Shopping at CVS

I've had some questions about shopping at CVS.  Here's a mini-breakdown... 


The Extra Care Bucks (ECB) print out on your receipt for specific sales. For example, on sale this week Rephresh Tampons, $6.79, free after ECB. This means you pay $6.79, and when your receipt prints there will be a bottom portion that says $6.79 and you can use that to spend like cash on your next transaction.

Here's how you get thing BETTER THAN FREE at CVS, using an example from last week at CVS: Colgate toothpaste on sale $2.79, with $2 ECB. You have a coupon for $1 off Colgate toothpaste. So, you pay $1.79 oop (out of pocket), and get back $2 ECB, which in the end you're total cost is -.21! You just MADE a 21cent profit for buying toothpaste!
To spend the least OOP, divide up your transactions. This can be annoying, and may be inconsiderate if there are a million people in line, so you be the judge for what works for you (I sometimes do this, sometimes don't). Buy something that gives ECB, then use those bucks to buy your next item. 

The nice thing about CVS is that their bucks last for a month. Rite Aid bucks only last two weeks, which is not so convenient in my opinion. Also, CVS bucks can be used for milk (which we always need) and Rite Aid bucks cannot.
CVS also allows you to combine store coupons and Manufacturer coupons. When you sign up for your free CVS card, you'll get a little key tag. Every time you shop, scan your tag at their price checker thingy and it will give you coupons. These will vary day to day and may be different for different people. Dollar off purchase coupons CAN be combined with other CVS coupons, so if you ever get something like this "$3 off when you spend $15 on baby items" and another that says "$2 off Huggies wipes" (I actually have these both), you can use those together along with manufacturer coupons to get a great deal!  

I am happy to help with your CVS shopping questions.  MoneySavingMom has a great tutorial for CVS 101