get the $1 ECB.

Other CVS Deals:

Bumble Bee tuna $.49
*stockpile opportunity

Gatorade 32 oz $.77

CVS bottled drinking water 24 pk $2.44

Crest Pro-Health $1.88
You should be able to find a manufacturer’s coupon for this.

Xtra detergent $1.49

Dove, Yardley, or Ivory $.99
I didn’t see this sale and will go back later this week for this purchase.

Schick Hydro 3 or 5 blade razor system $8.97
receive $6 ECBs = $2.97

Colgate toothpaste $2.99
receive $2 ECBs
$.75 printable = $.24

ThermaCare neck or arm heatwrap $2.49
receive $2.49 ECBs = FREE

Listerine 1/2 price, limit 4

Be sure to visit the CVS website to view the entire weekly flyer. Do you know of any coupon match-ups or additional CVS deals?

Update: 10 FREE Rolls of Toilet Paper

As previously mentioned this week, CVS has an in-store machine that will print coupons when you scan your CVS card.  During each visit this week, the machine has printed off a coupon for $1 off a CVS paper purchase.  I have been stopping into the store each day when I drive past to take the kids to school and for errands.  So far this week I have gotten 10 free rolls.

Here’s the deal:

CVS Earth Essentials bathroom tissue
regularly $1.15 each
sale 2/$1.00
use $1 CVS coupon = FREE

Enjoy the savings!

Today’s CVS Deals 4/14/10

Yesterday I told you about my two previous trips to CVS this week.  I was able to get four rolls of free toilet paper.  I went back to CVS again today with more coupons, my $2 ECBs, and did pretty well.

As soon as I went into the store, I scanned my CVS card at the coupon machine and it printed out another coupon for $1 off a CVS paper product purchase.

Transaction 1:

2 rolls of CVS earth essentials bathroom tissue
-used $1 CVS paper coupon = FREE

Dove shampoo $4.49
-get $4.49 ECBs = FREE

I used $2 in ECBs from yesterday’s CVS trips.
OOP $2.49
got $4.49 in ECBs

Transaction 2:

Vitamin Water reg $1.69, $1 sale
-used free Vitamin water coupon from promotional offer

2 packs Trident gum reg $2.99, sale $1.50
-get $1 in ECBs with purchase of 2 packs
-used $1 manufacturer’s coupon from 4/11

2 Softsoap body wash reg $4.99 each, sale $4.79
-receive $2 in ECBs for each bottle purchased
-used two $.75 manufacturer’s coupons
$2.09

For this transaction I used the $4.49 in ECBs from transaction 1.
OOP $5.59
received $5 in ECBs

Transaction 3:

2 Colgate toothbrushes $3.99-$4.49 each
buy 1 get 1 free
-used two $.40 manufacturer’s coupons

4 Almay products $7.99 each
buy 1 get 1 50% off
-used $4 off $20 cosmetic purchase, received in CVS email
-used $5 off 2 Almay products, printed from my trip to CVS on Monday
-used $1 Almay manufacturer’s coupon

CVS beauty swabs $.99
-$1 CVS skin care coupon (from coupon machine Monday) = FREE

CVS cocoa butter lotion $1.49
-$1 CVS skin care coupon (from coupon machine Tuesday) = $.49

I also used the $5 in ECBs from transaction 2.
OOP $13.13

All in all, I spent about $21.21 and received about over $65 in merchandise. As you can see, all of the items I purchased are everyday items that we will use. Although I didn’t get a lot of items for free, I am very pleased with the price, especially considering the make-up I got and the bodywash.

Have you been to CVS this week? What deals did you find?

This Week’s CVS Deals 4/13/10

I went into CVS yesterday and I had no list of things to purchase, no coupons to match up with sales. My main purpose for going was to see what kind of coupons I could get.  Have you seen their in-store coupon printer machine?  You simply go into the store, swipe your CVS card, and it prints off coupons for you. 

When I went in yesterday, it printed off

• $1 Extra Care Buck (ECB)
• $3 off a $10 of health care products
• $5 off any two Almay color cosmetics

(This week, the Almay cosmetics are buy one get 1 50% off. I have a coupon at home for $2 off Almay, so I have to save this $5 CVS coupon to go along with my $2 coupon.  The Almay products typically run about $7-8 dollars each. So with the sale and coupons I should be able to get my two products for about $5!  Also, I received an email with a coupon for $5 off a $20 cosmetic purchase.  I’m trying to decide if I should use this one too.  With all of the combined coupons, I should be able to get a lot of make-up for a lot price.)

