CVS: The Real Money Maker

CVS is an amazing way to stock up on household products AND earn money! Yes, that's what I said, EARN MONEY!!

CVS has a rewards card like every grocery store--ExtraCare Card. I highly suggest you go to the store and register for one. You can register online, but it will take about two weeks to receive your card. With the ExtraCare card you will receive lower prices, coupons, and Extra Bucks (EB). When you register for a card, be sure to provide your email address. If you already have a card, sign up with your email address. By providing your email address, you will receive coupons (I receive them weekly) that will help you get started.

When you use your ExtraCare Card, select items that are advertised will earn you EBs. You can then use your EBs on your next purchase (which may be immediately). I have went to CVS and made THREE different transactions in row, in order to use the EBs received immediately. Once you get started, you will have EBs to use each week, which will require you to use little or NO money!

Here's how it works:
I'm going to give you my sceniaro for this week's shopping at CVS.

(2) Old Spice Men's Body Wash $4.00 each (Regularly $4.49)
(1) Schick Hydro 5 Blade Razor $8.97 (Regularly $9.99)
(1) Gillete ProGlide Power Razor $9.97 (Regularly $12.99)
(1) Colgate Pro Clinical Toothpaste $3.99 (Regularly $4.99)

TOTAL: $30.93
Taxes (6%): $1.86
Due: $32.79

COUPONS:
$5.00 off $30 or more purchase (CVS coupon by email)
$2.00 off $6 of body wash (CVS coupon printed at store)
$1.00 off Colgate ProClinical Toothpaste (Sunday paper 6/13/2010)
$4.00 off Schick Hydro Razor (Sunday paper 6/13/2010)
$5.00 off Gillete ProGlide Razor (Sunday paper 6/6/2010)
B1G1 Free Old Spice Body Wash (Sunday paper 6/6/2010)

TOTAL DUE: $11.79
EBs from last week: $10.00

TOTAL PAID: $1.49 (Why less than $1.79-I'll explain)

NOW the big part: Extra Bucks for future purchase
(2) 4 EB for Old Spice Body Wash
(1) 4 EB for Schick Hydro
(1) 5 EB for Gillete Razor
(1) 2 EB for Colgate Toothpaste

TOTAL EB: $19.00

This means I have $19.00 I can spend at CVS!! Basically I made a $17.51 profit!

Now, you must know a couple of things.
1. Always use your $5 off $30, $4 of $20, or $3 of $15 FIRST, before EB or manufacturer coupons. If not, you may not have met the $30 requirement
2. Use your EB next. Even if the cashier tells you to use the manufacturer coupons first, you do not have to. If EBs are used last, they will not take off taxes. Say you owe $4.95 after coupons and $1.95 is taxes. If you give the cashier an EB for $5.00, you will waste $2.00, because EBs cannot be used to pay for taxes. And you do not get what's left of your EBs. Therefore, you wasted $2.00 in EBs and owe $1.95. However, if EBs are used first they do REDUCE your taxes and manufacturer coupons CAN be used to cover taxes.
3. You can stack CVS coupons with manufacturer coupons.

Questions or Concerns:
1. Isn't CVS way over priced in comparison to Wal-Mart? Yes. In general, products you find at CVS will cost more than Wal-Mart or other places. However, when using coupons, items on sale, and EBs, you spend A LOT less money.

2. Do EBs expire? Yes, they expire a month from the day you earn them, but once you begin CVSing, you will probably go weekly.

3. How many EBs can I use at once? As many as you want!

Feel free to ask any questions. When next week's ad comes out, I will try to post a great way to get started using online coupons or this coming Sunday's paper. I will list other coupons from past papers, but I realize if you are starting, you may not have these yet.

Again, CVS is a great way to stock your household supplies. I have (11) toothpastes, (3) Men's Body Washes, (4) Women's Body Wash, (2) Men's Shampoo/Conditioner, (3) sets of women's shampoo and conditioner, (20) rolls of paper towels, (24) rolls of toilet paper, diapers for my 14-month-old, and much more.

I began CVSing in March. Since then, I have saved $503.51!! That is a lot of money for only 3 months!