Looking to save money at Walmart? There are many Walmart savings hacks and different things you can try. There is the Walmart Savings Catcher app and using Walmart coupons – but best of all is just being smarter when you shop the store.
When it comes to saving money on groceries and things you need, Walmart is a top destination. However, there is more than just getting every day low prices on the items you need. You need to know how to shop and to understand the top Walmart money-saving hacks and tips!
SMART TIPS FOR SHOPPING AT WALMART
It is not difficult to save money when you shop at Walmart. You just need to know the secrets to saving more money! Here are some of the best proven strategies:
1. WALMART SAVINGS CATCHER APP
Gone are the days of price matching at Walmart. The retail giant has made it even easier to price match – without having to search the local ads for lower prices.
You need to use the Savings Catcher App. This easy to use app does the hard work for you. It compares the prices of the items you recently purchased with the current weekly ads for the stores near you. If it finds a lower price, you get cash back in your account!
Walmart makes it easy for anyone to save. First, you just shop as you usually would in the store. You can use your coupons (like always). Then, download the free app or just visit Walmart online.
Next either scan your receipt with the app or manually enter your number online. The program will go to work. It will look at every weekly ad near you. If it happens to find a lower price, the money gets added to your account instantly.
The funds can then be used either at Walmart or online at Walmart.com. So, you don’t get actual cash back, but you do get to use your earnings towards other Walmart purchases.
Can you use coupons with the Savings Catcher?
YEP!! The app will look at the price of the product before using your coupon. If the original price is higher at Walmart than a competing store, you will get cash back.
For example: If you purchased something for $2.50 at Walmart and used a $0.50 coupon, you would have paid $2.00. If another store had that same item on sale for $1.50, they would give you $1.00 back – as they price match the price before coupon redemption.
Remember, they want you to pay the same at Walmart as you would at any other retailer – even when you get to use coupons!
Is everything I buy eligible for the Catcher App?
Unfortunately, no. Not everything purchased is eligible for savings catcher.
Items such as pantry staples, consumable products (like toilet paper) and health and beauty products (such as shampoo) are eligible.
Many items are not eligible, such as fresh produce, deli items, weighed meat and seafood, and store brand products. Before you shop, make sure you review the entire Savings Catcher FAQs section, so you know which products are eligible.
Additional Details:
- You can only submit up to seven (7) receipts each week.
- Your receipt can only be submitted if it is seven (7) days old or less.
- It can take up to 3 days to get the cash back in your account.
- There is no minimum purchase required for the app to work.
- The app will match prices, including Buy One Get One Offers, in all 50 states + Puerto Rico — as long as the price is in the ad. If you live in Florida, ads for Publix and Winn Dixie stores can state “save up to” with a clearly defined item size in order to be eligible.
- Make certain to review the list of the promotions that are not eligible for the Savings Catcher.
Again, before using this app, it is vital that you take time to review all of the Savings Catcher FAQs, so you understand how it works.
2. USE COUPONS (even those from competitors)
One of the simplest ways to save money at Walmart is to use coupons on the items you need. Walmart does not offer “Walmart coupons”, but you can use manufacturer’s coupons every day on thousands of products.
Keep in mind that you can’t redeem these coupons if you shop online, including Walmart Grocery Pick-Up service, but you can on any in-store purchases.
If you aren’t sure where to find coupons, our Coupon Database is the perfect place to start. You can find out if there were coupons in a weekly insert or even print those you want directly from home. It is the simplest way to find coupons for Walmart (or any store).
A few things you should know about using coupons at Walmart:
- If it does not scan, they will not accept it
- The coupon must be legible, include a valid remittance address and have a valid expiration date on it.
- They accept Buy One Get One coupons (if printed from home, it must also include a price).
- Walmart will accept competitor store coupons – with some exceptions (review full coupon policy for restrictions).
- Store managers have the final say in coupon redemption.
Make sure you review the entire Walmart coupon policy and visit with your local store manager for specific questions.
3. USE WALMART COUPON CODES
While rare, sometimes, Walmart will offer coupon codes. They also offer free shipping on $35 every day as well as daily values and continual rollbacks.
4. GET CASH BACK FROM COUPONS
When you use your coupons, watch the prices! If the value of your coupon happens to exceed the product price, you will get cash back!
For example, if the item is $0.97, but your coupon is valid for $1.00, you’ll not only get the product for free, but you’ll get $0.03 back!!
5. USE CASH BACK APPS
In addition to the Walmart Savings Catcher app, there are other ways to get paid to shop. Using an app, such as Ibotta or Checkout51, will pay you cash back! Remember, that there aren’t too many coupons for Walmart, so using apps that pay you to shop are the next best thing.
