Walgreens 101
Walgreens is a popular store among couponers and deal seekers. When pairing the sales, Register Rewards, manufacture coupons and Walgreens store coupons, you can walk away with free to low-cost products. The strategy can seem complex, but once you follow these steps, you will be on your way to HUGE savings and great products!
Walgreens has a coupon policy that you can print from Walgreens.com. I carry all the stores coupon policies with me in my coupon binder. If there is discretion regarding the usage of coupons, I am able to refer to the coupon policy. (yes this happens quite often)
Walgreens store coupons
Unlike CVS or Rite Aid, Walgreens does not have a store loyalty card. You are allowed to stack a manufacturer coupon with a Walgreens store coupon. The first place to find Walgreens store coupons or in-ad coupons is in the weekly circular. The weekly circular is available in the store as you walk in or in the Sunday paper. The cashier must scan the store coupon in the circular in order for you to get the reduced price. Below is a picture of a coupon you might find in the weekly circular that would be scanned as a Walgreens store coupon.
Progresso Soup 4/$5 .Now you don’t have to buy 4 to get the Walgreens savings. You can purchase one and still reap the savings; your total would be $1.25 for one can of Progresso Soup.
Walgreens Monthly Saving Book
Walgreens also has a monthly savings booklet. The monthly savings booklet is found in Walgreens stores usually by the weekly circulars. This booklet is full of Walgreens Instant Value Coupons (IVC). Once again, the cashier will need to scan the Walgreens coupon in order for you to get the savings. Below is a picture of the Walgreens monthly savings booklet and an IVC that would be located in the book. If you buy 2 of the products listed or pictured on the IVC, then the cashier will need to scan only 1 coupon. It will take the appropriate amount off automatically.
Register Rewards
Register Rewards print from a Catalina machine when you purchase qualifying products. Register Rewards can be used as cash on your next purchase with a few restrictions. You will be able to spot Register Reward deals by looking in the Walgreens circular (weekly ad) or by looking at my weekly posts for Walgreens. I will refer to them as RR short for Register Rewards. There are weekly and monthly Register Reward deals. Some Register Reward deals are unadvertised but may be found displayed in the store. Whenever we come across these “hidden” deals, I make sure to post them on our website for you! Below is a picture of a Register Reward:
A few rules to remember for Register Rewards:
• You will only earn Register Rewards once for qualifying purchases per transaction. Example: Excedrin is producing a $2 in RR and you are buying 3 bottles of Excedrin. You will need to make 3 separate transactions to receive $2 RR for each one. If you don’t, then you will only get a $2 RR for one of the excedrin.
•You cannot roll your Register Rewards deal on the same deal; you will not get another Register Rewards back. Instead alternate Register Rewards deals on another Register Rewards deal. Example: You cannot use RR from the Excedrin and use it to buy another Excedrin; you will not get another RR. Alternate your RR Example: Use $2 RR from the Excedrin deal on a Dove soap deal that gives $3 RR.
Register Rewards can be used as cash; however, Walgreens cash registers consider them manufacturer coupons. This is important to know because Walgreens only allows you to use as many manufacturer coupons as number of items in a transaction. This is referred to as coupon-item ratio.
For example, if you are purchasing two items and you are using any two manufacturer’s coupons and one Register Reward, the register will beep. This will create the need for filler items. Filler items are inexpensive items that you add to your purchase in order for you to have a non-coupon item. Walgreens store coupons do not count toward the coupon-item ratio. I always count how many manufacturer coupons and Register Rewards I will be using per transaction, and make sure I have that many items or more that I will be purchasing.
Tips and hints
• RRs usually expire in two weeks.
• If a cashier is available at the cosmetic counter, I prefer to check out there. This allows me to take my time with multiple transactions without holding up the other customers from the main cash register. If I am doing more than one transaction, I will allow a customer that is waiting behind me to go ahead and check out before I continue on with transactions.
• The total value of the coupons cannot exceed the total value of the transaction.
• RRs cannot be redeemed for: prescriptions, tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, dairy products, lottery tickets, money orders/transfers, transportation passes, special event/entertainment tickets or passes, postage stamps, gift cards, phone card, prescription Savings Club memberships, health care services, immunizations or any items prohibited by law as per the Walgreens coupon policy.
• If RRs did not print, you may return the items with your receipt or call the Catalina Company at 1-888-322-3814. Have your receipt with you when calling because they will need information from it.
• On buy one, get one free promotion you may use two manufacturer coupons.
The way to hand the cashier your coupons when checking out:
Give your coupons in this order to help to maximize the biggest savings.
1. Manufacturer coupons
2. Walgreens coupons
3. Register Rewards
I know it seems like a lot to learn, but once you go shopping and do a couple transactions, it will get easier! I’ve often been in Rite Aid and asked where their monthly coupon book is located! Whoever is working will just politely tell me they have no clue what I’m talking about, and about then I realize what store I’m in…..:)
Here is my last receipt where I bought Scott Paper Towels and used Manufacturer coupons, IVC, and Register Rewards to pay. As you can see, I threw in 2 pieces of candy for filler.
