Coupons- Not just for the Grocery Store
Drug Store 101
Understand how store coupons and manufacturer coupons work together.
Manufacturer coupons can usually be combined with a store coupon. Coupons from the Sunday newspaper are generally manufacturer coupons. A store coupon is one put out by the store. For example, if you have a $1 off Pampers manufacturer coupon and a $1 off Pampers CVS coupon, you can use both coupons at CVS to get $2 off a package of diapers.
Understand the various store rewards programs.
CVS has the Extra Care Bucks (ECBs) program. Walgreens has a program called Register Rewards, as well as the monthly Easy Saver rebate program. Rite Aid has the Single Check Rebate program and Up+ Rewards.
Understand how coupons and rewards programs work together
Each store offers a chance to provide lots of opportunities for you to save. Try to master one store before you move to another.
CVS Visit the CVS website for coupons and other promotions. After purchasing specific items a ECB will print on the bottom of your receipt. You should focus on ECB rewards and purchase those items using coupons. If the ECB deal requires you to purchase a certain $ the total purchased is BEFORE the coupons. Buy a Green Bag Tag and have it scanned on every visit. Have it scanned 4 times and earn $1 ECB. Be sure to visit the CVS Coupon kiosk and scan your CVS card for additional savings. Be sure to register on CVS.com for the Beauty Club to receive a $5 ECB when you spend $50 on beauty items. You will also accumulate ECB rewards each quarter based on your spending. Before going to CVS to save be sure you read the CVS Coupon Policy.
Rite Aid There are several reward programs at Rite Aid and coupons can be used with all of them. Similar to CVS, UP+ Reward s are printed on the bottom of the receipt after purchasing specific items. Use the Wellness card to earn points. The highest tier gives shoppers a 20% discount on all non-sale purchases. Rite Aid has recently added Load 2 Card, allowing users to download virtual coupons to their Wellness card. Visit the Rite Aid website to watch Video Values or submit receipts for Single Check Rebates and more! Plus be sure you understand the Rite Aid Coupon Policy.
Walgreens Walgreens offers Register Rewards. The rewards print as separate coupons similar to Catalinas. They also have a monthly savings booklet that can be found at the front of the store. Visit their website to read the official Walgreen's Coupon Policy.
Target Target has coupons on their website. Go to the bottom of the website to print lots of store AND manufacturer coupons. Target store coupons can be stacked with a manufacturer coupon. Forgot to print – no worries – go to the gift kiosk, access the Target website and print. Sign Up for the Mobile Coupon Program, store coupons will be sent to your phone one a month, along with a barcode that can be scanned at the register. Shop the End Caps (shelves on the end of each aisle) Target tends to put their Clearance items on the end caps. Coupons can be used with Clearance Items. Check your receipt for coupons. Take advantage of the huge Trial Size section at Target. Use coupons that do not specify size and you will end up with lots of free TSA friendly trial size products. Visit Target.com daily to see their Daily Deal list. Sign up for the birthday mailer and you'll receive a coupon for $5 off of ANY $50 purchase each time your birthday rolls around. Get the Red Debit card, linked to your checking account, when using the card to pay for your items you will save 5%.
Wal-Mart Wal-Mart does not regularly put out weekly ads. Instead, what you’ll need to watch for are “Roll Back” prices, which are sales prices at the store. Coupons can be used on Roll Back items. Wal-Mart does NOT allow you to stack coupons. You can only use one coupon per item. Wal-Mart does offer “overage,” meaning they will pay you to take an item out of the store if the coupon value exceeds the purchase price of an item. The excess may be given as cash or applied toward the basket purchase. If you follow Wal-Mart on Twitter, you will get a “Deal a Day” tweet. And you can view those daily deals on their website. You can also sign up for mobile alerts, where you will receive four Roll Back alerts per week.
Save More – There Is An App For That
PriceGrabber - Know the best deals available online for almost any item
Key Ring - Snap a photo of the barcode with your smartphone. When you're ready to make a purchase, simply log back into Key Ring, select a card, and let the cashier scan it from your screen.
ShopSavvy - Find the lowest price for it on the Internet as well as show you the prices at local brick-and-mortar stores.
GasBuddy - Find the cheapest gasoline in your neighborhood
Grocery iQ -Tracks down coupons in real time. When you create a shopping list, the app highlights items that have online coupons.
The Coupons App - Knows where you are and finds coupons for nearby retailers and restaurants.
Grocery Smarts Tracks items and prices in the latest store circulars from CVS, Rite Aid, Target, Walgreens, and Walmart, then cross-references all manufacturers’ coupons with the circulars and shows you the bottom line for each item.
Visit my blog to see this week's best deal at CVS and Rite Aid
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