CVS: Deals for the week of June 15-21, 2008

Did you notice I didn't post these on Saturday evening as usual? :) Since I'm a wife and mommy first and foremost, sometimes life happens and blogging has to be shelved for more important priorities... like sick children.

Kaitlynn (our almost one-year-old) decided to come down with a nasty tummy bug right at the tail end of our Saturday shopping. Gratefully, we were almost finished with our marathon shopping trip (including three CVS stores, Price Chopper, Aldi, Hy-Vee, and Sears--we did all that in a few hours and scored some incredible deals! Stay tuned for the full scoop!) when she out-of-the-blue started throwing up. And throwing up. And throwing up.

We scrambled out of the store as fast as we could, but by the time we arrived home Kaitlynn had thrown up 12 times. As soon as we'd get her all cleaned up, she'd start at it again. I didn't know an 11-month-old stomach could hold that much! Needless to say, my Saturday afternoon plans of going to Starbucks and planning the coming week and writing a few blog posts were preempted by more important priorities!

It's a somewhat slow week at CVS--especially since the $/$$ coupons are quite scarce--so waiting to post until today didn't mean you missed much. Here are the best deals I see (let me know if you see any mistakes):

******ECB DEALS******

As always, remember that if you've not updated your email address here, you can do that and print out a $4/$20 CVS coupon.

Buy 1 Tylenol Arthritis, 8 hour, rapid release, extra strength, or EZ tabs 20-24 ct at $3.99-$4.49), Get $2 ECBs (Limit 1)
Use $2/1 coupon here (Thanks, Laurie!) or $1/1 from recent inserts and stack with $1.50/1 coupon currently printing out from the card scanners
Free plus possible overage after coupons and ECBs! 

The candy deal is back, only it appears some of the prices are changed. (Buy $10 worth of select candy, Get $5 ECBs--Limit 5) Not everything that worked last week is working this week and it also appears there are some new editions. The deal has been reset so if you didn't finish out the deal last week, it won't carry over to this week.

*Candy Deal Idea #1--$0.59 plus tax after ECBs (corrected, sorry about my mistake earlier)*

Buy 2 Gold Emblem 40% more packages at $5 each
Buy 1 CVS brand men's after shave at $2.59 each, Get $1 ECB per item (Limit 5, monthly deal)
Use $3/$10 CVS-brand coupon (these usually print once per day at the card scanners
Use $1/2 Gold Emblem candies (these usually print once per day at the card scanners)
Use $2/1 CVS skincare coupon
Spend $6.59 plus tax out of pocket
Get $6 ECBs back

*Candy Deal Idea #2--$1 plus tax after ECBs*
Buy 2 Gold Emblem candy 40% more packages at $5 each
Use $1/2 Gold Emblem coupon
Use $3/$10 CVS purchase coupon
Spend $6 plus tax
Get $5 ECBs back

Buy 1 Oral B Cross Action Power Toothbrush at $5.99 (Replacement heads are also working), Get $3 ECBs (Limit 5)

*Deal Idea--Free after ECBs*
Buy 2 Cross Action Toothbrushes at $5.99
Use B1G1 coupon from 05/17 insert
Spend $5.99 plus tax
Get $6 ECBs back
Repeat this deal twice, if you have two B1G1 coupons

Buy Sally Hansen Color Quick Nail Color Pen at $7.99, Get $5 ECBs (Limit 5)

*Almost-Free Deal*
Buy 2 Sally Hansen Nail Color Pens at $7.99 each
Use 2 $2/1 coupons from recent insert (or $3/2 coupon from the June Reinventing Beauty book (Rachel Ray on cover)
Spend $10.98 plus tax (or $11.98)
Get $10 ECBs back
$0.50 each after coupon and ECBs! (or $0.99 each)

