Practically every couponing website suggests saving at CVS. I thought that was silly because aren't they usually over priced? Well, then I learned more about their ExtraCare Bucks and Instant Savings.
ExtraCare Bucks is money you earn to spend there based on your purchases. In the past, I usually threw those away because I rarely shopped there and they would expire or I would forget before I checked out. Now I will spend them right away on something I need or I store them in my handy-dandy binder. :)
Instant Savings earn you money for making a purchase and that savings will print out on your receipt at the checkout when you buy a qualifying item. However, they have limits to the rewards so you have to read the fine print. Usually they say limit 1.
Here is one simple example of how I used the savings recently:
1) CVS had Renew Eye Solution w/free case on sale for $7.99. I had a $1 off 1 Renew product coupon. After paying $6.99 for the solution, I got $7.99 in Extra Care Bucks just for buying that item. Since no one else was in line, I turned around and bought some Mineral Ice Gel for Mike that I didn't have a coupon for. So, I was going to spend $8 anyways on a pharmacy item. This was like buy one, get something free and save $1 while your at it sale. Even without my coupon, this would have made sense to do.
What this has translated into is me spending more at CVS and less at Kroger. Believe it or not, sometimes CVS's grocery items can be cheaper. I heard it's because they mostly make their money on the parmacy dept and cosmetics and every other dept. is just a bonus for them.
So look out for those instant savings deals in your CVS circulars if you are planning on shopping at CVS. Also, consider getting a CVS card in just you or your husband's name so that you have two per household because instant savings are only good once per card. I checked and this is legal. This store is just a bike ride away, so they are in big trouble now...hehe...
***Update: You can scan your CVS card at the coupon machine multiple times before you shop. Keep scanning till it says there are no more for the week. Sometimes they print save $5 off $20 purchase. Did you know that machine was a price scanner too?
