CVS Shopping basics

If you're new to shopping at CVS, here are the very basics.  Sign up for a free Extra Care card.  Every time you go in to CVS, scan your card at the red machine thingy.  It will print out coupons for you, that can be combined with manufacturer coupons.  Sometimes it will print you "dollar off" coupons, such as "$3 off $15 baby items" or what used to be a common one, "$5 off $25 purchase."  The dollar off coupons can be used with all other coupons.  For instance, I'm buying a total of $25 worth of merchandise (my total before any coupons), so the first coupon I hand the cashier is the $5 off $25 CVS coupon (if I scan my other coupons first, my total would be less than $25, get it?).  Next I hand over my regular coupons. 

Green Bag Tags are little leaf-shaped tags that cost $1.  Each time you shop at CVS, bring a reusable bag.  When ringing up your order, have the checker scan your Green Bag Tag.  Every 4th day you use your bag tag, you earn $1 ECB (Extra Care Buck).  Your account can only earn one credit each day, so if you come back later and use your green bag tag, it doesn't count.  If you scan your tag each time, it's essentially like earning a quarter, and it's a helpful reminder to bring a reusable bag, which is a great habit any way.

ECB, or Extra Care Bucks are like CVS dollars.  You earn them by making certain purchases, by using your green bag tag, and quarterly you earn a percentage of your purchases.  They can be used immediately just like cash.  If you see a sale that says something like this: "Oral-B Toothbrushes, $3, free after ECB" that means you will pay $3 for the toothbrush, and receive a $3 ECB to use for your next purchase.

For more details on shopping at CVS, check out my previous posts:
Shopping at CVS
My CVS Loot and Breaking News on CVS Coupon Policy!
My CVS Loot: $3.40 total (half of that tax!)