Buy 2 Alavert products at $6.99 each, Get $5 ECBs (Limit 1)
Buy 2 and use 2 $4/1 coupons here (Use a different email address and sign up twice in order to make sure there are different codes on the coupons. You'll likely need to split this up and only buy 1 Alavert per transaction per the wording on the coupons.)
$0.98 each plus tax after coupons and ECBs

Buy 1 Almay One Coat Mascara at $6.99, Get $5 ECBs (Limit 2)
Use $1/1 coupon from 03/09 or 05/18 inserts
$0.99 each after coupon and ECBs

And I mentioned this a few weeks ago, but don't forget about the $2/1 CVS skincare product coupon here (print at 50%). There are a number of small skincare products this could be used on such as the Essence of Beauty sponges and loofahs, hand sanitizers, soaps, lotions, and more. It will be up to your individual store as to what constitutes a "skincare" product. Here's one small money-maker deal idea using this coupon, let us know what others you find:

*Small Money-Maker Deal Idea*
Buy 1 CVS men's after shave at $2.59
Use this $2/1 CVS skincare coupon
Spend $0.59 out of pocket plus tax
Get $1 ECB back!

******NON-ECB DEALS******

All Revlon products are B1G1 free. Prices start at $1.99. Buy 2 products at $1.99 (usually these are beauty tools, emery boards, etc.) and use two $1/1 coupons to get both free!

Evian Water 1 liter Bottles are on sale B1G1 free. They are rumored to be priced around $1.85 each. Use $1/2 coupon here and get them for $0.43 each. Great filler if you have a $/$$ coupon!

See the ad scans for this week here, courtesy of Hot Coupon World. See all the deals and coupon match-ups here.

*****JUNE ECB DEALS*****

Buy 1 Listerine Smart Rinse (250 ml) at $3.49, Get $3.49 ECBs (Limit 4)
Use $1/1 coupon here
Free plus overage after coupon and ECBs
(There are reports of some stores having tear pads with a full rebate on this product so look for those!)

Buy 1 Brut Deodorant (2.5 oz) at $2.69, Get $3 ECBs (Limit 5)
Use $1/1 coupon from 04/06 insert
Free plus overage after ECBs

Buy 1 Oral B CrossAction Manual Toothbrush (2 pk) at $6.99, Get $6.99 ECBs (Limit 2)
Free after ECBs

Buy 1 CVS Pharmacy Sheer or Plastic Bandages (40 ct) at $1.99, Get $1.99 ECBs (Limit 3)
Free after ECBs

Buy 1 Huggies Lotion or Wash (15 oz) at $3.49, Get $2 ECBs (Limit 5)
Use $1/1 coupons from 05/18 insert
$0.49 each after coupons

Buy 1 CVS Cotton Swabs (500 Count) at $3.19, Get $2 ECBs back (Limit 5)

See all monthly deals with coupon match-ups here.

******ESPECIALLY FOR BEGINNERS*****

New to CVS-ing? Don't try to make heads or tails of this post because it probably won't make a lot of sense to you. Instead, go here where I explain the CVS program in full detail. Want to join in the fun and incredible savings? Then go here where I share more about how to make it work for you. After that, go here where my friend FishMama maps out a simple plan for beginning CVS-ers to maximize on the ECB deals this month.

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Share Your Scenarios!

Have your shopping trip planned or did you come up with a great deal scenario/idea? Just post about it on your blog and leave your link below. Please include full details on coupons you are using, etc. so that those who are just beginning to get the hang of CVS can especially benefit from seeing things broken down for them like this. If you don't have a blog, feel free to share your scenarios in the comment section.

Note: So as not to confuse the newbies, please only post deal scenarios/deals which are applicable at CVS this week. Thanks so much!
 

Comments

[Michelle]

I don't know if it was just the CVS I went to, but I went for the Oral B Cross Action toothbrushes (there are b1g1 coupons in the 6/15 insert as well) and was only able to use 1 b1g1 free coupon. The register wouldn't let the girl enter anymore. She said that it took off the maximum and wouldn't take off anymore. I said "fine" and had her take off the other 4 toothbrushes and just bought the 2.

