Sweet Frugal Life

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The Best Cash Back Apps

By: Sweet Frugal Life5 Comments

Easy ways to earn cash back on purchases.

Who likes free money???  You better be raising your hand right now!  I LOVE free money, and I’m pretty sure you love it too!  And guess what!  You can earn FREE MONEY just by shopping how you normally would!  WHAT?!?!  All it takes is a free app, a receipt, and a few clicks of a button.  This has been part of my shopping routine for YEARS and I have earned HUNDREDS of dollars on items I would have spent money on anyways.  Today, I want to share with you the best cash back apps so that you too can earn free money!  (you’re welcome)

How Do Cash Back Apps Work?

Cash back apps are essentially rebates given to you when you make qualifying purchases.  You buy a product, show proof of purchase by scanning your receipt into the app, and then are rewarded with a small amount of cash back.

The apps are free to use and easy to learn.

earn money with cash back

I am a member of online affiliate programs.  I will receive compensation from clicks on my links.  All opinions are my own.  

Cash Back Apps Dos and Don’ts

I want to start with a word of caution.  I do believe that there is a right way and wrong way to use cash back apps.  When I first started using these apps I spent more money than I should have….because I wanted the cash back.  I bought items I never would have bought, just because they were on the app.  I quickly learned that I wasn’t using them in the most frugal way.  Here are a few cash back apps dos and don’ts to help you get started.

Do:

  • Check each cash back app after every shopping trip.  You won’t always get cash back, but it’s worth checking!
  • Make your meal plan and shopping list BEFORE looking at the rebates offered on the app.
  • Use multiple cash back apps for each receipt.
  • Share the app with your friends (most will offer you extra cash for sharing the app with friends)

Don’t:

  • Buy something only because you could earn cash back from that purchase.
  • Download the app with good intentions and then forget to use it!  Always use it for best chances of cash back earnings!
  • Forget to cash out your earnings.  Every app will have different payout limits.  Don’t leave that money just sitting there, request the cash when the time is right, and use it!

Cash Back Apps Only Offer Name Brand Rebates:  FALSE

One of the common misconceptions of cash back apps is that it is only available for name brand products. 

This isn’t true.

Yes, there are many name brand products offered as rebates on all cash back apps.  But all of them also offer “any brand” items.  This means that you get money back for buying anything!  It doesn’t matter the brand!

One more word about name brand products.  A lot of name brand products go on sale regularly.  This is a GREAT time to buy something for a cheap price, and then use your cash back apps to get an even BIGGER discount.

So, just because there are a lot of name brand items on the app, does not mean it isn’t frugal.  It just means you need to be intentional with each and every purchase to make sure you are shopping smartly and frugally.

Cash Back Apps Only Offer Junk Food Rebates:  FALSE

Another common misconception of cash back apps is they only offer rebates on junk food.

This is just not true.  Yes, there are a lot of processed food available as rebates within the app.

But, they also offer rebates on fresh foods and other items.  Today in my cash back apps I see rebates for body wash, laundry detergent, diapers, pet food, pork chops, walnuts, butter, and much more!

The Best Cash Back Apps

Now, let’s get to the apps!  Here are my favorite cash back apps that I use on a regular basis.  Most offer a cash bonus just for trying it out!  So it’s worth trying just to see if you like it or not!

1. Ibotta

The first cash back app I ever tried was Ibotta, it also happens to be one of my very favorites and most popular app out there.

Ibotta offers a huge selection of rebates.  I have earned cash back on a wide selection of products, including milk, apples, pantry staples, broccoli, beauty and household items.

One of my favorite things about Ibotta though is that they offer cash back on what they call “any brand” items.  For example, today they are having rebates on any brand of yogurt or diapers that you buy.  So you can buy your favorite brand, and get some money back at the same time.

Plus, they always offer a small cash back on “any item.”  So, I can buy anything in the store, and earn some money back.

Ibotta is super easy to use!

  • Just shop like you normally would.
  • Check the app for any rebates you earned.
  • Click on the qualifying items you purchased.
  • Scan your receipt.
  • Your cash back is instantly put into your Ibotta account.  Easy Peasy!

