Walgreens: get a free 8X10 photo enlargement!

Walgreens has 7 days of photo deals starting today!  Today’s deal is a free 8X10 photo enlargement when you enter the code DEAL8X10 at check-out! Details are here.  Choose to pick it up in store and avoid shipping charges!

You can also get 50 free 4X6 photo prints for just $5 through Saturday, 4/9 when you enter the code 50TOUCH at check-out.  Details are here.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

 

Walgreens deals for the week of 4/3

If you are new to shopping at Walgreens, make sure you check out my tips for shopping at Walgreens here.  If you need coupons for the deals this week, check out My Coupon Hunter!

FREEBIES:

Buy Colgate MaxFresh, MaxWhite, or MaxClean toothpaste – $2.99, get a $3 RR
$.35/1 Colgate toothpaste – 4-3 SS
Final Price = $.36 moneymaker after coupon/RR

RR DEALS:

Buy Aussie, Herbal Essences, or Pantene hair care – 2/$7, get a $2 RR
BOGO free Aussie/Herbal Essences – 3-13 SS (*max deduction is $3.23)
$1/1 Aussie/Herbal Essences – P&G Year of Savings
$1/2 Pantene products – 4-3 PG
$1/2 Aussie/Herbal Essences products – 4-3 PG

SCENARIO:
Buy 2 Aussie/Herbal Essences – 2/$7

Use BOGO free Aussie/Herbal Essences (-$3.23)
Use $1/1 Aussie/Herbal Essences

Spend $2.77 OOP, get a $2 RR
Final Price = $.77 after coupons/RR ($.39/each)

Buy Brach’s Jelly beans or Jelly bird eggs – 2/$3, get a $1 RR
Final Price = 2/$2 after RRs ($1 each)

Buy Colgate 360, MaxFresh, or MaxWhite toothbrush – 2/$5, get a $2 RR
$1/1 Colgate manual toothbrush – 3-27 SS
Final Price = $1 after coupons/RR ($.50/each)

Buy Crest Pro-Health Clinical or Sensitivity toothpaste or Mouth rinse or Oral B CrossAction toothbrush – 2/$8, get a $2 RR
$1/1 Crest rinse – 4-3 PG
$2/1 Oral B CrossAction toothbrushes – 4-3 PG
$1/1 Crest toothpaste – P&G Year of Savings
$.50/1 Crest toothpaste – 3-13 RP

SCENARIO:
Buy 2 Oral B Cross Action toothbrushes – 2/$8

Use 2 $2 Oral B coupons

Spend $4 OOP, get a $2 RR
Final Price = $2 after coupons/RR ($1 each)

Buy Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor system – $9.99, get a $4 RR
$3/1 Gillette Fusion ProGlide – 4-3 PG
Final Price = $2.99 after coupon/RR

Buy Gillette ProSkin razor system – $7.99, get a $4 RR
$2/1 Venus ProSkin razor – 4-3 PG
Final Price = $1.99 after coupon/RR

Buy U by Kotex tampons (18 ct), pantiliners (50-60 ct), or pads (18 ct) – 2/$7, get a $3 RR
$1/1 U by Kotex printable
Final Price = 2/$2 after coupons/RR ($1 each)

Buy Pepsi or Dr. Pepper products – 4/$13, get a $3 RR
Final Price = 4/$10 after RR ($2.50 each)

Buy Pup-Peroni dog snacks ($1.99 each), get a RR:
Buy 2, get $1 RR
Buy 3, get $2 RR
Buy 5, get $3 RR
$1/1 Pup-Peroni dog snacks printable
$1/1 Pup-Peroni – 3-13 RP

SCENARIO:
Buy 3 Pup-Peroni dog snacks – $1.99/each

Use 3 $1/1 coupons

Spend $2.97 OOP, get $2 RR
Final Price – $.97 after coupons/RR ($.32/each)

(Thanks Wild for Wags!)

NOTE: I did this deal today (it’s a monthly deal) and my RR did not print when I used the coupons.  The manager had to scan the bags again without coupons and then the RR printed.  I have read on other boards that this is an issue in other places, too.

OTHER DEALS:

Buy Chinet dinner plates – $2.99 (BOGO free monthly deal)
$1/1 Chinet printable
Final Price = $.50 each after BOGO free promtoion and 2 $1 coupons!

