When I first started deal shopping, I heard you could get some cheap and even free stuff from shopping the drug stores. Previously the only time I shopped there was when I needed medicine or a lipstick. I always felt they were overpriced. I have since learned how to maximize my savings and work the deals they have. Here are some things that may help you.
1. Monthly Coupon Book (IVC- Instant Value Coupons) – Most people are only aware of the weekly flier. You can pick up monthly coupon books in the store, usually on the same rack where the weekly fliers are. There is a new one every month. They are filled with over $10o worth of Walgreens coupons. Stack a manufacturer coupon and Walgreens coupon together for a better deal. You can also print these coupon online at Walgreens.
2. Register Rewards – In the weekly flier there will often be items that, when purchased, a Register Reward will print after your receipt. This is just like cash and can be used on your next purchase.
- You can receive unlimited amounts of RR’s for any single item as long as you split up your transactions.
- Only 1 RR will print per item per transaction.
- If you receive a RR for an item, then use the RR to pay for another one of the same item, it will not print another RR. (They cannot be rolled over)
- RR’s have expiration dates so take note and do not let them expire. I have done this and it’s heartbreaking! I recommend using them in the same trip.
My advice it to hand over your coupons in this order:
$ off $xx Walgreens purchase coupon (ex: $5 off $25 purchase)
MFR coupons
RR’s (These are considered MFR coupons)
Walgreens coupons
In -ad Walgreens coupons (These are coupons that reduce the items to a sale price)
I usually remember the order by thinking alphabetically.
Walgreens registers will not let you use more coupons than items in your transaction. If you have 6 coupons (in-ad coupons do not count), and only 5 items, you will need a filler item to equal out the number of coupons with the number of items. I always try to find a clearance item or a small piece of candy.
Not all cashiers know this, so as an informed Walgreens shopper, you can just hand them over in this order. I learned this the hard way. I even have a cheat sheet in my coupon binder.
Transaction #1:
1 Gillette Fusion Razor: Sale $8.99 – $4 MFR Q = $5.62 OOP
Received $6 RR
Transaction #2:
3 Bags Chocolate Covered Raisins: Sale $1.99 each = $5.97
1 Hershey Bar = $.50
Used $6.00 RR from 1st transaction
OOP =$.51
I highly recommend the Walgreens brand chocolate covered raisins. I stock up when they are on sale.
It can be overwhelming at first but there are many resources to help. Let me know if you have any questions along the way.
quick question; i have a weekly coupon ad for walgreens and I looked at your coupon matchup page. The RR’s you show dont matchup with my ad. Should I risk trying to get the RRs?
Can you be more specific? What RR deal are you looking at? Also, some areas of the nation are “test” areas and do not get the same deals. You are better off referring to you local ad. You can always use the Coupon Database to find matching coupons.
http://savingthefamilymoney.com/coupons/coupon-database/