Everybody likes saving money, and as Blippr reports, 17% of online shoppers use a browser extension that automatically finds discounts and applies them to their orders. That’s a great feature to use if you know it’s available and how it works. But what if you’re just not as savvy a shopper? Or suppose you know you should be on the lookout for deals, but it seems far too tricky and time consuming? You're in luck because we’ve done the legwork for you.
It’s true that getting a discount off the regular price requires some planning on your part, but it might be simpler than you think. To help you find more deals, we compiled a list of stores that make it easy to shop while putting dollars back into your pocket. Keep reading to find out where to go and how to take advantage of discounts and sales that might be right under your nose.
CVS
CVS makes it easy to save on self-care items, home goods, and medication through its free ExtraCare card. When you sign up for an ExtraCare card, you’ll begin earning ExtraBucks and deals as soon as you make a qualifying purchase. Deals are normally in the form of coupons or discounts that you can apply to certain products. ExtraBucks are cash rebates you accumulate that can be applied to your total order to reduce the amount you owe. If you shop in person, ExtraBucks and coupons will print at the end of your shopping receipt and can be hard to keep track of. If this sounds like a hassle, no worries. Your ExtraCare card is linked to your phone number so you can upload coupons and ExtraBucks directly to your card. Just sign up for email or create an online account to take advantage of this feature, and shop paper-free.
Walgreens
Walgreens offers medicine and everyday items all in one location. To save at Walgreens, join the myWalgreens rewards program, which takes the place of the Balance Rewards card. If you’re a Balance Rewards member and have unredeemed rewards, enroll in the myWalgreens rewards program by April 16, 2021, and you can carry over your rewards.
Walgreens’ new rewards program is free, just like the previous one. Benefits include sales prices on store items, 5% cash rewards per dollar spent on Walgreens-branded items, 1% Walgreens cash rewards per dollar spent on other items, and bonus points for achieving health goals. Easily redeem any rewards you earn when you checkout online or in person. The program gives you the option of adding a form of payment for contactless checkout, and you can donate your rewards to some charities. There’s no physical card for myWalgreens, which the company says is better for the environment.
Ulta
Ulta is a cosmetics and beauty store that routinely offers discounts. Check Ulta’s weekly ad or its website for great deals. Ulta also offers a reward program that saves you money, though you don’t need to sign up for this to use the brand's coupons. Ulta’s reward program, called Ultamate Rewards, lets you earn points for each dollar spent and gives you access to bonus point opportunities via your email or app notifications.
Ulta also offers a generous return policy when it comes to customer satisfaction. Customers have up to 60 days to return a product to receive a refund in the original form of payment. If you don’t have your receipt, they can look up the transaction using your Ultamate Rewards number. If you are returning a product after 60 days, you’re able to receive a store merchandise credit.
Target
Target is a one-stop retailer for food, clothing, health, and beauty. For daily deals, use the Target Circle app. Load coupons to your account, and they all register under one barcode found within the app. At checkout, the cashier scans the barcode with all your offers included. To save even more, you can apply for a Target RedCard. There’s no fee to sign up for a RedCard, and you can decide between a RedCard that's a credit card or one that's a debit card connected to your bank account. With the RedCard, each time you check out you save 5% off your total bill. You also receive free shipping for online orders, an additional 30 days to return items, and 5% off at in-store Starbucks locations. The best part is that you can stack RedCard savings with Target Circle savings for even deeper discounts.
According to Judy Demer, co-founder of The Krazy Coupon Lady website, there’s never going to be a day where there’s not a way for those who are smart and strategic to spend a little bit of extra time and save money. Next time you make a Target run, browse the Circle app first and load up your coupons, and find other Target promo codes here.
Bed Bath & Beyond
Bed, Bath & Beyond sells home goods and offers free coupons that can save you as much as 20% off purchase, though there are usually exclusions, and sometimes the savings are restricted to a single item. To get a Bed Bath & Beyond coupon, visit the company’s website and sign up to receive coupons via mail, email, or text.
Most people feel frustrated when they miss online discounts, say Beambox.com. To avoid this problem, sign up for Bed Bath & Beyond's “My Offers” on the website. It will allow you to organize your paper, email, and text coupons into a virtual wallet easily accessible in store or online.
Bed Bath & Beyond also offers Beyond+. This paid membership program costs $29 a year and includes free shipping, 20% off your entire purchase every time, and 50% off its interior design services.
Cost Plus World Market
Cost Plus World Market sells home goods and international foods. This retailer frequently prints ads that include a 15% off coupon. But if you’re looking for paperless savings, order curbside pickup and get 10% off. You can also sign up for World Market Rewards to receive recurring coupons and other good deals and World Market will send coupons directly to your inbox or via text. The program is free and includes exclusive deals, free shipping, point rewards on every dollar spent, and a birthday reward on your special day.
Michaels
Got crafting or decorating on the brain? Then Michaels is the place to go. You can save money by checking a Michaels sales ad or its website for Michaels coupons prior to shopping online or in store. Coupons can range from 20% off your total purchase (25% on some holidays), to 40% off one regular priced item, to 60% off framing, or other deals.
These stores are representative of many options available when shopping for online and in-person bargains. If you prefer online shopping, then there’s a coupon app for that. You can use other sites like Smart Source, RetailMeNot, Rakuten, or Ibotta to look for even more ways to save.
