Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

What You’re Missing When You Don’t Use Your Commissary Rewards Card

by

Do you have a commissary rewards card?

I do and I completely forgot to use mine this week when I went grocery shopping at my commissary.

At the checkout, the cashier asked if I had a commissary rewards card. When I told her I forgot about it she said that’s unfortunate because some of the things I bought had coupons on it. Well at that point I really felt like I had missed out.

I went home and put my groceries away. Then I logged onto the commissary rewards card site to see which coupons I missed. Sure enough, Charmin, Bounty, Swiffer and Tide were all on it and worst of all, I missed out on a $4 off coupon for Zyrtec.

I don’t want that to happen again so I downloaded the commissary rewards card app right away. If I had that app on my phone already, I could have clicked those coupons right there in my commissary and saved money instantly. That’s money I could have spent on coffee on the way home. Lesson learned.

I use to be really good about clipping coupons. I would make my grocery list for the week and see what coupons matched up with what was on the grocery list. I also use to Google coupons for bigger items and print them to take with  me.

That was before I had kids and had the time to do it.

One day I discovered the commissary rewards card and that card made saving money quicker and easier. With the commissary rewards card you don’t have to clip coupons or print them. You simply tap the coupons you want and they are added to your card. At the checkout you just hand your commissary rewards card over to the cashier and they swipe it. Easy savings.

The commissary rewards card app makes it even more convenient. When I use the commissary rewards card, I always log on with my laptop. Now that I have the app, I can do it anytime and anywhere as my phone is pretty much always with me.

I don’t purchase the newspaper to clip coupons anymore, but I do see coupons pop up when I’m on my laptop from time to time. I also get them in my email occasionally. It’s great that I can still use those along with the commissary rewards card. You can’t use double manufacturer’s coupons at the commissary, but you can save money by using other coupons you find with the coupons you get through the commissary rewards card.

If you don’t have a commissary rewards card, it’s simple to get one. Just ask the cashier at the checkout and he or she will give you one for free. It’s easy to register it and get started using it right away as well.

Pro-tip: Walk up to a cashier at the beginning of your shopping trip to get one. You can register it while you shop and quickly look through the coupons to see what matches up with the items on your grocery list.

You don’t have to go through every item if you don’t want to. You can search by category or by specific product. If you go ahead and do this, you can save money right away.

Do you have a commissary rewards card? Are you saving money each shopping trip or are you missing out? There are great savings opportunities with the commissary rewards card and it is quick and easy to use it.

If you don’t have one, I recommend that you pick one up on your next stop to the commissary.

Want more information about the commissary rewards card? Read this article by clicking here.

Commissary to Expand Online Ordering Program…Soon

by

Picture this. You’ve just returned from a much-needed (and well-deserved) vacation. The fridge is bare. The pantry is nothing but dusty, empty shelves. You’ve got enough laundry to clothe a small village, a stack of mail the size of the Chrysler building and all you can think is, ” I need a vacation from my vacation.”

As you sit trying to muster up the energy to take care of your suitcase, you glance over at the kitchen and your oldest is standing in front of the refrigerator, doors open, eyeballing a stick of butter. Your spouse is rummaging through kitchen cabinets, mumbling something under his breath about starvation. After several unsuccessful deep drawer raids, he turns, holding up a packet of soy sauce and a bag of crushed cracker bits before declaring the obvious.

“We need to go to the commissary.”

And while a trip to the commissary promises everything you need to keep your family fed, the thought of navigating the aisles and elbowing for position in line sounds about as much fun as a root canal.

If only the commissary offered the option to shop online.

If only you could let your fingers do the walking and send in a list of your must-haves for the week.

If only someone would gather all of the things you need, bag ’em up and have them waiting for you when you got there.

Does such a magical service exist? Could “going to the commissary” ever really be as easy as pulling up to the curb and popping the trunk?

Commissary to Expand Online Ordering Program

There aren’t definitive start dates for the online ordering program expansion yet, but the idea already has lots of people looking forward to the option.

If DeCA follows through on plans to expand their curbside pick-up services, you might just be in luck.

Currently, the commissary curbside pick-up program, called Click2Go, is only offered at 3 stateside commissaries. But, as part of DeCA’s continuing efforts to keep the commissary system operational and moving toward sustainability, this convenient service may be coming to a commissary near you soon.

