CVS Scenarios - week of 12/26

I'm torn, the CVS ad feels weak this week. It's a short week and much of their focus is likely on moving Christmas merchandise. I just read that the CVS Beauty Club credits reset at the start of the new year. I am about $20 away from the next $5 reward. So, do I stock up on makeup that I don't need, spending in the neighborhood of $20, I could net $15 in ECBs ($5 - Revlon, $5 - Physician's Formula and $5 - CVS Beauty Club) or do I just let them "expire". The thing is, I have earned the CVS Beauty Club Extra Bucks a few times just through my normal course of shopping - so it's not like that $30 I have towards it is something that I bought by design for the Beauty Club.

Transaction #1
2 - Theraflu Warming Syrup

-$3 Theraflu mfg coupon
-$2 Theraflu IP or IP

Total $4.54, earn $3 ECBs. Of course, if you have two of the coupons from the paper, it is an even better deal. This is my go to medicine when I have a cold - I like the warming effect of the syrup, so a net of $1.54 for two bottles sounds great to me.

Transaction #2
1 - Zyrtec 5ct

-$2 Zyrtec IP (or is this a trial size)

Total $3.99, pay with $3 ECBs and $.99 OOP. Earn $5.99 ECBs.

Transaction #3 (if I go with the makeup plan)
2 - Revlon Eye products (PSA $4.99)

-$1 Revlon mfg coupon
-$1 Revlon mfg coupon

Total $7.98, pay with $5.99 ECBs and $1.99 OOP. Earn $5 ECBs.

Transaction #4
1 - Physician's Formula makeup (PSA $9.99)

Total $9.99, pay with $5 ECBs and $4.99 OOP. Earn $5 ECBs. (plus, I will earn $5 CVS Beauty ECBs.)

Total OOP is $12.51 with $10 ECBs to roll, for $35.50 in product at sale prices, a savings of 73%. Or, if I skip the makeup, it would be $5.53 OOP with $5.99 in ECBs to roll, for 15.53 in product at sale prices, a savings of 74%. Numbers alone would suggest that if I don't need the makeup, I should skip trying to get to the next $50 increment on the CVS Beauty Club.

Find more deals and scenarios at Deal Seeking Mom.