Hello!  It’s Karen from Frugal RI Mama again here to talk about more drug store deals.   Last month I talked about how to get things for FREE or next to FREE at CVS with their awesome ECB’s (Extra Care Bucks) program.  This month I’m going to talk about doing the same thing with Walgreens Coupons.   I also get so much FREE or next to FREE at Walgreen’s.  Believe me when I tell you I have so much shampoo in my closet, that I give some to my friends all the time!!!  It’s one thing that is always on sale at all of the drug stores!

Walgreen’s program works a little like the CVS ECB’s program in the way that you’ll receive instant rebates when you buy certain products during a certain time period called Register Rewards (RR).  I will refer to them as an RR which is what you’ll see on most blogs.  RR’s (Register Rewards) will print out at the end of your transaction from a machine called a Catalina.   You do not need any kind of reward card at Walgreen’s, it’s automatic when you make your purchase, which means there really are no limits on how many times you can go back into the store to buy the items, however, it’s nice to leave product on the shelves for other people.  Just a common courtesy!

Each week in the sales ad you’ll find all the deals that will print out RR’s.  These are always a limit of one per transaction.  You can use coupons when buying these products which means if the RR is for the full value of the item, you not only get it for FREE, but you’ll make money on it.  Here’s an example:

Robitussin To Go 2pk, On Sale $2.99 Get $2.99 RR
Use $1.00 coupon from Sunday paper or printable coupon (what ever it happens to be)
Total Out of Pocket = $1.99
Get $2.99 RR for your next transaction

Now you can go and buy another Robitussion To Go 2pk with that $2.99 RR you just received BUT if you do, you will not receive another RR.  Reason being is they will not print since you received the RR for the same item you are purchasing.  But if you want another FREE one, then go right ahead!

Walgreen’s also has store coupons that you can combine with manufacturer’s coupons to maximize your savings.  These Walgreens store coupons can be found in the store, usually right next to the weekly ad.  Each month, they print a booklet with store coupons that are good all month.  Grab one at the beginning of the month and keep an eye on these items going on sale because if so, you’ll save even more.  Use a manufacturer’s coupons and possibly get it for FREE.  Here’s an example:

Kleenex Tissue, On Sale $1.19
Use $.55/3 coupon from Sunday paper or printable coupon
Use $1.00 Walgreen’s coupon from monthly booklet (this will take $1.00 off for each one you buy so if you buy 4, the register will deduct $4.00)
Buy 4 (you’ll need one extra to eat up the overage because the register will not give you money back)
Total Out of Pocket = $.21 for 4 boxes of Kleenex

One thing you have to watch out for when using the RR’s on your next purchase.  The register reads them as manufacturer’s coupons and for each item you purchase you can have 1 manufactures coupon and 1 store coupon.   If you are buying 1 item and using 2 coupons, you won’t be able to use your RR because you are already using a manufactures coupon, as far as the register is concerned.  When this happens, all you have to do is toss in a small item as a filler and then you’ll have no problems.  Here is an example using the $2.99 RR from the first example above:

Charmin 9pk, On Sale $5.99
Use $1.00 coupon from Sunday paper or printable coupon
Use $.50 Walgreen’s coupon from monthly booklet
Use $2.99 RR from first transaction above
Pencil, On sale 2/$1.00 – Buy 1 (filler item)
Total Out of Pocket = $1.75

If you did all 3 transactions above you’d have the following items for only $3.95 out of pocket with a regular price of at least $13.99.
(1) Robitussin To Go 2pk
(4) Kleenex
(1) Charmin 9pk
(1) Pencil

And make sure when looking through the weekly sale ad check to see if milk, bread, eggs or even snacks for the kids lunches are on sale.  You can use your register rewards to get them for FREE or next to FREE.  That stuff doesn’t all have to be bought at the Food Store.  It may also save you a trip!

Each Sunday, I list the best Walgreen’s deals and what you can get for FREE on my blog.  You can see them here.