You can request your cash once you reach $20.  I usually get it deposited into my paypal account, but you can also redeem it for gift cards!

***Bonus:  Sign up for Ibotta using this link to get up to $20 bonus!

2.  Checkout 51

Checkout 51 is very similar to ibotta.  It works as a rebate program where you shop, scan your receipt and will instantly be rewarded cash back on qualifying purchases.  You can even scan the same receipt using both Checkout 51 and Ibotta (yaaay!). 

Checkout 51 does not offer a huge selection of cash back offers.  Because of this I don’t earn a lot of money with this app.  I still can earn a few bucks every month and it’s definitely worth my time to scan.

Once you reach $20 in your account you can request your cash back check.

3.  Rakuten

Another one of my very favorite cash back apps is Rakuten.  I use Rakuten every.single.time I shop online.

Rakuten offers you cashback when you shop through their link at participating realtor.  You will find just about all online stores including, Kohls, Ebay, Zulily, Old Navym Gap, Lowes, etc.

This is also a great travel hack when booking flights or hotels.  Popular travel websites like Travelocity are also partners with Rakuten.  I never book any travel without first going to the Rakuten website.

It’s so easy to start earning money!

  • Download the free app (or use their website)
  • Search for the store you want to shop at
  • Click on the store link
  • You will then be redirected to that store
  • Shop as normal including checkout
  • After checkout a percentage of the amount you spent will be added to your Rakuten account

A check with your cashback is sent to you ever 3 months.  This is one of my fave pieces of mail!

The percentage of cashback you will earn will vary based on the store.  It changes frequently too, so it’s good to check often.

**BONUS:  Sign up through this link and you can earn an EXTRA $10 after you spend your first $25.  (hooray!)

4.  Fetch Rewards

Probably the easiest cashback app is Fetch Rewards.   This app doesn’t technically give you cashback, but it does give you points that you can redeem for gift cards.  The gift card options are endless!  A few of my fave examples are Target, Amazon, Sephora, Best Buy, and a bunch of fun restaurants.

How it works:

  • Download the free Fetch Rewards app
  • Grocery shop like you normally do
  • Scan your receipt into the Fetch Rewards app
  • You will automatically be rewarded points based on what you bought.

One of the best things about Fetch Rewards is that you can start redeeming your gift cards at only $3, and it is so easy to earn that first $3.

In Conclusion

If you aren’t using all 4 of these cash back apps now, I suggest you start ASAP!  The way I see it, if you are going to be shopping anyways….you might as well be earning a little cashback along the way!

 

Don’t forget to pin this article for future reference!

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How to use the best cash back apps to earn free money!

 

How To Stop Impulse Buying For Good

By: Sweet Frugal Life7 Comments

10 tips to help you stop impulse shopping today.

Let’s talk impulse shopping.  Truthfully??  This is something I have always struggled with.  Do I budget?  YEP!  Do I love to save money and watch my bank account grow?  ABSOLUTELY!  Yet, I STILL impulse shop!  (you win some and lose some right???)  A few years ago I made a few changes to help stop this bad habit.  Through time, and a lot of practice and fails, I have finally been able to control myself more at the store.  If you can relate to this, well you’re in luck!  Because today I am going to share a few tips to help you learn how to stop impulse buying.

secrets to stop impulse buying

1.  Admit you Have a Problem

The first step to quit this bad habit is admit that you have a problem.  Many impulse shoppers try to rationalize their impulse buys.  These phrases sound a little like, “Oh, but it was on sale, so it was a smart buy,” or “It was something that we really needed anyway, so it wasn’t really an impulse buy.”

The truth is that these phrases are only excuses.  We make up excuses to hep ourselves feel better when we know we messed up!

The next time you buy something on impulse, admit to yourself what you did.  Don’t make up an excuse or explain the buy away.  Impulse shopping doesn’t make you a bad person, it makes you normal….but that doesn’t mean it’s what is best financially.

You must admit you have a problem, before you will ever be able to change.

2.  Recognize your Triggers

Now that you’ve admitted you might have an impulse shopping problem, it’s time to decide what your spending triggers are.

