Coupon savings vary in dollars off your order and as a percentage of your spending. This explains why some coupons only save you a dollar or two while others can knock off up to $40.
When you find a code you want to use, click the button, and it will be copied to your clipboard. Then, paste the code into the “Enter promo code” box at checkout to see your savings.
Shop Outside the Box
Many retailers offer deals that are only available in-store. For example, a toy coupon might only work at Target stores and can’t be used online. This is often done to encourage shoppers to visit their physical stores, which are more likely to have stocked inventory than their websites.
Similarly, some offers require a certain amount of spending to get the discount. For instance, a code like Walmart promo code only works when you buy $50 worth of merchandise or more. This is also a way for stores to reduce the number of online orders and avoid paying shipping fees.
Sometimes, these minimum spending offers are better than they seem. For items like milk, it might make sense to head to the store and avoid the shipping fee, which cancels the coupon savings. However, buying toys your kids need is better than buying online.
Sign Up for In-Store Alerts
Some coupon codes require you to spend a minimum amount. That might only seem good if you can stack it with a free shipping offer. That’s why checking your store’s website for these requests is important — especially if they aren’t advertised on discount or deal sites.
In addition, some retailers offer in-store only deals that aren’t available online. For example, Target has a semi-annual toy clearance that starts in January and July and can save you up to 70% off.
You can also sign up for Product Availability Alerts to receive email notifications when items you’re interested in are back in stock. You can get messages on anything that’s out of stock or hasn’t been released by clicking “Alert Me” in the box next to it. It doesn’t reserve the item, but it’s a good way to avoid missing out when it returns to stock. Consider signing up for an app or online program that gives you cash back on purchases for even more savings. Stacking those savings with coupons and other discounts can boost your budget.
Look for Free Shipping Offers
Many coupon codes come with free shipping offers. The catch is that the code may require you to spend a minimum amount. This minimum includes the actual purchase cost after any instant discounts but does not include extra expenses like taxes and shipping charges when applicable.
The best way to use these deals is to add a couple of items to your cart to reach the minimum amount required for free shipping. Sometimes, the total is just a few dollars, but it saves you the hassle of paying for shipping.
It’s also a good idea to check out the retailer’s return policy. Some stores offer a generous exchange or store credit policy for returned items.
Pay attention to the sale dates if you are looking for the best prices on specific toys. For example, if you need Nerf guns, you’ll want to wait until the semi-annual toy clearance sale in January or July. Y
Look for Limits on Discounts
If you’ve ever loaded up your cart with items only to abandon it, retailers know it as “cart abandonment.” Some stores offer coupon codes that only apply to the items left in their cart to reel these shoppers back in. These codes are “cart-abandon-reversing” coupons and can be a valuable way to save money online.
Often, these codes are capped by dollar amounts or percentages of your total order value, so figuring out the maximum amount you can save with them is important. For example, a 25% coupon on $50 worth of toys is more valuable than a 25% discount on $10.
In addition, you may find that some types of discounts, like free shipping or percentage off coupon codes, can’t be combined. However, you may be able to stack them with other offers, like a store’s semi-annual toy clearance or Black Friday sale. That could make a bigger difference.
Check for Multiple Codes
While most stores only allow one coupon discount to be applied at a time, some enable multiple codes to be used together. This is particularly true if you use rewards, first-time shopper offers, or credit card perks. Stacking deals like this can save you a lot of money.
For example, a toy coupon drops yearly in mid-October before early Black Friday prices kick in. This makes it a great time to stock up on toys that kids will love.
You can also find great coupons by checking online forums like Reddit for coupon code discussions. Influencers on Twitter can also post discounts from time to time.
Ultimately, the best way to maximize savings is to compare your total out-of-pocket cost with a number of different sources. For example, if you have a store coupon, a free shipping offer, and a rewards program offer, figure out the best value for your purchase. Then, shop accordingly. You’ll be glad you took the time to look for the best deals. You can also save even more by shopping during sales that don’t require a coupon.
