Overwhelmed by the CVS ExtraCare Program? Part 2

The next thing to do is get a copy of the ad for that week. There are three ways to obtain an ad. Go to the store and pick one up, go to the CVS.com website and view the local ad there, or visit a coupon message board (IE. www.hotcouponworld.com) and usually someone will have uploaded pictures of the weekly ad.

Out of the three options for viewing the ad the last one is the one I recommend. Not only can you view the ad but, the members will have also posted the best deals in that ad. Most of the time they will have also posted future ads up to two weeks out so that you can get a head start on collecting any coupons needed for the items you want to buy.

Now you're viewing the ad. Look for the deals that are cheap and earn ECB's. Start out with the cheap stuff first because that will help keep the initial out of pocket costs as low as possible. Once you have built up your ECB's you can start looking for the more expensive ECB items.

Moneymakers
Anything that is listed as free after ECB's has the potential to be what is commonly referred to as a moneymaker. The term moneymaker doesn't necessarily mean you're going to walk out with more money than you came in with. What is meant by that term is that if you buy something that is free after ECB's and a manufacturer's coupon is used for it then you will end up with more in ECB's than what was spent out of pocket.

Another way for that item to become a moneymaker is to buy it and use that $4/$20 email coupon that should be sitting next to you. Let's say item x is $5, you get a $5 ECB for buying it, and there is a limit of 4. Buy 4 at one time, use the $4/$20 coupon, pay $16 OOP and end up with a $20 ECB. You just made $4 in ECB profit.

Quick tip: When it comes to moneymakers it doesn't matter whether you need/want the item or not. Save it for a gift or donate it to a group who can use it. Never pass it up.

Rolling Your ECB's and the Snowball Effect
Okay, now you have a decent amount of ECB's so what's next? Look at the ad again. Now on top of moneymakers look for things you break even on.