CVS Extra Care Buck Program

The key to saving money when shopping at the CVS/pharmacy drugstore chain is the ExtraCare Buck program. Each week, CVS offers items for sale that generate in-store credit, or scrip, commonly called ECB. To earn these instore "coupons", you must obtain a red, plastic, store savings card: The CVS Extra Care Card.

You hand your card to the cashier upon checkout and the cashier will scan the barcode in the register. Your receipt will contain Extra Care Buck coupons at the end of your receipt. These ECB can come in a variety of dollar amounts, are valid for 30 days, and can be used to buy nearly anything in the store (except alchohol, tobacco, lottery, and gift cards).

The in-store credit (also called ECB or ExtraBucks) can only be redeemed when using that same red savings card. If you lose your card or lose the paper receipt, it will be nearly impossible to redeem this "store-credit". The barcode on your card must match with the barcode/account on the printed ECB. You cannot use another Extra Care card to redeem amounts generated from your initial card, so keep track of your cards and ECB. The ECB can be used on your next purchase at any CVS location. The ECB can be used one minute later or 30 days later. It's like cash.

Years ago, CVS allowed one card per person. That has been changed to one card per household. Luckily, many CVS customer have multiple households (smile). I have three cards with three unique card numbers, although I keep one inactive and rotate between the other two.

When first starting out, it's best to have just one unique card number. Once you have mastered the process and understand how the savings work, adding a second unique card is often helpful. Just remember to keep the accounts and purchases separate. There is nothing worse than mixng up your cards and trying to use ECB from one card on another card's transaction. OOOPS.