Extreme Couponing 101

Are you interested in starting couponing but unsure where to begin? Once you master the basics of stacking coupons, you can achieve significant discounts, get items for free, or even make money on your purchases. Here’s how it works and how you can get started, using CVS as an example.

Getting Started

1. Open a Free CVS ExtraCare Account

• • Sign up for a CVS ExtraCare account to earn cashback and CVS ExtraBucks from your purchases.

  • This account offers 2% cashback on purchases and access to various store and manufacturer coupons.

2. Learn to Stack Coupons

• • • You can use one manufacturer coupon and multiple CVS store coupons on the same item unless otherwise specified. For example:

      • Use a CVS coupon like "$3 off when you spend $12 on haircare" alongside a $2 off Garnier haircare CVS coupon and a 15% off haircare item CVS coupon.

3.  Explore Weekly Ads and Deals

• CVS has weekly ads full of savings and deals. Look for deals that include ExtraBucks rewards. Combine these offers with store coupons and manufacturer coupons and you may find yourself a moneymaker!

Tips: Keep track of all coupons, and make sure they are clipped in the app or organized on hand. The more items you include, the more complex it can get.

 Make sure you have the correct coupons for the item you intend to purchase, You can usually double-check this in the app with the scanner tool. 

Do the math to Know exactly how much you will pay out of pocket at the register before taxes, this way there will be no surprises as long as your coupons go through properly.

Shopping Trip Examples

Example 1: Pantene Shampoo

 Original Cost: $14.97 (3 for $12 on sale; $4.99 each regular price)

Coupons Used:

1. • • $5 off three Pantene haircare coupon (CVS manufacturer)

     • $5 ExtraBucks coupon clipped from the CVS app

Cost: Paid $2 at checkout

Earned: $10 ExtraBucks rewards for purchasing 3 Pantene products

Total Savings: $8 money maker (Paid $2, earned $10 in ExtraBucks)

Tip: Don’t count the ExtraBucks earned from this trip as savings on your next purchase, as they were already accounted for.

Example 2: Multiple Items

Items Purchased:

1. • • Two Febreze (sale price $2.99 each) with a $3 off 2 Febreze CVS coupon

     • Three Pantene (sale price 3 for $12) with a $5 off 3 Pantene coupon, a $3 off haircare CVS coupon, and a $3 off $8 Pantene purchase

     • One Crest Pro-Health (sale price $2.99) with a $2 off Crest Pro-Health CVS coupon

Total Cost:

1. • • Febreze: $2.98

     • Pantene: $1

     • Crest: $0.99

Paid: $4.97 at checkout

Earned: $5 CVS ExtraBucks for spending $20 on select items and a $0.25 Ibotta rebate for Crest toothpaste

Total Savings: $0.28 money maker (Paid $4.97, earned $5 ExtraBucks and $0.25 rebate)

Tip: Keep track of all coupons and ensure they are clipped in the app or online. The more items you include, the more complex it can get.