Successful CVS Savings!

CVS

One of my new favorite stores is CVS. Since I started my money-saving adventures and using coupons, my eyes have been opened to the wonderful world of drugstores. I haven't delved into all of them yet, just CVS - and I must say, it's going well.

If you aren't familiar with CVS, let me tell you a little about them. Like most stores these days, they have a rewards program. Their program is the ExtraCare program, and you can get an ExtraCare card. There are weekly sales and promotions that ExtraCare card holders can receive, but on top of that, they give out ExtraCare Bucks. These are as good as money at CVS stores. Each week, they will have certain items that they will give you back ExtraCare Bucks on when you purchase them. You can then turn around and use those ExtraCare Bucks to purchase other items at CVS.

CVS also has a Red Machine in their store. When you go in, you scan your ExtraCare card and the machine will print you out coupons you can use. 

I was skeptical about shopping at CVS because I feel like they are over-priced, but now that I'm getting things for free and barely any money out of pocket, I shop there all the time!

I'll admit, my first trip there, I came out of pocket about $15-20, but since then, each trip has been giving me huge savings! I'm not an expert by any means, but I'll keep you posted on what I feel are successful CVS savings!
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12/30/12
Here's the latest transaction. :)

I used the following weekly deals:
-Buy 2 Aveeno Products and get back $6 ECBs.
-Aveeno was on sale for $4.99
-Spend $10 in Crest products, get back $5 ECBs.
-Buy qualifying candy bar at .75 cents, get back .75 cent ECB = FREE!

1 3 Musketeers Bar - .75
1 Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion - $4.99
1 Aveeno Intense Relief - $4.99
1 Green Bag Tag (See below for explanation) - .99
2 Crest Complete Fresh Mint Mouthwash - $5.49 each ($10.98)
2 Vitamin Waters - $1.57 each ($3.14)

Total before taxes/coupons - $25.84

I used:
- 1 $4 off of $20 CVS Coupon
- 1 $3 off of 2 Aveeno Coupon (Internet Printable)
- 1 $2 off 2 Vitamin Water CVS Coupon
- 1 $1.50 off Crest Manufacturer Coupon
- $16 Extra Care Bucks from previous transactions.

I just had to pay tax. I got back $11.75 worth of ECBs.

Green Bag Tags - There is a little card that looks like a loyalty card that you buy for .99 cents at CVS. It looks kind of like a green leaf. Every time you come into CVS (on a different day) and bring in a reusable bag, they will scan your green bag tag. Every 4th time it is scanned, you will get a $1 ECB. 




12/16/12
I had some coupons that were about to expire and I wanted to use them before they did. So, I went with a friend of mine (This is who I will refer to as the Coupon Queen. She is the person that motivated me to save money and has helped me along the way. She's awesome!)
Anyways, here's what I got and how much I spent. I should note that I went into this trip with $15 ECBs from previous transactions.

4 Revlon Nail Polishes @ $1.49 each (They were on Clearance)
1 Revlon Nail Polish @ $4.99
1 Colgate Total Advance Toothpaste @ $3.99
1 Got2B Oil-licious Styling Oil @ $3.24 (On Clearance)
1 Clear Shampoo @ $4.99
1 Clear Conditioner @ $4.99
1 Essence of Beauty Japanese Garden Lotion @ $1.99
2 packs of Elastic Hairbands @ $3.19 each
1 Conair Brush Set @ $4.99
1 Axe Gift Box Set @ $9.99
1 Right Guard Deodorant @ $2.99

Total before tax-  $54.50

I used $15 ECBs
1 coupon for 25% off purchase from CVS
2 $3 off  Clear Shampoo/Conditioner (From CVS Red Machine)
*There was also a promotion going on - Buy 1 Clear Shampoo, get 1 Clear Conditioner Free. So, that knocked off the price of the Conditioner.
1 Manufacturer Coupon - $3.75 off an Axe Gift Box Set
1 $4 off $20 Coupon from CVS Red Machine
1 $2 off $5 Beauty Coupon from CVS Red Machine
There were also $5.99 worth of CVS Coupons that I can't remember what they were for that I used. Lol

So, total out of pocket after ECBs and coupons was $8.11, and I got back $14 more in ECBs for my next trip! Not too bad, in my opinion. Next time I'll try to remember what my coupons were for!