Couponing to be Debt Free

CVS is my favorite store! Below I have listed some tips that I have learned with each trip to CVS.

1. If you don’t a CVS Extra Care card – get one! You can only access the discounts with this card. You can get one at any CVS store or you can sign up online here. If you get one at the store make sure you go online here and enter your information. CVS will e-mail you coupons if you do this. You can also check your ECB’s status.

2. For every 2 prescriptions that you fill at CVS, you will receive $1.00 in ECB’s (extra care bucks). These print quarterly on your receipt or at the red coupon centers. 2% of your paid purchases are also rewarded to you as ECB’s.

3. One manufacturer coupon can be stacked with one CVS coupon.

4. Get a green bag tag. These cost $1.00 to purchase. Attach this tag to a reusable shopping bag and bring both of them every time you shop at CVS. For every 4 times that you scan this tag, you earn $1.00 in ECB’s (extra care bucks). The initial cost of this tag is earned back after 4 uses. Only one scan of this tag will count per day.

5. Check your receipt! Sometimes coupons are printed on the receipt.

6. Some stores have a red coupon center in their stores. Scan your card to get coupons. Often you will receive coupons for free items or a few dollars off of a purchase.

7. Most sales at CVS involve ECB’s (extra care bucks). These bucks are CVS reward money. An example of how ECB’s are issued is: buy a certain toothpaste that costs $2.00 and earn $2.00 in ECB’s. You would pay for the toothpaste in full. However, attached to your receipt will be $2.00 in ECB’s that you can use next time to pay for another item. In essence, you have just received the toothpaste for free. The neat thing about ECB’s is you can combine them with a coupon. For example: buy a certain toothpaste that costs $2.00 and use a manufacturer coupon for $1.00, and earn $2.00 in ECB’s. You would pay CVS $1.00 for the toothpaste and $2.00 in ECB’s would print with your receipt. You have just made a profit of $1.00! This situation can get even better if you have a manufacturer coupon and a CVS coupon.  For example: buy a certain toothpaste for $2.00 and use a manufacturer coupon for $1.00, use a CVS coupon for $0.50, and earn $2.00 in ECB’s. You just made a profit of $1.50!

8. ECB’s cannot be used to pay for prescriptions, alcohol, tobacco, lottery tickets, money orders, gift cards, or stamps.

9. ECB’s and coupons are tied to your card. That means, you cannot use someone else’s ECB’s or their coupons with your card.

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