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Dear Rich Lifer,
Sales, in-store financing, and even frequent customer discount programs are nothing new. Since the first proprietor hung the first shingle on the first store, there have been sellers looking for ways to entice people to purchase more from them.
What is new, is the host of savings and cash-back apps available on your laptop or smartphone.
With just a few clicks or taps, you can get the lowest prices, save money, and even build up a stash of cash back on all your purchases.
I’ve compiled a list of the best apps for you. Some are smartphone apps and others are plug-ins for your internet browser. They’re all user friendly, and they all promise one thing: more money in your pocket.
Ibotta
Ibotta is an app for your phone that allows users to redeem coupons, earn cash back, and participate in rewards programs. It even lets you stack offers to get the biggest savings.
You can also earn cash rewards for every user you refer. This app is free, and its very user friendly. All you have to do after you make a purchase is to scan your receipt and let Ibotta do the work.
Dosh
Dosh is also a smartphone app, and it may be even easier to use than Ibotta. With this app, once you’re set up, you earn cash back at participating retailers. Best of all, you don’t even have to lift a finger – the cash back is automatic!
This works both online and in person, and you can earn cash back on travel, too. Like many of the others on this list, Dosh has a referral program, so if you like it, be sure to share it with family and friends.
Honey
Honey is an extension you install on your favorite browser (like Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari). With this extension, you’ll be able to use automatic coupons (Honey finds them for you) and search Amazon price histories so you’ll be sure you’re getting the best possible price.
This app works on thousands of different shopping sites, so you can get discounts everywhere from Nike to Nordstrom.
Groupon
Groupon is one of the older companies on this list. This site and companion app are aimed at getting you specific deals from businesses in your area. From restaurant deals to coupons for skydiving, you never know what bargain will pop up next.
If you keep your eyes peeled, you can get some pretty cool things at insanely low prices with Groupon.
ShopKick
ShopKick is a free smartphone app that lets you earn points (called Kicks) that you can exchange for gift cards. Compared to some of the others on this list, ShopKick is the granddaddy of money saving apps as it was founded in 2009.
Since their inception, ShopKick members have earned a combined $85 million in free gift cards! All you have to do to start racking up gift cards is to download the app store and follow the registration instructions. From there, you’ll get instructions on how to start earning your Kicks.
Coupons.com
Remember clipping coupons from the Sunday paper? The Coupons.com app makes that practice a thing of the past.
When you download it, you can access hundreds of coupons for your favorite products and grocery stores, and even your favorite big box stores like Target and Walmart, too! If you like to save on groceries, you can put the paper away and use this app instead.
Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a little different than the other apps on this list. Instead of giving you cash back for shopping at certain stores, you get rewards (aka Swagbucks) for other online activities like watching videos, answering surveys, and even playing games.
You can then exchange those Swagbucks for gift cards. Swagbucks is available for both computer and smartphone use, it can be a fun way to earn a little extra money in your spare time.
Paribus
You know that terrible feeling you get when you buy something… and then it goes on sale the next week? Paribus aims to make sure you never get that feeling again.
This free smartphone app monitors your online receipts for stores like Target, Walmart, and Costco, and then if your item goes on sale, Paribus gets you a refund for that difference back to your original payment method. It’s so simple – you don’t even have to do a thing and money appears back in your account just like that.
Rakuten
Formerly known as Ebates, Rakuten is a browser extension for your computer (like Honey). When you install Rakuten, you can get cashback from your purchases at hundreds of online stores. They also compile coupon codes, too, so you can get even deeper discounts with just a few clicks.
Rakuten has one of the best referral programs around, and they also frequently offer double cash back days, especially around big shopping days (like Black Friday and Cyber Monday). Rakuten recently rolled out a smartphone app, too, so you can earn money back in store and online now.
There you have it! Nine fantastic apps and extensions to help you save, and even earn money with minimal effort.
As with anything on the internet, look into the apps that sound the best to you, and make sure they’re right for your situation.
Do a little research, download the ones that sound good to you, and start cashing in! There is no reason not to give it a shot. You may be surprised to find out how much you could be saving.
To a richer life,
Nilus Mattive
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