CVS: Trips, Transactions, and Tips

July 13, 2013 by Tracy

CVS is by far my favorite drugstore. Though I get really good deals, I usually need to visit more than one location which is not efficient.

In using time wisely, I really need to get back into my groove. I’ve been away from the sales as our home has been fully stocked. Taking a break is really nice, but I’m getting back into the flow.

Guess I was gone quite awhile as the Green Bag Tag promotion has been discontinued. CVS no longer grants a $1 ECB for every 4^th visit when you use a reusable bag. Not sure if the promotion was too profitable for customers or not enough customers used the program. Whatever the reason, I recycled my Green Bag Tags, but I’ll still continue to shop at CVS with trips, transactions, and tips.

My CVS Trips

With my list printed and coupons gathered on Friday afternoon, I had planned to go out Saturday afternoon. However, a friend stopped by to pick up a sourdough bread starter, so I missed my window before heading out to the ball park with our family.

On Sunday after our family lunch, my daughter and I ventured out. Though it was mid-day, it was still the first day of the sale. Well, my favorite CVS was out of girls’ Pull-Ups and the Kit Kat minis, but they had the other items. I needed to purchase $30 of product to use my $5 coupon.

In speaking to the manager, she suggested purchasing the boys’ Pull-Ups and then returning them on another day as their next shipment came in on Monday morning. So, I made my purchases. Then thinking through my week, I knew I needed to just get this task done.

So, I stopped by a second CVS. They had the girls’ Pull-Ups which I exchanged, but no Kit Kat minis. They were already out with the next shipment coming on Monday.

Do you think I stopped? Nope. I went to a third CVS. Thankfully, all the stores are in close proximity to my home, so I did not travel far. They had a shelf of the Kit Kat minis, so I got those.

I was a bit disappointed as I had store and manufacturer coupons which gave me overage. However, because it was the only product I was buying, I did not get the overage. The cashier rounded down the amount of the coupon making my purchase free.

My CVS Transactions

Transaction #1

2 Huggies Pull-Ups (Earn $5 Extra Care Bucks (ECB) when you buy (WYB) 2 Huggies Little Swimmers (17-20 ct.) or jumbo packs of Pull-ups, GoodNites, or Diapers at $9.99 each, limit 2)

Clarification: The limit of 2 means 2 deals. Since each deal requires purchasing 2 packages, then the limit is 4 packages of these Huggies items. If you purchase more than 4 packages, then the price will still be $9.99 each, but no additional ECB will print.

1 Irish Spring Body Wash, 15-18 oz., $2.99

Subtotal: $42.95

Minus these coupons:

1 – $5 off a purchase of $30 or more (e-mailed from CVS)

4 – $2 off Huggies Pull-ups (printable manufacturer coupons)

1 – $2 off Irish Spring Body Wash (CVS coupon printed from the coupon machine)

1 – $1 off Extra Care Buck coupon (from quarterly savings which printed from the coupon machine)

New subtotal: $26.95

Tax: $1.62

Total: $28.57 – saving $30 with sales and coupons and earned $10 in ECB from the limit 2 Huggies deal.

Transaction #2

2 packages Kit Kat minis, 2 for $6

Subtotal: $6

Minus these coupons:

2 – $2.50 off CVS store coupons (printed at home)

2 – $1 off manufacturer coupons (printed at home)

New Subtotal: $1 overage

Total: $0 – saved $9.18 with sales and coupons

For these two transactions, I purchased $67.75 worth of product and paid $28.57 with $10 in ECB for next week. This is a savings of 57.8% – always a good trip when I save more than I spend.

NOTE: These savings are still available through today, Saturday, July 13, 2013. If your store is out of these products, then request a rain check.

My CVS Tips

Though it would be easy to beat myself up over losing $1 of overage due to breaking up the transactions, I have learned that things happen. Sure it would have been nice if the first CVS had all the products, but it didn’t work that way. I’m still happy with the results even if I lost $1 of savings. Here are some other tips to make shopping at CVS a little easier:

1. Learn Your Store’s Procedures

As CVS sales run Sunday through Saturday, most stores upload the new sale week to their system sometime on Saturday. My CVS does this move around 4:00 p.m., so it’s best to shop after 5:00 p.m. because it takes some time to upload.

The benefit of shopping at this time is you get to shop both weeks’ sales. The current week is not yet done, and the new week is just starting. This gives you first dibs on the products before they all are gone.

One downside is if the system doesn’t load correctly or if a deal is not triggered. For example, a 3-day sale that runs from Sunday to Tuesday will not trigger on Saturday.

2. Find out Your Store’s Delivery Days

My store receives deliveries on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Knowing that I missed shopping on Saturday, I might wait next time until mid-morning on Monday to shop. By that time, the delivered product should be on the shelves.

The downside is that CVS stores do not know what is coming on the truck. They only know they are getting a delivery, but they cannot guarantee that a product will be back in stock.

