Prescription medications can be extremely costly, and with many basic health insurance plans not covering them it’s time to figure out how to save the most possible. Here are 5 tips to saving on prescription drugs:
1. Ask for Generics and Talk to Your Doctor
If you don’t have prescription drug coverage with your health insurance your doctor needs to know this (and be reminded as needed). There are many medications out that have the same effects, your doctor can make wise choices that will save you a ton. Why pay $25 when a free antibiotic from Publix can do the job? I’m not saying that you tell them what to prescribe, just make sure they are aware. Also you’ll find that many offices have free samples of top medications. Asking if they have any samples of something prescribed never hurts.
2. Find a Discount Card or Coupon
Once you leave the doctor with a prescription hop online and see if you can find a coupon or discount for that specific medication. Google the brand name and you’ll find lots of discounts. A friend of ours did this recently and found a coupon for $100 off her next allergy medication refill! Two other sites to search as well is MyRxCoupons.com or HelpRX.
3. Price Match (Do Your Homework)
The next step is to see what store may offer the best price. Many pharmacies post to their websites lists of what medications are always discounted. Walmart, Target, Kroger, Bi-lo and many others offer lists of hundred of generic medications for $4. If your medication is on the list… perfect. If it’s not, then call them and ask them how much it would cost to fill it in their pharmacy. You’ll find many times that local pharmacies actually have better prices on brand name medications than the big box stores. Also ask if that store will price match other pharmacy prices (Kroger does). If you have a medication that you take every day, doing this bit of homework just once can save you a ton over the course of a year!
4. Loyalty Programs
One thing to think about when you are comparing different deals and stores is their loyalty reward for filling your medications. For example if Walmart has a $4 medication that Kroger also offers for $4, you have to factor in their fuel rewards. Kroger is going to give you 10¢ off a gallon of gas for every 2 prescriptions you fill. That’s basically $1.75 in savings for each prescription.
CVS – Earn $1 ExtraCare Rewards for every (2) prescriptions
Walgreens – Earn 500 Balance Rewards for every prescription
Bi-Lo – Earn 5¢ in Fuelperks for every prescription
Winn Dixie – Earn 5¢ in Fuelperks for every prescription
Kroger – Earn 50 Fuelpoints for every prescription
5. Transfer Prescriptions
This option is limited to offers that are available, but from time to time pharmacies will run promotions for transferred prescriptions. Many times they offer $10-$25 gift cards for transferred medications. This doesn’t count usually for new prescriptions, but is great for any medication you take regularly. Ask around to see if any local stores are running offers, and also check for coupons around the pharmacy waiting areas.
Note: If you are on a number of medications keeping them together at one pharmacy is a safety measure to catch medication interactions.
Do you have any other tips for saving on medications?
Every week there are items you can grab in stores around town and pay nothing for them! Sometimes you may owe money in the store, but thanks to fun apps and online savings you end up getting all your money back.
Check out some of the top deals this week that you can add your stockpile without taking away from the budget.
