UPDATED August 2014 to address changes in Walgreen’s corporate coupon policy.

Walgreen’s is one of my favorite stores to shop. If you walk in and buy stuff you need, you will go broke. However, if you learn the Walgreen’s system, you can get free and cheap toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, deodorant, razors, snacks and more. In some cases, you can even get paid to shop. Here’s a breakdown of how to successfully coupon at Walgreen’s.

First, there are three elements of savings at Walgreen’s. All of these are seperate programs and offer you additional savings. The savings include:

RR= Register Reward, printed at register as a catalina, can be used like cash on your next purchase. Usually expire in two weeks.
IVC= Instant Value Coupon, Walgreen’s store coupon found in coupon book located at front of store.
Balance Rewards = Free program that gives you points for select purchases, prescriptions and walking (Steps with Balance Rewards). Redeem for credit at the register.  Always scan your card with every transaction to earn points. (5,000 pts = $5)

Stacking coupons – You can use one manufacturer’s coupon AND one IVC or Walgreen’s store coupon on one item.

One RR per promotion – If Dove body wash is $4.99 with a $4.99 RR, only one will print per transaction. If you buy two in the same order, only one RR will print.  The new Walgreen’s policy, limits each person to one register reward per offer per person per transaction.

Do NOT pay with RR for same promotion – If you get a RR, do not use it to pay for the same promotion.  Example: if you have a $4.99 Dove body wash RR, you cannot buy another body wash and pay for it with that RR. The second RR will NOT print.

Roll the RR – Use a RR to pay for purchases that will print more RR. As long as they are different promotions, this will work and you will shop for FREE. For example, toothpaste is on RR and you use that RR to pay for the Dove body wash and then use the Dove RR to pay for more toothpaste and get more RR. This how you roll RR.

Combine RR with coupons – Even if an item is free after RR, you can use a manufacturer’s and/or store coupon on that item and essentially get paid to shop. I do this frequently with toothpaste and other toiletries.

How to use Balance Rewards

Use Card Every Time you Shop – Promotional pricing and offers are valid only with the Reward card. If you forget your card, you can enter your phone number at checkout to pull up your card.

Redeem Points at Checkout – 1,000 points = $1.00, 5,000 points = $5, 10,000 points = $10, 18,000 points = $20, 30,000 points = $40, 40,000 points = $50. Points are forfeited if card is not used in a transaction for six consecutive months.

Cannot Earn More Points when you Pay with Points – If you choose to pay for a transaction with your Balance Rewards Points, you will NOT earn more Balance Rewards point for that transaction

More Ways to Earn – Join Steps with Balance Rewards program and earn 20 points per mile walked and 20 points daily for recording your weight, up to 1,000 Balance Rewards points per month. AARP can link their membership cards for additional savings. Prescriptions and refills earn 500 points per refill.

Checkout Tips

Pay at beauty or photo counter to allow more time and less rushed checkout. If your coupon does not work or your RR does not print, speak up or return the order. It’s a simple process and sometimes the registers are not working properly.  Also, don’t be afraid to do multiple transactions. I will purchase half my order and use the RR from that order to pay for a second transaction. This allows me to spend less out of pocket and maximize my trip.