Coffee With Collin: Walmart Shopping

Hip2Save may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you via trusted partners and affiliate links in this post. Prices and availability are accurate as of time posted. Read our full disclosure policy here.

This week’s Coffee with Collin is all about shopping at Walmart. Walmart is a great store for all you coupon newbies as it is what I consider a “basic” store meaning you do not have to worry about Register Rewards, +Up Reward, Extra Care Bucks, buy one get one free sales, Catalina coupons etc.

Enjoy!


*If you can’t see the video, go here to watch it.

Hip’s Basic Tips for Walmart Shopping:


(1) Park far away…it’s great exercise and you’re less likely to have to fight over a parking spot.

(2) Subscribe to All You Magazine or purchase a copy at your local Walmart. In this month’s All You Magazine, you’ll find over $75 worth of coupons.

(3) Keep your eyes peeled for those Roll-Back prices.

(4) Read through and print a copy of Walmart’s coupon policy to have with you while you shop. One of my favorite additions to Walmart’s coupon policy is the following: “If coupon value exceeds the price of an item, the excess may be given to the customer as cash or applied towards the basket purchase.”

(5) Be sure to stop by the travel section to make use of coupons that have no size exclusions.

(6) Know your price points. You may also want to check out this post for some helpful information.

(7) Pick an off time to shop to avoid the crowds.

(8) Read through and print out a copy of Walmart’s Price Matching Policy. Try to keep all your price matching items together in your cart to make for a more efficient check out experience. Be sure to point out the items that you are price matching before they are scanned by the cashier.

Join The Discussion

Comments 240

  1. Maggie

    great video!

  2. joy

    Just a quick question. I understand Wal-Mart price matches, but will they allow coupons along with a price match? I have never been well educated when it comes to Wal-mart, partly because I’ve had a few bad experiences with coupons. However, with the new coupon policy I have a feeling I will be there much more often. Thanks so much Collin for all the hard work you put into this site! Love the video!

    • fran

      You can use coupons, along with price matching.

      • joy

        Oh wow! I will be looking into Wal-mart shopping more often. I mainly shop Publix because they are the only store in our area that offer BOGO sales and is very coupon friendly. But I will be comparing the two stores now. Thanks 🙂

      • rubysliprz

        Fran, how was your trip to Hawaii??? Hope you had a wonderful time.

        • fran

          Hi Ruby! It was great, thanks! I think the highlight of the trip was the luau. We had such a great table of people, it was my birthday on the day of the luau, the food was great, too!
          We didn’t do the Road to Hana because we didn’t want to drive that long road, but hubby wants to go back in 2 yrs. and we will take the tour bus to the Road to Hana, so he won’t have to drive.
          Just to be able to relax was enjoyable. We stayed at the Wailea Marriott…this place was gorgeous.
          I will be sending pictures of our trip to the company who sponsored the trip and when I do, I will let Collin know in case she wants to post the link or post pictures on here.

          • rubysliprz

            Fran- Sounds like you had a great time. Glad you enjoyed your time there and had a chance to just relax as well. I miss my family in Hawaii and would love to go back again soon one day. Would love to see your pics. Happy Belated Birthday, what a great birthday to be at a luau in Hawaii.

            • fran

              Thanks Ruby!
              I hope you get to go back soon, too…I’m sure you miss your family terribly 🙁
              Hopefully, I will get the pics and a write-up to them by the end of this week and then it will just be a matter of when they post the pics…stay tuned 😉
              On our first night in Maui, we were exhausted from the long plane ride, so we just got a bite to eat at the hotel restaurant, and then we took some pictures of the sunset. Hubby got this really neat picture of the sunset that actually looks like a smiley face…it’s so cute. I don’t want to post that one yet because I want to enter it in a contest.

  3. Jackie

    Wow, what a beautiful Walmart! If my Walmart looked like that, and had fresh foods like yours, I’d be tempted to go there more often! I always leave with more than half my coupons still in my bag b/c they don’t carry much in terms of food, or they’re out of stock. Thanks for the tips Collin! 🙂

    • emilytwinmom

      Check around in your area – we had the “ghetto Walmart” as our only store, and had no clue a really nice new one had gone up the year after we bought our home just north of us! We never drove north… but now we do!!!

  4. Delia

    By far best coffee with Collin video ever!!

    • Marlene

      I agree – this one was really well done. Some extra planning and organization went into it and it really shows. Next week on Entertainment Tonight …. Ms. Hip to Save

  5. caseymg

    Definitely bring that coupon policy! I ran into trouble last week and didn’t have it on me.