Free Deals
- Publix – Ronzoni Pasta, Healthy Harvest or Garden Delight, 9-16 oz, at $1.49 (74¢)
(Excludes Lasagna, Jumbo Shells, Manicotti and Smart Taste)
–B1G1 Ronzoni pasta, max value $2.40, SS 3/16
-$1/2 Ronzoni pasta, SS 3/16
-$1 off Ronzoni pasta, SS 4/13
-$1/2 Ronzoni pasta, SS 4/13
(use $1 off, makes it FREE) (in FL, use B1G1, makes both FREE) - Publix – Smart Balance Spread or Spray, 7.5-15 oz, at $3.69 ($1.84)
(Excludes Organic)
-$3/3 Smart Balance products, send 3 e-cards (EXP 04/22) printable (limit reached)
-.50/1 Smart Balance spreadable butter, SS 3/16
-$1 off Smart Balance buttery spread or spreadable butter (Publix coupon), Basket of Savings booklet or (EXP 04/19) printable (limit reached)
-$1/2 Smart Balance buttery spread, SS 4/13
(use $1 off and .50/1, makes it FREE (if included)) (in FL and NC, use $1 off and .50/1, makes it 34¢ (if included)) - Publix – Simple Green All Purpose Cleaner, 22 oz, $3.50
-$3 off Simple Green product (unlock coupon) printable
-$1 off Simple Green all-purpose cleaner printable
-$1.50 off Simple Green all-purpose cleaner (if boosted) printable
-$1 off Simple Green concentrate spray cleaner, 22 oz (Publix coupon), Spring Savings booklet or (EXP 04/18) printable
(use store and $3 off, makes it FREE) - Publix (starting 4/21) Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste or Total, 5.8-6 oz, $2.99
-.50/1 Colgate Total toothpaste, 5.8 oz+ printable
-$2 off Colgate Total, Optic White or Max Fresh toothpaste, Publix eCoupon
-$1 off Colgate Total toothbrush, toothpaste or mouthwash, Target Pharmacy home mailer
-.75/1 Colgate toothpaste, 4 oz+, SS 3/30
-.50/1 Colgate toothpaste, 3.4 oz +, SS 4/13
-$1 off Colgate Total or Optic toothpaste, 3.4-7.8 oz or Total Advanced mouthwash, 1 L (Publix coupon), Personal Care flyer
(use $1 off store and $2 off eCoupon, makes it FREE) - Kroger – Birds Eye Vegetables, 8-16 oz, $1
-.50/1 Birds Eye Steamfresh Chef’s Favorites, SS 4/13
-$1 off Birds Eye Steamfresh Chef’s Favorites, SS 4/13
(use $1 off, makes it FREE if Chef’s Favorites is included) - Ingles – Breakstone’s Sour Cream, 16 oz, 98¢
-$1 off Breakstone’s Greek sour cream, 16 oz+ (spin the dial) printable
(makes it FREE) - Ingles – Kernel Season’s Popcorn Salt, 3.75 oz, 98¢
-$1 off Kernel Season’s popcorn seasonings jar, 2.7-10.2 oz printable
(makes it FREE) - Bi-Lo – Nabisco Club Crackers or Ritz Crackerfuls, 7.5-16 oz or 6 oz, B1G1 at $3.99 ($1.99)
-$1/2 Nabisco cookies or crackers, 6.5 oz+, tearpad
-$1 off Nabisco Ritz Crackerfuls, 6 ct., Ibotta App mobile coupon
-$1 off Nabisco Ritz Crackerfuls, 6 oz+, Checkout 51 (EXP 04/23) mobile coupon
(use both mobile coupons, makes it FREE) - Bi-Lo – Vanity Fair Napkins, 40-100 ct., $2
-.55/1 Vanity Fair napkins or guest hand towels printable
-$1/2 Vanity Fair napkins or guest hand towels, RP 4/06
(use .55/1, makes it 90¢) - Bi-Lo – Dole Canned Pineapples, 20 oz, $1
-.50/1 Dole canned fruit, SS 3/23
-.50/2 Dole canned fruit, SS 4/06
-$1/3 Dole canned fruits (EXP 04/21) printable (limit reached)
-.50/2 Dole pineapple cans printable
(use .50/1, makes it FREE) - Bi-Lo – POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice, 8 oz, $1
-.50/1 Pom product, SS 3/23 (EXP 04/23)
-.50/1 Pom Juice, SS 3/23 (EXP 04/23)
-$1/2 Pom Wonderful items printable
(use .50/1, makes it FREE) - Bi-Lo – Clorox Bleach, 55-64 oz or Toilet Bowl Cleaners, 24 oz, $2
Get 5¢ fuelperks WYB 2
-.50/1 Clorox Smart Sleek bleach, (write a review) printable
-$1/2 Clorox toilet bowl cleaner, bleach or wipes, Target Pharmacy home mailer
