Do You CVS?
May 14th, 2008 by justchickenfeed
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I've posted before about my love of coupon cutting. I love matching up store sales with double coupons and walking away with free or nearly free items.
But recently, I've added the CVS ExtraCare Program to my weekly routine. The ExtraCare program is a savings program, but it can definitely be manipulated to maximize savings, "make" money and reduce your grocery/household spending.
If you have a CVS card, you qualify for the program (cards can be ordered online). Every purchase (with several exceptions) automatically earns 2% back in the form of Extra Care Bucks (ECBs). These ECBs can be used on any future purchase. 2% back is a nice reward for something you would be buying anyway (wish the grocery stores did that, huh?), but the real savings comes in stacking your purchases with coupons, ECBs earned and store generated coupons.
The first week you use the program, your out-of-pocket expense may be high, as you are earning your ECBs. Scan the weekly circular and the monthly ECB flyer (available in stores) for any "Free after ECBs" deals. For example, this week Aquafresh toothpaste is $2.99 with $2.99 ECBs earned. Even though you are paying the initial $2.99 (plus tax) out-of-pocket, you earn back the full amount towards a future purchase. Unless you are fully familiar with the ExtraCare program and how to fully manipulate it, it may be wise to limit your purchases in the first few weeks to avoid costly errors.
After you have earned your first ECBs, which will print on your receipt, the goal is to use those ECBs on purchases that will earn you more ECBs, in effect "rolling" the savings each week. For example, if I take the $2.99 earned from my toothpaste, and go buy $2.99 worth of candy bars, I have not maximized my savings. But if I take that $2.99 in ECBs and buy an item which earns me additional ECBs, I am growing my savings. When you add in manufacturer's coupons, it can get really fun!
I happen to have two coupons for Aquafresh toothpaste, one for $1.00 off and one for $1.50 off two tubes. As the CVS deal has a limit of three, this works out just fine for me. I will purchase 3 toothpastes at $2.99 each, earning $8.97 in ECBs, but with my coupons, my out-of-pocket expense will be just $6.47 (plus tax). In effect, I have "made" money.
There are some great articles out there which describe the program and how to use it effectively in much more detail. I would encourage anyone who has considered the program, but is not sure if it is worth the effort to read the weekly testimonials at Money Saving Mom. I was astounded to see how little out-of-pocket most readers actually spent once they were successfully using the system.
I think it is important to remember that the ExtraCare program, like any savings program, can be abused. I have heard tales of shoppers who have numerous cards so that they can buy far beyond the advertised limits. I know there are shoppers who purchase products simply to resell them. And I know there are people who buy many unneeded items (such as Glucose Monitors, etc.) just to receive the ECBs. But there are also many, many savvy shoppers who joyfully take advantage of the deals, donate unneeded purchases to local charities and churches and relish in the savings they have provided their families.
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May 14th, 2008 at 8:00 am
I am always hesitant to try the ECB deals at CVS. It just seems like more work than it's worth. Although, I'm seeing more and more people in the blogosphere writing about how great it is after the initial startup… I may just have to dive in.
Thanks for the post!
Momma
May 14th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Good article! I love CVS and have wondered about some of the practices used by the CVS gurus. I see how having multiple cards is abusive but don't understand the part about reselling or buying unneeded items being abusive to the program. Does it prohibit that somewhere? Would love to let my girlfriends know if they are doing something wrong so they don't get into trouble.
Or was that part just your opinion?
May 14th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Good article! I love CVS and have wondered about some of the practices used by the CVS gurus. I see how having multiple cards is abusive but don't understand the part about reselling or buying unneeded items being abusive to the program. Does it prohibit that somewhere? Would love to let my girlfriends know if they are doing something wrong so they don't get into trouble.
Or was that part just your opinion?
May 14th, 2008 at 10:01 am
My husband and I LOVE the CVS ECB program. We go every Sunday after church to stock up. I will say to DOUBLE CHECK DATES ON ENDCAP DISPLAYS. Not only are their weekly specials, but also monthly. Some of the monthly specials are up and displayed a couple of days before or after the effective dates. The dates are on the displays so be sure to pay attention or you end up at the register paying full price or price minus coupon with no ECB in return. For those intimidated by all the work, it's really not. You'd be surprised how easy it is.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:25 am
I agree with Dre - I do a lot of CVSing and although I've never sold anything, I don't exactly see that as abuse. Three cards per household, yes.
Also, when you plan out a deal or two, you really need to have it all written down with specifics (sizes, prices, version of items) to make sure you have it right - often the signs posted on a display show the regular price, not with ECBs or their card.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Just to clarify, CVS does not prohibit buying and reselling nor buying unneeded items! And I think doing this on a small scale is not abusive (and others may think doing so on a large scale is not, either). But I think buying items, just to earn the ECBs and then tossing the items, in my personal opinion, is not the best use of our time or resources. But, again, it's just an opinion.
May 14th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Oh My GOSH, I'm not the only nut that does this?? Except I do it at Walgreens - check out my April 16 post http://wingingitinthewindycity.blogspot.com/2008/04/free-stuff.html
May 14th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Hey there,
Thanks for the link. You've got a great site going here. I'll have to come back. I agree. The coupon thing can really be abused. I am a stickler for "the rules." Is that a first child thing?
My CVS reporting (as well as other sanity saving techniques) will now be at my new blog: http://www.lifeasmom.com. Hope you'll visit.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Thanks for the clarification, Jenni! You know all the BDL articles are mah manual to life, so I had to find out!
Many of the women I "know" (through the Interwebz) actually have garage sales rather than tossing the item. Do people do that? Wow, I can't imagine wasting the gas to go to CVS to net $1, then throwing it away. Ack!