If you’re new to couponing, you’re probably wondering why anyone would SHOP at the drugstores. Drugstores usually price items much higher than stores like Walmart. I used to think couponers were crazy when they said that CVS was their FAVORITE store! Now, I understand why. Read on to find out!
Drugstores offer various incentives to lure you into their stores. Here are some examples:
CVS
- CVS has a store rewards card called an Extra Care Card. You must scan your card to receive the sale price. The card is FREE. Sign up in the store or online.
- By using the card, you can earn Extra Care Bucks if you buy specific items each week. These bucks print out on your receipt and will spend like cash. You can buy almost anything in the store with the bucks. Experienced CVS shoppers like to “roll the bucks”. That simply means to spend your extra care bucks to buy things that earn more bucks. You will spend very little cash (out of pocket) if you learn how to roll your extra bucks.
- You can scan your card up to twice daily at the red coupon machine that is usually located at the front of the store. Various coupons will print out and, occasionally, you might get a coupon for $4 off a $20 purchase or something similar.
- Register at CVS.com to have coupons sent to your email address.
To learn more about shopping at CVS, read my series called CVS 101.
Rite Aid
- Rite Aid has a store rewards card called a Wellness Card. You must scan your card to receive the sale price. It is FREE.
- By using the Wellness card, you can earn UP+ Rewards when you buy specific items each week. These bucks print out on your receipt and will spend like cash. You can buy almost anything in the store with the bucks. As I explained in the CVS article above, you should roll your rewards. Spend your UP+ Rewards to buy things that earn more UP+ rewards. You will spend very little cash (out of pocket) if you learn how to roll!
- Wellness Card users receive a 10% discount on Rite Aid brand products every day.
- You are rewarded one point for every dollar you spend at Rite Aid and 25 points for every filled prescription. Based on your point total, you will receive 10% off shopping sprees, free health screenings, and up to 20% off all non-prescription purchases every day.
- At RiteAid.com, you can watch short videos and earn Video Value coupons.
- Rite Aid also has a rebate program. A Rebate Directory is published monthly and can usually be found beside the sale papers in the front of the store. Rebates used to be a big hassle, but Rite Aid’s program is super simple. Register at RiteAid.com to apply for a rebate on specific items. You simply have to enter some numbers from your receipt. It takes just a couple of minutes. Within a day or so, you’ll receive an email listing what rebates you are eligible to receive. (You can buy several items that earn rebates, but you can only request your rebate check once per month. So, do not click on “Send me my check” until you’re sure you won’t be buying anymore rebate items that month.)
To learn more about shopping at Rite Aid, check out my series called Rite Aid 101.
Walgreens
- At Walgreens, you can find a booklet of Walgreen’s store coupons in the front of the store by the sales papers. These coupon booklets are published monthly. You can also print these coupons at Walgreens.com.
- Walgreens does not have a store card.
- You can earn Register Rewards by making qualifying purchases at Walgreens. Register Rewards are catalina coupons that print at the register. These coupons offer savings off your next in-store purchase. There are specific rules for using Register Rewards. Learn more about it here.
To learn more about shopping at the drugstores, go to the following websites:
I Heart CVS
I Heart Rite Aid
I Heart Wags
