Comments on: CVS ECBs Are Driving Me Crazy

By: JoeTaxpayer

JoeTaxpayer — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 20:26:00 +0000

Yup, there's a point when you know you have a problem.
I realized I needed to get a grip when I came home with 10 bags of M&Ms which after a series of coupons and ECB juggling, were about $5 for the lot. After plowing through three bags in less than a week, I had to get them out of the house.
I still watch the ads, but I have to ignore those great $5off$10 candy deals.
Joe

By: One Frugal Girl

One Frugal Girl — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:37:00 +0000

@rini — If you just started playing the CVS game… give it some time… once your cupboards are filled to the brim you'll understand exactly where I'm coming from.

@renee, sense, & kristen — I'm so glad you left comments on this post. I was beginning to think I was all alone on this one. Eventually I know I'm bound to follow Sense's advice. Sooner or later I need to spend the ECBs on something that won't return ECBs. It seems that's the only way to stop the madness!

By: Kristen, a.k.a. Frugal Girl

Kristen, a.k.a. Frugal Girl — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:28:00 +0000

I did this for a while this past spring, but I’ve decided that, at least most of the time, it’s not worth my while. I’d rather learn how to use less of the kinds of things I buy at CVS(like shampooing less often), or learn to make my own(like laundry detergent). And yeah, I hate the way they expire…at least with Walgreens and Rite Aid, you have no pressure to go back soon.

By: Sense

Sense — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 04:24:00 +0000

Oh man, I used to do the same thing. For about 3 months, I was driving all over creation trying to find a CVS that wasn't out of something ECB-related that I wanted to buy...or to find a CVS cashier that understood how the game was played. (SO many cashiers refused to believe that I had a valid coupon or ECB deal, it was rediculous!).

I ended up giving away alot of toiletries. After about 2 months, I had a 2+ year supply of toothpaste and body wash, advil, and many other items. It was insane--that last month of ECB-ing was all for nothing but the 'fun' of getting a deal. Which some of the time, was NOT so fun!

Finally, I was moving out of my rental house (and away from the CVS across the street), and I needed caulk and other moving-out supplies, so i ended up blowing most of the ECB money I'd built up for that. it stopped the cycle right there.

I suggest going in and buying a gift or donation items using the leftover ECB's. If you don't need anymore 'stuff,' you are just wasting time and money chasing these deals.

By: Renee

Renee — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:51:00 +0000

I love RiteAid and Walgreens rebates. More money up front, but it’s a check or a gift card you can use anytime. Too bad CVS is closer to my house though. When we had kids in diapers they had some incredible ECB deals. I was really into it then. Those expiration dates bug me too. But then I can’t imagine paying more than tax for toothpaste!

By: Rini

Rini — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:56:00 +0000

Wow. … Really? I haven’t come up against an ECB deadline yet – primarily because I use each week’s ECBs the very next week…

Perhaps when I’ve played for longer and built up a stockpile of the Stuff We Need, I’ll feel differently. Right now, though, I just can’t understand waiting a full month to go back.