CVS Pharmacy offers numerous opportunities for consumers to acquire products at no cost or even profit through strategic couponing, rebate programs, and loyalty rewards. These opportunities, often referred to as "freebies" and "moneymakers," are typically the result of stacking manufacturer coupons, CVS digital coupons, ExtraBucks rewards, and third-party rebate apps. Understanding how to navigate these mechanisms allows savvy shoppers to significantly reduce their out-of-pocket expenses on items ranging from beauty products and oral care to household essentials.
The primary vehicle for these savings is the CVS ExtraCare program, a free loyalty membership that provides access to personalized digital coupons and the accumulation of ExtraBucks, which function as store credit on future purchases. Additionally, the CVS CarePass (now referred to as ExtraCare Plus) subscription service offers enhanced benefits, including monthly promotional rewards that can further lower the cost of items. Savings opportunities are identified by analyzing the weekly CVS ad, clipping digital coupons within the CVS account, and utilizing rebate apps such as Ibotta. It is important to note that availability of specific coupons and offers may vary by account, and some deals are targeted exclusives.
Understanding the CVS Savings Ecosystem
To access freebies and moneymakers, consumers must first establish a CVS account and enroll in the free ExtraCare program. This membership is the foundation for receiving store-specific coupons and earning ExtraBucks. ExtraBucks are earned through specific promotions, often detailed in the weekly ad, and can be redeemed on most items in the store at a rate of $1 ExtraBuck for $1 of merchandise.
For frequent shoppers, the ExtraCare Plus program (formerly CarePass) offers a paid tier of membership. This service costs $5 per month but provides a monthly $10 CVS coupon, effectively offering a net profit of $5 per month for subscribers. Additional perks include free delivery on eligible orders and 20% off CVS Health brand products. This subscription can be a strategic tool for maximizing savings on freebie deals by covering the tax or initial out-of-pocket cost required to trigger ExtraBucks rewards.
Strategies for Acquiring Free Products
Free products at CVS are generally achieved through "Buy One, Get One Free" (B1G1) sales combined with manufacturer coupons or by utilizing ExtraBucks rewards to offset the purchase price.
B1G1 Free Sales
CVS frequently runs B1G1 free promotions on specific brands or categories. During these sales, purchasing two qualifying items results in a zero-dollar balance for the second item at the register. If manufacturer coupons are available for the items, they can often be applied to both products, further reducing the cost. Examples of categories that have appeared in weekly ads with B1G1 free offers include: * Beauty: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick, Raw Sugar Bath & Shower or Hair Care. * Snacks: Oreo, Chips Ahoy!, Nutter Butter, Nilla Wafers, Honey Maid, Kellogg's Rice Krispies Treats, and Pop-Tarts. * Personal Care: Batiste Dry Shampoo.
Utilizing ExtraBucks and Digital Coupons
Another method for obtaining free items involves purchasing products that generate ExtraBucks rewards. In this scenario, a shopper pays the initial price out of pocket and receives ExtraBucks to use on a subsequent transaction. If the value of the ExtraBucks equals or exceeds the out-of-pocket cost (after other coupons), the item is effectively free.
For example, a deal structure might involve buying a specific item that offers a set amount of ExtraBucks back. Shoppers can use CVS digital coupons clipped to their account to lower the initial price. If the final out-of-pocket cost is less than or equal to the ExtraBucks received, the net cost is zero.
Identifying Moneymaker Deals
A "moneymaker" is a transaction where the value of rewards earned or coupons used exceeds the out-of-pocket cost, resulting in a net profit. These deals typically require a combination of high-value coupons and ExtraBucks promotions.
Example of a Moneymaker Scenario: A shopper purchases an item priced at $10. They use a $3 manufacturer coupon and a $2 CVS digital coupon, bringing the out-of-pocket cost to $5. If the purchase triggers $10 in ExtraBucks rewards, the shopper has effectively spent $5 to gain $10 in store credit, resulting in a $5 profit.
