CVS-How To

I figured I should explain some of this stuff just in case you don't visit CVS as much as I do! These explanations are probably too long, but hopefully it will clear up any confusion. CVS is easy once you get the hang of it, but there are some terms and conditions that will make my CVS scenarioes much easier to understand!

CVS/CanIGetItForFree Lingo
ECB – Extra Care Bucks – they print at the end of your receipt when you buy a qualifying item. Use it like cash on your mext purchase
Monthly deals – Each month CVS has deals/ECBS that last all month long.
BOGO – buy one get one free
CRT-Cash Register Tape – coupons that come out at the end of your receipt with ECBs
MIR - Mail in Rebate
OOP – Out of Pocket
Peelie – coupon that is (hopefully) sticking to the product
IP – internet printable coupon
YTD – year to date

Step 1: Get a card. If you are shopping at CVS already and not using your card, shoot me now, because you are not even getting sale prices, let alone ECBs. It’s just like the Kroger card in that you do not get the advertised special unless you swipe it. You may get a card by filling out the form at the store or by applying online However, if you do it online it will take about 2 weeks to get the card – and don’t you want to start NOW?!

Step 2: Grab the weekly and monthly ads and compare advertised ECB items, with the manufacturer coupons you currently have. You are going to get the best deal on ECB items because those crazy advertising people are just trying to get you in the door and don’t think you’re actually going to come back and spent them – but YOU will!

Here are some examples of how you might buy an ECB item
No coupons:
Excedrin $3.99, free after ECB
OOP: $3.99 + tax
ECB received: $3.99

With coupons:
Excedrin $3.99, free after ECB
$2 off Excedrin newspaper coupon OR $2 off Excedrin IP
OOP: $1.99 + tax
ECB received: $3.99 ($2 profit)

With coupons & ECBs:
Excedrin $3.99, free after ECB
$2 off Excedrin coupon
$1 ECB from a previous transaction
OOP: $.99 + tax
ECB Received: $3.99 (still $2 profit because technically you “paid” for that $1 ECB at some point – but your OOP is low!)

Once you get a small collection of ECBs you won’t be spending too much out of pocket, you'll just be recycling your ECB “cash.”

Some ECB deals are buy x amount of products, get x ECBs. For these promotions you do not have to buy all the products in the same transaction. For example, If I buy $12 in Pepsi, I’ll get $3 back. If I bought $9 in Pepsi one day and $3 the next day, I would get them when the total $$ is spent.

ECBs expire 1 month from the date you buy the product – so don’t forget about them!

CRTs that pop up at the end of your receipt may be used WITH manufacturer coupons. If I received a $2 off Excedrin CRT, I could use that with my $2 off Excedrin Manufacturer coupon, making the product free AND I would get the ECBs back.

Most items have a limit for purchases. Excedrin may have a limit of 1 or it may have a limit of 5. The ad should tell you the limit AND the bottom of you receipt will keep a tally of what deals you have done, have completed and still need to complete.

Let me know if I missed anything or if you have any questions!