15 Money-Saving Secrets for Shopping and Using Coupons at Walmart
[Updated May, 14, 2019.]
Whether you love or hate shopping at Walmart, there are a lot of ways to save at this mega-retailer – and it’s easier than you may think! So if you’re looking to clip even more off of their Every Day Low Prices, check out these 18 money-saving secrets for shopping at Walmart.
1. Get coupon overage.
That’s right! According to the official Walmart Coupon Policy…
“The coupon value will be applied to the price of an item allowing any overage to be applied to the transaction total. In select instances, Walmart may give cash after overages are applied to the transaction total (remaining basket).”
For instance, if you’re buying Wet n Wild cosmetics for $0.93 and have a $1 off coupon, you can apply the $0.07 overage towards the other items in your cart. Pretty AWESOME!
TIP: If you’re nervous about using coupons at Walmart, print a copy of the Walmart Coupon Policy or bookmark the link on your phone and bring it with you when shopping. It’s hard for a cashier or manager to say that “Walmart doesn’t allow…” when it’s clearly printed on their website.
2. Shop clearance deals throughout the store.
When heading in-store to do some shopping at Walmart, don’t just stop at the clearance racks with the yellow signs. Be sure to look around for hidden clearance throughout the store – look in various departments, on endcaps, and even on the aisles, as you’ll occasionally find items that have been marked down right on the shelf.
And, if you find yourself shopping or using coupons at Walmart often, you likely know that most items end with a $0.97, $0.84, $0.88, or another uncommon price. However, most clearance items end in an even price, such as $2.50, $5, $17.50, $25, etc. and also may have the date of when the item was marked down in small print on the price tag. Keep in mind that Clearance items may be tagged with a Yellow and/or Red label.
Also, another great time to shop the clearance aisles is whenever Walmart offers up an additional 50% off red tag items at the register, usually after the holidays. This is a great time to score BIG savings!
3. Check local stock before leaving home.
Wouldn’t you love to confirm that your local store has the items on your shopping list in stock before you make a special trip?! Before you spend time packing up the kiddos and spend money driving over to your local Walmart, consider using the Brickseek Inventory Checker.
NOTE: Sometimes these inventory systems can be wrong due to theft, loss and other circumstances, but they usually do a good job of giving you an idea of what’s available at your store.
4. Decorate with Better Homes and Gardens.
Did you know that Better Homes and Gardens products are sold exclusively through Walmart Stores and Walmart.com? If you’re looking to decorate your home on a budget, keep your eyes peeled for Better Homes & Gardens products that advertise FREE magazine offers with your purchase.
If you prefer not to receive the magazine subscription (which we often post for FREE on Hip2Save), you can submit for a cash back rebate instead – and then you’ve just lowered the cost on your purchase!
5. Possibly score free travel-sized items.
Occasionally, manufacturer’s release rare printable and insert coupons that have NO size restrictions on them, such as these previous Gold Bond, Clorox, K-Y, or Charmin coupons. Using these coupons at Walmart can often make for inexpensive or sometimes even FREE travel size items when you are shopping there!
6. Compare prices with the Amazon App.
A handy way to make sure you are getting a good deal is to quickly compare the prices at Walmart with Amazon before heading to the checkout lane. Just scan the Walmart barcode in-store by clicking on the little camera icon within Amazon’s App to see their current selling price.
7. Easily order groceries online.
If you’re having a hard time fitting grocery shopping into your schedule, you may love the Walmart Grocery Pickup service (it’s awesome)! Walmart Grocery is a pick-up and delivery service available at select locations with no service fees or markups. Simply place your order online, choose a time slot, and your order will be delivered directly to your car (some areas even have the option of home delivery)!
Read more about why we love Walmart Grocery pickup! Plus, if you’re a new customer, be sure to use promo code WOWFRESH for $10 off your first $50 order!
8. Submit for multiple cash back rebates.
A great way to save at Walmart is by submitting for multiple cash back rebates, such as Ibotta and Checkout51. AND sometimes you can even buy just one product, use a coupon, or coupons at Walmart, and then submit for cash back rebates from multiple companies, making for cheap or better than free groceries!
9. Buy Walmart’s private label items.
Instead of paying more for the same or a similar product, consider buying Walmart’s private label brands, such as Equate, Great Value, etc. For instance, the 24ct Benedryl Allergy capsules are $1 more than the Equate brand and contain the same active ingredients as the Equate variety.
