11 Incredibly Common Mistakes People Make at Walmart

Walmart may be known for its low everyday prices, but there are even more savings you can tap into as long as you know the right places to look. From shopping store brands to searching through the app for additional deals, you can pay even less than the already low prices.

But if you don’t know about these genius Walmart shopping hacks , you could end up spending money that would have been better off staying in your wallet.

Here are 11 common mistakes people make at Walmart and what you can do instead to get the best deals and the lowest prices every time you shop.

Walmart Secrets: 7 genius hacks all Walmart shoppers should know

1. Skipping store brands

Great Value and Equate are just a few of the Walmart store brands that can offer you major savings from name brands. Many of these products are just as good as the household names. Try the Equate body wash or the Great Value cream cheese for high quality that won't break the bank.

2. Missing additional deals

Walmart may have great deals, but sometimes there are even more deals to be found — if you know where to look. Websites like CouponCabin.com or even just clipping coupons from your Sunday circular can save you tons. And unlike Sam’s Club or Costco, Walmart gladly accepts manufacturer’s coupons.

3. Not using the app

Not only does the Walmart app help you find exactly where items are in the store, giving you the exact aisle number and location, but it can also alert you to savings on specific items. Open it up and find out if there are savings you can leverage in the store that you may not have known about before you started shopping.

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4. Not signing up for Walmart+

If you’re a regular Walmart shopper, then you could be missing out on savings by neglecting to sign up for the annual Walmart+ membership. You’ll get unlimited free shipping on eligible items, gas savings, free Spotify, and other discounts.

On the flip side, if you sign up for Walmart+ but don’t take advantage of the savings, then it could be a mistake to spend the $98 on an annual membership.

5. Automatically going to Walmart for the lowest price

Walmart has great prices, but it doesn’t always have the lowest price. On occasion, you might find a lower price at Target or on Amazon. Use a price comparison tool to help you shop around before making any major purchase at Walmart.

6. Ignoring pickup discounts

Did you know you can get a discount on some items for purchasing them via store pickup rather than having them shipped? Make sure you check online before buying, then decide if it’s worth your time and money to make a trip to the store.

7. Only shopping during peak hours

Rush hour and weekend mornings are prime time for Walmart shoppers, but planning an off-peak shopping trip can save you the stress of fighting crowds and make it easier to shop for deals.

8. Assuming the biggest size is the cheapest size

It’s easy to look at two sizes of an item and assume that the one that’s a bulk size is the better deal. You might think the 48-roll package of toilet paper is a better deal than the 12-roll package. But that’s not always the case. Check the per unit or per oz. size before making a decision.

9. Not leveraging price match

Walmart does not have a policy that allows matching from other stores, but that doesn’t mean you can’t match prices at all. Instead, you can use price match against the Walmart website — and there are cases where you’ll find a lower price online. Bring it to customer service, and they’ll honor that price.

10. Skipping the grocery clearance

You’ll find yellow clearance stickers all over Walmart, but some of the best deals can be found in the grocery section. Look for easy-to-freeze baked goods, shelf-stable items, and even meat. These products are all still good, but their best-by date is approaching, and the store wants to move them ASAP.

11. Not applying for Walmart’s credit card or prepaid debit card

Did you know Walmart has a credit card and prepaid debit card? These cards make sense if you use them responsibly — you could get 5% cash back on the Walmart website through the Walmart Capital One credit card or get 3% back on the website with the prepaid debit card. This is in addition to a smaller percentage for cash back in-store If you shop frequently, applying for these cards could put money back in your wallet.

Bottom line

Shopping at Walmart is an easy way to save money on essentials regardless of how you shop, but avoiding these simple mistakes lets you save even more.

Next time you’re making a Walmart shopping list, make sure you add a few store brands to the list, check out the prices online, and shop around to make sure you’re actually getting the best deal.

And, if you want to go a step further, make sure you’ve signed up for cashback apps like Ibotta and Rakuten. These can save you even more money in-store and online.

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