-$2/3 Clorox bleach items, 55 oz +, Target printable
(buy (2) use (2) .50/1 and competitor, makes it FREE after gas savings) - Bi-Lo – Post Cereals, 10-12 oz, B1G1 at $3.88 ($1.94)
-$1 off Post Great Grains Digestive Blend vanilla graham or Berry Medley Cereal, 12.5oz+, SS 3/09 (EXP 04/20)
-$1 off Post Honey Bunches of Oats Morning Energy, 11 oz+ printable
-$1 off Post Honey Bunches of Oats Morning Energy cereal, March All You magazine
-$1/2 Post Honey Bunches of Oats cereal or granola, 11 oz +, SS 4/13
-$1 off Post dry cereal, excl single serve, Target (EXP 04/17) printable
(use $1 off and competitor, makes it FREE) - Bi-Lo – Mueller’s Pasta, 12-17.6 oz, B1G1 at $1.99 (99¢)
-$1/2 Mueller’s pasta, SS 4/06
-.75/1 Mueller’s pot size pasta, SS 4/06
-.75/1 Mueller’s pot sized pasta, On Select Hunt’s Pasta Sauce
-.75/1 Mueller’s pot-sized pasta printable
-.75/1 Mueller’s Pot Sized Pasta, SS 2/23 (EXP 04/24)
-.55/1 Mueller’s Hidden Veggie pasta (Facebook) printable
(use .55/1, makes it FREE) - Bi-Lo – Sundown Vitamins, B1G1 entire line
-$2 off Sundown Naturals Adult Gummy Product, excl probiotics, RP 2/16 (EXP 04/19)
-$2 off Sundown Naturals product, RP 4/13
-$2 off Sundown Naturals adult gummies, RP 3/16
-$1 off Sundown Naturals product printable
-$1 off Sundown Naturals vitamin or supplement printable
-$1 off Sundown Naturals vitamin or supplement, RP 3/16
-$1/2 Sundown Naturals vitamin or supplement, (Kroger/manufacturer coupon), RP 3/09
-$3/2 Sundown Naturals vitamins or supplements printable
-$3 off Sundown Naturals vitamins or supplements, 120 ct.+ (Publix coupon), Personal Care flyer
(use $2 off and competitor, should make some types FREE) - Harris Teeter – Annie’s Homegrown Mac & Cheese, 6 oz, $1
-.55/1 Annie’s macaroni & cheese, Basket of Savings booklet or (EXP 04/19) printable
-$1 off Annie’s product, Basket of Savings booklet or (EXP 04/19) printable
(use .55/1, makes it FREE) - Harris Teeter – Birds Eye Steamfresh, 10-12 or Frozen Vegetables, at $2.49 ($1.24)
-$1 off Birds Eye Recipe Ready, SS 4/13
-.75/1 Birds Eye Recipe Ready item printable
(use .75/1, makes it FREE) - Harris Teeter – Nabisco Ritz Crackerfuls, 6 oz, at $3.99 ($1.99)
-$1 off Nabisco Ritz Crackerfuls, 6 ct., Ibotta App mobile coupon
-$1 off Nabisco Ritz Crackerfuls, 6 oz+, Checkout 51 (EXP 04/23) mobile coupon
(use both app offers, makes it FREE) - Walgreens – $6 RR WYB Morton Epsom Lotion, 8 oz, $6
(makes it FREE!) - Rite Aid (starting 4/20) – $2 +UP WYB Depend Fit Kit, $2, limit 2
-$1 off Depend product, SS 3/16
(makes it FREE)
Who doesn’t love printable coupons? Here are the top printables I found today, including a fun new Fisher-Price coupon! This is a Target store coupon, so you can stack it with a manufacturer coupon for even more savings.
Personal Care
$3 off Burt’s Bees brightening face care printable
$1 off Dial lotion, 12 oz+ printable
Baby/Toddler
.75/1 Desitin diaper rash item, excl 1 oz printable
$10 off Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Stride-to-Ride Sis or Puppy toy (Target coupon) printable
$1 off Gerber Graduates training plates, toddler snackers, feed & store plates & lids or platemat (Target coupon) printable
.75/1 Johnson & Johnson baby item, excl 1-4 oz printable
Household/Miscellaneous
$3 off Flowers in the Attic on DVD printable
$2 off O-Cedar Angler broom printable
$1/24 Purina Fancy Feast cat food cans or (1) 24 ct. variety pk. printable
To see all the new coupons we find each day, make sure to sign up for the free coupon advisory daily email!
