Filler Items

I mentioned purchasing some "filler" items in the very first post I wrote.  As promised, here is a post explaining those "filler" items.

Every store will be a little different and have a few rules to go by if you shop there with coupons.  (I am in the process of creating a page on my blog with links to the online coupon policies of some of the most popular stores.)  Walgreens' registers are programmed with a coupon/item ratio.  Basically, you can not have more coupons than you have items in the transaction...in store coupons do not count as one of these coupons, but Register Rewards do (and this is usually where the issue arises).

An example: Say you went to Walgreens and purchased some things and in that purchase was an item that earned you Register Rewards (RR)...say $2 for this example.  You do a second transaction (so that you can use the RR then) or go back another day to use them.  Your second purchase is say a box of cereal that is $3.00.  You have a manufacturer coupon for $1.00 off plus you have your $2.00 RR.  The cashier will scan the box of cereal, then your manufacturer coupon, and then your RR coupon.  The register beeps and will not take the RR.  This is because you are only purchasing one item, but trying to use two coupons.  This is where the "filler" item comes in.  For these "filler" items, I normally look in the clearance baskets, and find something cheap...like less than $0.50...that I can use.  The filler item I purchased during my very first couponing trip, was a pen for $0.20 I believe.  I can always use pens!  So, pick up one filler item, and there you have two items, and you can now use two coupons for your cereal.


So, I hope this clears up the meaning of "filler" items.  

As always, your comments/questions are welcome!

Have a GREAT day!

~ jenn ~