How To Start Shopping At Rite Aid

Does the task of getting started couponing seem daunting to you? If so, help is on the way.

Here is a step-by-step guide of how to get yourself ready to save at Rite Aid the way I do. I promise it's so easy that anyone can do it! All you need to do is follow these steps. They will help you gather all the tools you need to get the job done. So here we go!


Start gathering your tools:

Tool #1. Go HERE and sign up for a Wellness+ card. (They are similar to a Smith's Fresh Values card.) This is what will get you the sale prices in the ad each week. When you sign up online, the website will let you print a temporary pass while they mail you a real card. Use that to start your shopping.



Tool #2. Go HERE and start watching the monthly Adperk videos that earn you Video Values Coupons. Occasionally you will have to watch 15 of a certain category to earn a $5 off a $20+ purchase coupon. Do it! Do whatever you have to, to earn that coupon for the month. It's the golden coupon that will help you get free or cheap goods each month.


Tool #3. Go HERE and create a Single Check Rebate (SCR) account. Rite Aid has an online rebate system that is super slick. All you do is enter the header information from your Rite Aid receipt into your account to earn your rebate. No mailing required! Often the great deals will involve SCR's, so get your account set up ahead of time.


Tool #4: Join Upromise HERE and enter your Wellness+ card number into your account. Then load their e-coupons onto your card to save money for your child's college education without even thinking about it. (See more details on how Upromise works HERE.)


Now comes the good part!

5. Start gathering coupons. If you don't have a newspaper subscription, go HERE for more information on how to start one. If you do have a newspaper, start saving your Smartsource and Proctor & Gamble coupon inserts each week. (And don't forget to save the Redplum insert that comes in the Tuesday mail!)

6. Check the Rite Aid thread every Sunday night to see the best deals posted for each week. Use the scenarios at the bottom of the post as a guide to help you maximize your $4/20 Video Values Coupon (see tool #2).

7. Go forth and conquer. Get your diapers on the cheap, your toothpaste free, and your toilet paper for less than Costco. And never pay retail price again! It really is as simple as it sounds.

Don't forget to check out the Rite Aid FAQ thread for answers to common questions. And if you're ever stumped about something, drop me an email! slavetosave{at}gmail{dot}com

Organizing All You Magazine Coupons

I received my July issue of All You Magazine in the mail this week. It came with tons of great coupons inside that I'm excited about this month (over $53 dollars worth).

Most of you know I maintain a clipless organizing system for my coupon inserts. I've had a few readers ask how I organize my All You Magazine coupons -- so I thought I'd show you!

{My July issue of All You}

1. After it comes in the mail, I flip through it and browse all of the coupons one by one. When I find a coupon that is either an exceptionally high value coupon (that will make for a great deal), or something I will use, I write it in sharpie on the front cover. Then I take this magazine, leaving it whole, and file it in a folder within my coupon file box with a tab labeled "All You."
2. I also print out a list of that issue's coupons from AllYou.com and stick it to my filing cabinet next to my computer. That way I can see all the coupons that are in the issue, and I will remember to clip the ones I need to take with me to the store.

{My coupon file box}

And that is how I maintain my clipless sytem while utilizing All You Magazine coupons!


*If you don't have a subscription to All You Magazine, you can purchase them on the newsstand at Walmart or subscribe to it HERE (much cheaper!)

Couponing 101: Coupon Insert Database

For those of you who don't know about it, I thought I'd mention a great coupon resource we have available to us in Utah.

Pinching Your Pennies maintains an alphabetical database list of all of the current unexpired coupons from newspaper inserts delivered in Utah papers, and it gets updated weekly as coupons arrive and/or expire.

What does this mean?

The next time you see a sale on an item that you're wondering if you have a coupon for -- or you're out of something you need and you want to know if there are any current coupons for it -- check out this list first. It will tell you exactly which insert to find your coupon in so you can go right to it and clip it. No more digging through your binder or flipping through inserts!

Link to the list.

Walgreens FAQ

Have questions about how to shop at Walgreens? Help is on the way!

WAG Q - Walgreens store coupon
MFQ - Manufacturer's coupon
RR - Register Reward
WYB - When you buy


What is a RR?
An RR is a Register Reward. It's basically a coupon that prints from the catalina machine next to the register once your payment has been processed, and it's valid on any item in the store (except tobacco, alcohol, stamps, etc).


Do RR's expire?
Yes. Since register rewards are technically manufacturer's coupons, they do have an expiration date -- usually 2 weeks from the day they are printed.