Recent Deal Examples: * Conair Hair Stylers: Priced at $19.99. By purchasing the item, a shopper receives $10 in ExtraBucks. After the rewards, the net cost is $9.99. * Garnier Fructis Shampoo or Conditioner: Priced at $5.29 each. When buying two, a shopper can use a $3/2 CVS digital coupon, paying $7.58 out of pocket. They then receive $6 in ExtraBucks, making the net cost $1.58 for both items (or $0.79 each). * Crest Toothpaste or Scope Mouthwash: Priced at $4.99 each. Buying two triggers a $5 ExtraBucks reward. With a $1/1 CVS digital coupon applied to each, the out-of-pocket cost is $8.98, resulting in a net cost of $3.98 for both after the rewards.
Third-Party Rebate Apps
In addition to CVS-specific rewards, shoppers can stack offers from third-party rebate apps like Ibotta. Ibotta offers vary by user and availability. By linking a CVS receipt to Ibotta, shoppers may receive cash back on specific purchases, which can turn a low-cost deal into a freebie or a moneymaker.
For instance, if a shopper buys a dish liquid at CVS for a low out-of-pocket cost, an Ibotta rebate might refund the entire purchase price, resulting in a free product. Similarly, Ibotta rebates can be combined with CVS ExtraBucks to maximize savings.
Targeted Offers and Exclusives
Some of the most lucrative freebies are not available to the general public but are offered as "Best Customer Bonus" freebie offers. These are targeted promotions based on an individual's shopping history at participating grocery stores, though the concept of targeted exclusives also applies to CVS via personalized digital coupons. There is no guaranteed way to receive these offers; they are distributed based on retailer algorithms. Occasionally, these exclusives arrive as mailer coupons.
Navigating the CVS App and Weekly Ad
Success in finding freebies and moneymakers relies on consistent monitoring of the CVS weekly ad and the digital coupon section of the CVS account.
- Weekly Ad: Released on Sundays, the ad highlights upcoming sales, B1G1 offers, and ExtraBucks promotions.
- Digital Coupons: Shoppers must "clip" these coupons within their CVS account or app. These coupons are applied automatically at checkout when a CVS card is scanned. It is important to verify that coupons are clipped before shopping, as they can vary by user.
- Personalized Deals: The CVS app often features "Just for You" deals, which are exclusive to the account holder and may include high-value discounts not found in the general weekly ad.
Important Limitations and Policies
While CVS offers significant savings, shoppers should be aware of specific store policies that affect deal execution.
- Price Matching: CVS does not price match. They will not match competitor pricing, nor will physical stores match CVS.com pricing.
- Curbside Pickup: CVS does not currently offer curbside pickup. Shoppers must enter the store or use the pharmacy drive-thru. In cases where entering the store is difficult, calling ahead to ask if a store associate can process the transaction at the drive-thru is a potential workaround.
- Returns: The CVS return policy allows for the return of most items within 60 days. This is beneficial for moneymaker deals; if a shopper purchases an item to earn ExtraBucks but decides they do not need the product, they can return it (though policies on returning items purchased with coupons may vary).
- Delivery: CVS delivery is available through Instacart.
Categories for Freebies and Savings
While the weekly ad dictates specific items available for freebies or moneymakers each week, certain categories consistently feature these opportunities.
- Beauty and Personal Care: This is a high-frequency category for B1G1 free sales and ExtraBucks offers. Shoppers can often get shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lipstick, and dry shampoo for free or at a profit.
- Household Goods: Items like Charmin Ultra Bathroom Tissue often feature digital coupons (e.g., $2 off) that can be stacked with sales, though they rarely result in a total freebie due to the higher price point. However, they can be acquired at significant discounts.
- Snacks and Food: B1G1 free sales on cookies, crackers, and toaster pastries are common. When combined with manufacturer coupons found on sites like Coupons.com, these can be acquired for free.
- Health and Oral Care: Toothpaste and mouthwash are frequent participants in ExtraBucks promotions, often leading to net costs of under $1 per item or free products.
- Baby Care: While not explicitly detailed in the CVS weekly ad provided, other sources mention Enfamil sample programs and freebies available through brand loyalty programs. CVS often carries baby care items that may be eligible for digital coupons or ExtraBucks offers.
Conclusion
Acquiring freebies and moneymakers at CVS requires preparation and an understanding of how to stack various savings mechanisms. By maintaining an ExtraCare account, consistently clipping digital coupons, monitoring the weekly ad, and utilizing third-party rebate apps, consumers can significantly reduce their grocery and household budgets. While the savings landscape changes weekly, the strategies of combining sales with coupons and rewards remain consistent methods for achieving free products and net profits.