Overwhelmed by the CVS ExtraCare Program? A Beginner's Guide

Have you ever visited a CVS forum on a money saving message board only to close your browser in frustration because it all seemed too complicated? This article will be the first in a series that will have you CVS'ing in no time.

CVS Lingo
CVS= Consumer Value Stores
ECB= ExtraCare Buck *
CRT= Cash Register Tape **
Rx= Prescription
YMMV= Your Mileage May Vary ***

How do I get started?
CVS/Pharmacy has a reward card that is used by the customer to take advantage of sale prices and promotions. There are two ways to get one. The easiest and quickest way is to visit a CVS store and ask for an ExtraCare Card application. You will immediately receive your card and your savings can start right away. The other way to get a card is to go on-line at www.cvs.com and register for a card. You will receive your card via USPS in approximately one week. You will receive a card for your wallet and two smaller cards for your key chain. I suggest putting one away in a safe place in case you lose the other two.

I have my card. Now what?
Once you have your card in your hot little hands you will want to go to www.cvs.com/email and add/update your email address. This accomplishes two things. First, you should immediately receive a coupon good for $4.00 off of a $20.00 purchase via email. This is an automatic 20% off your first purchase at CVS. You're already saving money! Second, you will be signed up to receive any future coupons that CVS may email out. They have been known to mail out coupons good for anywhere from $2.00 off of a $10.00 purchase up to $15.00 off of a $75.00 purchase and many other denominations in between. They also periodically email coupons that are good for gift cards when you have a prescription filled at their pharmacy.

Next up: I have my CVS card and my emailed coupon. What's next?

*These print on the bottom of your receipt when you purchase qualifying items.

** These print out directly below your ECB's and seem to be based on your shopping patterns but, also may be randomly generated. You may not receive any for the first month or so.

*** This acronym is commonly used on message boards when a member posts something that may not hold true for everyone in different parts of the country or even sometimes in different stores within the same geographical area. An example of this is clearance prices. Some stores may have an item on clearance for 50% off while others have it for 90% off and still others may not have it on clearance at all.