Shopping with rewards at CVS

The whole rewards scene can be a bit intimidating, and sometimes seems like it probably isn't worth the trouble.  But rolling store rewards (which means using rewards to buy items that produce more rewards) is the best way to shop and keep your out of pocket expenses low.

At CVS, store rewards, called ExtraBucks, print on your receipt and can be used immediately on your next purchase in store.  I think that anytime you have the opportunity to buy something where you earn back equal rewards (spend $3, get $3 rewards) or to earn back more in rewards than you are spending (spend $5 get $7 in rewards) you should do it.  Check out these deals to see what I mean!

Last week my friend Wendy told me about a clearance deal at CVS that was part of an ExtraBucks promotion.  Select curling irons were 75% off, making them only $2.49 each, but they generated a $5 reward.  The limit on this deal was 2 (this is always printed on the item tag in the store and in the flyer), so I got 2 irons for $4.98 and made back $10.  Let's say I was planning to pick up diapers that day.  It would absolutely make sense to spend $5 on the irons first, then use the $10 reward to get the diapers.  Not only did I get the diapers for half price (I spent $5 total instead of $10), but I also have 2 curling irons to use or donate.

Anytime you are going in to a store to buy something that you need that day it makes sense to first do the rewards deals.  Very often you will see even money rewards deals, especially on items like toothpaste.  They will sale price toothpaste for $3 and give a $3 reward.  If you have a coupon, even better!  But either way, if you need to buy something worth $10 that day, you should buy the toothpaste first and then use the rewards to buy what you need!  Why not have an extra toothpaste on your shelves, and spend the same as you planned?

Using rewards to buy items that you need immediately is great, but even better is rolling rewards.  Whenever possible, use rewards to buy items that give you more rewards with the least out of pocket expense.  Here is an example:

This week at CVS if you spend $30 on Gillette saving products you will get a $10 reward.  I bought 4 men's Custom Plus 3 razor packs, each retailing for $8.29.  The great thing about CVS is that the promotional threshold only needs to be met before coupons, so my original total was over $30.  I used an email coupon for $5 off a $30 purchase from CVS, plus a CVS coupon for 20% any full price items.  I also used 2 buy one get one free coupons.  Last, I used $5 in ExtraBucks.  I paid about $4 out of pocket (mostly tax), and earned back $10.

I could have spent that $5 in ExtraBucks on diapers, but instead I rolled it into a $10 reward and spent only $4.  Now I can use the $10 reward and get a pack of diapers for free, or roll it into more rewards next week.

It seems complicated, but all you really need is a great website to highlight the deals for the week (www.krazycouponlady.com), and a little practice, and you'll be rolling rewards like a pro in no time:)