Making money made simple. For years, coupons have been Americans’ favorite way to save money, but we get it: Sometimes you just don’t have time to scour weekly ads and carefully cut out each deal.
Luckily, we have cash-back apps and websites these days, which allow you to make money back on in-store and/or online purchases. No need to print out coupons or keep binders of store ads — you just need your phone or computer.
Making Money Made Simple
What are Cash-Back Apps, and How Do They Work?
A cash back app gives you a rebate on a purchase or provides a coupon for an additional discount. Some apps offer points that can be redeemed as a price break on subsequent purchases.
Although coupons and cash-back apps are both great ways to save money, they work a little differently. With coupons, you save money before you checkout. With cash-back apps, you earn cash rewards (either cash, a check or gift cards) after you make a purchase, like a rebate.
Some of these shopping apps allow you to earn cash back in stores, and others allow you to earn cash back online. Some, like Ibotta and Fetch, offer both.
If you’re shopping in-store, here’s how these apps generally work:
- Download the app, and create an account.
- Find where you’re shopping, and see what cash-back offers you find.
- After you checkout, claim your cash-back rewards by taking a picture of your receipt and/or scanning items’ barcodes.
If you’re using an app that offers online cash-back deals, it’s even easier. Just open the app or web browser, choose your go-to retailer and shop its site through the portal.
Making Money
Now, you might be wondering how these apps can just hand out cash. Retailers and brands typically offer a referral commission to these apps, so each time you purchase a product, the app gets a portion of the money. Then, the app passes part of that commission on to you.
Now that you understand how these money-saving tools work, I’ll highlight a few.
Dosh is a favorite cash back apps because it provides a variety of options for earning rewards. This app promises automatic cash back when shopping, dining, or booking hotel stays. The Dosh app doesn’t require users to upload receipts. Instead, you’ll have to link your debit or credit card to the app to automatically earn cash back.
Gas Savings!
There’s no need to activate offers, rewards for eligible purchases will automatically be placed in your Dosh wallet. Once you reach at least $25, you can transfer your cash back to your bank account, PayPal, or Venmo, or you can donate your cash back earnings to charity.
I don’t actually use this one because of Covid, I’m not booking hotels and because you can transfer your cash back to your debit or credit card but way to go Dosh!!
Ibotta is a popular cash back app that allows users to earn cash rewards when shopping at grocery stores and other popular retailers. It functions as a receipt scanning app. You can download the mobile app or use the browser extension and find offers that appeal to your needs. You will then need to activate each offer.
You’ll notice that each listed offer has a dollar amount attached to it. To earn cash back, you can scan a receipt, or you can link a store loyalty card. The Ibotta app lets you withdraw cash back earnings any time your account reaches a minimum of $20. Another option is to redeem cash back for gift cards, some of which have a minimum redemption amount of $25.
What makes Ibotta one of the best cash back apps is that it features hundreds of retailers, such as Staples, Walmart, The Home Depot, Walgreens, Kohls, Target, and Party City. With so many popular retailers featured within this app, it’s no wonder Ibotta is one of the best apps for earning extra cash back on purchases. I shop a lot at Walmart and I am grateful to be able to use Ibotta…it really helps. Sign up for Ibotta using this referral and get $10 bucks when you download Ibotta.
Fetch Rewards allows shoppers to earn rewards on their regular shopping trips, including visits to grocery stores, convenience stores, big-box stores, and restaurants. To earn reward points, you need to upload a receipt within 14 days of shopping. You can do this by linking your email and submitting an e-receipt or taking a photo of a physical receipt. Sign up for Fetch using this referral and get started with points and convert them to gift cards for as little as 5000 points.
Side Hustle 101
There’s no need to apply or save specific offers before shopping. Instead, you’ll earn points on all of your regular shopping. Some featured brands will earn more points, but just going shopping and uploading a receipt will earn you points, no matter what.
The best cash back apps make it easy to redeem earnings, and Fetch is no different. You’ll be able to exchange your points for gift cards to popular retailers. You also have other redemption options, such as redeeming your points for charity donations or using your points to enter monthly sweepstakes. You can cash out at as little as 3,000 points ($3). Since it’s so simple to earn and redeem points, this is a favorite app for people who want an easy, no planning required cash back rewards app.
I’ve been given the opportunity to own more than one care…WHO KNEW the trips to the gas station would be so costly! Luckily, GetUpside is an app that can help you earn cash back from Exxon, Chevron, Valero, and other gas stations.
After you enable location tracking on the app, GetUpside shows you the gas stations near you that offer cash back deals. Just opt into the deal right before you buy your gas and reap the rewards.
Making Money Made Simple
GetUpside doesn’t just offer cash back at the gas station, though. They also have a regular cash back program for groceries, dining, and more of your day to day purchases. I’ve never used the cash back program for groceries or dining yet but who knows how much more I can save.
You can combine GetUpside benefits with other loyalty programs (like BPme and Exxon) and save even more!
There are quite a few cash apps out there. I typically only use these but start using them and see which ones works best for you!
Suggestion: Sign up for one or two of these apps. Use them for a couple of weeks and see how much extra cash you earn. If you find they’re not suiting your normal shopping habits, then explore another option.
The best cash-back app for you will depend on your spending habits. But we’re here to give you all the information you need to make the best decision.
Final thoughts
Whether you’re heading to the grocery store or need to buy some new clothes, it can be fun to earn rewards for shopping. Cash back apps are an easy way to save money and earn money back on your everyday purchases. The best cash back apps are free to use and can be a great tool to add to your regular personal finance routine. So if you’re not using these cash rewards apps, you’re missing out on free money.
Automating your finances, whether for paying bills or saving money, is a secret to growing wealth. Cash-back apps can be a part of that strategy by providing you discounts, rebates or points applied to future purchases.
Be Blessed…Stay Safe!