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Who would have thought that you can money for shopping? Well, you can if you use cash back apps. Sounds counter-intuitive, doesn’t it? Earn money while spending money.
The thing is, you need to buy groceries every single week, you need to update your wardrobe every now and then and you need household items all the time. Why not earn free money with cash back apps for purchasing things that you need.
Below are some of my favorite cash back apps that make it easy to earn free money for doing what you already do on a weekly basis.
Before I share with you the best apps to make money for shopping, let me address some of the most common questions about cash back apps.
Cash Back Apps That Pay You to Shop
Frequently Asked Question About Cash Back Apps
What are cash back apps?
Cash back apps are applications that pay you for purchasing specific products, shopping at certain stores or just for scanning receipts.
How do I get paid for using cash back apps?
It all depends on the rewards app. Some will award you points that can be redeemed for free PayPal money. Other apps will pay you in the form of free Amazon gift cards, some apps will even mail you a check if that’s what you prefer.
Why do apps give you cash back?
Most cash back apps work with many companies and merchants to advertise their products, stores or online shops. These companies pay the apps and websites to bring people to their stores or buy products and the apps give you a cut of the profit that they make.
Are cash back apps legitimate?
Yes, most are and all the ones listed in this article are legit ways to make money from home. I’ve personally used most of these and I’ve never had a problem getting paid.
What are the highest paying apps?
There are many great cash back apps listed in this article. The best app is a matter of preference and lifestyle. Do you prefer shopping online or in store?
Are you looking to save money on groceries, clothing, or household items? My recommendation would be to try out a handful and see which ones you think are the best apps for you, then stick with those.
Can you use old receipts for Ibotta or other cash back apps?
Can I use coupons and cash back apps?
Ebates is a shopping portal that rewards you for making online purchases at tens of thousands online stores. You can earn between 5% and 40% while shopping through their partner’s online stores.
What makes using the Ebates app even easier than ever is that you can download their Chrome extension. So anytime you are on a site that offers cash back you get a small pop up notification in the top right corner of your screen. All you need to do is click the activate link to start earning. That’s it! Easy Peezy!!
In addition to saving money online shopping, you can even earn cash back for shopping in stores. You’ll have to link your credit or debit card to your Ebates account, then you pick which offers you want and pay with your linked card.
Claim your $10 Ebates sign up bonus
Top Cashback
Top Cashback is another site similar Ebates where you can earn a percentage of cash back rewards from thousands of online retailers.
Categories include fashion, electronics, health, and beauty, plus much more. There are so many options to earn cashback everytime you shop.
You can even access some great coupons through their app to save even more money shopping.
Groupon
Groupon is one of the best cash back apps that I’ve come across. You not only can earn cash back for shopping and purchasing products, but you can earn money on almost anything.
You’ll earn cash back for eating out at partnered restaurants or on hotels, car rentals and airfare while traveling. You can even earn money when you go to a spa or getting your car cleaned or detailed which is pretty amazing if you ask me!
Seriously, it’s totally possible to earn $100 every single week using Groupons rewards app.
Drop
The Drop app is similar to Ebates where you earn cash back for shopping through their partners. You can earn while grocery shopping, eating out, or at your favorite clothing or department stores. You can even make money by taking an Uber or Lyft ride!!
One of the bigger differences between Drop and Ebates is that you must link your credit or debit cards to your account with Drop. Don’t worry your cards are encrypted so it’s safe.
The only real downfall is that you need to use your linked cards when making a purchase with Drop. The good news is, you can link multiple cards so you don’t have to remember which card to use.
What’s even better is that you can double up your earnings if you use a card that offers cash back rewards on top of what you make with Drop!!
Electronic Couponing Cash Back Apps
Okay, I just coined the phrase electronic couponing (I think). I’ve never heard the term before but it’s what came to mind that encompassed all the cash back apps listed below.
All these reward apps are really just a modern-day way to start couponing that doesn’t require paper coupons and a pair of scissors. Back in the day, saving money with coupons used to require buying the Sunday paper and clipping out the coupons you needed.
Then came coupon sites where you could print coupons on demand, but you’d still need to clip and organize your coupons.
And now, well electronic couponing (or couponing apps) are the easiest way to coupon without couponing. Does that even make sense?
