CVS Shopping Trip: Plan B

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I had $4 in Extra Bucks (ECBs) expiring this week so I made a run to CVS. My goal is always to roll the ECBs. That means I try to buy products that will generate more ECBs all while spending as little money out of pocket as possible.

I had a plan based on 4 products- 3 of which were advertised in this weeks ad. This transaction should have been easy. I was counting on being in and out of the store in about five minutes.

Well, it didn’t go as planned! Two of the items were no where to be found in the store. The manager wrote me two rainchecks and told me to try back on Tuesday when the truck comes in. While I don’t mind getting a raincheck, I needed to use my $4 in ECBs!

Having a plan B is always necessary when coupon and deal shopping. I find that many times deals don’t workout the way I plan due to inadequate stock.

What I ended up with:

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Crest Pro Health Rinse, $3.99
–get $2.50 ECBs

Used $1/1 Crest Rinse coupon

Coke
used CVS Free drink coupon from facebook

(2) Austin Crackers, $1

Used $4 in ECBs and $0.47 in change
Got back $2.50 in ECBs

Nope, not an exciting trip to CVS at all! The kids did like the crackers though as you can see the package has already been opened.

Sometimes you have to improvise! I ended up getting items my family would use while still staying under $1 out of pocket.

Did you shop today? How did it go for you?

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Renae is a married working mom of two handsome boys. She works as a registered dental hygienist by day and blogs here at How to Have it All by night. She enjoys cooking from scratch, working in her vegetable garden and functional training.

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Comments

  1. FYI – Our CVS honors ECB’s for a week past the expiration date
    (as well as mfg coupons) You may want to check with your store to see if they honor the same policy

    • Hi Sharon,
      Wow! Your store is very generous to take expired manufacturers coupons. My stores are very picky. I have had ECBs expire by a day or two. They always give me a hard time about redeeming them. It is truly up to the store and the manager on this policy. I am glad your store is so forgiving!

  2. Renae,

    Our local CVS will gladly accept ECBs and CVS scanner Qs up to a week after expiration. I’ve never had a problem with them.

    Mary

    • Hi Mary!
      The last time I had ECBs that were two days expired the manager on duty told me she would only push it through once for me. The stores in C’Ville are less forgiving. I have had a lot of issues there. I guess it depends on who the cashier is.

  3. we can take ecb’s up to a week passed the date but we cant do manufacturer’s coupons usually cause we don’t get payed for them if they are passed the next Sunday’s date! so say the Man. coupon expires on 3/19 we cant take it on 3/20 but if it exp.’s on 3/20 we can take it till 3/26 cause our coupon’s are put into a sealed envelope and every Sunday night we have to put up a new envelope for the next week! so be careful but it can be done

    • Good to know Tisha! I am sure it depends on the store too. Some of my local stores are very picky about coupons- they study them. They won’t take any expired coupons. Thanks for sharing!

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  1. […] this case with my CVS rainchecks, I will hold out on redeeming them.  Since I do not need the items I will make them work to my […]