I remember reading how people would go into CVS and get stuff for free or even paid to take it out of the store for YEARS before I tried it myself.  I just could not get how it worked – I thought ‘It must be cheating, there is no way that actually works.’  But I kept going back to sites and reading about it, even cross referencing the alleged deals with sales ads and my coupons.  Yep – they totally worked – but I just couldn’t bring myself to go into CVS with coupons.  Don’t get me wrong – I loved couponing – I even loved DOUBLE couponing – but the Drugstore Game just scared me.

Well – our attempt at a Debt Free Adoption was just the motivation I needed.  The first time I went into CVS with a coupon match up plan was when we first started our 2nd adoption journey – nearly 3 years ago.  I was certain it wouldn’t work – and yet – it did.  Not only was I able to get some great deals matching their sales with coupons.  I was also rewarded with Extra Care Bucks – basically free money – for buying certain deals.  And over time – I learned to ‘roll’ these deals week after week for freebies each week.

Well – as everyone knows – our adoption journey ended and our family grew a bit nearly a year ago – seriously how is Baby C almost a year already?!

Anyway – as many of you know -our adoption was debt free – lots of fundraising, cutting back, and donations from friends we were blessed to have no debt associated with the adoption fees of our little girl.

So we don’t plan on adopting again anytime soon and we don’t ‘need’ to CVS coupon the way I needed to when our goal was a debt free adoption – but it is SO easy!

Here is a beautiful illustration – I spent $4.83 on the following items – the best part?  I got $5 in Extra Care Bucks (pretty much spends like cash) on my receipt – I basically got paid to take it out of the store!

I walked into CVS with LOTS of manufactures coupons.  I also had a $4 off $20 purchase from CVS.  I also had $7 in CVS Extra Care Bucks.

And this is how it went down…………

Pantene Items are on sale for 2 for $6.97 – not too shabby – but you also got a $1 back in ECBs (I also had TWO $1 off coupons)

Soft Soap body wash on sale for 2 for $7 – also pretty good price!  Buy two and get $4 in ECBs – I had ONE 75 cents off coupon

Secret Deodorant – on CLEARANCE for $1.67 each.  I had 5 $1 off coupons.  I am not one to buy multiple papers for lots of coupons – but I just happened to have 5 $1 off coupons for Secret – so I decided to use all of them.  That is pretty much gonna be all I need for the rest of 2012 – woot!

When it all shook out – I spent $4.83 out of pocket.

I also got $5 back in Extra Care Bucks – I can use these on just about any purchase at CVS for the next three weeks!

So, I am guessing most people reading this are not saving for an adoption like we were when we were first motivated to play the Drugstore Game.  But are you trying to pay down debt, save for kid’s college, want to go on vacation, want to buy more organic foods for your family, want to cut back on your hours or even stay home for a bit?  I get the vast majority of our toiletry items for free by using the Grocery Game!  I HIGHLY suggest giving it a try!

Enjoy ~ Kate