Cash-back and coupons: 10 money-saving apps to stretch the wallet
As price increases from food to gas, people are searching for ways to stretch their wallets.
According to the U.S. Labor Department's Consumer Price Index, inflation unexpectedly hit a new high in 40 years in May. The consumer price index increased 8.6% annually, the largest rise since December 1981.
To combat these price increases, people are looking for a variety of ways to save money. One way to save includes cash-back apps.
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Here are 10 cash-back applications that can offer a little relief:
Ibotta
Ibotta is a smartphone application that allows users to earn cash back on various goods from groceries and toiletries to clothing stores.
How it works
Users can save offers to get cash back on select items from local retailers.
Users have the option of uploading receipts manually or add their membership login information at local retailers so deals are added automatically.
After an Ibotta reaches at least $20 in cash back rewards, users have the option of cashing out to their PayPal or bank account, or to a gift card for a list of retailers.
Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards is an app that turns receipts into gift cards.
How it works
Users can submit any kind of receipt on the app to earn points. The more points users earn, the higher value gift cards they can redeem.
Users can earn more points for certain items or at certain retailers.
Shopkick
Shopkick helps users to earn cards while shopping online or in-store.
How it works
Users earn points, or kicks as the app refers to them, by scanning participating product bar codes that they purchase.
For online purchases, users can earn kicks for watching videos and learning about new products in the app.
Get Upside
Get Upside app helps users earn cash back on gas, food and groceries.
How it works
Users will find local offers on the app, shop as they normally would, check in to log purchases or upload photos of receipts and earn cash back.
Rakuten
The Rakuten app helps users earn cash back at thousands of select retailers.
How it works
To earn cash back, users can select offers, link their credit or debit card and pay with their linked card to earn cash back.
Coupons.com
In addition to offering various coupons, Coupons.com also offers cash back rewards.
How it works
With Coupons.com, which is also available as an app, users can activate offers that are available at various retailers then submit a photo of their receipt or log into their loyalty card at checkout. Cash back is added to user's PayPal accounts.
RetailMeNot
Use RetailMeNot's website, mobile app or Deal Finder to find the coupons, promo codes and cash back offers to save on retail, travel, food, prescriptions & more.
How it works
Users can activate cash back offers they choose before they are directed to retailers site to make their purchases. Most offers have a maximum reward of $50. Cash back can also be used in addition to a promo code at checkout.
Once the purchase is approved, the cash back reward can be redeemed via PayPal or Venmo.
GasBuddy
GasBuddy allows users to earn discounts on gas for regular purchases.
How it works
Users can earn up to "GasBack" on each qualified purchase and automatically redeem "Gasback" at the pump when you pay with your GasBuddy card. The card also save up to $0.25 per gallon.
Dosh
The Dosh app helps users earn cash back when they shop, dine or book hotels.
How it works
Users can link their credit or debit card, shop regularly and transfer money to their bank, PayPal, or Venmo, or donate to charity after accumulating $25.
Honey
Honey is a free browser extension that searches for some of the best deals on the internet. One-click and Honey searches for and tests available coupon codes at checkout on 30,000+ popular sites.
How it works
Users can add Honey to their desktop and activate rewards for eligible items. Points can be exchanged for cash back.
Staff writer Akira Kyles can be reached at akyles@gannett.com
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This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: 10 money-saving apps that have coupons or cash-back savings