You can ask for a rain check, but most stores will not grant them if another delivery will come before the end of the sale. The reason is CVS rain checks do not expire, so they want to know they are out before writing them.

3. Make Friends with Your Store’s Manager and Employees

When you shop frequently, the employees will get to know you. They will also help you when you run into a snag – like only having boys’ Pull-Ups and needing to spend $30 to get the $5 off.

The manager quickly made a suggestion, so I could use my coupon and get the savings without having to go to another store that day. She would have swapped the packages on another day.

Also, as you find a CVS where you feel comfortable, you can create more complicated transactions knowing that they will help you through them. When I have a lot of coupons or multiple transactions in one visit, I find a friendly employee and explain what I’m about to do.

Usually, they ring me up separately, so I do not tie up the front register. It is really nice as I don’t feel pressured to hurry as the other register is open.

Getting the hang of CVS takes time. If you are new to all the jargon, then feel free to ask. I have been playing the drugstore game for years which is why I don’t need to shop all the time.

Our stockpile is full of deodorant, body wash, razors, toothpaste, shampoo, and more because I stock up when there are sales, ECB promotions, and coupons. Stretching our dollars via CVS promotions and coupons saves our family money.

Sometimes I exert more energy and time stopping at multiple stores, but learning from my mistakes and the store’s procedures and deliveries will assist me in using time wisely. Not beating myself up, just using it as a stepping stone to improve for my next CVS shopping trip as I’ve got $10 in ECB to maximize. Happy savings!

Question: Do you enjoy playing the drugstore game? Why or why not?

CVS: Double Quarterly Extra Bucks

September 15, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: CVS

Wow! CVS is granting double quarterly extra bucks from September 16 – December 15, 2012.

When shopping with your Extra Care card at CVS, you can earn extra bucks in the following 2 ways:

1. Immediately – printing on the bottom of your receipt, and

2. At the end of the quarter – earning 2% on everyday purchases and $1 for every 2 prescriptions filled.

Increase in Quarterly Extra Bucks

Beginning tomorrow, Sunday, September 16, you can earn double quarterly extra bucks. Instead of the 2% on everyday purchases, you can earn 4%.

Earning Double Quarterly Extra Bucks

To get the double quarterly extra bucks, you need to do the following:

1. Get a CVS Extra Care Card

2. Sign up for double quarterly extra bucks

In store – scan your Extra Care card at the coupon center (red machine also used for price checking) and receive a coupon to double quarterly extra bucks. When you checkout, allow the cashier to scan your Extra Care card and the double quarterly extra bucks coupon. In December your quarterly Extra Bucks will print at the coupon machine, at the bottom of your receipt, or at your home via your on-line account.

On-line – register your Extra Care card on-line

3. Make purchases in store and on-line using your Extra Care card

4. Watch for your quarterly rewards to print in December.

In stretching your dollars, allow CVS to give you extra savings through their double quarterly Extra Bucks promotion. With a few moments of your time, you can earn extra credit for items you already purchase. In using time wisely, sign up and start the double earnings tomorrow. Happy savings!

Question: How often do you make purchases at CVS?

NEW! Walgreens Balance Rewards

September 8, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Walgreens

Working the savings strategies at the drugstores help my family in stretching our dollars. In addition to their monthly store coupon booklet, in-ad store coupons, rebate program, and Register Rewards, Walgreens is rolling out a new program called Balance Rewards.

What are Balance Rewards?

In a nutshell, it is a loyalty program. You register for free, receive a card, scan the card at checkout, and earn points for qualified purchases.

What are the Rewards?

Per the terms and conditions of the Balance Rewards registration, you can redeem points for the following rewards:

Earned Points are converted into Redemption Dollars in five (5) tiers:

(1) 5,000 points = $5

(2) 10,000 points = $10

(3) 18,000 points = $20

(4) 30,000 points = $35

(5) 40,000 points = $50

At the time of transaction, you can choose to keep earning points or redeem the points on your card. This system reminds me of the Shop your Way Rewards with Sears, Kmart, MyGofer, and Land’s End.

How Do I Earn Rewards?

Photograph Credit: Walgreens

Will My Rewards Expire?

Yes, your points have expiration dates! You will need to make a purchase at least once every 6 months to keep your account active. You can continue to build your point balance, but will need to redeem them within 36 months of earning the rewards. For more specifics, you can read the terms and conditions.

Walgreens Balance Rewards Sweepstakes

To kickoff their new Balance Rewards program, Walgreens will give away 1 million Balance Reward points. The prizes are $1,000 in points to 10 Balance Reward members, who register on-line by 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, September 15, 2012.

Do not delay. Signup on-line for free, get your card via the mail, and wait for verification if you are one of the lucky 10 winners.

In stretching your dollars, signup and get ready to earn points with the new Walgreens Balance Reward program. If you win points from the sweepstakes, you will save lots of money.

In using time wisely, take a few moments to register for your Walgreens Balance Reward card. If you win, please come back and leave a comment. Hoping one or more of my readers win. Happy savings!

