CVS Deals Starting Sunday- FREE Chocolate & More!

FirstKingdomMom has a link-up for $5 CVS Challenge for multi-transactions using only $5.I’m splurging an extra $0.50 to keep this in 2 transactions.

If you are starting out with only $5.50 to spend:
First transaction:
Buy 2 Mars chocolate & Prep H wipes, 5Honest Tea
Pay $5.50, Get $7 ECBs

Second transaction:
Buy 2 OralB Toothbrushes, 2 Mennen Speedstick
Use $6 ECBs, Pay $0, Get $5 ECBs
Plus you still have $1 ECB from the chocolate

Pay $5.50 out-of-pocket, get $6 ECBs to use for next week

Go! Rollover Extra Bucks! Go!

Before I share the deal& match-ups to get a savings of 110%, can I share an “Anna”ctdote with you?

It was a nice change of pace to enjoy soft-serve ice cream and a frappe at McDonald’s this afternoon. I brought my laptop to use their Wi-Fi to scout drugstore deals starting tomorrow. I even brought 2 headphones so the little peeps could listen to the last episode of the Green Ring Conspiracy on Adventures in Odyssey. Everything was pleasant. Lots of families had the same idea so the place was a bit crowded.

All was well until some teenagers came in showcasing their non-existent muscles and decided to show off their bad language as well. At least they turned it down a notch after Big Mama reminded them that younger children are present. Although they backed off the “F” word, there was plenty of the “H” word and unholy use of God’s name. Then our McDonald’s field trip ended abruptly. If only I remembered the power cord then the kids could have listened to more stories online instead of trash, but alas it wasn’t meant to be.

While there, I did manage to jot down some awesome deals at CVS:

5 for $5 Honest Tea (& others), Get $2 ECBs
Use 5 $0.50 Honest Tea tearpad (found by Publix registers)
Pay $2.50, Get $2 ECBs
= $0.50 for 5 bottles

2 for $1 Mars Chocolate singles, Get $1 ECB
=2 FREE after the ECB!

2 for $6 Mennen Speedstick, Get $3 ECB
Use 2 $0.75 from the 5/22 SS
And use $1 off 1 from the Reinventing Beauty Mag*
Pay $3.50, Get $3 ECBs
= $0.50 for 2 deodorants
*The RIB magazine is only $0.99, but many stores will often have the coupon page in a stack for free.

$1.99 Oral B IndicatorToothbrushes, Get $1 ECB
(other items on sale)
Buy 2 (limit of 2)
Use $1.50 off 2 from 5/1 PG
Pay $2.48, Get $2 ECBs
= $0.50 for 2 toothbrushes

$3.99 Preparation H, 10ct wipes, Get $3.99
Use $2 PRINT
= $2 Moneymaker

Hip2Save’s CVS Deals list posts freebies in red, making it easy to spot. That’s where I go for deals. MoneySavingMom posts superdeals and has a link-up too.

CVs Deals for Dec 6--12

Just found out that my mom has been visiting my blog. Hey Mom! Thanks for showing me coupons when I was a teen. It's sure is different from how we shopped back in PI!

Go to MSM for more deals and scenarios!

Here are the best deals I see this week:
Merry Brite Santa Hats $3.99 each
Get $3.99 ECB back, limit 2

Merry Brite Mini Ornaments, $1.99 each
Get $1.99 ECB back, limit 2

Emergenc Immune Booster, $3.99 each
Get $3.99 ECB back, limit 1

Zantac 150 (24ct) or Zantac 75 (30 ct)
Get $8.99 ECB back, limit 1

Complete Multi-Purpose Solution, $9.99
Get $9.99 ECB back, limit 1 (December deal-not just this week)

Zantac & Complete have $1 Qs but our region did not get them.


On to the CVS $5 Challenge. See other ways to stretch your $5 here.

A couple of years ago, before using internet coupons and reading other blogs, I used to figure out my deal scenarios using very little cash. Since then, I've saved up enough so that I can get more and build up my ECBs. But sometimes I do think back on those simpler times when I only got what we needed and didn't have to worry about hunting down coupons or figuring out storage for the stockpile.

While talking to my mom this week, she told me that she's been trying to figure out CVS. Looking at the deals, she would ask herself "Do I need this?" I need to ask myself that too! I often get carried away with getting stuff for free, I don't even think about what to do with all the free stuff.

