Couponmania and CVS deals

I generally do not shop at CVS as I have been shocked and amazed at how overpriced many of their items are (I feel the same way about Walgreens). That was until a friend of mine introduced me to the website: www.moneysavingmom.com Thanks Leslie! I "studied" entries on this website along with links to several other money-saving blogs and tried my hand at getting some great deals at CVS today. By comparing the amount of remaining Extra Care bucks to my out of pocket cost, CVS essentially paid me $3 for all of this merchandise! Yes, I actually came out $3 ahead after purchasing these items in 3 different transactions.

To give you the gist of CVS deal shopping... CVS has weekly and monthly deals with Extra Care bucks where you receive the full or partial purchase price of various different items back in Extra Care bucks. These bucks can be used (like cash) towards other CVS purchases. There are also store coupons for $3 off a $15 purchase or $4 off a $20 purchase along with manufacturers coupons that can be used. Since I was a CVS newbie, my initial out of pocket cost was $15.54, but I received more than that back. I'll explain by mapping out the transactions.

Transaction 1:
2 Colgate toothbrushes- $3.99/each, received $7.98 in Extra Care bucks (ECB)
2 Adidas deodorants- $4.99/each, received $9.98 ECB
Used 2 $1 off coupons for the toothbrushes
Used a $3 off $15 purchase CVS coupon
Paid $14.01, Received $17.96 in ECB

Transaction 2:
Bought 3 Aquafresh Advanced toothpaste- $2.99/each, received $8.97 ECB
Bought 3 Aquafresh Extreme toothpaste- $2.99/each, did not receive any ECB because I didn't realize that I had already met my quota of "free" Aquafresh toothpastes
Bought 1 Adidas deodorant- $4.99, received $4.99 ECB
Bought 1 Snickers (a filler purchase to get up to at least $20 total)- $1.49
Used 2 $1 off coupons for the toothpaste
Used $4 off $20 purchase CVS coupon
Used the $17.96 in ECB from Transaction #1
Paid $0.63, Received $13.96 in ECB

Since I didn't realize that the limit 3 quota for the Aquafresh toothpaste was not specific to each type, the manager allowed me to return 3 of the toothpastes for which I did not receive any ECBs, so I received that money back on a gift card.

Transaction #3
1 pk Venus razors- $5.99
1 Colgate toothbrush- $3.99, received $3.99 ECB
2 CVS babywipes- $2.79/each
1 Johnson's bath buddy- $0.99
Used $2 off coupon for the Venus razors
Used $1 off coupon for the bath buddy
Used $1 off coupon for the toothbrush
Used $3 off $15 purchase CVS coupon
Used $8.97 ECB from Transaction #2
Paid $0.90, received $3.99 ECB

So, my out of pocket total was $15.54, but between the gift card and unused ECBs that I'll carry over to next week, I am about $3 ahead. Pretty neat, huh?

Don't worry, I won't break down my shopping excursions by transaction on my blog in the future, I was just very excited to share the great deals that can be found at CVS! Oftentimes the monthly or weekly "free" items are toiletries (shower gel, toothpaste, toothbrushes) which are ideal to donate to shelters and other similar organizations. So, as I shop CVS more and stockpile these items, I will donate the overage.