Saving (Earning!) Money on Everyday items: Gas, Groceries, Coffee, Beer, Wine + More

Back in 2017, I posted about Saving Money with Kids, which had 3 ways to save money on things you were buying anyways (mostly online), well today I'm here to add a few more options, for in-store purchases/groceries and will reiterate the original since most can be used in conjunction with each other. I use all of these, almost all the time and figured it would be good to share with everyone! Mind you, you won't get RICH with these, but the money and rewards do add up over time and its all benefits for what you'd be being anyways. And yes, you read that title right, you can even save money on alcohol!

I'll start with the new ones I've found since my 2017 post and end with the ones I posted about in 2017. 

1) Ibotta :  Ibotta is an app that gives cash back for buying specific products. A lot of times they are items that are new to the market, but you'll also see some classic brands like General Mills cereal, Bud Light beer,  Tyson Chicken, etc. They even offer various cash back for fresh or non-branded items like chicken, pasta sauce or fresh apples. You can find those by searching for "any" and those that aren't brand or item specific will pop up. You can scroll/search through the app before you shop to see whats included, claim those offers and shop based on that. However, if you forget to do that in advance or while shopping (which is me most of the time), I check the app after I shop and search for the items I bought and if an offer exists, I claim it and take a picture of my receipt and get the cash back in my account within 48 hours. I usually end up with at least ONE item, usually an any brand/any item rebate. I find the app really beneficial when stocking up on beer/wine/liquor (yes all 3 are included!) for parties as they always have a large selection of those items. Ibotta also can be used for some online shopping as well but is more popularly used for grocery and convenience stores. Once you accumulate at least $20 cash back, you can request a check or payment via PayPal. Sign up from my link and get up to $20 back after you redeem your first brand name item.

My current standings with Ibotta, trying to earn my next $20 to cash out

2) Fetch Rewards: I just discovered this one in late 2018 and wish I knew about it sooner as it may be my favorite app for earning rewards on your normal purchases! This one is similar to Ibotta with specific offers that you can search for in advance of shopping, however I really like app because you can scan your receipt after each shopping trip and it'll match it to offers that exist, without you having to select them before hand. It's super easy and convenient. You can even hook up your email and Amazon accounts and get credit for those purchases as well. Fetch  is good for receipts from places like Target, Amazon, Publix (grocery stores), Costco, Walgreens and even places like Dollar Tree. Fetch doesn't give cash back, however it does give points which can be redeemed for gift cards and items from SO many places like Target, Amazon, Starbucks, etc. Enter my referral code: R6BEB at the sign-up screen and you'll get 2,000 Fetch Points ($2.00 in points!) when you complete one receipt. You can scan the same receipt you used for Ibotta above as well. 

Fetch Rewards add up quickly
This is equivalent to $24.42 in gift cards since December 2018

3) Get Upside: Anyone else HATE buying gas? I know I do! This app makes it sting a little less. Get Upside is an app that gives you cash back on our gas. Only select gas stations participate and since the app is still relatively new, it mostly only has participating gas stations in the Southeast United States but I know they are trying to grow it nationwide, so if your state is not currently participating, check back often. Lucky for me, the gas station closest to my house and the one I visit the most frequently, a Shell, participates. All you need to do is open up the app and CLAIM the gas station you will be using BEFORE you start pumping and then upload your receipt after you are done. The app will show you which gas stations are participating in your area, so if you are traveling you can always pull up the app along the way. It's that easy! You can redeem your cash back for gift cards or cash (via Paypal or a check).  It says some convenience stores participate as well, however I am yet to see any in my area (Orlando, FL). Use my code, DENISE9432 to get a BONUS 15 cents back per gallon on your first use. Once you sign up and share your code, you'll continue to get 1 cent back on all your referrals purchases as well. 

Example of participating gas stations in a selected area

My lifetime earnings since Fall 2018

4) Drop: I signed up for this one in late 2018 and actually forgot about it until the other day when I was looking through all my apps for something. Turns out I had over $30 earned and thats with me just setting it up and forgetting about it, I'm sure I could have earned more if I took advantage of all it has to offer. So what is it? It's an app that you select your favorite brands (you get to select 5  favorites to get "Power Offers" for places you shop most frequently which is how I had so much money earned - I have Target, Dunkin, Walgreens, Uber and McDonalds), link your most used credit/debit cards and earn Drop points which can be redeemed for gift cards. Use my code g0obr to get $5 in points. Other ways to earn besides your selected favorite brands is to search their offers and buy from their links. 