  6. Charity

    Thanks Collin! I tried my first extreme couponing trip to Walmart today and used ALL your tips! Knowledge is power!

  7. Susan

    I think it’s worth mentioning that the ALL YOU in Walmart OFTEN has coupons that you don’t get in the subscription version.

  8. Brittany

    2 things:
    1. LOVE the earrings you are wearing in the video.

    2. Have you ever thought about creating or working with someone to create some kind of Hip2Save iPad/phone app? I have no idea what the app would do, but I’m sure it would be awesome!

    • joy

      I have thought the samething for a while. Not just about the ear rings LOL but about the phone app. That would be awesome 🙂

  9. Stacy

    So, when you price match fresh produce, does it need to be a specific brand? Like does the add have to specify say Dole bananas and I have to buy Dole bananas to get the price match? Just wondering if anyone knows how that works?

    • Collin

      No matter what you are price matching (i.e. produce, cereal etc.), you must purchase the identical item to what is advertised in another store’s ad. If you are price matching Dole Bananas, then you must purchase Dole Bananas at Walmart (not a different brand).

    • Hollie

      I was getting some fresh fruit the other day and the cashier said I can ad match that pineapple and those strawberries for $1 each! WOW nothing like planning to pay alot for something then to have the cashier offer to lower it for you. I don’t know if Aldi’s stores are nationwide but we have one in my town and it’s the best ad to price match as far as fruits and veggies go.

  10. Sandy

    I went to Walmart with a coupon for a free Bic Lighter. I had other items I was purchasing as well. They told me that they have a new policy. In order to get a free item,no matter what it is or what the coupon says, you have to buy at least 1 of the same item. This is one of the reasons I don’t do much coupon shopping there.

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      I’ve never experienced that, I doubt it’s true. This is why you should have the coupon policy with you.

    • Erica

      I was able to do the free bic lighter today at my walmart no problem

    • what's the deal

      Their policy states no print at home coupons that require no purchase. If this was an IP coupon that was only for a free lighter with no purchase required then it shouldn’t be used.

  11. Heather

    Hey – that Pulmeria flower necklace greatly resembles the one I purchased in Hawaii! Very cute Collin! Did you know that the Pulmeria flowers means beauty, charm, and grace? Very appropriate for you to wear!

    • Collin

      Awww, thanks Heather! 😀

  12. Bonnie

    Great video! I actually laughed out loud when I saw you running to the Walmart! hehehe

  13. Takako

    Thanks the update video! My local one has tons of clearance items everywhere. Combine with coupons, it’s really nice deal. 🙂

    • Karin

      I always forget about the clearance items!lol

  14. Jessica

    i really dislike my town walmart (sanford, nc) when it comes to couponing, they never let me get out of there without a disagreement. wish it wasnt that way because making a one stop shop would be great!

    • joy

      Mine used to be that way here in Ocala, Fl but since the new coupon policy it has drastically improved. There are no beeps and the whole coupon amount is actually taken off instead of a fraction like before. Wal-mart is defiantely stepping up their game for couponers!

      • Jennifer S

        Ocala???!!!! How neat to find someone so close! (We are in Citrus county!)
        Happy couponing!

        • joy

          Awesome!! I always see people from my hometown of Greenville, SC but it’s cool to see there are some near me as well 😉 Thanks and happy couponing to you too!

      • Jessica

        maybe i will just have to hold on to a little bit of hope and give it one more go around… those i didnt score those gain dryer sheets for .12 cents with the $3 coupon a few months back which was surprising to say the least!

        • Jessica

          ugh, cause of the mondays…THOUGH i DID score those dryer sheet 🙂

      • Nikki

        I’m originally from Ocala! LOL (Living in Texas now.) Glad to hear the wal-marts there are improving! 🙂

        • joy

          Wow I guess Ocala is bigger than I thought LOL

  15. RoxAnna Foudray

    I can’t believe they are doing B1G1 now!! How exciting. Can’t wait to try it out at my next shopping trip, as long as it states a price. Cool beans!

  16. Michelle

    Collin, you are hilarious! Dancing around Walmart in the middle of the night, LOL!! I seriously love your videos, so entertaining and fun! One of the big bonuses to the price matching is when the store that has the sale runs out of the item, like Kroger running out of the Easy Mac @ 50c when you buy 10, you can take the ad to Walmart and get the deal no questions asked! Just this last week I price matched the Mega sized package of Pull-Ups from the Safeway ad, they were originally $16 and got them for $10 with the price match and used a $2 off coupon! $8 is a great deal for that size! Seriously, thanks for all you do, and your enthusiasm 🙂 You are awesome!

