6 ways to save money at Walmart

Walmart has built its reputation on offering low prices every day. And if you shop there, you know you're probably getting good deals. However, there are ways to save even more at this retailer. Here are six:

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WALMART'S PRICE MATCHING POLICY

Even if Walmart isn't offering the lowest price on a given item, you can take advantage of the store's price match policy to secure a better deal. Walmart will match any advertised price from stores in your area, said Paul Ivanovsky, creator of IHeartTheMart.com, a blog dedicated to saving money at Walmart. To qualify, the items in question must be identical and in stock at the other retailer. According to Ivanovsky, the price matching policy is a great way to save money on fruit, meat and paper products.

GET ONLINE PRICES IN THE STORE

Before you make a purchase in one of its stores, see if Walmart is offering a better price online, as the company will match Walmart.com prices for in-store purchases. Bethany Halford, co-creator of the Whoa, Wait. Walmart? blog, which features great finds at the chain, said she frequently finds items that have been marked down online but not in the stores.

To get the better price, she pulls the item up on her phone and shows it to the cashier when she checks out.

USE THE SAVINGS CATCHER APP

If you forgot to check other stores' prices before shopping at Walmart, you still can take advantage of the retailer's price match policy after the fact by using the Savings Catcher app.

After scanning your receipt with the app, you can compare the prices you paid with local competitors' advertised rates, Ivanovsky said. If an item you bought is cheaper elsewhere, you will be credited the difference in the form of Savings Catcher Rewards Dollars, which can be redeemed for a Walmart gift card or funds to be added to a prepaid debit card.

GET FREE SHIPPING ONLINE

Shipping costs can quickly negate the savings you might accumulate by shopping online. However, there are two ways you can get free shipping from Walmart.com.

If you spend $50 or more online, Walmart will ship your purchases for free, Halford said. While there's a flat $4.97 shipping fee for orders less than $50, shoppers can get around that fee by having online purchases shipped to their local stores, said Amanda Jerkins, the other co-creator of Whoa, Wait. Walmart?

COMB THROUGH THE CLEARANCE RACKS

If you rush through your Walmart trips, you might miss out on some of the retailer's best clearance deals. Typically, deeply discounted items are placed in an aisle near the toy or lawn and garden department, Halford said. When she and Jerkins comb through the clearance racks, they often find items they were coveting at full price are now on sale for much less.

Jerkins recommends checking the end caps on aisles throughout the store for heavily discounted items.

SHOP EARLY IN THE MORNING FOR GROCERY DEALS

If your Walmart has a grocery department, you can save money by timing your food shopping trips right. Shop early in the morning to score discounts on one of the priciest food items on your list — meat.

Source: 6 ways to save money at Walmart