Your loyalty will be rewarded by many retailers. Here’s how.

For the past seven years, I have given you advice on how to save money from freebies, loyalty rewards, cheap family activities and more.

I will give you the background on how the column started: I learned from my mother how to use coupons and other savings methods before the internet came into play. But then the internet bumped up my savings, allowing me to get free shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes and lots more. I always told people how to go about getting these savings, but they reacted by telling me they didn’t have time or it just wasn’t worth it. Next thing we knew, the economy went bad, and people wanted to learn how to do what I was doing. I went to the paper with a column I had written, then they wanted to meet me. They loved the idea, and that started a weekly column.

Now we have many sources of savings information: bloggers, websites and TV shows, making my column not as unique anymore. This is the first of my last two columns, in which I will recap savings tips and favorite deals that I hope you will try. Remember that I learned from my mother how to save, and I then taught my sons and husband, but also many people in the area. Make your financial success a part of a family tradition.

Loyalty cards

Kroger. If you shop at Kroger, get yourself a loyalty card at customer service. Next get the app on your smartphone or go online register your card to start getting your coupons and freebies. You cannot use paper coupons with electronic coupons, but remember, you can load coupons while you are in the store shopping that will come off your order when you are checking out. If you don’t do coupons, at least load the Friday Freebie coupon (a free product every Friday). This doesn’t mean you have to buy it on Friday. You just load the coupon on Friday, and you have two weeks to get your freebie. Don’t forget about Kroger’s 25 Merry Days Big Savings. Text MERRY to 99894.

CVS. The Extracare Card gives you savings plus extracare bucks that you can use on your next shopping trip. When you walk into CVS, scan your extracare card at the red kiosk, usually at the front of the store to receive CVS coupons that can be stacked with paper coupons. Through Dec. 16, CVS is offering an $8 extrabuck reward when you spend $15 on CoverGirl cosmetics (limit 1). Even better, if you haven’t already, print the $3-for two CoverGirl products coupon at Coupons.com. This week, when you scan your extracare card at the red kiosk, you will receive an instant coupon for $5 off Revlon cosmetics. Match that with the offer to spend $12 on any Revlon cosmetics and receive $4 in extracare bucks to make it a total of $9 extracare back when you have a $12 Revlon purchase.

If you got the Dec. 10 paper, grab the $4 Physician Formula coupon in the Smart Source to match with the deal to spend $15 on Physician Formula products receive $10 in extracare bucks. If you’re nervous about having too many extracare bucks to use, CVS lets you do multiple transactions to use your bucks.

First transaction: Buy two Physicians Formula concealer sticks for $7.49 each, totaling $14.98. Use two $4 Physician Formula coupons from the Dec. 10 paper. Pay $6.98 and get back $10 extracare bucks.

Second transaction: Buy two CoverGirl Clean Pressed powder for $7.99 each for a total of $15.98. Use your $10 extracare bucks from the previous transaction to make it $5.98, plus receive $8 extracare bucks.

Third transaction: Buy two Revlon Nail Enamel Transform FX for $6.29 each to total $12.58. Use the $5 off Revlon Cosmetics instant coupon. Buy Trolli Candy for $2. Use $8 extracare bucks from the previous transaction making a total of $1.58, plus receive $2 in extracare bucks for Trolli purchase along with $4 extracare bucks for the Revlon purchase.

For seven items, you paid less than $15.00, plus you still have $6 in extracare bucks. You can do these transactions back to back at the register, but please be courteous to other patrons in line.

Target. Download the app for Target on your smartphone. You will be able to download coupons plus be able to download Cartwheel coupons to your phone. Cartwheel is when you are able to get discounts on certain products. For example, this week until Saturday, you can get 50 percent off Nabisco snacks eight-ounce varieties with Cartwheel making the final cost just $1.09. Don’t forget to get extra savings with coupons you want to stack to get all the savings. If you have manufacturer coupons, you can use that with Cartwheel for double the savings. Just show your phone when you checkout for the cashier to scan all your savings.

Walgreens. Ask the cashier at Walgreens for a Balance Rewards card. Register your card online plus download the app for savings. This week, you can clip a $1 Purex liquid laundry detergent coupon along with the sale price of $1.99, making the final price just 99 cents.

Rite Aid. Sign up for the Plenti card, which you can get from the cashier. The benefit of this card is you can also get points for using your card not just at Rite Aid but at Macy’s and at Exxon and Mobil gas stations. You can earn points for shopping at other places and use your points at Rite Aid. This week, earn 200 Plenti points ($2 reward) when you buy two Carefree, Playtex, Stayfree or O.B. products. Even sweeter, these products also on sale for buy one, get one 50 percent off. A great deal is to buy two Carefree Pantiliners for $1.79 each for $2.69 and receive 200 Plenti points, making the final cost after points just 35 cents each.

Office Depot/Office Max. Go online to sign up for a reward account, because this week is a great deal. Everyone needs batteries for Christmas. Go and pick up a 16 pack Duracell Coppertop AAA or AA batteries for $14.99 and receive $14.98 in rewards.

So my final piece of wisdom on loyalty cards is, sign up for all of them. Restaurants offer deals for signing up for their loyalty clubs. Same with auto stores, pet stores, etc. So don’t think “I will never come back here,” because I will guarantee you will receive special deals from the stores or restaurants that could even be a freebie, so don’t miss out, plus always put your birthday in for that special birthday freebie.

Check out Kroger at 1808 Alexandria Drive for free pictures with Santa, 4 to 7 p.m. Dec 17.

This story was originally published December 13, 2017 at 12:42 PM with the headline "Your loyalty will be rewarded by many retailers. Here’s how.."