And… why pay for Peter Pan Peanut Butter which sells for $3.88 per 20oz jar at Walmart (that equals 13.9¢ per ounce) when you can opt for Walmart’s Great Value brand priced at $3.32 for the same size jar (that’s just 11.9¢ per ounce), as both items are manufactured by ConAgra Foods. Be sure to also check out these other Walmart brand items that I found to be just as good as their competition.
10. Stock up during toy clearance events.
In July and January, Walmart usually has huge clearance events on toys to make room for new inventory. Usually, this is a great time to score TONS of deals to stock the gift closet. Some of the best deals can be on LEGO, Barbie, Hot Wheels, board games and more… all usually 70-75% off or MORE!
AND some of the best items to purchase at Walmart and Walmart.com are LEGO sets! We are often posting various Walmart LEGO deals on Hip2Save, so be on the lookout if you have a LEGO fan!
11. Score great deals on clothing & shoes.
Walmart offers fantastic Everyday Low Prices on camis, tanks, leggings, jewelry, shoes, and more! In fact, we’ve been doing Walmart Wednesday outfits and especially love the Time and Tru brand! There really is no better place that offers such great deals on “regular priced” clothing and shoes.
12. Shop online or pick up in-store and save BIG!
Prefer to shop online? Walmart.com offers great online clearance deals, AND they offer FREE 2-day shipping on most $35 orders with no membership fees, so you can receive your order fast.
Plus, Walmart offers an additional discount whenever you purchase select online-only items and choose free pickup at your local Walmart! Just buy any item notated with “Pickup Discount” on Walmart.com and ship it to your local store for pick up and you’ll receive a pickup discount! Sweet!
13. Get online price matching & protection.
Buying online? If you find a lower price at one of these 30 online retailers, Walmart.com will give you the lower price – just contact the Walmart Customer Care before placing your order (exclusions apply).
Walmart will then verify the item’s eligibility by reviewing the online retailer, their current price, and ensure that the item is in stock at both Walmart.com and the competing website. You can only get one online price match per day/item and Walmart.com has the final decision for matching any online price.
Also, if you purchase an item from Walmart.com and then within a few weeks notice that the price has dropped on their site, Walmart Customer Care will give you an adjustment for the price difference. Based on your purchase, you will have up to 90 days to contact Customer Care for an adjustment.
NOTE: The online Walmart price match does NOT apply to Clearance, Special Buys, Value of the Day, or deep discounts like Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday.
14. Save time when returning items!
The return lines at Walmart are notoriously long, especially after a holiday. Well, now you can save time returning items sold and shipped by Walmart.com using Mobile Express Returns!
This feature allows you to start the return from your mobile device or tablet and then finish the return at the store. After starting the process in the app, you’ll just go to the Customer Service desk, locate the Mobile Express Lane, and scan your QR code. Your refund will be credited as soon as the next day. Just another reason why shopping and using coupons at Walmart makes sense.
BONUS TIP: Burn calories and save gas when shopping at Walmart by parking far, far away.
If you’ve ever circled a Walmart parking lot, you’re probably keenly aware that you’re using gas (and spending time) just to find a closer spot. The Walmart parking lot can be so chaotic at times, and it seems that people will fight for their lives to get an up-close parking spot.
To avoid the hassle and parking lot rage, consider a parking spot in the back of the parking lot and burning those extra calories walking in. You’ll likely beat the person in the store who’s been waiting 5 minutes with their blinker turned on for that up-front parking spot. 😉
If you’re planning a road trip and looking to save on gas purchases, consider buying a Walmart Gift Card and then heading to a participating Murphy USA station where you may be able to save 3¢ per gallon (not valid at Murphy Express or in Alabama). Every little bit helps!
This was a super great post! Thanks, Mary!!
You are most welcome Laura! 🙂
Great tips! Online shopping and pick up is good when you have a college student living in another town too.
Interesting to me that our Walmart recently posted that as of May 15th, their store will no longer be price matching.
Oh interesting! Walmart B&M Stores phased out ad-matching at over 500 stores last year BUT they still price match online prices (at least according to their online policy).
My local Walmarts both still price match. Maybe they’re not supposed to anymore but they do haha. Not a money saving tip, but I am a big fan of Walmart pay. The only time I don’t use it is if I’m buying something I’d like to redeem with Ibotta. You can’t since you don’t get a physical receipt.
Your stores may be some of the lucky few left! Great to know about Walmart Pay…glad you like it! 🙂
Great tips in this btw!
