In the quest for budget-friendly shopping, Walmart stands as a beacon for many cost-conscious consumers. With its promise of everyday low prices, it’s no wonder that millions turn to this retail giant for their shopping needs. However, even in a store known for its competitive pricing, the potential for overspending lurks around every corner. The good news? With the right strategies, you can significantly reduce your Walmart bill, potentially slashing it in half. Let’s explore seven comprehensive ways to master the art of saving at Walmart.
1. Master Walmart’s Pricing and Savings Programs
At the heart of saving at Walmart is understanding and leveraging its various pricing policies and savings programs. First and foremost is Walmart’s price matching policy. While they’ve scaled back on matching competitors’ prices, they still match Walmart.com prices in-store. This can be a goldmine for savings, especially when online prices are lower due to overstock or online-only promotions.
The Walmart+ membership is another powerful tool in your savings arsenal. For a monthly or annual fee, members enjoy benefits like free shipping with no order minimum, free delivery from your store, fuel discounts, and mobile scan-and-go shopping. If you’re a frequent Walmart shopper, the membership can quickly pay for itself.
Don’t overlook the Walmart Credit Card, which offers cashback on purchases. While it’s not the most rewarding card on the market, it can provide decent returns if Walmart is your primary shopping destination. Combine this with Walmart’s own brands, like Great Value, and you’re looking at substantial savings on everyday items without sacrificing quality.
2. Strategic Pre-Shopping Planning
The path to savings begins before you even step foot in the store or click the “checkout” button online. The Walmart app is your best friend here. Use it to create and manage shopping lists, check inventory and prices at your local store, and even compare prices with other nearby Walmarts.
Make it a habit to check Walmart’s weekly ads. Planning your purchases around sales, especially for non-perishable items you use regularly, can lead to significant savings over time. This strategy pairs well with meal planning. By basing your meals on discounted items and seasonal produce, you’re not just saving money—you’re also likely eating healthier.
Setting and sticking to a budget is crucial. Use budgeting apps or even a simple notepad to track your spending. Before heading to Walmart, decide on a maximum spend and challenge yourself to stay under it. This pre-shopping discipline is key to avoiding impulse purchases that can quickly derail your savings efforts.
3. In-Store Saving Tactics
Once you’re in the store, it’s time to put your savings strategy into action. Start by keeping an eye out for clearance items, usually marked with yellow tags. These can offer deep discounts, especially on seasonal items or products being phased out. Don’t forget to check endcaps (the ends of aisles) and the dollar section near the front of the store for additional deals.
Smart comparison shopping is crucial. Always check the unit price (price per ounce, pound, etc.) to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Sometimes, buying in bulk offers savings, but not always. Do the math to make sure that family-size package is really saving you money.
The Walmart app continues to be useful in-store. Use its barcode scanner to check prices and compare similar products. This feature can also reveal unadvertised markdowns that aren’t reflected on shelf tags.
For fresh produce and meats, timing is everything. Many Walmart stores mark down fresh items in the morning, so shopping early can score you the best deals on items nearing their sell-by date. Just be sure to use or freeze these items quickly.
4. Maximizing Digital and Online Savings
Walmart’s digital platform offers a plethora of saving opportunities. If you’re short on time, Walmart’s pickup and delivery services can be a godsend. Not only do they save you time, but they can also help you avoid impulse purchases as you browse online instead of wandering through aisles.
Keep an eye out for online-only deals. Walmart often offers special discounts and rollbacks exclusively on their website. These can be especially good for larger items or electronics.
Cashback apps and browser extensions can add another layer of savings to your Walmart shopping. Popular options like Ibotta, Checkout 51, and Rakuten offer cashback on many Walmart purchases. Some of these can be stacked with other discounts for maximum savings.
Don’t forget to sign up for Walmart’s email newsletter and follow them on social media. They often share exclusive offers and flash sales through these channels. Additionally, check for digital manufacturer coupons on Walmart’s website, which can be loaded directly to your account for use online or in-store.
5. Timing Your Purchases for Maximum Savings
Timing can be everything when it comes to saving money at Walmart. Major sale events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and “Black Friday-like” sales throughout the year can offer deep discounts, especially on big-ticket items. However, approach these sales with a plan. Know what you need and its regular price to ensure the sale is actually a good deal.
Seasonal shopping can lead to significant savings. End-of-season clearance sales are great for stocking up on items for the next year. For instance, buy winter coats in early spring or swimwear in late summer for the best deals.
Understanding Walmart’s markdown schedule can also be beneficial. Many stores do markdowns early in the morning, so shopping early can snag you the freshest deals. Different departments often have different markdown days, so chat with store associates to learn the schedule at your local Walmart.
6. Advanced Saving Techniques
For those ready to take their savings to the next level, combining multiple saving strategies can result in impressive discounts. Try stacking a sale price with a manufacturer’s coupon, cashback app, and payment with your rewards credit card. This layering of savings can sometimes result in items being nearly free or even lead to moneymakers (where you earn more in rewards than you spend).
Price matching can be a powerful tool. While Walmart has limited their price matching to their own website, this can still lead to significant savings. Always check Walmart.com before making a purchase in-store, especially for more expensive items. Gift card deals can offer another avenue for savings. Sometimes Walmart offers bonus gift cards with certain purchases. Use these for future shopping trips to extend your savings.
7. Avoiding Overspending
While all these savings strategies are powerful, they’re only effective if you avoid overspending. Be wary of “rollback” prices that may not actually be great deals. Always compare with regular prices and prices at other stores.
The greatest danger is impulse buys that can quickly negate your carefully planned savings. Stick to your list and avoid browsing unnecessary sections of the store. If you’re shopping online, don’t be tempted to add items to your cart just to reach a free shipping threshold.
Finally, always review your receipts. Mistakes happen, and catching them can save you money. Additionally, if an item you purchased goes on sale within a week, many Walmart stores will refund you the difference if you ask.
Conclusion
Mastering these seven strategies can dramatically reduce your spending at Walmart, potentially cutting your bill in half. Remember, the key to significant savings is consistency. Apply these techniques regularly, and you’ll see your savings grow over time.
It’s important to note that becoming a savvy Walmart shopper doesn’t happen overnight. It takes practice, patience, and a willingness to change your shopping habits. Start by implementing one or two of these strategies and gradually incorporate others as you become more comfortable. You might be surprised at how quickly small savings can add up to significant amounts.
