Shopping Has Changed (And That’s a Good Thing)
Let’s clear something up right away: couponing and saving money does not mean you’re broke.
Saving money is simply a smarter way to shop. It allows you to stretch your budget, free up extra cash, and put the money you save toward other areas of your life whether that’s bills, savings, gas, family activities, or just breathing room in your finances.
For a long time, couponing had a reputation. People pictured stacks of newspapers, scissors, binders, and hours of clipping coupons just to save a few dollars.
And honestly? That version of couponing was exhausting and discouraging.
I know this firsthand. I started couponing back in 2015, when newspaper coupons were the norm.
Back then, you really did have to buy multiple newspapers, clip endless coupons, and hope the store you went to would actually accept them. It worked but it wasn’t easy, and it definitely wasn’t convenient.
Fast forward to today, and everything has changed.
Couponing is no longer about scissors and newspapers. It’s digital. It’s app-based. And as long as you have your phone, you have the ability to save money.
Stores are now fully integrated with apps, digital coupons, rewards programs, and cash-back opportunities that make saving easier than ever before.
That’s why I always tell people this:
You do not have to be an extreme couponer to save real money.
A few apps, paired with smart timing, can make a huge difference.
In this blog, I’ll be sharing the exact apps and strategies that I personally use. Everything I’m teaching comes from my own experience—these are the same tools that have helped me and my family save thousands of dollars over the years.
Now, I want to be very clear about one thing:
Saving money doesn’t mean buying everything just because it’s on sale.
I only shop for what my family actually needs. If something is a great deal but it’s not useful for us, I leave it right there.
My focus is on essentials things like toilet paper, paper towels, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and cleaning supplies. These are items we’re already buying regularly, so using coupons and apps simply allows us to pay less for them.
I also rely on everyday, local stores the same stores most people already shop at. There’s no traveling all over town or chasing unrealistic deals. This is about shopping smarter, not harder.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by couponing or thought it wasn’t for you, this guide is here to show you a simpler, more realistic approach. One that fits into real life, real schedules, and real households.
Start With Store Apps (Your Foundation)
If you’re new to couponing or saving money, the best place to begin is with store apps. They are simple to use, easy to learn, and don’t require extreme planning or complicated systems.
The stores I always recommend beginners start with are:
- Dollar General
- Family Dollar
- Walgreens
- CVS
These are everyday stores that most people already shop at, which makes them perfect for learning how digital couponing works without changing your normal routine.
What makes these store apps so beginner-friendly is that they offer more than just digital coupons. Many of them also have built-in rewards programs that allow you to earn money back just for shopping.
Some stores offer:
- Store rewards you can use like cash
- Cash-back offers
- Reward points that apply to future purchases
For example, when you shop at Walgreens, you may purchase an item and earn rewards dollars that can be used on your next visit. That means the next time you shop, part of your total may be covered with money you already earned.
CVS is well known for its rewards program as well. You can sometimes buy an item for a few dollars and earn ExtraBucks in return. Those ExtraBucks can be used just like cash on your next CVS purchase—allowing you to spend less of your own money.
Another big advantage of store apps is that the digital coupons live directly inside the app. Once you download the app, you’ll find a section filled with coupons for everyday items such as household essentials, personal care products, and cleaning supplies. Many of these coupons can be stacked with store sales, which makes the savings even better.
To get started, simply visit your phone’s app store—whether that’s the Apple App Store or Google Play—and download the apps for Dollar General, Family Dollar, Walgreens, and CVS. Create an account for each store so your coupons and rewards are ready when you shop.
One important step you don’t want to skip is signing up with your phone number. Your phone number connects your account to your coupons and rewards. When you’re at checkout, you’ll usually be asked to enter your phone number on the keypad or confirm it with the cashier. Once your number is entered, any digital coupons you’ve added will automatically apply to your purchase.
If your phone number isn’t linked to your account—or if you forget to enter it at checkout—your coupons and rewards won’t come off, even if you clipped them in the app.
