1. Ibotta
The app, which you will need to confirm purchases, is available to download for free in your respective app store. What it does is offers rebates on brand specific items, as well as "any brand" items. You unlock any rebate you find appealing, either before or after you shop, then after checkout you go through the process of confirming your purchases. This is actually very simple & takes only a few minutes (or more depending on how many items you have to scan) with the scanning feature. The best part is that the rebates range from general groceries to cosmetics & beauty to pet supplies to baby supplies to ALCOHOL! Yes, that's right, Ibotta offers cash back on booze.
To get the most out of Ibotta, I suggest unlocking rebates for products you will use or that you want to try out. Personally, I don't think you are saving money in the long run if you just buy whatever they're offering rebates on. What makes Ibotta truly special is that you can cash out in the form a gift card (there are several practical choices) OR you can link your Paypal & get paid once you reach the $25 threshold (gift cards have different thresholds). Join here (referral link) you get a $10 bonus after redeeming your first rebate...or use code guiucyg upon sign up.
2. Walmart Savings Catcher
If you are a frequent Walmart shopper, this app is for you! What I love about this is that it compares prices from all your local stores, and if they find a price that is lower than what you paid at their store, you get the difference. I shop weekly, spending nearly $200 each trip. I'm already saving money by shopping at one store for everything I need, this includes food/drink, cat supplies (food, litter, toys), hygiene products, etc. But, this saves me even more money, because I don't have to worry about missing out on deals at other stores. The Savings Catcher takes into account sales at other grocery chains. I usually get back between $1-$5 on each shopping trip, which by itself doesn't seem like a lot, but it adds up quickly. Scan the QR code at the bottom of the receipt via the in-app scanner or type in the receipt # via the app or their website.
The only drawback, which isn't really a big deal to me, is that your savings can only be spent at Walmart stores. You have the option of an egift card, Walmart Pay (new feature, haven't used it), or redeeming to BlueBird (which I use). With my savings I have been able to buy new glassware, exercise gear, & other odds & ends.
You can download the app in your respective app store or visit the website. You will need a Walmart account to use this. BONUS: Use your savings by shopping via Walmart.com & save money again by using the next recommendation!
3. Ebates/TopCashBack
I'm listing these two together because they are basically the same website, but their cashback offers differ the majority of the time. It is my recommendation to use both, but to check out who is offering more cashback before shopping. Also, both have some location restriction, meaning they might not be available in your area. This is strictly for online shopping, to my knowledge there is not way to upload receipts for physical purchases (if there is PLEASE let me know!).
Both work the same way, you visit their website, select the store where you want to do some shopping, then click 'shop now' when you are ready to shop! They take care of the rest. Be forewarned that cashback can take a day to show up on your account or it can take a month. Of course contact the website if you feel there is a problem with you cashback.
Ebates (referral link) is offering a $10 bonus upon completion of your first shopping trip, redeemable as a $10 Walmart gift card or a cash bonus reward. TopCashBack (referral link), at the moment, doesn't have a special promotion going on. Both have apps, so check those out or visit their websites & do some shopping!
4. Influenster
Enough with the rebate & money saving apps/sites? How about some freebie hookups!
First thing, Influenster is LEGIT! They do send out freebies - to thousands of people every month! However, work must be put in to get the freebies. While everything is free, not even any hidden shipping costs, they still work to provide, what they call voxboxes, to the right people. A whole lot goes into what makes you eligible for one of these well sought after boxes. Age, gender, location, dietary preferences, etc..it is all considered. This information & more is gathered through "snaps", which are quick surveys to determine eligibility. In addition to personal details, your activity level on their website & app is also factored in. The goal of Influenster, from my prospective anyway, is to create a community where people give their honest opinions on products AND to provide brands with invaluable feedback from real users. It's not to give out freebies just because you like freebies.
Since my sign up in November 2016, I have received two voxboxes, the Tasty VoxBox & the Twinkle VoxBox (review here & here) They offer themed voxboxes (a mix of several products, like the voxboxes I received) to brand specific voxboxes. Once you receive the voxbox, you are asked to use & review the products, completing certain tasks to unlock badges on Influenster's website & app. Tasks can include posting a photo on social media or a review on a website. After you unlock a badge by completing all its required tasks, you are entered into a contest to win additional prizes from that brand or Influenster directly. Example: I got a protein powder shake from Kashi Foods (review here), I unlocked the Kashi Badge by completing the specific tasks. I ended up winning a $30 gift card to Walgreens for doing so...which actually ended up paying for some TheraFlu when I got sick. In addition to voxboxes, they occasionally have virtualvoxes, online contests, and many other ways to earn free stuff from them & partnering brands. Finally, you can unlock additional badges by leaving reviews, asking & answering questions, scanning products (via the app), & taking photos (also via the app).
If I haven't scared you away with the threat of hard work, then join Influenster here & be sure to download their app! Remember, when leaving reviews be honest. I won my Kashi Badge prize, even though I gave the Kashi product a bad review. Don't join & be one of the many who say nice things because you think you'll be shunned for honest feedback, it doesn't do the company or the community any favors!
5. Smiley360
Another site that offers freebies AND requires a bit of work - sorry. Smiley360 isn't as labor intensive as Influenster, however, much like Influenster, Smiley360 pairs you with the best campaigns possible through information gathering via surveys. Once accepted to a campaign you'll receive a full sized product to try, review & talk about via social media, Smiley360's website, & in person. So far I've gotten a product from Mucinex (review here), Accuflora, and I'm currently waiting on the package containing my 3rd campaign (stay tuned for details).
What I personally love about Smiley360 is that the freebies have all been relevant to me. Though I'm not getting a campaign every week, the surveys have been frequent & right away I have the option to decline a campaign without repercussions (I've done this twice already). If you'd like to join click here.
!!!BONUS!!!!
Okay I have few more freebies sites for you, I just can't keep them to myself. Both do require work, as do any of the legitimate freebie sites, but are still a great way to try new products. PINCHme (referral link)...no that's the name of the site, stop pinching me! Probably the easiest of all the freebie sites I'm listing in terms of work, but you still need to leave reviews for the products you get AND you still need to match up with the guidelines set out by partnering brands. Thus far I've gotten free cat food/treats, Pure Leaf tea, toothpaste, a coupon for FREE pesto (and a few more $1 off coupons), shaving balm, body wash, & a cleaning towel. Please note that not everything is full sized, most of the freebies I've gotten have been sample sized. The other site I recommend is BzzAgent. I'm listing this site, even though I'm only on my first campaign through them (V8 Energy), because the kit was BOMB! 3 full sized cans of V8 Energy, in 3 different flavors PLUS 6 coupons for additional free cans! What is required after getting your kit, is about the same as the other sites. Posting on social media, reviewing, & talking about the product with other people.
What's your favorite site to save money or get freebies? Link below, if you have an affiliate or referral link, make sure to post it in the event I sign up. Please note, that these sites might not be available in your area or country.
