CVS has a program that gives you  ExtraBucks Rewards (EBR).   (This used to be called Extra Care Bucks, ECB’s.)

You need to sign up for their Extra Care Card and they will automatically print when you purchase certain items.  They print at the bottom of your receipt, so watch for them and tear them off for a future purchase.

• They are like cash, to be used on future purchases (with a few exceptions like gift cards and alcohol).  Most expire within a month.
• You can’t share an EBR.  It is tied to your card and can only be redeemed when using the same card that earned the reward.
• The can’t be used to pay tax.
• The full amount can be adjusted down if wanted.  (If your total is $4.98 and you have a $5 EBR, you don’t have to buy something else.  It can be accepted for $4.98.)
• Watch the limits in their ads.  They are tied to your card.  It doesn’t help to ring them separately or make a return visit.
• Some offers have a monthly limit.  Sometimes they are advertised more than once in the month and/or we highlight them more than once.  (This is rare, but can happen.)  Check the bottom of your receipt to see if you’ve hit the offer limit before you do it again.  (There is also a number listed in the ad, if you want to compare one week to another.)
• It’s often wise to ask the cashier to ring up multiple transactions so you aren’t stuck with a bunch of expiring EBR.  (So, split your order up to use the EBR that you just earned on the following transaction.)
• If the EBR limit is more than one, it will add up the total and print one EBR.  (So, if you earned a $2 EBR for each toothpaste you bought (3), you would get one $6 EBR.)  If you prefer smaller amounts, so you don’t have to spend it all at one time, you’ll need to ring them up separately.  You can even buy the next one, with the EBR you earned on the previous transaction.
• Get a raincheck if they are out of an item.  They are wonderful about writing rainchecks with the EBR amount on them.  When you return, just be sure they give it to you since it’s a manual process and can be forgotten, since it’s done at the end of your transaction.
• Scan your card at the red boxes that are usually located near the front of the store.   There are often good coupons that print.  They tell you about some in their ad, but others are a surprise and can vary from one person to another.

Walgreens uses Cash Rewards (formerly Register Rewards).  They are coupons that print when you purchase certain items.  They are cash-off coupons for purchasing most anything on your next purchase (see coupon for exclusions like alcohol, gift cards, prescriptions, etc).  There are a few things to make sure you understand ahead of time.

• The limit is always one Cash Reward per deal, though sometimes they require you to purchase multiple products.
• They usually expire in two weeks

• They can’t be used to pay tax.

• Don’t use the Cash Reward you earned to buy the same product again, in another transaction.  The Cash Reward will not print.  It is fine to use a Cash Reward that you earned from another product.  (It rarely comes up, but products from the same manufacturer might also give you problems.  For example, if you received a Cash Reward for Crest, you might not be able to use it to get one on Scope.)
• The number of items you are purchasing can’t be less than the number of manufacturer’s coupons and Cash Rewards you are redeeming.  (If the manufacturer’s coupon is “off 2 items,” count that coupon as two.)  Store coupons don’t count.  So, if you have a manufacturer’s coupon for each item you are purchasing, you need to throw a “filler” item(s) in if you want to use the Cash Reward.

• Sometimes a store will let you ring items separately if you want two deals, but it’s up to each store.  The ad usually states that there is a limit of one.  If you do, make sure you don’t pay with a Cash Reward you just earned for the same product or the new RR won’t print.
• It’s often wise to ask the cashier to ring up multiple transactions so you aren’t stuck with a bunch of expiring Cash Rewards.  I feel better doing it in Cosmetics or Photo so I don’t hold up a big line.  Or, consider stepping back in line, if it’s busy.  (So, split your order up to use the Cash Reward that you just earned for the following transaction.)
• Shop early in the week.  Sunday is best.  They often run out of items and they don’t give you rainchecks for the Cash Reward portion, just the sale price.

Link to full coupon policy. (Might want to print and carry it with you in case you encounter a problem as I mentioned above.)

** They have now added a Balance Rewards Program.  It’s a separate program.

Most coupon policies have statements like they “reserve the right to refuse any coupon” or “store management has final decision.”  It’s rare that a store won’t follow their corporate guidelines, but check with the locations you shop at most often, since some policies vary from store to store.  The most common thing for stores to regulate is the number of identical coupons they’ll accept at one time.  It’s normally between three and five.  You’ll have to ask what your store’s policy is.

Below are just the highlights.  There are more details in each policy, but they are pretty standard and expected.  Click the link to get to the full policy.

• Coupons are taken a face value (Stopped doubling on 10/2/19)
• Will not double coupons that say “Do Not Double”
• Accepts digital coupons loaded from their website or app
• Link to full coupon policy here.

CVS

• Has Extra Bucks Rewards (EBR’s) program (details here)
• Great about writing rainchecks with EBR amount on them — ask for them!
• Can use a coupon on a free item
• If coupon is worth more than item is being sold for, it can be adjusted down to match the price
• Accepts digital coupons loaded from their website or app
• Link to full coupon policy here (in FAQ section and here)

• Takes coupons at face value
• Can’t use a coupon on a free item, like for Buy 1 / Get 1 free sale (can use one, for item you’re paying for)
• Digital coupons will not come off if they’re worth more than product’s selling price
• Accepts digital coupons loaded from their website or app
• Link to full coupon policy here.

• Takes coupons at face value
• Adjusts coupon down if worth more than item
• Can’t use a coupon on a free item, like for Buy 1 / Get 1 free sale (can use one, for item you’re paying for)
• Takes printable coupons if they scan
• Takes coupons with another retailer’s logo, if for a specific item they carry
• Accepts digital coupons loaded from their website or app
• Link to full Safeway coupon policy here & Albertsons policy here.

• Takes coupons for more than value of product, but no overage/cash given
• Accepts digital coupons loaded from their website or app
• Full coupon policy here.

• Has a Cartwheel program (details here)
• Matches competitor (details here)
• Pays 5¢ for each bag you bring and is used
• Accepts digital coupons loaded from their website or app
• Save 5% off with the credit or debit card (details here)
• Link to full coupon policy here.

• Has Register Reward (RR) program (details here)
• Has myWalgreens Cash Back program (formerly Balance Rewards Points) (details here)
• Can’t have more coupons than products, even if one is a RR
• Monthly coupon booklet available at front of store or in app/online
• Store coupons can be used together with a manufacturer’s coupon
• Policy states coupons will be NOT adjusted down to meet selling price of product (new in May 2014)
• Policy states you can NOT use coupon on free item (new in May 2014)
• Accepts digital coupons loaded from their website or app
• Link to full coupon policy here.

• Ended ad-matching policy on October 15, 2017
• Savings Catcher ended on May 14, 2019
• Gives you overage credit (money toward another purchase) if your coupon is valued at more than the product
• Printable coupons must scan
• Note:  We no longer do a list for Walmart since they don’t ad match or have a sales flyer.
• Link to full coupon policy here.

Abbreviations

Catalina Coupons

Walgreens Extra Care Bucks (ECB)

Walgreens Register Rewards (RR)

Walgreens Balance Rewards (points)

Store Policies

For questions, alerting us to a great deal, marketing inquiries, etc . . .

juli@bargainbeliever.com
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