Quick Tips To Maximize Your Savings At CVS, Walgreens, And Other Drugstores
Do you find yourself needing vitamins, supplements, and prescriptions often?



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If so, read this before hitting the drugstore, as the following tips could keep more cash in your pocket.
See if Amazon Has Them Cheaper
A great way to save on over-the-counter meds is to get their generic versions instead of the brand names. Doing so can save you a whopping 73 percent while still getting the same active ingredients to help you feel better.
While CVS, Walgreens, and the like have their own generics, so does online giant Amazon. Visit its Basic Care store, and you can save even more (up to 75 percent) than on those drugstore generics. Remember this the next time you need to pick up some cough medicine or a pain reliever, as it could save you money and save you a trip to the drugstore.
Don’t Assume All Drugstores Have Similar Pricing
It seems as if places like CVS and Walgreens are interchangeable. You may even mix them up from time to time since they look the same. But when it comes to pricing, drugstores aren’t always equal, which is why doing your homework before heading out is your best bet to boost your bottom line.
Take allergy meds, for example. Did you know that a bottle of 30 Zyrtec cost $27.99 at CVS, while it was $6 cheaper at Walgreens? Unless you shopped around first, you wouldn’t know. And you’d also end up missing out on some serious savings.
Use Your Health Insurance Instead
Your doctor may be able to give you a prescription for items like allergy medicine, prenatal vitamins, vitamin D, etc. If you need such things frequently, getting a prescription could lower your costs versus buying them over the counter, as your copay may be cheaper than the retail price.
Use GoodRx to Comparison Shop
The Internet makes it so easy to find the lowest prices, and one site specializing in this in the realm of prescriptions is GoodRx.com.
Since it’s linked to over 70,000 pharmacies, GoodRx has the power to show you where you can get your prescriptions for less. All you have to do is enter the prescription name on the site, and it will show you a list of prices so you can pick the store that’s the most beneficial to your budget.
Pay Close Attention to Shelves
When you’re on the lookout for great deals on OTC meds, vitamins, and supplements, keep your eyes peeled for signs on shelves. They’re usually in bright colors like orange or yellow, and they’ll let you know how much of a discount you can score. Besides signs, look for peelies too. They’re tear-off coupons often found on displays that can lead to huge savings at the register.
Use This Coupon Strategy
One of the most significant benefits of shopping at drugstores is the savings you can snag from copious coupons. To make the most out of them, give your coupons to the cashier in this exact order:
- “Get x off your purchase of x or more.” If you need to reach a certain spending amount to secure savings, hand over this type of coupon at the beginning when your bill is at its highest.
- Store or manufacturer coupons.
- Store loyalty coupons.
As silly as this tip may sound, it’s one that coupon “experts” swear by.