How to Save the Most by Shopping at Drug Stores – CVS
If you haven’t read my other couponing 101 articles over the past weeks I suggest you start at the first post and read through. This is a lot of information. Take some time to read each section and go over it before you dive right in.
Part 4 Shopping at Drug Stores
Shopping at drug stores is different than shopping at the grocery store. Most drug stores print their own money at the register. They want you to use this money at their store. Walgreens has Rapid Rewards RR, CVS has Extra Care Bucks ECB’s and Rite Aid has Single Check Rebate Program SCR’s. I am going to be mostly informing you on CVS today.
With the money they print for you at the stores, you can roll this each time you check out and not pay a lot of your money out of pocket, OOP. This is the best way to save by shopping at drug stores like CVS.
HOW to Save at CVS
First of all you want to make sure you get a CVS card. Ask for one when you enter the store before your first purchase. To register your card complete the form on line. You will receive additional coupons and sometimes ECBs through email. You can load these onto your card so next time you enter the store you can use your savings and not worry about finding a piece of paper.
Now you will need to scan your circular to see if there are any items you want or need that print ECB’s. Now look to see if you have a coupon to matchup with this item to bring your total OOP down even further. Please keep in mind the ECB prints at the end of the transaction. At first it is difficult to get started. Please check out Simply CVS for beginner $5 & $10 OOP scenerios she posts each week. Once you have checked out you will have ECB’s you can use towards your next transaction. Please be considerate of others when shopping at drug stores.
I roll my ECB’s a little differently than other people. I like to have ECB’s left over at the end, so I can get my items for the advertised price or free. I try to do all my purchases in one transaction with all my ECB’s and coupons at one time. This way I don’t have to worry if they are out of an item in order for all my transactions to work. I also know what I am going to spend before I get there. My budget is $5.00 on toiletries and $5.00 on diapers when I can get it. This is how to save by shopping at drug stores.
THE LITTLE RED BOX
There is a little magic red box when you walk into CVS. This is a coupon dispensing machine. It spits out extra CVS coupons. You can stack or combine these with any additional coupons you may have to get items for free or really cheap. It frequently gives away free items. You just need to make sure you print it out. This is the first thing I always do when I walk into the store and see if it gives me any good coupons. This is a must in my book when shopping at drug stores like CVS.
BEAUTY CLUB
On more program CVS has is the Beauty Club. This is free to sign up. To sign up look near the register to see the Beauty Club tear pad. Just hand this to the cashier when your make your first purchase. For every $50.00 you spend you will receive $5.00 back.
QUARTERLY EARNINGS
CVS will add up all your purchases before ECB’s and Coupons and give you 2% back at the end of every quarter. You can receive this at the little red box or it will print at the register. Again free money you can use to purchase additional items at the store.
Things you need to do when you go to CVS:
1. Get a CVS card – Sign Up on line
2. Sign up for the Beauty Club – FREE tear pad at registar
3. Scan the red box when you go to the store.
Items I often get at CVS:
Razors – FREE
Make up – FREE or $1
Nail Polish – FREE or $1
Food – FREE or CHEAP
Milk – CHEAP when on sale
Hair Care – CHEAP
Diapers – $5.00 for Jumbo Pack
Leave a Reply