My First CVS Transaction - a learning experience!

Well after reading several blogs, I thought I knew all there was to know about being a savvy CVS shopper. I thought I was going to walk away spending about $5 and have a bag full of freebies. Boy, was my first trip a learning experience. What I figured out was... be prepared. The easiest way to be prepared, is to review your flyer first, make a list second (add up the total of your purchases and subtract coupons and sales to determine subtotal), match up coupons to list, and do several transactions. My friendly little tip for the day; if there is a line, let people go ahead of you between transactions.

Transaction #1 on 7/21/2008
2/$11.00 Kotex Tampons - 36 count - saved $2.78 with card, used 1 coupon .75 (I had 2 coupons, but couldn't find them, this is where preparation is handy.)

3/$6.47 Glade Scented Oil Refills - saved $3.90 with card - I had a coupon buy 2 get 1 free, but the cashier did not take this off my total. (I didn't realize it b/c I didn't have a list and I was not prepared, so I lost $2.49 in this transaction.)

2/$6.49 All Detergents - on sale - Buy 1 Get 1 Free - I used TWO coupons for the detergents saving $1.50 off the sale price of $6.49 for both. (Finally, I did something right.)

2/$1.49 Trident Extra Care Mint Gum - B1G1F - plus B1G1F coupon - (I actually got something for free.)

I was shocked when my cashier demanded I pay him $25.16, what happened to free stuff??? So after borrowing $6 from my oldest daughter, (I only had $20), I paid him, and looked at my receipt.

It was too late according to the cashier to give me the $2.49 coupon he didn't ring in, and I was so flustered and nervous from the line now forming, I left and forgot my coupon.

Here's the good news - I saved $14.66 with the CVS card sales and $3.74 with coupons for a total of $18.40. Now I have tampons to last me a few months, my laundry detergent needs are met by my favorite detergent, candles are lit and smelling good in my entry way, and I GOT FREE GUM, not to mention the confidence to do this again with my $5 in Extra Reward Bucks for my next trip.