Buy Easter M&Ms – 2/$5
$2/2 Mars Easter products – April 2011 All You or printable (no longer available)
$1/2 M&Ms – April Walgreens coupon book
Final Price = 2/$2 ($1 per bag)

Buy Kraft Homestyle Macaroni & Cheese – 3/$5
$.50/1 Kraft Homestyle Macaroni & cheese printable
Final Price = $1.17 after coupons

Spend $20 on Pampers, get a $5 coupon for your next purchase of Pampers; spend $10 on Pampers, get a coupon for $2 on your next purchase of Pampers
-Pampers jumbo pack Swaddlers, Cruisers, Easy Ups, or Baby Dry diapers – $8.99/each
$2/1 Pampers diapers/pants – P&G Everyday Savings booklet
$1.50/1 Pampers diapers/pants – 4-3 PG
$2/1 Pampers diapers – Walgreens Infant care booklet

SCENARIO:
Buy 3 Pampers jumbo packs – $8.99/each

Use 1 $2/1 Pampers coupon
Use 2 $1.50/1 Pampers coupons
Use $2/1 Walgreens Infant Care booklet coupon (should deduct $6)

Spend $15.97 OOP, get a coupon for $5 off your next purchase of Pampers

Then, buy 1 jumbo pack Pampers – $8.99

Use $2/1 Walgreens Infant Care booklet coupon
Use $5/1 Pampers coupon (if this is a store coupon, you could also use a $1.50/1 manufacturer’s coupon)

Spend $1.99 OOP (it may only be $.49 if the “RR” that prints is a store coupon!)

So, you get 4 jumbo packs of diapers for $17.96 OOP ($4.49/each) – that’s a GREAT price for Pampers!

Purex 2X laundry detergent (32 loads) – $1.99 (w/ in ad coupon)
$1/1 Purex – 2-20 RP, 3-13 RP
Final Price = $.99 after coupons
*NOTE: If your store is out, you can price match at Walmart!

FILLER ITEMS:
*Bubbles, punch ball, or activity pads – 3/$1 (w/ ina d coupon)
*Bumble Bee chunk light tuna – $.59 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Easter novelties – 3/$1 (w/ in ad coupon0
*Hershey’s or Cadbury Easter candy – $.39
*Hershey’s candy – $.39 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Planter’s Flavor Grove Almonds – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Spring/Easter pencils or fruit scented gel pen – 4/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Swanson chicken broth – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)

The following scenarios are for those who are starting out with few, if any RRs: $18.67 in merchandise for $5.09 OOP, $1 RR left to spend

TRANSACTION #1:
Buy Colgate MaxWhite/MaxFresh/MaxClean – $2.99

Use $.35/1 coupon

Spend $2.64 OOP, get a $3 RR

TRANSACTION #2:
Buy 2 Aussie/Herbal Essences – 2/$7
Buy 1 Filler item (Easter novelties are 3/$1 w/ in ad coupon) – $.34

Use BOGO free Aussie/Herbal Essences (-$3.23)
Use $1/1 Aussie/Herbal Essences
Use $3 RR

Spend $.11OOP, get a $2 RR

TRANSACTION #3:
Buy 2 Colgate toothbrushes – 2/$5
Buy 1 Filler item (Easter novelties are 3/$1 w/ in ad coupon) – $.34

Use 2 $1/1 Colgate coupons
Use $2 Aussie/HE RR

Spend $1.34 OOP, get a $2 RR

TRANSACTION #4:
Buy Brach’s jelly beans – 2/$3

Use $2 Colgate RR

Spend $1 OOP, get a $1 RR

MY PLAN: I’m starting with a $3 RR and I plan to follow the scenarios above, but my OOP will be less because I’m already starting w/ RR!

FAQS: (Check out Walgreens new coupon policy here!)

Do you do multiple transactions at one store on one visit?
It just depends. Several stores in my area have gone to a “one RR per item per day” rule, which means I can’t do more than one transaction where I’m earning RR for the same product at the same store. Some of the stores in my area also will not let you use the RR you earn from one transaction on another transaction in that same visit.  I’m fortunate to have several stores within a few minutes of my house, so I usually try to break up transactions at different stores and on different days to stay in the good graces of my stores.

What is Walgreens policy on using BOGO free coupons with a BOGO free offer, adjusting down coupons, etc.?
The new coupon policy does not really using a BOGO free coupon with a BOGO free promotion, but it does say you can use up to two coupons as long as the total doesn’t go below zero, so, you SHOULD be able to do this!!

Walgreens coupon policy is now to adjust the value of coupons down – YAY!!

