CVS Deals

During my freshman year in college I worked at CVS. This was long before rewards cards were very popular, and instead there would be tons of store coupons in the weekly sales flyer. I remember customers who would use the store coupons combined with sales and manufacturers’ coupons and rake in amazing savings. For whatever reason, after I graduated from college and moved on I didn’t really do a lot of CVS shopping. But since I’ve started reading Money Saving Mom I’ve been inspired to see how well I can do at the “CVS Game.” And for my first time shopping there (and not just running in for something quick) in years, I am pretty happy with the results.

I bought:

• 1 Soft & Dri deoderant @ $2.50 (sale), plus I used a $1 coupon
• 2 8-packs of Poland Spring Aquapods @ 2/$5 (sale), plus a $1 coupon (printable here) – rec’d $2 ECB (Extra Care Bucks)
• 1 bottle of Palmolive dish soap @ $1.49 (sale), plus a .25 coupon – rec’d $1 ECB
• 1 bottle of Garnier Fructis shampoo @ $2.99 (sale) – rec’d $2 ECB
• 1 tube of Colgate Toothpaste @ $2.99 (sale), plus a $1 coupon – rec’d $2 ECB
• 1 bottle of Excederin @ $1.99 (sale), plus a $2 coupon – rec’d $1 ECB
• 1 Soy Joy bar @ $1.00 (sale), plus coupon for free bar
• 1 Hallmark card @ 2.69

On top of the coupons mentioned above, I used a $4/$20 CVS coupon, and $2 ECB from a previous shopping trip. My total out of pocket (including tax) was $9.33. According to my receipt I saved $20.31. Plus, I got back $8 in ECBs to use at my next trip. If I continue to do this right and rack up the ECBs (along with purchasing sale items and using coupons), I’ll pay even less out of pocket next time.

If it doesn’t make sense to you, here are a couple tutorials:

• CVS 101
• CVS Explained

Sure it took me a little time to organize my list and coupons, but I did it during down-time at work. As for the coupon-clipping, it’s something that I actually enjoy and I do it either Sunday night while watching TV or Monday morning when Noah gets up (because seriously folks – what else are you going to be doing at 5 AM? 😉 ) I found it to be worth my while, and hopefully you will too!