nuts + bolts of cvs

1. sign up for an extracare card

2. use your extracare card each time you shop!

3. your card will give you discounts on items (in the ad it will say "price with card")

4. you card will also allow you to receive extracare bucks.

5. you receive extracare bucks by purchasing items advertised as having an "extra bucks reward"
- for example: some toothpaste might cost $3.49 and is advertised as having a $3.49 extra bucks reward. this means you will pay $3.49 upfront and at the bottom of your receipt, a coupon for $3.49 off of your next purchase will print. essentially, this item is FREE if you plan on shopping at cvs again.

5. extracare bucks are essentially like gift cards. they are good for the dollar amount shown. they print on the bottom of your receipt.

6. you also accumulate extracare bucks each time you make a purchase. it equals 2% of your total spending each quarter and they are issued quarterly.

7. you cannot split up extracare bucks. for example, if you have a single extrabucks reward for $3.49, you cannot use $1 on one day and save the rest for later.

8. do not accidentally throw away your extracare bucks. i learned this the hard way.

9. each week, there are usually several items that are free after ecbs.

10. the ultimate goal is to "roll" your extracare bucks. for example, you want to "pay" with extracare bucks you already have from before and be getting items that will give you more extracare bucks for your next trip.

11. you will probably have to pay a little bit out of pocket to get started on this whole thing. i started with a trip to cvs spending $14 and receiving $7.99 in extracare bucks (which i accidentally threw away, ugh!). i should/could have used those extracare bucks on my next purchase, buying items that gave me more extracare bucks.. and the process repeats.

now these are just the basics and they're pretty cut and dry. if you have any questions, feel free to email me!