As a savvy shopper and bargain hunting expert, I know that coupons are one of the best ways to slash your spending and get more bang for your buck. And when it comes to discount retailers, Dollar General is a favorite for finding great deals on everyday essentials, household products, groceries, and more. But the big question is: does Dollar General take coupons? And if so, what‘s the best way to use them to maximize your savings?
In this ultimate guide, I‘ll share everything you need to know about using coupons at Dollar General, including their coupon policies, types of coupons accepted, stacking rules, and insider tips for extreme couponing success. Whether you‘re a DG regular or a newbie to shopping there, this info will help you save big and shop smarter. Let‘s get started!
Does Dollar General Accept Coupons?
First things first: yes, Dollar General does take coupons! In fact, they have a very generous and flexible coupon policy compared to many other retailers. According to the Dollar General Coupon Policy, they accept the following types of coupons:
- Manufacturer coupons from newspapers, magazines, mailings, and packaging
- Dollar General store coupons (paper or digital)
- Checkout coupons printed on your receipt
- Internet coupons that scan at the register
- Coupons loaded to your DG digital account
This wide variety of accepted coupon types gives you a lot of flexibility and options for saving money at Dollar General. However, they do have a few limitations and restrictions to be aware of:
- Coupons must be original and unaltered, not photocopies
- Coupons must be within the valid expiration date
- Coupons cannot be exchanged for cash or gift cards
- Only one manufacturer coupon and one DG store coupon can be used per item
That last point is important for understanding Dollar General‘s coupon stacking policies, which I‘ll cover in more detail below. But essentially, you can stack one manufacturer coupon and one DG store coupon per item, which is how you can really compound your savings.
Dollar General Digital Coupons
One of the easiest ways to save at Dollar General is with digital coupons. These are coupons that you load directly to your Dollar General account via their website or mobile app. Then at checkout, you simply enter your phone number on the keypad and your digital coupons are automatically applied to matching items in your transaction. Easy peasy!
To use DG digital coupons, you‘ll first need to create a free Dollar General account. You can do this on their website or by downloading the DG mobile app for iOS or Android. Once logged in, you can browse all available digital coupons and load the ones you want to your account.
Digital coupons are a great way to save because they require no clipping or organizing of paper coupons. You can easily see what coupons are available and add them to your account in seconds. Plus, digital coupons often have higher values than paper coupons. It‘s not uncommon to find $2, $3, or even $5 off coupons in the DG app!
One thing to note about Dollar General digital coupons is that most are single-use and automatically expire the day after you load them, regardless of the stated expiration date. So you‘ll want to only clip digital coupons for items you plan to buy on your next shopping trip. Also, be sure to scan your DG app or account before you shop to see if any new digital coupons have been added. New offers are released nearly every day.
Stacking Coupons at Dollar General
Now let‘s talk about coupon stacking at Dollar General. Stacking refers to using multiple coupons on a single item, which can dramatically lower the price you pay. The key to successful stacking at DG is understanding their policies and how to combine different types of coupons.
The basic rule for stacking at Dollar General is that you can use one manufacturer coupon and one Dollar General store coupon per item. So if you have a $1 manufacturer coupon and a $1.50 DG digital coupon for the same product, you could stack them together for a total savings of $2.50 on that one item.
Here‘s a real-world example of coupon stacking in action:
Say Crest toothpaste is on sale for $2.50 at Dollar General. You have a $1 manufacturer coupon from the Sunday paper and a $1.25 DG digital coupon loaded to your account. You could stack those together and get the toothpaste for just $0.25!
That‘s a savings of 90% off the sale price, and just 10% of the original cost. Stacking like this is how you can score personal care products, cleaning supplies, groceries and more for mere pennies at Dollar General.
However, it‘s important to understand the limitations on stacking at DG. You cannot stack multiple manufacturer coupons on a single item – the limit is one per item. So if you have two $1 paper manufacturer coupons for Crest, you couldn‘t use both on a single tube of toothpaste. You‘d have to buy two tubes and use one coupon on each.
Similarly, some Dollar General store coupons may have language prohibiting them from being combined with other offers or coupons. Always check the fine print before attempting to stack. If a DG coupon says "cannot be combined with other coupons" then that means it can‘t even be stacked with a manufacturer coupon.
Coupon Overages
One unique aspect of Dollar General‘s coupon policy is that they allow coupon overages. An overage occurs when the value of your coupon exceeds the price of the item you‘re buying. Some stores will adjust down the value of the coupon to avoid giving overage, but not Dollar General.
