“Stacking” is the secret weapon of extreme couponers. It involves using more than one discount on a single item. While many stores have tightened their policies, there are still powerful ways to stack your savings in 2025. By combining manufacturer coupons, store coupons, and cash-back apps, you can dramatically reduce your grocery bill. Here are 12 proven hacks to master the art of the stack.
1. Combine a Store Coupon with a Manufacturer Coupon
This is the classic “double stack.” Many stores, like CVS and Walgreens, issue their own store coupons in their weekly flyers or apps. You can use one of these store coupons and one manufacturer’s coupon on the same item. This often results in a massive discount or even a free product.
2. Add a Cash-Back App Rebate
After you pay at the register, the stacking continues. You can scan your receipt into a cash-back app like Ibotta or Fetch Rewards. These apps often have rebates for the same items you just bought with coupons. This “triple stack” puts cash back in your pocket on top of your instant savings.
3. Use “Catalina” Coupons on Your Next Trip
“Catalina” coupons are the long, receipt-like coupons that print at the register. These are often store coupons for a specific dollar amount off your next order, like “$5 off your next purchase.” You can stack this basket-level discount with individual manufacturer coupons on your next trip for even bigger savings.
4. Stack Target Circle Offers
The Target Circle app allows for a unique type of digital stacking. You can often combine a “percentage off” Circle offer (like “20% off produce”) with a specific digital manufacturer coupon in the same app. The system automatically applies both discounts at checkout.
5. Look for “BOGO” Sales
A “Buy One, Get One Free” (BOGO) sale is a perfect stacking opportunity. At some stores, like Publix, you can use a manufacturer’s coupon on each of the two items in a BOGO deal. This means you are using two coupons on a transaction where you are only paying for one item. This is one of the most powerful ways to save.
6. Stack Digital and Paper Coupons (Where Allowed)
While rare, some stores like Dollar General have systems that sometimes allow a digital store coupon to stack with a paper manufacturer’s coupon. You must read the fine print carefully, as this varies by store policy. It is a trial-and-error process that can yield great results.
7. Use Discounted Gift Cards
You can buy discounted gift cards for grocery stores from sites like Raise or CardCash. If you buy a $100 gift card for $95, you have instantly saved 5%. You can then use this gift card to pay for your coupon-stacked transaction. This creates a “quadruple stack” of savings.
8. Stack with a Rewards Credit Card
Always pay with a credit card that offers cash back on groceries. A card like the American Express Blue Cash Preferred gives you 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets. This is a final, invisible layer of savings that applies to your entire bill.
9. Join the Store’s Pharmacy Rewards Program
Some stores, like Kroger and CVS, offer special rewards for filling prescriptions. These rewards often come in the form of high-value store coupons or extra fuel points. You can stack these pharmacy rewards with your regular grocery coupons for deeper discounts.
10. Look for “Peelie” Coupons on Packaging
Always check the product packaging for “peelie” coupons. These are stickers attached to the product that offer an immediate discount. In some cases, you can stack a “peelie” (which is often a manufacturer’s coupon) with a store coupon or a sale price.
11. Use “Overage” Policies
A few stores, like Walmart, allow for “overage.” This happens when the value of your coupon is higher than the price of the item. The store will apply the remaining credit to the rest of your basket. This effectively pays for your other groceries.
12. Sign Up for Email Lists
Brands will often email exclusive, high-value coupons to their subscribers. These are manufacturer coupons that you can print at home. You can then combine these exclusive coupons with store sales and app rebates for maximum impact.
The Strategy of Savings
Coupon stacking is a strategic game. It requires planning and organization. However, the rewards are significant. By layering these different types of discounts, you can achieve savings that are impossible with a single coupon alone. It turns grocery shopping into a puzzle where the goal is to pay as little as possible.
What is your best coupon stacking success story? Do you use apps to boost your savings? Share your tips in the comments!
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