Folks at Fort Lee, Offutt Air Force Base and Travis Air Force Base already know the ins and outs of the Click2Go program. Launched in 2013, the original pilot program was only supposed to last for one year. But due in large part to the astounding positive reception, the program was extended at those 3 locations indefinitely.

Initially intended to help encourage shoppers under 35 to use the commissary more often, the program saw success with older shoppers as well, proving convenience really doesn’t have an age limit. Almost all products available in the commissary are available on Click2Go, including items from health and beauty, deli, freezer and meat/seafood departments.

Currently, the program charges no fees, has no minimum purchase requirement and no tip is required for Click2Go employees.

Can you use coupons? You bet. Payment is tendered at pick-up so you can take advantage of both coupons and sale prices.

Better yet, you can shop 24 hours a day and pick from a list of available pick-up times most convenient for you. You can even place an order up to 6 days in advance.

There are no definitive dates on the expansion and there is already talk of charging a small fee for the service (much like at grocery chains across the country), but the idea already has lots of people looking forward to the option.

Just think, in the near future, instead of trying to figure out how to make a meal out of ketchup, stale corn flakes and pickles, you can use that 2-hour layover to place an order, and just swing by the commissary on your way home.

What do you think of DeCA’s plan to expand the online ordering program at the commissaries? Would you use it?

Don’t Fall for a Military Coupon Scam

by

Commissary shoppers love to save money using military coupons. You can find military coupons at your commissary. I like to look for those free flyers just inside the front door or ask my commissary bagger to tuck one into my groceries, when she has them.

As we’ve said before the best military coupons are the ones that you don’t clip. There are plenty of military coupons online, ready for commissary shoppers.

But for every military coupon that you find online there may be a fake coupon looking to leer you in.

Fake coupons are on the rise. Smart commissary shoppers need to know how to spot a fake military coupon. Here are 3 things you need to know when trying to figure if your military coupon is real or fake.

No Expiration Date

Every coupon, digital or paper, will have an expiration date. There are no exceptions to this rule. If you e-clip a coupon that doesn’t have an expiration date, it’s a fake. Don’t try to use it at your commissary.

Pro-tip: Always look for an expiration date before printing out a coupon.

Photocopied Coupons

These fake military coupons are easy to spot. If a coupon has been photocopied, it is no longer valid. You can’t photocopy a coupon for your mother, sister and your five closest friends and expect them to be able to use it. Photocopying a coupon is against coupon rules.

Pro-tip: Only print military coupons from authorized coupon distributors like Coupons.com.

Too Good to Be True Coupons

Let’s say you’re scrolling on Facebook and you see a “too good to be true” military coupon in your newsfeed. Since you are tempted, you click on this coupon and it brings you to different website, one that requires that you put in your credit card information in order to receive this offer.

Don’t do it.

This website is a scam trying to steal your personal information. Never give you Social Security number, bank information or credit card number to redeem a coupon.

What’s an example of this type of fake coupon?

Late last year, the grocery store Kroger warned its shoppers about a fake coupon claiming to offer a “FREE $60 Kroger Coupon” with a $70 minimum purchase. It said the expiration date was 12/31/2016.

Kroger posted a photo of the fake coupon on its Facebook page with this message.

 “Fake coupon alert! There’s currently an unauthorized ‘FREE $60 Kroger Coupon’ offer floating around. It’s not real! We don’t recommend engaging with the site(s) that offer links to the coupon, or providing them with any personal information. Our team is actively working with Facebook and domain service providers to address the concern.”

Similar fake coupons have been circulating for Kohl’s, Disneyland and Food Lion.

Here’s another scenario that has been happening a lot with fake online coupons. Again you see that “amazing deal” while scrolling on social media. But this time when you click on the link for more details or to redeem the offer, you download malware on your computer.

The Coupon Information Center has a database of fake coupons. You can search for a specific coupon on this website or review the list. I recommend reviewing this list if you’re an active digital coupon user.

Pro-tip: To test a coupon, do a Google search with the coupon’s offer and the word “scam” or “fraud” in the search bar.

You don’t have to worry about printing a fake military coupon when you use coupons from Coupons.com.

15 Military Coupon Mistakes That Smart Military Spouses Make

by

Shopping at the commissary is a great way to save money and having military coupons make it even better. Are you a savvy shopper that clips military coupons before heading to the commissary? Even the best couponers make mistakes.

Here are 15 military coupon mistakes that smart military spouses make and how to avoid them.

