***The Warning for CVS'ers is at the bottom of the post****
I went to CVS tonight and got some fairly good deals. Here's a breakdown of what I did and how I did it for those who have asked. I didn't get very many separate items, so I hope this is clear!

I had some manufacturer coupons for Irish Spring, Purell, Softsoap, and the deodorant. I also had a coupon for $4 off a $20 purchase (this is a register rewards type thing, not on online printable. If you register with CVS.com for e-mail alerts you'll get one too - I get these little coupons quite often when I shop CVS.) I also had $9.99 in ECB's from previous trips, plus $0.52 leftover on a giftcard from a return I made.

I bought:
3 pk Irish Spring Microbeads, $1.50
Softsoap Hydrating, $1.50
Dora Spinbrush $5.99
SpeedStick Ladies, $1.99
= $10.98 on Colgate products

Garnier Fructis Shine Shampoo, $3.99
Purell Hand Sanitizer, 8 oz., $3.79
Rice Krispie Treats, $1.69

Now, if you spend $10 on select Colgate products, you'll get a $5.00 ECB.
If you buy selected versions of the Garnier Fructis shampoo, you'll get $3.99 ECB back.
The Purell was advertising $2.00 ECB back.

I had a coupon for Irish Spring, .30, Softsoap, .35, and Speedstick, .75. Add in the $5 ECB I got back and the net cost of the Colgate products was $4.58. I got the Dora Spinbrush because Miss V's birthday is coming up and she LOVES Dora and has been asking me for a "robot" toothbrush since Christmas. Yes, my kids get toothbrushes for Christmas and birthdays. I'm mean like that.

The Purell was $3.79, I had a $1.00 off coupon, and got $2.00 ECB's. The net cost of the Purell was $0.79, and we use it for the turtles and to erase our schoolwork. I'm cheap so their math books are in page protectors and they do it with dry erase markers. That way I don't have to buy new books for the next kid.

The shampoo was $3.99, and I got $3.99 back. The net cost was $0 - free!

Now, all of those items rang up $18.76, and I had a soon to expire coupon for $4 off a $20 purchase. I bought an 8 pack of Rice Krispie treats, which my husband LOVES, for $1.69. Spend $1.69 to save $4, and make husband dear happy? I was all over that.

So, my total products rang up $20.45.

The order you give coupons to the cashier is very important. You don't get "change" back on the ECB's when you spend them. If your item costs $1.50, and you give them a $2 ECB, you will not get that .50 back.

So, first give any dollar off/CVS coupons. I gave the cashier my $4 off $20 purchase coupon. New total was around $16.00 (don't remember exactly how much, with tax and all.)

Next, give manufacturer's coupons. I gave the cashier $2.40 in manufacturer's coupons. New total: around $14.00

Then, give ECB's. I gave the cashier my $6.00 and my $3.99 ECB's that I already had.
New total: 4.41

Now, use gift card. I had a whopping $0.52 on my gift card.

Then, pay with your own money, if necessary. On this purchase, I paid $3.89 out of pocket.

I got a $5.00, $3.99, and $2.00 ECB's back, so I have $10.99 for next week's CVS shopping trip.

The cashier complimented me on my couponing, and mentioned it was nice to see an "honest coupon person". I asked him what he meant and he said they are going to crack down on people who come in with Internet coupons and stack them. They are closing the loophole.

Apparently CVS Corporate offices have instructed managers to train employees to ring the printed coupons ($10 off $50 purchase, for example) last. You will only be able to use it if your total is $50 (or whatever the printable coupon states) after all manufacturer's coupons, BOGO's, etc. have been totaled. It will be the last coupon applied before you actually pay real money. If you aren't actually going to have to pay $50 (or whatever amount), you will not be able to use it.
The most common printables I've seen are $3 off $15 purchase, $4 off $20 purchase, $10 off $50 purchase, and $15 off $75 purchase.

Any coupons that print with your register receipt, ECB's, and manufacturer's coupons will not be affected. If you have a printed coupon, expect to be scrutinized - you may not be able to use it.

I have to say, I'm loving CVS now!

Labels: Frugal, homemaking, Need to Know