I used to consider myself one of those crazy couponers. I had enough shampoo, conditioner, and deodorant to last us a few years. However, it can be overwhelming. Many people do not want to bother with the time and energy it takes to do all of that coupon clipping, organizing, and comparing that it takes to “coupon”.
Smartphones have made it so easy for everyone to get a slice of the “money-saving” pie.
If you haven’t heard of these yet, go check them out and see what works for you.
Checkout 51
Checkout 51 allows you to shop anywhere you’d like, submit your receipt for select items, and earn cash back! The offers change every Thursday and are good for the entire week.
Using Checkout 51 is super simple. Just take a look at the available offers online before you go shopping. You’ll usually find offers for products that you buy anyway, including food, household, and personal items. After buying your items, you snap a picture of your receipt and upload it to the Checkout 51 website or use the Checkout 51 app. After your purchases are confirmed, your account is credited. When your account reaches $20, you can request a cash out!
The great part about this is you don’t have to have a smartphone, but it is easier to just use the app!
Ibotta
Ibotta is available for iOS and Android. You’re able to earn cash back by doing various activities before shopping: watching a video, reading facts, taking a poll, getting a recipe or sharing on Facebook. After you’ve “unlocked” the rebates by completing these activities, you’ll scan the barcode of the item, then scan the receipt. Some stores are even connected to your loyalty card, you’ll just purchase the item and automatically be credited with the rebate.
Once you’ve accumulated at least $5, you can transfer money to your PayPal or Venmo account or turn it into various gift cards.
SavingStar
SavingStar is a great way to save big on your groceries and drugstore purchases. There is nothing to clip, nothing to print, and no picture-taking required.
Once you are registered you will have to set up your store loyalty cards. Select the eCoupons you like and link them to your store loyalty cards. Use your loyalty card at checkout. Your money is automatically added to your SavingStar account within 2-30 days! They’ll e-mail you when your savings post.
When you save $5, you can chose your payout: Amazon gift card, PayPal, or bank deposit.
Target Cartwheel
Target Cartwheel is a special savings app (available for Android and iOS) just for Target stores. You can regularly save up to 30% on everyday items, but occasionally they will have higher savings on special items! While in the store, you can scan items from the app. It will tell you if there is a coupon for it and then you can add it! How easy is that?
When you’re checking out, you’ll just show the barcode to the cashier and your savings will come off instantly.
We recently saved 40% on a patio set, 10% on k-cups, 5% on ice cream, and 5% on gardening supplies.
You do not need a smartphone to take advantage of Cartwheel, but it does make it easier. You can add your coupons to your account and then print out your barcode (it never changes, once you print your barcode once, hold onto it) and show your printed barcode at the register.
Shopkick
Shopkick is a free location-based rewards app available for iPhone and Android. You can earn “kicks” when they check-in at participating businesses and when you scan the barcodes on specific products. To name a few stores you can earn “kicks” in: Target, Best Buy, Old Navy, Lowe’s, and American Eagle.
You can trade in these “kicks” for gift cards and other rewards.
What are your favorite apps for saving money?
Lori says
Do you use all of these? I’m always wary about new apps and like to find ones that really work for people I know.
Christina Shirley says
Yes! The only one I’m not currently using is shopkick and that’s just because we haven’t downloaded it onto the new phone yet. They are all credible and I fully stand behind all of them. Checkout 51 is the newest, but we have about $5 in our account right now just from buying milk, bread, and eggs usually.
Lori says
Awesome!
Kristal says
I’m always up for saving money and I’ve actually never heard of any of these apps. Thanks for sharing! These will definitely come in handy. 🙂
Sarah Bailey says
Ohh thank you for sharing these – I wonder if any work over here as well – I’m off to have a quick look now 🙂 x
mail4rosey says
I love saving money!! Thank you for sharing the apps.
Rebecca Bryant says
I love ibotta and Saving star but haven’t heard of these others off to check them out.