Not Having a Commissary Rewards Card

The Commissary Rewards Card should be your first stop when looking for military coupons. You can digitally clip military coupons and add them to your Commissary Rewards Card. If you don’t have one, you can pick one up at any commissary.

Forgetting to Register at MilitaryShoppers.com

MilitaryShoppers has printable military coupons and the commissary flyer.  Sign up for emails and get commissary deals, product highlights and more.

Not Scheduling Adequate Time to Shop

When you’re in a hurry, you don’t pay attention to detail. Make sure you plan your trip to the commissary with enough time to shop. Eat before you go so you aren’t tempted to put things in your shopping cart that you don’t have military coupons for.

Not Picking Up the Military Coupon Flyers at Your Commissary

There are military coupon flyers at the commissary. Don’t skip those thinking you have all the military coupons you need. There might be a better military coupon inside the flyer.

Ignoring Military Coupons on the Shelves

Often there are military coupons on the shelf. Compare them to the ones you have and see which one is the better deal.

Not Knowing When New Military Coupons Are Available

If you only look for coupons in the Sunday paper, you are missing out on great savings. The Commissary Rewards Card site has new coupons almost daily. As soon as manufacturers provided them, they are live on the site. Many other sites like coupon.com post new coupons daily.

Couponing on Your Own

Learning from others will help you expand your savings. Contact your local Fleet and Family Center to see if there is a coupon exchange program. It’s also a great way to get to know other military spouses.

Buying the Item Even if It Doesn’t Scan at the Discounted Price

Sometimes coupons don’t scan. Don’t settle and buy a product if you aren’t able to get the discount. Ask the clerk to scan the military coupon again or to type in the discount. If that doesn’t work, ask to speak to a manager.

Buying Something You Don’t Need Just Because You Have a Coupon

Just because there is a military coupon for an item does not mean that you should buy it if you aren’t going to use the product. Pay attention to what you are buying and don’t stray from your grocery list just because there is a coupon.

Failing to Stock Up on Items Your Family Uses

If there is a product, such as toilet paper, that your family uses often consider stocking up when there are good military coupons for it. You will save money over time if you purchase bigger quantities.

Having a Disorganized Coupon Folder

Everyone has their own way of sorting military coupons. Organize your folder the way that works best for you. Is it grouping coupons in the order that you will find items in the commissary or putting all the soon-to-expire coupons up front?

Not Taking All Your Coupons in the Store with You

Don’t just take the coupons that you are going to use into the commissary. Perhaps you will find an item that your family uses on sale. Add a coupon to that and it’s a great day to stock up.

Not Knowing the Commissary’s Coupon Policies

It’s important to know store coupon policies. The commissary, for example, does not double coupons. If you print a coupon and have a digital one for the same item on your Commissary Rewards Card, you cannot use both. The commissary also does not take expired coupons stateside, but will take them up to 6 months expired overseas.

Not Reading the Fine Print on Coupons

Always read the fine print on coupons. Some have a specific size the coupon is good for while others are for multiple items. Make sure you buy all items required and place them together on the conveyor belt.

Failing to Watch the Monitor as Items and Coupons Are Scanned

Our final tip is to make sure you pay attention as your items are scanned. You’ve done all the work to find coupons; make sure you get the discount. If the coupon scans incorrectly, point it out to the cashier. If you have a problem, ask to speak to a manager. It’s your money; make sure you get the most from it.

Want military coupons, discounts and savings delivered to your inbox? Sign up for MilitaryShoppers email newsletter today.

8 Apps for Military Coupons

by

Military coupons are in abundance if you know where to look. There are amazing apps for your phone full of military coupons and best of all, they’re free.

Here is a list of our favorite military coupon apps.

SCOUT Military Discounts

Looking for a large amount of military coupons in one place? Then SCOUT Military Discounts is the app you want. It has thousands of military coupons and discounts.

Not only does it have great military coupons, but it also has unique features that set it apart from other apps. These include USO locations, military-friendly charities and lists of freebies on Veterans Day.

Commissary Rewards App

Have you signed up for the Commissary Rewards Card?

Once you have, download the Commissary Rewards App and log in. With the Commissary Rewards App, you can clip military coupons on the go with just the tap of your finger.

There is a huge selection of military coupons in the app. When you check out, just scan your Commissary Rewards Card.

