Making Extrabucks Work for You

So I often hear people say they don't work deals at CVS because "they don't want to buy a bunch of crap they don't need to get a few Extrabucks."

Well, word. I agree.

But here's the thing- you don't have to.

I don't have any Extrabucks right now. That whole no shopping thing last month really put a halt on my Extrabucks-rolling mojo.

BUT, we really need a memory card for our camera. Ours is missing (I suspect the two year old... I know he didn't eat it... but I think he might have "used" it somewhere- but won't tell). I got this 2G card at CVS with Extrabucks last summer. It cost me a $1 out of pocket. You can imagine how sad I am to have to use real money to replace it... but come on now, friends... you know me better than that.

2G memory cards will be on sale at CVS this week (and next) for $14.99. Here's my plan to score one for $1, using Extrabucks I earn from buying things we need:

Item 1-
This week, CVS has a special "Baby Sale" where you spend $20 (before coupons) and get $5 Extrabucks. I am going to buy a pack of Playskool diapers for $11 and 3 Johnson Baby Oil (I use it to make reusable wipes) at $3 each. I have 3 $1 Johnsons coupns, and 1 $3 Playskool coupon. That means I will spend $14 to earn 5 Extrabucks. Is it free? No. But is it still a good deal on a bunch of stuff I need? Heck ya.

Item 2-
This month, CVS is offering 5 Extrabucks on Claritin. I have mega freaky allergies that will kick in as soon as the melts, so I need this crap. I have a $5 off coupon, too. I think the retail price is $19.99. SO, that means I'll spend $14.99 to earn 5 Extrabucks. Is that a freaking insane mind blowing deal? Not really, but it will be so worth it when I can't breathe and I have this stuff on hand.

Item 3-
My husband ran out of razors last month. CVS had Fusion razors on sale for $7.99, plus $3.99 back in Extrabucks. I happen to have a $4 off coupon. So, I'll pay $3.99 to get $3.99 in Extrabucks. HELLO!

Oh, and I have a $5 off $30 coupon that printed at the "coupon center" when I swung though CVS yesterday. (Have you met the coupon center? It's rad. It's a red scanner thing inside CVS- it looks suspiciosly like a price checker... and it is... but scan your CVS coupn, and WHAMO! COUPONS!)

So if I added correctly, I just earned $13.99 in Extrabucks. Looks like I CAN replace my missing memory card (that will probably show up as soon as I buy the new one) for $1.

I did have to buy stuff to get it- but it is all stuff I NEED.

So let's recap- I spent $27.98 at CVS- BUT, I got a BIG pack of diapers, 3 jars of baby oil (that means baby wipes probably for the rest of the year), Claritin for me for most of the spring, a new razor for Rob, and a 2G memory card. How much is the same memory card at Office Max? $24.99... but for an extra $2.99 at CVS, we got a whole lot more... ad it's all stuff we will use.