Web App
Honey
Honey is a browser extension that automatically finds and applies coupon codes at checkout with a single click.It works with a large number of online stores (actually, I haven't found one that it's not worked with...), including Amazon, Shopify, Kohl's, eBay, Target, Walmart, Office Depot, Pizza Hut, etc.
Once installed on your browser, it will automatically look for the best price when shopping.
You can also click on the Honey icon on your menu bar and it will show you the top coupon codes.
Last week, when I was too tired to cook, I ordered pizza to be delivered. I asked the Honey app to find a coupon code—which it did. It saved me from having to do one of those coupon code searches in which you copy and paste the code into the website & hope that it works. With one click I ended up saving $5.41 on my order (not bad). I use it on Amazon all of the time. It finds the cheapest price for the same product (and it figures in tax & shipping).
The other thing about Honey is that there is a referral bonus of $5 for anyone you recommend. So if you have friends or family who you think might like the app, you can send them your referral link. Once they make a "qualified" purchase, you get $5 deposited to your Honey account.
Full disclosure, Honey offers referral rewards. I'm including both the referral link and the regular link below. I'd love it if you used the referral link (because I'm curious if/how it actually works), but I don't want that to stop you from trying out the app:
- Referral Link: JoinHoney.com/ref/4wf2ol
- Regular Link: JoinHoney.com
Couponing Apps
In general, they aren't store specific. They may offer different discounts depending on what store you buy an item from, but they are usually product-focussed.
I've read a lot about various apps on a plethora of budgeting websites and thought I'd finally try out a few. These are a little more work than the Honey app. Most require that you search through their offers and pick ones you're interested in. Then, when you go shopping, you have to scan the product barcode, and take a picture of your purchase receipt. Once approved, the rebate (which can vary from 25¢ to $20) gets deposited into your account.
It is essentially another way to "stack" coupons, but instead of automatically getting the price cut, the amount gets deposited into your account. Once you've met the minimum threshold, you can then transfer the money to PayPal or opt for gift cards.
The one thing I like about these apps is that sometimes you can save money on items like produce. Last week, there was a "coupon" for milk—just milk, no specific brand, which was great for me since I tend to buy local organic milk.
Ibotta
The truth is, I didn't try Ibotta sooner because everyone who has it on their list uses a referral link, and I questioned whether it would be worth my time. But, I found out that their referral links reward the referee more than the referrer, so I gave it a try. I'm still a newbie, so I'll have to update you when I have more of the Ibotta experience under my belt.
Ibotta considers itself a rebate app. Essentially, you download the app, unlock "cash rewards" by picking items or doing a task (like watching a 1 minute video), shop, then take a picture of your receipt. Once approved, your cash reward / rebate is deposited into your Ibotta account. They say it usually takes 48 hours.
It also allows you to shop via your mobile device to take advantage of online rebates.
Rebates vary from 25¢ to $20 (most are in the range of $2).
The best part, in my opinion, is that it lets you link your store loyalty / rewards cards to the account. So when you scan the cards, it automatically shows up in your account, without having to take a picture of your receipt. One less step makes it easier to play along.
It also gives you a wide berth of time to get your receipt uploaded. In most cases you have a couple of weeks—so you can actually go through your receipts from the past week or so and upload them to get rebates.
It doesn't work for every store or every website, but the app will do a regional search and let you know what stores it works with. It's pretty extensive, but not all encompassing.
Ibotta also has a referral link, but this one you'll definitely want to use because it pays you $10 if you redeem
- Referral link: https://ibotta.com/r/ryhyqtr
[Update]: I've been using ibotta for 2 weeks and am finding that you need to be organized, possibly more organized than I am, to really make this work for you. I was able to save a couple of dollars, but couldn't manage the 6 offers that it took to get the introductory $10 offer. This was mostly because the offers available weren't on things that I usually (or even occasionally) buy.
The best deal (because its cold/flu season) was for $3 off a 6-dose pack of Boiron's Oscilococcinum. Something I actually buy, except even with the $3 off, the 6-dose pack price still came out to $1.25 per dose, whereas the 30-dose pack price had a $1/dose unit price—effectively saving me $7.50 in the long run. That's over 2 times the savings offered from ibotta. Sure, it might've been worth it had I been able to find 4 more deals in order to grab that extra $10, but almost everything they offered rebates on (during those 2 weeks), had the same conundrum: I can either buy a different size or another brand and save more than the ibotta app is offering me.
So, this is a good deal if you can manage to capture those 6 offers within 2 weeks AND if they're things you normally buy. It certainly doesn't cost you anything to try out. I'd encourage you to try it to see if it works for you. If it doesn't, nothing lost. If it does, FABULOUS!
