If you are just learning how to shop at CVS, start here for some helpful tips.
The coupon match-ups for the weekly deals are here.
The following are scenarios for people who are “new” to shopping at CVS or who have very few ECBs to start with: (these are just ideas….you do not have to follow this exact order and you can skip some items if you do not need them or don’t have the coupons that match up with them)
$13.96 in merchandise for $2.99 OOP, $4.99 ECBs left to spend
Transaction #1:
Buy 1 Colgate Enamel Protect, sensitive whitening toothpaste (6 oz or 360 sensitive toothbrush) – $3.99
Use $1 manufacturer’s coupon
Spend $2.99, get $3.99 ECB
Transaction #2:
Buy 1 Colgate Enamel Protect, sensitive whitening toothpaste (6 oz or 360 sensitive toothbrush) – $3.99
Use $3.99 ECB
Spend $0, get $3.99 ECB back
(you can also use the $1 manufacturer’s coupon and add a “filler” item)
Transaction #3:
Buy Softsoap scrub body wash (18 oz) – $4.99
Use $1 manufacturer’s coupon
Use $3.99 Colgate ECB
Spend $0 OOP, get $4.99 ECB back
My scenario for the week:
Buy 2 Colgate Enamel Protect, sensitive whitening toothpaste (6 oz or 360 sensitive toothbrush) – $3.99
Buy Softsoap scrub body wash (18 oz) – $4.99
Buy Gillette Venus Embrace or Breeze razor with 2 cartridges – $7.99
Buy 2 Natural Dentist – $9.99 (this is a monthly deal)
Use 2 $1 Colgate coupons
Use $1 Softscrub coupon
Use 2 $2 Natural Dentist printables here
Total before coupons = $40.94
Total after coupons = $33.94, earn $24.97
(send in MIR here for Natural dentist, get $10 back)
I haven’t shopped CVS for awhile and I am new to your blog. I was wondering why you had the Venus Razor on your scenario; is $4 a good price?
$4 is a decent price considering the regular retail price is about $9.99, but it’s not the great deal if you don’t have ECBs on hand already. I added it to my scenario because I have ECBs that are going to expire and so I want to “roll” them into something even if I lose a few bucks, so I figure I might as well do it on the razor 🙂
Okay, I’m totally new at all of this, but I will be becoming a SAHM next year and want to do better at groceries/necessities to help out. Where exactly do all the coupons come from??
Hi Becky! Some of the coupons come from the inserts in the Sunday papers. Others are printable coupons. If you look at the weekly coupon match-up posts, it tells you where each of the coupons comes from (RP = Red Plum insert, SS = Smart Source insert, PG = Procter & Gamble insert) or has a link to the printable coupon.
For other ideas about where to get coupons from, check out the two posts in the on the left sidebar of the blog (where to find coupons, part 1 and part 2)
I hope that helps!