Balancing Discount Cards
"GMA" uncovers the secrets to using store discount cards effectively.
April 6, 2009 — -- Retailers advertise store loyalty cards as a great way to save, but just how effective and efficient are these key-chain staples?
ShopSmart magazine editor in chief Lisa Lee Freeman dropped by "Good Morning America" to uncover the secrets to getting the most for your money with the club cards. Check out her tips below.
Grocery Stores
Supermarkets are known for their circulars filled with discount coupons, but customers should check out shortcuts.com before they go food shopping.
It lets you download electronic coupons right onto your grocery loyalty or frequent shopper savings card. There are no paper coupons to clip and it's free.
You can look at what items are being discounted and plan your meals around them. You also can stock up on some things that are on sale. And coupons you don't use stay on your card and you can use them any time until they expire.
Out of all the grocery store chains the best discount card comes from Kroger.
Most supermarket cards offer the same things, which are discounts on in-store items and coupons on the receipts when you're checking out. But the Kroger Plus Card also gives you discounts on gas at affiliated gas stations.
For every $100 you spend you save 10 cents a gallon on gas. One thing ShopSmart magazine thinks is really great is that the Kroger card will alert you to recalled items it sees that you've purchased.
Also, you should remember that wherever you shop, you should always go to that supermarket's Web site to see what's on sale and check out the circulars.
Drugstores
One of the most expensive necessities today are prescription drugs, but there are two big drugstore chains where customers can save the most money on them.
Yes, with CVS Extra Care customers get a 2 percent rebate on every in-store and online purchase and $1 for every two prescriptions filled.
They also get discounts on items featured in weekly circulars and there are kiosks in some of the stores now where customers can get coupons before they shop.
Related Stories
ABC News Live