Can I use an expired RR?
Like manufacturer's coupons, using expired RR's is a no-no. Stores do not get reimbursed for coupons redeemed outside their expiration. If we want stores to keep accepting coupons (can I get an amen?!) we must play by the rules.

I tried to redeem a RR and the register beeped. Did I do something wrong?
It's possible your number of coupons exceeded the number of items in your order. We know that manufacturer's coupons are only valid one per item, so we can't buy one pack of Huggies and try to use two Huggies manufacturer's coupons. Likewise, you can't buy one pack of Huggies and try to use one manufacturer's coupon and one register reward -- the register will beep. You must throw in another item (a small filler such as a $0.29 pack of Ramen Noodles works well!) so that you have two items and two manufacturer's coupons.

Do register rewards roll?
No, not on the same deal. Assume there is a $2 RR for buying a pack of Huggies. If you buy a pack of Huggies, get the $2 RR, and pay for another pack of Huggies with your first $2 RR -- the $2 RR will not print again. This is called rolling.

However, RR's can be rolled from one item to another. Assume there is a $2 RR for buying a pack of Huggies, and a $2 RR for buying a pack of Quilted Northern. If you use your $2 Huggies RR to pay for Quilted Northern, you will get a $2 Quilted Northern RR. You can then use this $2 RR to buy another pack of Huggies, which will print another $2 Huggies RR. This is the proper and most effective way to roll register rewards.

Does Walgreens have a mail-in/online rebate system?
No, not currently.

Is there a specific order I should hand the coupons over in?
Yes. Always give manufacturer's coupons first and Walgreens store coupons last.

Can I use a Walgreens coupon (WAG Q) and a manufacturer's coupon (MFQ) on a single item?
Yes! At Walgreens, you can use one MFQ and one WAG Q per item. This is how we rack up the savings! Note that some Walgreens store coupons say "manufacturer's coupon" on them, but they are actually Walgreens coupons, because they have a non-standard barcode and a Walgreens logo.

{A Loreal printable MFQ from coupons.com and a Loreal WAG Q.}

If you have other Walgreens-related questions, feel free to ask them here!

Rite Aid FAQ

Have questions about how to shop at Rite Aid the Slavetosave way? Help is on the way! Here are answers to some commonly asked Rite Aid questions!

{Print the Rite Aid Coupon Policy HERE.}

RAQ - Rite Aid store coupon, usually found in-ad
VVQ - Rite Aid Video Value coupon
WQ - Wellness+ Coupon
SCR - Single Check Rebate
MFQ - Manufacturer's coupon
WYB - When you buy
CRT - Cash Register Tape coupon (prints at the end of your receipt when you use your Wellness+ Card)


What is an SCR?
Single Check Rebates (SCR) are the online rebate system at Rite Aid. Simply purchase the designated item, then enter your receipt information into your account online at Riteaid.com. Two days later, the rebate amount shows up in your account! At the end of the month, click "Request My Rebate" and it should arrive in 3-4 weeks. It's that simple!



When can I request my SCR check?
You can request your SCR check at any time, but it can only be requested once per month. I like to wait until the end of the month so I know I'm done shopping for any items that qualify for SCR's before I request it.

What is the $4/20 RAQ?
The $4/20 RAQ is a coupon valid for $4 off any purchase of $20 or more at Rite Aid. You can obtain one of these coupons by watching the Adperk videos at the Rite Aid Video Values Coupons website.

How do I maximinze my $4/20 RAQ?
Plan your shopping trips (filled with lots of SCR, +UP Reward and coupon-eligible items, of course) to come to a total near $20 before coupons and rebates to maximize your savings! Always hand the cashier the $5/20 coupon first, and then your other coupons.

Can I use a Rite Aid coupon (RAQ) and a manufacturer's coupon (MFQ) on a single item?
Yes! At Rite Aid, you can use one MFQ and one RAQ per item. This is how we rack up the savings! Note that Rite Aid store coupons say "manufacturer's coupon" on them, but they are actually Rite Aid coupons, because they have a Rite Aid logo and a non-standard barcode.


The rebate directory says there is a $1 SCR for Huggies. If I buy two Huggies, will I get two $1 SCR's?
No. Unless otherwise specified, all single check rebates are limit 1 per account. I will let you know when certain products have higher limits.

Is there a specific order I should hand the coupons over in?
Yes. Always give the $4/$20 Rite Aid coupon first, and then all other coupons second.