Military Cost Cutters

Military Cost Cutters brings together military-friendly businesses and veterans. The app was created by veterans for the military community. Through this app, you can search for military-friendly businesses and find military coupons and discounts.

Some of the perks of this app include: having a QR code scanning function, being able to search any location for specials, upload any military coupons or discounts you find and rate businesses.

They also have a rewards program where you can receive deals from businesses that you have shopped with.

Shop Savvy

The Shop Savvy app is the ultimate shopping partner. Not only does it have great military coupons, deals and specials, but you can also get cash back after shopping.

A great feature is the option to scan barcodes to compare prices from one store to another. If you’re a frugal shopper, you can set price drop alerts for a particular item so you’ll know when the best deal is available.

You can make your shopping list and do all of your shopping right in the app.

Discount Soldier

Discount Soldier is another great app for military coupons and discounts. It is a community where military families share military coupons and discounts they find.

Members of Discount Soldier can add discounts they find right to the app. This app has no in-app purchases to slow you down. They have a great website as well.

Ibotta: Cash Back App

Ibotta is an extremely popular cash back app. They have great deals ranging from clothing stores and craft stores to grocery stores, and don’t forget about military coupons.

The key feature of Ibotta is rebates. All you have to do is scan your receipts with your camera phone and when you’re ready to collect the rebates, they will pay you through PayPal or through a gift card.

To potentially earn more, you can shop with friends to unlock group discounts.

Pro-tip: Ibotta works with commissary receipts.

Checkout 51

If you can’t find a military coupon for something you’ve had your eye on, perhaps you can get cash back with Checkout 51. They give cash back from brand names. Every Thursday new offers are added to the list. You can purchase these products anywhere and then take a picture of your receipt to get cash back.

They will mail you a check when your rebate totals $20.  This app is also available in Spanish.

RetailMeNot

RetailMeNot is an award-winning app and one of our favorites.

If there is a promo code, military coupon or discount available, RetailMeNot will have it.

With this one app you won’t have to search for a promotion code when purchasing products online or cut coupons at home. Simply type in the name of the business you are shopping at and it will show you the coupons available for it, both in store and online.

There are more than 50,000 retailers and thousands of restaurants with discounts and offers in RetailMeNot. Use the map that shows specials near you or set alerts for your favorite shops to see more deals.

These are our favorite apps for military coupons and discounts.

What apps do you use for military coupons?

3 Things You Need to Know About Military Coupons

by

I often think that grocery store shoppers divide into 2 types of people: those who have a coupon for every single item in their shopping carts and those who shrug their shoulders when asked for their coupons.

When you’re standing in line behind the person who has a coupon for every bottle of shampoo, bag of potato chips and container of baby formula, it is impressive to see their total savings. These commissary shoppers are super organized. They know how to get additional savings using military coupons.

What the rest of us – the ones without the coupons – need to know is that we can all be savvy military coupon users at our commissaries. Here’s how to do it.

3 Things You Need to Know About Military Coupons

Using Military Coupons Has Never Been Easier

Gone are the days when you bought your local Sunday newspaper for the stacks of coupons. Put down your scissors, sister. You won’t be needing that.

Today’s commissary shoppers can find military coupons online with user-friendly websites like coupons.com. Within minutes, you can digitally clip and print military coupons to use during your weekly grocery trip. Here’s what DeCA says about coupons from the internet:

Commissaries gladly accept Internet or home-printed coupons provided they meet the following requirements: the coupons must have a typical barcode and Product Identification Number (PIN) or GS1 DataBar. A Dot Scan Barcode may appear below the expiration date, but is only required if stated on the coupon, e.g., “Do not accept without a Dot Scan Barcode below the expiration date.” Internet coupons cannot be accepted for free products, however, “Buy One Get One Free” coupons are acceptable if they meet all other requirements.

To print these military coupons correctly you may need to download the site’s printer software. Once you do that, you will be ready to print your coupons on a regular basis.

Military coupons are also available through the commissary rewards card. I recommend downloading the commissary rewards card app on your smartphone after you register your card. I use these military coupons like other people use Target’s Cartwheel app.

Near the end of my shopping trip (once my cart is full, but before I’ve gotten in line) I use the free Wi-Fi available at my commissary to open the commissary rewards card app. Then I clip the military coupons for items that I’ve already placed in my shopping cart. When the cashier asks for my military ID card, I also hand her my commissary rewards card.

