CVS: Free Gift Wrapping Supplies after ECBs

Tissue paper, bows and gift tags are free after Extra Care Bucks through Tuesday at CVS. Tissue paper (red & green 20 ct.) and tags (35 - 50 ct.) are $1.99 each and you get $1.99 in ECBs with each purchase. Bows (12 ct.) are $2.99 and you get $2.99 back in ECBs. All deals are limit 2.

Advil PM (4 ct.) is also free after ECBs all week (limit 1).


Here are my transactions:

Transaction 1
2 Merry Brite Tissue Paper 20 ct. $3.98
Paid: $3.98 + tax
Earned: $3.98 ECBs

Transaction 2
2 Merry Brite Foil Gift Tags 35 ct. $3.98
- $3.98 ECBs from Transaction 1
Paid: $0 + tax
Earned: $3.98 ECBs

Transaction 3
1 Merry Brite Bows 12 ct. $2.99
1 Advil PM 4 ct. $.99
- $3.98 ECBs from Transaction 2
Paid $0 + tax
Earned: $2.99 ECBs from bows, $.99 ECBs from Advil

Transaction 4
1 Merry Brite Bows 12 ct. $2.99
- $2.99 ECBs from Transaction 3
Paid: $0 + tax
Earned: $2.99 ECBs

I paid $3.98 + tax out of pocket for all my purchases and I have $3.98 left over in ECBs for next time I shop at CVS!

New to CVS? Go here to learn how to play the Drugstore Game.

CVS This Week: How to Start the Drugstore Game

This is a really great week to get started with the Drugstore Game if you haven't played before. Softsoap Scrub Bodywash (limit 1 offer) and Colgate Sensitive Enamel Protect toothpaste (limit 2 offers) are both free after ECBs (that means you get the same amount back in ECBs that you paid for the item) this week. Plus there were coupons in the 3/29 Smart Source Sunday inserts for both of these items which turns them into moneymakers (you get more back in ECBs than you paid for the item)! There is also an internet printable available for the Colgate toothpaste. The three transactions that I did were very simple and perfect for beginners. First I will show you how I did the transactions and then I will show you how to do the transactions if you are new to the game.


Transaction 1

Purchases:
Colgate Enamel Protect Toothpaste $3.99
CVS Pocket Tissues $.50

Coupons & ECBs Used:
$1 off Colgate Toothpaste
$3 ECBs

Total OOP: $.49 (+ $.09 tax)
ECBs Earned: $3.99


Transaction 2

Purchases:
Colgate Enamel Protect Toothpaste $3.99
Johnson & Johnson First Aid Kit $.99

Coupons & ECBs Used:
$.75 off Colgate Toothpaste
$3.99 ECBs from Transaction 1

Total OOP: $.24
ECBs Earned: $3.99


Transaction 3

Purchase:
Softsoap Body Wash $4.99

Coupons & ECBs Used:
$1 off Soapsoap Body Wash
$3.99 ECBs from Transaction 2

Total OOP: FREE (+ $.06 tax)
ECBs Earned: $4.99

I started this week with $3 in ECBs. I paid $.73 (+ $.15 tax) out of pocket and I ended with $4.99 in ECBs to use next time. My transactions were moneymakers because I ended with $1.99 more in ECBs than I started with but I only paid $.89 total out of pocket.

The tissues and the first aid kit were "filler items" that I needed to purchase to bring my pretax total equal to or above the amount of the ECBs I wanted to use to pay for the transaction. For example, in transaction 2 I wanted to use the $3.99 in ECBs from the first transaction to pay for the second transaction. The toothpaste after the coupon totaled only $3.24. CVS won't let me use the $3.99 in ECBs if my subtotal is less than $3.99. So I had to buy a cheap filler item priced at $.75 or above. The best place to look for useful filler items is the trial size section of the store. Candy bars are another option.

