Walgreens is a popular destination for thrifty shoppers, but saving money at this store requires a bit of research. To help you make the most of your shopping trip, LoveToKnow Save has prepared a guide to some of the many strategies you can use to save money at Walgreens.
What Is Walgreens?
Walgreens is a chain of pharmacies that was started in 1901 by Charles R. Walgreen, Sr. in Chicago, Illinois. Today, the company has over 7,000 stores in all 50 states and opens more than 400 new locations each year. Each Walgreens carries a slightly different selection of merchandise, but this store can be a good place to save money on:
- Prescriptions
- Over-the-counter medications
- Cosmetics and personal care items
- Cleaning supplies
- Seasonal gift items
- Canned goods
- Frozen foods
- Redbox DVD rentals
- Photo developing services
- Beer and wine
You can find a Walgreens in your area by using the store locator tool on the company website.
Ways to Save Money at Walgreens
Once you've located a Walgreens in your area, it's a good idea to do some preliminary research before your first shopping trip. Wandering around the aisles without a plan is a good way to end up with lots of impulse purchases!
Saving Money with Register Rewards
The primary reason Walgreens remains a popular stop for bargain shoppers is the company's "Register Rewards" program. This program offers coupons that print at the register when you purchase specific products each week. The coupons are good for a certain dollar amount off your next purchase, and can sometimes be worth $5 or more. They have expiration dates, but otherwise, can be used just like cash during your next shopping trip.
If you want to take advantage of Register Rewards to save money at Walgreens, you'll want to remember the following tips:
- When buying multiples of an item that qualifies for the Register Rewards promotion, only one offer will print for each transaction. If you want to earn multiple Register Rewards, you'll need to ask the cashier to ring up each item separately.
- If you use Register Rewards to purchase the item that initially caused the Register Rewards to print, you won't be given a new coupon for the transaction. For example, you won't earn additional Register Rewards if you are paying for a second package of disposable razors with Register Rewards earned from your last transaction.
- You must have a total number of items that is equal to or greater than the number of coupons and Register Rewards you are using in your transaction. For example, if you are buying a tube of lipstick, a bottle of shampoo, and package of cold medicine, you can use three coupons or Register Rewards. If you want to stack coupons on one of your products, you'll need to add small item such as a candy bar to keep the register from rejecting your transaction.
Coupon Stacking
Walgreens allows coupon stacking, which means you can combine store coupons with manufacturer's coupons to increase your savings. Since Register Rewards are considered a separate savings category, they are allowed in addition to your stacked coupons.
The best way to take advantage of coupon stacking policies is to stack coupons when items are already on sale. This can result obtaining products for little or no money. However, the process can be rather time consuming, so you'll be pleased to know that Walgreens has a number of devoted customers who maintain lists of the best bargains the store offers each week. If you lack the patience to cross-reference coupons, sales, and promotions on your own, you'll want to bookmark the following sites:
Free After Rebate Offers
Walgreens is well known for carrying a number of products with "Try Me Free" peelie offers attached to the bottles. This means that you can mail in your receipts and the product UPC code to receive a rebate for the full purchase price. These offers are available on products throughout the store, but the majority appear in the health and beauty aisles. You may find great bargains on high-priced shampoos and conditioners this way.
Free Email Newsletter
If you sign up for the free Walgreens email newsletter, you can receive notice of sales, promotions, and coupons to help you save money.
Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Navigating a store's policies regarding coupons, sales, and promotions can be confusing at times. If you run into trouble with a purchase, feel free to ask the manager of your local Walgreens for clarification. The company is committed to customer service, so the manager should be happy to help handle any issues that you might have.
