14 Mistakes Too Many Virginians Make When Buying Food at CVS

Grabbing a snack from CVS feels good. You’re running errands, picking up a prescription, and there it is—the grocery aisle calling your name with chips, candy, and frozen foods.

But here’s the thing: Convenience often comes with a catch.

That quick CVS food run can sneakily lead to overspending, stale snacks, and poor nutritional choices.

Whether you’re swinging by for a late-night craving or using CVS as your unofficial grocery store in Virginia, here are some common mistakes that are easy to avoid once you know what to look out for.

Assuming Sale Tags Mean a Good Deal

CVS runs sales, and they like to flash those yellow tags to make you feel like you’re saving money.

The kicker?

Sometimes those “deals” don’t actually save you anything.

If you see something marked “2 for $5,” don’t assume that’s a bargain. You might find the same item for $1.99 each at a grocery store or big-box chain.

CVS tends to list multi-buy prices in a way that makes you feel you need to buy more to save more, when you’re often not saving at all.

Smart shoppers check the price per unit or pull up a comparison on their phone. That sale tag might just be flashy marketing designed to make you grab without thinking.

Not Knowing That Locations Differ

Not every CVS stocks the same food items or runs the same deals.

Urban stores may have a smaller food section. Some suburban stores might carry more frozen goods or local snacks.

Prices can also vary slightly based on demand, rent, and supply chain factors. So if you’ve only judged CVS food based on one store, you might not have the full picture.

The mistake is assuming your location is representative of all others. If you’re a frequent CVS shopper, it might be worth popping into a few different stores.

You could be missing out on better deals or a broader selection just down the road.

Shopping Without a CVS Card

CVS relies heavily on its ExtraCare program. If you’re not using a card, you’re probably paying full price.

A lot of the store’s discounts—like buy-one-get-one offers or price drops on snacks and drinks—require the loyalty card.

You can sign up for free at the register or through the app. Once you’re in, you’ll start seeing lower totals on food and everything else.

People skip the card out of laziness or because they assume it doesn’t matter. But at CVS, it really does.

Even one or two discounts can make the difference between overpriced and reasonable.

Relying on CVS for Full Grocery Trips

It might feel tempting to avoid the grocery store crowd and just grab everything from CVS, especially if you already need to pick up a prescription there.

But CVS doesn’t offer the same depth of food selection, and prices add up quickly.

It’s okay for a few filler items—bread, frozen meals, or snacks. But consistently using it like a supermarket is a fast track to overpaying.

You’ll also miss out on fresh produce, butcher counter items, and lower-cost staples that regular grocery stores have.

Buying food at CVS is a safety net, not a strategy. If you find yourself doing a full weekly grocery run there, it’s time to rethink your shopping habits.

Skipping the Gold Emblem Store Brand

Gold Emblem is CVS’s in-house snack and pantry brand, and it’s actually pretty good. However, many customers walk right past it.

The packaging might not scream excitement, but the quality is decent and prices are usually lower than name-brand alternatives.

They’ve got trail mix, gummy candy, crackers, and even protein bars. Some Gold Emblem Abound products are marketed as more health-conscious, too.

It’s easy to assume store brands are inferior. But CVS puts effort into its private label, and you’re often paying more just for brand names you already recognize.

Overlooking the CVS App Deals

The CVS app isn’t just for prescriptions and beauty coupons. It often includes food-specific deals that most people completely ignore.

Digital coupons in the app can knock down prices on things like Gold Emblem snacks, granola bars, frozen meals, and drinks.

The mistake? People forget to scan or activate them before checkout. CVS doesn’t apply these automatically; you’ve got to click to clip.

There are also weekly extra bucks rewards tied to certain food brands. For example, you might be able to get $5 back when you spend $15 on select items.

Skipping the app means missing out on these savings and walking away with nothing but a full-price receipt.

Ignoring the Expiration Dates on Perishables

Most people trust that what’s on CVS’ shelf is fresh, and that’s usually true. However, like any store selling food, expired items can slip through the cracks.

This especially matters in refrigerated sections.

That yogurt or sandwich might be sitting longer than you’d think. Hummus cups, string cheese, and premade salads may all be close to expiring when you grab them.

