Getting started... at Walgreens

I am going to start a series for those just starting out, or for those wanting to take their coupon habits to the next level (at the request of a relative :) ). So, watch for that, coming soon. In the meantime, here are a few scenarios for the least out of pocket, just starting out.

I am assuming that just starting out, you do not have insert coupons, so the access you have to coupons are printables. That is taken into consideration. Meanwhile, go ahead and go out tomorrow morning and buy two papers. Start small. :) You don't have to clip the coupons out, just get yourself a file folder and label them 10/11 inserts and start a file system- most websites list coupons by the insert they were found in and it is MUCH easier to do this than clip them all, then hunt for them later.

Also, while out shopping, if you see blinkies or tearpads, snag a few of them. You may think, why? It's not something I want, need or would buy. Maybe, but if it goes on sale and makes you money three weeks from now, you'll be kicking yourself because those q's will be long gone.

A quick note. The key to working Walgreens and CVS is to do multiple transactions. Roll those rr's and ecb's baby! This will get easier as time passes. The first time I went in to do a CVS purchase with several transactions outlined I was sweating bullets! Now, it's old hat. :)

Walgreens

Working Walgreens
Walgreens "deals" are Register Rewards. When you buy an item that produces a Register Reward you may use that Register Reward (rr) on a future purchase (transaction).
The secreat to learning Walgreens is understanding the following basic rules:
1) Limits. Most Register Rewards deals are "Limit one per transaction". You cannot buy two deals and have it print two rr's. You will need to split up your purchases in order to receive more than one RR.
2) RR's are actually Manufacturer coupons. Basic rule of couponing is that you may only use ONE MANUFACTURER COUPON per item. Since a RR is a manufacturer coupon, you need another item for this coupon to "attach to". Hereout referred to as "fillers". Any time you see "filler" it means buy the cheapest thing in the store you can find that does not require a manufacturer coupon. (Walgreens coupons do not count as manufacturer coupons, they are something different).
3) You cannot purchase an item with the same rr that just printed for that item. (Well, you can, but it will not produce another rr). This often also applies for manufacturers as well.

Knowing these basic rules will get you far in the ways of Walgreens.

Here's how to get the FARR (Free after Regsiter Reward) items for as little as possible, plus a few other things.

If you do jump in with both feet doing multiple transactions, just tell the cashier you have a few different transactions. . . if you feel the old stink-eye from the cashier, smile, be nice and if someone gets in line behind you, hop out and go to the end to do another transaction.

oh, and ALWAYS check out at the cosmetics counter. Less line.


Transaction 1
Trident 2/$2.00
Trident 2/$2.00
Dentek Floss Picks $2.79
EmergenC $3.49
Total:8.28

Use
$.75/1 Trident printable HERE
$.75/1 Trident printable HERE
$1/1 Dentek floss Picks printable HERE
Total oop: $5.78 + tax
Earn $3.50rr (EmergenC), $1rr (Trident), $2rr (Dentek)

ETA**If you took my advice and purchased Sunday papers yesterday, do this instead for Transaction 1:

Transaction 1
Trident 2/$2.00
Trident 2/$2.00
Dentek Dental Floss $2.00
EmergenC $3.49
Total:7.49

Use
$.75/1 Trident printable HERE
$.75/1 Trident printable HERE
$1/1 Dentek floss 10/11 RP
Total oop: $4.99 + tax
Earn $3.50rr (EmergenC), $1rr (Trident), $2rr (Dentek)
***

Transaction 2
Robitussin To Go $2.49
Chapstick $2.99
Halls Refresh $1.00
Total: $6.48

Use
$3.50rr (from EmergenC)
$2rr (from Dentek)
Total oop: $.98 + tax
Earn $2.50rr (Robitussin), $1rr (Halls), $3rr (Chapstick)

Side-note: Word on the street is that Halls and Trident cannot be used to pay for one another. Using a Halls rr to purchase Trident will result in your rr not printing, and vice/versa.

Transaction 3
Vaseline Sheer Lotion $6.99 {Make sure this rings up correctly- many stores are reporting that this is ringing up $7.79, but the display for the monthyl deal says "Free after rr $6.99"}
Halloween cup fill $.25 (or something else cheap)
Halloween cup fill $.25 (or something else cheap)
Total: 7.49

Use
$3 rr (from Chapstick)
in-ad q for Halloween tumbler (does not count in your coupon count)
$1.50/1 Vaseline printable HERE
$2.50rr (from Robitussin)
Total oop: $.49+ tax

Transaction 4
Fusion MVP Razor $8.99
Halloween cup fill $.25 (or something else cheap)
Total: 9.24

Use
$7 rr (from Vaseline lotion)
in-ad q for Halloween tumbler (does not count in your coupon count)
$1rr (from Trident)
Total oop: $1.24+ tax
Earn $6 rr

Transaction 5
(If you like, you can do all 8 of these sauces, and use four coupons for less oop, but note that you may need two fillers since the coupons each "attach" to two items, accounting for all the items in the transaction.)
Ragu pasta sauce 3/$5
Ragu pasta sauce 3/$5
Ragu pasta sauce 3/$5
Ragu pasta sauce 3/$5
Skippy Peanut Butter 3/$5
Skippy Peanut Butter 3/$5
Skippy Peanut Butter 3/$5
Skippy Peanut Butter 3/$5
Total: $13.33

Use
$.60/2 Ragu printable HERE
$.60/2 Ragu printable HERE
$6 rr (from Fusion Razor)
{Side-note, you can't use the Vaseline lotion rr on this deal because both are products by Unilever and the rr may not print. See rule #3}
$1rr (from Halls)
Total oop: $5.13 + tax
earn $5rr

Grand total:
All the above items for $13.62+ tax and you have a $5 rr leftover to use next week. 8 jars of pasta sauce/peanut butter would cost you around $10 at Wal-Mart.

Welcome to "Working Walgreens!"