Now that I've got that off my chest, back in olden days when I had only about $5 to spend at CVS, I would keep rolling the ECBs by doing a few transactions. Since I shopped Sunday mornings or on weeknights when the store is slow, the cashier had no problem helping me. I paid for the first transaction then use the ECBs that would print from the receipts to pay for the other transactions.
Here is how I would do it using this week's deals:

Frist Transaction:
Merry Brite Hat, $3.99
Pay $3.99 out-of-pocket
Get $3.99 ECBs back

Second Transaction:
EmergenC Immune Booster, $3.99
Pay with $3.99 ECB from above
Get $3.99 ECBs back

Third Transaction:
2 Merry Brite Mini Ornaments, $3.98
Pay with $3.99 ECB from above
Get $3.98 ECBs back

Total out-of-pocket cost: $3.99
Total ECBs left for next weeek: $3.98
Total if you didn't rollover ECBs in 3 transactions: $11.96

Here are a few things that helped me get started:
1. Finding the store that I like and likes to work with me
2. Doing small transactions so it's easy to keep it straight
3. Calling the store to see if there are any sale items left if I can't shop until after Tuesday. The free one after ECBs go within a day or 2.

I remember being frustrated many times finding the shelves empty and vowing never to shop at CVS ever again. But really, I just needed to have a different shopping strategy and get a raincheck!

CVS Deals for Sept 6-12

Go over to I Heart CVS to view the weekly ad before Sunday. That's where I also go to see the coupon match-ups. She adds CVS coupons found in the Reinventing Beauty Magazine ($1 at CVS) and also tells you what CVS coupons to expect to print from the price scanner or your receipt. Plus, if you go there early during the week, like Weds and find some deals you really like but you don't have the coupons for it, you'll have plenty of time to buy them on ebay or clipping services like Coupons and Things By Dede. This way, you'll receive your coupons before the new sales week start on Sunday.

Here are the best deals I found and will get myself:
Aussie Products, $2.99. Get $2 ECB (limit 3)
Use $1 off Q from PG Brand Saver Sample I got from the mail
Final Price after ECB: FREE!
*Note: Sale price through Tuesday only

Secret deodorant, 2/$5. Get $1 ECB (limit 1)

Use two $2 off any Secret Q from KMart Total Savings Booklet
Final Price after ECB: FREE!

Crest with Scope Outlast toothpaste 5.8 oz $3.49
Get $2.50 ECB, (limit 2)
Use $1 off Q from PG Year of Savings
or $0.50 off Q from PG insert this past week
Final Price after ECB: FREE or $0.50!

BOGO Neutrogena Cosmetics (prices start at $3.49)
Use two $3 off Q from August volume of All You Magazine (check if your library has a copy if you don't or maybe Wal-Mart still has this)
Final Price: Could be FREE with up to $2.50 overage!
*Note: Sale price through Tuesday only. And they cannot pay you overage, so you have to buy something that would be close to the overage you are getting.

Coppertone or Nutrashield Sunscreen (not Sticks), $6.99
Use $5 off Print Q from here
Final Price: $1.99 (I will just use my other ECBs to get it FREE)

When I first started this CVS "Game" I didn't have too many Extra Care Bucks (ECBs). So I did multiple transactions so I can rollover the ECBs to get everything I needed. In a way, that's still what I do today except, I spend and rollover enough for one transaction until the next week. (I ususally have about $20 ECBs to use weekly.)


But if I only had $5 to spend, I would do these 3 transactions:
This week's is perfect for a Newbie! Who wouldn't want to start out with free toothpaste, shampoo, make-up and sunscreen? If you don't have the coupons needed, don't despair. CVS always has something FREE to get every week!

(OOP=Out of Pocket, Q=coupon, ECB=Extra Care Bucks)

First Transaction:
Buy two Crest with Scope, 2x$3.49
Use two $1 off Q
OOP: $5, Get $5 ECB

Second Transaction:
Buy two Aussie, 2x$2.99
Buy 1 General Mills Cereal Cup, $1
Use two $1 off Q
Use $5 ECB frm First Transaction
OOP: $0, Get $4 ECB

Third Transction:
Buy 1 Coppertone Nutrashield, $6.99
Buy 2 Nuetrogena, $6 each or less
Use $5 off Nutrashield
Use two $3 of Nuetrogena
Minus $6 for BOGO Nutrogena price
Use $2 ECB from Second Transaction
OOP: $0

Final Cost OOP: $5 with $2ECB left
(Without any coupons or ECBs you would pay $32! ECBs rule!)

If you agree that CVS can be a fun "game" check out all the other deal scenrios at $5 CVS Challenge. And start getting FREE stuff!

CVS $5 Challenge

Visit Money Saving Mom for more CVS Deals or Keeping The Kingdom First for other $5 Scenarios!