  17. Danielle Scott

    A lot of local grocery stores have their store brands on sale a lot. Did you all know that you can ad match their store brand prices with Great Value?! A lot of people dont know this.

    • gloria

      My cashier Saturday actually “price matched” my gallon of Great Value milk to Target’s price and I didn’t even ask for it. Must be why she’s one of my favorite cashiers!! 😉

    • Kristen

      Actually you aren’t supposed to. The new price match policy has store brands on the will not match list.

  18. tonito.alex

    amazing video, I have a walmart 5 minutes away from home and I didnt know that they would price match 🙂 thanks

  19. Gabrielle

    Love love love this video, Collin <3 I'm definitely going to start price matching. It's a good way to get some possible overage when some stores don't allow it (like harris teeter). And I'm all for savin' some gas!

  20. Bekah

    Collin.. you are so great!! I love your videos. Thanks for all the tips, I go to Walmart a lot since they have the best prices.

    On another note.. I got my 3 packs of paper today from the Dollar Days deal for 55 cents!! So excited!!

    • Ann Dee

      Me, too! I can’t believe it!!!!

    • Karin

      Me too!! So awesome!! 🙂

  21. Susan

    Great info Collin! I was hoping you would do a Walmart update!!! Thanks 🙂

  22. melissa@mypricesavings

    Glad to see the longer videos. Great work you do Collin! 🙂

  23. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    Loved it!!! As always you are a blast to watch!! Gives me more confidence to shop at Walmart too. I actually stood behide a lady who price matched her entire basket last week. She brought every ad with her she was matching along with a small note pad that she wrote down each item she was matching alomg with the ad name. For example, fruit snacks/Kroger ad, or paper plates/ Rite Aid ad. Her note pad probably had 20 items on it, so it was easy to just glance at the note pad and then go to the ad she was matching to show the cashier. I think she did it this way because she saved over $50 and the registar beeps for a manager to approval if you save over $50, but they didn’t hassle her at all because she had all her ads to prove it. It was really impressive!

  24. AnnainSLC

    So freaking funny, thanks for being informative and entertaining…naturally! You are a breath of fresh air. Love you!

  25. patti

    Another wonderful video. I did the Toy Story 3 Operation game deal yesterday at Wal-Mart & I also was able to price match raspberries for another 60 cents off without an ad! Very exciting shopping experience..

  26. Amber

    Cute video 🙂

  27. jenny

    I know a lot of Walmarts have a bad reputation for coupon usage, but I have to give a lot of love to ours. They have been super nice about my coupons lately, and even when they had trouble with a couple of them, they just figured out a way to make it work and apologized that they were still getting used to the new coupon policies. Much nicer than being made to feel like a criminal for using coupons at several other stores!!

    • Lisa m

      I have never had a problem they are coupon friendly there so far. I live in N.C.

    • Karin

      I love my store and they are super nice too! I have no problem with using coupons. 🙂

  28. Lisa m

    I was at Walmart early this morning, if I have a lot of coupons I go early not to back up the line. I got 10 free Nivea body washs and I always go to the clearance racks first got some almost free candy for the easter baskets, I even helped a lady with some coupons for her items she loved it.

  29. Meagan

    I was at Walmart the other day and was told several times by a grumpy cashier that soon Walmart is only going to accept 25 coupons at a time. Anyone else heard this? I thought they just redid their policy. I have been couponing for years and I know things can change quickly, but was just wondering if I encountered a sour apple. Thanks!

    • lee

      I have not heard but I have experienced that if I used more than 40 coupons a supervisor must come over stick her key in the register and press some button.

    • joy

      It clearly states on their new and improved policy that “The system will prompt for a supervisor verification for: 40 coupons per transaction, A coupon of $20 or greater on one item, $50 or more in coupons.”

  30. Valerie

    Last time I went to Wal Mart I took one of the Target coupons I had that printed out at the register. The lady said she’d have to ask her manager if they accepted it. I had a copy of their coupon policy, but she still wanted to ask her manager. When she came back, she grumbled that they would accept it but they didn’t get any money back for them. She said they just throw them away. I didn’t really care if they got money back or not, as long as they gave me the .75 off! HA! I don’t think Wal Mart is hurting for money.

    • Lisa

      If it was a manufacturer coupon, they will get reimbursed.

  31. Laura

    I was just recently in walmart on sunday and they were giving bags from P&G with dish soap, laundry soap, and cascade, worth going…hubby thought I was insane cause I was soooooo excited!

    • Lisa

      I was super excited too! I ended up getting all my purchases at Walmart FREE with coupons yesterday (they paid me, actually), and got that bonus freebie bag. The dish soap is my favorite thing I got yesterday. 🙂

      • NC_Anna

        I got a bag too! It was a nice surprise.

