Monday, October 6, 2008

Crash course in Walgreens

Okay... you may need to read this a couple of times and even ask a question or two! Ask away - it's always better to know than to guess!

Walgreen's 101

I never shopped there before - other than for a few of their items in the weekly ad, I always assumed they were way to expensive. The thing is - I am right. They are very expensive - *if* you purchase items the way most normal folks purchase things. I used to hear a saying that normal = broke... well, I definitely don't want to be normal!

First, you should know that Walgreen's takes coupons - manufacturer's coupons from inserts, tearpads, blinkie machines, and internet printable coupons.

Second, you need to learn this list of abbreviations - for your sake and mine! Some of these will also apply to other stores, and the other stores may even have some of their own.

Wags - Walgreen's (hey - you type it 100 times in a post! lol)

q = coupon

7-day q = coupon from Walgreen's weekly ad

ESR = Easy Saver Rebate - This refers to the rebates listed in the Easy Saver Booklet that comes out once a month and is usually located on a display within the doorway or at the cash registers.

ESQ = coupon in the Easy Saver Booklet

MIR = mail in rebate from a manufacturer

RR - Register Reward - this is a coupon that prints at the register for a set dollar amount off of your next order and is also called a Catalina.

CAT - catalina - a coupon or register reward that prints during or after your transaction.

OYNO - on your next order

Double Dip - an event that occurs when the last 2 days of the ESR booklet for the current month overlaps with the booklet for the following month.

$/$$ - this stands for a money off of a certain amount purchase. Usually 5/20.00 or 10/40.00.

Now, per Walgreen's corporate coupon policy, you can combine the Manufacturer's coupons with the 7-day advertisement coupons AND the Easy Saver Coupon! Yes - that's 3 coupons on one item! On top of that, during double dips you can use any matching coupons from both monthly booklets - and if they have issued a $/$$ coupon, as long as you meet the requirements of that coupon you can use that too!!

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