I want to give you a heads up on the Sunday coupon insert preview 4/20 that there will be NO coupon inserts due to the Easter holiday. Enjoy the break and extra time with your family and friends this weekend.
You can always head to the Coupon Database for printables if you’re feeling down!
Did you know that every area and paper gets different coupons? This is one of the biggest things that can frustrate couponers… we all want the great coupon and only a few select areas got it. Each week volunteers send in their insert lists so to show exactly what came in your area. I take these and put them into the coupon database. In turn you can then have shopping lists that only show the coupons in your area!! Take a look at this week’s coupon insert variations from 4/13.
Click on your newspaper to see which coupons you actually received.
If you’re paper is not covered and you’re interested in helping, feel free to email me at jenny@southernsavers.com for directions. I promise it’s easy!
As folks send me the lists I will update this page.
A legend for the list:
Black = You got this coupon!
Red = Not in this insert
Blue = A change in value or a new coupon not in the preview.
Alabama
Birmingham News (thanks Stephanie!)
Huntsville Times (thanks Chloe!)
Montgomery Advertiser
Florida
Florida Times Union
Fort Myers News Press
Gainesville Sun (thanks Midori!)
Lakeland Ledger
Miami Herald
Orlando Sentinel (thanks Naomi!)
Panama City News Herald
Pensacola News Journal
St. Lucie News Tribune
Tampa Bay Times Read More→
Here are all of the deals at Randalls and Safeway Ad starting 4/16. Check out the 99¢ Reddi-Whip, C&W or Birds Eye Frozen Vegetables for 67¢ plus don’t forget about Five Dollar Fridays!
If you know of additional deals please leave them in a comment below.
Just for U Coupons
- Safeway Farms Bacon, 3 lb, $12.99, limit 5
- Johnsonville Breakfast Sausage Links or Patties, 12 oz, $2.99, limit 5
-.75/1 Johnsonville breakfast sausage printable
-$1 off Johnsonville sausage printable
-$1/2 Johnsonville Breakfast Sausage, SS 4/13
(use $1 off, makes it $1.99) - Land O Frost Premium Lunchmeat, 16 oz, $3.49, limit 5
-.75/1 Land O’Frost Premium, Premium Minis, Bistro Favorites or Canadian Bacon printable
-$1 off Land O’Frost Premium, Premium Minis, Bistro Favorites or Canadian Bacon, RP 3/16 (EXP 04/16)
(use $1 off, makes it $2.49) Read More→
Here are all the deals from the Whole Foods ad that starts 4/16. Don’t miss the 49¢ Barbara’s Bakery Organic Snackimals Cereal, plus some great household and personal care deals with this list too!
Feel free to leave a comment with any additional deals or coupons you find.
Produce
- Sweet Corn, 3 for $1
- Whole Trade Organic Mini Seedless Watermelon, $3.99
Meat
- Bell & Evans Organic Whole Fryer, $2.99 lb Read More→
Today only, get 60% Off the patterns La Neon Rose, Paisley Meets Plaid, and Provencal at Vera Bradley. Mother’s Day is coming up and these patterns are great for Spring.
These are always the best times to stock up on gifts when you can get more than half off some of your favorite bags. They also offer accessories from belts to aprons and more, so be sure to check out their selection!
Deal Ideas:
Caroline in Provencal $31.20 (reg. $78)
Large Cosmetic Case in La Neon Rose $12 (reg. $30)
Chain Bag in Paisley Meets Plaid $31.20 (reg. $78)
Offer valid through 4/16. Shipping is FREE on orders $75 or more.
See more online shopping.
Not only is it rare to see coupons for fresh produce, but it is super rare to see produce for FREE! Right now at Target you can get FREE Driscoll strawberries!
These would be great with my strawberry shortcake recipe!
Target Deal:
Buy:
(1) Driscoll’s Strawberries, 16 oz, $1.50 (good through 4/19)
Use:
-$1/$1 Fresh fruit purchase, Target mobile coupon – text SPRING to 827438 (exp 04/23)
-.50/1 Driscoll’s product printable
(Makes it FREE!)
Please note that prices may vary from store to store.
See more Target deals!