Jill Cataldo


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CVS/Pharmacy “Just The Basics” Giveaway: Win a CVS Prize Pack!

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UPDATE: CONTEST HAS ENDED! The winner is Shimkut! Thank you to all who entered.

Life as a blogger can be interesting at times. Especially when you write a blog with a pretty large reach, companies often send samples and free items your way, hoping that you’ll write a review or just become more familiar with their new product lines.

Last month, a large box of products arrived from CVS/Pharmacy. To announce their new house-brand line, “Just the Basics,” CVS/Pharmacy sent an assortment of these new products: laundry detergent, shampoo, facial cleanser, liquid hand soap, dish detergent, and more. It was quite a surprise to receive all of this! To be honest, I always feel a little strange about accepting such a large assortment of items though — I don’t think it’s much fun for people to read a post along the lines of “Hey, look at this big box o’ stuff I just got. Thanks, CVS!” … and it also seems a little weird to me to just keep it all. I think it’s much more fun to share the CVS generosity with my audience.

So, that’s what I decided to do! The trouble was that many of these CVS “Just The Basics” items were heavy or liquid in nature. (Mailing a 100-oz. bottle of laundry detergent would cost me more than it would to buy it in the store!) So, throughout my May and June Super-Couponing workshops, I’ve been giving away many of these CVS/Pharmacy “Just The Basics” items as prizes to audience members in my classes. But, I’ve kept a few of the easier-to-mail items to share with my blog too, and I’ve put together this little “CVS/Pharmacy Just The Basics Prize Pack” for ONE lucky reader! It contains…

  • 15ct. Just The Basics 13-Gallon Kitchen Trash Bags
  • 1 Just The Basics All-Purpose Sponge
  • 1 Just The Basics Deodorant Soap – Fresh Scent
  • One CVS “Green Bag Tag” (scan it each time you visit the store, and on every 4th visit, receive $1 in Extra Care Bucks!)

To enter, simply post a comment under this article! This CVS/Pharmacy “Just The Basics” giveaway begins today, June 19, 2011, and runs for one week. The contest will end on June 25th at 11:59pm, and on June 26th, one winner will be chosen via a random number generator!

My thoughts on “Just The Basics”:

CVS has launched “Just The Basics” as a value-conscious line to save over national brands. In the promotional materials they sent that accompanied these products, I was pleased to see them acknowledge that coupon shoppers may often find deeper discounts on national brands by watching sales and matching them with coupons. They included a price comparison card with their products pitted against a national brand:

While you’ll likely note that their Just the Basics prices for a toothbrush or dish detergent are higher than many couponers would pay for a national equivalent (those things are FREE all the time!) some of their store-brand items did strike me as value buys too. The 140-count Just The Basics baby wipes at $2.99 is a fair price for that large-count size of baby wipes — the 64-77ct. national brands regularly sell for $2.99 for half that quantity of baby wipes. Their 100oz. Just The Basics 2x Concentrated Laundry Detergent is priced at $4.99 for 64 loads – that’s about .08 a load, which isn’t terrible if you need it. (The bottle they sent over was “Tropical Scent,” which I kept because the bottle got dented pretty badly in shipping. I have been using it this week, and it seems to clean as well as the name brands that I usually use. It smells really good too!) But the best deal I saw is the trash bags. They’re selling a 15ct. box of Just The Basics 13-gallon Kitchen Trash Bags for $1 – that’s a good price for any brand.

More about CVS/Pharmacy’s Just The Basics products::

While clipping coupons and searching for the best BOGO deals can be time consuming, often the hard work pays off with deep savings. But, you can save on everyday essentials without even opening your weekly circular. CVS/pharmacy’s newest store brand product line, “Just The Basics,” offers a large selection of practical, budget-friendly items from a variety of categories throughout the store. Just The Basics products start at just .99 and can be found at CVS/pharmacy locations nationwide.

