Money Saving Apps and Programs

Here is a summary of the apps and programs I use to get cash back on my purchases I am already making. Please click on each programs name to either be taken to my blog post about that program for a more in depth look or the websites page.

Swagbucks: Earn points towards gift cards or merchandise by searching the web, shopping online, taking surveys, etc.

Ebates: Cash back program for online shopping at select retailers. Cash out with Paypal

iBotta: Smart phone app that gives you a cash rebate for purchasing select products at select locations. Cash out with PayPal or gift cards

Checkout 51: Cash back rebates for select items purchased at any grocery store. Cash out with PayPal. Smartphone not required, but does have an app for easy use.

Shopkick: Earn rewards for walking into stores, scanning select items, completing tasks. Also has frequent discounts at select retailers. Cash out with gift cards. 

Target's Cartwheel: Mobile app (accessible by internet) that gives discounts on select items at Target. Can be stacked with other coupons for more savings in store. Simply have the cashier scan your smartphone at checkout for instant discounts.

Plink!

Plink is a program where you link your debit or credit card to your account and anytime you shop at a store in your wallet (can be changed as frequently as needed), you receive Plink Points. 1000 Plink Points is equal to $10 in gift cards. Once your card is linked at your offers are in your wallet, there is nothing more for you to do!

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Retailers as of 8/8/14

Rewards include gift cards to several different retailers such as Amazon, Kohls, Walmart, Overstock, iTunes, Barns & Noble, and other retailers. 

My Plink Point history. (Plink used to be affiliated and integrated with Swagbucks so I have earned WAY more gift cards than is shown here.)

iBotta Step by Step

I love iBotta! I have earned over $200 back from my groceries! Here is a step by step guide (as of the latest update!) You can combine iBotta offers with coupons and sales! I have earned free cereal and other foods and even got $10 back on my new TV! The offers change and "sell out," so best redeem them once you get home!

Home screen.

Select offers from the top menu. Select grocery.

I selected Wal-Mart, but 90% of the time, I shop Winco.

Select your offer. I chose the Plum Organics.

Do the activities required to earn the bonuses. 

It may ask you to do several different things: take a poll, learn a fact, post to Twitter, etc.

At the bottom, select the pink "Redeem" check mark.

It will prompt you to verify items.

Select item to verify. 

Scan.

When prompted, alight receipt and take picture. You may have to add a section or two as the entire receipt needs to be included. Submit!

Here are my earnings!! Isn't it awesome? All of the money is deposited into PayPal once you cash out!

There are bonuses for completing certain offers. For example, this time around with the milk, if you redeem two more offers, you get an additional $.50 off milk. There is a specific tab on the menu for finding these special offers.

Sign up for FREE here! (And they usually have $$$ bonuses for new sign ups!!)

 Comment for questions! :)

Swag Bucks

Have you tried Swag Bucks yet? I didn't for the longest time but I am so glad I did. I have earned $50 over $100!!! in Amazon Gift Certificates for basically just doing what I do.

This is Swag Buck's explanation of how it works:
http://www.swagbucks.com/g/how-it-works

Basically you search the internet, take surveys, polls, watch video clips and get paid to do it. **NEW! ONLINE & OFFLINE SHOPPING REWARDS!** Get paid to shop online at your favorite stores. My main stores are Amazon, Kohls, Walmart, and Target, but the list is long!! Usually works as a get X sb per dollar spent.

I am not a major Swagger. I will stop by and take the daily poll most every day and complete a survey or two, but mostly I get my points from searching the internet. I have downloaded the search engine tool bar and use that. It is integrated with Google, which is a plus for me. For example, today I was searching for "Souper Salad coupons" and I was awarded 28 Swag Bucks. Now, this is more Bucks than normal, but it was a pleasant surprise.

They also have codes that are good for a certain amount of points. They are sometimes very tricky and require some thinking, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes very easy to do. I find it convenient to follow them on Facebook and have their blog hand in my RSS feeder. I also have their swidget on my personal blog that will alert you to when there is a code and will give clues on how to find them!

Click HERE to get started!