Money Saving Tips from CVS

I think I mentioned before that I only have one CVS within an hour of my house, so I very rarely can get there for deals. I’ve heard such great things about all the free goodies you can pick up by matching ECB bucks, coupons and sales that I’m quite envious! For those of you that do shop there, I thought these tips that CVS/pharmacy shared with me could be useful.

Try Store Brands

CVS/pharmacy says, “The average CVS/pharmacy customer spends about $700 per year in personal products and OTC remedies such as vitamins, oral hygiene items, pain relievers, and allergy medications. By purchasing these same items in the CVS/pharmacy brand instead, they would save $177 per year – that’s a significant savings.”

I know you already consider store brands when you’re shopping for groceries, but keep household goods in mind, too. Paper plates, paper towels and other goods can be really pricey, especially when you only shop for the name brands and there isn’t a sale. (To really save money stop buying them all together. I use rags instead of paper towels for a lot of things I used to grab a paper towel for and I use lightweight melamine plates instead of paper plates.)

 Think they aren’t as good without the big name? If you’ll save a lot over the name brand, it is worth it to try a store brand once in awhile and find out whether you like it. For example, I tried the store brand of those expensive floor wipes for the Swiffer cleaning tools.  There were twice as many wipes for the same price and I actually liked the store brand better.

If you are trying a health care product and are concerned about whether it is really safe to use a store brand instead of a name brand, you’ll be glad to know that CVS/pharmacy says, “The best part about these savings is that it requires no sacrifice on the part of the consumer. All OTC remedies – both national and store brands alike – go through the same stringent testing by the FDA, and the primary active ingredients in personal care and household products are identical.  The biggest difference between store brand and name brand products is in the price – all store brand products cost an average of 30% less.”

Still worried about whether to give a store brand product a try? Check to see if the store has a satisfaction guarantee on its products. I know my local grocery stores all do and CVS/pharmacy says it also has a 100% money back guarantee on all beauty products. 

If you still are unsure, keep in mind that you don’t have to switch completely to store brand products. In fact, CVS/pharmacy said, “If you can’t live without your Chanel Rouge Allure then don’t torture yourself trying to find one just like it – stick with what you love! But, you can save by picking up the store brand of your everyday beauty accessories, like CVS/pharmacy cotton balls, nail polish remover or cotton swabs.”

ExtraCare Card Program

I mentioned that I had heard a lot about ExtraCare cards, but didn’t really know how they worked and CVS/pharmacy took the time to explain the program to me. If you’re new to the ExtraCare card and live near a CVS, you’ll want to read their very helpful response:

“CVS/pharmacy’s ExtraCare Rewards program is the largest retail rewards program in the nation, and you’re absolutely right – it’s also among the most popular! Shoppers love ExtraCare because unlike other “loyalty cards,” CVS/pharmacy’s is really designed with consumers in mind, offering savings just about every time a cardholder shops, even if nothing is on sale.

Here’s how it all works:

Cardholders earn back 2% of non-prescription purchases and $1 Extra Buck for every two prescriptions purchased. These earnings are then rewarded quarterly, delivered in the form of free “CVS money” called Extra Bucks. Quarterly rewards are paid out four times a year – on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1. Members can receive their quarterly Extra Bucks in-store or online; CVS/pharmacy sends quarterly Extra Bucks rewards to customers by email when they are issued, if those shoppers have provided a valid email address as part of their membership registration. This allows customers to receive their rewards at home – instead of on their receipts – so customers can come to the store ready to save.  Members can check the status of their rewards and coupons at CVS.com by setting up an online account (it’s free) and connecting their ExtraCare card to it.  

Additionally, ExtraCare cardholders receive benefits such as money-saving offers based on products they have purchased on register receipts. CVS/pharmacy introduced a new component to its ExtraCare program, called Extra Bucks Now, in April of 2007; this feature provides ExtraCare cardholders with instant Extra Bucks at the time they purchase specially advertised products. These items are marked with special signs on the shelf, and are also summarized monthly in mini-catalogs called Extra Value Books that are available in-store.

In certain locations throughout the U.S. (approximately 4,000 stores), ‘scan and save’ kiosks called ExtraCare Coupon Centers have been introduced. These ExtraCare Coupon Centers allow shoppers to scan their ExtraCare card at the beginning of their visit and receive coupons and special offers before they shop.”

Finding CVS Deals

As I’ve been hunting for deals for Walgreens, I’ve come across resources for CVS, which is how I developed a slight case of CVS envy. (Your house is infested with poisonous leaping beetles? How awful for…wait a second. Don’t you have a CVS right up the street? I’m the one who should be pitied.) Anyway, Money Saving Mom usually has an in depth list of deals for the week and  Centsible Sawyer also seems to keep a close eye on the deals. If you know of another CVS couponing queen, let me know.

Photo by gerard79