Legal: This giveaway is sponsored by CVS/pharmacy and JillCataldo.com. Responding to this post with a comment qualifies readers to enter. Duplicate posts do not increase chances of winning. The contest began at midnight on June 19, 2011 and will end at 11:59pm on June 15, 2011. One winner will be chosen via random-number generator on June 26, 2011 and announced the same day. Winner will receive ONE CVS/Pharmacy “Just The Basics” prize pack consisting of one CVS/Pharmacy Green Bag Tag, one Just The Basics all-purpose sponge, one 15ct. box of Just The Basics trash bags, and one bar of Just The Basics deodorant doap. Products and program information were provided by CVS/Pharmacy. I received a boxed assortment of Just The Basics products from CVS/Pharmacy. Throughout May and June 2011, I gave the majority of these items away as prizes to attendees of my live Super-Couponing workshops, as quite a few of them were heavy, large, or liquid in nature. I kept a 100-ounce bottle of Just The Basics laundry detergent for personal use, and I saved these remaining items to feature in this blog giveaway. I have also received information from CVS/Pharmacy to help promote Just The Basics products. Winner will be contacted via the Private Messaging feature of JillCataldo.com and via email. If a winner does not reply to the message within four (4) days, that winner will forfeit the prize and a new winner will be chosen. Fulfillment of prizes to winner will be handled by JillCataldo.com. Good luck to everyone!

Comments

  1. Sounds like CVS is trying to compete with Target’s house brand and many other stores. I think it’s a good move on their part and think it would be nice to try these items.

  3. Thank you for sharing your freebies! I love the CVS packaging… Clean look and not very generic-looking.

  4. Thanks so much for including us in your spoils, Jill! I’ve never stepped foot in CVS but if I win, this may be just the thing to make me cross the threshold!
    Thanks, also, for the tips and wise advice you give out! YOU ROCK LADY!!

  5. I already really like shopping at CVS. I’d love to try the Just the Basics products!

  7. I love CVS….Never really spend any actual $$ there thanks to the rolling of my ECB’s…would love to try their new house brands.

  11. Last week I realized we were completely out of trash bags — and I only buy trash bags at the military commissary ($1.50 for 30 is the regular price there.) I couldn’t go a whole week without trash bags and I couldn’t get back to the commissary any earlier (we live in Glenview and the commissary is in City of North Chicago — a half hour each way!) — CVS basic was the solution to that problem.

    I’d never used them before but was pretty happy with them.

  12. Jill, I am once again impressed that you are sharing the wealth. It’s always your knowledge, your efforts, and now your CVS products. Most of all, I appreciate that you, our local shopping expert, can be counted on to be honest, legal, and therefore trustworthy amongst all the extreme couponing news going around. Thanks and keep up the good work!

  13. Jill,
    Keep up the great work. I love the blog and your giveaways. Here’s hoping I win this one :)

    -Megan

  18. I remember way back when — when Jewel would have a “generic” item aisle. Remember the olive green (or green) with white stripped cans and products? I would be really embarrassed that my mom would often go to that aisle to get stuff.

    How things have changed — “generic” is now popular. Stores don’t call them generic anymore they have names like “Home Life” or “Best Value” and they come in attractive packaging. And yes sometimes I’m buying those products.

  20. I’m interested in trying out their garbage bags . . . . always on the hunt for a good deal on decent bags.
    :)

  23. Would love to win the giveaway. Jill, thanks for a great site. Was at your supercouponing 2 taping. It was awesome! Good luck to everyone.

  24. CVS is probably my favorite store. I used to hate it. Before couponing I always thought everything was way overpriced, but then I learned how to play the drugstore game and I absolutely love CVS. I live a few blocks from one and know most of the employees by name. I always do my big shopping on Sunday mornings. Today is crazy so I was in earlier than usual, and I saw a lady steal a stack of papers from the outside bin! She put in change from one and walked away with about 5 or 6. I was shocked and yelled “Did you pay for those!” She jumped in her car and drove off, but not before I wrote down her tag and reported her to the manager. I’m also calling my paper. I’m so sick of unethical couponers and I don’t want them to give a bad rap to couponers especially at CVS!

  25. Good Morning, I have tried a few of
    CVS’s brands and all I have tried so far have worked well, but I know free items ALWAYS work. Just a note, spoke with the mgr at my CVS and they are going to start putting a limit on how many items can be bought at one time on the sales with coupons, I live in Bartow, Fl and one lady came on last week Sunday and bought every John Frieda Product they had. $5 + $5 off coupon, so they got mad and are changing the policy

  28. This would be a great opportunity to try their “Just The Basics” products before purchasing them.

    Thank you for sharing your gifts.