How to do these transactions if you are new to the Drugstore Game & you have the 3/29 Smart Source coupons:

Transaction 1:
Buy Colgate Enamel Protect toothpaste $3.99
Use $1 off Colgate Enamel Protect internet printable coupon
Pay $2.99 out of pocket
Earn $3.99 ECBs

Transaction 2:
Buy Colgate Enamel Protect toothpaste $3.99
Buy another filler item that costs at least $.75
Use $.75 off Colgate Toothpaste coupon from 3/29 SS
Use $3.99 ECBs from transaction 1
Pay whatever your filler item costs minus $.75
Earn $3.99 ECBs

Transaction 3:
Buy Softsoap Scrub Body Wash $4.99
Use $1 off Softsoap Body Wash coupon from 3/29 SS
Use $3.99 ECBs from transaction 2
Pay: Free (but you may pay tax)
Earn $4.99 ECBs

So you end up paying $2.99 plus the amount that your filler item costs above $.75 and you have $4.99 in ECBs for next week!


How to do these transactions if you are new to the Drugstore Game & you don't have the 3/29 Smart Source coupons:

Transaction 1:
Buy Colgate Enamel Protect toothpaste $3.99
Use $1 off Colgate Enamel Protect internet printable coupon
Pay $2.99 out of pocket
Earn $3.99 ECBs

Transaction 2:
Buy Colgate Enamel Protect toothpaste $3.99
Use $3.99 ECBs from transaction 1
Pay nothing
Earn $3.99 ECBs

Transaction 3:
Buy Softsoap Scrub Body Wash $4.99
Use $3.99 ECBs from transaction 2
Pay $1
Earn $4.99 ECBs

Even without the coupons, this is still a decent deal and a good way to get started with CVSing. You pay a total of $3.99 and get 2 tubes of toothpaste and the bodywash. You end up with $4.99 in ECBs for next time.

CVS This Week: Cheap Groceries

I didn't earn any ECBs this week at CVS but I did purchase a few cheap grocery items.



Purchases:
2 Motts Applesauce 6 packs $2.50 ($1.25 each)
2 Skippy Peanut Butters $3.29 (Buy One Get One Free)
Total: $5.79

Coupons & ECBs Used:
2 $.55 off Motts printables
$1 off 2 Skippy Peanut Butters
$3 ECBs

Total Out of Pocket: $.69
ECBs Earned: $0

Before I go CVSing, I check out these blogs to get the scoop on the best deals and coupon matchups:
Frugal in Virginia
Money Saving Mom
Deal Seeking Mom
Coupon Cravings

New to CVS? Learn more about the drugstore game.

CVS This Week: Valentine Clearance 90% off

Valentine's Day merchandise was down to 90% off at my CVS today. There was still a great selection of boxed Valentines like Disney Princesses and Spiderman.

Purchases:
2 Disney Princess Boxed Valentines $.29 each
Carnation Instant Breakfast $4.99
Total: $5.57

Coupons & ECBs Used:
.75 off Carnation Instant Breakfast (January All You magazine)
$3.99 ECBs from previous week
Total Coupons: $4.74

Total OOP: $.83
Total ECBs Earned: $4.99 (for Carnation Instant Breakfast)

CVS This Week

I haven't had the time to do any CVSing lately. I finally had some free time and I got to make three trips this week. I was happy about the deals I was able to get on Diet Coke. Our stockpile was getting low.

If you are new to the Drugstore Game, my transactions this week are good for you to check out. I started the week with no ECBs, just like you would do if you were new to the game. If you haven't heard of the game before, head over to Money Saving Mom for a CVS tutorial and Q&A.

Check out this week's deals at Deal Seeking Mom and Coupon Cravings.



Transaction 1:

Purchases:
6 Diet Coke 12 Packs $21.00
Kid Essentials $11.99
Total: $32.99

Coupons Used:
$5 off $30 Purchase CVS coupon (email from CVS)
Buy 1 Coke 12 Pack Get One Free coupon (MyCokeRewards.com)
(4) $1 off Coke 12 Pack coupons (MyCokeRewards.com)
Free Kid Essentials Coupon
Total Coupons: $24.49

Total OOP (out of pocket): $8.50 + tax
Total ECBs Earned: $10 ($10 ECBs for $20 Diet Coke purchase)



Transaction 2:

Purchases:
6 Diet Coke 2 liters $5.94
2 Colgate Total Advanced Toothpastes 4 oz $5.98
2 Herbal Essences Shampoos $5.98
Total: $17.90