Questions: Which drugstore is your favorite for stretching your dollars?

CVS: Free Health Screening and $5 Store Coupon

August 4, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: CVS

During August, select CVS locations will offer a free health screening for immunization awareness month. In helping to raise awareness, you will receive a $5 CVS coupon after completing your free health screening.

To get the free screening and coupon, you must present your Extra Care card at your visit. The coupon is limited to 1 per customer and cannot be used with other CVS coupons. You can use your $5 CVS coupon with manufacturer coupons to lower your out-of-pocket expenses.

Participating CVS locations

Photograph Credit: CVS

Health Screening Details

Photograph Credit: CVS

If you have further questions, call 1-855-287-7867 for more about the free health screening events.

In stretching your dollars, consider stopping by a participating CVS location for a free health screening and snag a free $5 coupon while using time wisely. This event runs through August and expires on September 1, 2012. Happy savings!

Question: Would you use this service or schedule an appointment with your own doctor?

Register Review: CVS – March 26, 2012 Edition

March 31, 2012 by Tracy

Your eyes are not deceiving you. This is another installment of Register Review, but from a drugstore perspective.

With most of our household items fully stocked, the only way drugstores can lure me into their doors is by offering a great deal on diapers or holiday items, or if my rewards are about to expire.

This week, CVS won me over. I shopped early in the week to snag these 12 items for $0.75 in 2 transactions. Yep, less than a dollar for 12 items. Want to see how?

When I entered the store, I scanned my CVS Extra Care Card at the red coupon machine. The machine ejected coupons. My children scanned the card again which resulted in more coupons. On the third scan, a message indicated that more coupons would be available tomorrow.

The coupons that print from the red coupon machine are CVS store coupons, which you can combined with manufacturer coupons. I received a CVS coupon for $1 off 2 seasonal M&Ms packages, and another coupon for $.25 off any 2 Mars Easter eggs. Knowing I was purchasing these two items, I added them to my CVS envelope to use at checkout.

Transaction #1

Allowed cashier to scan my Extra Care Card and my Green Bag Tag (which earns $1 in Extra Bucks for every 4^th scan – only one scan allowed per day)

Purchased 2 single Snicker Easter Eggs – earn $1 in Extra Bucks (store credit) when you buy 2 Mars Easter Eggs or Bunny Singles for $0.50 each (limit of 2 deals).

Subtotal: $1

Used CVS $0.25 off coupon

Total: $0.75 + $0 tax

Paid the $0.75 and received $1 in Extra Bucks (a coupon that prints at the bottom of my receipt)

*ahem* 2 of the Snicker eggs did not make the photograph 😉

Transaction #2

Allowed cashier to scan my Extra Care Card before ringing merchandise

Purchased 2 single Snicker Easter Eggs – earn $1 in Extra Bucks when you buy 2 Mars Easter Eggs or Bunny Singles for $0.50 each (second deal – limit reached)

1 bag of Gold Emblem Jelly Beans – earn $.99 in Extra Bucks when you buy these jelly beans for $.99 (limit 1)

1 Colgate 360 Toothbrush – earn $2 in Extra Bucks when one purchases this toothbrush for $2.99 (limit 2)

6 bags of M&Ms – $3, but buy one get one free (limit of 6). My store was already out of the seasonal peanut and almond varieties, so they substituted the non-seasonal version for my sale.

Subtotal: $13.98

Used the following coupons:

CVS $1 off coupon for 2 bags of seasonal M&M’s

4 – Manufacturer’s coupons for $1 off any 2 Mars Easter Items

1 – Manufacturer’s coupon for $1 off Colgate 360 toothbrush

Used the following Extra Bucks

$5.99 from a previous week

$1 from an earlier week’s green bag tag usage

$1 from Transaction #1 – rounded down to $.99

Total: $0 with $0 tax, and received Extra Bucks for $1 (Snickers eggs), $2 (toothbrush), and $0.99 (jelly beans).

For a total of $0.75, I purchased $33.31 of merchandise which is a 97.7% savings, and I have $3.99 in Extra Bucks to spend at CVS by April 24, 2012.

Taking the time to learn the drugstore game was time well spent. By matching sales, store coupons, and manufacturer coupons, the savings multiply. Long before I began seeing the deep discounts at the grocery store, I practiced and refined the drugstore game. I concentrated on CVS for a few months.

When I understood and had successful trips, I branched out to learn Walgreens. After nailing down the Walgreens system which is different from CVS, I learned Rite Aid which is unique from CVS and Walgreens.

Each store is different and learning the tips and tricks takes time, but for my family, it is using time wisely. Hope you have enjoyed these register reward breakdowns.

The sales in this post were for this week. However, the M&M and Snicker eggs were part of a 3-day sale that ended on Tuesday. The toothbrush deal will continue through today. If your store is out, request a rain check. Happy savings!

Question: Do you shop at CVS? Why or why not?

« Previous Page