Someone please help!  I am confused by the Walgreens system and I know a lot of you do their sales cycle.  I've been browsing their ads for the past few weeks but I can't see where the real savings are and I'm hoping you can help.  It seems like, even with the register rewards, the cost per item isn't as low as the deals you all seem to get.  Do you need to have manufacturer's coupons to really make this worthwhile?  Do you need to make the investment the first time and then use register rewards for the future purchases, thus earning more register rewards?  Or has there just not been a great week of sales there recently?  I want to start taking advantage of the program but so far can't see how you really save money . . . or how people are getting everything for free and close to it.  The prices (even considering rewards) are more than what I would pay for a bulk item at Costco or similar. 

So what's the secret??  Where's the deal?  I feel like I'm missing out!!

jennylyn:

The prices (even considering rewards) are more than what I would pay for a bulk item at Costco or similar. 

The places you are shopping and their prices make a difference. When I do buy sale items at Walgreen's I buy what is cheaper than where I can buy it elsewhere.

I have not shopped at Walgreens in the last two or three weeks due to enough sale items that interest me or beat prices at other stores.

That makes sense. 

I've been thinking more about this . . . so here is another question.  Can you use the rewards on anything?  Can you use them on other register rewards items with no restrictions?  I can see how it works if you buy things for register rewards the first time and then only buy things that get you more register rewards and pay using the register rewards so you aren't paying for anything out of pocket (except for the first time when you buy the initial items to get started with the register rewards).  But I am not sure if you can do this . . . if you can, then I can see how the deal works.  If not, then I am still confused!

I have never recieved register rewards so I am not sure how those work. I approach it in a more straight forward manner. "Oh the price on XYZ is lower than what I usually spend. I'll pick that up when I go."

 If you will go to www.hotcouponworld.com   they have information about Walgreens RR and how to use them. Just scroll down until it says Drug Stores. Click on that then look for Walgreens. Babs

Thanks babs!!

 This also looks like a helpful link.

http://couponing.about.com/od/beautyandhealth/a/walgreens.htm