Monday, April 13, 2009

CVS -- rolling ECBs

This week provides a good opportunity to learn about "rolling ECBs", where you use the ECB earned in 1 transaction on a subsequent transaction.

I mentioned in a previous post these deals:

Softsoap scrub body wash (18 oz) is $4.99, get $4.99 ECB
In the 3/29 SS there was a $1/1 coupon
Limit 1.

Colgate Enamel protect 6 oz. is $3.99 and get $3.99 ECB
In the 3/29 SS there were coupons for either $.50/1 or $1/1 for any Colgate toothpaste

Limit 2.

A couple different scenarios:

If you purchased the Skintimate shave cream (free after ECB) last week and still have that:

transaction 1:
Colgate Enamel protect 6 oz $3.99
Use $1/1 coupon
add a $.50 "filler" item--I like the CVS brand pocket tissue pack
total: $3.49, use $3.49 ECB from Skintimate
oop: $0 earn $3.99 ECBs

transaction 2:
Colgate Enamel protect 6 oz $3.99
use $3.99 ECB from previous Colgate
earn $3.99 ECB
oop: $0, earn $3.99 ECBs

trasaction 3:
Softsoap scrub body wash (18 oz)
use $1/1 from 3/29 SS
use $3.99 ECB from second Colgate
earn $4.99 ECB
oop: $0, earn $4.99 ECB

So now you've spent $0 oop, have purchased $14.46 in products and still have $4.99 in ECBs to use for future purchases!

If you've already spent your Skintimate ECB or are starting new, transactions 2 and 3 would be the same, but transaction 1 would be:

Colgate Enamel protect 6 oz $3.99
Use $1/1 coupon
oop: $2.99, earn $3.99 ECBs

You would spend $2.99 oop for $13.96 in products and still have $4.99 ECBs to use for a future purchase.

Of course if you have an extra Colgate coupon you save even more, or if you don't have any coupons your oop expense will be a bit higher.

If looking for more coupon match ups and ideas, check out Melissa's Bargain blog.