Coupons & ECBs Used:
$1 off Colgate Total Toothpaste (2/1 SS)
$1.50 off Colgate Total Toothpaste (March All You magazine)
$3 off 2 Herbal Essences products (2/8 PG)
$10 ECBs from Transaction 1
Total coupons: $15.50

Total OOP: $2.40 + tax
Total ECBs Earned: $7.98 ($2 for Herbal Essences, $5.98 Colgate Total Toothpaste)



Transaction 3:

Purchases:
CVS Chewable Asprin 36ct. $1.99
2 Herbal Essences Shampoo $5.98
6 Stayfree Pads $23.34
Dr. Pepper $1.49
Total: $32.80

Coupons & ECBs Used:
$3 off 2 Herbal Essences products (2/8 PG)
(3) Buy 1 Stayfree Product Get One Free coupons (1/4 RP)
$2 Stayfree Pads CVS coupon (from Magic Coupon Machine)
Free Dr. Pepper coupon
$5 off $30 Purchase CVS coupons (from Magic Coupon Machine)
$7.98 ECBs from Transaction 2
Total coupons: $31.14

Total OOP: $1.66
Total ECBs Earned: $13.99 ($2 Herbal Essences, $10 Stayfree Pads, $1.99 Chewable Asprin)


I spent a total of $12.56 out of pocket this week on all my transactions and I have $13.99 in ECBs for next week. And I have replenished my Diet Coke stockpile!

Did you have a great transaction at CVS this week? Leave a comment and let us know about it!

CVS This Week: Good Deal on CVS Diapers

CVS Diapers (Ultra Thins and Supremes) and Training Pants are on sale this week for $12.99 for 2 packs. Combine this sale with the $3 off CVS brand product coupon (limit of one of these coupons per transaction) and you have a really great price for diapers! For example, you can get a pack of 2T training pants for 12 cents per training pants or a package of Ultra Thin diapers in size 4 for 10 cents per diaper. I have used both products in the past and I like them. I think the training pants are comparable to Huggies Pull Ups and the diapers are a bit nicer than my usual Target brand.

Other than the diaper deal, it wasn't a great week for me at CVS. Visit Deal Seeking Mom to see this week's CVS deals. I was hoping to roll over some ECBs with the Soy Joy 6 pack for free after ECBs but my CVS didn't carry it. So I used up all my ECBs this week because they were expiring soon.

Transaction 1:

Purchases:
CVS Training Pants $6.50
Total: $6.50

Coupons & ECBs Used:
$3 off CVS brand item coupon
$3.50 ECBs

Total OOP: $0


Transaction 2:

Purchases:
CVS Training Pants $6.50
Huggies Baby Wipes $3.49
Johnson & Johnson First Aid Kit $.99
Total: $10.98

Coupons & ECBs Used:
$3 off CVS brand item coupon
$2 off Huggies Wipes (printed from instore coupon machine)
$.50 off Huggies Wipes from 1/11 coupon inserts
$5 ECBs

Total OOP: $.48 + tax

I got quite a few things for 48 cents but unfortunately I don't have any ECBs left for next week!

Did you have a great CVS transaction this week? Leave a comment and tell me about it!

If you are new to CVSing, then this post probably doesn't make much sense. Learn more about the Drugstore Game here.

$3 off CVS Brand Purchase Coupon

Check out page 47 of the January Beacon newspaper for a $3 off CVS Brand purchase coupon. This is a free publication available in the greater Washington DC area. You can find it at the entrance of CVS stores and public libraries. The coupon expires on January 17th.

This is a great week to use this coupon because many CVS Brand products are buy one get one 50% off this week. Today I bought 2 tubs of CVS baby wipes for $1.48 with the coupon.

Thanks Mommy Making Money for the tip on the coupon!

Today at CVS

I was pleasantly surprised to find all the free after ECB items except for one still in stock at CVS today. I had only $2 in ECBs going into the week but I think my transactions worked out well.

