It’s wild to think I’ve been couponing for over a decade. Back in 2012, couponing was almost like a competitive sport. You could walk out of the store with bags of free toothpaste, toilet paper, pasta, even makeup. Now things are stricter, but smart couponers can still save big — and sometimes get free stuff too. Here’s how the game has changed and what I do to stay ahead.
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1. Coupon limits slow down stockpiling.
Back then, I could buy multiple copies of the Sunday paper just for the coupons and special-order cases of cereal or snacks to last months. Today, limits are everywhere. Stores often let you buy only one to four of each item at a time, so I have to make more trips to score what I need. It’s a little slower, but it also keeps shelves stocked for everyone.
2. Empty shelves are less of a problem.
In the old days, you had to shop early on Sunday mornings to catch the hottest deals before the infamous shelf-clearers wiped everything out. Thanks to limits and digital coupon tracking, those days are mostly gone. I can shop later in the week without worrying about missing out.
3. Digital coupons make life easier.
Paper coupons aren’t dead, but almost all coupons are digital now. Target Circle, Kroger, Dollar General, CVS, Walgreens — they all have apps with coupons you can load directly to your loyalty account. No clipping, no printing, just scan your phone or type in your number at checkout.
4. You can still get freebies.
Even with stricter rules, freebies aren’t gone. With a combination of coupons, rebates, and store promos, I still get free toothpaste, free pasta, free makeup, and sometimes even small appliances. It takes a little strategy, but if you stack digital coupons with rebates from apps like Ibotta, Checkout 51, and Fetch Rewards, you can still walk out with items for nothing.
5. Grocery pickup and delivery change the game.
Stores like Kroger, Walmart, and Target make it possible to shop and even coupon without leaving your car. You can apply coupons for pickup orders, use digital offers, and sometimes even get free grocery pickup. During sales events, you can combine discounts and manufacturer coupons to save big, and sometimes even get free items, without ever pausing your Spotify playlist.
6. No more double coupons, but other opportunities exist.
Double coupons used to be everywhere. Today, they’re almost a legend. But with store promos, rebate apps, and loyalty points, there are still ways to get incredible savings. Walmart and drugstores still have moneymaker deals where you spend less than the item costs or earn cash back or store credit.
7. Drugstores remain the best place for big savings.
CVS and Walgreens still reward loyalty. Sign up for their programs, combine manufacturer coupons with store rewards, and you can save 70%, 80%, even 90% on top brands. Freebies happen most often here, especially toothpaste, toiletries, and cosmetics.
8. Target is still good, but rules have changed.
Target used to be the easiest store for couponing newbies. You could stack BOGO coupons with gift card promos for massive savings. Now the registers automatically adjust coupon value to prevent overages, which makes moneymaker deals rarer. You can still save a lot, but it takes more planning.
9. Brand and store flexibility pays off.
To save the most, forget brand loyalty. If Cascade is cheaper than Finish, buy Cascade. Cottonelle beats Charmin this week? Grab Cottonelle. Same goes for stores. Rotating between a drugstore and a grocery store each month often saves more than the extra gas costs.
10. Self-checkout is a lifesaver.
Most stores now accept coupons at self-checkout. You scan, a cashier approves, and you’re done. For introverts or anyone who hates lines, this is a huge improvement.
11. Instagram and apps are the new coupon sources.
Paper coupons used to dominate. Now Instagram, rebate apps, and KCL alerts are your best friends. Follow #couponcommunity or store-specific hashtags, turn on deal alerts, and you won’t miss freebies or high-percentage discounts.
12. Clearance Tracking = New Treasure Hunts
Free toiletries has turned into free or heavily discounted small appliances, electronics, and home goods. Using clearance tracking sites like BrickSeek, plus coupon stacking, I’ve scored blenders, grills, and Crock-Pots for next to nothing.
13. KCL makes it easier than ever.
Between deal alerts, the KCL app, and curated lists by store or brand, finding the best deals has never been easier. The app will even alert you when rebates, coupons, and store sales line up for maximum savings.
