If you’ve ever handed over a coupon at checkout and felt a little thrill seeing the total drop, then you’re going to love coupon stacking. This strategy isn’t just for extreme couponers—it’s one of the smartest ways to save on everyday items. The trick is knowing how to combine the right types of coupons and when to use them.

Learn about simple stacking strategies that can help you save big without needing a binder full of coupons.

What Is Coupon Stacking?

Coupon stacking means using more than one coupon on a single item or transaction. Most often, this means combining a manufacturer coupon with a store coupon. Some retailers also allow digital coupons, loyalty rewards, or cashback offers to be stacked on top of those.

It’s not about cheating the system—it’s about using it to your advantage. As long as you follow each store’s coupon policy, you can walk out with serious savings.

The Two Basic Types of Coupons

Before you stack anything, you need to know the difference between these two main types of coupons:

• Manufacturer Coupons: These are offered by the brand that makes the product (like Tide, Huggies, or Kellogg’s). They can be found on websites like Coupons.com, in newspapers, or printed on receipts.

• Store Coupons: These are issued by the store itself (like Target, Walgreens, or Kroger). You can usually find them on the store’s app, website, or printed at the register.

Most stores allow you to use one manufacturer coupon and one store coupon per item—this is the core of stacking.

Where You Can Stack Coupons

Not every store allows coupon stacking, so it’s good to know where your efforts will pay off. Some of the most coupon-friendly stores include:

• Target – Stack manufacturer coupons with store coupons, Target Circle offers, and gift card promos.

• CVS – Use manufacturer coupons with CVS store coupons and ExtraCare Bucks.

• Walgreens – Combine digital store coupons with manufacturer coupons and register rewards.

• Kroger – Digital coupons can sometimes be stacked with printed manufacturer coupons (check store policy).

• Dollar General – Use store digital coupons along with paper manufacturer coupons during weekly deals.

Each of these stores has its own policy, so it’s smart to read the fine print or check online before shopping.

How to Stack Like a Pro

Here’s how to pull off a successful coupon stack without the stress:

Step 1: Match Your Coupons

Pick an item you need and look for a manufacturer coupon. Then, check if the store offers a coupon for the same product. Apps like Flipp or The Krazy Coupon Lady make it easy to compare deals across stores.

Example:

• Manufacturer coupon: $2 off Tide Pods (31 ct or larger)

• Store coupon (Target app): $3 off select Tide products
  Total savings: $5

Step 2: Combine with Store Promotions

Look for sales, BOGO (buy one, get one) offers, or gift card promos that line up with your coupons. This gives you even more bang for your buck.

Example:

• Buy 2 Tide products, get a $5 Target gift card

• Use stacked coupons on both items

• Plus, get the gift card = triple savings

Step 3: Add Cashback and Rewards

Apps like Ibotta, Fetch, and Rakuten offer cashback or points for the same items you just used coupons on. Scan your receipt or shop through the app to unlock extra value.

Example:

• $1 cashback from Ibotta on Tide Pods

• On top of $5 saved with coupons
  Total savings now: $6 + possible future rewards

Coupon Stacking Dos and Don’ts

✅ DO:

• Read each coupon carefully for limitations

• Check store policies before stacking

• Combine sales, coupons, and cashback for best results

• Use digital tools to keep things organized

❌ DON’T:

• Try to stack two manufacturer coupons on one item

• Use expired coupons or copy printable ones

• Forget to check limits (some stores cap how many identical coupons you can use)

Helpful Tools for Easy Stacking

Here are a few apps and websites that make stacking simple:

• Coupons.com – Get manufacturer coupons in digital or printable form

• [Store Apps (Target, CVS, Walgreens)] – Access store-specific coupons and digital rewards

• Ibotta – Earn cashback on groceries and household items

• Flipp – View weekly ads and match them with available coupons

• The Krazy Coupon Lady – Find stacking guides for hundreds of stores

Real-Life Example of a Stacked Deal

Let’s say you need to stock up on toothpaste:

• Crest Toothpaste on sale: 2 for $6 at CVS

• Use two $1 off Crest manufacturer coupons

• Apply $2 off $5 oral care CVS store coupon

• Earn $2 in ExtraBucks after purchase
  Final cost: $0 after stacking and rewards

The Bottom Line

Coupon stacking isn’t just for extreme bargain hunters—it’s a smart and simple way to stretch your dollars. With just a little planning and a few digital tools, you can stack coupons, cashback offers, and store rewards to save big on the items you already buy. Start small, stay organized, and watch the savings add up.