Commissary rewards cards are free. You can pick one up from your cashier that next time you are at the commissary.

If you really miss the sound of scissors slicing through coupon ads, you can always pick up a military coupons ad section at your commissary. These military coupons can be used only at commissaries. Look for these coupon packets either at your commissary’s front lobby (near the shopping baskets) or ask your bagger for one. My bagger will often slip one in my shopping bag.

You Won’t See Double or Triple Coupons Days at the Commissaries

The commissaries aren’t able to have promotions that increase the value of your military coupons. Here is the reason, according to DeCA’s website:

Commercial stores who offer these types of promotions get paid by the coupon issuer only for the face value of a coupon, and have to absorb the costs of “doubling” or “tripling” coupon face value in their pricing and profit structure.

Because commissaries are required by law to sell goods at prices set only high enough to cover the cost of those goods, commissaries make no profit from which to pay the costs associated with “double” coupon promotions.

Additionally, DeCA cannot use funds provided for the operation of commissaries to support such promotions, because law strictly prescribes the uses of these funds, and “promotional support” is not among the allowable uses of these funds.

Then I read this on DeCA’s military coupon policy webpage:

Commissaries do occasionally offer a different type of “double coupon” promotion than described above. For these promotions, manufacturers or other coupon issuers agree that commissaries may accept more than one coupon on the purchase of an item, and usually supply large numbers of coupons to patrons in the commissary in support of such promotions. These “double coupon” promotions involve doubling the number of coupons accepted on the purchase of an item, but DO NOT involve doubling (or otherwise increasing) the face value of a coupon.

I haven’t seen a double coupon promotion offered at my commissary, so I’m very curious about these promotions. If anyone has seen a double coupon promotion at their commissary, tell us how it worked in the comments section.

You Can Use Military Coupons at OCONUS Commissaries

Military spouses living overseas can redeem military coupons at their commissaries. In fact you can use an expired coupon up to 6 months after its expiration date.

My mom thought that this expired coupon policy was delightful when I was living in Okinawa, Japan. She would send me her expired coupons and I would gladly use them every time I shopped at the commissary.

What questions do you have about military coupons? Tell us in the comments section.

Spend Less This Fourth of July by Shopping at Your Commissary

by

Fourth of July, summer’s halfway point, is only a few weeks away. What are your plans for Independence Day? Are you running a Firecracker 5K? Are you planning to watch the fireworks while sitting on a blanket? Are you hosting an epic Independence Day celebration?

Hosting a fun Fourth of July party? Yeah that’s what I thought.

Military spouses love to organize a patriotic potluck for our nation’s birthday. It could be an afternoon picnic with your closest friends or this national holiday may be the best excuse to plan a neighborhood block party and meet the new families in your on-base neighborhood.

Whatever the reason for your Fourth of July party, now is the time to finalize your menu, create a shopping list and buy the food you need for your get-together.

Hosting a party doesn’t have to break your budget, spend less by purchasing everything you need from your military commissary.

You can combine these savings with coupons from Coupons.com and Commissary Rewards Card. Confused about using digital coupons at your commissary? Check out this post for clarification.

Let’s start with the main dish for your Fourth of July party. Will it be hamburgers or hot dogs?

Ball Park franks are on sale. You can get 2 15-ounce packs for $3 at your commissary this month. Select varieties of Oscar Mayer franks are also on sale. The sale price is $2.79 for those hot dogs. There’s a coupon for $0.55 off when you buy 2 packages of Bar-S franks.

Don’t forget to pick up ketchup, mustard and pickles. Gulden’s Spicy Brown Mustard is on sale for $0.89. Select varieties of Vlasic pickles are on sale at the commissary. The oval hamburger dill chip pickles are only $1.19 for a 16-ounce jar. You can save $0.55 on Claussen pickles with this coupon.

If you’re thinking burgers, but don’t want beef, you can buy turkey burgers instead. The Butterball Everyday Original Seasoned Turkey Burgers are on sale at your commissary. The price is $4.50.  If you like to make your own patties, use this coupon to save $1.50 on the purchase of 2 packages of Jennie-O ground turkey.

You can save $0.55 on Sargento Natural Cheese Slices when you load that coupon on your Commissary Rewards Card. This digital coupon expires on August 15.

Once you make your decision on the main dish, next up are your side dishes. Will it be potato chips or potato salad?

Lay’s Kettle Cooked potato chips are on sale for the entire month of June. The price is $2.39 per bag.

