Now that you know how to use the Extra Care program at CVS, I thought it would be helpful if I explained how to use the Register Rewards system at Walgreens. While it is very different from CVS, you can still save money and get items for FREE at Walgreens as well! It takes a little more thought and practice with Walgreens, but as with CVS, you can gain many FREE or almost FREE items. It is also possible to keep your Register Rewards rolling to use for your next purchase(s). Here are a few basics that you should first understand about using and obtaining Register Rewards at Walgreens:
First, it is important to understand that there is no card and no program to sign up for!
Secondly, a RR (Register Reward) is a manufacturer’s coupon that prints at the cash register from a Catalina (coupon) machine when you have made a qualifying purchase. Check your weekly sales ad to see what items are producing RR that week. Many times if you have a manufacturer’s coupon to go along with it, you can end up with a really great deal!
RR’s are like cash and can be used on most anything at Walgreens (as with CVS, there is fine print so make sure that you read that carefully-RR’s cannot be used for prescriptions, gift cards, etc…) You should always make it your goal to spend as little money OOP (out of pocket) as possible! This is more challenging at Walgreens, but it can be done! You too can do it! 😉
RR’s have a 2 week expiration date. This does make it a little more challenging since you have a month to use those ECB’s at CVS! Once again though if you find that you can’t roll your RR, just buy things that you know your family can use. I will usually buy laundry detergent or trash bags as we can always use those! 😉
You may only receive one printed RR per transaction for that particular offer. This can also be a little bit challenging, so let me explain with a scenario. Let’s say that you want to take advantage of the Keebler/Cheez-It deal 2 times this week (Buy 4 for $10 and receive $5 RR). You would have to do the deal in 2 separate transactions in order to receive 2 $5 RR’s. The Catalina machine will not be able to print out 2 RR in one transaction.
You may use more than one RR when paying for items. Now, this may actually be a YMMV (your mileage may vary) situation; however, it may be done. I have successfully used up to 5 RR at one Walgreens, while the one down the street will only let me use 1 RR. Because of this, I always try to have my purchases separated in case I have to do multiple transactions. This can be a pain, but it is worth it, if you are getting FREE or nearly FREE items!
Lastly, you cannot have more coupons than items you are purchasing at Walgreens. The RR counts toward your coupon total since it is technically a coupon as well. When you have more coupons than items, you will need to add an inexpensive filler item(s) For example, if I have 4 packages of Keebler cookies from this week’s RR deal and 5 coupons, I would have to throw in another item so that the ratio of coupons to items that I am purchasing is equal. Once again, a lot of people don’t realize this and it can be a pain! Another tip that I have found helpful when searching for an inexpensive filler item, is to search the clearance section (usually found in the back of the store) I have found numerous filler items for .10 or less! Then, there is always the good ol’ .25 a pack Ramen noodle soup! I have used that one many times! 😉 Just remember, you can’t have more coupons than items you are purchasing!
Now that you know the basics of the RR system, go grab your weekly sales ad and your coupon binder and let’s get shopping for some sweet deals! I don’t see many exciting deals this week, but let me give you a couple of scenarios to help you get started.
-4 packages of Keebler Fudge Stripe cookies @ $10
Minus 2 $1/2 IP coupons from www.coupons.com $8
Minus $2 RR from a previous purchase-brings my total to $6 plus tax
I have 4 packages of cookies and I am using 3 copons, so I do not need a filler item this time! I will pay $6 and tax for my 4 packages of cookies, AND I will receive a $5 RR to use the next time I purchase something! Yes, I spent $6 OOP (my own money) but I received back $5 in RR to use for next time!
Here is one more scenario using the $5 RR that I just earned from the Keebler deal, so you can see how I keep it rolling, rolling, rolling! 😉 Once again, the deals are not very exciting this week, but I want you to see what can be done. Let’s do the Dental products deal (Buy $10 of participating dental products and receive $3 in RR). Part of the deal is for Crest toothpaste 2 for $5.
4 tubes Crest toothpaste 2 for $5 = $10
Minus 4 $1.00 manufacturer coupons $6
Minus $5 RR from the Keebler deal -brings my final to $1 plus our filler item and tax
Now, take a look at how many coupons that I have. I have 4 manufacturer coupons and 1 RR. 5 coupons and 4 items- what do I need to add when this happens? You got it! A small filler item! Let’s add a package of Ramen soup for .25-now our ratio of coupons to items is equal! In the end, we will have a total OOP expense of about $2 AND we will get back $3 RR to use for next time. We also have 4 tubes of toothpaste to use for the 4 packages of Keebler cookies that we just got! 😉 We will need it!
I hope that this will help you to better understand the RR system at Walgreens. You too can get some sweet deals if you just put some thought and practice into it. Do you have some sweet Walgreens deals that you would like to share with me? I love to hear about all of your deals, ideas, and tips!
