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The Pink Umbrella Girl > Money

Apps That Help Make and Save You Money!

Almost all of us are walking around with a smart phone now with loads of apps and instead of playing a game, I like to save my data for apps that are going to make or save me money! I also enjoy apps that are consumer friendly and worth my time and lucky for you I have shared my top three apps for making or saving money!

Ibotta- This app works for both Apple iOS and Android and has three ways to earn money from 284 stores and restaurants three different ways 1. Sending receipts, 2. Linking a loyalty card, and 3rd by doing Mobile in-app purchases. (Personally, I have earned money using the first two options only at this point.)

Using the first and second options Ibotta is very simple to use-

  1. Find offers on a variety of items including everything from produce, toilet paper, protein powder, cereal, toothpaste and even magazines! I love this app because the options are endless, and I am usually able to find something I need on each shopping trip that I can get paid for!
  2. Buy the products you selected from the app at the participating store. *Tip* When I am in store I open the app and check the product barcode using the in-app scanner to make sure my product is eligible. Some items can even be bought up to five times on one receipt which means you are getting paid five times for buying the product-this is perfect for when you are stocking up on something.
  3. Redeem your offer by taking a photo of your receipt. Once you take the picture and submit your redeemed products you are credited in the app. Once you reach a minimum of $20 you can cash out via gift cards, PayPal, or Venmo.

***Interested in joining Ibotta to earn cash back rewards on everyday purchases? Sign up here using my referral code and get $10 to start earning! https://ibotta.com/r/sxcxg

Receipt Hog- This app is incredibly simple and feels a lot more like a game than making easy money! You literally take a picture of your receipt from restaurants, grocery stores, pet supply stores and even gas stations to earn “coins” which you can redeem for money towards Amazon, PayPal and Magazines. Easy Peasy! Some receipts go towards playing their version of slots where you can win any number of coins or sadly none at all! *Tip* Once you have redeemed your receipt using the Ibotta app, use the receipt again to get coins towards additional money!

Target App-Formerly Cartwheel- I love this app when I am couponing because when you open the app-at the top of the screen it has a barcode in the search bar and when you tap that it turns your phone into a barcode scanner that looks up offers, prices and more while shopping in store. Pick up an item in store to scan and if an offer is available you can then add the item to your list and show a barcode at checkout for the list of your offers. Offers range from 5% and up making it worthwhile to scan every item in your cart before checking out so you don’t miss saving money! *Tip* This app is so handy because when I use a coupon with a Target offer I get double the savings!

***TIP*** In the rare opportunity when I use a coupon, a Target offer and an Ibotta redemption and then submit the receipt to Receipt Hog-well friends-welcome to some extreme money saving! 😊

Ibotta Lifetime earnings! My goal is to reach $500 in 2018!
Ibotta App open and ready to go!
Receipt Hog App Oink! Oink!
Target App-formerly known as Cartwheel
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How I save 25% or more with coupons!

 

Do you like a good deal? Who doesn’t right? Because of couponing I have turned into that person who whips out a coupon for food and activities because well…why not and who doesn’t like to save money?

 

But I didn’t always! I remember that in the past I would go grocery shopping or make a Target run, I would plan a grocery list or even better yet cut out coupons from the Sunday paper and then be oh so happy when I would use them or even remember them! But I found that I could not find a way to really stick with couponing or using them before they expired and then finding them at the bottom of my purse after I had left the store.

Columbus introduced me to store competition that Florida lacked and I also discovered fuel perks and doubling coupons (say what?!) and that’s how I got sucked in. Suddenly there were over three different grocery stores for me to shop and price compare at. Each store had its own policy (which can sound daunting to conquer) but over time I found a way to get the best prices and not feel overwhelmed! I look back to my Florida days and think about how easy it was “back then” but then again, no fuel perks!

 

When I am out shopping and using my coupons I am stopped at least 2-3 times in the store and get asked everything from “what are you doing?” “Oh couponing, is that  like on that T.V. Show?” “Oh I could never do that-I don’t have enough time!” and a personal fave which I got asked again yesterday “Do you actually save money doing that?” I totally get it-it seems intimidating seeing my coupon binder and me meticulously checking my coupons against products trying to get the bottom line dollar for a product but at the end of a shopping trip and I am paying 25% to 50% less than the person behind me for the same products-well then folks-it is totally worth it!

 

Here is what I have learned:

  1. Organize, Organize Organize! If you don’t know what coupons you have-you will be less likely to use them! Trust me! It took a while to find a system that worked for me but this is another reason why people stop me in the stores because they always tell me what a good idea my coupon book is and that they would probably use coupons more because they always forget them and wish if they knew about this first trick! Try my coupon book idea-if it doesn’t work out for you there are other ways-important thing is to know what coupons you have and when they will expire!

 

  1. The Sunday paper is where you will find most coupons and I try to buy mine with a Groupon.  I like to start saving money from the start because you can find that subscriptions with Groupon there is usually a 25-50% savings over going through your newspaper company sales! Sunday coupons will have new products and seasonal products and sometimes old favorites too but this is great because who doesn’t like to try the new stuff first and for less?

 

  1. You can also print coupons online from coupons.com This is my favorite online resource for extra coupons especially while you are filling your coupon book or looking for items that you normally buy or something you want to try.

 

4. Know your stores couponing policy-each store is different and knowing the policy saves time at check out! However, some cashiers aren’t familiar with their own policies and this is where kindness and patience goes a long way especially if they need to call a manager to your checkout to approve coupons!

 

 

  1. Know your coupons verbiage and expiration dates and read the fine print-please don’t piss off cashiers and the people behind you in line-don’t be THAT person! Fortunately for the cashiers most coupons will beep when they are expired and the cashier is not able to override this-but it’s just easier to be prepared before using them! As far as fine print goes an example is: If a coupon reads “.50 off any two (2) products” Do not try to use this coupon on 1 item when it says you must buy 2 just because you only want/need 1 item it won’t work-read the fine print.

 

 

List of items to get started making your coupon book:

  • 3 Ring Binder
  • Coupon Sheet Labels to separate your type of coupons- for example: Dairy, Cereal, Medicine, etc. these can be typed out as shown below or use any paper and write them out based on your needs.  An example of what I use:

  • I still advise using a grocery list so you don’t forget what you are shopping for. I put a C next to items on my list that I have a coupon for to remind me in the store!

  • And last but not least, just because you have a coupon doesn’t mean you must use it! To quote my husband “It’s only a good deal if you use what you buy.“

 

Now go get those deals and Happy Couponing!!!

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