Ibotta gift {$10 sign up bonus}
Ibotta is one of the best grocery apps to earn free gift cards and free PayPal money. This app started out as a grocery saving app. It’s perfect for anyone wanting to save money on groceries and household items without clipping coupons.
They have also expanded into a cashback shopping portal where you can earn cash back for shopping at their partnered online store. You can also earn rewards for dining, travel, and hotels, and much more.
Simply sign up for an account, unlock the offers you want and either snap a picture of your receipt or use your linked loyalty card. You get money deposited into your account within a day or so which can be redeemed for gift cards or free PayPal money.
Join Ibotta to get a $10 sign up bonus added to your account
Checkout 51 {Free $5 Sign Up Bonus}
Checkout 51 is a grocery rebate app similar to the Ibotta app. You simply scroll through their offers and pick the rebates you want before heading to the grocery store.
You’ll need to take a picture of your receipt to verify your purchases. Rebates earned can be deposited to your account within 24 hours.
You can even earn free money for referring your friends. Just tell your friends about Checkout 51 and send them your referral link. You’ll earn $5 in free money for every friend that signs up.
Join CheckOut51 to Earn $5 Today
SavingStar
SavingStar is another one of my cash back grocery saving apps. Simply sign up for an account, enter your store loyalty cards and choose the offers you want. When you purchase the item with your loyalty card, the money is automatically added to your account within a day or two.
You can also upload your receipt if the store where you purchased the item doesn’t have a loyalty program. SavingStar also has a cash back shopping portal, shop online through the portal and you will get a percentage of your purchase put back into your SavingStar account. Your rewards are deposited into your PayPal account.
Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards (formally mobisave) is another rewards app that pays you for buying specific products. What makes this app a bit different from some of the others is that you can purchase these products at any store you wish and still earn rewards.
You can even submit valid receipts from drug stores, convenience stores, or liquor stores as long as you are purchasing a sponsored brand product. Just snap a pic of your receipt and you earn free money!
You can redeem the points you earn from Fetch Rewards for gift cards to hundreds of popular retailers.
Join Fetch Rewards to Today
Shopmium
Shopmium is another app that rewards you for purchasing specific products. This cash back app is from the creators of coupons.com and if you’ve ever used their couponing site, you know that there are always a ton of coupons available.
The same is true with their Shopmium app. There are always products available to earn cash back rewards for everybody. Just purchase a participating product, scan the barcode and take a picture of your receipt.
Funds are deposited into PayPal or your bank account and you can even earn $2.00 for every friend you invite who signs up.
Berry Cart
Berry Cart is the best app that will help you save money while eating healthy. One of the biggest complaints about some of these rebate apps, or couponing, in general, is that they lack healthy food options.
And while that is somewhat true, in part because most don’t offer rewards for fruits and vegetables. Berry Cart is a game changer for saving money while purchasing food that is healthy.
You can get rewarded for purchasing organic, gluten-free, or non-GMO food. I like this app because you can purchase and redeem offers from any store with a valid receipt no matter where you shop.
Some of the most popular places to shop and save with Berry Cart are Whole Foods, Sprouts, Walmart, Target Safeway, and Kroger.
You can also invite friends to join Berry Cart for more earnings. You can redeem your earnings for gift cards or a PayPal deposit.
Honey
The Honey app not only allows you to earn cash back, but it also saves you money by applying coupon codes to your orders.
The Honey extension kicks into action at checkout while you are shopping online and searches a database of coupon codes. It automatically applies the best coupon code to your order while you are getting ready to make your purchase.
Honey also has a cashback type program where you can also earn HoneyGold for purchasing products through certain online retailers. You can use your rewards from Honey to get even more savings while shopping online or redeem them for free Amazon gift cards as well as gift cards to many more retailers.
Cash Back Apps for Scanning Receipts & Barcodes
Scanning your receipts is one of the easiest ways to earn free Amazon gift cards and other gift cards as well as earn free cash.
The difference between earning money scanning receipts as opposed to earning rebates for shopping is that these apps pay you for shopping anywhere! There is no need to plan ahead or pick offers to get paid.
These money making apps pay you for shopping, putting gas in your car, eating at fast food joints or fancy restaurants. You can even earn free gift cards or PayPal money for travel and hotel receipts.
