I've been shopping savvy using Walmart Saving Catcher as part of a sponsored campaign for Socialstars, to show you how you can save money without really trying.
Walmart Savings Catcher
There are a million things I'd like to get done each day, but the reality is that only a fraction of my to-do list will get checked off. That's why it's important for me to find little "hacks" here and there. Whatever I can do to be super effective in the least amount of time is what truly makes a difference in my life. I used to spend hours (HOURS, people!) clipping and organizing coupons into a huge binder and searching online sale flyers for the best prices for everything single thing we purchased. I'd visit three different stores in one week if I had to, just to get the best price. Sadly, that changed once I had a child. I just don't have the time to devote to coupon clipping and bargain shopping anymore, but that certainly doesn't mean that I don't want to save money.
Now that school is in session, my schedule has gone from hectic to insane. Yours too? I figured. You've got to prioritize your time and make the most of each hour of your day. For me, taking care of my family, housework, and writing deadlines inevitably trumps everything else, and that definitely includes grocery shopping. So, let me share with you my new money saving hack - it's called the Walmart Saving Catcher!
How to use the Savings Catcher
Walmart is deeply committed to having the lowest prices on everything they sell. This is evidenced by their amazingly low prices, roll-backs, coupon acceptance and ad match guarantee, but they're extending this even further with their new Savings Catcher. They are literally taking ALL the work out of getting the best deal possible. Here's how it works: after you shop at your local Walmart, submit your receipt on their website or in their app, and Walmart will scan all the competitors to find the lowest advertised prices. If your purchase price was more than the lowest price found, you get the difference back on a Walmart e-Gift card. Sounds simple, right?
I wanted to really test the Walmart Savings Catcher, so I did two shopping excursions to my local store. The first was the day before my little guy started preschool. I needed to stock up on lunch packing supplies, diapers, and wipes to send off to school with him.
Once I had my shopping done, I simply downloaded the free Walmart app on my smartphone and used the Savings Catcher App to enter the Savings Catcher tab. The app is SUPER easy to navigate and within just a few minutes I had registered and scanned the code at the bottom of my printed store receipt using the scanner in the Savings Catcher section of the Walmart app. This technology is awesome, and also comes in handy while you're shopping in the store and want to check the price of an item. Just be sure to scan your receipt within 7 days of your shopping trip, otherwise it will be invalid.
Now the best part. You sit back and do nothing! Walmart works on price matching with all of the competitors in your area (as you can see there were 89 competitors in my area for this particular purchase). They'll send you an email within 72 hours letting you know if you got the best deal possible, or if you caught any savings. For my first trip, I got a message saying that no lower prices had been found. At first I was a bit disappointed - really, who doesn't want money back? However, I then realized that I got the best deal possible on every single thing I purchased. No need to spend time pouring over advertisements or sale sites, no need to drive to several different stores and waste gas money in the process. I paid the absolute lowest price I could for these items, and that made me feel good about shopping at Walmart. I strive to spend money wisely, and I know when I shop at Walmart I'm making each dollar count.
A week later, I had another shopping trip to do, so I proceeded right to my local Walmart. I needed more lunch packing supplies, diapers and wipes for an extended visit to my parents' home, and various other household items. Luckily, everything I bought qualified for the Savings Catcher (you can find more information about what does and does not qualify on their FAQ page).
As I was walking out of the store (literally), I scanned my receipt using the app and that was it! I eagerly awaited my email notification and kept checking the app to see if my results were up yet. It took almost the full 72 hours, but then the email finally arrived. I SAVED $6.01 - that's 4% of my purchase price!
Walmart even breaks down the receipt for you and tells you where you were able to catch the savings. As you can see below, Publix, Kmart, and Winn Dixie had a few of my items for a lower price, but I didn't need to do a thing to get those savings from Walmart. Walmart did all of the leg work for me, then gave me my money back!
Once you get the notification that your Reward Dollars are ready, you can then redeem them. Walmart will issue you an eGift Card through email and your Reward Dollars will be loaded to that card from then on. No need to keep track of multiple cards.
