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Home » Budgeting

15 Walmart Shopping Secrets Every Busy Mom Should Know

Brittany Kline | Updated June 4, 2025 Budgeting

Have you ever popped into Walmart for “just a few things” and somehow left with a full cart and a $127 receipt (with no idea how it happened)... welcome to the club.
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Walmart can definitely be a money-saver, but only if you know how to shop it right. Over the years, I’ve picked up some sneaky little tricks that help me stretch our grocery budget, grab the best markdowns, and even find secret clearance that most people walk right past.

Whether you’re a Walmart pro or just starting to shop smarter, these 15 insider tips will help you save more, stress less, and shop like a total boss. 🙌

Before we dive in…

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1. Look for Price Tags Ending in “.01”

Savings

If you see a yellow clearance tag with a price ending in .01 — grab it! That’s the final markdown. It means the item is being cleared out and likely won’t be restocked. You’re getting rock-bottom pricing.

2. Scan Everything with the Walmart App

Okay, this is a big one. I always use the Walmart app while I shop to scan clearance items. Sometimes they ring up cheaper than what’s marked on the shelf. I’ve found items for $1 that were still tagged at $7. Total win.

3. Wednesdays = Clearance Day

Wednesdays are known as markdown day at many Walmart stores. That’s when employees update clearance sections and restock shelves — especially in produce, bakery, and frozen foods. It’s the best time to swoop in for fresh finds and discounts.

4. Bakery Items Go on Sale After 7PM

If you’ve got a sweet tooth or need snacks for school lunches, hit the bakery section in the evening. Many stores mark down donuts, bread, cookies, and cakes after 7PM to clear out inventory before closing.

5. Price Match with Walmart.com

Suave brand shampoo and conditioner bottles on a shelf at Walma

Did you know you can ask for a price match if an item is cheaper on Walmart’s website? Just pull it up on your phone and show it to the cashier before checking out. This works best for in-store items that are also sold online.

6. Know Your Clearance Sticker Colors

Yellow tags are clearance — but white tags with red text mean Rollback prices (temporary deals). Clearance is final, but Rollbacks might go back up. Grab it while you can if it’s something you use often!

7. Shop Early for Holiday Clearance

The day after a holiday, get there early! Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter — Walmart deeply discounts all seasonal items right away. I’ve stocked up on holiday décor, baking supplies, and even stocking stuffers for next year.

8. Use Ibotta + Fetch for Cashback

Ibotta and Fetch apps are amazing for stacking even more savings. You just snap a pic of your Walmart receipt and earn cashback or points toward gift cards. I’ve saved hundreds this way — no joke.

9. The Great Value Brand Is Actually Great

Walmart supercenter store Skippy peanut butter and prices

Walmart’s store brand is seriously underrated. From pantry staples to cleaning supplies, we use tons of Great Value items, and I barely notice a difference (except in the price — hello, savings!).

10. Don’t Skip the Endcaps

The ends of each aisle are where you’ll find featured sales and markdowns. But here’s the trick: not all endcaps face the main walkway — peek around the corners and side aisles too.

11. Use Walmart Grocery Pickup to Stay on Budget

Walmart Pickup

When I really want to stick to our grocery budget, I order online for pickup. No impulse snacks. No wandering the aisles. I can see the total as I go and make swaps if needed. It’s a game-changer.

12. Watch for Yellow Tags in the Meat Section

Meat that’s close to the sell-by date is often marked down with yellow stickers — and it’s perfectly fine to freeze and use later! I’ve scored packs of chicken and ground beef for half off.

13. Check for Online-Only Clearance Before You Go

Walmart’s online store has a whole clearance section that often beats in-store pricing. Before making a big purchase, I always search “[item] Walmart clearance” just to double check.

14. Use a Cash-Back Credit Card (Responsibly!)

Shopper

If you’re already budgeting and paying things off monthly, using a cashback credit card can give you an extra 1-5% back on purchases. Just be sure to pay it off so you don’t lose savings to interest!

15. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for a Manager Discount

If you find a damaged item (think dented box, missing packaging, or a small rip), kindly ask a manager if they can offer a discount. They often will — especially on clearance items!

Want to Make Meal Planning Even Easier?

If you’re grabbing groceries at Walmart anyway… why not pair it with a system that takes the guesswork out of dinner?

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Click here to grab it for free!

It’s the same system I use every week — and it’s helped thousands of other moms save time, money, and energy.

Free Meal Plan System
Tired of Last-Minute Dinner Stress?
Tired of Last-Minute Dinner Stress?

Plan a Week of Dinners in Minutes — Without Overspending or Overthinking It.

Join over 50,000 other savvy moms who’ve simplified dinner time!

✅ Done-for-you templates & shopping lists

✅ Budget-friendly and picky-eater approved

Download My Free Plan Now

Final Thoughts

Walmart can definitely be your budget’s best friend — as long as you know where to look. These little tricks have helped me save hundreds over the years, and now they’re yours too. 🙌

Got a Walmart hack I missed? Drop it in the comments below — I’d love to hear it!

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About Brittany Kline

Hi, I’m Brittany Kline—a mom, home systems expert, and culinary enthusiast passionate about helping busy families simplify life—starting in the kitchen. With a master’s degree in education and years of experience creating streamlined home solutions, I specialize in practical meal planning, effortless home organization, and family-friendly recipes that make life easier (and tastier) for moms everywhere.

As a former educator turned household management pro, I understand the daily chaos that comes with raising a family. That’s why I’ve dedicated my work to helping moms take control of meal planning, grocery shopping, and kitchen routines—so they can spend less time stressing and more time enjoying family meals.

My recipes and meal-planning strategies have been featured in leading publications such as Forbes, TIME, USA Today, and Business Insider, among many others. Whether you’re looking for quick weeknight dinners or tips to make meal prep stress-free, I’m here to help you turn chaos into calm. Click here to read all of my posts.

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