Just Pretend It's Monday! - CVS For Beginners!

I realize that Wednesdays are not usually about money, but I just have to tell everyone that if you have not yet started playing the CVS game, this would be a GREAT week to start!

For just $1.57 you can get 2 boxes of snack bars, 15 sets of toe dividers, 2 bottles of body wash, and 3 boxes of (CVS brand) Tylenol! In addition to that, you'll be receiving $16.97 back in ECB (Extra Care Bucks - i.e. CVS money) to use at a later date!

Now before you tell me that you don't NEED 15 sets of toe dividers, let me remind you that there are women's shelters all over the country. While women NEED certain items, don't you think they would love to get something FUN too? Or wouldn't you love to host a girl's night out and be able to give everyone their own set of FREE toe dividers for those pedicures you're going to do? Ok, so that excuse is out.

Now, onto the good stuff. In order to play this game, you must split up your transactions. Our CVS is the slowest early in the mornings, so if possible, you might want to go then. If not, just apologize profusely to the people in line behind you while you make them wait. (There's a good chance they'll be in awe of your savings anyway and won't mind waiting so long!)

Before you begin, you will need to print out the following coupons:

$1/1 Softsoap coupon - Once you print this, hit the back button and you should be able to print it again. (Or if you get the paper, there was a $1.50/1 Softsoap Body Wash coupon in this week's coupon insert. That would be an even better deal!)

$10 Glucerna coupon - This one is a little trickier, but it's well worth the 2 minutes it takes to figure it out! Register at the Glucerna website. After you register, sign up for the "Control Plan for Weight Loss" feature. When you have finished that, go to "My Profile" at top of page by the sign out button, then click on "Control Plan for Weight Loss" under the light blue section. There you should find a printable $10 coupon. If you for some reason, you cannot find it, never fear - there is probably one being sent to your inbox.

Now jump in your car and RACE to CVS! Well, okay - drive the speed limit. Once you get there, fill your cart with the following:

(15) Essence of Beauty toe divider sets (These were a little hard to find at my store. Look all around the HBA section or just ask an employee. Also, make sure there is a SET and not just one - they tend to fall apart very easily.)
UPDATE: I have been informed that ONLY the toe dividers with the following UPC code will work for this deal: 050428072981. Any other toe divider won't work.
(3) boxes of 24ct CVS brand Rapid Release Pain Reliever (Tylenol knock-off)
(2) bottles of Softsoap Spa Radient body wash (the green one)
(2) boxes of Glucerna 4-ct mini snack bars
UPDATE: I apparently can't add. You will need to purchase either (2) boxes of the 8-ct bars, which are on sale for $5.49 each or 1 package of the shakes, which are $10.49 in order to reach the $10 Abbott limit and therefore receive your ECB on that deal. If you already bought the two smaller boxes and did not receive your ECB due to the total amount being insufficient, I believe the Zone power bars are included in the Abbott deal. They are $1.19 this week and there was a recent coupon for $1/1 in the Sunday paper. But double check that, because I'm not positive.

Also, look for a "scan your card for savings" electronic box in your store. Some stores don't have them, but most do. You can only scan once per day. They print out CVS coupons, so be sure to scan your card every time you go! (They expire quickly though, so watch the expiration dates!)

Here are the ECB deals you will be using:
Buy any 3 Essence of Beauty products, Get $5 ECB (Limit 5)
Buy 24ct CVS Rapid Release Pain Reliver @ $3.99, Get $3.99 ECB (Limit 5)
Buy 1 Softsoap Spa Radience Body Wash @ $4.99, Get $4.99 ECB (Limit 5)
Buy $10 Abbott Nutrition Products, Get $2 ECB (Limit 5)

When you get to the register, here's how to work your transactions to get the most for your money. (Feel free to print this out and use it as a guide):

IF YOU DO NOT YET HAVE A CVS CARD, GET ONE NOW FROM THE CASHIER. YES, IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. The cashiers are usually great about scanning it, but just in case, make SURE they scan your card with EVERY transaction.

Also before I begin, note that all of my cost numbers are pre-tax, so you may have slightly different numbers once you get there.

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Transaction #1:

2 boxes Glucerna 4-ct snack bars @ $4.69 each
1 toe divider @ 99 cents

Total: $10.57
Use $10 Glucerna coupon.
Total OOP (out of pocket): 57 cents
ECB back: $2

For the Glucerna deal, you could also get 2 boxes of the 8-ct snack bars @ $5.49 each or 1 multi-pack of Glucerna drinks @ $10.49. You would just have a little bit more out of pocket to begin with.

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Transaction #2:

2 toe dividers @ 99 cents each

Total: $1.98
Use $2 ECB.
Total OOP: $0
ECB back: $5

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Transaction #3:

1 Softsoap body wash @ $4.99
2 toe dividers @ 99 cents each

Total: $6.97
Use $1/1 Softsoap coupon and $5 ECB.
Total OOP: $.50
ECB back: $4.99

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Transaction #4:

1 Softsoap body wash @ $4.99
2 toe dividers @ 99 cents each

Total: $6.79
Use $1/1 Softsoap coupon and $4.99 ECB.
Total OOP: $.50
ECB back: $9.99 (a $4.99 and a $5.00)

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Transaction #5:

1 CVS Rapid Release 24ct Pain Reliever @ $3.99
6 toe dividers @ 99 cents each

Total: $9.93
Use $9.99 ECB.
Total OOP: $0
ECB back: $13.99 (a $3.99 and a $10.00)

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Transaction #6:

2 CVS Rapid Release 24ct Pain Reliever @ $3.99 each
2 toe dividers @ 99 cents each

Total: $9.96
Use $10 ECB.
Total OOP: $0
ECB back: $12.98 (a $5.00 and a $7.98)

You still have $3.99 in ECB from Transaction #5, so you have a total of $16.97 in ECB to spend later! (But don't wait TOO long - these have an expiration date too!)

I want to mention also that IF you scanned your card and happened to get a $3/$10 CVS brand purchase coupon (sometimes these coupons print out from the electronic box OR at the bottom of your receipt), Transaction #6 would be a great transaction to use that on! Just throw in another box of the CVS Rapid Release. Your OOP will go up $1, but you'll get another $3.99 ECB back!

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If it looks confusing (and I can imagine it does), it's really not. You'll pick it up quickly and never go back to shopping the way you used to! Seriously! And you don't have to all those transactions in the same day. You can go a few times if you prefer to be more thoughtful to the people in line behind you. :)

All in all, if you try it out and decide it's not for you, at least you now have $16.97 to blow at CVS on whatever you need! :)

If, for some reason, your ECB don't print like they should, you can call the 800 number and they will fix it for you. Candace posted about this here.

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On a fairly unrelated note, TODAY ONLY is free ink refills (color or black) at Walgreens. The limit is one per person, so take your spouse with you if you want to fill both for free! Be sure to print out this coupon and take it with you!