Monday, May 5, 2008

CVS Help!

Many of you have asked me about this CVS thing. Perhaps you're intrigued? Let me help you get started! I found this great post from someone else who does this and it's so informative that I have to steal it for you. So, pay attention! She does not mention using Manufactures coupons here, but that is always a possibility as well, and an easy way to have CVS pay you to take the stuff off of their hands!

I want to present a little primer for those of you who haven't yet attempted the CVS thing. It is a little tricky to figure out at first. This plan is based on the May deals, so it should be good for several weeks. I thought I would share it with you. (Know that I defer to Money Saving Mom in all things CVS. She is wiser than I in that area and has some great posts here and here.)

1. Follow directions on this post to print a special $3 off a $15 purchase - CVS coupon (print several coupons)

2. Go to CVS

3. Sign up for an Extra Care card.

4. Pick up an ad and the May Extra Care Book

5. Purchase the following and make sure you use your new Extra Care card and have them run it before the items. Double check the ad with the items to make sure you got the right brand, style, and size:

2 Aquafresh Advanced Whitening or Extreme Clean @ 2.99 each
1 Adidas Action 3 deodorant @ 4.99
1 Colgate 360 Toothbrush@ 3.99
choose a $1 filler (something that is worth about a dollar, so that your pre-tax total will be over $15.)

This should total $15.96 + tax. Minus the coupon you should pay $12.96 + tax on the entire amount. At the bottom of your receipt you will receive $14.96 in CVS "Extra Care bucks" This means you made a $2 profit, plus have 2 tubes of toothpaste, a deodorant, a toothbrush, and a candy bar(or whatever filler you chose)!These Extra Care bucks (ECBs) have an expiration date and can only be used in conjunction with your card.

If you really want to play it well, wait to buy things that will give you more ECBs.

You could turn around and buy with your 14.96 ECBs:

3 CVS Claritin @ 3.79 each = $11.37
1 more deodorant @4.99
fillers that total about $2

This subtotal is $18.36 (+ tax)Then subtract the $3 coupon=15.36 (plus the tax).Pay with your 14.96 ECBS. For another 40 cents (plus the tax), you've got 3 allergy meds, a deodorant and another $16.36 in ECBs.This means that after 2 transactions, you will have spent13.36 out of pocket (plus tax)and come home with:

2 Aquafresh Advanced Whitening or Extreme Clean Toothpaste
2 Adidas Action
3 deodorant
1 Colgate 360 Toothbrush
3 CVS Claritin (knockoff)3 $1 fillers.And you will still have $16.36 in ECBs for your next trip. Basically you got all the above for free and made $3 in the process! Now, just don't lose those ECBs!

Happy CVS'ing! If you try this, post here and tell us what you got!

2 comments:

Jen said...

Wow! Nice to see one of my CVS proteges passing on the goodness! Glad it's working so well for you.

Kathi Roach said...

It seems like a lot of work. I don't know, I'm sure I'll try it one day. When I do, I'll let you know how it goes.