  29. Very thoughtful, Jill!! You never cease to amaze me with how generous you are.
    Thanks for all your hard work!!

  30. I didn’t even know CVS was carrying their own brand of products! I would love to try them.

  32. I have tried a few of the just basic products. I think cvs did pretty good, better than most store brands.

  33. Just did my first CVS coupon trip last week…I’ll definitely try their products!!

  34. Last week! Was easy! Very coupon friendly & I must say I like the item limit … Makes it fair for everyone :) would love to try their store brand!

  39. the trash bags alone would be awsome. We usually fill two to three of the big black garbage cans on a weekly basis. the

  40. I think this is as good a time as any to say thank you for all the time and effort you put into not only this blog and all the work you do but for also the time you put into teaching newbies (like me) who couldn’t do this without you. I think you totally deserve any goodies that they are willing to send you.
    But due to your generous spirit you chose to share with us.
    Thanks so much for everything Jill!
    You totally ROCK!
    Rose

  43. I can’t find the SMALL box of these kitchen bags anywhere! I want to try ’em, I’ve heard good things about them, but… I’ve heard good things about all the major brands too, and to me, I think Aldi’s are the strongest & best.

  50. Jill, I’d love to win! I have not tried any of the new CVS brand products. Thanks!

  51. Try everything once especially at such great prices!!!! Thanx 4 the great info., Jill!!!!

  52. Thank you so much for these offers. My husband became unemployed last week and my company is closing in 34 days. So everything (little or big) helps. Thank you.

  55. How much fun! It’s awesome that you do this for others. Good luck everyone.

  56. I heart CVS! Thanks for this giveaway. I’ve introduced 14 more people to Supercouponing with your method. We heart you too!

  58. Wow! I just started couponing! im about to be a stay at home home and im learning so much from your website! i plan on saving like never before, and this Just The Basics news sounds great! Thanks for all the hard work you put into your blog!!!
    Jenn K

  59. I have just started really following your blog, and can’t wait to get into it more!!

  63. I try to use house brands whenever possible (if they are cheaper, of course!) I am looking forward to seeing how these CVS brand products hold up.

  64. Thank you so much for giving us a chance to win these prizes, can hardly wait to try these items.

  65. Love their new line…have tried a couple of the items and would love to try more.

  66. I’ve only used a couple of the basic products but what I have used has been awesome! I’m new to couponing and looking for good store brand products. Thanks so much for the opportunity to win!!

  67. Love to try these products. My husband and I took Jill’s class a few weeks ago. Thank you Jill, on our very limited budget your class has been a blessing

  68. I am always willing to try new products, especially when they cost less than other brands.

  69. Would love to try something new. Finding these deals are always great. Please come to the Peoria area :)

  71. It’s back to the basics for me. I’m going to try “Just the Basics” line this week.

  72. I always like trying new products. It’s amazing all the great deals you can get when a new product just hits the market. But store brands are great too when you may need something and there’s just no good deals going on that week.

  73. I am starting to like CVS much better than Walgreens.
    I am excited to try their new products. I hope that I am a winner.
    Thank you for all of your information about couponing and saving,
    it has really helped my budget.

  79. I would love to win. I can’t find some of these products at my local CVS yet.

  80. Since CVS came out with this brand, I’ve always wanted to try it to see if their stuff was any good. Would love to win the giveaway and give it a whirl! :D

  84. I really need to get one of those bags on my next shopping trip, I forget to buy one every time I shop at CVS. Their new products look good, I’m looking forward to trying them.

  86. Being out of work of over a year, I would love to try these new products that would just save me even more money.

  87. I am so excited to try the new line at CVS. What would we do without all of these good deals?

    Tricia

  88. How cool. The tag is great to know about. I also liked seeing that there are disposable razors for sensitive skin.

  90. The prices on these items are OUTSTANDING….but you know the old saying “If it seems too good to be true than it probably isn’t” I’d like to see how these products compare to their more expensive competitors. If the lucky gal or guy gets this opportunity please share with the rest of us your results. :)

  92. Thanks for the giveaway Jill! It seems CVS is doing a lot to help keep costs down for consumers with a generous coupon policy and extra bucks program. I look forward to trying their Just Basics line now too.

  93. Thanks for the post – it seems to be an interesting new product line! Can’t wait to try it!

  96. Jill, I appreciate the opportunity to win a prize. But either way I appreciate you and your work. I bought your video and have learned so much. Bravo!