Hubby told me this week that he would be needing some allergy medicine this week so I have been on the look out for a sale.  It was a great opportunity to take advantage of the $3 CVS coupon.

Transaction 1:

Knee high panty hose, reg $4.69, 75% off for $1.17
Claritin 24 hr 10 count, reg $10.69, $9.99 sale
-used $2 in-store manufacturer’s coupon, $3 CVS coupon, receive $2 ECBs back = $2.99
Oral B kids’ toothbrush, reg $3.49, 75% off for $.87

I also used the $1 ECB that was printed. My out of pocket (OOP) expense was $6.03 plus I received $2 in ECBs from the Claritin that I will use for my make up later this week.

*The Oral B toothbrush was a filler item since I needed to purchase $10 in health care products and the Claritin was $9.99. I made sure to give the cashier my $3 health care coupon first before the ECB or manufacturer coupon.

After this transaction, I decided to see if the CVS coupon machine would print any other coupons. I received two coupons:

• $1 CVS paper purchase
• $1 off CVS skin care item

Transaction 2:

2 rolls of CVS 1000 ct toilet paper, reg $1.15 each, $.50 sale
-used $1 CVS coupon = FREE

I went back again today to scan my card to see if it would print off another $1 paper coupon and sure enough, it did! I got two more rolls of toilet paper for free! Tonight I need to work on clipping and organizing coupons. Hopefully, I can find a few Almay coupons so that I can go back tomorrow to get the make-up before my coupons expire.

Transaction 3:

Same as Transaction 2.

So far, this week I’ve received $23.47 of merchandise and have spent $6.03. I also have $2 in ECBs for my next purchase.

Have you been to CVS this week?

This Week’s CVS Trip

I know that some of you are very loyal shoppers of Walgreen, CVS, etc. I do not shop these stores each week because some weeks the deals aren’t great and other weeks the sales are for items I don’t need. The past two weeks I have decided to take advantage of the CVS offers and here’s what I purchased this week.

Transaction 1:

2 Huggies Pull-Ups reg $11.99 each, sale $8.99
*receive $5 ECBs back with purchase of 2 packs
I used two $2 coupons from the Pull-Ups website. (When I hit the back button, it printed two coupons.)
Also used $6 ECBs left over from last week’s Easy Up deal.
OOP=$7.98 plus received $5 ECBs

Transaction 2:

3 12 pk Coca-Cola products reg $5.49, $3/10 (3 day sale)
I used the $5 ECBs from transaction 1, spent $5 OOP, and got back $3 ECBs.

Transaction 3:

Lindt chocolate truffles reg $4.29, $3 sale
Accu-Check Aviva diabetes monitor reg $19.99, $9.99 sale
I used a $1 coupon for Lindt truffles, a $5 coupon from this week’s Sunday paper for the diabetes monitor. Also, I used the $3 ECB from transaction 2. My OOP was $3.99.

For all three transactions I spent $16.97 and saved $47.76 for a savings of 65%.

Have you shopped at CVS this week? Which bargains did you get?

CVS Deals March 21-27, 2010

My favorite deals for this week are:

Pampers Jumbo Pack diapers of Easy Ups for $8.97, get $3 ECBs (limit 2)
(some people are reporting they were able to purchase 3 at this price)
-$2/1 coupon from 2/7 P&G
-$2/1 RP
$3.97 after coupons and ECBs

Bayer Contour Glucose Meter at $14.99, get $5 ECBs (limit 1)
-Save up to $30 with coupon from 10/25 RP insert
(I wish I still had this coupon!)
FREE plus $5 overage after coupon and ECBs

Colgate Total Advanced, Enamel, or Sensitive toothpaste (limit 1)
Use $1/1 from 3/7 SS or
-$.75 printable
FREE plus overage after coupons and ECBs

Spend $10 in CoverGirl products, get $3 ECBs (limit 1)
-buy 1 get 1 free from 2/7 P&G
-$1 from 3/7 P&G

Kellogg’s cereals – $1.96 (limit 6)
-$1.50/2 Redplum printable
-$1.50/2 coupons.com printable
-$1/2 3/7 RP

Coca-Cola 12 pk – 3/$10

« Previous Page