Finally, here’s a beginner tip that will save you a lot of confusion: download the apps first, but don’t clip any coupons until you’re ready to shop. Coupons do expire, so it’s best to add them when you know exactly what you’re buying. This keeps things simple and helps prevent overwhelm.
Store apps are your foundation. Once you understand how these work, everything else—cash-back apps, deal stacking, and smart shopping strategies—becomes much easier.
Use Weekly Store Deals to Your Advantage
One of the easiest ways to start saving money—especially if you’re a beginner—is by using weekly store deals. These deals are predictable, simple to plan for, and don’t require advanced couponing knowledge.
When I first started digitally couponing, this is exactly where I focused. I didn’t try to do everything at once. I picked one strategy, learned it well, and built confidence from there. For me, that strategy was shopping on Saturdays.
The $5 Off $25 Saturday Rule
Both Dollar General and Family Dollar offer a $5 off $25 coupon every Saturday.
Here’s the important part:
- This coupon only works on Saturday
- It does not work on Sunday or any other day
- The coupon must be clipped inside the store app
This deal is one of the best places for beginners to start because it’s straightforward and easy to repeat every single week.
Why Saturday Matters
Saturday is key because that’s the only day this coupon is valid. If you try to use it on another day, it won’t apply—even if everything else is set up correctly.
That’s why planning ahead is so important. Knowing that Saturday is your main shopping day allows you to slow down, review the app, and make intentional choices instead of impulse purchases.
How to Plan Around the $5 Off $25 Deal
Here’s how I personally approach this deal step by step:
- Clip the $5 off $25 coupon first inside the Dollar General or Family Dollar app
- Decide what you actually need that week
- Go back into the app and look for:
- Items that are already on sale
- Items that also have digital coupons
- Items that are already on sale
Let’s say you’re focusing on laundry detergent this week. You would search the app to see:
- Which laundry detergents are on sale
- Which ones have coupons attached
From there, you build your cart so that all of your items together total at least $25 before coupons.
Once your total reaches $25:
- The $5 off $25 coupon automatically applies
- Your total drops from $25 to $20
Now here’s where stacking really shines.
If you also have, for example, $8 in digital coupons applied to your items, your total goes from $20 down to $12 (plus tax).
That means:
- You started with $25 worth of products
- You paid $12 out of pocket
- You saved $13 just by using digital coupons and timing
Why Beginners Love This Strategy
The $5 off $25 Saturday deal is popular for a reason:
- It’s easy to understand
- It’s available every week
- It works on everyday essentials
- You don’t need extreme couponing skills
This strategy allows you to practice:
- Clipping coupons
- Matching coupons to sales
- Reaching a spending threshold
- Watching your total drop at checkout
Once you’re comfortable with this deal, everything else in couponing becomes much easier to learn.
If you’re just getting started, I highly recommend choosing one Saturday, one store, and one category of items you already need. Master this deal first, then build from there.
Find Extra Savings With Coupon24
Once you’re comfortable using store apps and weekly deals, the next tool I recommend adding is Coupon24. This app works a little differently than store apps, but it can unlock serious extra savings when used correctly.
Coupon24 is a coupon app that provides manufacturer coupons you can use the same day. Instead of clipping coupons inside a store app, these coupons live directly inside the Coupon24 app.
How Coupon24 Works
To get started, go to your Apple App Store or Google Play Store and download the Coupon24 app.
Once inside the app, you’ll see available coupons based on stores in your area. In my experience, I use Coupon24 most often when shopping at CVS, because that’s one of the main stores near me. However, the app will show you which retailers in your area are participating.
Here’s what makes Coupon24 different from store apps:
- The coupons do not live inside the store app
- The coupons live inside Coupon24
- You don’t “clip” them the traditional way
Instead, Coupon24 provides barcodes or QR codes.
