How to play the drugstore game
For the past few months I’ve been playing the drugstore game. When playing this game, I get pretty competitive trying to get the most stuff for free.
The rules of the game are simple. Clip coupons, match them up with what is on sale and know your store’s policy. I use Walgreens because I find their sales’ policy the most simple. They have something called a Register Reward. Basically, a Register Reward is like a ‘œWalgreens Dollar’ and you can use it on your next shopping trip. But the catch is that you can only use it for its exact value. For example; you cannot use a $5 Register Reward to buy one candy bar. You would have to have a total of $5 before tax or more.
Here’s how I do it. On Sunday morning I clip and organize my coupons. I match them up with the Walgreens sales paper. I try to find what items will get me the most Register Rewards and make a list. I compare my list with the lists of other coupons bloggers online. I go in and buy one item to get a Register Reward. Then I go back in and get something else that will get Register Rewards and pay for it with my previous Register Rewards.
This all may sound complicated but after the first time you do it, you get hooked. I have walked out of the store with a bottle of shampoo, conditioner, garlic powder, chili powder, toothpaste, chips and various snacks with my total out of pocket being $1.70. I tend to play the drugstore game every other month because I end up with way more products than I know we can use. I sometimes wind up with 15 tubes of toothpaste and 5 bottles of shampoo. I stockpile what I think we may use then donate the rest to charities like my local homeless shelter.
Have you ever played the drugstore game? How do you save money on toiletries and such?
Mat: This sounds like a method that’s really working for you and your family. I’m stuck though on the amount of time that you spend on couponing before you actually get into the store. It seems that in order for couponing to be effective, you have to be prepared and figure out what you need or else you end up spending more money in the end — by being enticed to buy in bulk or trying something you wouldn’t normally use.
I think it boils down to – you either like playing the game of couponing or you don’t. I don’t think I’m organized enough nor have the time on a Sunday morning to be a winner at this game. But you’re certainly a clipping star. $1.70 for that list of stuff is impressive.
From the title of your post, I thought you were going to be talking about drugstore cosmetics v. department store cosmetics. For instance, Loreal in the drugstore is the same as Lancome at the department store. I’m all about getting lipstick and eye shadow at the drug store, but I’m not willing to skimp on my foundation.
I’ve been playing the game so long it only takes me an hour at the most to clip, organize and print my list from other drugstore game blogs. I’m in and out of the store in probably 30 minutes. For me the game was fun. I’m not sure why, something about getting so much stuff for free is addictive. I’m a nerd I guess. I’ve also developed a large enough stock pile of toothpaste, shampoo, shaving cream, and other essentials that we actually use, that I do not play the game as much anymore. I’ll probably be donating a good bit of it to the homeless shelter and other charities here in Myrtle Beach by the end of the year. My trips are now usually spaced about three weeks apart. I still post shopping scenarios on my site if other people still want to try though.
I do this as well, but with CVS. It’s become a bit of a hobby for my partner and myself. We get a great deal of items for free or very, very cheap. The difference between myself and Mat is that we rely a lot on various websites for coupon matchups – we don’t search the circulars ourselves. In fact, we just stockpile the coupons from the paper and don’t even clip them until we learn of a matchup. Then, we’ll pull the relevant coupon circular and clip.
Regardless of whether I want it or not, if it’s free I’ll get it. BTW, stopped at Target on the way home from work tonight and got $16 worth of items for $1.06. If I can’t use it, I’ll either offer it to a neighbor or donate to a food bank or shelter. There is so much need in the world, how much extra effort does it take to pick it up for free and donate?
Wow… and I was all proud of myself for getting $16 worth of Splenda and peanut butter for $9 from Walgreens today. I have to ask, how does the staff there react to this game?
My partner thought I was crazy when I first stated doing this. Now he goes into the stores with me. I also rely heavily on other coupon blogs to help me come up with combination and scenarios of products and coupons. I normally just print my list, print my online coupons, grab my coupon book and go. The management and staff at Walgreens know me by name now and don’t mind all the coupons. The stores still get their money so they could care less. Handing the cashier coupons is like handing them cash. They’re just happy that the products are being sold. The manager of my local Walgreens also knows that I donate a good bit of what I get free and is always happy to help if a coupon won’t scan or if I cant find something on my list. I guess it also helps that he’s cute.