Coupon hacking is slowly falling by the wayside, but there are still ways you can “hack” your savings at the store. However, some people go beyond what’s acceptable (especially when it comes to the cashiers). Every “stacked” coupon has a retailer quietly gritting their teeth behind it. Although they can’t technically stop you from using these hacks, some will try. At the very least, you’ll get some eye rolls from cashiers. That said, here are seven money-saving tricks that stores are tired of seeing.
1. Stacking Multiple Coupons on the Same Item
Coupon stacking (using multiple coupons on one product) is one of the oldest holiday coupon hacks around. Smart shoppers combine manufacturer and store coupons to score double savings, sometimes walking out with free items. Retailers hate it because it cuts deep into profit margins, especially when promotions overlap. Some stores have added “one coupon per item” fine print to curb the practice, but savvy shoppers still find loopholes through apps or printable deals. It’s the hack that refuses to die, and cashiers know it all too well.
2. Price Matching Plus Coupons
Price matching was designed to keep customers from shopping elsewhere, but pairing it with coupons? That’s where things get tricky. Shoppers who combine price matching with digital or printed coupons often score jaw-dropping discounts. For example, matching a Walmart price at Target and then applying a store coupon can lead to double savings stores never intended. Retailers hate this holiday coupon hack because it effectively beats the system they created to stay competitive.
3. Using Expired Coupons That Still Scan
Believe it or not, some expired coupons still work at checkout, especially in self-service kiosks or online stores with outdated databases. Seasoned couponers know this and often test old codes during the holiday rush. Since stores process thousands of transactions an hour, these minor oversights slip through. While it’s technically not illegal, it’s definitely frowned upon by retailers. This holiday coupon hack is a quiet favorite among the pros who know software can’t always keep up with human creativity.
4. Applying Digital and In-Store Coupons Together
Apps like Rakuten, Honey, and store loyalty platforms have made stacking easier than ever. Shoppers apply digital coupons online, then use printed or in-store coupons during pickup or delivery. The result? Double-dipped savings that sneak past systems not designed to catch both. Some customers even reapply coupons after curbside pickup cancellations to double their discounts. Retailers have caught on, but this holiday coupon hack remains one of the hardest to police.
5. Exploiting “Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store” Glitches
Holiday season tech issues are a couponer’s dream. Sometimes, items ring up differently online than they do in person, allowing shoppers to combine online-only promos with in-store pickup prices. Add a coupon on top, and you’ve got triple-layer savings most stores didn’t see coming. It’s all perfectly legal because the purchase technically happens online. But ask any store manager, and they’ll tell you this holiday coupon hack is one of the most frustrating (and profitable) for shoppers.
6. Coupon “Rolling” at Dollar and Discount Stores
At dollar stores, coupon “rolling” means using the overage from one deal to pay for another item in the same transaction. Example: if your coupon value exceeds the item’s price, the leftover balance applies to the next product. During the holidays, this can turn small shopping trips into massive savings hauls. Stores like Dollar General and Family Dollar have tried to limit the practice, but determined couponers always find workarounds. This holiday coupon hack turns basic budgeting into a full-blown money-saving strategy.
7. Combining Cashback Apps With Store Promotions
Cashback apps are like hidden treasure maps for holiday coupon hacks. Shoppers use tools like Ibotta, Fetch, or Rakuten on top of existing store discounts, earning both instant and delayed rewards. This means you can save twice, once at checkout and again later in cashback. Retailers don’t love it because they pay affiliate fees to those same platforms, effectively losing money twice on one sale. It’s the digital equivalent of a couponer’s double play, and it’s here to stay.
Why Smart Couponers Always Win
Stores may roll their eyes at extreme couponers, but the truth is, these shoppers play by the rules. They just know them better. Every holiday coupon hack on this list exists because retailers created complex systems to attract customers, and smart consumers learned how to optimize them. If anything, it’s proof that paying attention pays off. While some hacks may vanish as stores tighten policies, others will evolve just as fast. After all, for seasoned couponers, finding loopholes isn’t sneaky. It’s skillful.
Have you ever tried one of these holiday coupon hacks or discovered a new one that actually works? Share your best (or wildest) savings story in the comments!
What to Read Next
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