Today, most of my shopping is done online. It’s easy, stress-free, and all the items are shipped right to my door. What if I told you that you could not only save some money but make some extra money to make your dollars stretch this holiday season? I’ve been using rewards and cashback apps since 2017 to help maximize my dollars and optimize my everyday spending.
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Before cashback apps were a thing, you could find me at your nearest grocery store every Sunday purchasing a newspaper or two. If you didn’t know, Sunday newspapers are packed with coupons, and I would come home, grab my scissors, and clip away. Using coupons, combined with store sales, helped me save so much money. But, clipping coupons requires so much time and extra money spent. Therefore, I set out to find a way to help me still save on everyday purchases.
That’s when I discovered cashback and rewards apps. I could still save money just by having my cell phone in tow. I can earn cash or rewards just by logging in through an app to make specific purchases or by scanning a receipt after leaving the grocery store. I was so surprised at how quickly the money earned just by using these apps added up over time.
Let’s look at my favorite cashback and rewards apps that I think everyone should use.
The Top 4 Cashback Apps Everyone Should Use
If you’d just like to see the cashback and rewards apps, here’s what I recommend. I use these daily and you should too. To learn more about each app and why I recommend them, make sure to read the entire post.
Rakuten
Rakuten is the first cashback app I ever used. You can use it as an app on your phone or you can add the Google Chrome extension to your web browser. Once your account is set up, you’ll begin earning cashback on almost every purchase you make online. Right now, some retailers are offering up to 10% cashback on top of holiday deals. Talk about savings!
I love having the Rakuten Google Chrome extension on my computer because even when I’m browsing online, I will be notified to activate the extension if I’m on a website that earns cash back before continuing to make a purchase.
Rakuten pays out quarterly and you can choose to have the funds deposited in your PayPal account or they will send you a check in the mail. I’ve earned hundreds of dollars just by shopping through Rakuten to make purchases I planned to make anyway. If you plan to do any inkling of online shopping this holiday season, stop what you’re doing and set up Rakuten now. It only takes a few seconds.
If you sign up with my link, Rakuten will give you a $30 welcome bonus once you make a qualifying purchase of $30 or more.
That’s like getting an item for free and who doesn’t love free stuff?
iBotta
Use iBotta to get instant cashback on your everyday purchases. This user-friendly app is available for both iOS and Android. Download the app today to unlock the rebates. What I love about this app is that in addition to earning cashback on purchases, you can also unlock bonuses just by redeeming more than one reward. Like Rakuten, you can even earn cashback both in-store and online.
To get started, browse the app and look for products that are on your shopping list to unlock. With the receipt in hand, snap a photo, and upload it to the app. You may need to also scan the product barcode to verify your purchase. Within 48 hours, your cash will appear in your account. Once you’ve earned $20, you can cash out or redeem your points for a gift card.
According to iBotta, the average user earns $30 a month. That’s $30 you can add back to your holiday shopping budget or go towards any of your financial goals.
Swagbucks
Swagbucks is another app you need in your life. From watching videos to taking short surveys, you can earn points for gift cards just by doing the routine activities you’d be doing online anyway. You can even earn points by providing your feedback to certain retailers that match your lifestyle and spending habits. Be sure to sign up for a Swagbucks survey profile so that you can unlock additional surveys, bonuses, and even more ways to reap rewards.
Fetch Rewards
By using Fetch Rewards, you can earn rewards just by scanning your grocery receipts. Just snap a picture of your receipt and points will be added to your account. Once you hit 3,000 points, you can redeem your points for gift cards at a wide array of national retailers such as Amazon, Target, Dunkin and so much more.
Unlike iBotta, no action is required before you make a purchase. You don’t have to select specific products or indicate that you’re going to make a purchase. You also don’t have to scan any product barcodes for verification. Just snap a photo of your receipt and points will be added to your account instantly.
If you like saving money easily, give Fetch Rewards a try. It’s super easy and fun to use.
Sign up with my link and 2,000 points (equivalent to $2) will be added to your account once you scan your first receipt.
Wrap Up
There are a lot of cashback and rewards apps on the market today to help consumers earn money on items planned to purchase anyway. You won’t become a millionaire by using these apps, but they are a great way to help you save a bit of money, not only during this holiday season but daily. It’ll take you a few minutes to set them all up, but once setup is complete, you’ll be on your way to saving even more money on your everyday spending.
Don’t make your next purchase without using one of the cashback apps mentioned above to help you earn cashback and get rewarded.
What are you waiting for? Download them today!
