CVS - Hints, Tips and Information

Today I am going to go over the basics of CVS shopping. Most my knowledge has just come from shopping there myself , talking to people in my circle of friends and looking at the forums that I will mention later. I am sure that these are not all the ways that a person can "work" the CVS system but this is how I do it.

Terms:
ECB - Extra Care Bucks.
It has come to my attention that some people do not understand what these are so I am going to take some time and attempt to explain ECBs, what they are and how we use them. They are really the same thing as a RR or Register Reward from Walgreens. CVS uses ECBs to get you to buy a product because you feel like you are getting it for cheaper. Eventually this really does happen but not until you accumulate some ECBs. Here is how it looks in an ad:
Purchase Product A for $1.99 get .99 ECB back, so purchasing for $1!
Just as before you will purchase the products and at the conclusion of the transaction a little coupon will print out that is good on your NEXT transaction. The only difference between RR and ECB is that because CVS requires the CVS card (just apply at the register when you walk in the door) you will have a limit on how many times you may receive the ECB for said product. One good thing about the card is that it keeps up with your purchases and every so often you will receive a ECB for a percentage amount of your spending, so it is like getting a bonus (I think this is every 3 to 4 months).

As before most associates have no problems letting you do multiple transactions while in the store. To maximize savings use CVS coupons (available at http://www.iheartcvs.com/) , CVS ECBs, and manufacturer coupons. Go to forums.slickdeals.net then go to the drugstore deals forum and read up on what other people are doing for a certain week at CVS. The people on the forum can give you some great ideas on how to make this work the best for you.

Here is an example from last week that could have been used:
c = coupon, oop = out of pocket, ECB = Extra Care Bucks, BOGO = buy one get one
Transaction 1:
Covergirl makeup $5.49 x2
- $1 newspaper c
- bogo c
= $4.49 oop + $5 ECB + 5 ECB (bought 2 make-up products could do up to 5)
Transaction 2:
Gillette Razor $9.99
- $4 newspaper c
- $5 ECB
= .99 oop + $5 ECB (I still have $5 from transaction one as well...:))
Transaction 3:
Febreze 6.99 - $5 c = 1.99
Contour meter 14.99 - $14.99 c = 0
Cologate maxfresh toothpaste clearance $1.65 - $1 c = .65
Sunsilk 2/$7 - $2 c = $5
- $5 ECB
= $2.64 oop + $10 ECB (from meter)

Total oop on 3 transactions = $8.12, ECBs remaining $5 and $10.

I bought 2 things of makeup, a Gillette razor, febreze air freshener, blood glucose meter, toothpaste, and 2 shampoo items for $8.12! Then they gave me $15 ECB to use in the store at a later time. In a way they paid me $6.88 to purchase items from their store! You can't beat that.

Hidden freebie: http://freesample.fiberone.com/FiberOne/Default.aspx?source=418
As I said that above was just an example of how it can work for you. You have to plan it out before you go. Look at the manufacturers coupons that you have that will go with what they have in the sale papers.

I have now conclude my series on store hints . I want to end this with a warning please do not over abuse any of these stores with to many store coupons. Do not copy coupons on a copier as this is illegal and fraudulent. You will ruin it for all of us who are following the rules if you attempt these things. For instance don't go to the Target website and print off 200 coupons for baby food (example) and go in the store and try to use all 200 coupons at one time. If you start practicing these kinds of coupon techniques they won't allow us to use internet coupons any longer. Save money but do it in a legitimate and legal way.

Thanks for coming to visit my blog. I hope that you are enjoying yourself while learning some valuable information. Tomorrow I will give a list of freebie sites. Remember to participate in finding the hidden freebie. Hope you enjoy!

Walgreens - Tips, hints, and general information..

First of all I mentioned in an earlier post how on an episode of Oprah the lady from http://www.couponmom.com/ recommended doing your shopping based on sale papers. This information didn't reach me just because of this Oprah episode, it also came from one of my friends and my coupon buddy, Kim W. When it comes to coupon shopping she is awesome! She can remember every coupon she has EVER clipped. She is able to immediately notice what coupons will work and where to get the most benefit. She can spot a clearance item from half an aisle away and like I said she immediately knows if she has a coupon available for this product. She is the best I have ever seen, that is why she is my shopping buddy, and you can't have her! :) Now that I have given credit where credit is due, lets get down to business with Walgreens.

Walgreens has several terms that we need to discuss:

1. IVC or Instant Value Coupon
These are coupons that are to be used at Walgreens store. These coupons are located in the monthly Easysaver catalog that is produced for Walgreens. (It is rumored that some Kroger stores will take these coupons as well.)

2. Easysaver Catalog or Easysaver Booklet
This is a monthly booklet that you pick up at Walgreens stores. It contains IVCs for items in the Walgreens store. It also has information on how to apply for the Walgreens rebates.

3. Rebates
We all know what a rebate is. You purchase a product and then you have to fill out some kind of form and mail it in with an "original cash register receipt". Well this is the same thing. Throughout the month Walgreens will offer rebates on items that you might purchase. You will take the Easysaver booklet fill out the form and send in the receipt (following the directions from the booklet). Every month there are different items on this list. Every month they have some items that are completely free after the rebate.

4. RR or Register Rewards
This is like a coupon that prints out at the register after a purchase is made for certain items. Each weekly sale paper tells the information on RR. Since there is no card system at Walgreens there will be no limit on how many times you can take advantage of the RR deal.
Example: Buy 2 Nestle products receive $1 RR
You would purchase 2 nestle products on their list (can use IVC, and/or manufacturers coupons if at your disposal) and after your transaction is complete you will receive a $1 coupon/RR good on your next purchase of ANYTHING.

5. Walgreens.com
Sometimes you will find printable coupons on their website for $5 off of $20 only good for Friday and Saturday. Make sure to check there under their promotions so that you don't miss out on this.
Hidden Freebie: http://www.thepeople-vs-stride.com/ Make sure to check that you would like to settle your case. This is really cute and you will get a free pack of Stride gum!


6. Double Dipping
Every month the Easysaver catalogs overlaps by about 2 days. During those two days you can increase your savings. Here is what you do. First look at the items in each catalog and find the coupons that are available for the same items (there will only be a few) in both catalogs. Then find manufacturers coupons that work on these items as well. So you buy the said items using 2 IVC coupons as well as a manufacturer's coupon and get the products for a fraction of the cost!

In order to save more combine coupons from their sales paper, IVCs, manufacture coupons, and RR. You can also do multiple transactions. Here is an example from MikeJones http://forumst.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=939484 (on a slickdeals forum), this is for the week of Oct. 19th: (oop = out of pocket)
Transaction 1:AlkaSeltzer 4.99- (no q's)= 4.99 oop, get $4.99 RR

Transaction 2: Fusion Razor 8.99- $4 MFQ- $4.99 RR= 0.00 oop, get $4 RR

Transaction 3: AlkaSeltzer 4.99- $4 RR= 0.99 oop, get $4.99 RR

Transaction 4: Fusion Razor 8.99- $4 MFQ- $4.99 RR= 0.00 oop, get $4 RR

Lather, rinse, repeat, stock up.
Total out of pocket (oop) : $4.99 + .99 = 5.98 for 2 packs of alkaseltzer and 2 razors

This example is just to show you how this can work. Again the key is planning. Find out what you want to purchase and work out your scenario before you ever enter the store.