Transaction 1:

Purchases:
Halls Naturals Cough Drops @ $2.59
Excedrin Express Gels 20ct. @ $3.99 *
2 Crest Prohealth Toothpastes 4.2 oz @ $5.98
Total: $12.56

Coupons & ECBs Used:
$.50 off Halls Cough Drops
$2.00 off Excedrin Express
2 $1 off Crest Toothpaste
$2.00 ECBs from previous visit

Total OOP: $6.06 plus tax
Total ECBs Earned: $10.58 ($2.59 for Halls, $3.99 for Excedrin, $4 for Crest)

* There was a rebate form for Excedrin Express Gels 20 ct. in the 10/19 Sunday insert. I will get a $3.99 rebate check which, after subtracting out my postage, will give me an additional $3.57 in overage and bring my OOP costs for the transaction to $2.49.

Transaction 2:

Purchases:
4 Coke 12 Packs @ $14.67
Coke 2 Liter @$1.25
3 Arm & Hammer Essentials Cleaner & Degreaser @ $8.97
Total: $24.89

Coupons & ECBs Used:
2 Buy One Coke 12 Pack Get One Free from Coke Rewards
3 $1 off Arm & Hammer Essentials from Sunday insert & internet printables
$10.58 ECBs from Transaction 1

Total OOP: $3.97 plus tax
Total ECBs Earned: $13.97 ($5 for $15 Coke purchase, $8.97 for Arm & Hammer)

This week I spent a total of $10.03 out of pocket (or only $6.46 after I get my Excedrin rebate) and I have $13.97 in ECBs for next time.

I may hit another CVS tonight when I go grocery shopping to see if they have the Benefiber freebie that was out of stock this morning. I am also looking to stock up on Advil Cold & Sinus since it is a December Monthly ECB deal ($2 ECBs per purchase, limit 3). CVS also emailed a coupon to me today for a free roll of tape or bag of pretzels which expires 12/25.

I haven't been CVSing for a long time. It feels good to be back!

CVS Freebies Today & Tomorrow Only

There are lots of free after ECBs items at CVS today and tomorrow only. I haven't been playing the drugstore game much since October. The deals haven't been that great and I have been busy. Also, my toothpaste stockpile is huge. But I am going to try to hit the store tomorrow because there are just too many freebies to pass up. Hopefully they aren't all sold out of the free stuff!

Check out all the great CVS deals over at Deal Seeking Mom.

For a great illustration on how to play the game with this week's freebies, visit Chief Family Officer.

This Week at CVS

I had some great transactions worked out for this week but the Bic Comfort 3 razors were already sold out. But the week still turned out good. My family consumes a lot of oatmeal, so the buy $20 get $5 in ECBs deal worked well for us. The oatmeal is less per packet than I pay at Costco. Also I decided to try the Soy Joy bars since they are a money maker this week (that means I got more in ECBs back than I paid for them) even though I have heard that they aren't very good. The sale on Nestle candy is only good through today.

Here are this week's transactions:

Transaction 1:

Purchases:
Butterfinger Fun Size bag @ $1.50
Nestle Crunch Fun Size bag @ $1.50
4 Soy Joy Bars @ $1 each
Gold Emblem Bag of Dum Dums @$.99
Gold Emblem Bag of Tootsie Rolls @ $.99
Total: $8.98

Coupons & ECBs Used:
$1.98 off 2 Gold Emblem Candies CVS coupon (printed from price scanner machine)
2 $1 off Nestle Candy internet coupon
Buy 2 Soy Joys Get 1 Free coupon from 10/26 insert
$2.99 ECB from previous visit

Total OOP: $1.01
Total ECBs Earned: $4

Transaction 2:

Purchases:
8 boxes Quaker Oatmeal @ $2.50 each
Total: $20

Coupons & ECBs Used:
4 $1 off 2 boxes of Quaker Oatmeal from 10/26 and an earlier insert
$4 ECB from first transaction

Total OOP: $12
Total ECBs Earned: $5

I have a big stockpile of Halloween candy now. I am looking ahead to Christmas and I plan to use the leftovers for stocking stuffers (if I don't eat it all before then).

Did you have a great trip to CVS this week? Leave a comment and tell everyone about it!

