If you are a veteran CVS shopper and have some tips you would like to share with us please leave a comment with your tip!
Frugal Indy's Top 10 CVS Tips
1. Register your CVS Extra Care Card online and receive a $4 off $20 coupon. You will also receive other coupons occasionally including $4/20 and $3/15. If you get an email coupon you can only use it 1 time.
2. Scan your card at the price checker for more coupons when you go into CVS.
3. Scan your card often for coupons. If you live/work near a CVS and it is convenient for you to make a quick stop during the week - just stop in and scan your card for more coupon opportunities. I have even gotten the occasional $5/15 coupon from the "magic scanner".
4. Roll Your ECB's. When you plan your CVS shopping transaction or "deal" as I call it, start with the ECB earning items first - make sure you get your ECB's so you can go back again and have more fun!
5. Use your expired CVS coupon. Many CVS's accept expired CVS coupons for 2 weeks past the expiration date or until the coupon "beeps" in the register, so always give your CVS coupons - even if they are expired. I have never had an expired CVS coupon refused.
6. Look for CVS $3/15 coupons. Keep a diligent watch for legit $3/15 and $4/20 coupons that can be printed from online newspapers and magazines. You can use one of these on each transaction that you do.
Please make sure you are printing from an original source. CVS coupons that are in PDF format or scanned in may be altered and fraudulent. If you are printing from an original source (the actual online newspaper) you know the coupon is valid. My favorite place to check is I Heart CVS. But be aware that not all coupons posted to this site are from original sources.
7. Coupon order is important. If you are using a $3/15 or $4/20 type CVS coupon - give that coupon to the cashier first - before you give any Manufacturer Coupons. That way you are still above the required transaction minimum.
8. Maximize your savings. When you are using a $3/15 type coupon, you only need to meet the transaction minimum ($15) before coupons at CVS. So, maximize your savings by filling up that $15 order with items that you will get "Free with ECB" or are free with coupons. Use any overage you have to buy things you need (milk, paper products, etc) and reduce your grocery bill.
9. Make a "CVS" envelope and keep it in your coupon box or coupon binder. Keep one of your CVS ECB cards (you should get a few key tags and a card when you sign up), all your CVS coupons and your ECBs in it. When you go to CVS, it will make it easier to find what you need.
10. Each adult in your home should have a CVS Extra Care Card. Because I saved so much at CVS last year, they've decided not to send my card those nice coupons - so this year I am using my husband's card. You are not limited to 1 card per household, and you can greatly increase your coupon opportunities by having 1 card per adult in your house. However, ECB items are limited on a "per household" basis, not "per card" so please keep this in mind if you do have more than 1 card.
These are my top 10 CVS tips - I would love to hear from you! What do you do to maximize your CVS transactions?
3 comments:
Hey there! Don't forget to mention that some older CVS stores do not have a "magic coupon scanner", like mine :o(
My favorite tip is to buy paper and grocery items on sale at CVS. Often, when there are coupons plus they are BOGO or have ECB's with them, you can get paper towels, TP or cereal dirt cheap or free. It's not something a lot of people think about with CVS.
Good morning!! I have continued to enjoy your blog and after reading this post on CVSing, I feel compelled to leave a comment. I really appreciate you urging your readers to take advantage of the CVS program the "right" way. I see so many that allow greed to take over, using 4+ cards to limit out on every deal multiple times. Thank you so much for sharing this valuable information while demonstrating personal integrity. Have a great day!!
Thanks Rachel!
I think that CVS has such a great program. It is possible to stay with in the program policies and get so many great things for free!
I think, those that go beyond those boundaries, will in the long run hurt the ECB program and also it is just not dealing honestly!
Thanks for your comment and encouragement - I really do appreciate it!
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