“I saved over $3,000 last year on stuff I was already buying. This guide is everything I wish someone had told me on day one.”
— Tyler Worcester, Founder · Money Makers Make It
The 5 Types of Coupons You Need to Know
Most beginners only use one type. The real savings come from stacking multiple types on the same item.
1. Manufacturer Coupons
Issued by the brand (Procter & Gamble, Unilever, etc.). Accepted at almost any store that sells the product. Found in Sunday newspaper inserts (SmartSource, P&G, RetailMeNot), on Coupons.com, or in the brand’s app.
Example: $1.50/1 Dove Body Wash — valid at Target, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens
2. Store Coupons
Issued by the retailer. Only valid at that specific store. Found in the store’s app (Target Circle, CVS ExtraCare, Walgreens myWalgreens), weekly circular, or store website.
Example: Target Circle: $2/1 Vaseline — valid at Target only
3. Digital Coupons
Clipped in a store or brand app and applied automatically at checkout. No paper needed. Must be loaded BEFORE you shop — they don’t apply retroactively.
Example: CVS ExtraCare app: $3 off $10 beauty purchase
4. Rebate Apps
Cash back AFTER purchase. You buy the item, scan your receipt, and get money deposited to your account. The big ones: Ibotta, Fetch Rewards, Checkout51, BerryCart.
Example: Ibotta: $2 cash back on Gillette Razors — scan receipt after buying
5. Stacked Coupons
Using a manufacturer coupon AND a store coupon on the same item. Most stores allow this. Add a rebate app on top and you have a triple stack — the holy grail of couponing.
Example: $1 MFR coupon + $2 Target Circle coupon + $1 Ibotta = $4 off one item
The Triple Stack Formula
This is the core of everything I teach. Stack these three layers on the same item and you’ll consistently pay 50–100% less than retail — sometimes getting paid to take the item home.
- Layer 1 — Store Coupon: Digital coupon from the store app. Clips before you shop.
- Layer 2 — Manufacturer Coupon: Paper or digital coupon from the brand. One per item.
- Layer 3 — Rebate App: Ibotta, Fetch, or Checkout51. Scan receipt after purchase.
Layer 1 + Layer 2 + Layer 3 = Maximum Savings (sometimes FREE or MONEYMAKER)
The 6 Apps Every Saver Needs
All free. All worth it.
| App | Role | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Ibotta | Cash back rebates | Best for grocery and household. Add offers before shopping, scan receipt after. Pays out to PayPal or Venmo. |
| Fetch Rewards | Points on every receipt | Scan ANY receipt from ANY store. Earn points even without specific offers. Redeem for gift cards. |
| Checkout51 | Backup rebates | Overlaps with Ibotta on many items. Use both — they don’t conflict. Great for produce and fresh items. |
| Coupons.com | Printable MFR coupons | Print manufacturer coupons at home. Works at Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, and most grocery stores. |
| Flipp | Weekly circulars | See all store sale flyers in one place. Find what’s on sale before you build your coupon stack. |
| Social Nature | Free product trials | Apply for free full-size products to try and review. No purchase required — just apply and they mail it to you. |
6 Mistakes Beginners Make (And How to Fix Them)
I made every one of these. Learn from my wallet’s pain.
- ❌ Buying something just because you have a coupon
✅ Only coupon for things you actually use. A coupon on something you don’t need is still money wasted. - ❌ Missing the expiration date
✅ Check the date before you clip. Most coupons expire within 30–90 days. Set a reminder when you clip. - ❌ Not reading the fine print
✅ Size restrictions, variety exclusions, and ‘limit 1 per transaction’ rules will void your coupon at the register. Read every word. - ❌ Forgetting to activate Ibotta before shopping
✅ Ibotta offers must be added BEFORE purchase. Open the app, add your offers, then go to the store. - ❌ Using a manufacturer coupon on the wrong size
✅ If the coupon says ’18 oz or larger,’ a 12 oz bottle won’t work. Cashiers will catch this and void the coupon. - ❌ Trying to stack two manufacturer coupons
✅ You can only use ONE manufacturer coupon per item. You CAN stack one manufacturer + one store coupon + one rebate app.
Your First Haul: 6 Steps
Do this this weekend. You’ll save money on your first try.
- Pick ONE Store to Start — Don’t try to hit every store at once. Start with CVS or Walgreens — they have the best loyalty programs for beginners and the deals are well-documented online.
- Download the Store App — CVS ExtraCare or Walgreens myWalgreens. Create a free account. This is where your digital coupons live.
- Download Ibotta and Fetch — These two apps cover 80% of what you need. Set up your account and link your store loyalty card in Ibotta for automatic credit.
- Find This Week’s Deals — Check the store’s weekly ad (in the app or on Flipp). Look for items that are already on sale — coupons on sale items = maximum savings.
- Stack Your Savings — For each item: find a store digital coupon + a manufacturer coupon + an Ibotta offer. That’s your triple stack. Even one or two layers saves real money.
- Shop, Scan, Collect — Buy your items, scan your receipt in Ibotta and Fetch within 24 hours. Watch the cash back roll in. Repeat weekly.
Ready to Find This Week’s Deals?
Now that you know the system, put it to work. Check the store deal pages on Money Makers Make It for weekly coupon matchups, rebate stacks, and the best deals at CVS, Walgreens, Target, Walmart, and more.