How to get free groceries using coupons, apps and sales.
While it does take some planning, it is possible to get free groceries from using a combination of coupons, sales, smart phone apps and pre-planning. With grocery prices steadily and even rapidly increasing, many families are searching for ways to save money and even to make ends meet, and this strategic / extreme couponing can be used to get completely free groceries . Below are tips and strategies to help you save significantly at the grocery store or that may help you get free food.
Understand different grocery store and food manufacturer coupon types
The word “coupon” is really a generic word that is tossed around a lot. However in order to save the most money or to even get free products, including groceries, it is important to understand the word and the types of coupons. As there are different “types” or categories of coupons and ways to get them.
Manufacturer coupons:
Issued directly by the product manufacturer/food company and accepted at most grocery stores. For example, General Mills (the cereal company) may have their own coupons and those are considered “manufacturer coupons” as General Mills is providing the shopper a deal to buy their products . Cottonelle is another example, and they often features $1-2 off toilet paper products. In effect, a manufacturer coupon is issued by the company that made the product and the goal is to help a shopper pay for said product and/or even get it for free and the coupon can be used at any reatiler.
Store coupons, including grocery store coupons:
Provided by specific retailers, these coupons are redeemable only at the issuing store. This means that are not as flexible when it comes to pay for groceries. In effect, these coupons for groceries (or anything else) are provided by specific grocery stores and usable only at those locatio ns. As an example, Kroger or Publix may have their own coupons to help their shoppers pay for groceries or even get free groceries, such as buy one get one free.
Master coupon “stacking” to pay for groceries
Now you have some background on the two main types of coupons. Combining the two types of coupons referenced above (store and manufacturer)
- practice known as "stacking" - can lead to significant savings.
Coupon stacking is the practice of using a manufacturer coupon and a store coupon simultaneously on a single item. For example, using a manufacturer coupon alongside a store coupon for the same item can substantially reduce the item's cost. This is one of the keys to paying for groceries and even possibly to get the entire item for free is to combine the two types of coupons. Specifically, this can be using a General Mills coupon for say $2 off cereal with a $3 off cereal coupon from the Kroger that covers the same item. When combined with that store (Kroger coupon) stacking can dramatically reduce the cost of groceries, sometimes bringing the price down to zero. The stacking can be from an app or flyer at the store. Also, don’t forget printable coupons - for both manufacturer and product coupons. Use websites like the following provide printable store and manufacturer coupons to look for to combine for free groceries. Coupons.com PGGoodEveryday.com Or look here for other options, as many other coupons apps helps shoppers find deals.
Strategies to pay for 100% of groceries (a.k.a. “free food”) and/or maximizing savings
Stack Coupons with Sales:
Align your coupon usage with store sales to maximize discounts. Purchasing items on sale and applying both manufacturer and store coupons can sometimes result in free products. Publix permits combining one manufacturer coupon with either a Publix or a competitor's coupon per item. While some stores allow this tactic, timing coupon use to coincide with store sales is crucial in order to increase your changes to get free groceries. Track weekly flyers and match your coupons with discounted products. When combined effectively, this strategy can lead to free or nearly free groceries. As an example lets say a General Mills cereal is on sale for $1.99 at Kroger. You use: $1 off manufacturer coupon from the cereal manufacturer - General Mills. $1 off store coupon from the Kroger for a cereal product. Final price: Free as the two $1 coupons pay for the entire cereal cost of $1.99
Utilize Double Coupon Policies:
Some stores can help people pay for groceries, or get free food, as they will offer double coupon promotions, where the value of a manufacturer coupon is doubled. For instance, a $0.50 coupon would be worth $1 during such promotions. Policies vary by store, so it's important to verify which retailers in your area offer this benefit. In addition to doubling the value of the coupon, it may be possible to still use that stacking technique. This means you will save twice as much money using both coupons. Check local or regional grocery chains, especially smaller to mid size regional ones like Wegmans or Winn-Dixie - they’re more likely to double coupons on grocery items.