I keep all my receipts in an envelope and take about 10 minutes once a week to scan them and earn free money. It’s that easy!!
Receipt Pal
Receipt Pal is another app that is similar to Receipt Hog, all you need to do is snap pictures of your receipts from anywhere.
What I like about Receipt Pal is that you not only earn points for retail store purchases, you also earn points for pics of receipts from restaurants, convenience stores, gas stations or any place that provides a valid receipt.
You can redeem your points for gift cards at various retailers as well as PayPal money.
Receipt Hog
Receipt Hog is an app that pays you for scanning your receipts. What’s great about earning cash back this way is that you don’t need to purchase a specific product to get rewarded. All you have to do is take a picture of your receipts from just about any store you shop at to earn coins.
You are also awarded “spins”, every time you upload a receipt, to play Hog Slots where you can win more coins, cash or a free shopping trip. Coins can be redeemed for a PayPal deposit or Amazon gift card.
Punchcard
Punchcard is yet another app that pays you for scanning your receipts. You’ll earn punches every time you scan a receipt at one of their participating sponsors.
For every 6 receipts you scan, you earn a spin on the prize wheel to win prizes or more punches. Your punches can be redeemed for prizes or gift cards to many retailers of your choice, including Amazon gift cards.
Turnow
National Consumer Panel
National Consumer Panel is a program that pays you just for scanning the barcodes of the items you buy on a daily or weekly basis. You can scan items via your smartphone. If you don’t have one, they’ll send you a handheld barcode scanner.
You can redeem your points for merchandise, free Amazon gift cards or even cash. You can earn even more if you are a dedicated contributor, meaning you scan your purchases consistently.
The longer you are a member the more you earn. You can even earn more bonus points by completing surveys.
Earn Cash Back With Micro Tasks
Who would have thought you can earn cash back, free Amazon gift cards or even free PayPal money while sitting in a waiting room at the doctor’s office?
Well, you can by completing simple tasks on your smartphone. You can make money while sitting in traffic, in line at the grocery store, even while you make supper.
Check out these sites that pay you for doing simple tasks like playing short videos, searching the web, playing games and more.
Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a reward site that lets you make money by doing a variety of simple tasks online. You can also make money via Swagbucks app on your smartphone.
With the Swagbucks app, you’ll earn points, known as Swagbucks (SB), by completing small and simple tasks like watching videos, answering surveys, searching the web, discovering offers and performing other tasks.
Swagbucks also offers a great referral bonus program. When you refer a friend or family member to Swagbucks, you earn 10% of their earnings for life.
The Swagbucks app makes it easy to earn some points no matter where you are, which means you can monetize your time anywhere.
You can redeem your points to earn free PayPal money or free gift cards to numerous retailers, including Amazon.
My Points {Earn a $10 Gift Card for Signing Up}
My Points is another awesome site that pays you for doing all kinds of small tasks. Tasks include completing surveys, searching the web, printing coupons, watching videos, playing games, shopping through their portal and much more.
They award you points for completing these small tasks that you can redeem for gift cards (including Amazon) or a PayPal deposit.
Claim your $10 Amazon Gift Card When You Join My Points
Shopkick
Love to window shop and browse through stores? Did you know you can get free gift cards to window shop with the Shopkick app? Who would have thought that there would be a rewards app just for window shopping, pretty cool, huh?
Shopkick is an app that awards you “kicks” (or points) for walking into stores like Walmart, TJ Maxx, Target and more. Earn even more “kicks” for buying certain products and taking pictures of your receipts. It even pays you for purchasing products online with a linked debit card.
Kicks can be redeemed for gift cards to a number of retailers including Amazon, Starbucks, Walmart, Target, Best Buy and many more.
Field Agent
Field Agent is an app that rewards you for being a mystery shopper. It’s a micro-task app but the only tasks they offer involves shopping but not necessarily purchasing stuff.
Tasks or missions might include going into specific stores and taking pictures of product displays, checking prices on items or taking store surveys.
Once you accept a mission, you have two hours to complete it. It’s a fun way to earn gift cards while doing your normal everyday shopping if a mission fits into your shopping plans.
The typical payout for missions is around $12, so your earning could really add up quick.
More Ways To Get Cash Back
Paribus
Paribus is a bit different from the rest of these tools. It is an app that monitors the pricing for everything you have purchased online. If the price drops for the exact same item you bought, it’ll get you a refund for the difference!