Are you a coupon user? Good news! You can still use the Savings Catcher to save even more on your shopping trip! They'll simply compare the original Walmart price of the item, before the coupon was applied, to other stores’ advertised prices for the same item and you'll get back the difference. For example, you bought cereal at Walmart and the original price was $3, but you used a coupon for $0.50 off, so you paid $2.50. If Savings Catcher finds that a competitor advertised that same box of cereal for $2.00, Savings Catcher will still credit you $1.00, even though you paid only $2.50 at Walmart.
I know I'm already getting super low prices by shopping at Walmart. Now I don't have to do any comparison shopping, and I'll still reap the rewards by using the Savings Catcher! I can't wait to see how many Reward Dollars I can accumulate on my eGift card. I know they'll come in handy for holiday shopping! Isn't the Savings Catcher a great tool for saving and getting the best value for your money?
Will you be using the Walmart Savings Catcher app?
If you're looking for more ways to save money, check out my post about Couponing for Beginners and 10 ways to lower your monthly bills.
Cami says
I've already saved!
Cami says
I've already saved dy saved
Allie says
How neat! I can't wait to use the Savings Catcher. I love that it saves time and money since I won't have to shop around for the best price anymore.
Gale Robertson says
I just love saving I have saved a lot I am using the money I save is going for Christmas party
Sandra Watts (@saleago) says
I have this too. Its great!
Sandy Magura says
I am an avid Walmart Shopper and had no idea that this existed. THANK YOU so much for this review. I am downloading the app right now and can't wait to SAVE! This blog is the best and you work so hard on it. BIG MAMA FAN!
Anne Sweden says
What a clever app! Like you, I just don't have time for coupons and comparison shopping anymore. Going from store to store uses gas and it's more stops along the way for all the children and me. We stick to one store now and have a pre-written list and budget. Will definitely check out the Savings Catcher, Ruth!
Jessica D says
This is awesome!! We shop at Walmart frequently because there's not much around unless we want to drive 20 minutes to the next town. I've noticed the little advertisement at the bottom of their receipts and now I know what it does!! I will most definitely be signing up for this! Thank you so much for your walk through of how it all works
Julie Mauricio says
Wow!!! I'm very impressed!!! I'm going to have to start shopping at Walmart more often and try this Walmart savings Catcher!! Thanks for all the great info!
Sarah Tomorrow says
I used it yesterday waiting on my result got to check my inbox
Kay Middlebrooks says
I love #WalmartSavingsCatchers! It is so easy to use and I get to watch my savings grow. It's like Christmas everytime I get my email showing how much I saved by shopping at Walmart for everything I need!
Soni Diaz says
Really great examples you have shown here!
Kathy Lane says
I need to try this soon myself! Thanks!
jayne isaacs says
I love shopping walmart and getting the great savings and lowest prices!
Glamamama says
I have tried it twice and no dice for me. Maybe I should think that I got my best deal at Walmart too!
Ezislelife says
Thanks! I love savings catcher, so easy to save.
Heather says
Savings catcher is real and I am so happy Walmart finally has a Awesome Reward program! They also have a makeup box seasonal so check out my youtube info for more info on how to get free stuff and coupons!
michele says
How fun and rewarding to save money like you do! You are inspiring and I am getting excited to start saving too!
Jennifer Saylor says
I love savings catcher
tiffany halter says
Saving for December. 2 kiddos birthdays and christmas
Maryjo Wise says
I really need to know how to do this 🙂 saving money is a plus for me
Sherrie says
I've saved 41 dollars in the two months since I joined. I didn't imagine getting that much!
brenda fassett says
I just feel so good about myself when I save money,I feel like I have really dome something and now a days you need to try and save as Much as possible
Rochelle says
I've got over $6 for 4 small shopping trips. That will add up super fast!
Donna Cupit says
Sounds like I need to download this app!
Angie Young says
I'm so glad Walmart came up with this idea. I hate having to go to multiple stores to do my grocery shopping. It' s just too much work and takes too much time. Now I'm glad I can do all of my shopping in one store and get refunds for anything I overpay for. So far I've made a little over $8. Not too bad really. Like you I can't wait to see how much I can rack up to save money at Christmas.
Sue E says
I love to save money also & we have a Walmart 3 miles away that we shop at a lot! I will definitely look into this! Thank you so much for sharing!! We are living on our SS Benefits ? and are always looking for ways to save $$. I also use coupons.
Barbara Brooks says
Neat way to save am going to try this the next time I am out.