If you’re not planning on eating them that day, they might not hold up well.

You might also find seasonal snacks or clearance items have been left out for too long. CVS employees do regular checks, but human errors happen.

Buying Single-Serve Items in Bulk

This one’s sneaky. You stop in for a single Slim Jim or a bottled Starbucks drink and figure, why not grab a few?

But CVS single-serve food items like energy drinks, candy bars, and protein bars are priced for grab-and-go shoppers.

If you pick up three Gatorades at $2.79 each, that’s $8.37. A 6-pack at a grocery store might cost $5.49.

Bulk-buying at CVS without multi-pack discounts can silently kill your budget. If you do need multiples, look for bundled deals or, ideally, wait until you’re somewhere with better pricing.

Otherwise, you’re just racking up extra costs for the same item you could’ve found elsewhere.

Overpaying for Name-Brand Snacks

It’s easy to grab a bag of Doritos or Oreos when you’re at CVS. But those name-brand snacks often come with inflated prices.

Unlike grocery stores, CVS tends to mark up its products higher and doesn’t always rotate discounts as aggressively. That $6.99 family-size bag of chips is often significantly cheaper at a regular supermarket.

Generic versions, including CVS’s store-brand Gold Emblem, are usually significantly more affordable.

If you’re loyal to a brand, that’s great. In that case, we recommend heading to Walmart or another grocery store where prices are almost guaranteed to be cheaper.

But for casual munching when swinging by CVS, consider switching to generic.

Not Checking for Freezer Burn on Frozen Meals

CVS sells frozen pizzas, burritos, and TV dinners, but their freezer sections don’t always get as much turnover as those at a supermarket.

If you grab a Lean Cuisine or DiGiorno and notice it’s got frost inside the packaging, that’s freezer burn—usually a sign that it’s been sitting too long or experienced temperature changes.

To be fair, this isn’t a CVS-specific problem. You should always check for freezer burn before buying frozen food from any store.

Check the packaging for damage, excess ice crystals, and cloudy plastic.

A little frost might not ruin your meal, but if it’s caked on thick, you might be better off skipping it.

Overlooking Healthier Options

Believe it or not, CVS stocks healthier snacks, but many shoppers walk in for chips and candy and miss them entirely.

Gold Emblem Abound makes things like veggie chips, roasted edamame, and unsweetened dried fruit.

CVS also sells Kind bars, trail mix with less sugar, and water enhancers without artificial dyes.

The mistake isn’t choosing a treat—it’s defaulting to junk when there are actually decent options just one shelf over.

With just a tiny scan of the aisle, you might find something better for your body (and maybe even your wallet).

Forgetting to Stack Coupons

CVS allows you to stack manufacturer coupons, ExtraBucks rewards, and store coupons all at once.

This is especially helpful for food items because you can chip away at the price from multiple angles. If you’re lucky, you just might be able to get the price equivalent to or lower than a big-box grocery store.

If you have a $1 off frozen food coupon in the app, plus a printed manufacturer coupon, plus $2 in ExtraBucks, you can use them all in one go.

The mistake is in forgetting what you have. Or worse, not knowing that stacking is allowed.

Savvy CVS shoppers often plan their visits around these triple savings opportunities.

Assuming CVS Doesn’t Carry Pantry Basics

Most people associate food at CVS with candy, soda, and frozen meals. But CVS has a decent number of basic pantry staples.

You can usually find shelf-stable milk, peanut butter, cereal, canned tuna, pasta, and rice. It’s not a huge selection, but in a pinch, you can piece together a few real meals.

Some locations even have almond milk, oatmeal cups, and ready-to-eat soup.

If you’re ever in need of a few essentials and have wiggle room in your budget, CVS can tide your pantry over better than many expect.

Not Watching the Register During Ring-Up

This happens more often than you’d think. You grab a few snacks marked on sale, but when you check the receipt, the discount didn’t apply.

Sometimes it’s a system glitch. Other times, the tag was out of date. And occasionally, you needed to buy two items to trigger the deal, and you only grabbed one.

CVS cashiers don’t always catch it, especially if they’re juggling a long line.