How To Save With Free Offers Coupons And Rebates At Cvs

CVS is a go-to retail destination for many U.S. shoppers, offering a wide range of products across categories such as beauty, household goods, health, and personal care. What sets it apart, however, is its robust selection of coupons, rebates, and other promotional offers that help consumers save money—sometimes even turning purchases into moneymaking opportunities. These include free items, manufacturer coupons, ExtraBucks rewards, and smart shopping strategies that can be used together to maximize savings.

The following article provides an in-depth look at the types of free offers available at CVS, how they work, and the best ways to use them effectively. It also outlines the most commonly available free or discounted items, as well as tips for maximizing savings through coupon stacking and membership benefits.

Types of Free Offers and Promotions at CVS

CVS frequently offers free items, which are typically available for a limited time and may vary by location. These free items often require the use of manufacturer coupons, store coupons, and other incentives to achieve a final price of $0 or a moneymaker opportunity—where the item costs less than the rebates or rewards you receive.

One example of a free offer is the Mederma Quick Dry Oil. To get this item for free, you would need to:

  • Buy one Mederma Quick Dry Oil 3.4 oz. for $14.99 (regular price).
  • Use a $3.00 off $12.00+ First Aid products coupon.
  • Use a $7.00 off one Mederma (excluding Advanced Scar Gel 20g) coupon.
  • Receive $5.00 in ExtraBucks Rewards.
  • Submit a receipt for a $7.00 Ibotta Rebate.

After applying these discounts and rebates, the final cost is effectively $0, plus an additional $7.01 in returns. This is what is known as a “moneymaker” deal.

Another example is the Oral B Vivid Luminous manual toothbrush. By purchasing three of these for $4.69 each and combining it with a $4.00 off $18.00+ Oral Care coupon and a $5.00 off three Crest adult toothpaste items (via a manufacturer coupon), the total cost can be reduced significantly.

These types of offers are often highlighted on sites like Printable Coupons and Deals and The Krazy Coupon Lady, which curate and update the latest free items and coupons each week.

How to Access Free Items and Coupons

To access free items and coupons at CVS, you can use a combination of the following resources:

  1. CVS Website and App: The official CVS website and CVS app feature a dedicated coupons section. You can browse for digital manufacturer coupons, store coupons, and other offers that can be applied at checkout.

  2. Printable Coupons: Sites such as Printable Coupons and Deals offer printable coupons that can be used in-store. These are often manufacturer coupons and can be stacked with store coupons for maximum savings.

  3. ExtraCare Membership: Signing up for an ExtraCare card is essential for accessing the best deals. The ExtraCare card not only allows you to receive personalized coupons but also gives you access to weekly special offers and ExtraBucks rewards.

  4. Third-Party Rebate Sites: Services like Ibotta and Rakuten offer rebates on eligible purchases. Some rebates can be claimed after purchasing and submitting a receipt, turning a regular purchase into a free or moneymaking opportunity.

  5. Coupon Websites and Blogs: Sites like The Krazy Coupon Lady and Woman’s World provide updated lists of coupons and free items available at CVS.

Free Items and Popular Offers

CVS frequently runs promotions for free or discounted items across various categories. Some of the most commonly available free or deeply discounted items include:

  • Toothpaste and Oral Care Products: Items like Crest Scope Mouthwash and Oral B toothbrushes are often available for free or at a greatly reduced price when combined with the right coupons.
  • Cosmetics and Skincare: CoverGirl and Revlon cosmetics are frequently offered at a discount or for free when using manufacturer coupons and store coupons.
  • Household and Cleaning Supplies: Products like Bounty paper towels and Tide laundry detergent are often available with manufacturer coupons that can reduce the final price to $0 or less.
  • Beauty and Personal Care Sets: Many beauty sets, especially during holiday seasons, offer “buy one, get one free” deals or 50% off the second item. These are often available to ExtraCare members.
  • Food and Snacks: Items like Oreo cookies, Nutter Butter, and Chips Ahoy! are often featured in BOGO (buy one, get one) deals.
  • Health and Wellness: Vitamins, deodorants, and over-the-counter medications are frequently on sale, and when combined with coupons and rebates, can be purchased for free or at a significant discount.

For example, purchasing three CoverGirl Easy Breezy Fill & Define brow pencils at $6.49 each and using a $3.00 off $15.00+ CoverGirl cosmetics coupon along with three $3.00 off one CoverGirl eye product coupons can result in a final price of $0. Additionally, you receive $8.00 in ExtraBucks rewards, making the deal a moneymaker.

