Rewards, Rebates and Repeat

Rewards

Anyone looking for a good deal is familiar with Rewards Cards. These are the hidden gems of savings. Your favorite grocery store probably has one, and it may even have e-coupons attached.  If you’re lucky, it also has “fuel points,” which can be used to save money on gas at select gas stations.

Grocery stores are just a start.  Rewards cards are just about everywhere.  Some are physical cards, others are apps, a few are both.  These give you discounts, special alerts and freebies.  McDonald’s (app,) and sit down restaurants like Red Robin, to Home Depot and Ikea, even PetCo, just to name a few. (*all registered names.)

Don’t forget about airlines, too.  Even if you only travel every once in a while, it allows easier check-ins, and user only offers.   Don’t forget the travel miles, if you are a frequent traveler!  If you do travel frequently, sign up for the guest rewards at the hotels you stay at as well.   Those “Free” nights can come in handy!

Rebates

That brings us to rebates.  If you are not familiar with rebates, simply put it’s money back in your pocket.

• Swagbucks  – great way to earn gift cards. Even if you don’t take the surveys, the rewards are still achievable. The fastest way to earn SB (Swagbucks) is by purchasing items online through the “Shop and Earn” program.
• Ibotta – this app is quickly becoming a favorite way to save money.  At first, it seems complicated.  Once you are familiar with the app, and how it works, it takes about 20 minutes a week to scan items plus receipts.  On average, it’s easy to earn $20 to $30 a week.  Payments can be made to either a PayPal account or used to purchase gift cards.  If you are truly on the saving cash mission, the PayPal option is easy to use.  The total process to cash out takes about 5 business days.
• Savingstar – This was much easier to use when you could link your rewards card to their program.  However, it’s still a money maker.  The item selection is somewhat limited (grocery-wise.)  Sometimes a favorite item like All detergent is listed, but a certain purchase amount must be met (usually $15-$20) before your cash is earned. The only option to cash out is to have it sent electronically to your bank account or PayPal.  There are a few gift card options, if you choose that route.  On average, it’s easy to earn $20 every month to six weeks.
• Checkout51 – This is what can be called “Noah’s best app.”  The reason being the items listed are usually “buy 2” or “buy 3” offers. If you like the items listed, it’s easy to stack up that cash.  That being said, this one can be hot or cold.

These are just ones that have been tested.  Another popular app is ReceiptHog.  However, in some places it’s so popular you will need to ask to be put onto a waiting list.  Even then, it’s not a guarantee to be accepted.

Repeat

Of course the more these tools are used, the more you are going to be able to save!  “Repeat.” is necessary to achieve your cache goals.