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If you’re ready for an easy, almost effortless way to save money, put down the scissors and pick up your smart phone. Today I’m going to share with you three of my favorite apps for “couponing”. If you read my Simple Grocery Shopping System I briefly touched on two of the apps I use to save at the grocery store. I’ve got full details for you today to help you save at the grocery store and so much more with digital coupons and apps.
Once upon a time I was a serious couponer. I got the Sunday paper, clipped, sorted, filed and pulled coupons on a weekly basis. That was before weekends filled with soccer games and birthday parties. I just don’t have the time or discipline for paper coupons anymore. Especially since I’ve discovered digital coupons & apps. Here are my three favorite apps for saving money.
Ibotta
Ibotta is a free app that pays you cash for everyday purchases. Download the app to your smart phone and start saving. It’s not just groceries either. Categories include: grocery, apparel, electronics, beer & wine, beauty, home & office, babies & kids, sports & fitness, pet, and automotive. They cover a number of stores including: Kroger, H-E-B, CVS, Express, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, Toys R Us, Home Depot, Lowes and so many more. You can use the search box on the app to search for your favorite stores.
How I use it:
- Shop
- Open the app when I get home
- Click on the category (grocery) then the store I shopped at (Kroger) to open the rebates
- Scroll through the rebates and click on the things I’ve purchased
- Unlock the rebate
- Scan the item bar code
- Snap a picture of my receipt
It takes less than 5 minutes and is easy to do while you put away your groceries. Some of the rebates are for brand name products while others are for “Any Brand”.
To get even more savings check for rebates before you shop.
I joined Ibotta in November of 2014 and have earned more than $84 so far only using it here and there.
To be honest I wasn’t sure about it at first but now I’m a believer and have made it part of my shopping routine. Once you’ve earned $20 you can withdraw your cash via PayPal or a gift card of your choice. I chose a Starbucks gift card and it was so quick and easy to get the money and upload it to my Starbucks app. (there’s an app for everything now)
Try it out yourself! Use my referral link to join today and get $10 when you redeem your 1st rebate! Remember, it’s not just groceries.
Grocery Store Digital Coupons
Whoever came up with the idea for digital coupons is a genius. There are many grocery stores that offer digital coupons so check your store’s website.
I use digital coupons at both HEB and Kroger. You can log in to the website or download the store’s free app to access the coupons. Go in and select new coupons each week before you go to the store.
Bonus: If you log in to Kroger’s site on Friday they offer a Free Friday Download with a coupon for a FREE item!
Kroger links your coupons to your Kroger card. HEB now uses their HEB App for coupons. You can download coupons through their website on your computer or on your phone through the App. Then at check-out just scan your bar code.
I like to sort the coupons by most recent so I can see the newest ones on top. Select the ones you want to save, shop and when you scan your card or App at checkout the coupons will automatically be deducted from your bill.
To get even more savings build your grocery list based on the coupons available. They offer coupons for both brand name and store brand items. Sometimes you can even get a discount on gift cards. I took advantage of that to purchase back to school clothes for B. I purchased an Old Navy gift card at a 20% discount then used the card like cash to purchase his school clothes.
Cartwheel
I love Target! I’ve explained the Target REDCard which is your first step to saving at Target (5% on everything, really!). Want even more savings, download the Target App to get Cartwheel savings. You can select up to 20 offers (get more by unlocking badges) then Scan the app’s bar code on your smart phone when you check out.
To save the most shop the offers. Don’t feel like scrolling through hundreds of discounts, you can look at them by category. Just want to buy what you want but don’t know if there’s a discount? Easy, use the app’s scan feature to scan each item you put in your basket. If there is a discount offer you can add it. It will also let you know if there is a similar item or different brand that has an offer.
When you check-out don’t forget to scan to your Target App bar code. That’s probably the hardest thing for me, remembering to scan the app at check-out.
What are your favorite Apps for saving money?