When you’re ready to check out:
- Open the Coupon24 app
- Pull up the coupons you want to use
- Scan the barcode at the register
- The coupons automatically apply to your purchase
There’s no guessing, no matching paper coupons, and no handing anything to the cashie
Why Coupon24 Is So Powerful
What I love most about Coupon24 is that it allows you to add extra savings on top of store deals and rewards.
For example, when I use Coupon24 at CVS:
- I can stack Coupon24 manufacturer coupons
- I can still earn CVS ExtraCare rewards
- I can combine these savings with in-store sales
This stacking is what makes the difference.
A shopping trip that might normally cost $100 can drop dramatically when you use Coupon24 correctly. With the right coupons and rewards, that same trip can turn into $25 out of pocket, while still earning ExtraCare rewards to use on your next visit.
Why Beginners Should Use Coupon24
Coupon24 is great for beginners because:
- The coupons are easy to scan
- There’s no clipping confusion
- You can use the coupons the same day
- It works well with stores you already shop at
Once you’re comfortable using store apps and weekly deals, Coupon24 becomes a powerful tool to stretch your savings even further especially at stores like CVS.
Stack Your Savings With Cash-Back Apps
Cash-back apps are one of my favorite ways to save money because they allow you to earn rewards after you shop. You’re already buying what you need—these apps simply give you something back for it.
The three cash-back apps I personally use and recommend are:
- Rakuten
- Fetch
- Shopkick
Rakuten: Cash Back for Online & In-Store Shopping
Rakuten is great for both online and in-store shopping, especially at clothing and department stores.
Some of my favorite stores to shop through Rakuten include Nike, Adidas, Nordstrom, and Dillard’s. Depending on the store and promotion, you can earn a percentage of cash back just for shopping like you normally would.
There are two easy ways to use Rakuten:
The Chrome extension is especially helpful. If you forget to activate cash back and visit a store’s website, Rakuten will pop up and let you know how much cash back is available. You simply click to activate it, and you’re set.
Rakuten sends your earnings directly to your PayPal account, and payouts are issued every three months. It’s hands-off and easy—once you earn it, they send it.
Fetch: Turn Receipts Into Gift Cards
Fetch is one of my favorite platforms because it’s simple and consistent.
With Fetch, you earn points just by scanning your receipts. For example, if you shop at Family Dollar, you can scan your receipt and automatically earn points—often starting with 25 points per receipt.
Once you reach a certain number of points, you can redeem them for e-gift cards. Some of the gift cards I personally use most are Walmart and Target.
Fetch also runs special promotions. For example:
- Certain restaurants may offer bonus points (like earning points per dollar spent)
- Brand promotions may offer extra points for buying specific products
A good example is when Fetch offers bonus points for purchasing items like Dove antibacterial soap within a certain timeframe. The beauty of this is that many of the items you’re already couponing for can also earn you extra Fetch points.
Even though Fetch doesn’t offer direct cash payouts, gift cards are extremely useful and can easily replace money you would’ve spent anyway.
Shopkick: Earn Rewards Just for Being in the Store
Shopkick is one of the easiest and most fun cash-back apps to use.
With Shopkick, you earn points—called kicks—by:
- Walking into participating stores
- Scanning specific products
- Uploading receipts
- Making purchases
You’ll need to have your location services turned on, but once you do, you can earn kicks just for entering a store. If there’s an item you already need and it’s eligible for scanning or purchasing, that’s when I say go for it.
Once you earn enough kicks, you can redeem them for rewards. I personally use PayPal payouts, and once you reach the minimum (usually around $10), the money can be sent directly to your account.
Why Cash-Back Apps Matter
Cash-back apps allow you to:
- Save money at checkout with coupons
- Earn rewards after you shop
- Stack multiple savings on the same purchase
When you combine store apps, weekly deals, and cash-back apps, you’re no longer just shopping—you’re shopping strategically.
If you’re new, start with one app, get comfortable, and then add the others. Over time, these small rewards can turn into meaningful savings.
Save More With Gift Cards & Fuel Points
Another way I save money—especially on everyday spending—is by using gift cards and fuel points. This strategy is simple, effective, and doesn’t require any extreme couponing.