You’ll have to link the email address where your online receipts are delivered to, which is no big deal. Then Paribus gets to work finding lower prices and cash back for you.
Rewards Cards
Sign up for a credit card that offers cash back or points for your purchases. This is one of the easiest ways to earn with almost no effort at all!
eGifter
We all buy gift cards to give as gifts around the holidays or throughout the year for birthdays and other occasions. Why not earn rewards to get free gift cards for yourself or save money while gifting with eGifter?
eGifter is an app where you can go to buy gift cards and earn points that can be redeemed for free or discounted or free gift cards.
You can send gift cards to friends by email or text, you can even print a PDF of the gift card to hand deliver to the recipient.
Open a Savings Account With High-Interest Rates
Opening a savings account that pays you a great interest rate is, hands down the easiest way to earn cash back in the form of interest.
Mainly because you don’t need to do a thing, besides funding your savings just like you do now. Really, why not take the cash back earned from all the apps listed above and make even more money in interest.
My top recommendation to earn the most interest is the CIT Bank Savings Builder account. Currently, they are paying 2.45% interest which makes earning more money a breeze.
Cit Bank is the best option and my recommendation for your emergency savings.
- Currently, they pay 2.45% APY through their savings builder account.
- Have no opening or maintenance fees.
- Compound interest daily to maximize your earning potential.
- Only require $100 minimum deposit to open an account.
Ninja Trick To Stack Your Cash Back App Earnings
I have a ninja trick that’ll help you earn even more cash back in less time. With all the options I listed in this article, there are plenty of ways to double, triple or even quadruple (or more) your earnings.
Want to know what it is? Of course, you do! Well, there are many tasks that you can do that will help you earn more cash back from multiple sites or apps at the same time.
For instance, one easy way is by earning cash back from Ebates while saving money with Groupon. And you don’t even have to go to multiple apps! Just go to your Ebates account and shop on Groupon, you get great deals using Groupon while earning cash back from Ebates.
It’s as easy as that. Of course, you could get really elaborate and take earning cash back to a whole new level.
Here’s an example…
I’m the primary shopper in our family so I’ll use this as an example because I do this all the time. Let’s say I am about to go grocery shopping.
I, of course, scan Ibotta, Checkout 51, SavingStar and any other grocery shopping rewards app to see if there are any rebates for things that are on my grocery list. I’ll unlock these offers.
I plan on grocery shopping at Walmart so I check ShopKick and Field Agent to see if I can earn points for any tasks or missions. Then I go grocery shopping and I pay for with my rewards credit card. Once I get home, I scan my receipts.
In this scenario, I had the opportunity to earn cash back from 11 different money making apps
- Ibotta, Checkout 51, SavingStar and others (for the products I unlocked and purchase)
- Rewards Visa Card (earned points for using this card)
- Drop (Because I used my linked rewards card)
- Receipt Hog (scanned my receipt)
- Receipt Pal (scanned my receipt)
- Punch Card (scanned my receipt)
- ShopKick (if there was an opportunity available at the time)
- Field Agent (if there was an opportunity available at the time)
- National Consumer Panel (for scanning the barcode for my purchases)
So I had over 11 opportunities to earn cash back for one grocery shopping trip. Something I would need to do anyway. Of course, things will not always aline as in this scenario but there are 5 that are guaranteed ways to earn with multiple apps for doing one task.
I’m sure there are many more ways to double up your rewards. You just need to know how the apps or programs work and think outside the box. Before you know it you’ll be earning more in less time!!! 
Final Thoughts
These cash back apps are a great way to earn money and save a lot while shopping for things that you normally would
Earning cash back is not a get rich quick scheme, you need to put in some time and work. Some tasks are easier than others and some are more convenient, based on your lifestyle.
How much you earn depends on how much time you have and how much effort you put into it. Obviously, nobody can do all the things that I’ve listed in this article.
Pick and choose the ones that fit your lifestyle. If you are the household shopper, then earning cash from shopping apps and scanning receipts might be the best option for you.
My suggestion would be to start off trying a few of these options, get in the habit and work it into your schedule. Once they become second nature, add in a few more.
Before you know it, you’ll be an expert!!
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