Whether you’re shopping for clothes, gifts or groceries, do so now and earn cash back while you’re at it. I have, honestly, earned over $250 in cash-back to my personal checking account in four years of using Rakuten alone. I am a sucker for finding deals, using discount codes and pretty much discovering a way to pay less than what retailers expect me to, but fairly of course. My mission is to share with you the resources that are out there when it comes to shopping and saving a few dollars at the same time because I know times can be tough and we need to stretch our wallet whenever possible.

Here are my top 3 apps of 2019 that have worked so well for me:

1. Rakuten (formerly Ebates)

Okay, so it is so simple to earn cash-back with this website and App. You literally go to www.rakuten.com, sign up and search the retailer you intend to shop at. If Rakuten is partnered with them, their name will show along with a pink button that will generate a special link connecting your Rakuten account with the store on a new tab. Just sign in to your retailer’s account like you normally would and shop away! If your purchases fall under the categories that offer cash-back, you will begin to rack up that money in your Rakuten account within the next few day or weeks and will be sent your cash-back deposit to your PayPal or through a mailed check (you will set up your preference when registering with Rakuten).

Use: Computer or App
Sign up here and get $10 cash-back with your first qualifying purchase!

2. Shopkick

The great thing with the Shopkick App is you earn kicks (points) redeemable for popular retailer gift cards and you can earn them through other ways besides just shopping.

• Walk into a participating store and it checks you in with your bluetooth enabled as it picks up the music playing.

• Scan the barcodes of certain products while you’re in the store. If you buy any of them, submit a receipt for even more kicks.

• Link your credit card to your Shopkick app and make purchases with it.

• Invite your friends to join and earn kicks with them!

• Or from your couch, earn kicks just by browsing their catalogs full of so many cool products.

Use: App
Download here and use my code: BLUE404128 to earn 250 instant kicks!

3. Ibotta

Last but not least! Ibotta is my go-to grocery shopping app because it’s just like using cut-out coupons but on your phone. Find your grocery store, see what products offer discounts, add it to your ‘Offers’ tab by clicking on the pink + button, checkout at your store as you usually would and once you’re home, upload your receipt through the app. You’ll receive the cash-back within 24 hours. Your cash-back will start adding up in your Ibotta account and once you meet the withdrawal threshold of $20, you can transfer a portion or all of your earnings to your PayPal or Venmo account.

Use: App
Download here.

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