  32. Jean in Calif.

    Love this video. The way you explain things is really helpful. I have been using coupons for a long time but I’m always amazed at the way other people do things. Your videos show me that I can do it too. It makes me want to venture out and try more ways to save instead of just handing over the few coupons that I use. Thank you Collin for all that you do.

  33. Alyssa

    I LOVE price matching at Walmart. Between price matching and couponing I am able to feed my family for half the price that I used to. I think the cashiers avoid me when they see me though. I don’t buy anything unless its a price match or I have a coupon. I

  34. cathy

    How do you get Walmart to allow you to video tape in their store? Walmart has a strict no photos, no taping and sometimes even ask you not to write down items prices. Last year, I was using my phone to take pictures of prices of products I use everyday that rarely go on sale. The store was empty, it was 11pm or 12am. So, I wasn’t bothering anyone. I was surprised when the manager approached me with their policy. I put my phone away and removed a pad of paper. He then informed me that I wasn’t allowed to copy down prices either.
    Needless to say, I was annoyed. I told him, “Fine, I’ll leave then.” And I walked away from my cart which had over 50 items in it.

    I have noticed that every Walmart I’ve entered, (if I forget sometime on a trip, I head to walmart to get it normally the cheapest when you do know the stores in an area.) has a sign posted by the enterence that states that video taping and photos are prohibited.
    I

    • Lisa

      What a strange rule, I never knew that!?! Although, I’ve never taken pictures there or anything, have no reason to, but still strange that they don’t allow it.

    • zinkemomx2

      they are probably trying to slow down submissions to the people of walmart site, lol

  35. Jermaine

    Im glad to see your happy video. It showed me not to be rude to the cashiers. I was a little bit rude last week, let me explain. The same Tide coupon you had I had as well and tried to use it on the travel size stuff. The register beeped, so I politely told the cashier to take it off, so I took the item and coupon to customer service with policy in hand and showed it to them and she told me because it was three cents more so she called a CSM and I showed her the policy and she still wouldnt give me the overage so she went to the manager. I sat there and called corporate right then and there. They assured me they would be calling the store manager as I was very ticked off. Finally they adjusted down the coupon but never gave me my three cents back, needless to say I dont think I would be shopping there anymore. But Ill give it another chance.

    • couponmickey

      They wouldn’t let me use it either. I used it at Meijer.

  36. Crystal S

    Love this Collin! So happy you featured ALL YOU magazine as well. I credit you and your site for introducing me to the magazine and it is really a good source for great coupons and saving tips. Im so excited to say one of my own online money making tips was featured in the new May issue under the Sell it online article! So exciting! Thanks again for everything!

  37. bridget H

    Awsome video! Thanks for the tips.

  38. Monique

    Hi Collin!

    I actually had a awesome experience at Walmart yesterday! I actually did some of the same things that you did so it was kind of fun to see that! I went to the trial size section and I had some secret clinical strength coupons for $3.00 off & the price that they were selling them was for $2.47 so I got overage & anyways I got a lot of awesome deals and ended up paying .16 cents for 2 bags worth of stuff! It was super fun! The cashier was totally uneducated about the policy though and she was very confused that I was using coupons that were worth more than the products I was buying so anyhow she had a customer service manager come over to help her & the CSM explained that they would be giving me overage for those, because they are getting fully reimbursed for that coupon by the manufacturer so it would be fradulent for them to be “making money” on me. It was just a really cool experience to get everything for so cheap & I got some of those Tide laundry packs from the trial size section with the P & G coupons also! 🙂

    • Collin

      Yay! So glad to hear you had a great experience! 🙂

  39. Jenn

    In the Purex to-go (which you get in the travel section) there are $1.00 (they said coupon on the package), the are NOT good for the to-go size, but its not bad to get a free product and a free coupon for next trip.

  40. DeeTrig

    The only reason I do not shop at my local Wal-mart more often is because they have NO good customer service!! Our local grocery store has gas perks for every $50 you get $.10 off per gallon of gas, and you can save up your points for up to two months. It also works when you buy gas. For every 10 gallons of gas you pump you get 1% your total grocery bill (up to 20%)

  41. Jennifer

    Dear Collin, I must say I do love you BUT Walmart is the last place I would teach a new couponer. With all of the attitude I get from the cashiers, that is the last place I go. I learned to coupon at Publix of all places!!!

  42. Kelly

    I have found that items I am price matching or have a rain check (other stores) I use a reuseable bag in my cart to keep them all together.

