5 Moves Every Walmart Shopper Needs to Make This Summer
Written by
Laura Bogart
Edited by
Nick Friedman
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You’re no stranger to the aisles of Walmart every time of year, but the summer months are peak shopping season. There are the pool parties that need, well, a little bit of everything. Plus, all the toiletries, extra socks and other items you’ll need in your carry-on for that summer vacation.
Summer comes with a lot of shopping needs, and at least you have a go-to spot for great deals.
But do you know how you can get the very best value? Shopping doesn’t seem like a way to actually put money back in your pocket, but if you hit the aisles with a clear strategy in mind, you can save quite a lot and even earn some money back. Try these smart moves:
1. Get $98 to Spend at Walmart — Just For Doing Your Normal Shopping
When you shop smart, you can make your money work for you. At least, if you’re using the Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Card, that is.
Opening a Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Card today can put money back in your wallet for that Walmart+ membership you’ve been thinking about. For a limited time, you can get a one-time $98 credit statementwhen you pay $49 or more for your annual Walmart+ membership1.
Plus, every time you swipe or tap your NFCU More Rewards card, you’ll accumulate points — three points for every dollar you spend at the grocery store, as well as restaurants, food delivery, gas, and transit. Other purchases, like many of the summer purchases you make at Walmart, can help you earn one point for every dollar you spend2.
Even better? If you spend $2,000 within 90 days of opening your account, that translates to 20,000 bonus points, or a $200 value3. Apply now to start saving.
2. Track Rollbacks and Summer Clearance Items
As a seasoned shopper, you know that scouring the storefronts isn’t enough to find the best deals — you also need to watch the website and app like a hawk. And mid-summer is one of the prime times for deal-watchers.
In the rush to get things out before fall, stores like Walmart often offer special markdowns and deep discounts on things you’ll need now, next summer, or any time in-between. Mid-July and late August could be the best times to strike.
3. Use the App Effectively
Not only can you browse the Walmart app to see if that swing set you want is available at your local store, you can also check other stores to see if it’s on sale or “hidden clearance.”
Some items even come with “online only” or “app exclusive” lower prices, so it could be better to shop online before you set foot in a store (even if you’re craving the air conditioning).
One of the savviest ways to use the app is to create your own personal shopping list of saved items. While you go about your day, you can receive notifications for price drops, or stock updates, which could prove especially helpful for those back-to-school laptops or seasonal items that tend to wobble in price before summer’s end.
4. Have a Road Map for Cutting Costs on That Road Trip
For many families, the road trip is a staple of any summertime time off (even if it comes with the requisite chorus of “are we there yet?”).
While you won’t be able to answer that question to your kiddoes’ liking, you can find a lot of what you need to prepare your car for a longer trek at Walmart.
Purchasing items like motor oil, wiper fluid, and the all-important tire pressure gauge are essential to keeping you on the road and out of debt due to a major malfunction. Making the Walmart Auto Care Center your first pit stop for an oil change or battery check can also save you a lot of heartache and repair costs.
And if you’re looking to save money on gas (and who isn’t?), your Walmart+ membership can also get you discounts at certain gas stations.
5. Get Multipacks of Travel-Sized Items
Everyone who has ever traveled with a group knows this pain: Just as you’re all getting ready to board your flight, someone remembers they don’t have shampoo or toothpaste. They’re either going to have to get it at the airport shop or the hotel, and either way, it’s going to cost a pretty penny.
Avoid this kind of mess by purchasing common travel-sized items in bulk. Getting a three or five pack can bring the price per item down overall, making it a perfect way to save money on a group trip.
And even if you’re flying solo, you’ll still have plenty of items left over for road trips in the future, alleviating your need to buy more.
Bottom Line
Savvy shoppers know that planning ahead and taking advantage of all Walmart has to offer will help them save money this summer — and even earn a little extra.
Want to earn an extra $98 to spend at Walmart this summer? Click here to apply for the Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Card.
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The Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Card is issued and administered by Navy Federal Credit Union. American Express is a federally registered service mark of American Express and is used by the issuer pursuant to a license.
1 One-time statement credit of $98 when you pay $49 or more for an annual Walmart+ membership. Excludes monthly Walmart+ membership. Annual Walmart+ membership must be purchased within 1 year from More Rewards American Express® Card account opening date to receive the one-time statement credit. Please allow up to 30 days after the annual Walmart+ membership fee posts to your account for the $98 credit to post. Your annual Walmart+ membership will auto-renew annually following enrollment, and your credit or debit card on file will be charged for an additional term at the fee(s) in effect at the time. You may cancel your annual Walmart+ membership by calling Walmart Customer Care at 800-924-9206 or through your Walmart Account. Walmart is a registered trademark of Walmart Apollo, LLC.
2 Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Cards earn 3 points for every $1 of eligible purchases made for gas, transit, restaurants, food delivery, and supermarkets, and 1 point for every $1 of other eligible purchases. Eligible purchases are purchases for goods and services, minus returns and other credits. Eligible purchases do not include fees, interest charges, balance transfers, gambling, convenience checks, cash advances, or other cash-equivalents (e.g., money orders, gift cards, prepaid cards). Merchants are assigned codes by payment networks based on what they primarily sell. We rely on this information to identify gas, transit, restaurant, food delivery, and supermarket purchases. If the purchase is not identified as a gas, transit, restaurant, food delivery, or supermarket purchase, it will not receive additional points. For example, purchases for transit that are identified as railway, ferries/water trip, taxi, limousines, bus lines, charters, tour buses, tolls, road/bridge fees, and parking/lots will receive 3 points for every $1 spent. However, purchases at restaurants located within another establishment (e.g., hotel, casino, commissary, grocery store, event venue), and purchases for gas at superstores, supermarkets, and warehouse clubs, may earn 1 point per $1 spent because they typically are not assigned codes identifying them as restaurant or gas purchases. For more information, view the More Rewards American Express® Card Program Description.
3 Offer valid for cardholders issued new Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® credit card accounts. To be eligible for the 20000 points offer, you must make $2000 or more in eligible purchases within 90 days of account opening. Eligible purchases are purchases for goods and services, minus returns and other credits. Eligible purchases do not include fees, interest charges, balance transfers, gambling, convenience checks, cash advances, or other cash-equivalents (e.g., money orders, gift cards, prepaid cards). Please allow up to 8 weeks after the 90-day period for the 20000 points to post to your rewards balance. Account must be open and not in default at the time the 20000 points are scheduled to post to your rewards balance. Limit of one promotional offer at account opening. Offer valid for accounts applied for between 04/01/2025 and 01/01/2026.
