Another way to get the best deals for you dollars is make us of store rewards programs. Yes, this means you will have a LOT of plastic cards in your wallet, but it's worth it!
Here are some of the must-have reward programs.
CVS: Extra Care (extra bucks). I friggin love extra bucks. These things are like cash to be used on anything in the store. Certain items trigger extra bucks rewards, as well as total purchases over time. For example, for every $50 you spend on beauty products, you get $5 extra bucks. You can sign up for Extra Bucks emails and receive even MORE coupons that can be sent directly to your card. I've gotten several 25% off coupons this way. Most of the time extra bucks will be printed on your receipt so CHECK YOUR RECEIPT and do not throw away extra bucks!! There is also an Extra care coupon machine in each store where you can swipe your EC card and get random coupons.
CVS Extra Care Page
Rite Aid: Wellness Plus (+UP rewards). These are similar to CVS extra bucks, but no online bonuses.
Walgreens: Register Rewards. Walgreens does not have a rewards card, but gives register rewards (similar to extra bucks or +UP rewards) for certain items each week.
Items that trigger Extra Bucks, +UP Rewards or Register Rewards will be listed in the store circulars. CVS and Rite Aid will also have a sign next to the item in the store saying how many extra bucks are generated from that purchase. Walgreens, however, is sneaky and does not put any signs next to the items that generate register rewards. You have to look at their store circular to find this out, and match carefully to make sure you get the exact item they have listed.
Grocery store rewards cards usually don't give you any extra deals other than the best prices for that store, but they are definitely necessary to make sure you are paying the lowest price possible!