I want to be very clear here: Kroger is the store I personally use, so I know this strategy works. If you have a Kroger in your area, this can be an easy way to stretch your money even further
How Gift Card Discounts Work
From time to time, Kroger offers percentage discounts on gift cards. These are real savings—not points, not coupons.
For example, let’s say I want to buy a Bath & Body Works gift card:
- The gift card value is $100
- Kroger may offer it at 20% off
- I pay $80 but still receive $100 to spend
That’s an instant $20 saved right away.
Fuel Points: The Extra Win
Here’s where this strategy gets even better.
When you purchase gift cards at Kroger, you often earn 5× fuel points. Those fuel points add up quickly and can be used to save money at the gas pump.
For example:
- You earn enough fuel points to get $0.30 off per gallon
- Instead of paying $3.36 per gallon, you’re paying $3.06 per gallon
That savings may not seem huge at first, but when you’re filling up weekly—or driving a larger vehicle—it makes a noticeable difference.
How to Get Started With Kroger Rewards
If you have a Kroger near you, make sure you:
- Sign up for their rewards program
- Use your phone number at checkout every time
Your phone number is what tracks your fuel points and rewards. Without it, you won’t receive the savings.
Kroger also offers digital coupons inside their app, but I want to be transparent—I personally haven’t fully explored couponing at Kroger yet. What I do use consistently is their fuel points system and gift card discounts, and those alone have helped me save money regularly.
Why This Strategy Works So Well
Using discounted gift cards and fuel points allows you to:
- Save money before you even shop
- Lower your gas costs
- Stretch your budget without changing your habits
You’re still shopping where you normally would—you’re just paying less to do it.
If you’re looking for a simple way to save without adding more apps or complicated steps, this is a great strategy to start with.
Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
When you’re first getting started with digital couponing and smart shopping, it’s easy to feel excited and want to do everything at once. But some of the biggest mistakes beginners make actually slow down their progress and lead to frustration.
Here are a few common mistakes to avoid so you can keep things simple and sustainable.
Downloading Too Many Apps at Once
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is downloading every savings app they hear about and trying to use them all at the same time.
This can quickly become overwhelming.
Instead, start small. Pick:
- One or two store apps
- One cash-back or rewards app
Learn how those work first. Once you’re comfortable, you can slowly add more tools if you want to.
Clipping Coupons Without a Plan
It can be tempting to clip every coupon you see, but that often leads to confusion and expired coupons.
A better approach is to:
- Decide what you need first
- Then go into the app and clip coupons for those items
This keeps your shopping focused and prevents unnecessary purchases.
Buying Items Just Because They’re on Sale
Just because something is a good deal doesn’t mean it’s a good deal for you.
One of the fastest ways to overspend is buying items you don’t need simply because they’re discounted. Couponing should help you save money—not create clutter or unnecessary spending.
Stick to essentials and items your household actually uses.
Forgetting to Enter Your Phone Number at Checkout
This is a small mistake that can cost you big savings.
If you forget to enter your phone number at checkout, your:
- Digital coupons
- Rewards
- Points
may not apply—even if you clipped everything correctly in the app.
Always make sure you’re using the same phone number you signed up with.
Expecting Extreme Results Right Away
Couponing and smart shopping are skills. They take a little time to learn.
Don’t get discouraged if your first trip only saves a few dollars. Those small wins add up, and as you get more comfortable, your savings will grow.
Consistency matters more than perfection.
Trying to Shop Everywhere at Once
You don’t need to visit five stores in one day to save money.
Start with:
- One store
- One deal
- One strategy
Once that feels easy, then you can expand.
The Key Takeaway
The goal isn’t to be perfect or extreme—the goal is to be intentional.
Shopping smarter means:
- Planning before you shop
- Using the tools that make sense for your lifestyle
- Focusing on progress, not pressure
Avoiding these beginner mistakes will help you build confidence, save money consistently, and actually enjoy the process.
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