This Week at CVS

It was a pretty good week at CVS. I got a great deal on Halloween candy and snagged some more free toothpaste.

Here is my transaction:

Purchases:
M&M Fun Size Bag @ $1.50
M&M Peanut Fun Size Bag @ $1.50
2 Snickers Fun Size Bag @ $1.50 each
Milkyway Fun Size Bag @ $1.50
Skittles Fun Size Bag @ $1.50
2 Colgate Total Advance Fresh (4 oz) @ $3.49 each
Total: $15.98

Coupons & ECBs Used:
3 $1 off 2 bags of Mars Candy coupon from 9/28 insert and 10/12 insert
2 $1.50 off Colgate Total coupons from September and October All You magazines
1 $1 off Colgate Total CVS coupon (this printed from the price scanner machine in CVS)
$8 ECB from previous visit

Total OOP: $.98 plus tax
Total ECBs Earned: $4

What are these price scanner coupons? If you scan your CVS ExtraCare Card at the in store price scanner, the machine will print out CVS coupons. Sometimes they are product coupons or money off your order coupons. I received my $1 Colgate Total coupon when I scanned my card yesterday. It turned the toothpaste deal into a moneymaker since the toothpaste was only $1.49 each after ECBs earned and I already had the 2 $1.50 off coupons.

Did you have a great trip to CVS this week? Leave a comment and tell everyone about it!

The Drugstore Game: An Example

When you first start playing the Drugstore Game it is helpful to see examples of transactions that others have tried. I am pleased with my transactions for this week, especially since I was starting to run low on deodorant.

Transaction 1

Purchases:
1 Bic Soleil Razor @ $5.99
1 Colgate MaxFresh Toothpaste 6 oz @ $2.99
Total: $8.98

Coupons & ECBs Used:
- $2 off Soleil printable coupon
- $1 off Colgate MaxFresh coupon from 9/28 insert
- $5 ECB earned during previous visit

Total out of pocket (OOP): $.98 + tax
Total ECBs Earned: $6

Transaction 2:

Purchases:
1 Bic Soleil Razor Refills 4 ct. @ $5.99
1 Colgate MaxFresh Toothpaste 6 oz @ $2.99
2 Lady Speed Stick 24/7 @ $1.99 each
Total: $12.96

Coupons & ECBs Used:
- $2 off Soleil printable coupon
- $1 off Colgate MaxFresh coupon from 9/28 insert
- $1 off 2 Lady Speed Stick coupon from 9/28 insert
- $2 ECB earned during previous visit
- $6 ECB from first transaction

Total OOP: $.96 + tax
Total ECBs Earned: $8

So I went into this week with $7 in ECBs, I spent $1.94 out of pocket and I ended up with $8 in ECBs to spend next time.

If you are new to the game, you might be wondering why I did two transactions instead one. It is often better to do multiple transactions so that you pay less out of pocket. In transaction 2 I was able to use the ECBs from transaction 1 towards my purchase.

When I do multiple transactions, I always stand in line once for each transaction. This allows me time to regroup and plan after each transaction. I also think it is unfair to people behind you in line to do a bunch of transactions and make them wait longer.

Did you have a great trip to CVS this week? Leave a comment and tell everyone about it!

Drugstore Game Introduction

I love playing the Drugstore Game at CVS! It is a great money-saving way to get shampoo, cosmetics, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, groceries and sometimes even diapers. I think it is fun too. The idea of the Drugstore Game is to pay as little as possible out of pocket for your CVS purchases by using manufacturer and store coupons and store rewards from the ExtraCare program to pay for your items. You do this by planning your transactions in advance with the weekly sale ad and organizing all your coupons before heading to the store.

To learn how to play the game, head over to the Money Saving Mom’s CVS 101 tutorial and Q&A post. This is how I learned the game and I can’t explain it any better than she has already done.

Other links to help you learn the game:
Chief Family Officer has a great Drugstore Game Primer and philosophy.
Visit the CVS Weekly Preview at Coupon Cravings to find out the deals for the week.
Visit the CVS $5 Challenge at Keeping the Kingdom First to help you get started building your supply of ExtraCare Buck (ECB) store rewards.