Grocery prices have been climbing for years, leaving most of us searching for creative ways to stretch our weekly household budgets. One of the absolute easiest ways to fight back against inflation is by using receipt-scanning apps on your smartphone. Instead of clipping annoying paper coupons, you simply snap a photo of your receipt to earn points that translate into gift cards. It is a fantastic system, but you need a solid strategy to rack up those points quickly rather than just earning pennies. Here are 4 tips to help you maximize your apps and start getting your groceries for free.
1. Scan Absolutely Every Receipt
The biggest mistake new users make is assuming these apps only accept receipts from major supermarkets or big box grocery stores. You can actually scan receipts from gas stations and fast food restaurants to earn points regardless of what you purchased. Every single physical receipt you upload is guaranteed to give you a minimum baseline of points toward your next reward. When you get into the habit of keeping every slip of paper handed to you, those small minimums add up incredibly fast.
2. Connect Your Digital Accounts
A huge portion of our shopping is done online, meaning you might not have a physical piece of paper. Fortunately, you can securely link your email address and your Amazon account directly within the application settings. Once connected, the app will automatically search for digital receipts from places like Instacart and Walmart online. It is completely effortless and ensures you never miss out on rewards from your late-night online shopping sprees.
3. Shop the Special Brand Offers
While scanning random receipts is great, the real money is made by paying attention to the specific brand offers listed inside the app. Fetch and Ibotta partner with major household brands to offer massive point bonuses when you buy their specific products. Before you head to the grocery store, take exactly 2 minutes to scroll through these special offers and adjust your shopping list. Buying a featured brand of cereal can easily net you thousands of bonus points in a single grocery trip.
4. Take Advantage of the Referral Program
You do not have to spend your own money to earn thousands of points. Instead, use the referral system. When you invite a friend or family member to download the app using your unique code, you both get a massive point bonus. Apps frequently run special promotions where this referral bonus is temporarily doubled or even tripled for a holiday weekend. It is a win for everybody involved and requires zero actual grocery shopping on your part.
Turning Receipts Into Real Savings
Using cashback apps is one of the smartest and most passive ways to shave dollars off your monthly grocery expenditures. By scanning every piece of paper and chasing brand bonuses, you can build up savings. It essentially turns your everyday necessary spending into a fun game that pays you back in free food. Stop throwing your receipts in the trash and start treating them like the digital currency they actually are.
Which cash back app is currently your favorite one to use after a shopping trip? Let us know in the comments!
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The post 4 Tips for Using Cash Back Apps on Your Phone appeared first on Grocery Coupon Guide.
