How to Buy Things for Free

CVS

CVS is one of the hidden gems because of its Extra Care Bucks, which print at the end of receipts when you've earned enough points -- so don't throw them out! They can be used for cash-off purchases and can be combined with manufacturer coupons. "It's called coupon stacking," explains Tara, and it means that if you go to buy toothpaste, and it is on sale, and you have a coupon and an ECB buck or two, you can walk away with the item for free, and have earned points toward your next purchase. The biggest key at CVS, says Tara, is to keep your purchases small and use ECBs for later purchases.
Next: Walgreens

Walgreens

A newly revamped system focuses on Register Rewards, which allow you to earn coupons that can be used like cash for future purchases. "This is a little tricky," says Tara. "You don't need a loyalty card to get them, but you have to be careful what you use them on. If you buy Kellogg's cereal and get a reward to use later, and use it on more Kellogg's cereal, you won't get a new coupon." But she points out that you can end up making money on these deals ' for instance, if you buy shaving gel for $2.99 and use a $1 coupon and $2 worth of rewards to buy it, you still get $2.99 toward your next purchase, earning a buck, in essence.
Next: Rite Aid

Rite Aid

It's the siren call of the computer accessory industry, except this is for everyday items -- free after rebate! The Single Check Rebate program allows customers to earn rebates on the purchase price of an item. "You can pair those rebates with coupons and sometimes even earn money on them," says Tara. "But one thing to note is that if you use a coupon, you will only receive back the amount you spend after the coupon." In addition, Rite Aid offers various coupons for $5 off when you spend $25 and plenty of buy-one-get-one deals.

Next: Target

Target

Target is a great place for finding reduced-priced items and stacking manufacturer coupons and special Target printable coupons to end up getting items for free. If you can't figure out how to put the deals together, Tara and other coupon bloggers do it for you each week, telling you how much the item will cost once you stack all the deals up, like VitaminWater 10 bottles that are $1 each on sale. Use a $1 off coupon from the SmartSource insert and you get them free! Target also often has additional offers where you can get a Target gift card for certain purchases, and then use those cards to buy things on your next trip.
Next: Kmart

Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart has weekly deals on some products that make them the same price or less than available manufacturer coupons, making the items free. So if you're thinking of BBQing and need items like ketchup or mayonnaise, you're in luck. Wal-Mart also has a large selection of trial sizes, says Tara, and some coupons don't specify size, so you can nab things like toothpaste and suntan lotion for free. On a recent shopping list, Tara lists a 12-oz package of hot dogs and Blue Bunny ice cream sandwiches for free, plus a dozen other items for less than $1.

Next: CVS

Kmart

Kmart is another place to stack up coupons to get items for free, especially since stores around the country have been on a double and triple coupon trip this spring and summer, with a high limits on the value of the coupons of up to $2. "That's a great way to get some items for free," says Tara. She suggests picking up items like razors, where the coupons are generally for high value, and cleaning products.

Next: Clothing Stores

Clothing Stores

It's not just food for free on this shopping spree! You can use the same kind of coupon stacking at a store like Sears or Old Navy to get deals so great that some of your items are free. Just try Old Navy's spend $100 get $75 off coupon, for one! You can get more details on the timing and specifics of regional offers by clicking around the web. At a store like Gymboree, you can earn the same kind of reward bucks, called GymBucks, that you can get at drug stores. Purchase sale or clearance items, and you can walk away with a summer wardrobe for your kids for free.

Next: Office Depot

Office Depot

While most of the items of the free store shopping list amount to a couple of bucks of savings at a time, Office Depot's latest free-after-rebate program offers software and accessories for higher-priced items like $30 scrapbooks or a $60 VHS transfer kit. Tara notes that around back-to-school time, the offers will come in quick for free items as the store tries to lure in customers for all their supply needs.

Next: Supermarkets

Supermarkets

Frequent shoppers know that supermarkets offer great deals, but infrequent shoppers may end up getting the best deals. Tara, for one, is so diligent about her coupon clipping that she actually has to do less shopping than most people. "I don't recommend that you chase all the deals," she says. "You're just wasting your time." That goes especially for supermarkets, where if you hang onto coupons and wait for double or triple coupon promotions, you can really score. At Harris Teeter, for instance, one triple coupon offering meant at least 35 items you could get for free, ranging from glass cleaner to Eggo waffles to Hot Pocket Paninis!
Next: Warehouse Clubs

Warehouse Clubs

While Costco doesn't take coupons, BJ's does, and will allow you to pair up coupons for items that are shrink-wrapped together as if they were separate items. "That's a real treat," says Tara. While she spends a lot of time stockpiling coupons, going through inserts and scouring the web, this mother of five also shops at warehouse clubs (there's a Sam's in her neighborhood) because bulk deals often make sense for her family. While it's hard to score true freebies, you can pick up free memberships for most of these clubs through promotions, if you keep your eyes peeled.

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