Leverage grocery store loyalty programs:
Enroll in store loyalty programs to access exclusive grocery coupons and discounts, with some loyalty programs giving out free products as well to shoppers. Many grocery chains or stores, even WalMart and Target (which are major sellers of grocery products) provide special discounts and exclusive coupons to loyalty program members. These programs often provide members with personalized deals and early access to sales.
Download the grocery store apps:
Keep track of the loyalty programs where you shop, whether it is WalMart, Albertsons or another retailers, these digital coupons or personalized offers can often be combined with other deals to further enhance savings on groceries. Target helps people pay for groceries (or other stuff) through the Target Circle program, shoppers can access exclusive deals and discounts on various products
Use rebate and cashback apps to pay for food:
Apps like Ibotta, Checkout 51 and Fetch Rewards offer cashback on purchases, free coupons or even free grocery deals too. By looking for deals on these apps, submitting receipts, or using them for comparison shopping, you can receive cash rebates on items you've already bought or are planning to shop for further reducing your overall expenditure. As an example of how using apps can provide free groceries, lets use this an an example using Ibota. Lets say an item at the local grocery store (yogurt, cake mix, tea, etc) cost $1.99. If you use a coupon for that grocery item that covers $1, and then Ibotta gives $1 back then you got the food for free! We have a list of cash back shopping apps to consider, whether for groceries or something else.
Connect with grocery store couponing communities for the best deals
Join online coupon forums, sign up for grocery shopping websites or local couponing groups on social media. Many focus on helping people, in particular those families that live on a budget, save money on food and other shopping. Sharing information about deals, strategies, and savings of local grocery stores can greatly enhance your couponing effectiveness.
Reddit's r/couponing:
- community where members share strategies, weekly store coupon matchups, and answer questions about couponing with details here.
https://www.reddit.com/r/couponing .
Slickdeals Forums:
- platform where users post and discuss various deals of grocery stores (and other locations) and coupons across multiple retailers.
WeUseCoupons.com: One of the largest and most active coupon forums on the internet, offering virtual classes for beginners and a space to trade and discuss coupons.
Stay organized and plan ahead when grocery shopping:
Maintain an organized system for your coupons, noting expiration dates and any usage restrictions. Planning your shopping trips around current sales and available coupons ensures you maximize potential savings. Other steps to take which can lead to free groceries include the following, with other tips and resources on our page of grocery shopping apps . Create a coupon binder or digital organizer. Regularly review and discard expired coupons. Know if your preferred grocery store allows stacking coupons. Check if and when stores offer double coupon days for food or other stuff you need. Plan shopping trips meticulously to ensure maximum savings. There are also grocery store websites and blogs to follow. They help organize the best deals with often daily updates. Use extreme couponing type blogs that do weekly grocery coupon matchups - they tell you exactly what’s free that week. Good examples include:
The Krazy Coupon Lady
updates daily if not weekly, with details here. https://thekrazycouponlady.com/ .
Southern Savers
Living Rich with Coupons
Familiarize yourself with store policies in order to save the most money on groceries
Note some grocery stores allow doubling coupons, some do not regularly offer stores deals, some have their own apps and so much more. The point being it does take a little upfront research if you really want to get free groceries from a coupon strategy. Some things to be aware of include being aware of any transaction limits or restrictions on coupons and always be sure to adhere strictly to coupon terms and grocery store policies. Some of the apps, websites and tools to help include the following. ShopSavvy This app allows users to scan barcodes of any printable grocery store coupons (or manufactuers deals) and automatically load relevant coupon information, reducing manual entry. The app will also help shoppers match the deals in order to help them pay for groceries with details here https://shopsavvy.com/ .
Coupon Keeper:
An all-in-one coupon tracking app that lets users scan or type coupon barcodes and keeps track of expiration dates.
RetailMeNot:
Provides a vast collection of free grocery store and other coupons and promo codes, both online and in-store, helping users find deals across various retailers.
Conclusion - while getting free groceries from couponing is not “easy”, it is possible
By mastering and often combining these strategies listed above, including coupon stacking, double coupon days, sales matching, and rebate or cash back apps, shoppers can significantly reduce their grocery bill or even obtain items from the store for free. Couponing is not only a budget-friendly practice for families of any income but can also become an enjoyable and financially rewarding activity when approached strategically.