How to Work the Deals at CVS Pharmacy

I know many of my readers are familiar with the Extracare program and how to get the deals at CVS. I know some of my readers are not. Maybe you've been wanting to start CVS-ing, but are confused by it all. I hope my simple explanation will help you!

You can read my entry about why I think you should start CVS-ing. You can read that here.
The article shares how CVS has saved our family, extended family and friends money. I've been able to give extra products to them! This entry also mentions how CVS has helped me give back to the community- I donated items I got for free to the troops. Now I am gathering items to give for a collection we are having at work for a local women's shelter.

Summary of the Extra Care Bucks Program
You purchase items that give Extra Care Bucks back and roll those Extra Care Bucks to purchase more items that give Extra Care Bucks Back. While you do this, you take advantage of sales, manufacturer coupons and CVS coupons.

Things You Will Need to Do To Take Advantage of the CVS Deals
First, get an ExtraCare Card. Second, look in the ads for the items that say "Free After Extra Care Bucks" or "Earn Extra Care Bucks Back" . These are the items that you will get free, cheap or even make money on. Third, you should visit blogs who post the detailed plans and scenarios. I do this here at Be Thrifty Like Us and many other bloggers do it as well. We do the math, the planning and the work for you. You use our lists, cut your coupons and go get free stuff at CVS!
Lastly, you should save the coupon inserts from your paper & have a printer available to print online coupons

Basic Overview of The Extra Care Bucks Program At CVS
Extra Care Bucks are coupons that print at the end of your receipt. They can be used on your next transaction at CVS. They are like a gift certificate. Extra Care Bucks do have an expiration date, so you need to use them before the expire. You can use as many Extra Care Bucks as you want on a transaction. If your order is $20.00, you can use as many Extra Care Bucks as you want to get up to that $20.00 limit. Not all items at CVS give Extra Care Bucks back, only the ones that are advertised as that in the monthly booklet and weekly ads. Every Extra Care Bucks deal at CVS has limits. For example, the free chocolate that is offered this week has a limit of 2. You would only get the Extra Care Bucks back on two chocolates. You could buy three, but would only earn the Extra Care Bucks on two chocolate. Based on what you buy your Extra Care Card will also print coupons on your receipt with other money saving offers.

Common Questions & Concerns
You may think CVS is expensive and overpriced. It is, but when you work the Extra Care Buck deals, use CVS coupons & manufacturers coupons - you will get stuff free! When CVS runs promotions that will says, buy $10.00 worth of this product and get $5.00 in Extra Care Bucks back. That $10.00 is the price before any coupons are used. If my order is $5.00 and I use a $10.00 Extra Care Buck, I would lose $5.00. Extra Care Bucks do not give money back. You can use one CVS coupon & one manufacturer coupon per item. I don't use a lot of these products. Why buy stuff I don't use? For me, I love to donate products and share with others who do use these products. I buy anything I can get free and I pass it on to other who need it. I buy the free products or one I can make money on, because it gets me more Extra Care Bucks that I can spend on diapers and things we need for the house at CVS.

Please feel free to post any questions in the comments section. I'd love to help!