Unlock Savings With Cash-Back Apps For Smart Shopping

Who doesn’t love saving money? Who wouldn’t like “free” money? There are countless apps out there that let you earn cash back or gift cards just for buying certain products, snapping pictures of receipts, taking surveys or playing games.

Free apps that my family uses:

Fetch: Shop, snap and play to earn free gift cards with Fetch! With Fetch you earn everywhere you shop. Get points every time you shop in-store or online. Just snap a picture of your receipt and/or connect your online accounts like Walmart and Amazon.

They often offer big-time bonuses for buying specific brands. With Fetch you can earn points by using popular mobile apps and games. There are different levels for your rewards to redeem for your favorite gift cards. You can also earn extra points for referrals.

ibotta: With ibotta, you earn points by buying certain brands or products and shopping at certain stores. Buy a product, claim that offer in the app and upload your receipt to earn rewards. ibotta rewards can be transferred directly to your bank account or used for gift cards. ibotta also offers cash back for referrals.

Upside: Upside is a free app that gives you cash back on gas, groceries, and at restaurants. Download the app and connect a debit or credit card. When you're at a location that participates with Upside claim the offer and then confirm your payment method after the purchase.

Here’s a pro tip my wife learned. The earlier in the day you claim the offer, the higher the percentage is for cash back. She often uses it at Price Chopper and will claim the reward when I leave for work at 3:45am. It’s been as high as 17% at the time but as low as 4% later in the day.

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Upside pays for one time referrals but also pays residual rewards for your referrals when they use their Upside app. Cash back can be used on gift cards or transferred to your bank account.

Receipt Hog: Receipt Hog is a fun and rewarding way to turn receipts from everyday shopping into cash — no matter where you shop or what you buy! Shop at any store,
in-person or online. Upload your paper or digital receipt into the app.

Earn rewards and redeem for extra cash! Collect coins for your piggy bank, spin the slots or enter the monthly sweepstake. Surveys are also available to earn extra coins. Turn your coins into cash by redeeming for Paypal payouts, Amazon gift cards, and more.

Checkout 51: Earn cash back on your gas and groceries. Add new offers every week for gas, groceries, and everyday items. Head to the store or gas station and buy what’s on offer. Simply take a photo of your receipt and earn cash back! Once your account balance reaches $20, you can cash out through methods like PayPal, Venmo, or check.

Merryfield: Merryfield is a cash back app that focuses on “better-for-you-brands”. You are rewarded for buying healthier brands along with fresh produce. Earn points every time your grocery receipt has any products from their participating better-for-you brands. They call this Everyday Rewards. Look for their Special Offers to earn even more points! Can be used in person or online. Payouts are in gift cards.

CoinOut: CoinOut is another app that can be used for online or in-store purchases. Simply make a purchase, upload your receipt and earn coins to redeem for gift cards. Refer a friend and earn bonus coins. Earn additional coins for scanning barcodes from specific purchases on your receipts.

ReceiptJar: Snap pics of your receipts from any stores! They accept receipts from over 11,000 stores, online and offline. You can earn Points for uploading receipts, sharing the app with friends, doing surveys or playing in the Shakes game! You can cash out your points via a wide range of electronic gift cards!

This is not all the available apps but they are the ones that my family has found to be the most lucrative in payouts and easy to use. My family loves the Amazon gift cards that we earn.

Items will sit in our Amazon cart until gift cards are earned or we’ll delay renting a movie on Amazon Prime until enough receipts have been snapped to cover the cost. We also designate the money earned from bank transfers to our vacation savings account. It’s like getting to vacation for free!