[LisaMarie]

Has anyone else had CVS say that they aren't accepting internet coupons anymore? The manager at my favorite CVS said they aren't taking printed coupons because they were having trouble getting reimbursed for them by the manufacturer.

[Leah]

Crystal, your first candy deal idea only has $8 worth of candy listed. You'd need to add something else to bring it up to the $10 requirement to get the $5 in ECBs.

[Amy]

It seems like your first candy deal isn't correct, as it doesn't meet the 10 dollar requirement to receive the 5 ECB back, just thought I'd let you know... Absolutely love your website!!

[Money Saving Mom]

Oops, thanks for correcting my mistake on the candy deal. Don't ask me what I was thinking! I've pulled that scenario; let me know if you find any other mistakes! :)

[Tami]

Crystal,

The math isn't right on the Sally Hansen deal. $7.99x2=$15.98-$3.00=$12.98 and get back $10.00 ECB.

Take care,

Tami

[sara]

My CVS also won't take internet coupons anymore. I called the CVS number on the back of the card and they said the official policy is that they no longer accept them. If your CVS accepts them, you are lucky! We don't have scanners in our area either. There is not much incentive for shopping at CVS other than the monthly freebies.

[Mikki]

Hope your little one is doing ok.

Thanks for taking the time to do this even with all that going on.

[Mandi]

I just found your website a couple of weeks ago and love it!

I signed up for CVS a couple of weeks ago in the store and included my email in order to get the $4/20 coupon. I then signed up on line last week and entered my email there. So far I don't see any place where I would get that coupon and I haven't gotten anything in my email. Am I missing something or do I just need to be patient?

Thanks!

[Mandi]

I just found your website a couple of weeks ago and love it!

I signed up for CVS a couple of weeks ago in the store and included my email in order to get the $4/20 coupon. I then signed up on line last week and entered my email there. So far I don't see any place where I would get that coupon and I haven't gotten anything in my email. Am I missing something or do I just need to be patient?

Thanks!

[Kristina]

I'm assuming Kaitlynn is feeling better. I hope no one else gets sick. Give that little girl lots of love and don't worry about us.:) We can take it.

[anonymous]

Heads up on the candy deal- if you bought any candy last week- it does NOT carry over into this week's total- you have to start from scratch again- bummer!

[Heather]

A few things:
1. According to hot coupon world, the small bags of gold emblem candy are no longer working toward the deal.

2. The Sally Hansen products would be 15.98 for 2, minus 3 = 12.98, get 10 ecb back. Some people have found other coupons to use with the $3/2 coupon. I have a $3/10 purchase of any Sally Hansen MANU coupon, but I don't know if it is going to work with the $3/2 coupon.

3. You can use the $2 off CVS skincare coupon on the CVS cotton swabs that generate ecbs - makes it an 81 cent moneymaker. The shaving cream is a good find also!

[Money Saving Mom]

I *think* everything should be correct now. I updated some of the deal scenarios based upon new information found out about what works and what doesn't work. Let me know if you find any other mistakes.

[meghan]

Hope your baby is doing better.
Please let us know.
Poor thing!

[Jessica]

Hi, I am new to this site and to CVS. What is a card scanner? And do all CVS's have them? Thank you. Jessica

[Alisa]

I am having a problem with CVS ECBs - I bought $10 of Nivea men's products last week, but I have not gotten my ECBs. In the same shopping trip I also got some Listerine that was supposed to get ECBs and those didn't print either. I have been to CVS at least twice since then and no ECBs. Any thoughts on this?

[Deal Mama Belle]

I found some compact Revlon Emery Boards for 1.79. With 2 $1/1 Beauty tool coupons, this is a small money maker.

