May Savings at CVS

Each month, CVS offers Extra Care Bucks back on select items in their stores.  Some items are free after you get their bucks. The bucks work as cash coupons toward other CVS purchases and they print with your receipt at the end of each transaction.

I find the CVS system a bit complicated. I still have to have my things rung up in separate transactions so that I can keep it all figured out in my head.  Some people say that you can do it all in one transaction though.  I haven’t quite figured that out. 

These Extra Care Bucks (ECBs) can be a big savings to your family.  If you’re interested in seeing how I saved $74 today, click below.

Here are some of the bargains I found.  I put the ECB items in bold print.  

1st transaction:
3 Adidas deodorants, reg 4.99 each
1 Twizzlers 8 pk, on close out 50% off for .65
I used a $3 CVS coupon that was emailed to me. My out of pocket expense (OOP) was $12.62 and I received $14.97 back in ECBs for the 3 deodorants.

2nd transaction:
1 Hallmark tote bag/purse, $1.00 on clearance
2 Tums Quikpaks, on sale for $4.69 each
1 bottle of Gummy vitamins, on close out 50% off for $5
I used my $14.97 in ECBs and my OOP was .41. I received $9.38 ECBs.

3rd transaction:
2 CVS Loratadin 5 ct (Claritin equivalent), on sale for $3.79
2 Hello Kitty toothbruses, on close out for $2.24 each
I used a buy one get one free coupon for the toothbrushes, which took off $2.24. I also had $9.38 in ECBs and paid .44 OOP. I received $7.58 in ECBs.

4th transaction:
4 packs Rolaids (3 rolls in each package), $2.49-2.99 each
I used $7.58 in ECBs and had $2.88 OOP. I received $8 in ECBs because they Rolaids had $2 in ECBs for each pack, limit of 5 packs per CVS card.

5th transaction:
L’Oreal make-up, marked down 75% off for $3.49
St Ives 18 oz lotion, on sale for $2.99
2 Oral-B Indicator toothbrushes, on sale for $1.99
1 pack of Rolaids, $2.89
The Oral-B toothbrushes gave back $1 ECBs for each toothbrush. I also had a $1 coupon for the toothbrushes and a 50 cent coupon for the lotion. I used $8 ECBs, spent $3.85, and I think I got back $4 in ECBs. To be honest, I didn’t even look. lol

My grand total in savings was $74.59, which is about 80%!!!  This included using a few coupons and the ECBs that CVS gave me today.  I spent $20.20 and I also have a few more extra care bucks to spend. 

CVS also has Aquafresh toothpaste and Colgate toothbrushes for free with ECBs.  They were out of these today, but said they would get another shipment this week.  I guess I’ll go back with my left over ECBs and get these items.

Some CVS tips:

Have the casher scan your card before ringing up your purchases.  If they don’t scan your card, then you can’t get the deals.

As stated before, you must have a CVS card to get these special deals.  If you don’t have one, then you can get a card online or in the store.  I would recommend getting the card from the store so that you can use it immediately.

If you haven’t already, I would recommend signing up at CVS.com for their email updates.  I have received several valuable coupons this way, including the $3 coupon that I used today.

You can use manufacturer’s coupons with the ECB deals and still get back the amount that was promised in their ad.  For example, you can purchase the Adidas deodorant for $4.99.  If you have a $1 coupon for the deodorant, then you will pay $3.99 for the item, but still receive $4.99 in ECBs.  This amounts to even more savings!

I hope all of this makes sense.  It was pretty confusing to me the first few times I did this too.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Do you shop the CVS extra care buck specials?