I’m also a big fan of the Lay’s 50-count classic mix snack pack. I buy one of these whenever we are hosting a party with lots of children. With these smaller bags, the kids can pick their favorite chips and I don’t have to buy a variety of larger bags. Lay’s 50-count classic mix pack is on sale for $11.99.

Commissary rewards card members can save $1 on 2 popchip bags with its digital coupon.

Finally, it’s time to make a decision on my favorite part of a Fourth of July party: the desserts!

You will be inspired to create a red, white and blue dessert after you read these recipes submitted by MilitaryShoppers readers. There’s a 4th of July Cake, JELL-O® Easy Patriotic Pie and Patriotic Gelatin Salad. After browsing through these recipes, don’t forget to look for digital coupons to save money on the ingredients.

You can save $0.75 on 2 cans of Dole canned fruit at your commissary with this coupon. Also, Philadelphia Original Cream Cheese is on sale at your commissary. Be sure to stock up since the price is 2 for $5 and we all know that cream cheese makes any dessert delicious.

You can also save money on your Fourth of July party by buying your paper products at your commissary. Save $1 on both Hefty Foam Plates and Hefty Easy Grip Cups. This coupon is available to Commissary Reward Card holders. The coupon expires on August 31.

You can also save $1 on Hefty trash bags with this coupon. It’s always good to have extra trash bags on hand for holiday parties.

Click here to search and save more printable coupons.

10 Commissary Rewards Card Coupons

by

Each of us has our own rules for life. My sister never eats dessert after 8 p.m. My husband will only eat a banana before a 5k race. I have a very predictable routine in the morning that hinges on one simple rule: Don’t talk to me until I’ve had my first cup of coffee.

When it comes to coupons and saving money, I also have a few guiding principles. For example, a coupon must be worth my time to redeem it. I don’t get excited about 25 cents off 1 product coupons. But I’m always finding a way to use a $1 off coupon. That’s my $1 coupon rule.

There are items that I need to buy, but I won’t buy without a coupon. Those items include deodorant, razors refills, shampoo and conditioner, nail polish, hair products, face and body wash. I have learned that these items regularly have coupons available for them and I’m a fool if I buy without a coupon. It’s my plan-to-save-when-I-buy rule. (Confession: This was a tough rule to teach my husband.)

My final rule is never-buy-without-scanning rule for the commissary. Remember how I browse the list of available digital coupons offered through the commissary rewards card each Sunday night. That’s only the first step to savings.

Next, I need to remember to follow my rule of always remembering to hand my cashier my commissary rewards card. Without scanning my commissary rewards card, I can’t save money. You can’t save if you don’t scan.

Here are 10 commissary rewards card coupons every military spouse should clip before shopping at the commissary this month.

1.Save $3 on one 13-pound or larger bag of Purina Beneful Dry Dog Food. It can be any variety. Purina Beneful dog food is also on sale this month at the commissary. Use this commissary rewards card coupon to buy the original Purina Beneful, Healthy Weight or Healthy Puppy dog food.

2. Save $1 on any Mars brands candy. Must purchase 2 bags. Halloween is right around the corner. Save money this Halloween by buying M&M, Snickers, 3 Musketeers, Twix or Milky Way Fun Size for the trick or treaters in your neighborhood.

This is my first Halloween living in base housing. Here’s the math problem currently rolling around in my head: There are 60 kids living in my neighborhood. How much candy should I buy to ensure that I don’t run out of candy on October 31?

The answer? A lot.

3. Save $2 on any OPTI-FREE Solution. Contact solution! Eye drops! Both of those items are included in plan-to-save-when-I-buy rule. Whenever there’s a coupon, I stock up on contact solution so I’m paying full price for something that I use daily.

4. Save $0.75 on  MorningStar Farms Chikn Nuggets. Yes, I know this coupon is for less than $1, but I still added it to my commissary rewards card last night. Have you tried MorningStar Farms’ chicken nuggets? They are delicious. My children love them as much as the chicken nuggets at McDonalds. This commissary rewards coupon requires one purchase of a 8-count or larger package.

5. Save $1 on Newmans Own Frozen Pizza. Like MorningStar Farms’s chicken nuggets, Newmans Own Frozen Pizza is convenient cooking that tastes good. Usually convenience and flavor don’t find themselves together, but when they do, I’m the first mother to buy this product for my family.