How to Maximize Savings with Coupon Stacking

One of the most effective ways to get free items at CVS is through coupon stacking. This involves combining multiple coupons and rebates to reduce the final price to $0 or less. Here’s how it works:

  1. Use Store Coupons: These are available in the coupons section of the CVS website or app and can be applied at checkout. They often offer discounts on categories like oral care, cosmetics, or household products.

  2. Use Manufacturer Coupons: These are typically found on the CVS website, in the newspaper, or on coupon sites like The Krazy Coupon Lady. They are usually sent directly to your ExtraCare card and can be used in-store.

  3. Combine with ExtraBucks Rewards: These are rewards earned by participating in offers, using your ExtraCare card, or signing up for special promotions. They can be used as store credit to reduce the price of your purchase.

  4. Use Third-Party Rebate Apps: Apps like Ibotta and Rakuten offer cashback or rebates on eligible purchases. These can be claimed after your purchase and submitted for reimbursement, turning a purchase into a moneymaking opportunity.

  5. Break Up Purchases: If you earn store credit through ExtraBucks or rebates, use it in a separate transaction to buy additional items. This allows you to use your rewards as “free money.”

An example of this strategy is when you buy items that earn you ExtraBucks first, then use those rewards to purchase other items in your cart. This ensures that you’re using your rewards before they expire and maximizing your savings.

ExtraCare Membership Benefits

The ExtraCare program is one of the most valuable tools for maximizing savings at CVS. There are two tiers of membership:

  1. Free Membership: This allows you to receive personalized coupons, access weekly special offers, and earn ExtraBucks rewards on purchases.

  2. ExtraCare Plus: For a $5 monthly fee, this tier offers all the benefits of the free membership, plus an additional $10 in ExtraBucks each month and 20% off all CVS brand items. This effectively gives you $5 in free savings each month, provided you use the rewards before they expire.

To make the most of your ExtraCare membership:

  • Ensure that all digital coupons are sent to your ExtraCare card.
  • Check the weekly ExtraCare offers for limited-time deals.
  • Use your ExtraBucks rewards before they expire.
  • Take advantage of the 20% off CVS brand items if you’re enrolled in the Plus tier.

Smart Shopping Tips for CVS

In addition to using coupons and rewards, there are several smart shopping strategies you can use to save money at CVS:

  1. Check for Restocks: If a free item is out of stock at your local store, check back later in the week. Many stores restock items, especially during the weekend.

  2. Use Retailer and Manufacturer Websites: Always check the official manufacturer and retailer websites for the most up-to-date coupons and promotions.

  3. Utilize Cashback Offers: Some websites, like RetailMeNot, offer cashback for purchases made at CVS. These can add up to significant savings over time.

  4. Plan Ahead: Before shopping, plan your purchases and coupons to ensure you can stack all available discounts and rebates for maximum savings.

  5. Avoid Expiration Dates: Always check the expiration dates of coupons and rewards to ensure they can be used before they become invalid.

Special Offers and Limited-Time Deals

CVS frequently runs special promotions, especially during holidays and seasonal events. These include:

  • Holiday Sets: During the holiday season, beauty and personal care sets are often available at a discount or with a BOGO offer. These are typically available to ExtraCare members and can be a great way to save on multiple items.

  • Photo Prints: One recent promotion allowed customers to receive a free 8x10 glossy photo print at CVS by using the code CYBERMON. This offer was valid online only and allowed for one free print per customer. The print had to be picked up in-store.

  • Gift Cards and Cards: CVS often offers gift cards and Hallmark greeting cards at a discount, especially when combined with coupons and rebates.

  • Dunkin’ Donuts K-Cups: These are frequently available for free or at a reduced price when using the right combination of coupons and rebates.

  • Health and Wellness Products: Vitamins, deodorants, and over-the-counter medications are often on sale and can be purchased for free or at a significant discount when combined with the right coupons.

Conclusion

CVS offers a wide variety of free items, coupons, and rebates that can help consumers save money and even turn purchases into moneymaking opportunities. By combining store coupons, manufacturer coupons, ExtraBucks rewards, and third-party rebates, shoppers can significantly reduce the final cost of their purchases—sometimes even to $0 or less.

To make the most of these offers, it’s important to stay informed about the latest promotions and to use smart shopping strategies such as coupon stacking and restocking checks. The ExtraCare membership is also a valuable tool for maximizing savings and receiving personalized offers.

Whether you're shopping for beauty products, household supplies, or health and wellness items, CVS provides numerous opportunities to save money. By taking advantage of these promotions and strategies, consumers can enjoy the benefits of free items and significant discounts without breaking the bank.

Sources

  1. Printable Coupons and Deals
  2. The Krazy Coupon Lady
  3. Woman’s World
  4. Hunt4Freebies