[Jessica]

I just got a free cvs brand baby powder (after a long wait and a lot of hassle due to an inexperienced cashier). Here's a moneymaking idea for the skincare product coupon (again, depends on what they consider "skin care"):
cvs brand cotton swab on sale for $3.19. Use $2 off coupon =$1.19. You get $2 ECB, so you make $.81!

[Jessica]

My CVS says the Listerine deal is only 2 per household.
It also says only 2 bandaids per household

[Nancy]

I am so sorry to hear your little one was sick! Your children have to come first. Thanks for all you do to help us out!

[Mari]

I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. I discovered your blog last week when someone from my China Digital Scrapbooking group refrenced your site. In less than a week I have saved well over $100 on stuff that I would have bought anyway and my total oop of pocket was $17 initally. I have a question though. Do you have to print coupons off in color? I hate wasting my color ink on this and I would much rather print them off on one of my printers in my office that only prints black and white. I had no issues with coupons that I printed in color at any of the stores but I would like to save my color ink for my digital scrapbook pages. Thanks again!

[Denise]

Hope your baby is feeling better! Hope you guys don't catch that bug - it sounds like a doozie!

Denise
The "Cent"sible Sawyer

[Melanie]

I hope your little one is feeling better. I am new to CVS and Blogging so, nice job posting this weeks CVS deals!

[miou]

Here's my latest buy:
(2) Head & Shoulders 23.7 oz, $5.99 ea
(4) Energizer AA batteries, $4.79 ea. Only paid for 2 'cause they're BOGO this week.
(1) Sunchips, $3.79 (not on sale but they're my guilty pleasure...plus, I'm sending the receipt in to Redbook for a free canvas tote bag - see redbookmag.com/gogreen for details.
Subtotal: $25.35
Coupons used:
$5/25 CVS
Head & Shoulders BOGO coupon from P&G 6/1
Four $1 man. coupons for Energizers
ECBs used: $3.99, $4.69
Tax: .88
OOP: $2.01
ECBs earned: $2 (Head & Shoulders)
AND, I finally got the self scanner to spit out a $3/10 for me! BTW, can I stack that with the CVS skincare & suncare coupons?

[Kristina]

Thanks for pointing out that my deals were wrong because of the 3/15 coupon experation! I've corrected that.

[Lyn]

Hi Crystal, :)
Hope the little one is better.

May I ask if it's possible to receive comments by email like we were able to when MSM was at blogger? I tried signing up for the comment feed but I am not receiving anything even though I've signed up for a few posts. Perhaps I'm doing something wrong.

I just wanted to say that I appreciate all you do with MSM and Biblical Womanhood. I know you regularly post often for both blogs and I think it's easy for some to take this frequency for granted some times.

If I don't see posts on either of your blogs for a while then it's safe to assume something is up. I'm sure you don't need any of us pulling on you when you have enough to do already.

Be blessed, Lyn

[Nicole]

Today was my second day CVS-ing! I did pretty well. Thanks for the info!

[Andrea]

Can I second the scanner question? I'm picking up that only newer CVSs have a scanner kiosk, but I haven't found any stores in my area that have one. Does anyone happen to know of a list of store locations with the elusive card scanner? Or could someone jot down a brief description so I'll recognize it if I ever see one? And do I understand correctly that some people waltz into a CVS, whip out the card, flash it under a kiosk, and out comes a coupon for $3 off a $10 purchase. It sounds too good to be true.

[Melissa]

Oh, my goodness, I hope your baby girl is better soon! That is the worst!
I was bummed to see my CVS stores (Twin Cities area) are only allowing 2 Sally Hansen ECB deals per card, not 5. So YMMV with this deal depending on location.

[Alison]

I also had the issue of purchasing Nivia and not getting any ecb's for it. Since the week/deal is over I am curious what to do? Anyone? Thanks!

[Rachel]

This morning, when I scanned my card with the blue box, I received a $2 off any Almay coupon. My mascara was free after coupon and ECBs. Hopefully the rest of you are seeing these too.

[Lyn]

All CVS's don't have the card scanners. Mine doesn't.