Some helpful tips:
*At Walgreens, you can use ONE manufacturer’s coupon and ONE store coupon per item (always give the store coupon last to avoid problems)

*At Walgreens, you cannot do a promotion more than once in a transaction and earn Register Rewards. (for example, if you buy 2 Speedstick, you will only earn a RR for one)

*You also typically cannot use the Register Rewards earned from a promotion on the same promotion and earn Register Rewards again. For example, if you buy the Speedstick and use the RR from that to buy more, the RR will not print

*Register Rewards are considered to be “manufacturer’s coupons” and you can only use one manufacturer’s coupon per item. You will have to add “filler” items if you are using a manufacturer’s coupon and a RR. The in ad coupons often have good, inexpensive filler items. (check out the weekly match-ups for ideas)

*If you are using more than one RR in a transaction, always give the RR with the highest value FIRST. Sometimes strange things happen with coupons and taxes and even if you think you have planned out your scenario very well, you will end up with more overage than you planned for.

*If you are buying items that would result in a “free” item or “overage” when combining a store coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon, give the manufacturer’s coupon FIRST, and the store coupons LAST to avoid beeping/issues at the register! Make sure that you are purchasing enough items in your total transaction to “cover” the overage. You will not get cash back and you will have to add items to cover the overage or they will not take the coupon.

*If your Register Reward doesn’t print for some reason and you have fulfilled all of the obligations for the “deal” (including not using RR from the same parent company to pay) DO NOT let them tell you it is because you used coupons! Chances are they didn’t print because the catalina machine is not working. You have two choices: you can return your items and try again or you can contact the catalina company by doing the following:
*The store will give you a form to fill out and mail in to catalina
*Call 1-877-210-1917, option 1

This post is part of Becentsable’s Grocery Gathering.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

 

 

Walgreens Friends & Family Sale: Save 15-20% off today only!

Walgreens is having their Friends & Family sale today!  You can print a coupon here to save 15% off your total in store purchase and 20% off your purchase of “W” and Walgreens brand items.

Here are some hot deals you might want to take advantage of using this coupon: (you can access the full list of weekly deals and scenarios here)

Buy Always Maxi LeakGuard Plus pads or Dri-Liners Plus – 2/$6, get a $4 RR
$1/1 Always – P&G Year of Savings book
$.50/1 Always – 2-27 PG (*expires today)
-$.90 (F&F coupon)
Final Price = $.90 moneymaker (if you have 2 $1 coupons) or $.05 each if you have the $.50 coupons

Buy Charmin Basic – $2.99 (w/ in ad coupon)
$1/1 Charmin – P&G Year of Savings book
$.25/1 Charmin – 2-27 PG
-$.45 F&F coupon
Final Price = as low as $1.54 if you have the $1/1 coupon

Buy Colgate Total Advanced or Gum Defense toothpaste or 360 Clean toothbrush – 2/$6, get a $4 RR
$1.50/1 Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste – 3-27 SS2
$1/1 Colgate toothpaste – 2-27 SS
$1/1 Colgate toothbrush – 3-27 SS2
-$.90 (F&F coupon)

Final Price = $1.90 moneymaker after coupons/RR if you buy the Total Advanced or $.90 moneymaker if you buy the toothbruhes

Buy Skintimate shave cream or gel – 2/$4, get a $2 RR
$.55/1 Skintimate – 3-20 SS
-$.60 F&F coupon

Final Price = $.30 after coupons/RR ($.15/each)

Buy Speed Stick antiperspirant/deodorant – $1.99, get a $1 RR
$.50/1 Speed Stick deodorant – 3-27 SS2
-$.30 F&F coupon

Final Price = $.19 after coupon/RR

W brand Premium diapers or training pants – $5.99
$2/1 W brand diapers (Infant care booklet – details are here
-$1.20 F&F coupon
)
*When you spend $25 on qualifying W brand products, you will get a form at check-out for a $10 MIR

SCENARIO:
Buy 5 W premium brand diapers – $5.99 each

-$10 ($2 Infant Care booklet coupon)
-$6 (F&F discount)

Spend $13.95 OOP, get $10 MIR form
Final Price = $3.95 after coupons/MIR ($.79 per package)

PLEASE NOTE: In some areas, the $10 MIR coupon appears to be printing if you spend the $25 before discounts, and in other areas, it is printing after the discount.