What is the Wellness+ Card?
The Wellness+ Card is to Rite Aid what a Fresh Values card is to Smith's. In addition to getting sale prices for items once you scan your card, you also earn one point per dollar spent. Occasionally Rite Aid will email you Wellness+ Coupons that can be used in addition to manufacturer's coupons at Rite Aid.

How do I add Upromise e-coupons to my Wellness+ Card?
Go HERE for more information. It's definitely worthwhile, and will help you save money for your child's education without even trying.

What do my Wellness+ points earn?

• For every 125 points -- a one-time 10% off shopping pass (up to 375 points)
• 500 points -- 10% off all non-prescription points purchases everyday
• 500 points -- free health screenings
• 1000 points -- 20% off all non-prescription points purchases every day

(*Points are per calendar year)

How Do My Points Accrue?
You get one point for each dollar spent before manufacturer's coupons and Single Check Rebates, but after any Rite Aid coupons, Video Value coupons (including the $4/20), and Wellness+ coupons. Clear as mud?

Here is an example:

$6.00 Tide Laundry Detergent
-$1 MFQ
= Pay $5.00 + tax
(You will get 6 points for this transaction)

$6.00 Tide Laundry Detergent
-$1 RAQ
= Pay $5.00 + tax
(You will get 5 points for this transaction)

If the Tide detergent in the above example also had a $1 Single Check Rebate, you would still get points as listed above, since points are awarded before rebates.

What are the coupons at the bottom of my receipt?
When you use your Wellness+ Card to buy specified items, your +UP Rewards will print at checkout on the bottom of your receipt.

What are +UP Rewards?
+UP rewards are issued as a coupon that prints at the bottom of you receipt when you purchase select items. They are coupons valid on any next purchase! Like cash! (Except prescriptions, alcohol and the usual exclusions.)

How do I spend my +UP Rewards?
+UP Rewards are basically a coupon valid on anything in the store! Use them on your next purchase at Rite Aid to buy whatever your heart desires. They can be used in addition to all other coupons.

Is there a limit on +UP Rewards?
If there is a limit stated in the ad -- then yes. If there is no limit stated in the ad, then the +UP Rewards for that item are usually unlimited for that item!

Do +UP Rewards expire?
Yes. The expiration for +UP rewards is between two and three weeks from the date they were generated.

What are Video Values Coupons?
Video Values coupons (VVQ) are coupons you can print from Rite Aid's website after watching small advertising videos. Occasionally, watching 15 videos in one category will allow you to print a $4/20 coupon. Do it! Right now! Do whatever you have to in order to print that $4/20 each month. Video Values coupons reset each month and have unique, one-time-use barcodes.

If you have other Rite Aid questions, feel free to ask and I will add them here!

Couponing 101: Acquire & Organize Coupons

*If you're new to Slavetosave and don't know where to start, help is on the way!*

STEP 1: Start Acquiring Coupons!

There are two main types of coupons -- clipped coupons (from inserts) and internet printable coupons (IPQ).

Clipped Coupons
Most coupons come in the Sunday newspaper, so I recommend subscribing to the paper (less than $1/week for Sunday only) and/or asking your family and neighbors to save their coupon inserts for you. You can also order more coupons on ebay (specific coupons or whole inserts) or more of a specific clipped coupon HERE or HERE.

Internet Printable Coupons
You can also print many valuable coupons right from your computer. There are a number of websites that host coupons for a variety of brands (coupons.com, smartsource.com, redplum.com, etc). The coupons on these sites change on a regular basis - so if you see one you want to use, print it now!

There are also coupons found on many manufacturer's websites (crest.com, bettycrocker.com, etc). Coupons found on these websites may only be up for a certain period of time, so if you see one you want, print it right away.

In most cases, you can print each IPQ twice per computer.

STEP 2: Organize Your Coupons!

I recommend using a clipless file method! Keep your inserts whole and store them in a hanging file box by date. Then when a sale comes up and Slavetosave references the insert a specific coupon came from, you clip just that coupon from the insert and take it with you to the store. (I keep a small envelope in my purse with that day's clipped coupons.)

It's a super simple, time-saving method and you only clip the coupons you're actually going to use. Genius!

{My coupon file box}

Some Common Coupon Abbreviations:

• MFQ - manufacturer's coupon
• TQ - target coupon
• IPQ - internet printable coupon
• GC - gift card
• BOGO - buy one get one free
• WYB - when you buy
• SCR - single check rebate (Rite Aid)
• RR - Register Reward or Catalina. Prints out from register, good toward any next purchase.
• SS - Smart Source coupon insert
• P&G - Proctor & Gamble coupon insert
• RP - Red Plum coupon insert