This is after I've already redeemed $20 worth of points for a Starbucks Giftcard

And below are my previous 3 tips:

1) If shopping online, I ALWAYS shop through Ebates, which has a browser for desktop computers and an app if using a mobile device. Just go to Ebates, first, and then search for the store you are shopping at, and it will tell you if you are eligible for a certain percentage cash back on your purchase. Some stores are as little as 1% and others are in the double digits. Once a quarter, Ebates, will send you your savings through paypal or a physical check. It’s super easy and free money for the shopping you’d be doing anyways.  Since I’ve been using Ebates, which I started in the beginning of 2015, I’ve earned over $700! Some of my favorite stores that I shop at on there are Target, Kohls, Disney Store and Raise (more on Raise next!). Ebates,  even offers cash back on Amazon, although the categories that are eligible vary depending on the day.

From 2017 Post

Current as of today

2) This next tip is helpful for in store shopping and online shopping. There is a website and app called Raise. Raise sells discounted gift cards for pretty much anywhere and everywhere. Before I go to a store, or even while in the store, I’ll pull up my Raise app, and put in the store and see what gift cards they have for sale. Almost always I can find a discounted gift card for the store I’m shopping at or restaurant I’m eating at and if they offer the e-giftcard, the delivery is almost instant and you can use on that trip to the store/restaurant or save for another day. They put the digital gift cards into a wallet on the app (or if home you can print out!) that you can use online or the stores can scan at checkout. Instant savings, and sometimes they are around 20% off! or more! And since it’s just another payment method instead of cash, debit or credit, you can still use coupons and rewards programs. Save even more by going to Ebates, (mentioned above) first and then search for Raise and get an additional 1% back on the gift card purchase. I also buy discounted gift cards from Raise and then load into some of my apps such as Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts (usually have 15-20% off there!) to be used later and earn rewards against them through the various apps. There are grocery stores, restaurants, retail and so many other options. Note: sometimes they only offer physical gift cards that are mailed for free to your house, so keep that in mind when trying to buy gift cards for same day use (the type of gift card is clearly noted on Raise).

As you can see, I've been using Raise for YEARS and have saved over $600

3) If you are disciplined enough with credit cards (I know a lot of people can’t do this), charge everything you buy with a credit card that earns some sort of rewards (airline, cash back,  hotels, etc), and then pay off the balance in full each month, and that’s free money you are earning that can used for free stuff. We literally charge anything an everything possible on our cards, and with that we earn enough points to go on a few free flights each year and stay in hotels for free on points. We personally use a SPG Amex to earn hotel points and Delta Amex to earn free flights, and then a Southwest Visa for the places that don’t accept Amex and then pay off all the balances in full each month so that we don’t have to pay any interest, so it’s truly free benefits. We haven't paid for a hotel or flight in YEARS. Note: We do use cards with annual fees because of the extra benefits offered, but there are plenty of credit cards out there that offer rewards without an annual fee. 

4) And now for the best part, this is what I call the Triple Dip! Use that rewards credit card in #3 above to buy the gift card from Raise which you buy through Ebates, and earn rewards, get discount on the gift card and get cash back on Raise! Sometimes you are only earning pennies, but this seriously adds up to some serious cash through out the year, and it’s all FREE for the money you’d be spending anyways!

Hope these apps help you save and earn money so you can spend your money on the things you truly enjoy!

If you want to check out any of these sites/apps, click on the links to the pages, and through my referral links you’ll get the following benefits: 

Raise:  $5 off after you make your first purchase (w/in 30 days of signing up)

Ebates: Get $10 back after you make your first purchase

Ibotta: Get up to $20 back after you redeem your first brand name item

Fetch Rewards: Enter my referral code, R6BEB at the sign-up screen and you'll get 2,000 Fetch Points ($2.00 in points!) when you complete one receipt
Get Upside: Use my code, DENISE9432, to get a BONUS 15 cents back per gallon on your first use
Drop: Use my code, g0obr, to get $5 in points upon signing up 

Full disclosure: If you click on one of my affiliate links, I will get a small portion of credit for each person I refer, I thank you for that in advance.