6. Save $6 on Venus Razor Blade Refills or Gillette Blade Refill Package. It’s his and her savings, thanks to your commissary rewards card. Last month, you saved money when you bought the razor, this month you save on the refill pack. This commissary rewards coupon only applies to 6-count or larger refills and can’t be applied to trial or travel sizes.

7. Save $1 on Tide PODS, Gain Flings, Downy Fresh Protect, Bounce Bursts, Dreft Blissfuls or Gain Fireworks. Laundry detergent is another item that I wait to stock up on until there’s a sale or I have a coupon. The best combination is when I have both for extra savings.

Want to know the weekly manager’s specials at the commissary? Sign up for MilitaryShoppers newsletter.

8. Save $2 on any 6 Gerber Organic or Gerber Graduates Grabbers Pouches. These baby food pouches are the best invention for parents who need to travel with small children. When we flew from Japan to the United States with our 18-month-old daughter, the Gerber Graduates Grabbers Pouches were a lifesaver. They are easy to open, delicious (according to my toddler) and don’t require a spoon. I love that I don’t need to (and therefore, don’t forget) to pack a spoon and my kid can still feed herself. Now we use them on road trips as our no-more-messes-in-the-car snack.

9. Save $2 on Pampers Easy Ups Training Pants or UnderJams Absorbent Night Wear or Splashers Swim Pants. After diapers, the next step is training pants and just like diapers, they are expensive. Always check your commissary rewards card app before buying Pamper Easy Ups.

10. Save $1 on any 2 packages of Hefty cups. Make clean-up at your next potluck a snap with these convenient cups.

What are your rules for using your commissary rewards card? Share them in the comments section.

10 Commissary Rewards Card Specials

by

As a child, my mom and I had a Sunday ritual. After Sunday dinner, we would sit at the kitchen table together. She would clip coupons from the Sunday newspaper while I discarded the expired ones from her coupon envelope and added in the newest additions.

While recently reflecting on this weekly ritual, I had to chuckle to myself. This routine seems so old-fashioned in today’s high tech e-coupon world. I don’t buy the Sunday newspaper. I don’t clip paper coupons. I don’t have a coupon envelope that I carry in my purse.

Instead I use my commissary rewards card app to conveniently download digital coupons every Sunday night.

With the commissary rewards card, I don’t have to remember to bring my coupons with me, just my card.

I don’t spend time sorting through the paper coupons to find the one I need for each product in the commissary. I simply hand the card to the cashier and the discount is taken at the time of purchase. And best of all, I don’t waste time digging through coupons checking the expiration dates. The commissary rewards card automatically removes the expired ones from My Coupons List.

This Sunday, I logged onto my commissary rewards card account to load digital coupons on to my card for this week. This week, like every week, there are some terrific money-saving coupons available through the commissary rewards card that paired with September’s commissary specials will remind you that the commissary is worth the trip.

10 Commissary Rewards Card Coupons that You Should be Clipping Today

1. Save $0.75 on any 2 Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs. Requires a minimum purchase of 2. Even though the summer barbecue season is over doesn’t mean your family can’t enjoy hot dogs as a quick dinner on Tuesday nights. In my house, hot dogs are a staple for a kid-friendly meal year-round. If you don’t have a commissary rewHow often do you add digital coupons to your commissary rewards card?ards card yet, you can download and print that $0.75 Oscar Mayer Hot Dog coupon here.

2. Save $1.50 on any 3 Classico® Red Sauce Products. Requires a minimum purchase of 3. Speaking of quick and easy dinners that your children will eat without complaining, let’s talk spaghetti. My kids are obsessed with pasta and would it every night, if we let them. Stock up and save on Classico sauce in September.

3. Save $6 on any 1 Nasacort® Allergy 24HR 120 Spray or Larger. Act quick to take advantage of this coupon available through the commissary rewards card. This offer expires September 20.

4. Save $5 on any 2 Gerber® Graduates® Formulas. Requires a minimum purchase of 2. Baby formula along with diapers are the two most expensive items that you buy for your baby. As a mother I would jump for joy when I found a coupon for formula. Then I would use it immediately. If you don’t have a commissary rewards card yet, you can digitally clip a $3 Gerber® Graduates® Formulas coupon here. There’s also a $3 off coupon for Pampers Cruisers or Extra Protection or Baby Dry Diapers.

