13 Reliable Walmart Shopping Hacks That Save You More Than an App

There are few things everybody agrees on, but not wanting 38 apps cluttering your phone just to buy basic necessities makes the cut. If you refuse to deal with the hassle of going through apps just to get some savings, there are still ways to save at Walmart and stop wasting money.

Learn the best ways to save money on your purchases at Walmart without downloading a thing.

Walmart no longer offers store-wide price matching, but some locations will still match Walmart.com prices if an in-store item is more expensive. If you want a price match for out of store prices, you can still ask a manager. Just know it's no longer guaranteed and varies by location.

Did you know every department in Walmart has a clearance section? Start your shopping there to score the biggest savings. Prices ending in .97 or .00 indicate the item is clearance and won't be marked down again. Many of these deals never make it into the app, so shopping in person can still be worth it.

"Rollbacks" are Walmart's temporary discounts that last longer than flash sales but aren't heavily advertised online. These price cuts can be store-specific, so you'll have to check in person to score the deal.

Websites like Dealhack offer the latest Walmart coupon codes, and these can be stacked with manufacturer coupons to maximize your best savings. The trick is checking the fine print to make sure the coupons can be combined with other offers.

Third-party websites sometimes sell Walmart gift cards at a discount, which means those savings can get passed on to you. Just make sure you're purchasing from a reputable retailer, as gift card scams are also very prevalent.

Walmart sometimes offers a military or student discount, so it's worth asking and shaving a few bucks of your total. Senior citizens may also be able to take advantage of AARP discounts.

It never hurts to find a manager and ask before you shop.

The Walmart MoneyCard is a prepaid reloadable card that scores cardholders additional savings through cash-back rewards on Walmart purchases. These savings can apply to online purchases and gas at fuel stations in addition to in-store shopping.

Wedding registries and baby registries signify big events, and Walmart can add special perks for registrants. Discounts, free samples and exclusive offers are available for those getting hitched or preparing to welcome a new bundle of joy into the world.

Didn't get everything on your list? Walmart will give a one-time discount on remaining registry items, so be sure to add everything you think you might want.

Time is money, and you can save both by using the Pick Up Today feature, which allows customers to order online and then pick up the order without having to peruse the store. After you select this option at checkout, you'll get a notification when your order is ready and you just drive over and pick it up instead of having to physically go into a store where you'd likely be tempted to add more things you didn't plan on buying.

Dig through that box of retired electronics and see if they can put some cash back in your wallet, or more precisely, a gift card in your email. Old cell phones, tablets, gaming consoles, voice speakers, laptops, and smartwatches can all be traded in to Walmart in exchange for an electronic gift card.

Check the Walmart website to see what your old devices are worth. Some locations even have in-store evaluations available.

Most Walmarts restock overnight, so shopping early in the morning means you're more likely to get the best deals and sales before anything sells out. It's also a great way to avoid crowds, as there tends to be more shoppers out later in the day.

Many Walmart locations have steeply discounted items tucked away in the returns section of the customer service area. This is often overlooked by most shoppers, and could score you a hidden steal of a deal.

Walmart has sales every week, including Flash Deals that offer the biggest discounts but only for a limited time. Keep an eye on what's on sale each week and shop on the first day to make sure you get the absolute best pricing possible.

Once the sale items are gone, they may not return so it's worth maximizing your opportunity on day one of any sale.

Many stores emphasize downloading their app as the best way to get savings, but many customers don't want an app for every single store they frequent. These apps often contain clauses in the fine print that utilize private data collection, sharing, and resale in a way that doesn't benefit the customer's bottom line experience.

Shoppers can learn to make the right moves to save money—even without downloading any apps. And if you're shopping in a store, don't be afraid to ask an employee where the clearance sections are.