Here are the deals that will be used for the 3 Transactions:
Buy Colgate Total 4 oz for $2.88, Get $2.88 ECB
Buy select CVS or Caliber school supplies $0.99, Get $0.99 ECB
Buy Pilot Easy Touch Pens for $0.99, Get $0.99 ECB
Buy BIC Triumph BOGO (2 for $3.99)
Buy 3/$10 Kashi Cereal, Get $5 ECB
Buy Softsoap Ensembles Pump at $7.99 Get Base for $0.99 ECB
BOGO Neutrogena Color Cosmetics


Transaction #1
Buy 1 Colgate Total
Buy 2 Pilot Pens
Buy 1 Caliber Binder Clips
Subtotal:$5.85

Use $1 Q for Colgate from today's paper
Pay $4.85 out of pocket Get $4.97 ECB



Transaction #2
Buy 3 Kashi Cereal
Buy 2 Neutrogena (less than $5.50 each)
Subtotal: $15.50

Use (3) $1.50 off Kashi Cereal
Use (2) $3 off Neutrogena (overage will help pay for cereal)
Use $4.97 ECB from #1
Pay $0.03 OOP, Get $5 ECB



Transaction #3
Buy 1 Softsoap Ens. Pump
Buy 1 Softsoap Ens. Base
Buy 2 BIC Triumph Pens
Buy 2 Dry Idea Roll-on Deodorant
Buy 1 Composition book
Subtotal: $20

Use (2) $2 off Softsoap CVS Q from Reinventing Beauty mag
Use $3 off 2 Softsoap Ens. from "junk" mail coupons
Use (2) BIC Print from here
Use (2) $2 Dry Idea print Q, no longer available
Use $5 ECB
Pay $0 Get $0 ECB


Total Cost of Goods: $40.85, Total Out-of-Pocket $4.85, no ECBs back. Every penny well spent!

CVS $5 Challenge

The CVS $5 Challenge is a chance to flex the brain a little. The challenge is to list up to 3 transactions and spend no more than $5 out of pocket (OOP) for everything. Getting Extra Care Bucks (ECBs) at the end is an added bonus. My strategy is listed below but you can see what other CVSers have come up with at Keeping the Kingdom First.

Remember OOP means Out of Pocket cost; ECB means Extra Care Bucks (CVS store coupon that prints with your receipt and you can use for anything at the store).

If I only had $5 to spend this week I would buy these:
Transaction #1:
$3 CVS 1" binder
$2 CVS Filler Paper, 150 sheets
Total OOP: $5
Get $5 ECBs back (all items FREE after ECB)

Tansaction #2:
$0.99 CVS 80 sheet Memo Pad
$0.99 Papermate 1.2 Pens
$3 CVS 1" binder
Use $5 ECB from #1
Total OOP: $4.98
Get $4.98 ECBs back (all items FREE after ECB)

Transaction #3:
$1.99 CVS #2 Pencils, 24 pack
$2 CVS Filler Paper, 150 sheets
$0.89 CVS Pantiliner, 22 count
Use $4.98 ECBs from #1
Total OOP: $0
Get $4.88 ECBs back

Total Cost of Goods without ECB/coupons: $14.84
Total OOP $5, Get $4.88 ECB for next week.

All of these deals are good through Tuesday, except the CVS patiliner which is on sale all week.

CVS Plan and $5 Challenge

This week, CVS is the place to go for school supplies. I love going to Wal-Mart and Office Depot for nickel-and-dime items but nothing beats free at CVS! Since last week's ECBs came up to $30.33, I plan to buy all the school items up to the limits allowed. FYI the school supplies are only on sale Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. After Tuesday no ECBs are printing!

The deals and prices are posted here. View the weekly ad here.

First Transaction:
* All items are FREE after ECB unless noted
2 notebooks
2 blunt scissors
3 Papermate pens
2 glue
2 wood rulers
2 three-subject notebooks (will cost $2)
2 newspapers
2 Tylenol Arthritis*
1 Tylenol 8 hr*
(Use $2 arthritis Q from 6/21 SS;
I also got $2.50 off $10 pain reliever CVS Q last week;
With these Qs, this is a $3.50 money maker!)

Estimated total: $30.84
Will use $30.33 ECBs
Possible OOP: $0.51 & Tax only
ECBs expected: $28.50
That's $23 school supplies for $2!

