So, in the past few months, I’ve been religiously collecting coupons and making strict shopping lists. After reading for over a year about all these fantastic deals people are getting by shopping at CVS and using Extra Care bucks, I decided I needed to jump on the bandwagon.
I can’t even tell you how much money I have saved. Sure, I am buying brands I might not otherwise give a second glance. Sure, I am having to make extra room in my cabinets for the 6 boxes of cereal I recently got for $1.88 out of pocket, the 6 free deodorants in my bathroom closet and the 4 tubes of toothpaste I spent nothing on, but that is ok! If I get overwhelmed with too much stuff, I will donate it! The point is, it’s usually free or very inexpensive and I would be crazy not to take advantage.
Even if you don’t have a stockpile of coupons, it’s easy to get started. Many of these deals are made with internet printable coupons. All you need is some paper (I recommend using the back of scrap paper) and printer ink (I recommend printing in black and white, using the draft setting on your printer if there is one). There are many good sites around that tell you exactly how to do this.
I got my sister started yesterday. She bought bandaids and tampons (both 2 things she didn’t need, but she will eventually!), spent $7 out of pocket, got back $7 in ECBs (Extra Care Bucks) AND a $5 off $25 purchase. So, if she were to go into CVS right now, she could purchase anything she wanted $25 or more and it would only cost her $13. Of course, now I know that she should save those ECBs for the next deal to make more ECBs, but that’s her choice!
Here are some more links if you are interested in getting started.
Deal Seeking Mom’s Drugstore How-To’s and Weekly Deals
and I also love Southern Savers, because I can keep up with Food Lion deals!