Money-Saving Ideas-Part II {Apps}

If you know me well, you know  that I can be a bit (okay, more than a bit) of a penny pincher.  Both Kevin and I are guilty of that.  Through our research and experiences, we’ve found a number of resources helpful to enable us to become a frugal family.  If you missed the first post about money-saving websites, be sure to check it out.  Another way we have found helpful in this world of technology is using money-saving apps.  Some give coupons, while others give cash back based on what you’ve spent.  Kevin and I have either used these apps at one point or another or know someone trusted who recommends these apps.

Money-Saving Apps

• Cub Foods Gas Rewards: Unfortunately, I just did a little research and found out that Cub is only in Minnesota and Illinois.  Bummer.  But if you’re from MN or IL, this program is great!  Cub gives you 10 cents off a gallon of gas at Holiday Gas Station for each $100 you spend.  It might not seem like a lot, but it really adds up.  Right now we have $0.20 off per gallon sitting on our card right now.
• Coupons and Grocery Apps: Cub Foods has a coupon app where it links to your Cub card (the same card for gas).  After my discovery that not everyone is so fortunate to have a Cub Foods near them, I did a little research.  It seems as though most grocery stores have apps where you can view coupons and plan your grocery list.  While it may not be exactly the same, we have found that if we plan our meals and coupons accordingly, it saves us money.
• Walmart Savings Catcher (family tested): Though I don’t have experience with this on my own, my parents use this because they shop at Walmart for their groceries.  To use Savings Catcher, scan your receipt and if a cheaper price is found somewhere else, Walmart will refund the difference.  My mom says the first few times she tried they got money back, but it’s been a while since they’ve earned any more.  My opinion is that if it’s free money, even if it’s only a little….why not?

• Checkout 51 (iOS and Android): Checkout 51 is a grocery program that gives you cash back based on what you buy.  The wonderful thing about this app is that it is redeemable for all grocery stores.  At the Fischer household, we love our Cub, so it was nice to have flexibility.  To use Checkout 51, you choose your offers for the week and get cash back for those offers.  They have a pick your own offer where you pick from a list of items for $0.25 off–usually common produce (bananas, potatoes, onions, cucumbers, etc.).  We do the pick your own offer almost every week.  Then they have a list of grocery items that you can get cash back for.  Most are not grocery-store specific, but there are a few that are.  Often I’ve found that the grocery-store specific ones are from Walmart.  Once you reach $20 in your account, Checkout 51 will mail you a check.  It’s not something that will earn you a ton of money, but it’s the little  things that add up, right?
• Ibotta (iOS and Android): Ibotta works the same as the Checkout 51 coupon app.  Pick your offers, scan your receipt, get money back.  They have a variety of available stores to choose from and the money can be cashed out to a bank account.
• Cartwheel (iOS and Android): Cartwheel works by giving a percentage off a certain item or group of items.  For example, they may offer 25% off of lighting and you would earn credit for any lighting product you buy.

Happy saving and feel free to comment to tell about your own good (or bad) experiences with money-saving apps!