Second Transaction:
$7.99 - $3Q Gillette Razor (from "junk" mail!)
$7.99 Photobook
$5.99 - $1Q Gain 2x Ultra
Subtotal: $18
Will use $18 ECB
Total OOP: Tax only
ECB expected: $14

If I only had 1 more Tylenol $2Q...
I would use this moneymaker scenario:
Buy 3 Tylenol Arthritis, $3.99 each
Use 3 $2Q from 6/21 SS
Use $2.50 off $10 Pain reliever CVS Q
(CVS Q printed with the receipt!)
Pay $3.41 OOP, Get $9 ECB
$5.59 moneymaker after ECBs!

Having a detailed shopping list really helps me shop at CVS. Finding the items only takes minutes. But the checkout takes more than double time because of the coupons. Oh what we do for FREE stuff! So if you are a newbie, I suggest starting out with a shorter list and fewer transactions, like the CVS $5 Challenge.

The CVS $5 Challenge is a chance to flex the brain a little. The challenge is to list up to 3 transactions and spend no more than $5 out of pocket (OOP) for everything. Getting Extra Care Bucks (ECBs) at the end is an added bonus. My strategy is listed below but you can see what other CVSers have come up with at Keeping the Kingdom First.

Transaction #1:
2 Tylenol Arthritis, $3.99 each
-$2 x 2 Q from 6/21 SS
Subtotal $4
Pay $4 OOP, Get $6 ECB

Transaction #2:
1 Gillette Fusion, $7.99
-$4 Q from 6/7 PG

1 Tylenol Arthritis, $3.99 each
-$2 Q (limit 3!)

1 Airwick Freshmatic I-Motion, $4.99
-$4 Q from here

Subtotal: $7
Use $6 ECB from #1
Pay $1 OOP, Get $7 ECB

Transaction #3:
1 notebook, $0.99
1 Papermate pen, $0.99
1 glue, $0.99
1 wood ruler, $0.99
1 blunt scissors, $2.99

Subtotal: $6.93
Use $7 ECB from #2
Pay $0 OOP, Get $7 ECB

Cost of Goods Before Coupons and ECBs: $32
Grand Total Out of Pocket (OOP): $5
Amount Extra Care Bucks earned: $7 ECBs
Rolling ECBs is the best way to go!

CVS $5 Challenge 7/5

The CVS $5 Challenge is a chance to flex the brain a little. The challenge is to list up to 3 transactions and spend no more than $5 out of pocket (OOP) for everything. Getting Extra Care Bucks (ECBs) at the end is an added bonus. My strategy is listed below but you can see what other CVSers have come up with at Keeping the Kingdom First.

*I did my CVS Shopping this week already. Paid$1.76 OOP, got $30.33 ECBs, (also $21.24 in EBT food purchases). Check it out!

Transaction 1:
Buy 3 CVS tape, $1.49 each
Pay $4.47 OOP
Get $4.47 ECB

Transaction 2:
Buy 1 Colgate Total, $3.49
Buy 1 CVS pantiliner, $0.89
Buy 1 CVS 10pk pencil, $0.99
Subtotal $5.37
Use $1 Colgate Q
Use $4.47 ECB from #1
Pay $0 OOP
Get $2, $0.99, $0.99 ECBs

Transaction 3:
Buy 1 CVS blade sharpener, $0.99
Buy 2 Dawn, $1 each
Buy 1 Febreze Noticeable, $6.50
Use two $0.50 Dawn Q from PG Year of Savings
Use $4 Noticeable Q from PG 7/5
Use $2.98 ECB from #2
Pay $0.50 OOP
Get $1 ECB

Total Value Before Coupons and ECBs: $19.34
Total OOP: $5 Get $1 ECB

*Also, Bayer Breeze 2 Meter is 19.99. Buy 1 get $5 ECB, limit 2.
Buy 2, use 2 FREE BB2 Meter Coupons, get $10 ECB.
Use the ECBs for the Febreze deal, buy $10 get $5
or Use for Post Cereal deal, buy 3/$10 get $5

The CVS Deals for above are:
1. Buy 1 CVS or Caliber pencil or sharpener for $0.99, get $0.99 ECB. Limit 3 (FREE after ECB)
2. Buy 1 CVS or Caliber tape for $1.49, get $1.49 ECB. Limit 3. Sunday and Monday only. (FREE after ECB)
3. Buy CVS Pantiliner for $0.89, get $0.89 ECB. Limit 1. (FREE after ECB)
4. Buy 2/$2 Dawn, get $1 ECB. No limit! (FREE after ECB and 2 -$0.50 Q from Home Made Simple booklet)
5. Buy 3/$10 Post get $5 ECB (use 3- $2 off Trail Mix Crunch)
6. Buy 1 Colgate Total Toothpaste for $3.49, get $2. Limit 1. ($0.49 after ECB and $1 Q)
7. Buy $10 Febreze, get $5 (lots of coupons for this from 7/5 PG Booklet)

Check out my deal scenario for Febreze here or other deals at Money Saving Mom.

