With grocery prices at an all-time high and the average family’s grocery budget getting tighter and tighter, more and more individuals are turning to coupons to help bridge the gap. Here in Central Texas there is a thriving subculture of coupon clipping mommas trying to save cash for their family while also maintaining a certain level of comfort. One such individual is Jennifer Prisock.
Jennifer Stapleton Prisock is a Waco mom, Mary Kay beauty consultant, catering specialist for Carinos, couples fishing tournament participant, fellow avid couponer and the founder of the Waco Coupon Queens facebook page. She was recently interviewed by the KWTX Moms Everyday program about her couponing techniques and experiences. Jennifer frequents CVS for some of their best coupon matchups. One of the two aired segments are attached to this article. You can watch the other segment HERE. She has agreed to answer somoe questions about coupon shopping at CVS.
Q. What kind of Coupons does CVS accept?
A.
- Manufacturer Coupons (including Printable Coupons)
- Store Coupons (In-Ad, CRTs or Purchase Based Coupons)
- Competitor Rx Coupons (example: a Target coupon for transferred prescription gift card)
- ECBs (CVS Extra Bucks, like Catalina or RR)
You are allowed one manufacturer and one store coupon per item. ECBs are redeemed like a gift card, not a coupon, they may be used in addition to the other 2 coupons.
Q. Can couponers use two coupons on a Buy one Get one Free offer?
A. Official corporate policy says, “yes!”
In the case where a particular item is on sale for “buy one get one free” (BOGO), you are only allowed to use one manufacturer’s BOGO coupon. For instance, if Revlon lipstick is on sale for BOGO, you can use one manufacturer’s BOGO coupon. You would get both items free and pay any applicable tax.
Q. Does CVS pay out overages on coupon purchases?
A. No, if you have a $0.97 item and a $1.00 off coupon, the register will make an angry beep and your cashier will need to adjust the price of the $1.00 coupon down to $0.97.
Q. What is your favorite thing about couponing at CVS?
A. The best deals to be had at CVS are “Extra Bucks” offers. For example: But 3 Garnier Products and receive $3 ECB back. Normally that would be a good deal in itself…but if you have a coupon for these items as well, that is when you maximize your savings.
For Example:
"Get $10 ECB when you purchase $20 of tampax or shick products" I got $21 worth of tampax tampons and shaving cream...but after coupons only paid $12 cash...and they gave me $10 ECB back.
You must only spend $20, before coupons for the ExtraCare Buck Offers.
There are weekly and monthly Extra Bucks offers.
Once you’ve done your first transaction, you’ll have Extra Bucks to use each time you shop and these will bring your total down lower and lower! You may use your Extra Bucks by separating your transactions and “rolling” them from one transaction to the next, or do like I do, roll from one week to the next. Soon you’ll have a stash of $10-20 in Extra Bucks, all while continually rolling and replenishing your extra bucks so you’ll never run out or let them expire
Q. CVS advertises “Free” products each week. Are they really free?
A. Each week CVS has “Free after Extra Buck” offers. Example at right: Pay $0.99 for Pilot EasyTouch pen 2 pk. and receive an Extra Buck {coupon that acts like a gift card} for $0.99 off your next purchase. This item isn’t actually free because you have to pay for it first. These FREE deals always have limits of how many you may buy and receive Extra Bucks.
Q. What does it mean when couponers talk about a Moneymaker? Are you really getting paid cash?
A. No. I’m not getting cash from the checker. A moneymaker is defined as a transaction where your out of pocket total is less than the total of your Extra Bucks (or sometimes rebates). At right is an example of a moneymaker from last month.
Colgate Total Toothpaste $2.88
Use $1.00/1 Manufacturer Coupon
Pay Out of Pocket: $1.88
Receive $2.00 Extra Bucks
Final Price: Moneymaker of $0.12So you are paying $1.88 up front…but getting a $2.00 rebate to use for next time, so it is ‘like’ getting it for free.
Q. What are your favorite CVS deals?
A.
- Garnier, Herbal Escennce, Panteene, and Aussie Products (shampoo, conditioner and styling) I can get for $0.99
- Mens Schick Hydro Razor cartridges normally $8-$9, I can get for $1.50
- Colgate total toothpaste $0.25
- Oral-B Toothbrushes free
- Crest mouthwash 250ml $0.25
- Tampax Pearl Tampons 18count $0.99
- Always Infinity Pads 18ct $0.99
- Playtex Tampons 18ct $1.49
- Gillette Body Wash $1.00
- Kids Oragel training toothpaste normally $3, I can get for $1.25
- Gain dishwashing liquid $0.47
Q. What difficulties have you had while couponing at CVS?
A. I thought I was being smart by getting 2 Extra Care Cards, one for my husband and one for me, so that when their were ‘limit 1’ deals, I could get 2. But the ECB can only stay with each card. For example, $2ECB I got with his card, and I cannot use on transaction I have already scanned my card with. So now everytime I go-I have to do 2 separate transactions with 2 separate cards. As soon as I deplete the ECB I have on his, I won’t use it any more.
DON’T get a second card!
DO NOT get anything that is not on sale…ever…even with a coupon. I guarantee you can get it cheaper at walmart/target. Their retail prices are ridiculously high…but you can’t beat their sales matched with coupons.
Not a problem, just a ‘Please Note’: You can use more than one ECB to pay for your purchase. ECBs are like gift cards. BUT if you use a $5 ECB on a $4.25 purchase, you forfeit the extra $0.75
Q. What specific techniques do you use when you coupon at CVS?
A. I personally start planning my trips the Thursday before the Sale. Couponmom.com and krazycouponlady.com posts the upcoming deals for the next Sunday. (But please note, they both originate in northern US and we do not always get the same coupons as they do. So double check everything when you get the circular)
Sunday when I get the insert from the paper, I make a list of items I want, matching my coupons with what is on sale.
Q. How much do you expect your average saving to be when you coupon at CVS?
A. My goal is to save 70% every time. (after ecb) I get most/if not all of our personal care items here.
·My best trip was: got $81 in products...paid $35 cash, and got $31.98 in ECB…so I paid about $3 for $81 in items!!!Don’t forget about rain-checks. CVS shelves are small, and clear out quickly, especially if it is a free item. So what to do if you get there and what you want is gone? Don’t worry, let the clerk know it was out, show them the ad price and ask for a rain-check. They will write you a rain-check for the sale price that you can use at a later date (even months later) JCoupon machine each cvs store has a machine in the front that you can scan your cvs card and it will print out in-store coupons for you!!! You can match these with manufactures and ECB deals! This is also where you get your ECB % back each quarter for using your card.
A big thank you to Jennifer Prisock for being willing to share her couponing knowledge with others eager to learn. If you want to learn more, connect with her on the Waco Couponing Queens facebook page. You may also find this Examiner's personal blog HERE.
Happy Couponing!
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