Is there a certain store that you leave buying more than you should have (this would be Target for me!).  Or maybe when you are feeling stressed you spend more than you want to.  Pay close attention to your spending habits and make a list of a few of the triggers that tempt you to shop.

3.  Find Alternatives To Shopping

The third step to curing impulse shopping is to find alternative activities to help keep you away from your spending triggers. 

If shopping at Target tempts you to overspend, shop at Walmart instead (this is what I had to do!!)

If you shop when you are feeling upset, find a different activity to help you work through those emotions.

If you follow a really cute, sweet blogger on Instagram, but her posts about darling clothes on sale make you want to spend….unfollow her!

Do whatever it takes to find something to keep you away from your personal triggers.

4.  Leave the Cards at Home

Ditch your credit and debit cards and instead shop using cash.  This is the best way to make sure you don’t overspend.

Decide how much money you want to spend at the store, put that much money in an envelope and leave EVERYTHING else at home.

You will need to pay close attention to everything you put into your cart, because you literally can’t afford to buy anything that costs more than the cash in your wallet.

5.  Make a List

Never go to the store without a premade list in your hand.  Commit to buying what is on that list, and NOTHING else (even if you pass by the cutest shirt….and it’s on a huge discount….just keep on walking!).  This has saved me so many times!  For some reason if it’s written down, I am much better at sticking to my goals.

6.  48 Hour Rule

Give the 48 hour rule a try the next time you want to impulse buy.  It’s super easy!

Just set a dollar amount (mine is $50) and commit to waiting at least 48 hours before buying anything above that amount.

This will give you time to make sure you REALLY want this item.  Most of the time when I wait 48 hours, I tend to change my mind and realize that I didn’t need the item after all (funny how that works huh!).

The 48 hour rule also gives you time to shop around, and see if you can find a similar item at a cheaper price. 

When you wait to make a purchase you are giving yourself time to separate emotions from logic, or want vs. need.  This is so important when learning how to stop impulse buying.

7.  Give Yourself Splurge Money

Be sure to include “splurge money” in your budget.  Splurge money is money for you to spend however you WANT!  (yay!  I love splurge money!)

Your splurge money will give you that sweet little taste of freedom in spending.  This can help curb a lot of your spending temptations.

The amount you budget for splurge money will be different for everyone.  If you have a very tight budget, your splurge money should be a smaller amount.  If your budget has some wiggle room perhaps you could give yourself more money.  As always, do what’s best for YOU!

8.  Walk Around With Your Shopping Cart

This suggestion might seem a little silly, but it works for me!

Whenever I get tempted to impulse buy something not on my list, I grab it anyway and put it in my cart.  I don’t head right to checkout, but instead browse around the store for a while.

After 20 minutes or so, when it’s time to leave, I look at my cart and the items I stashed in there and ask myself, “should I really buy this?  Do I have money in my budget for this item?  Is it something I need?  Could I wait and budget for it later and come back and buy it?”

Because I gave myself that time to walk around with it in my cart, my voice of reason come back and I usually decide to put the items back where they belong.  Try it!

9.  Use a Spending Buddy

Find a friend who has similar financial goals as you and use each other as someone to talk to when tempted to impulse buy.

A few years ago I had a good friend who agreed to be my spending buddy.  Whenever I would find that one item I thought that I just HAD to have, I would call my friend.  I explained to her what I wanted and she would ask me the important questions about if I really needed it, could I find something cheaper, etc.  And, I would do the same for her in return.

My spending buddy was so great at helping me spend less.  And because I KNEW I would need to call her before I bought anything….it made me second guess my impulses, I only wanted to call her for important things!

10.  Forgive Yourself

This is one of my very most important tips!  We are all going to make mistakes, change is HARD…..and perfection is IMPOSSIBLE!

Remember to forgive yourself when you overspend and impulse buy.  Use these mistakes as an example to learn from.  Make a plan about how you will be do better next time, and then MOVE ON.

In Conclusion

If you are struggling with overspending and trying to figure out how to stop impulse buying, try out a few of these tips.  The most important thing is to remember to keep working at it.  You won’t cure your shopping problems over night, but through time, patience and effort you can form new habits.

 

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Remember to just say no the next time you are tempted to shop on impulse.

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