  43. Ann Dee

    Collin, my kids and I LOVED your run to the store and spreading your wings! You make us laugh! Great video. You brightened our day and motivated me to get educated on their coupon policy for bigger and better savings! All the Wal-Marts I have been to have been great…in Grand Junction, Colorado and Sandy/Vernal, Utah!

  44. sheyanne

    I love shopping at Walmart… and have been pricematching for over a year now! It goes very smoothly, instead of showing them the ad, I just say the store that it is with and what the price is…I just show them the stack of ads I have with me. I was also told, that if the product is a generic at one store, and you price match with the Walmart generic, it is allowed. But you wouldn’t be able to pricematch with a generic price and get a name brand product. Shopping at Walmart mainly and using coupons with pricematching seems to work great for our family!

  45. vanessa

    Another awesome video.

  46. Pink

    I love your videos! I like that you show useful, easy tips and are so relatable! I used to think all couponers were those pushy people who clear shelves and hog the check out lanes. I’m slowly starting to learn how to implement some of your easy tips. And as an original Arkansas I can say that Walmarts can vary a lot according to locale but if you can find an updated one with nice employees and selection they really can be a great place to shop!

  47. Lisa

    I very rarely shop Walmart. Basically because I have 4 month old and want to limit the number of stores I go to with her before she gets fussy. Although yesterday, we went to Target, Walgreens, and then Walmart, and scored pretty good there! I bought some Similac formula with the $5 coupons (money-makers) and another can of formula with a formula check (first time using one of those). I also got a few travel size items, and other things that were all cheaper than the coupons. The formula can was the only item that was slightly higher in price than the formula check. I ended up getting back CHANGE and didn’t have to take out my wallet at all, just paid in coupons. The cashier and the manager were confused at first and the manager tried to tell me I couldn’t use a formula check and get cash back from it. I politely explained that the formula can WAS more than the check amount. She realized that and apologized and said “You have a bunch of really great coupons!” Oh, and while walking through the grocery area, P & G was there handing out bags of their products, there was a full size Dawn with Olay dish soap (Pomegranate scent, I CAN’T stop smelling it, it’s amazing!), a Tide detergent sample, and Cascade sample. I came out of there with so much stuff, and MADE money! I just might add Walmart to my weekly shopping routine now.

  48. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    Thank you and my walmart now doubles Q 🙂

  49. Shannon C

    Collin, I wish my Walmart was coupon friendly. When I go in and try to use coupons, if something should happen to be free, they stop and tell me that they are not allowed to take coupons that make an item free even if they sold me the newspaper that had the coupon. I show them the coupon policy, and the cashiers tell me they have been told by the manager that they cannot accept the coupon if it makes an item free. (This has happened several times.) I read the policy showing them exactly where it stated that the corporate policy is to accept them then they go get the manager. I have been able to get the items eventually, but even this weekend, I left with the cashier angry with me. Do you call corporate when this happens? I really have started trying to shop anywhere but Walmart to avoid this problem. My friends are doing the same.

    • Kristen

      Call corporate. That is not how it’s done.

    • Collin

      Hi Shannon,

      I would definitely call corporate regarding this or escalate the issue to a properly trained manager.

    • Joy

      Go to the “Contact Us” on walmart.com and comment on the problem you are having. I had an issue similar to this BEFORE the new policy came out. I commented about how terrible wal-mart was with coupons and a week later I had a personal phone call from a district manager. He was very apologetic and said he would handle the situation. He also said that if i ever had anymore problems with that store then report it to him. I was completely shocked by his phone call and response. of course since our conversation wal-mart released the new coupon policy and I have had no further problems with this store in particular. Don’t give up! Your issue will be resolved 🙂

  50. Jenny

    GREAT video Collin! I love the videos of you “out in the field” LOL! Love it! I love how you make it fun! Thanks!

    Walmart here is smart. They will pull any items that you can get for free or extreemly cheep then the day after the coupon expires “POOF” it’s back on the shelf. The same goes with the price matching. When the Purex 3-1 sheets were $3.99 at CVS with a $3 coupon available they pulled the ENTIRE cardboard display along with the product. GONE! They know what they’re doing… I don’t agree with it, but oh well.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

It's not your Grandma's coupon site!

Sign up for a Hip2Save account (it's free) to access all of the awesome features!

Forgot Password?

Don't have an account? Register

Forgot Password

Don't have an account? Register

Become a Hip2Save Insider

Don't Miss Out! Join our large community of insiders - it's totally free! Once you join, you'll be able to save & share your favorite deals, rate posts and recipes and add items to your HipList and Cookbook! What are ya waiting for?!



Already have an account? Login

Thank you for rating!

Would you also like to leave us a comment?