How to Shop at CVS

When shopping at CVS, there are a few things you should know and do.  First, you need to get a CVS "Extra Care Card" (you can fill out the membership form online or in-store).  I recommend getting a card in the store because you receive it on the spot, rather than having to wait to receive one in the mail.  The Extra Care Card is similar to other stores' savings cards in that it grants you access to all the sale prices, and it also grants you access to the "Extra Care Bucks" (ECB) Program, which I have described in more detail below. 

EXTRA CARE PROGRAM
Extra Care Bucks, also known as "ECBs" are CVS reward bucks that you can use like cash in any CVS store on almost any item (there are a few exclusions, but I've never been unable to use my ECBs on items I purchase).  Basically, when you scan your Extra Care Card at the register and purchase an item with an ECB promotion, you will receive ECBs back on that purchase in the form of a coupon that prints out on the bottom of your receipt.  This coupon can then be used on your very next transaction like cash! 

Each week, CVS will highlight many of the items with ECB promotions in the weekly ad, especially if the items are on sale or if there is a coupon available to make the rebate even better.  Many ECB items end up being free (for example, similarly to Rite Aid, CVS often offers contact solution for $7.99 with a $7.99 ECB, making it FREE!).  Additionally, if you have a coupon for the item, you can often turn it into a "moneymaker" (for example, if you had a $2 coupon for the contact solution, you would pay $5.99 out of pocket, but you would still receive the full $7.99 ECB!). 

Another benefit of the Extra Care Program is that you will earn 2% cash back on all your purchases, which you will receive every 3 months in the form of a bonus ECB that prints out on the bottom of your receipt.  However, since the goal of my site is to help you spend as little as possible out-of-pocket, lets hope the amount of these bonus ECBs you receive is actually small! :) 

Like Rite Aid's SCR program, the ECB program is very easy and convenient.  While you don't receive an actual check back as with the SCR program, one thing I enjoy about CVS's ECB program is that you can do what is called "rolling" your ECBs from week to week, which minimizes your out-of-pocket expense.  What I mean by rolling is that once you acquire ECBs during your first CVS trip, you can then save them until the next week to pay for your next purchase, at which time you will receive new ECBs from any promotional items you are purchasing, which you can then use the next week, and so on.  I usually spend little to no money out-of-pocket by using this technique, and yet I walk out of the store with bags full of goodies each week! 

The only downside I see to the ECB program is that the ECBs have an expiration date, so you can't just save them up forever.  Generally, you have a few weeks to use your ECBs before they expire, so if you get in the habit of making a weekly trip to CVS, this shouldn't be an issue, but it's just something to be aware of so you don't lose out on your well-earned rewards!

MAGIC COUPON MACHINE
Another thing to be aware of when you shop at CVS is the "Magic Coupon Machine."  This term refers to the red CVS kiosk located in many CVS stores where you can scan your Extra Care Card and receive additional CVS coupons that print out right there!  I recommend that you get in the habit of scanning your CVS card at the Magic Coupon Machine before shopping every time you enter a CVS.  That way you can mentally re-organize your coupon strategy if you happen to get a good coupon from the kiosk. 
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