Top 10 Money Saving Apps/Extensions
Throughout the years, as a recovering Spender (as Dave Ramsey would call me), I’ve compiled a list of my favorite money saving apps. “Money saving” in my realm can range from apps that give me cash back, coupons and even some freebies! What follows is my top 10 money saving apps that I’ve used in my debt freedom journey starting in 2017! Please make sure to click on the links provided as some of these will give you an extra discount for using my code as well as give me some extra moola to take on my next road trip! I appreciate you!
General Purchases:
An example of a Stack using Fluz app (#4)!
Rakuten - Rakuten has both an app and can be used on a desktop. My favorite way to use this app is on the desktop with the Chrome extension as it automatically pops up if I am on a site that may have a cash back option! However, if you are more of a mobile shopper, the app just requires an extra step in that you have to search the store and then shop through their link so that it registers. There are a few in person cash back options using their app (I personally forget about this option as it adds another step to the shopping process). Since signing up I’ve received an extra $679.28 by taking advantages of the stores that provide cash back, stacking offers and taking advantage of times when some of my favorite stores have extra cash back bonuses (i.e. I just took advantage of a Chewy offer that gave me 10% cash back on my $100 purchase).
Honey - I feel like not many people talk about Honey and I’m here to tell you all about it! Again, I currently use Honey the most on my desktop. It pops up in varying stores AND provides current coupons to save on purchases. One of my favorite features of Honey is that I’m able to see an item’s previous price history. Why is this helpful? If an item has been increased for let’s say a “holiday sale”, it will show you the dates that these items changed and what previous prices have been. Items saved show up on your “Droplist” and you can add/remove as you’d like. I saved 20% on new luggage (NEED not a want, seriously my polka dot luggage has survived since I was in college back in 2018 😳 and the handle has finally given in). I saved by simply adding the luggage to my Droplist and received an email alert when the price had dropped by 20%. You are able to set the notification based on whatever percentage off you’ve selected! This is ESPECIALLY great if you’re waiting for some big ticket items to drop in price around the holidays.
SIGN UP: FREE!
DOSH - One of my favorite apps for cash back! This app does require you to connect your cards to the app (yes, I may lose a few of you here) but its one of the easiest apps for getting cash back. Simply connect your cards and any time you spend at one of the connecting retailers (from grocery, restaurant, retail shopping), the cash back notification comes in and you add it to your account by “depositing” it into the account. To date, I’ve received almost $200 on this app!
SIGN UP: FREE! $10 for you and $10 for me!
Fluz App - This app allows you to buy gift cards to your favorite stores with cash back provided within the app. What I love about this app is that in your first 3 purchases, you’ll receive up to 25% cash back! When you refer others, you also get vouchers for yourself which always makes me happy! What I love even MORE is that you can stack cash back on preferred cards as the gift cards will register in the category (i.e. an Olive Garden gift card will register as restaurant and you’ll receive the 3x cash back on your Chase Sapphire card). Look at the photo below on how I stacked offers using the Fluz app!
SIGN UP: Free! Get 25% off on first gift card purchase
Swagbucks - Currently, I use Swagbucks desktop extension which will also pop up whenever I am purchasing at a selected site. You can also complete surveys for extra points. I have enjoyed joining Katie’s Travel Tricks who does $500 challenges that include trying out games or websites for increased Swagbuck points. I’ve earned about $186 by using the Swagbucks app thanks to Katie and random purchases that have earned me Swagbucks!
SIGN UP: FREE! You get an extra 300SB and so do I!!
Apps/Extensions to Save on Groceries:
Ibotta - I’ve used Ibotta for years! Ibotta has in store and online options. You could connect your loyalty cards and set it and forget it. Personally, I like to keep an eye on the app to see what items I may have purchased as sometimes they have “No brand” options if you typically buy store brand items. Brand items are like the sprinkle on top for me. All you have to do is snap a photo of your receipt, select the items you purchased (most of the times the app will recognize items, submit it and it gets processed. They also have weekly/monthly challenges to get more cash back the more you shop! Fun fact: While writing this neat little blog, I read there’s also a Chrome extension so I’ll be playing with that feature asap!
SIGN UP: FREE! $10 Cash back with my code 😉
Fetch Rewards - This is another app where you can either upload your receipt (automatically scans items with more points) or connect your email so that any email receipts are automatically scanned. Sometimes Fetch has items in which you’ll receive 100% cash back (there was a time I got like 5 Klondike Reese’s ice cream bars on back to back grocery trips because they were still available, I was a happy camper). I just checked and there’s currently some bread and Gatorade at 100% cash back!
SIGN UP: FREE
Receipt Hog - Another app just like Fetch and Ibotta! Scan your receipt and/or connect your email for email receipts to collect points redeemable for gift cards! I’ve redeemed points for Amazon gift cards!
SIGN UP: FREE! Extra spins for points using my code!
Apps/Extensions to Save on Gas:
Upside - Because we do A LOT of road tripping, this one is a NECESSITY! For this app, you can find gas stations that have cash back options nearby. There’s options to also receive cash back on groceries and restaurants but I have not explored this option much.
SIGN UP: FREE! + an extra $0.15 off a gallon when using the app for the first time!
Gas Buddy - Gas Buddy will show you the nearest gas stations and their prices. That’s all I have to say about that one!
Important to Note: Sometimes driving to the cheapest place may result in spending more gas to get there so plan accordingly! Learned this one the hard way 🤷🏽♀️
Gas Station Rewards- This one will vary by location. We currently use the Pilot app to receive $.10/gallon as well as the Shell Fuel Rewards(combined with T-mobile Tuesdays) we sometimes get up to $.25 off/gallon.
I hope this article helps you save some dollars on future purchases! If you do decide to try any of these out using my links, I truly appreciate it! Let me know in the comments what other apps or extensions you’re using that I should add to this list!!