  100. This is so nice of you to do. I am have recently discovered the coupon savings that I can really have and I must say your site has helped me drastically thanks!!!!!

  101. Week 2 of couponing starts tomorrow! As a young mom of 3 BOYS I need as much help as I can get with groceries. Your class at the CLPL has changed the way I think about shopping and how I do my meal schedule. THANKS JILL!!!!

  103. The competitive pricing of the items you listed looks great! I’m curious to see if the quality holds up.

  104. I’m newer to couponing–but since I have been I’ve cut our grocery bill from $150 to $40 a week!!! And now we are blessed enough to even be looking for a house!! Thanks for all you do Jill!

  105. My son is moving out into his own apartment in 2 weeks….this Mom would like him to keep HIS place clean. Well, one would hope anyways!

  110. Who doesn’t like to get random free stuff in the mail that is why I go to hunt4freebies.com to get my random goodies in the mail.

  111. Jill, I love that you give away your fun freebies! Kudos for your success which is well deserved with your altruistic ways!

  112. While I have been couponing for over 30 years, your site has provided the resources to make couponing fun and productive by saving precious time. Thank you so very much! =)

  116. I am new to couponing, just began about a month ago. Thank you very much Jill for all that you do. I am learning a lot.

  117. Never thought I would say this, but it is some serious fun couponing and saving money – especially on your everyday BASICS! Thanks for posting this giveaway and sharing your blog with all of us.

  118. I’ve had so much fun finding bargains at CVS. Their salespeople are especially nice and helpful when it comes to coupons. These Basic items look like they could also be great filler items to use up those ECB’s.

  119. I’m just a few weeks away from my 1 year anniversary of taking Jill’s classes. Wow what can I say!!! This prize pack looks great!! I really love CVS too!!!

  120. I think that was very cool of you to share your goodies with us! I’ve got my fingers crossed!

  126. I attended your seminar about a year and a half ago and I have saved so much money for my family it is shocking. My husband loves to look at our bank account now, because it feels like we both got huge raises. We used to be living pay check to pay check, but now we have our emergency 3 months salaries saved in the bank, plus we have been able to open Roth IRA’s and start saving for retirement. It is truly amazing that our lives have been changed so drastically in such a short period of time. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

  136. This is a great thing to do. Especially in these very hard economic times when there are so many are stuggling just to keep up, thanks you!

  142. Thanks for the opportunity Jill! Can’t wait to try the new line up at CVS. Have a great week!

  145. A couple of months ago I happen to come upon the Just The Basics mixed fruits in glass jars in the 10/$10 section of the store. A light bulb lit up and I remembered that I had gotten a coupon from the big red box in the front of the the store for $1 off 2. This brought my cost down to 2 jars for $1. Not a bad price I thought. I just had one of the jars a couple of weeks ago as my dessert after lunch and it was so yummy! The fruit pieces were nice and big and they were not soggy. =)

  148. Thanks to you, and CVS. The CVS help van (good samaratin) showed up after a recent accident I was in and they were very helpful and even called the Police. Thanks to both you Jill and CVS.

  149. Thank you Jill and CVS for this give-away…I’m a real lover of the toiletry :)

  152. would love to try cvs just the basics brand to compare to others. Cant wait to use these products

  154. Would love the try the CVS brand products!!! Often times I think the store brand is just as good, if not sometimes better than the “designer” brand.

  156. I think I remember doing an online survey for cvs about a new line of basic items they would be producing. This would be awesome to win.

  158. I think this is a great idea and will be the perfect birthday present being as my birthday is this Saturday the 25th!!!! :)

  161. Thanks Jill for finding all the great deals for us and doing all the legwork! We are thankful you are in the blogosphere!

  162. I love the great deals that CVS Offers and i am always up for trying a great deal on a good product!

  174. I love CVS-have since I went to school in Boston-was so excited they were in the Midwest when I moved back a few years ago!

  176. CVS just opened a new store in Downers Grove this spring. I would love to try their new products. Customer service at that store is stellar and the lay out is easy to navigate. Thanks CVS!

  178. … for my new business. CVS is veerry convenient to my home, but I never really shopped there ’cause I thought they were too expensive. Now that I’ve been working on my supercouponing skills for the past few weeks, I’ve been patronizing CVS to get some of the good deals. The Green Bag Tag would be an awesome addition to my arsenal!@!

