ok, you guys are my heros. I haven't been in the right frame of mind to figure out this whole CVS thing, but now I think I am. Can someone direct me to a post that explains how this works?
Tx!
I looked for some of my old posts, but can't find anything generic.
First, you need an Extra Care Card, which are free at CVS. Fill out the form and give your address and email address because eventually you will get coupons sent to you. Coupons from CVS can be used with manufacturer coupons on the same item(s).
What we do is buy the items that are advertised each week as "free" after Extra Bucks or work out to be free (or nearly free) after Extra Bucks and coupons.
It takes about $20 to get started and then you just buy the items advertised each week that work out to be free or nearly free.
You pay for new items with the Extra Bucks you earn, then pay about $1 for tax, etc. and then earn more to be used on your next shopping trip.
You need to start saving every coupon you can find and saving inserts from Sunday newspapers.
The easiest way to get started is to copy what others here are buying if you have the same coupons. If you need to look up where a coupon came from, this is a database:
http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/coupon.php "SS" means Smart Source and "RP" or "V" means Red Plum (Sunday paper inserts).
There are limits each week as to how many of the sale item you can buy and earn Extra Bucks on. For example, if you had two $1 coupons for Crest toothpaste this week (which has a limit of 2), you could buy one at $1.99, use your coupon, pay 99 cents, and earn $1 Extra Buck. Then you could get another, use your coupon, use your $1 Extra Buck (it would be adjusted down to 99 cents) and pay nothing and earn $1 Extra Buck (for your next shopping trip). Your total cost for both would be 99 cents and you'd have $1 for next time.
Another example this week is a Garnier shampoo, conditioner or styling product. If you had a $1 coupon, you could buy one at $2.99, use your $1 coupon, pay $1.99 and earn a $2 Extra Buck to spend on your next shopping trip (or in the next transaction).