CVS $5 Challenge

Although there are only a few great finds at CVS this week, it's still fun to do this CVS $5 Challenge. Also, check out Money Saving Mom for other CVS Deals. Here are 3 transactions with $5 or less total out of pocket:

Transaction #1
Deal: Buy 2 Colgate Total 6oz for $5, Get $2 ECBs, Limit 4
Buy 2
Use (2)- $1 off 1 coupon (from today's paper 6-28)
Pay $3 OOP. Get $2 ECB

Transaction #2
Deal: Buy 3 Cheerios Original for $6, Get $2 ECBs
Buy 3
Use (3)- $1 off 1 coupons from the Cheerios 10 in 1 Challenge
Use $2 ECB from #1
Pay $1 OOP. Get $2 ECB

Transaction #3
Deal: BOGO Irish Spring Body Wash ($4.99 each)
Buy 2
Use (2)- $1 off 1 coupon (from Smart Source home mailer last week)
Use $2 ECB from Transaction #2
Pay $1 OOP

Total OOP: $5 and no ECBs left.
But this would have cost $16 on sale without ECBs and coupons and much more at regular price.


Another great deal is the Coppertone Sun Care. Get 2 FREE after ECBs! It's not included in the $5 Challenge because the OOP is more than $5.

Deal: Buy 2 Coppertone Sun Care, Get $8 ECBs
Buy 2 Coppertone Ultra Guard Spray (w/ trial size Sun Shield attached to it), $8.99 each
Use (2)- $5 off Copperstone Sun Shield from here Thanks Hip To Save!
Pay: $7.98. Get $8 ECBs (making this 2 FREE sunscreen!)

$5 CVS Challenge June 21- June 27

I haven't done these challenges in a while. But let's give it a try here:
Thanks to The Thrifty Mama for coupon links. Check her CVS post!

1. First Transaction

Buy Soyjoy $4 for 4, get $4 ECB.

Buy 5, use $1 off 5 coupon here.

Pay $4 OOP, get $4 ECB back

2. Second Transaction.

Buy Crest toothpaste multipack, get $3 ECB

Buy 2pack for $4.99 (listed as starting price, may cost more)

Use $1 off 1 Crest coupon (from PG Year of Savings)

Use $4 ECB from #1.

Pay $0 OOP, get $3 ECB back

3. Third Transaction.

Buy Thermacare 1 ct neckwrap for $2.49 get $2.49 ECB (limit 2)

Buy 2 neckwraps, use 2- $1 off 1 coupons here

Use $3 ECB from #2.

Pay $0 OOP, get $4.98 ECB back

Would have spent $14.97

Total OOP $4. Plus get $4.98 ECB to use next week!

This CVS $5 Challenge is hosted by Keeping the Kingdom First. This would be a great scenario for newbies. And even if you do not have the coupons, the Thermacare and Soyjoy are already FREE after ECBs. You could also buy all of these in one transaction. You will pay more out of pocket ($15 or $11 with coupons) but will still get $15 ECBs for your next purchase.

CVS $5 Challenge

We all love a challenge. I especially like the $5 CVS Challenge because it really makes you think of the best bang for the buck. And every one's scenario is a little different. Check out their deals at Keeping the Kingdom First. I already bought some items from this week's CVS deals. Check it out here.

My deal scenario is for 3 transactions, pay $4.49 out of pocket:

First Transaction:

Excedrin 20-24 Ct, Buy 1 at $4.49 Get $2 ECB

$4.49 Excedrin

-$1 Excedrin coupon

-------------------------------------------

Pay $3.49 out of pocket

Get $2 ECB back

Second Transaction:

Crest Mouth Rinse, $2.99 Get $2 ECB

$2.99 Crest

-$1 Crest Coupon

-$2 ECB

-------------------------------------------

Pay $0 out of pocket

Get $2 ECB back

Third Transaction:

CVS Toothbrush, Multiple Pack, Buy 1 Get $2 ECB

$2.99 For 2pack toothbrush? (it says price starts at $2.99 but I'm not sure if we have any these cheap)

-$2 ECB from #2

--------------------------------------------

Pay $1 out of pocket

Get $1 ECB Back

Total Value: $10.47

Total out of pocket: $4.49 plus $1 ECB for next week!