5. Save $0.50 on any 1 Windex® product. Use this coupon as your motivation to wash your windows and shine your bathroom mirrors.

6. Save $3 on 1 Feline Pine™ Cat Litter. Enough said.

10 Commissary Rewards Card Coupons that You Should be Clipping Today

Use the commissary rewards card app to save even more money at your commissary.

7. Save $3 on 1 Gillette or Venus Razor. Smooth savings for you and your husband.

8. Save $2 on any 2 AVEENO® products. Aveeno is my favorite. I use the baby wash with my daughters. I use the sunscreen. I use AVEENO® Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 on my face every single morning and I can’t live without my AVEENO® Daily Moisturizing Lotion. The same $2 coupon can be digitally clipped here.

9. Save $1 when you buy any 1 Starbucks VIA® item. Instant coffee=instant happiness in my house. If you buy two, don’t forget to clip this e-coupon. You can save $2.25 when you buy 2 Starbucks VIA items.

10. Save $1 on any Glad® Food Protection Item. Through my church I used to deliver meals to new mothers, sick people and people who were recovering from surgery. I never wanted the person receiving my homemade meal to worry about returning my Tupperware to me, so I stock up on Glad food storage containers whenever they are on sale and I have a coupon. Then I can afford to deliver the meal without worrying about if I’ll get the container back.

This list are the coupons that I downloaded onto to my commissary rewards card last Sunday. I’ll log on again next Sunday to check for more coupons.

Want to know about the commissary rewards card? Here’s how and why every commissary shopper should be using a commissary rewards card.

Commissary Rewards Card Helps Military Families Save Money

by

I’m always on the hunt for ways to save money when grocery shopping for my family. The desire to spend less and get a bargain is the reason that I shop at my military commissary.

When I want to shave a little more money off my grocery bill, I use my commissary rewards card. I use it every time I shop at my commissary as a convenient way to save money without the hassle of clipping paper coupons.

What is the Commissary Rewards Card?

Commissary Rewards Card Helps Military Families Save Money

How much money have you saved with your commissary rewards card this year?

The commissary rewards card program has been available in all commissaries since August 2012. Its main purpose is to give commissary patrons a hassle-free way to redeem coupons electronically. It’s an e-coupon program specifically for the commissary and can only be used at the commissary.

If you don’t already have a commissary rewards card, ask your cashier for one the next time you’re buying groceries. Then go online to register it. After creating your account, download the commissary rewards application for iPhone or Android. For busy moms, the free mobile app is key to getting the most out of your commissary rewards card.

Next comes the fun part: loading your coupons on your commissary rewards card.

Once your card is registered, you can log in and digitally clip the coupons easily. I usually start by comparing available e-coupons with my shopping list.

For example, Barilla angel hair pasta is my go-to family-friendly meal on hectic nights. Right now, there’s a coupon to save $1 on any 4 boxes of Barilla pasta. I’ll digitally clip that coupon. Then it’s ready for my next trip to the commissary. When commissary cashier scans my ID card, I also hand her my commissary rewards card. You want the cashier to scan the commissary rewards card before any groceries.

As a discount double check, I use the commissary rewards app on shopping day. Before getting in line, I’ll pull up the app and double check the items in my grocery cart with the current e-coupons. (This is why I’m super excited about DeCA’s plan to improve the Wi-Fi inside their stores.)

Let’s face, I don’t always stick to my grocery list. But by using my commissary rewards card, I don’t feel so guilty about my impulsive purchase of Chex Mix. I saved $0.50 with my commissary rewards card.

Keep in mind that these digital coupons have expiration dates just like paper coupons. If you have an e-coupon on your card and a paper coupon, you can’t use both because it’s against DeCA’s double coupon policy.

The system is set up to accept the commissary rewards card coupon first so if you have a paper coupon that expires earlier and you want to use that one, don’t use your card on that commissary trip. Save it for your next trip.

Or you can buy enough to cover both items. For example if I have a Barilla paper coupon and an e-coupon, I buy 8 boxes of pasta. That’s enough to fulfill the requirements for both coupons.

DeCA said that “new digital coupons are posted two to three times weekly,” so be sure to log in regularly so that you don’t miss any savings. I also recommend subscribing to the commissary rewards card email alert. These emails remind you when new coupons are available.

Curious about your savings with your commissary rewards card? Look at the bottom of your receipt. Your total savings is printed there.

Do you have a commissary rewards card? How much money have you saved with it?