With food prices continuing higher, looking for deals, coupons, sales, etc. is even more important now than in years past. I’ve written about seeking out supermarket deals. But a lot of us turn to drug stores for personal care items. So you need to work every available deal in those as well.
The two national chains, CVS and Walgreens, each have extensive couponing programs. But after trying both, using tips I found online from extreme couponers, CVS is the clear winner in offering deals to consumers.
The Walgreen’s program has more conditions, fine print and road blocks than does CVS. It really seems designed to be a bait-and-switch system, luring you to shop at Walgreens but then forcing you to spend more than you expected.
One recent example I ran into — I bought something there that offered me a $5 register cash reward. Walgreens register rewards are printed coupons that normally come with the restriction they must be used in seven days. So they basically draw you back, likely before you need to shop there again otherwise.
But the coupon I got was even more convoluted. It was for $5 off a future purchase. But it was only activated after I shopped there again and spent a certain amount (I think it was $20). Only then would it be activated — and for my next trip!
So I would need to make three shipping trips to get that $5; the first one, the second to activate it and the third to spend it! It’s an insult to shoppers, really. Shame on you Walgreens.
I did manage one Walgreens trip where I received more back in Walgreens cash rewards than I spent (see photo here).
Walgreens cash rewards go directly into your digital wallet. You can spend them on anything — if you load them to your account first and only in the increment Walgreens allows — so more rules.
I also once talked a Walgreens clerk into giving me a deal the system didn’t want me to get. I played my “I’m an old man who doesn’t understand this technology” card. And since he was an old man too, he gave me a discount the system was denying me.
CVS is more straight-forward and discounts are easier to actually get. But many of its deals require you to shop in stores rather than just ordering in the app and picking things up curbside.
CVS gives ExtraCare Bucks which go into your digital wallet and you can apply to future purchases.
I have seen reports that some CVS deals only come up at either the self-checkout machine or at the staffed counter, so be careful about those. I prefer to go to self-checkout where I can see on-screen what offers I have before I pay for everything.
I’ve had to argue with CVS clerks to get some deals so I’d rather face the machines and try to outsmart them. CVS does more often list sale or deal items as out-of-stock. OR it may only ahve one item on a shelf that’s got a BOGO offer. I’ve argued with cVS store managers about that practice too
Search online for the people who scope out the weekly deals that will cut your costs and even get you money back. I watch their videos through my Facebook account. They pop up in Facebook reels, which I think means you can see them on Instagram too.
Good luck and good shopping! Find those deals!
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