As promised, I am working with my blogging buddy Kathy to pull together very simple transactions every week to get you started with the drugstores!
Hopefully this will help those of you that are new to certain stores or new to coupons in general an easy way to start buying those everyday products for free or for pennies every week.
The idea is also to provide ideas to get the biggest bang for your buck with the least amount spent out of pocket. These scenarios will only require one copy of the newspaper or one computer to print coupons from.
So Kathy has put together two ideas for CVS this week. Make sure you check out the CVS 101 post HERE and you have your CVS Extracare card (you can get this in store in just a few minutes).
Deal Scenario #1
Aussie Shampoo, Conditioner OR Styler $2.99, Get $2 ECB’s (limit 1)
Buy 1 Aussie Shampoo, Conditioner or Styler = $2.99
Use $1/1 Aussie Product Coupon from February 14th RedPlum insert (2/14 RP)
Pay: $1.99
Get Back $2 ECB’s on your receipt to use later
Final Cost: FREE
Deal Scenario #2
Colgate Total Advance $2.99, Get $2 ECBs (limit 1)
Buy 1 Colgate Total Advance = $2.99
Use $1/1 Colgate Total Coupon from 1/24 SmartSource Insert (1/24 SS)
Pay: $1.99
Get Back $2 ECB’s on your receipt to use later
Final Cost: FREE
Now you can do a few things with these ideas. Just buy one product. OR you can do two transactions.
If you buy the Aussie hair care first, you can use the $2 ECB you will get to pay for your second transaction for the Colgate. By using the $2 ECB from the Aussie and the $1 off Colgate coupon, you should only have to spend a few pennies for tax.
So if you buy both products this week, you will spend $1.99+tax for the Aussie. Then you will spend a few cents for tax on the Colgate. You will have another $2 ECB on the bottom of your receipt that you can save for next time!
Kathy has a few more great tips for you over HERE.
Be sure to ask any questions you might below- if you are wondering I bet other people are too! Also if you decide to venture out to CVS come back and let us know how it goes for you!
Cheyenne says
I agree with you, CVS is much easier than Walgreens. I’ve pretty much decided that I’m going to try to use up my RR at Walgreens and then limit how much I go there if I go at all. Their cashiers (with the exception of 2) are so rude in my store. The CVS cashiers are so nice and have even told me they want me to teach them how I do it. Of course I always send them straight here. Maybe next time you post a deal for free business cards I can get some business cards printed with your website to hand out when people ask me.
Charlene says
I have a million cards! How funny. I can send you as many as you want 🙂 I know some people have awesome Walgreens stores but I do not.
Lindsey says
looks great Charlene- thanks for breaking it down like that! I still get flustered when I go into the store. I know of the deals but am not writing down planned transactions and I often end up buying more than planned, or missing out on some ECB products. How do you handle this?
Charlene says
I write it down. Otherwise I always mess up. I have mommy ADD now and I can’t always focus enough keep it all straight. Plus I do so many stores it all gets jumbled together in my brain.
Charlene says
Lindsey here is my vlog on Wags too. Sorry it is a little blurry but you can see what I do.
http://myfrugaladventures.com/2009/10/walgreens-vlog/
Emily says
I went to CVS for the first time today, planning to get some great deals. I was very disappointed when the sales clerk and manager told me that CVS does not accept internet coupons. I know this is not the case, but had no way to prove it to them. Help!
Charlene says
Emily I am not sure if CVS stores are allowed to make up those sorts of rules or not. I would call CVS customer service and ask. I have called many times and found them to be incredibly helpful!
Michelle says
When you go to CVS are you allowed to split up the transactions? Like one transaction to get all of your ECB’s and then use them in the next?
Charlene says
You sure can! I try to be courteous when I want multiple transactions. Today I did two and a line formed. I would never hold up lots of people to do several transactions. I would go through the line than get back in the line again depending on how busy the store is.
Michelle says
Great! Thanks so much Charlene!