This post is part of Becentsable’s Grocery Gathering.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

Walgreens deals for the week of 3/27

If you are new to shopping at Walgreens, make sure you check out my tips for shopping at Walgreens here.  If you need coupons for the deals this week, check out My Coupon Hunter!

FREEBIES:

Buy Colgate Total Advanced or Gum Defense toothpaste or 360 Clean toothbrush – 2/$6, get a $4 RR
$1.50/1 Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste – 3-27 SS2
$1/1 Colgate toothpaste – 2-27 SS
$1/1 Colgate toothbrush – 3-27 SS2
Final Price = Free to $1 moneymaker after coupons/ECBs (toothpaste is a $1 moneymaker, toothbrushes are free)

Buy Snickers Creme eggs – $.29
$1/2 Mars Easter products – 3-20 RP
$2/2 Mars Easter products – April 2011 All You Magazine
Final Price = get 7 for $.03 (NOTE: you could buy 2 and use the $1/2 – the cashiers should adjust the price down, but you will not have any “beeps” and will get more bang for your buck if you buy 7!)

RR DEALS: these are not all of the RR deals, they are just the “highlights” – best deals are in red

Buy Claritin Allergy Relief – $19.99, get a $4 RR
$5/1 Claritin printable
$5/1 Claritin – 2-27 SS, 3-27 SS
Final Price = $10.99 after coupon/RR

Buy Coppertone or Bain de Soleil sun care – $9.99, get a $3 RR
$1/1 Coppertone printable
Final Price = $5.99 after coupon/RR

Buy select Dove products – 4/$15, get a $5 RR
-Active Clean shower tool
$1/1 Dove Men + Care body wash, face bar, or shower tool printable
-Antiperspirant/deodorant
$1/1 Dove Men + Care antiperspirant/deodorant – 3-27 RP
$1/1 Dove Men + Care antiperspirant/deodorant printable (scroll down and click on “clip coupon”)
-Body mist
$.75/1 Dove deodorant or body mist – 3-27 RP
-Body wash
$1/1 Dove body wash – 3-27 RP
$1/1 Dove Men + Care body wash – 3-27 RP
$1/1 Dove Men + Care body wash, face bar, or shower tool printable
-Hair care
$.75/1 Dove hair care products – 3-27 RP
-Deep Clean bar

SCENARIO:
Buy 4 Dove Men + Care products (deodorant, body wash, active care shower tool) – $15

-$4 (4 $1/1 manufacturer’s coupon)

Spend $11 OOP, get a $5 RR
Final Price = $6 after coupons/RR ($1.50 each)

Buy Garnier Fructis shampoo/conditioner/styler – 4/$14, get a $4 RR
$1/1 Garnier Fructis shampoo/conditioner/styler – 2-6 RP, 3-6 RP
Final Price = 4/$6 after coupons/RR ($1.50/each)

Buy Skintimate shave cream or gel – 2/$4, get a $2 RR
$.55/1 Skintimate – 3-20 SS
Final Price = $.90 after coupons/RR ($.45/each)

Buy Speed Stick antiperspirant/deodorant – $1.99, get a $1 RR
$.50/1 Speed Stick deodorant – 3-27 SS2
Final Price = $.49 after coupon/RR

Spend $10 on participating travel-sized products, get a $3 RR (pictured in ad: Pantene, Dove, Secret, Edge, Axe, Scope, and Colgate)
NOTE: If you have the P&G Everyday Savings coupon book, many of the coupons do not have size limitations, so depending on what’s included, you may be able to get some great deals!)

OTHER DEALS:

Charmin Basic tissue (6 ct double roll) – $2.99 w/ in ad coupon
$1/1 Charmin coupon from P&G Everyday Savings booklet
Final Price = $1.99 after coupons

Domino’s Confectioner’s or Light Brown Sugar – $.79 (w/ in ad coupon)
$.75/2 Domino’s sugar products – 3-27 RP
Final Price = $.42/each after coupon (when you buy 2)

Renuzit Odor Neutralizer – BOGO free (PSA $2.99)
$1/1 Renuzit printable
Final Price – $.99 for two (when you use two coupons) – $.50 each

W brand Premium diapers or training pants – $5.99
$2/1 W brand diapers (Infant care booklet – details are here)
*When you spend $25 on qualifying W brand products, you will get a form at check-out for a $10 MIR

SCENARIO:
Buy 7 W brand premium diapers – $5.99 each

-$14 ($2 W brand diapers coupon from Infant Care booklet)

Spend $27.93 OOP, get MIR form
Final Price = $17.93 after MIR ($2.56 per jumbo pack!)

