CVS 101

Where to start?? Want to literally pay next to nothing for your shampoo, body wash, razors, toothpaste and other toiletries? Since I've started "couponing" I've been able to get body wash and toothpaste for free, shampoo for $.49, and razors for $.99. This was made possible by shopping at CVS. I love shopping at CVS! Each week I plan to highlight the best deals at CVS but first have come up with a few pointers to help you get started.

The first thing you need to do is go to CVS or online here and fill out the Extra Care Membership form. I would recommend going to the store because you'll get your card immediately versus waiting two week for it to come in the mail.

A little about Extra Care Bucks (ECB's). Each week certain items are on sale where you get ECB's back when you buy the item. The ECB's print off on the bottom of your receipt. Once you get home you'll want to cut the ECB's off your receipt. Put your ECB's somewhere where you won't lose them and where you won't forget to take them along on your next CVS shopping trip! You want to treat the ECB's like cash.

Here's a little scenario for you on how ECB's work. The Gillette Fusion razor is on sale for $8.99. For buying the razor you'll get $4 in ECB's. You take them item to the register and buy it. Always make sure that they scan your CVS card first before ringing up any items! The razor will ring up for $8.99 and you will have to pay $8.99 out of pocket but $4 ECB's have printed on the bottom of your receipt. That's yours to use like cash your next time in the store. So in reality you're only paying $4.99 for the razor after ECB's. To make this deal even better you may use a coupon with it. Use a $4/1 coupon that you've gotten from your coupon inserts. So, after ECB's and coupons you're only paying $.99 for the Gillette Fusion Razor!

So basically at CVS you want to make sure you buy items that give you ECB's back. Then on your next shopping trip to CVS you'll want to buy more items that give you ECB's back but this time you can pay with the ECB's from your previous trip. To make the deals even better try to use coupons.

ECB's do have an expiration date but I normally don't have trouble getting them used before they expire.

Another note, if your total is $2.99 and you give them $4 ECB's to pay, you won't get any ECB's back. You'll just have to lose the one ECB.

I hope you're not too confused by now. The first time I went to CVS I was a little confused but the more you go the easier it gets to understand how everything works. Feel free to ask any questions.

I'll be back later today or Monday morning with the best deals at CVS for next week. Stay tuned...