MobiSave
I like MobiSave because it works everywhere and there is no minimum threshold for payment. Like the other apps, you'll need to sign up and scan their offers. Take a picture of your receipt and MobiSave deposits money directly into your PayPal account within 24 hours.MobiSave offers cash back on general items like any brand cereal, bacon, coffee, olive oil, as well as name brand items.
You'll need to use the email address that is associated with your PayPal account (otherwise you won't get paid).
Checkout51
Checkout51 gives weekly cash back offers. But what I like about this app is that they regularly offer coupons for produce (this is also the app that gave me 50¢ for any brand milk). It also has contests and more general offers like $1 cash back for any receipt.
This one is a little more work than MobiSave. Some of the offers are both store and brand specific, so you have to watch for that. And the offers are available in limited quantities, so you have to be diligent about uploading your receipt ASAP.
The minimum threshold for payment is $20, and they only payout via check sent through the mail. The advantage is there are no PayPal fees. The disadvantage is that the payout takes a bit longer to get to you.
There aren't any bells and whistles with this one. No referral links, no loyalty card linking, no PayPal access, but it's good for those items that don't usually get coupons or discounts.
Store Specific Apps
Granted, I don't shop a lot of places, but there are some good store-specific apps that offer discounts.
Target's Cartwheel App
This app offers digital coupons for products bought at Target. Essentially, you download the app to your smartphone and scan the barcodes of the items you're purchasing. The app will let you know if there is a coupon for that item. If there is, you click the "add" button and it gets saved. If there is no coupon, the app will show you similar products that do have coupons (in case you want to swap it out).
At the register, they scan the app bar code to apply the discounts.
Not all of the coupons are that great. Most are 5% off (which sometimes equates to a few pennies), but you can stack these savings with manufacturer coupons—and if you have a Target Debit or Credit card, you can save another 5% on top of that.
Like I said, I'm not a HUGE shopper, but this usually saves me a couple of dollars per trip.
Walmart's Savings Catcher
I'm really not a Walmart shopper (mostly to preserve my sanity), but I know people who are. Savings Catcher is a little different than the Cartwheel app, in that once you make your purchase, you scan the receipt barcode with your smartphone. Savings Catcher then checks for competitor's prices. If something is found more cheaply elsewhere, you'll get a Walmart eGift card for the difference.
If you're a regular Walmart shopper, this may be enticing—so long as you remember to use your eGift cards.
Joann's & Michaels
I don't shop at the craft stores all that often, although when I need fabric for a project, I'll search the Joann app for coupons. Both store apps offer the general 20-40% off coupons, with the occasional 50% off. (These coupons can usually be found on their websites or weekly flyers as well).Truthfully, I ditched the Michaels app because it was always crashing. Most of the time the cashier would just automatically scan the coupon if I asked.
Other Apps I Failed At (But May Revisit Later)
I've tried a lot of apps, hopeful that they would save me time and money, but the truth is, sometimes they just didn't.
1. ShopKick
What it promised:
- Rewards you with “kicks” (reward points) for visiting participating retailers (Macy’s, Target, Crate & Barrel, Best Buy, Old Navy, etc.
- You can also earn “bonus kicks” for scanning specific items within the store.
- Redeem your reward points for retail & restaurant gift cards.
- Connect your credit or debit card to your account to earn points when you spend money at stores such as Target. I have personally found this the best way to earn points, since I don’t do a lot of retail shopping at other stores, but I do go to Target every now and then.
What I found:
I spent way too much time running around scanning products in order to get points and half the time the product would no longer be available for points when I got to it.
I was able to accumulate enough points to get ONE $5 gift card. I kept track of my time and figured out that that one $5 gift card took me 6 hours to acquire. (So not worth it.)
2. Inbox Dollars
What it promised:
- Earn Inbox Dollars for a variety of activities, including taking surveys, completing activities, searching the web, watching videos and more.
- Works in conjunction with your online Inbox Dollars account.
- Pays CASH and you get a $5 bonus just for signing up.
- Get paid when you earn $30.
What I found:
Rewards didn't add up very quickly for me & I spent entire days trying to take surveys and completing activities. You have to answer a number of questions to first see if you qualify for the survey. Most of the time I didn't. So, I'd spend 10 minutes answering questions only to get rejected from the survey or find out that the survey was no longer available.
I think this works only if you are a much bigger consumer than I am.
I never did make it to the $30 threshold.
3. Swagbucks
What it promised:
- Shop online, Watch entertaining videos, Search the web, Answer surveys and find great deals to earn your points.
- Redeem your points for gift cards to your favorite retailers like Amazon and Walmart or get cash back from PayPal.
What I found:
I know lots of people love Swagbucks, but when I remembered to us it, it was a time-suck. And half the time I just didn't remember to use it. It was never simple enough to make it into my routine.
No comments:
Post a Comment