CVS Couponing WIN

There are some weeks (like this one) in which I have neither time nor motivation nor really a need to do any big shopping/saving trips. I find, however, that I get antsy if I don't go out and get a deal somewhere.


This week's "saving fix," we'll call it, brought to mind some tips for couponing (particularly at CVS) that I thought I would pass along. For those that might be new to (or still struggling with) the whole couponing deal, I'm going to give the long story of my shopping trip.


Here was my shopping list with prices as marked:
~Stride Shift gum $1.49
~Pantene Nature Fusion $4.99 (x3)
~Head & Shoulders $4.99 (x2)
~... and a Charleston Chew for hubby, who went along for the trip : ) $1.88
Total value = $28.32


Now, factor in the sales I got by using my CVS ExtraCare card:
~Stride Shift gum $1.49 $.99
~Pantene Nature Fusion $4.99 $2.99 (x3)
~Head & Shoulders $4.99 (x2) regular price
~Charleston Chew regular price
Savings just by using my ExtraCare card = $6.50
Tip #1: Always use your ExtraCare card. Don't have one? Get one.


I also have coupons--I wouldn't be shopping without my coupons!
~ $2 off Pantene Nature Fusion (x3) that came in the mail with my full-size sample of the shampoo from VocalPoint. As if they weren't doing enough by sending me a free bottle of the stuff, they also saved me $6--proof that you should sign up for VocalPoint. It's a win-win. There is no drawback here!
~ B1G1 Head & Shoulders coupon from a recent newspaper insert
Additional savings from coupons = $11
Tip #2: Send off for as many free samples as you can. They often come with coupons.
Tip #3: Always plan and match ExtraCare sales with coupons.


Now comes the CVS-specific part: using (and chaining) ExtraCare bucks. ECB's are lovely little things that print on the bottom of your CVS receipt when you buy certain products and use your ExtraCare card. They can be used immediately on any CVS purchase. This week's ECB deals:
~ Buy Pantene, earn $1 ECB (so I earn $3)
~ Buy Head & Shoulders, earn $1 ECB (so I earn $2)
~ Buy Stride Shift, earn $.99 ECB
Tip #4: Match sales and coupons with ECB deals for money back on your purchases.


But I'm not done yet! Recently, CVS installed these handy little machines at the entrance where you can scan your ExtraCare card and get coupons printed instantly for you to use. I've gotten into the habit of scanning my card every time I go into the store, because I never know what coupons will print and how I might be able to use them. It never hurts to have extra coupons! But today I learned that these machines also print ECB's earned for the quarter. So I had $1 ECB to start myself off.
Tip #5: Always check the ExtraCare machine when you enter a CVS store.


So here's how my shopping trip went:


Transaction #1:
~Head & Shoulders $4.99 (x2)
~Pantene $2.99
~Stride $.99
Subtotal: $13.96
- $4.99 (B1G1 Head & Shoulders coupon)
- $2 (Pantene coupon)
- $1 ECB (printed at the machine in-store)
Total with tax = $6.69
Total ECB's earned to use on my next transaction = $3.99


Transaction #2:
~Pantene $2.99 (2)
~Charleston Chew $1.88
Subtotal: $7.86
- $4 (2 Pantene coupons)
- $2.86 ECB's (from my last transaction) *Technically, my $.99 ECB was adjusted to $.86 because the ECB's cannot exceed the value of the transaction. Normally the cashier will not do this and will ask you to buy a small "filler" item. This lady was apparently feeling extra nice!
Total = just tax $.36
Total ECB's earned to use on my next transaction = $2
Tip #6: Do multiple transactions and chain your ECB's to spend the least amount possible out of pocket. (Really, in this scenario I could have planned my chaining better by buying the Head & Shoulders on a third transaction by itself, but there was a line growing behind me and I didn't want to be rude.)


Total value: $28.32
Total spent out of pocket: $7.15
Total ECB's I have to use on my next shopping trip: $3


Technically, if you figure in the $3 I have to spend next time, you could say I spent a net $4.15, which means I saved 85%. Ahhh. I've gotten my fix for the week, and I have enough shampoo to last me and my husband several months.


So, to summarize:

Tip #1: Always use your ExtraCare card. 

Tip #2: Send off for as many free samples as you can. They often come with coupons.

Tip #3: Always plan and match ExtraCare sales with coupons.
Tip #4: Match sales and coupons with ECB deals for money back on your purchases.
Tip #5: Always check the ExtraCare machine when you enter a CVS store.

Tip #6: Do multiple transactions and chain your ECB's to spend the least amount possible out of pocket.


While each of these tips by itself will save you some money, you can save the most by using all these techniques at once. I.e., just using your ExtraCare card will save you some, but it really starts to be worthwhile when you match those sales with coupons and deals that get you ECB's; and when you chain those ECB's, it's even better.


CVS can be one of the more confusing places to shop, but as long as you have a strategy when you walk in the door, it can be one of the most money-saving stops on your shopping circuit. I hope this helps!