If you use a $5 coupon on an item that costs $4, DG will apply the full $5 value, giving you a $1 overage. That extra dollar can be applied to the other items in your transaction, reducing your subtotal. If your total coupon value exceeds the price of everything you‘re buying, DG will give you the difference back in cash or on a merchandise credit.
Overages can help you maximize your savings and even get some items for free. For example, if you have a $2 coupon for an item on clearance for $1, that extra dollar overage can be used toward your other purchases. Or if you have enough overage, you could potentially get your entire transaction for free!
However, it‘s important not to abuse overages or try to commit coupon fraud. Dollar General reserves the right to refuse any coupons at their discretion, especially if they suspect misuse. Always follow the terms and conditions stated on the coupon and on DG‘s coupon policy.
Getting the Most Out of Dollar General Coupons
To really maximize your savings at Dollar General, you need to be strategic about how you use coupons. Here are some tips and tricks for getting the most bang for your buck:
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Combine sale prices with coupons: The best way to save at DG is to stack a manufacturer coupon and a store coupon on an item that‘s already on sale. This is the trifecta of savings!
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Use dollar-off coupons on low-priced items: For example, use a $5 off coupon on an item that‘s around $5 or $6 to really lower the out-of-pocket cost.
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Load digital coupons before shopping: Always check the DG app or website for new digital coupons before you shop, and clip any that you might use. That way you won‘t miss out on any high-value offers.
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Print coupons from coupons.com: Dollar General accepts internet coupons as long as they scan at the register. Check sites like Coupons.com for printable manufacturer coupons to stack with DG store coupons.
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Look for clearance deals: DG marks down products to clearance prices often, especially seasonal items. Pair a coupon with an already low clearance price for the ultimate savings.
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Take advantage of overage: If you have a high-value coupon for an inexpensive item, the overage can be applied to other things you‘re buying. This can help you maximize the value of your coupons.
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Use rainchecks: If a sale item is out of stock, you can request a raincheck from customer service. This allows you to get the sale price later when the item is restocked, and you can still use coupons on top of the sale price.
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Buy in multiples: If you have multiple coupons for an item, buy enough to use them all (as long as you can afford to and will use the products). This is a great way to stock up on nonperishable items you use often.
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Follow coupon matchup sites: There are several coupon bloggers and websites that post the best Dollar General deals and coupon matchups each week. Following these can help you plan your shopping trip and find the hottest deals.
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Know the coupon policy: Familiarize yourself with DG‘s coupon policy so you know what‘s allowed and what‘s not. This will help you avoid any issues at checkout and ensure your coupons are applied correctly.
Insider Tips for Serious DG Couponers
In addition to the tips above, here are a few insider secrets that extreme couponers use to save big at Dollar General:
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Shop on Saturdays for $5 off $25 coupons. Every Saturday, DG releases a digital or paper coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase. This is one of the best ways to save, especially if you combine it with other coupons. Just make sure your transaction subtotal is over $25 before coupons.
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Look for penny items. A few times a year, Dollar General marks down certain clearance items to just one penny. These are usually seasonal products that they need to clear out quickly. If you can find penny items, you can use a coupon to create an overage and get them for free!
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Use multiple accounts. Some savvy DG shoppers create multiple accounts using different phone numbers in order to redeem more digital coupons. This takes some organization and you have to be careful not to violate the coupon policy, but it can be a way to get more savings.
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Check the clearance section regularly. Dollar General marks down products to clearance prices often, and the selection changes all the time. Checking clearance frequently can help you find deeply discounted items to pair with coupons.
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Organize your coupons. Having a good system for organizing your paper and digital coupons is key to successful couponing at DG. Some people use physical binders with clear sleeves, while others prefer a digital approach using apps and spreadsheets. Find what works for you and stick to it.
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Don‘t be afraid to ask for help. If you‘re new to couponing or have questions about a specific coupon or deal, don‘t hesitate to ask the cashier or manager for assistance. Most DG employees are happy to help you navigate the coupon policy and ensure you get the savings you deserve.
The Bottom Line
Couponing at Dollar General can be a great way to save money on everyday essentials, groceries, household goods, and more. By understanding their coupon policy, stacking strategies, and insider tips, you can maximize your savings and get the best possible deals.
Remember to always read the fine print on coupons, follow the store‘s policies, and be respectful when redeeming coupons. With a little bit of practice and organization, you‘ll be a DG couponing pro in no time!
Happy savings!