If anyone needs info about their own CVS stores, you can always call them up locally.

If your ECB's don't print, you can discuss this with a store manager. Have a copy of the ad with you to show the ECB's offer. I find many of the managers very helpful and if you can't get the answers you need call 1-800-SHOP-CVS.

Policies for each store may be different - accepting internet coupons, their coupon policy in general. CVS does not have a hard line coupon policy across the board.

Just a few tips for newbies or those who don't know where to turn.

[Angela O]

Here's an (incomplete) list of stores with scanners:

http://www.afullcup.com/upload/cvs/76560-cvs-stores-scanners-list.html

Call 1800-SHOP-CVS if you don't receive your ECBs! They will ask for your card #, look up the transaction and "reset" the ECBs to print on your next store purchase after 48 hours.

[jared]

Hello! Been doing this for two weeks now (you're a godsend).

My CVS took the expired $3/15 printed coupon today (the ones that expired on the 14th or 15th i think).

So, here's what i got:
2 Alavert
4 Evian Waters @ B1G1
2 CVS Cotton Swabs (500 ct)
1 Kraft Barbecue Sauce (sale for .49 off)

Coupons used
2 $4/1 Alavert
2 $1/2 Evian
1 $3/15 CVS Coupon

full nonsale value: $39.75
ECBs used: $7.47
OOP: $1.09
Total "cost": $8.56
ECBs Back: $9.00

I made a $0.44 profit!!!!!

thanks for all your help!! i'm telling everybody i know about this site.

[Ann]

The tylenol coupon says its only for use in Canada--has anyone tried it in the states?

[Michelle]

Arnicare is a pain relieving gel,cream or ointment (your choice) and is a monthly deal. It is 8.99 and you get 5 ECB. If you use the $1.50 off pain relief that is printing out and the manufacturer coupon for $1.00 off it could work out to be a pretty good deal.

[Jessica]

I believe our local CVS stores are still accepting internet coupons (So. Cal)- unless it is a very recent change. I used one within the last month or so.

The Oral-B power toothbrushes were marked at $7.99 here and there was no tag on the shelf indicating $3 ECBs, so I figure that this region was excluded from the offer? I didn't even bother taking them up to the register.

[Jan]

I just got $15 ECB for doing an online survey for CVS advisory panel- yay!

[Joanna]

CVS for this week:

Trans #1

$4.00 8 Reeses Peanut Butter Cups
$23.96 4 Oral-B toothbrushes

$27.96 Subtotal
-$15.98 Coupons (2 BOGO Oral B, $4/$20 CVS)

$11.98 Subtotal
-$11.49 ECBs

$0.49 OOP

$12.00 ECBs Earned (toothbrushes)

Trans #2

$5.91 3 14oz bags of M&M's
$6.99 1 Almay Mascara
$1.99 1 Box CVS Bandages
$9.18 4 Revlon Nail polish (BOGO)

$24.07 Subtotal
- $1.50 $1/2 bags M&M's (6/1 insert?)
- $1.00 off any Almay Cosmetic
- $2.00 off any Revlon Cosmetic
- $2.00 off any Revlon Cosmetic
- $4.00 $4/$20 CVS

$13.57 Subtotal
-$12.00 ECBs from Trans #1

$1.57 OOP

$11.99 ECBs Earned
(Candy, Almay, Bandages)

A few quick notes:
I hope your daughter is feeling better and no one else in your family caught the bug. =o)

I know at our CVS stores (Mid-Maryland) they have a constant Hershey's candy bar deal running, buy 10 get one free. This could probably be used towards the candy deal this week.

