I see everyone "rolls" their ECB's.  I can't seem to earn enough to use them for some great deals on things I use.

For example, I went and bought the Physicians Formula, got my $7.00 in ECB's, then rolled them into the Rimmel Makeup.. get back $3.00 ECB's.  Then, used those on 3 bottles of Dish liquid, that were on sale for $1.00 each. so they were free.

Yes, all above is a great deal, but normally, I would not have bought that makeup (but, at the moment, I can use it for my "teen" daughters easter basket :) 

Now, I am left with no ECB's, and can't seem to find stuff that I can use that are producing ECB??  Does it just take time to collect them??  And, in the beginning should I be saving them to build them up… then start rolling??

Thanks Cardinal!  I basically had the same qestion for all RA, CVS and Walgreens.  I am still trying to keep everything straight!  Got all my Ziplocks for each store (lol).

Just trying not to miss anything :)  I have RA, CVS and Walgreens… as well as Shaws all in walking distance from my house!  So, I seem to be at the store alot these days… I need to learn to collect the q's, and make one trip a week to each of the stores if there are some deals at each!

Thanks again!

CVS takes some time to accrue ECB's.  I find that I will have weeks where I have none or very little and other weeks like this week when I have over $20 due to last week's transactions & the quarterly rewards.  I use them to get products that I would like to try or get but wouldn't normally spend the $ on and also when there is a really good sale on something with ECB's and Q's.  I have found that I am getting better and better CVS store coupons out of the box in the stores now too.  Last week I had my first transaction where everything was free – that was fun!

I would recommend getting a green bag tag as well as your Extra Care card and be diligent scanning both every time you shop.  It will get you $1 ECB every 4th time or so.  I also make sure I scan my extra care card every single time I fill a prescription too.  I recently signed up for the Beauty Club as well. 

I find Rite Aid the easiest of the three so far for getting stuff for free but I have been having a problem with the stores being out of stock on flyer items which is annoying.  Walgreen's has great sales but depending on the store I have had problems in the past with the staff & coupons – we finally found a really great store and now I am working on mastering Walgreen's. 

As for having a negative on your order at CVS you shouldn't go negative with your order.  I do not believe they will give you cash back so add something small to your order to keep it from going negative. 

Meg