FILLER ITEMS:
*Butterball chicken broth – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Butterfinger or Russell Stover Easter egg – $.39 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Deerfield Farms seasonings – $.79/each (w/ in ad coupon)
*Geisha mushrooms – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Jelly beans or Peeps – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Madam Mandarin oranges – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Snickers or Russell Stover eggs – $.29 each
*Spring & Easter pencils – 8/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)

NOTE: This is not in the ad, but at my stores, they have bins of silly bands 4/$1 – these would be great for goody bags or in Easter Baskets!

The following scenarios are for those who have few, if any, RR to start with: $3.55 OOP fo4 $13.55 in merchandise, $3 in RR left to spend

TRANSACTION #1:
Buy 2 Colgate toothbrushes or toothpaste – 2/$6

Use 2 $1/1 coupons (or $1.50 for the toothpaste)

Spend $3-4 OOP, get a $4 RR

TRANSACTION #2:
Buy 1 Speedstick – $1.99
Buy 2 Skintimate shave gel – 2/$4
Buy 4 Snickers eggs – $.29/each

Use $.50 Speedstick coupon
Use 2 $.55/1 Skintimate coupons
Use $1/2 Snickers coupon
Use $4 Colgate RR

Spend $.55 OOP, get a $1 RR and a $2 RR

My Plan: I am starting with a $4 RR

TRANSACTION #1:
Buy 2 Colgate toothbrushes – 2/$6
Buy 4 Snickers eggs – $.29/each

Use 2 $1/1 Colgate coupons
Use $1/2 candy coupon
Use $4 RR

Spend $.16 OOP, get a $4 RR

Then, I will follow Transaction #2 above

FAQS: (Check out Walgreens new coupon policy here!)

Do you do multiple transactions at one store on one visit?
It just depends. Several stores in my area have gone to a “one RR per item per day” rule, which means I can’t do more than one transaction where I’m earning RR for the same product at the same store. Some of the stores in my area also will not let you use the RR you earn from one transaction on another transaction in that same visit.  I’m fortunate to have several stores within a few minutes of my house, so I usually try to break up transactions at different stores and on different days to stay in the good graces of my stores.

What is Walgreens policy on using BOGO free coupons with a BOGO free offer, adjusting down coupons, etc.?
The new coupon policy does not really using a BOGO free coupon with a BOGO free promotion, but it does say you can use up to two coupons as long as the total doesn’t go below zero, so, you SHOULD be able to do this!!

Walgreens coupon policy is now to adjust the value of coupons down – YAY!!

Some helpful tips:
*At Walgreens, you can use ONE manufacturer’s coupon and ONE store coupon per item (always give the store coupon last to avoid problems)

*At Walgreens, you cannot do a promotion more than once in a transaction and earn Register Rewards. (for example, if you buy 2 Speedstick, you will only earn a RR for one)

*You also typically cannot use the Register Rewards earned from a promotion on the same promotion and earn Register Rewards again. For example, if you buy the Speedstick and use the RR from that to buy more, the RR will not print

*Register Rewards are considered to be “manufacturer’s coupons” and you can only use one manufacturer’s coupon per item. You will have to add “filler” items if you are using a manufacturer’s coupon and a RR. The in ad coupons often have good, inexpensive filler items. (check out the weekly match-ups for ideas)

*If you are using more than one RR in a transaction, always give the RR with the highest value FIRST. Sometimes strange things happen with coupons and taxes and even if you think you have planned out your scenario very well, you will end up with more overage than you planned for.

*If you are buying items that would result in a “free” item or “overage” when combining a store coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon, give the manufacturer’s coupon FIRST, and the store coupons LAST to avoid beeping/issues at the register! Make sure that you are purchasing enough items in your total transaction to “cover” the overage. You will not get cash back and you will have to add items to cover the overage or they will not take the coupon.

*If your Register Reward doesn’t print for some reason and you have fulfilled all of the obligations for the “deal” (including not using RR from the same parent company to pay) DO NOT let them tell you it is because you used coupons! Chances are they didn’t print because the catalina machine is not working. You have two choices: you can return your items and try again or you can contact the catalina company by doing the following:
*The store will give you a form to fill out and mail in to catalina
*Call 1-877-210-1917, option 1

This post is part of Becentsable’s Grocery Gathering.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

 

Tuesday Tips: CVS vs. Walgreens

I often have people, particularly those who are just getting started using coupons, ask me which is “better” – CVS or Walgreens?  The answer, at least for me, isn’t very easy or cut and dried, so I thought I’d share a comparison of the two!

