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Did you know that CVS shoppers miss out on over $1 billion in potential savings each year simply because they don’t understand how to maximize their ExtraCare rewards? I was definitely one of those people for the longest time! Walking into CVS was like throwing money down the drain, and honestly, I felt pretty stupid about it.
Look, I’ll be straight with you – CVS ExtraCare rewards can seem confusing at first. But once you get the hang of it, it’s like having a secret weapon for saving money on everything from toothpaste to prescription medications.
My Epic CVS ExtraCare Fail (And What I Learned)
About three years ago, I was standing in line at CVS with a cart full of stuff – shampoo, vitamins, some random snacks. The cashier asked if I had an ExtraCare card, and I just shrugged and said no. Big mistake!
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Turns out I could’ve earned like $15 in ExtraBucks that day. The person behind me actually showed me their receipt, and I nearly cried seeing all those coupons they got. That’s when I decided to figure this whole CVS rewards thing out once and for all.
What Exactly Are CVS ExtraCare Rewards?
So here’s the deal with CVS ExtraCare – it’s basically their loyalty program that gives you money back for shopping there. You earn what they call “ExtraBucks,” which are like store credit that you can use on future purchases.
The basic setup is pretty simple. You get 2% back on most CVS brand products and 1% back on everything else. But here’s where it gets interesting – they also run these weekly deals where you can earn way more ExtraBucks on specific products.
How to Actually Make Money with ExtraCare (My Strategy)
Okay, this is where I’m gonna share my secret sauce. After years of trial and error, I’ve developed a system that consistently saves me about $50-60 per month at CVS.
First thing – always check the CVS app before you go shopping. I can’t stress this enough! The app shows you all the current ExtraBucks deals, and you can even clip digital coupons right there. Sometimes I’ll find deals where I’m essentially getting products for free after ExtraBucks.
Here’s a perfect example from last month: There was a deal on Colgate toothpaste where you’d get $3 ExtraBucks when you bought two tubes. The toothpaste was on sale for $2.99 each, so I paid $5.98 but got $3 back. Plus I had a $1 off coupon, so I basically got two tubes for under $2!
The Digital Coupon Game-Changer
This part took me forever to figure out, but digital coupons are where the real magic happens. You can stack manufacturer coupons with CVS store coupons, and that’s when the savings get crazy good.
I usually spend about 10 minutes every Sunday going through the CVS digital coupons and clipping everything I might need. Even if I don’t need something right away, I’ll clip the coupon because you never know when you’ll run out of laundry detergent or whatever.
ExtraBucks Expiration Dates (Don’t Make My Mistake!)
Here’s where I messed up big time when I first started. ExtraBucks expire! Usually after 30 days, but sometimes sooner for promotional ones. I had like $25 in ExtraBucks expire on me once because I forgot to use them. Talk about frustrating!
Now I keep a little note in my phone with my ExtraBucks balance and expiration dates. The CVS app also sends you reminders, which is super helpful. Pro tip: if your ExtraBucks are about to expire and you don’t need anything, just buy gift cards. They never expire!
My Monthly CVS Shopping Routine
These days, I’ve got my CVS game down to a science. Every month, I plan one or two strategic shopping trips based on the best ExtraBucks deals and what I actually need.
I always bring my expired prescriptions to check if there are any pharmacy rewards available. CVS often gives you ExtraBucks for transferring prescriptions or filling a certain number of medications. It’s not something they advertise much, but it’s definitely worth asking about.
The beauty products section is where I score the biggest wins. Brands like L’Oréal and Revlon frequently have ExtraBucks deals, and when you combine those with digital coupons and sales, you can sometimes get makeup for practically nothing.
Why I Actually Love CVS ExtraCare Now
I’ll admit it – I was skeptical at first. Another loyalty program, another app to download, another card to carry around. But honestly? CVS ExtraCare rewards have saved me hundreds of dollars over the past couple years.
The best part is that you don’t have to completely change your shopping habits. I was already buying toothpaste, shampoo, and vitamins somewhere anyway. Now I just buy them smarter and get money back for it.
Plus, there’s something oddly satisfying about walking out of CVS with a receipt full of ExtraBucks. It feels like you’ve beaten the system somehow, even though you’re just shopping normally.
Your Next Steps to CVS Savings Success
If you’re not already signed up for CVS ExtraCare, stop reading this and go do it right now. Seriously! You can sign up online or just ask at the register next time you’re there.
Download the CVS app and spend a few minutes exploring it. Start small – just clip a couple digital coupons for things you normally buy. You don’t need to become an extreme couponer overnight; just begin incorporating these strategies into your regular shopping routine.
Remember, the key is consistency and paying attention to those weekly deals. Once you get into the rhythm of checking the app and planning your trips around the best ExtraBucks offers, the savings really start to add up. And hey, if you found this helpful, check out more money-saving tips and tech insights over at Daily Tech Hub – we’ve got tons of articles that’ll help you make the most of your digital life!
