I have read several blog posts about making a little extra cash through various means. My question, sometimes, though, is how do I know these suggestions (and the people making them) are legitimate? There are several apps and programs out there saying you can earn cash or points, but I only utilize those that someone I know has used. I believe all of these were from my daughter’s recommendation. I thought it would be nice to share them with you so that you are aware of them and know that I actually use these.
These are the current apps that make money for me. I do not make a lot of cash individually, but using them together, I have managed to make a little money via cash payout or gift cards. If you use my referral links, I am given a little reward. They are all free to use.
Rakuten – Cash Back
Rakuten used to be Ebates. When you log in to your account, a listing of retailers shows the percentage of cash back you can earn by clicking through to that retailer. You have to click the link through Rakuten in order to get the percentage of cash back.
My most recent purchase was at Overstock.com where we purchased a propane fire pit. I saw that Overstock was offering 12% cash back on a particular day, so I looked for the fire pit and bought it. By doing so, I earned $30.40 which ultimately paid for the sales tax on the product.
Every three months or so, after accumulating cash back, you can either have a check mailed to you or have the money transferred to a PayPal account. If you do a lot of online shopping, this is definitely worth it. I don’t usually shop online too much, but recently I have because of the circumstances. Emails will alert you to increases in cash back percentages, but I usually just check before I decide to purchase. The percentages of cash back does vary. Sometimes it’s just a few cents, a couple of dollars, or the higher percentage. Even if it’s only a couple of dollars, it does add up over time. I look at it as though it is money I wouldn’t have received otherwise, so why not? It is free to sign up and to use.
My history:
Joined: June 6, 2016 To Date Earnings: $346.36
How do you sign up?
Rakuten offers rewards to members for spreading the word about earning cash back. If someone I refer signs up for Rakuten and makes a qualifying purchase, we can both earn a reward!
How does the referral program work? Rakuten members are each assigned a unique link. If you sign up via my unique link and make a qualifying purchase, we both earn a reward. So, click away! Rakuten is free to use.
Ibotta – Cash Back
This is an app I use for groceries and other everyday shopping. There is a list of offers (for example, $1.00 off ChipsAhoy! cookies , etc.), and you can search for items by store or by category. Just select the items you want to add to your “offers”, go to the store, shop (and I usually check the bar code by scanning it to make sure it is the right qualifying item), and then scan your receipt. The app verifies your purchases and adds the money to your account.
We basically shop at Wal-mart and Sam’s, so those are the ones I usually look at to see if there are any products that I need or even want to try. There are, however, tons of stores to choose from so it is likely you will find your regular stores. The majority of the time, I only use offers for the items we usually buy, but sometimes I use ones in order to try out some other products.
They also have “any item” offers available. For example, save $.25 on any shampoo. (They also have online shopping offers at retailers, but I usually just use this one for grocery type shopping.) There are also bonus offers where you can earn even more. For example, I received an extra $5.00 by completing the Weekend Warrior Bonus by redeeming four offers before the bonus period expired (the bonus period is usually a few days to a month). I have my PayPal account connected, so when I’m ready to cash out, I just have the money sent to my PayPal account. You can also get your money via gift cards from a large choice of retailers and restaurants.
My history:
Joined: September 2016 To Date Earnings: $863.00
How do you sign up?
Go to www.ibotta.com and use my referral code – oecsfhx, or use my Referral Link.
Checkout 51 – Cash Back
Basically, the same concept as Ibotta. You have a list of items from which to select the offers and can filter your searches by the stores you frequent. As you can see from this screen shot, they have an offer for any loaf of bread, bananas, and any brand of eggs. There are many more, most of the offers are brand specific, and the new offers are released every Thursday. After shopping, scan your receipt using the app and select the offers you want applied. They verify the receipt and add money to your account. They don’t have as many offers as Ibotta that I use, but, again, it’s a little extra money that adds up over time. When you reach $20.00, you can cash out via check or transfer to a PayPal account.
My history:
Joined: Probably a couple of years ago To Date Earnings: $184.25
How do you sign up?
Use my Referral Link, or you can just download the app (or go to the website https://www.checkout51.com), create an account, and get started.
Fetch Rewards
With this one, you scan your receipt after grocery shopping and it awards points depending upon what you buy. At a minimum (sometimes just for one item, sometimes for all 15 items you bought), you are awarded 25 points. Certain products will earn more points. For example, right now the app is showing that if you buy A&D Original Ointment, you will get 500 points. You can always check the app ahead of time to see what offers they have, but I just shop and upload the receipt. Sometimes I hit the jackpot and sometimes it is only 25 points.
If I spent more time reviewing, I could probably earn more. It will also track your receipts, total spending by month (or year or week), total spending by retailer, and total points earned. Points are redeemable via gift cards from a variety of places. You can even donate to charities. The value of points is basically 3,000 points equals $3.00, 5,000 points equals $5.00, 10,000 points equals $10.00, and so on. I don’t think I have ever cashed in any points yet. I’m waiting to hit the 50,000 mark I think. Again, it can be slow earning, but there are rewards, and I don’t spend too much time on this one. Just upload my receipt and go.
My history:
Joined: April 2017 Total Points Earned to Date: 37,723
How do you sign up?
Download the app and sign up. You can use my referral code – JE5AC – if you would like. I will get 2,000 points and you will, too, when you scan your first receipt.
Others:
I also use the Receipt Hog app and upload receipts, but under the referral information, it says that they are approaching max capacity and are not doing the referral. You could try to set up an account on the app and see if you can join. I remember I had to wait awhile upon referral from my daughter. Basically, you upload your receipt, earn coins which can be exchanged for cash or gift cards. I just cashed in $40.00 a couple of weeks ago.
Just this week I joined Swagbucks, but I haven’t quite figured all that out yet. Seems a little more complicated to me than what I’ve been using. I’m not sure I will stick with this one.
Wrap Up and Start Cashing In
It may seem time consuming, but in reality, it isn’t. I scan the apps for offers while I’m watching television or eating breakfast before I leave to go shopping. (I haven’t shopped much “out there” lately because my husband has been the only one going to the store, but I can let him know what to buy.)
Another great thing is that by using 2 or 3 different apps, you can use the same receipt for each app and earn money or points from each. Sometimes the offers are the same with Checkout 51 and Ibotta (and sometimes Fetch Rewards), but not always. When I get home from the store, I just upload my receipt within each app and I’m done.
Hope this has been some helpful information. Purchasing everyday items is something I do anyway, so why not make a little money while I’m at it? Some of the money from my paypal account (which is all money from these apps) I use to pay for the costs of keeping the blog going and for, well, maybe some books now and then. I have to fund my addiction somehow.
There are several more apps and programs out there, but I just use these because they are pretty straight-forward and easy to maneuver. Plus, I compete with myself to find the best deals and rewards.
If you have any questions or comments, or use these, too, please let us know and comment below. I never thought I would look forward to going to Wal-mart or Sam’s, but once you can’t do something, it becomes much more appealing, doesn’t it?
Stay safe everyone.