REWARDS PROGRAMS

CVS and Walgreens both offer “rewards” for purchasing specific items (these are highlighted in the weekly ads).  The rewards are CVS are called “Extra Care Bucks” (ECBs) and the rewards at Walgreens are called “Register Rewards” (RRs).

At CVS, the Extra Care Bucks are tied to your card and cannot be used by anyone else. They print off on the bottom of your receipt when you make qualifying purchases.  You also earn quarterly Extra Care Bucks for filling your prescriptions at CVS (you’ll receive 1 ECB for every 2 prescriptions you fill) and based on your out of pocket spending (you’ll receive a quarterly ECB for 2% of your purchases during that quarter).  The Extra Care Bucks typically have an expiration date that is one month from the date of your purchase.  These are also considered “store coupons” and you can use multiple ECBs in one transaction regardless of the number of items that you are purchasing.  This makes it easier to “roll” them into other deals (if you’re not familiar with the concept of “rolling” this basically means that you use your rewards to pay for other items that earn rewards so that you are not spending much, if any “real” money out of pocket)

At Walgreens, the Register Rewards are basically a catalina coupon that prints out after you make a qualifying purchase (similar to the coupons you receive at the grocery store).  These are considered manufacturer’s coupons, so they are not tied to any one person.  Because they are considered manufacturer’s coupons and you can only use one manufacturer’s coupon per item, it makes it more difficult to “roll” these into other deals if you also have a manufacturer’s coupon for the item you are buying.  For example, if there is a deal on Gillette razors and I have a Register Reward that I want to use, but I also have a manufacturer’s coupon that I want to use, I will have to add a “filler” item so that I can use both coupons.  The good news is that they have cheap “filler” items every week which typically include things that I need anyway such as spices, Hunt’s tomato sauce, canned mushrooms, and seasonal items.  Register Rewards also have additional restrictions.  For example, if you use a Register Reward from a promotion to buy that same item, another Register Reward will not print.  Also, if you use a Register Reward from a different promotion but the same manufacturer that is the same amount of a Register Reward you would earn, another Register Reward will not print.  For example, if you have a $2 RR from buying Crest toothpaste and there is also a $2 RR offer for Herbal Essences shampoo, a new RR will not print if you use the Crest RR to buy the shampoo because both products have the same manufacturer (P&G).

Both rewards coupons have some restrictions which typically exclude them from being used on items such as gift cards, postage stamps, prescriptions, and alcohol.


CVS

Pros:

-Unlimited use of ECBs per transaction, which makes them easier to “roll” into other deals

-Longer expiration dates for ECBs

-Purchases are “tracked” on your card (so, if you are taking advantage of a promotion such as “Spend $25 on X item, get a $10 ECB” and one store doesn’t have enough, you will be able to go to another store and the purchases will also count toward your $25)

-ECBs can be used on almost anything in the store!  If the limit is more than one on an ECB-earning item, you can use the ECB from purchasing the first item to buy the second item.

-When you scan your card at the red scanners in the store, you get additional store coupons that can be combined with manufacturer’s coupons for greater savings!

Cons:

-ECBs are tied to one specific card

-Household limits on ECB-earning items

WALGREENS

Pros:

-RRs are manufacturer’s coupons and can be used on almost anything in the store!

-You can use more than one RR per transaction

-You can combine store and manufacturer’s coupons and there are usually store coupons in the weekly ads, monthly coupon books with store coupons (found at the front of the store) and special coupon booklets with store coupons.  Combining the store coupons and manufacturer’s coupons results in greater savings!

Cons:

-RRs are manufacturer’s coupons so you sometimes have to add “filler items” which makes it harder to “roll” your RRs and typically results in more out of pocket expenses

-Expiration dates are shorter (usually about 2 weeks)

-Promotional restrictions make it difficult to “roll” RR because you cannot use a RR from a promotion to buy another and still earn RRs and sometimes cannot use RR from the same manufacturer

Overall, I think CVS is easier to learn if you are a newbie, but I prefer Walgreens because my Walgreens stores tend to have more items in stock and because there are not household limits (as long as I can figure out how to “roll” the RRs between different items)

If you are new to shopping at CVS or Walgreens, make sure you check out my store guides here:

CVS Newbie Store guide

Walgreens Newbie store guide