Great tips!! Would like to see Walmart deals posted regularly on this site. Been a follower for years and do not shop at Target!
Another tip is to utilize the Pick Up Today option when ordering items on Walmart.com. It literally means that an associate takes the items off the shelf and puts the items in your order at Site2Store. If there is a great deal, it’s an easy way to make sure you get the sale price on an item. Also when you pick the item up, if the price is lower in store, you automatically get a refund of the difference! If it’s cheaper online, you pay the online price but if it’s cheaper in store you pay the store price. So it’s a win win!
I work for Walmart and on our computer system they are starting giving discounts for using the store pickup option. It is only valid online. Its a great service to use. The items come in by FedEx or UPS and it goes into a big machine they built…granted that machine is just in my store for the time being as a tester. But it will show up in the associate system that so and sos order has been delivered and the same notification will go to the customers email. Can even get notifications by text. I’ve always wanted to order like a box of cereal or something just to use the machine. Lol
I didn’t think the Savings Capture App was still a thing?
Stacy, OMG, YES, YES, YES…. Love our Savings Catcher for Walmart. It truly works best like if you have a coupon for something free and the same item is on sale at a local store. I have gotten free 12 packs of Coke at Walmart (not on sale but use my free coupon). The 12 packs of Coke will be on sale at a competitors usually for $2 or more at competitors and I get the difference in Savings Catcher back. Hope that makes sense! It’s actually a big money maker.
Oh my goodness – we have a Walmart neighborhood market down the street. I had no idea they had a pick up and delivery service. That is so amazing for when we go on vacation and my very elderly in-laws are at home alone. Thank you!
Not all Walmart’s have pick up services. Where I live there are 2 Walmart’s that are three miles apart and one has pickup service and the other one does not.
Hmmmmm…thanks for the heads up, I’ll have to check that out
How does #2 line up with the first sentence of #4? If they don’t price match, how does #2 work?
They won’t technically price match an entire ad if you bring one in, but if you have a store coupon that meets the qualifications, they will give you that price. Not sure if that makes sense?
Has anyone tried using a Walgreens in ad coupon at Walmart before?
Our Walmart does price match competitor ads however it no longer accepts store ads with coupons (such as Walgreens coupon for Crest for $1.99). They will only accept local print ads.
I used a bayer aspirin one from walgreens probably 2 yrs back though
I lurve me some Walmart!! I agree with above poster–would love to see even more Walmart deals!
Just a note about their Savings Catcher…. It only uses sale prices from “select” area stores. It’s really frustrating because fewer than half my local stores are included. I miss price matching terribly!!!! I used it all the time and Savings Catcher is basically useless. I’m happy for those that have a good set-up with it in their area.
Same for me, I used to love when they price match from other ads. I tried to use savings catcher but it does not cover many stores and I would prefer to go to my Ralphs or Food for less and spend my money there.
Ohhh, I hope they don’t stop price matching at our local Walmart as I agree that Savings Catcher is very limited and does not include all departments. For example, I know that our Walmart Savings Catcher does not give a rebate for produce on sale at a local competitor.
I think Walmart has been even more aggressive lately in lowering their prices against their competitors. Each week I look at online sales ads for about 6 other national chain stores here in the Detroit area, and I open up a separate window and compare items against the prices at my local Walmart. If I see a great deal at another store, I stock up on the item and let Savings Catcher do the rest. For the last several months I’ve noticed that most of the time the competitor sales prices are higher than Walmart’s everyday prices. I used to save a lot of money through the Savings Catcher program, but now it’s been barely worth it to spend the hour or so each week checking competitor prices. I’m seriously considering shopping at Walmart WITHOUT going through the hassle of checking other local ads and just hoping for the best when I submit my receipt through the Savings Catcher app.
Just to clarify, I don’t Walmart to start raising their prices just so I’ll feel good about saving money through their Savings Catcher program. 🙂
I always order online through Swagbucks or Ebates. Earns a few pennies. Agree about Savings Catcher. I’ve used it since it started and only earned about $20.
I really could not stand Walmart, would run in less than once a year for something off I couldn’t get at Target or needed in a hurry. However, when looking for birthday gifts on Amazon earlier this year, I decided to check Walmart.com & was pleasantly surprised to find some things cheaper & some things Amazon didn’t even carry. Since then I’ve ordered from them online a couple more times, and also discovered their grocery pickup service, which has been a godsend. It’s been amazing week after week, I don’t have to drag my kids shopping & get overwhelmed & exhausted. They’ve really stepped up their game.