  182. I love CVS!! Haven”t tried their Just he Basic products yet-this would be a great opportunity to do so! Thanks for all your tips, Jill!

  184. I always get good deals there.I love Extra care bucks! CVS is one of the best stores i know!

  185. Dear Jill
    Thanks for teaching us and working so hard on finding the best deals for us. Before you I only bought generic because I thought it was cheaper. Now I know better. Looking forward to using the new products at CVS. Bless you girl! I usually don’t win these type of things.

  186. I am a newbie when it comes to shopping at CVS. (only 2 months) I look forward to the new deals each week and at times delighted to have corresponding coupons to “stack” with the store savings. I find myself smiling when I see my savings growing with each CVS purchase. CVS is my new store!

  188. Hey Jill! I’ve been couponing for a while now, and am soo inspired by you! I would love to win this cool little giveaway, as I love CVS!!! Thanks so much! :)

  189. I never shopped at CVS until I started following you, Jill.Now I love the deals I get there! Just picked up my free candy yesterday.

  190. I’m new to CVS but have had good luck so far. Would love to try their products!

  192. Love cvs It’s my favorite store since i can never get to walgreens in time to get the deals lol. I always find them at cvs. Hope I win and thanks for all you do jill not only do you help us all save money you give away stuff to.

  193. Exciting! I’d be a cheerful recipient of the Just The Basics CVS pack. Happy summer all!

  194. I really thought that CVS was really expensive before but they have great sales!

  196. CVS is great as even when they have thei sales with their ECB they will give a raincheck if they are sold out. Walgreens would not.

  199. Thank you Jill, for all of the hard work you do to share the wealth of knowledge of couponing.

    Thanks to reading your blog and attending your classes, I have a (small) stockpile of pasta, canned/frozen goods and health care items for hubby & me. I certainly would not have time to do these sale & coupon match ups being away 40-60 hours a week!

    In between super coupon deals, I do buy store brand, so it’d be great to try CVS’ Just the Basics line.

    Thanks. Michelle

  202. Can’t wait to try the new products. CVS has the best deals for couponing!!

  205. Always willing to try new products. Love your site I have a home daycare and feed many children so always looking for ways to save on any items. Thanks Jill!!!

  208. Love new products – always looking for something new to try and save money at the same time!

  210. Love trying out new products! Definitely open to receive a blessing and hopefully it will be me!

  211. 1st job was at a store that CVS bought out many years ago in Rochester, NY metro area. The original CVS owners were on a nationwide trip visiting every single new store to the group. Very pleasant and welcoming to employees. Have been a loyal customer of CVS since then (Mid-50s now) and always look to find the closest CVS store wherever I may live and/or travel. Would love to try some of the new product via winning them first. Thank you Jill for the opportunity to try to get some of these great products thru your contest.

  212. Jill I attended your class last night. Can’t wait to start couponing at CVS and everywhere else.

  213. I absolutely love your blog and look forward to reading it every Monday! You’ve really changed the way I look at prices and shopping! Thank you!

  214. Jill, I am new to your website and love it already! Yippeee for the deals of the week & giveaways :-)

  215. Hi Jill:

    I attended your class in Rochelle and LOVED it!! I didn’t even want to go to Walmart without a coupon or 2!!

    Thanks so much!!

  216. Gotta love the free stuff. Thanks so much for sharing, and for the chance to win!

  217. Thank you for another chance to win free products Jill. You really strive to give all you can to your blog followers. It is so nice to see someone with integrity make it all happen! You are a mover and a shaker and deserve all the good that comes your way!

  218. Jill, the past few days have been a joy. What a wonderful website with fantasic people! Thanks for thinking of your viewers! You are a TRUE gem!
    Plus, getting packages at home is rare and always fun to open.
    Take care, God Bless.

  221. Thank you Jill for all you do. I’ve saved
    so much money with smart couponing!

  223. I love the deals at cvs. I’d love to try this new brand. Thanks for all the tips!

  224. I would love to try these new CVS items, I have really learned a whole lot from your website.

jillcataldoheadshotI'm Jill Cataldo, founder of Super-Couponing® workshops and author of the nationally-syndicated newspaper column and video series "Super-Couponing Tips" enjoyed by over 20 million people each week.

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