IBOTTA
All you need to do is download the Ibotta app before you shop at Walmart. Review the available offers and claim the ones want. Then, shop at usual.
When you are down, upload a photo of your receipt. Once Ibotta can confirm you purchased the item listed in the offer, you’ll get cash back! Best of all, it arrives in your account within just a couple of days. Then, you can cash it out for either gift cards or even a PayPal Deposit.
Sign up with Ibotta and get a FREE $10 bonus!
CHECKOUT51
Another app that works in the same fashion as Ibotta is Checkout51. You too will look through the offers they have available and purchase the items you need.
Once you finish shopping, upload your receipt to this app, and you’ll also get cash back!
If you haven’t heard about this rebate site, learn more about Checkout 51 HERE.
6. SHOP EARLY
If you can, get to your store by 7 am. You’ll find that the meat from the prior day, as well as other items such as baked goods and even produce, are discounted for a quick sale.
The reduced price does not mean that these items are not any good. It is just that they have to clear things out to make room for today’s products.
7. USE THE STORE BRANDS
One of the simplest ways to save money at Walmart is to stick with their store brand – Great Value. Believe it or not, but nearly every store brand you see is the same product as the higher end items – just with a store label on it.
By shopping these brands, you may just find a better deal than you would otherwise (even if you are using a coupon). Such a simple money saving idea!
8. PRICE MATCH AT WALMART.COM
While in-store price matching been replaced with the above app, you can still price match to online pricing at Walmart.com! There are some things you need to understand when it comes to Walmart’s price matching policy.
Walmart.com price matching rules:
- It must be an identical item (i.e., model, size, quantity, color, brand, etc.).
- It must be in-stock at both the online retailer at the time of purchase.
- You can only price match one item per customer, per day (except if you live in New Mexico – unless you are going to resell it).
- They will not offer rain checks on items that are not in stock.
- They only match select online retailers:
Academy.com, Amazon.com, Autozone.com, Basspro.com, Bedbathandbeyond.com, Bestbuy.com, Cabelas.com, Chewy.com, Dickssportinggoods.com, Dollargeneral.com, Familydollar.com, Homedepot.com, Jcpenny.com, Kmart.com, Kohls.com, Lowes.com, Michaels.com, Newegg.com, Officedepot.com, Oreillyauto.com, Pepboys.com, Petco.com, Petsmart.com, Sears.com, SportsAuthority.com, Staples.com, Target.com, and Walgreens.com. - Price matching is not allowed from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday nor on clearance, special buys, value of the day or 1-hour guarantee pick-up items.
- Review the entire list of excluded items before price matching.
How do you price match online prices?
If you find a lower price, make sure you reach out to customer service before placing your order. They need to confirm that it is, in fact, eligible for price matching. Keep in mind that Walmart.com has the final say in price matching eligibility.
It is wise to you review the Walmart.com price matching policy in its entirety before you attempt to price match.
9. WATCH FOR FREE SHIPPING
Walmart.com offers free shipping on any purchases of $35 or more. Alternatively, you can also see if your item is eligible for free 2-day shipping, or if you can see if it is available for in-store store for pick-up. It is a simple way to get online deals without paying hefty shipping charges.
If you don’t find an item that qualifies, shipping will normally start at $5.99.
10. KNOW YOUR STORE’S CLEARANCE SECTION
Just like other stores, sometimes, the best deals can be found at the end of the aisles! There are also some locations in select stores where all clearance items end up.
Spend some time walking through your local store to find out where all the clearance items end up. Then, that can be one of the first places you visit each time you stop by the store. You just never know what you’ll find!
11. WATCH FOR ONLINE CLEARANCE DEALS
Walmart.com doesn’t advertise when items are discounted. Instead, they often roll into the clearance section on their site.
When you visit Walmart.com, make sure you always look for the clearance items. You will not see this in the navigation menu. However, if you type “clearance” in the search bar and hit go, it will return all of the best clearance deals, by the department.
BONUS TIPS!!!
13. SHOP USING DISCOUNT GIFT CARDS
Before you shop, purchase discounted gift cards. You can save as much as 4% and more on every single purchase. Visit Gift Card Granny to find gift cards at a discount, to fit any budget.
12. JOIN THE PPM FACEBOOK GROUP
Did you know that we have a Facebook group dedicated to finding the best deals? Readers share their finds, and we also pass along any great deals we come across as well! It is the perfect way to find out if there is a discount on something you need at Walmart (or any other store for that matter).
Best of all, it is entirely free to join! Just pop on over and request membership. You will have to answer a couple of questions first (to ensure you are an honest person who is looking to save money). Then, when you are a part of the group, you can search and may find a fantastic deal on the things you need!
Saving money at Walmart is simple when you know some of these simple tips and tricks.