Oh I also realized earlier this week that you can use the savings catcher with grocery pickup as well!
I am questioning number one. On either getting cash back, or applying coupon overages to the rest of your order. I used to work at Wal-Mart as a cashier many, many years ago. Maybe they have changed things. I only remember fixing the item for it to be ‘free’, but were not allowed to give cash back or apply any overages to the rest of the order.
Actually, that is accurate. It’s in the Walmart coupon policy. I have had a few cashiers give me a hard time, but most of the time, they accept coupons worth more than the purchase price with no problem.
Hmmm…I agree with you questioning #1. I’m believe it is in the coupon policy…but the cashiers never let me do it. The computer automatically rejects my coupons at my store when there’s an overage.
My local WalMart Marketplace is eliminating price matching next month. They also took out almost all their regular registers and added a bunch of self checkouts. I really feel that it is cheaper and easier to shop other stores now.
My Wal-Mart in Arkansas still price matched! They said eventually in 2020 all Wal-Mart’s will be going self serve and no more price matching!!!
Which one do you go to? I have been to a few in Central Arkansas and have had nothing but problems with them taking coupons of any kind and forget about the ones with overage. they won’t accept them at all. I tried a $1 coupon on a 99 cent item and they denied it.
I quit shopping at Walmart because of their coupon policy. Our store only allows one like coupon per purchase even if the coupons you can use up to four etc. They make me stand in line again to use the other coupon. Not so much of a problem unless there is a long line but it is the principle of it. they always give me back coupons too saying they won’t scan and they are not printed coupons. They were sent to me by the manufactuer or from the newspaper. there is no arguing with them. If it won’t scan it won’t scan even if it is fancy and has that metal looking strip through it. It is just to frustrating to me. Maybe it is only our two walmarts but it is frustrating.
Try to self-service checkout. I always do and use more than 1 like coupon. HTH.
Kroger accepted the coupons but they had to scan with the hand held scanner. Walmart won’t do that anymore.
My Walmart no longer matches adds or other store prices. 😝 I was told that every Walmart will be doing this soon.
Great article. I don’t like to use coupons at my Walmart because they always give me a hard time. I was told that I couldn’t use the Catalina manufacturer coupons. The cashier says that if there is another store name listed on the coupon I couldn’t use it. I have also never been able to get any cash back from overage. 🙁
I had to leave my stuff behind because I was purchasing 3 items with 3 coupons attached to the item. Cashier called supervisor over and the man told me that I can only use 1 coupon in the transaction because the coupon said “One coupon per purchase” so he told me a purchase is a transaction. I told him “one per purchase” basically means “one coupon per item” and that i have 3 items for those 3 coupons and he kept insisting that a “purchase is a transaction” so I cannot use 3 coupons for 3 items. I politely ask for the manager or supervisor and he proceeded to act cocky saying “I am the manager!” His name tag said he was “customer service supervisor”….I walked out bc those people seem to gang up on me bc they were taking each other’s side. I cannot believe in this day and age that a supervisor does not know the difference between PURCHASE vs TRANSACTION. He told me if I want to purchase it then I would have to ring up separate orders 3 times in order to use the coupon 3 times. What if people have a stack of coupons? Is he going to ring each item 20 times? Walmart needs to train their employees on per purchase/item vs transaction. Wasted my time and all the people behind me were looking at me as if those walmart employees knew what they were talking about. lol.
Oh, gosh, Judy, YES, YES, YES. I have had this exact circumstance before too. Drives me absolutely batty. I have no idea why these stores are not educated on .. just as you said… “transaction” versus “purchase.” I would have walked too. Good for you but then I would have also followed up with an email to somebody.
What is even worse, I’ve experienced, is if you have coupons that the cashier won’t even attempt to scan. If the thing scans, I’m thinking the computer is a little more intelligent than the person behind the counter. Ok. Rant over! Uggg..
They wont price match in oklahoma and have signs up all over the cashiers. They did this before and they lost alot of business, so they will change it back again. But who wants to hope and wait? Aldi”s generic brands are better than walmart ! I wont shop there unless I have to bc they do gang up on you and enlist the customers behind you in their “crusade” against anyone who wants to save money! I have thought about putting a sign on my coupon book “Using coupons, pick another line” bc the customers behind me are worse than the cashiers! lol
racing is the first thing in my heart and i also love to join auto racing for the adrenalin rush;
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Great tips! I always wondered why those coupons are called “Catalina” coupons . . .