The days of sitting at the kitchen table with scissors are officially over. Nobody has time to organize a binder full of paper scraps anymore. Couponing has moved entirely to your phone, and it is easier than ever. These seven tips will help you save money using the device you already have in your pocket.
1. Download the Store App First
This is the most critical step for saving money at any major chain. The store app is where the digital coupons live and where you track rewards. You simply tap to clip the deals to your loyalty card before you shop. The discount comes off automatically when you scan your app at the register.
2. Stack with Ibotta
Ibotta is a rebate app that pays you cash back after you shop. The magic happens when you stack a store coupon with an Ibotta rebate. If you have a dollar off coupon and a dollar rebate, you save two dollars total. It turns a good deal into a great one.
3. Use the Barcode Scanner
Most store apps have a built-in scanner feature that is incredibly useful. Before you put an item in your cart, scan the barcode with your phone. It will tell you instantly if there is a digital coupon available for that product. You might find savings you did not know existed.
4. Check Fetch Rewards for “Any Brand.”
Fetch Rewards gives you points just for snapping a picture of your receipt. You should look specifically for their “Any Brand” offers in the list. Sometimes they give you points just for buying milk or bread, regardless of the brand. It is free money for things you were going to buy anyway.
5. Screenshot Your Barcodes
Cell service inside grocery stores is notoriously bad and unreliable. You should take screenshots of your loyalty card barcode before you walk into the building. This prevents you from standing at the register frantically trying to load the app. It keeps the line moving and lowers your stress levels.
6. Look for “Just for You” Offers
Grocery apps use algorithms to learn your specific shopping habits over time. If you buy diapers every week, the app will start sending you diaper coupons. You should check the “Personalized” tab in the app regularly for these targeted deals. They are often better than the general coupons available to everyone.
7. Target Circle is Automatic
Target has one of the easiest systems if you use their Circle app. You just have to enter your phone number at the keypad during checkout. The app often applies “auto-offers” without you even having to clip them manually. It makes saving money at Target almost effortless.
The Digital Wallet
Your phone is the most powerful tool in your budget arsenal. By spending two minutes tapping screens in the parking lot, you can save twenty bucks a trip. You do not need scissors or paper cuts to make this work. It is just pure savings right in your pocket.
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