There are several mobile apps (a few are also available on the web for those who have older phones, like myself) that offer you cash back on select items you've already purchased. It is like couponing, except you buy the item first, then prove you bought the item by uploading a picture of your receipt.
The best part about these apps is that they don't count as a coupon, meaning that when you're at the store, you can use other coupons on the item and basically "stack" your deals for even more savings. In some cases, this could mean that you get an item free or you could actually make money on the purchase of the item which is always great! The best part of all of this is that the apps are free and just takes a few minutes of your time.
Ibotta
Ibotta is considered the #1 app for getting cash back on items by uploading your grocery receipt and the bar code from the eligible item. They used to just be for grocery, but have recently expanded to rebates at many types of stores(even a few online stores) and even a few restaurants.
Advantages:
- They update their offers every week. You will see new offers ever week but some offers will carry over into the next week.
- There are bonuses you can earn for buying several items. The bonuses vary and change regularly.
Disadvantages:
- Doing task to "unlock" rebates- The tasks can include: watch a short video, take a quick poll, read a fact, or share the offer through Facebook. You can get around the Facebook share by posting it as a private post and no one sees it.
- Limited stores- good variety of stores available for grocery, drug stores, Target and Walmart, but not smaller stores.
- Exclusive offers within the app- offers are only redeemable at certain stores that are listed within the offer.
- Minimum payout- There is a $5 minimum to cash out. It's really not too bad but it has one.
- Multiple payout options that are ok- PayPal, cash service called Venmo, and very few gift card. I use PayPal because I don't know what Venmo is and I don't like the gift card options.
- App only- They have a website to sign up but everything is through the app.
Checkout 51
Checkout 51 is the latest app and it's very similar to what Ibotta was in the beginning- primarily grocery offers only.
Advantages:
- You can upload from pretty much any store. They need to see the receipt clearly but you can upload small and large grocery stores.
- They accept Amazon, Sam's Club, and Costco- when it comes to scanning a receipt from Amazon or other online stores, save your packing slip.
- Offers updated once a week- Every Thursday morning, Checkout 51 updates with a new list of offers.
- App and website- if you have problems with the app, you can use their website.
- Each week, Checkout 51 has a ‘Choose Your Own’ offer that lets you take 25-50 cents off.
- Can be used with food stamps- just uploaded a photo of your receipt. They don't care how you paid for your food.
Disadvantages:
- Minimum cash out- $20 minimum to cash out.
- Payout is through check- this is the biggest problem with the company.
SavingStar
SavingStar launched in April 2011 and has grown quickly to over 5 million members. You select which offers you are interested in redeeming by "activating" them by linking up to your store's loyalty card. There are no limits as to how many offers you activate. The stores periodically report your purchases to SavingStar (takes anywhere from 2-22 days), and if you've purchased an item from one of your activated deals, they give you a credit for the amount.
Advantages:
- No app required - you can use the app or the website.
- Automatic-Savings Stores- register your grocery and drugstore loyalty card on app or website, click the offers you want and SavingStar will link them to all of your registered store cards.
- Receipt-Scan Stores- upload your receipt through the SavingStar app or website.
- No minimum dollar amount to reach before cashing out
- Multiple options for cashing out- bank account, PayPal account, Upromise account, Starbucks gift code, iTunes gift code, or AMC Theatres gift code. Payouts occur within 24-48 hours of being requested.
Disadvantages:
- Limited stores to choose from- SavingStar only works with 100 supermarket and drugstore chains nationwide.
- Offers rotate about once a month- That means you can only redeem them once during the month.
Many people says that one is better than the other but if you're trying to save money, you should use all of them so that you can get the most money back into your pocket. It may seem like this is a waste of time but to me, I will do each of these at the end of the night when my daughter is asleep and to do all three of them only takes me about 20 minutes so to me it is worth it. You won't become rich using these sites but you will save money in the long run that could be used for vacation or other things around the home.