April Mims says
I’ll have to check those out. I only have 1 app for the grocery store I visit regularly to take advantage of their specials.
Robin Rue says
Oh man, this is the first I have heard of any of these. It looks like I have some apps to go download.
traceynicole says
These are really great apps. Surprisingly, I haven’t heard of any of these so thanks for sharing them!
Liz Mays says
I didn’t really know how the Cartwheel app worked until you just explained this. I’m totally going to use it from now on!
jaimemckee says
Cartwheel has been so fantastic for me. It’s my go-to app before shopping. I also love Shopkick!
Debbie Denny says
I have heard of a couple of them. Great apps for saving.
Chrystal M. says
Thanks for the headsup on Checkout 51. I am going to test that one out for sure. I don’t shop at Target and I have tested and/or still use the others mentioned. I do want to tell you another to try if you havent already, Receipt Hog. I find it to be pretty cool and a little fun! Chrystal @ YUMeating.com
Beth@FrugalFroggie says
One of the ways I save money is by not having a smart phone. The phone and the monthly expense of internet and unlimited minutes and texts is not worth the expense to me.
Veronica Solomon says
great apps. I will have to look into them. I can’t imagine life without a smart phone and cool apps….I guess I can 🙂
redheadbabymama says
I use cartwheel a lot. I’ll have to try some of the other ones to see if they work for me.
Jenn @ The Rebel Chick says
Wow it’s great to learn more ways to save money! I’d only heard of one of those.
Renee Bigner says
I know I can definitely use help saving a few dollars. Thanks for sharing these apps, which look much easier than coupon cutting.
Pauline Cabrera says
These are great apps! Instead of apps sucking money from us,
there are actually apps that will help us save, if not earn, money! Thanks for
the list. I’m now motivated to be more diligent with my coupon collection. 🙂
Brandy says
Thank you for sharing these apps. I want to take some time to look into ways to save more money and so I have shared this on my FB profile so I will look into the apps further this weekend!
Carly says
I actually downloaded Checkout 5. I never ended up using it- I need to get into it more!
Camesha says
I had Target Cartwheel at one point. I’ll have to look into some of this other ones as well.
PamIW says
I am interested in the Target app for sure. I love shopping there and would love to take advantage of any discounts they offer.
Kiwi says
Omg I have heard so much about the Cartwheel app! That’s it I’m downloading it this blog was my final sign!
kay adeola says
Never seen any of these.I know they will be no good to me here in the UK.
Amanda says
I love Ibotta app! It is one of my favorite apps out there!
mommamellon says
great apps. I will check them out!
Susanna Barbee says
I have to admit. I am sort of app clueless; I rarely use them unless it’s a social media app, of course. These look really cool though. I’ll have to look into them.
Ashley M says
I love both IBotta and Cartwheel but havent tried savings star yet! Thanks for the 411 🙂
Krystal says
I feel like I should get a gold star! I have all of those! 🙂 They are so fun!
savoryexperiments says
I’ve never heard of any of these. Downloading now… everyone needs to save some green!
Angela S says
Downloading the Target app now. How did I not know about that one?
Emily_faliLV says
Oh great list! I really need to get the Target app. I always forget and then don’t download it!
ebmommy says
Target Cartwheel is my favorite. Pairing the sales with the instore coupons and manufacturer coupons always makes me a happy shopper.
ToniPatton says
I don’t think I have heard of any of these before. Thanks for sharing them, I am always looking for ways to save money.
Clothesline Confessional says
I love Target Cartwheel! I’ll have to check out the other ones.
Onica {MommyFactor} says
These are some pretty cool apps. I haven’t heard of some of them before so going to check them out.
Christina Shirley says
I’ve used all of these! I liked Ibotta best, and just got into Checkout 51
Christina Shirley says
I think I just found 5 new apps to add to my ever growing list! Check out more here: http://bit.ly/1r1uvDA
xo
Jamie
http://snapginger.com
Lindsey says
I’ve used most of these. I need to utilize the Target Cartwheel app more though. Goals for 2016!