Beginner's Guide to Checkout 51

One of the ways that couponers max out their savings at the grocery stores is by using all the available savings tools. One of those tools -- Checkout 51 -- will actually put real money back into your pocket. That money can then be used toward anything that you want, including your next grocery shopping trip.

What is Checkout 51?

Checkout 51 offers members the opportunity to earn cash back when they buy select products at their local grocery stores.

How it Works

Visit Checkout51 and browse the list of grocery items posted and select which items you are interested in buying.

The list is updated each Thursday and 12 a.m. and the items on the list qualify for cash back until the following Wednesday at 11:59 p.m.

Between Thursday and Wednesday, go to your local grocery store and buy the items that are on the list that you wanted. Then upload photos of your receipt, during the same week that the offers are listed, and it will be processed and the savings amount placed into your Checkout51 account.

An example of items included in the offers:

• AVEENO Baby Care products Any variety. $2.00 Cash Back.
• One gallon of milk Any brand. Excludes flavored and non-dairy varieties. $0.50 Cash Back.
• Pledge Any variety. Excludes Pledge® Multi Surface Antibacterial Everyday Cleaner.
• $1.00 Cash Back.

If I purchased the three items, $3.50 would be placed into my account. When the account reaches $20, I can request to receive my cash back.

How to Join

Joining Checkout51.com is simple. You provide your email address or sign up for your Facebook account.

You can then download an iOS app from Apple's App Sore, or the Android app from the Google Play Store, or use the service through your computer. The membership and apps are free.

Participating Stores

You can shop at any grocery store, drugstore, superstore, warehouse club and select online stores.

Using Coupons

Yes, you can stack your savings by using coupons or other discounts, unless otherwise noted by the Checkout51 item.

Buying the Right Items

It is important to make sure that you purchase the exact item, which can be done by comparing the product with the offer details. You will only get the cash back for exact items, including size and flavor.

Multiple Items

You can claim each offer one time, although you can have multiple offers. Using the example above, I can claim one of each product, one time.

Getting the Cash Back

Once your account balance reaches $20, you become eligible to exchange your Cash Back for an equivalent amount of money.

You can request your cash by clicking on the Cash Out button found on your Account page.

You can also elect to cash out on the email that you receive from Checkout51 verifying that your receipt has been processed or that new offers are available.

You will then receive a check from Checkout 51 generally within two to three weeks.

The Pros of Checkout 51

Although Checkout 51 is a mobile app, you can use the program and get your saving via your computer instead of your phone if you prefer.

The program is not store-specific.

You can couple the savings you get by using coupons, including stores that allow you to use a store and match up manufacturer's coupon on a single item.

The Drawbacks of Checkout 51

The individual offers are available in limited quantities, which means by the time you head to the grocery store, the offer might no longer be listed.