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Want to save hundreds a month on your everyday purchases? Learn how to play the drugstore game and get everything you need with a stack of coupons, a strategy, and a few dollars.
The drugstore game uses the rebate programs and coupons available at CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens to get your everyday products for next to nothing or even free!
Choose Your Store
Pick a drugstore near you to start with. It is too much to try all three at once. CVS is a great choice for beginners, as their rewards system is straightforward and widely available.
Explore reward policies and save like a pro
Each drugstore has its own reward program where you earn points, discounts, or cashback on your purchases. Before you begin playing the game, make sure you understand how the program works, what rewards are available, and how to redeem them.
What’s the limit on the number of coupons you can use with one product in a single transaction? Can you combine store coupons with the manufacturer’s coupons? What is their stacking policy? Most stores have an app or website where you can track your rewards and browse current deals.
Start small to save big
Don’t expect to save hundreds right away. Like anything else, it takes practice. Begin with a small scenario, around $10-$20, so you won’t lose a lot of money if things don’t go perfectly.
In fact, in about three weeks, we’d gotten around $800 worth of groceries, household products and health and beauty products – and spent less than $20 out of pocket! money saving mom
My husband and I have gotten roughly $2,800 in free products over the last several years playing this game. Amanda
Plan Ahead to Maximize Savings
For the best savings, carefully plan your shopping trip. Look for promotions and coupons in the drugstore’s weekly ad, booklet, or website. Find manufacturer’s coupons in your Sunday paper. Make a list of products you need and deals you want to take advantage of. Check coupon expiration dates to make you have enough time to use them before they expire. Finally, devise a strategy for combining coupons and promotions to maximize your savings. You don’t have to do all of this alone. There are plenty of sites out there where savvy players post strategies for all to see.
Stake more, save more!
One of the most effective ways to save money is to stack coupons and promotions. This means using a manufacturer’s coupon, a store coupon, and a store promotion (like a buy one, get one free deal) on the same product. Some stores also offer digital coupons that can be loaded onto your rewards card or app. By combining these discounts, you can often snag products for free or at deeply discounted prices.
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Be flexible with brands and sizes
To get the best deals, you need to be flexible with the brands and sizes of the products you buy. For example, if you have a coupon for $1 off any toothpaste, opt for the cheapest toothpaste available, even if it’s not your preferred brand. Similarly, if you have a coupon for a specific brand of shampoo, compare prices to see if the smaller size offers a better value per ounce than the larger one.
Always have a backup plan!
The stores are often out of stock of an item that’s part of the reward. Have a few backup plans in place so you can still take advantage of savings. You can also find out when they restock the shelves and plan your trips accordingly.
Don’t overlook the details
When using coupons and promotions, carefully read the fine print. Some coupons have restrictions on product size or quantity, while others may exclude certain items. Make sure you understand the terms of the promotion before attempting to use it.
Spend to Save
o maximize store rewards and save money, you may have to purchase items you don’t need. While this might be hard to accept, remember that the purchase ultimately saves you money.
Consider donating the extra items to charities, checking if friends or family members need them, or posting them in free-stuff groups on platforms like Facebook.
Don’t Forget About Store Rewards
Beyond coupons and promotions, store loyalty programs also offer rewards that can be redeemed for free products or discounts on future purchases. Make sure you understand the rules for earning and redeeming rewards and keep track of your balance to avoid missing out on any savings.
With a little effort and persistence, you’ll soon become a savvy drugstore shopper, reaping significant savings on your everyday purchases.