[Michelle]

When buying almay keep an eye out for the bonus pack that comes with eyeliner. I bought two bonus packs today and recieved my $10 ecb

[Michelle]

When buying almay keep an eye out for the bonus pack that comes with eyeliner. I bought two bonus packs today and recieved my $10 ecb

[Cole & Lia's mom]

Another option for the CVS skincre coupon -- I tried it on a "travel friendly size" Advanced Healing Lotion which was $1.49 at my CVS, and the $2.00 went through. :)

[Stephanie]

Those of us in the OKC area do not get the weekly ECB deal this week. :( Apparently they are running another test market program on just doing 30% off CVS items. I hate it when this happens! :)

[Jenny M]

My almay ECB's did not print today! It's probably because it rang up $3.48 for some odd reason. Just keep your eye out for it...or better yet, use the card scanner if your store has one!

[Rene]

I also noticed that the printed Tylenol coupon says it is accepted in "provinces", which makes me think my store won't accept. Will try tomorrow and let you know.

I tried to print off the $3/2 Sally Hansen coupon from the link above (Slickdeals) and it said it was going to print a 3.5MB file. Any suggestions what I'm doing wrong?

Also, went yesterday to pick up the OralB 4 pack tbrushes from last week with a raincheck, 6.99 with 6.99 ECB's. They finally had them back in but the cashier said I wouldn't get ECB's if it was on sale last week. She said she would adjust the price but thought I was out of luck with the ECB's. Is this true? (I'm pretty new at this!) Thanks!

[Michelle]

Jenny M.,
The 4 pack oral b toothbrushes were not on sale last week however are on sale this week and you get 3 EB. Also remember the oral b 2 pack is on special all month buy at 6.99 and get 6.99 EB. Hope this helps.

[Michelle]

FYI - My CVS took the expired 3/15 coupon today.....woo hoo.

Question - I found a blue price checker at my CVS. However when I tried scanning my card it just said number not found. Is this the scanner that everyone talks about spitting out coupons? Or is there something other than a price checker?

I have been CVSing for two weeks now and I am hooked!! Savings to date is 67.78%. Thanks for all you do. :-)

[Julie G.]

Another money maker from CVS this week: Buy (4) South Beach Diet 2.1 oz or Balance Nutrition Bars 1.76 oz get $3 ECB (limit 5). EAS Advent carb control and pure protein bars both work, on sale 2/$3. $1 off 1 coupons in paper for EAS and $1.50 off two coupons for Pure Protein. Confirmed UPC's: EAS chocolate chip brownie UPC 791083304856; pure protein chewy chocolate chip UPC 749826126449; and pure protein chocolate peanut butter UPC 749826126487. Buy (4) EAS bars $6, use four $-1 coupons, total $2, receive $3 ECB. $1 money maker! (to give credit, received this from iheartcvs.com)

[emily]

I feel silly even emailing with my situation, but I thought maybe someone would have good advice for me. Two days ago, I lost my entire coupon organizer complete with at least 25 to 30 dollars in ECBs, and 15 more on CVS, Walgreens, and Target gift cards. Needless to say, I have called every store that I visited, and gone to the store where I think I left it. Unfortunately, I think I left it in an aisle at Wal-Mart, and I’m pretty sure it was taken. Obviously, I am kicking myself and so sad about my mistake.

I contacted CVS and she could see my unused ECBS and even could tell me the individual amounts, but she said she could not reset them. She would only be able to transfer my quarterly bucks to another card. She suggested I wait to do this, since if I ended up finding my ECBS, transferring to another card would cause them to be deactivated. So, even if I found them, I wouldn’t be able to use them. After lots of searching, I am pretty certain it is gone.

The thought of starting over is so daunting to me, not to mention the fact that it is as if I have wasted so many deals and lost so much of our money because of this costly mistake.

So, here is my question. Would you recommend that I start over completely with a new card? Or should I have my husband fill out a card so that I could re do some of the deals that I lost? He doesn’t currently have one. I could then transfer over my old card to a new one and discontinue use of his card. I am just so sad with myself and hoping to salvage some of what I have lost. If you are able to help with advice, or would be willing to I would be so grateful. Sorry for the long explanation.
Thank you!
Emily