I’m thinking of starting back with CVS and using coupons there. I used to shop a lot at CVS a few years ago and actually did pretty well with the coupons.

Then I moved away to a different city and stopped. Now I’m ready to start back again.

(If you are not reading this post at www.howisavemoney.net or in your feed reader, it may have been stolen from my site.)

In the past I used coupons along with CVS rewards to save money. This enabled me to get a few items for free or very low cost. I did not go to extreme lengths like some people do. I also did not buy items that I would not use at all.

In fact I was able to set up a small reserve of backup items for things I use on a constant basis. This reserve would be anywhere from 2 to 4 backups of certain items like toothpaste or air fresheners.

My first CVS experience was about 11 years ago and it went smoothly. After that I was hooked for a little while. At that time I got free coupons in the newspaper so I was able to take advantage of the sales.

Then I moved to a town where coupon use was not as popular and I no longer received free coupons.

pile of coupons

Now I am back in a town where coupon use seems to be popular. I get a mailer in my mailbox that contains some of the coupons. There is a CVS about 5 minutes away from me (on the way to Walmart…my other favorite store!) so I could do my CVS trips before my regular shopping.

I don’t have any Extra Care Bucks so there will be an initial outlay of cash on my end. My plan is to spend:

  • no more than $5 on the first trip
  • and no more than $10 net at the end of the project.

To do this will require some careful planning. I will have to look at what items I have coupons for and that I have an upcoming need for. Then I will purchase that at CVS instead of at my regular grocery store. I will also modify the old spreadsheet I used in the past. This will now contain updated information starting with my first purchase this year.

Wish me luck!