You get your extra care bucks 2 days later in a form of a coupon on the bottom of a receipt. You can go in and have them scan your card and the coupon will print out or it will print out the next time you shop there. So if you just bought a bunch of the freebies- you can go in 2 days later and they will print you out a coupon for the freebie amounts- it is good for a few weeks- but they do expire. You also earn 2% on all purchases back- but this is paid quarterly- so I am guessing another coupon would print out when you get these. You can also track your account online- just enter your card #, zip code and last name- it takes a day to get info online if you just signed up though. I bought some freebies on Monday- then last night went back in for a few other things and when I checked out- the cashier gave me my coupon for my extra care bucks- so I have those to use the next time I shop. I might go back and get some more of the 2 for 1 Arm and Hammer laundry detergent. Hope this helps!