In a previous post I mentioned I was going to write a post on how to save money and be able to help others. One way to do this is to learn the “drugstore game”. In our area, the main two drugstores are Walgreens and CVS. After learning how to combine sales, coupons and deals I do most of my shopping at the grocery store and drugstores instead of Target, Walmart, etc.
Walgreens has Register Rewards program. You do not have to register for a rewards card to participate. When you purchase a qualifying merchandise (listed in the weekly sales flier), a Register Reward for money off a product prints with your receipt. It is good for 2 weeks can be used like cash on future in-store purchases. CVS has the Extra Care Buck (ECB) program. You have to register for an ECB card, which is free. The program is similar to Walgreen’s except the ECBs are valid for a month after printing.
In many cases, products that they offer Register Rewards of ECBs for the sale price of the item is the same as the reward value. So if you use the reward coupons on a future purchase, you basically get the item for free. And if you use the reward coupon on a future purchase that also includes a reward coupon, this is called rolling your rewards.
It is recommended when you are starting out to start with one store until you get the hang of it since each chain has different rules.
The stores also accept manufacturer coupons, so in some cases if you get reward coupons for the value of the item and you have a manufacturer coupon for it, you can come out ahead on the item.
I get many of my health & beauty and household items this way. And if I end up getting more than I can use, I donate them to local charities. This is one way I can donate more than I probably would be able to otherwise, without spending a lot of extra money.
There is an article describing the programs more at All You