CVS How-To - You asked for it!

First of all, I am still new at this. But, since several of you have asked for details on how to work the deals at CVS..... I will see what I can do.

First, for more information and a much better tutorial go to Money Saving Mom. She has a CVS 101 post here. It walks you through it in a pretty simple manner.

BUT... I took this week's shopping receipts and broke it down for you... so here it is:

1st Transaction -Before Midnight to take advantage of deals for the week of 3/9 - 15
2 9.5 oz Dove easter eggs - Normally priced at 4.29 each. On sale for 2/ $6
1 box Alavert 12 count - Normally priced at 11.99 each. On sale for $6.99
1 Garnier Fructis Thickening Mousse - Normally priced at 3.99. On sale for $2.99
The before sales total was $24.56.
With sales it was $15.98.
I had coupons totalling $6.
I had $5 in Extra Care Bucks (ECB) from last trip.
So, after using these coupons, etc my total was $5.75 after taxes.
I then received $7 in ECBs to use on the next transaction.

2nd Transaction - All of the next ones were done after Midnight to take advantage of the new deals for the week of 3/16 - 22
1 12 oz box of Hersheys Pot of Gold Chocolates - Normally priced at $8.95. On sale for $4.99
2 bags of Confectionary Lane jelly beans - .99 each
2 bags of Jumbo Easter eggs - .99 each
1 Maybelline Superstay Gloss (For The Girl) - Normally prices at 9.49. On sale for 8.99.
6 Trial sized Johnson's baby shampoos - .99 each
The before sales total was 28.34.
With sales it was 23.88.
I had coupons totalling $11.
I had $7 in ECB from the last transaction.
After using these coupons my total was $7.06 after taxes.
I then received $17.94 in ECB to use on the next transaction.

3rd Transaction
Colgate Total Advanced Clean toothpaste 6 oz - Normally 3.99 on sale for 2.99
2 Johnsons Buddies bar soap - .99 each
2 250 ml Listerine Smart Rinse - Normally 3.99 each on sale for 2.99 each
2 Dove Cream Oil Body Wash 10 oz - Normally 5.49 each on sale for 3.99
2 Dove lotions 12 oz - Normally 5.49 each on sale for 3.99
4 Glade Air Freshener sprays 9 oz - Normally 1.69 each on sale for .99 each
1 Maybelline Define a lash Mascara (The Girl) - Normally 7.99 on sale for 5.99
The before sales total was 48.97.
With sales it was 36.86.
I had coupons totalling 13.98.
I had 17.94 in ECB from the last transaction.
After using these coupons my total was $6.26 after taxes.
I then received $12.98 in ECB to use on the next transaction.

4th Transaction
2 Garnier Fructis Anti Humidity Hairsprays - 4.29 each
1 Garnier Nutritioniste wet cleansing towelettes - 5.99
1 Maybelline eye shadow (The Girl) - 4.49
1 Nivea for men Shave Gel - 2.59
1 Clean & Clear acne control kit - 19.99
1 Glade Wisp Flameless Candle - Normally 9.99 on sale for 7.99
The before sales total was 51.63.
With sales it was 49.63.
I had coupons totalling 14.00.
I had 12.98 in ECB from the last transaction.
After using these coupons my total was $25.01 after taxes.
I then received $19 in ECB to use on the next transaction.

5th Transaction
1 12 pack of coke - Normally 4.69 on sale for 2/ $6
1 12 pack of Barqs rootbeer - Normally 4.69 on sale for 2/ $6
1 12 oz box of Hersheys Pot of Gold Chocolates - Normally priced at 8.95 on sale for 4.99
1 Total dental care 4 in 1 oral hygiene tool - Normally 2.99 on clearace for .20
1 St Patricks day headband - 2.99
1 St Patricks day beads - .99
1 Sudacare shower soothers - 4.99
2 5.5 oz Hersheys chocolate bars - Normally 1.79 each, on sale for 2/ $3
4 Snickers Marathon Protien Bars - 1 at 1.99, 3 Normally 1.49 on sale for .75 1 Colgate Total Advanced Clean toothpaste 6 oz - Normally 3.99 on sale for 2.99
1 Bic Soleil Razor with refills - Normally 6.99 on sale for 5.99
1 Bic Soleil Refill pack - Normally 6.99 on sale for 5.99
The before sales total was 58.30.
With sales it was 42.37.
I had coupons totalling 7.50.
I had $19 in ECB from the last transaction.
After using these coupons my total was $17.51 after taxes.
I then received $13.99 in ECB to use on the next transaction.

This was a total of $219.76 of products.
I paid out of pocket a total of $61.59.
I saved a total of $158.17.
AND, I brought home $13.99 in ECBs for next time!

Ok. This is my Saturday night trip to CVS. It's not too difficult. You have to be willing to invest time in coupon clipping, searching and printing. You have to be willing to break it down into different transactions and you have to know what the deals are. Money Saving Mom and many other sites out there will break down the weekly deals and tell you hwat the best ones are. Also, there are weekly deals and monthly deals. The coupons make a major difference. I had coupons for $2 off the price of 2 Johnsons products. I bought 2 Buddy bath soaps at .99 each. So, I got them free. How cool is that?

Keep in mind, the ECBs that you get back after a purchase can be used just liek money in any CVS store. If we had a bad week this week and had no money but needed diapers, I could take that $13.99 in ECBs that I have and go to CVS to get my diapers. And not spend anything. Maybe some change on taxes. I think you have to pay the taxes. But still.... it's like having extra money in your pocket.

If I had been willing to break this down differently I might have saved even more money. But, I had The Girl with me for her first CVS trip and was getting tired. I usually go in the middle of the night so that my doing 5 different transactions is not as big of a deal.

I probably spend several hours searching online for coupons, etc and getting ready for a trip. The more I do it, the faster it will go. Right now I am still learning, too!

The Girl asked me why I was buying certain things that we really didn't need. Well, if I am getting something for free, or next to nothing, then why not? I can save it for later when we need it and then I won't have to buy it. Or I can save it to give as a gift (part of a basket) or I can sell it at my garage sale and make a profit. OR, I can donate it to the needy. It just depends on what it is.

If you are interested in CVS savings, there are plenty of other places to check out and learn from. I hope this helped y'all a little bit.