Getting great deals at CVS - You can do it too!

I have had a few questions and comments about how to work the CVS deals, so I thought I would cover that a little. Of course I want everyone else to get great deals too, because it has really allowed us to stretch our budget. I used to spend over $100 a month on toiletry items, cleaning items and household items. Now I spend around $20 a month max.

It took me a long time to figure out all the ins and outs of CVS. It took me awhile to work up my courage to start, because their prices seemed so high. Initially I did have to lay out more money for a few select items to get some ECB to start rolling. But since that first trip I have spent less on toiletry items than ever in my life, so it was very much worth it and I wish I had started sooner.

Some of the basics.

ECBs are Extra Care Bucks. These print at the end of your receipt and are like cash to be used next time. I think you have about a month to use them.

You can use CVS coupons on top of manufacturer coupons. This type of stacking will really help you get great deals.

Many stores have a machine inside the door that will give you more coupons. You scan your card once a day and you can get extra coupons. Coupons also print out on your receipt too.

You have to really watch the limits and product sizes. Most of the ECB deals are very specific as to exactly what product you can purchase. Keep the ad with you in the store and analyze it to make sure you are getting the right items. Of course if you mess up, you can always return the wrong item and get the right one. Also, many shelves are not labeled with the ECB deals, so having the ad is essential in that case as well.

If an ECB deal is based on a dollar amount (for example, spend $20 get a $10 ECB) you don't typically have to spend the $20 in 1 transaction. You can spread items across many transactions to get better deals and the computer will keep track of your dollar amount. When you hit $20 your ECB will print.

Using coupons along with ECB sales will help you generate overages, or grow your ECB. For example, Soy Joy bars are on sale this week. Buy 4 get $4 ECB. I had a $1 coupon when I purchased 4 bars. So I paid $3 for 4 bars and got a $4 ECB back. I made money on the deal (because I was rolling ECB) and grew my ECB.

Sign up for their email. I get coupons emailed to me all the time. These $ off a certain $ amount purchase make good deals great. Don't feel like you have to use every one though, some weeks even with a $5 off a $30 purchase coupon it isn't worth it to me to shop.

Check out other forums. Slick Deals and Hot Coupon World both offer ad previews, so the week before the sales start you can gather everything together and come up with a game plan. Seeing ahead of time what will be on sale is wonderful.

Some weeks my ECBs grow and some weeks I come out with less. Depending on how badly I need an item and the deals for the week this is usually fine. I know that in a few weeks I will grow them again.

When most people think of CVS deals they think ECBs. You can do great with those. But don't forget to pay attention to the rest of the ad. They do carry some food items and frequently have very good deals on those items too. I get many items that might not generate an ECB, but that are B1G1 free and are cheaper than getting those items at other stores. So make sure you read the whole ad and not just the ECB deals.

That being said, you certainly want to get ECBs each week, because that is how you will get so many things for free. If you can roll your ECBs from week to week you will do awesome and quickly have what seems to be an endless supply of any and all toiltery products.

Now that I have a good stockpile of things I haven't been going every week. I have set some rules for myself as to how I will handle the CVS deals without feeling out of control or getting greedy.

1. Unless it is a super fabulous deal, I limit myself to 2 transactions. Many people will do 5 or 6 small transactions. I prefer to do larger transactions because it is simpler. I will only go to 1 store a week, unless they are out of something that I really need and then I might hit another.
2. I do not buy things unless I will use them. I don't need hair color for example. So even if it is free, I don't do the deal. If I were to chase after every deal I would drive myself crazy and spend too much time and energy on it.
   
3. This is not a competition with anyone else. I could easily get frustrated at how other people get better deals than me. Frequently they are doing different deals than I am and willing to spend more time on it than I am. I have to stop myself from thinking it is a competition. I do the best I can to get the things we need at the best price.
   

If you haven't ever shopped at CVS now is the time to start. Don't wait! It does take some brain power to get it all figured out and I used to pour over the ads before going to the store. Now I can figure out a great deal on the spot without much spot because I know how their system works. Don't get discouraged, if you stick to the great deals and the much needed items each week you will benefit from CVS in the long run. Good luck and have fun with it!