I'd been keeping my eye on the CVS circular over the last few weeks, but there hadn't been any really big sale weeks, at least none for anything that my family particularly needed. So this week, I found myself with over $40 in ExtraBucks from my last CVS run, which were about to expire.

This, of course, is how the program makes its money. The majority of shoppers don't do their homework and fail to cash in their ExtraBucks on time. Fortunately, I keep an eye on those dates so I knew I was just about out of time (hint: set reminders using your calendar software or your phone apps).

I headed over to CVS in Marstons Mills MA on Tuesday armed with those ExtraBucks as well as $25 in prepaid debit cards that I got from a couple of rebates at Staples. At least I wouldn't be spending much of my own money this time out.

What I found was an average week in terms of ExtraBucks deals and sales. But I also found a lot of clearance items priced at 50% off. Clearance always varies from store to store, so its a matter of luck, but this particular time I did pretty well.

Here are my purchases:

4 Glade scented candles in jars @ $3.00 (reg. $4.39, $.50 instant coupon on 3 of them, plus $4 Extrabucks for purchasing four)
2 Campbells microwave soup @$1.50 (clearance, reg. $3.39)
2 M&M 12.6 oz. bag @$1.99 (clearance, reg. $3.99)
2 Stacys bagel chips 8 ox. bag @$1.75 (clearance, reg. $3.49)
1 Colgate Total toothpaste @$2.99 (reg. $3.89, $2 ExtraBucks)
1 Gillette Mach3 razors 3-ct @$6.69 (reg. $9.99,$2 ExtraBucks)
1 Edge shaving cream 2-pack @5.00 (reg. $5.39, $1 ExtraBucks)
2 Speed Stick deodorant @1.10 (clearance, reg. $4.39)
4 Diet Coke 12-pack @3/$10 (buy-3-get-1-free, reg.$5.49 each)
2 boxes saltines @$2.59 (buy-1-get-1-free)
1 cup CVS wet-wipes @$1.19
1 cup CVS wet-wipes @$.59 (buy-1-get-1-50%-off)
2 Planters Nutrition mixed nuts @$6.49 (buy-1-get-1-for-$.01, $2.00 coupon)
1 Ritz crackers 2-pack @6.00 ($2 ExtraBucks)
1 CVS Childrens pain reliever @$4.99
1 bag CVS cotton balls @$1.99
1 Crest Pro White toothpaste @$3.50 (reg. $3.89, free after ExtraBucks)

The CVS-brand items earn double-normal CVS ExtraBucks rewards as part of a currently-ongoing promotion (there is a coupon that you need to scan, but it is available in-store and in all the circulars). I also have been using the CVS green bag tag that gives you $1 ExtraBuck for every four visits where you use your own reusable bags.

As usual, I save some of the products that are free or cheap to donate to local shelters. I was able to bring a decent-sized box of toiletries to Independence House, a local domestic violence shelter.

Here's how I made out:

Total Before Sale Prices and Coupons: $131.51

Total Actually Paid After Sale Prices, Coupons, and $45.50 ExtraBucks: $32.69
(Note that $25 of that was paid with rebate money from Staples)

Extrabucks Received: $15.50

The clearance prices ended up making this last-minute trip pretty worthwhile, and it was certainly nice having to only turn over $7.69 of my "real" money.