I used to have a drawer in my kitchen where I put all my coupons, rebates, special offers, etc., all those invaluable little pieces of paper that made stretching my budget to the max possible. It was just an ordinary drawer, but it was absolutely full to the brim with money-saving paper scraps.
There were coupons that came in the mail, in the Sunday newspaper, and on the back of my receipts. Sometimes, I was able to find the brands or products I was looking for; other times, to be totally honest, sorting through it all was a bit overwhelming. Okay, it was really overwhelming.
Then I discovered shopping rewards and rebate apps and pretty much ditched my coupon drawer—forever. Goodbye old paper coupons, hello easy to use smartphone app! Now that drawer has turned into our family junk drawer and I’m not even sure what’s in there. A souvenir postcard from our last vacation? Gluesticks my boys brought home from school? I think I even saw some old banana chips. Not very a-peeling (ha!), but better than the pile-o-stress that used to be at home there.
Now, when I first switched from paper offers to using smartphone apps to help stretch my budget, I found myself asking, “Can you use multiple rebate apps?” There was a lot at stake, budget-wise, so I looked into it. The answer? A big ole YES! Yes, you can use multiple rebate apps, but it takes a little bit of planning, strategy, and skill. These rebate apps aren’t the same as the coupons of yore because with rebate apps you often get reimbursed after your purchase rather than at the register. The end result is the same, though: savings. So, get ready to take back your coupon drawer!
Can You Use Multiple Rebate Apps (and Other Frequently Asked Questions)
When I first made the transition from a packed drawer full of paper coupons to a small group of smartphone rebate apps, one of the most stressful things was figuring out exactly what each of the rebate apps I was using actually did.
It’s not hard to find rebate apps—they’re incredibly easy to search for on the app stores—and I found plenty of options right away. But, for a long time, I would open my phone and get a sense that I wasn’t using each app to its full advantage—and that if I could just learn more about them, I might be able to save even more money. And it turns out I was right!
One of the keys to knowing how you can use multiple rebate apps to maximize rewards is knowing everything there is to know about each app, from how they reward you for purchases to when is the best time to use each one. Here are the most common questions I found myself asking, and the answers I found:
- FAQ #1: What exactly is a rebate app? Rebate apps help you earn cash back on your purchases. Unlike coupons that save you small percentages as you buy, you get reimbursed later, typically in a lump sum that accounts for several purchases.
- FAQ #2: Do rebate apps cost money to download or use? None of the apps that I use cost a cent and I would highly recommend you stick to free rebate and rewards apps as well. It seems like common sense to me, but I don’t think you should have to pay money to save money. That’s not good for your budget.
- FAQ #3: Do I need to mail in paperwork to get rebates with these apps? Say goodbye to holding onto scraps of paper. With rebate apps, there’s no need for paperwork. You should hold onto receipts, of course, but to get rebates with most of these apps all you have to do is take a picture of your receipt to prove you bought an item. Some apps even have scanners that you can use to scan a barcode to do this.
- FAQ #4: What payment methods can I use with rebate apps? Cash, checks, credit cards, debit cards, prepaid bank cards, gift cards…basically, however you usually pay for your groceries, clothes, household goods, etc. is how you can pay while using rebate apps!
- FAQ #5: How do I get paid by rebate apps? One of the biggest differences between most rebate apps and the old coupon-in-the-drawer system is that those coupons used to save you money at the time of purchase. That’s not how most rebate apps work, though. Instead, you use the rebate apps at the time of purchase and then you have to wait until the app approves your receipts. It usually totals up how much you’ve earned in rebates over several purchases and then gives you the option of when you want to redeem your points, generally paying you via an online service like Paypal, or via gift cards you can use at your favorite stores, like Amazon, Target, and Walmart, just like cash.
What Features Should I Look for in the Best Rebate Apps?
To be totally honest, there is one thing I miss a little bit about my old stuffed coupon drawer: I used to make a little game out of clipping coupons, turning each Sunday morning into a scavenger hunt through my junk mail, newspaper, and receipts to find all the best deals. So, maybe that’s why, in my personal opinion, the best rebate apps are ones that turn the actual shopping process into a fun game.
With my favorite shopping rebate app, you get rewarded for scanning barcodes or photographing your receipt, as well as for just walking into some of the most popular stores, in the form of gift cards at places like Best Buy, Target, or even Amazon, turning your time in the aisles into a fun scavenger hunt! And, if you really miss couponing, there are even coupon apps you can pair with a rebate or rewards point app to earn even more.
Of all the apps available on the app store, my personal favorite is Shopkick, which does all those things I described above—and more! There have been shopping trips where I use a rebate app after a purchase to get money back that goes into my Paypal account, while at the same time collecting points, called kicks, on my Shopkick app that I can save up for gift cards, all while having fun with my husband and my boys working together to turn our afternoon at the store into a game.
So, yes, my old packed-to-the-brim coupon drawer is now a thing of the past, but my budget savings are still alive and well. In fact, now that I’ve figured out how you can use multiple kinds of rebate apps to maximize rewards, I’m saving more than ever—and having fun with my family and friends in the process! I don’t even know where my old coupon clipping scissors ended up. Oh wait, they’re probably in that junk drawer with the rest of the stuff we don’t use much.
Ready to explore the best free shopping rewards app—and have fun doing it? Download Shopkick for free and join a community of loyal Shopkickers who’ve already discovered the rewards of shopping with us.
And, if you love social media as much as you love stretching your budget, join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for daily shopping inspiration.
Image courtesy Pixabay user juliaorige
FAQs
Can you use multiple rebate apps? ›
Yes, you can use multiple rebate apps, but it takes a little bit of planning, strategy, and skill. These rebate apps aren't the same as the coupons of yore because with rebate apps you often get reimbursed after your purchase rather than at the register. The end result is the same, though: savings.
Can you use Rakuten and Ibotta together? ›If you're wondering whether you should use Ibotta vs. Rakuten, our answer is: use 'em both! We'll also show you a smart way to save money by using Rakuten and Ibotta together to get cashback twice!
Can I use multiple cashback sites? ›So, to get it out of the way, it is almost impossible to stack cashback offers on different sites. This is due to most websites tracking your cookies and overriding the offer of another. If you have multiple accounts that you are signed into, you will often be given the best offer.
Can you use both Ibotta and Fetch? ›Ad
Fortunately, you can upload the same receipt to Fetch and Ibotta or other shopping apps. In some cases, the Fetch and Ibotta apps feature offers for the exact same items. This is a great way to stack your earnings.
Karen Martinelli-ChesnutShopkick
Each item has a limit of how many times you can scan it but each item can only be scanned once a day. Some you can only scan once and then the next day it will still show as scanned. (Usually this is with scans that are worth more, like 100k's.)
Register Rewards can only be earned for eligible items. No substitutions. There is a limit of one Register Rewards (RR) printed per offer per customer per transaction. Customers redeeming a Register Rewards against the same offer may not receive another RR.
How do you stack cashback apps? ›How do you stack cash back? You can stack cash back by planning your purchases so you take advantage of multiple rewards programs at the same time. One of the easiest ways to do this is to use a rebate or cashback app or browser extension and then pay for your purchases with a cashback credit card.
Can you stack Ibotta rebates? ›Ibotta stacking is stacking an Any Brand offer on the same product that is eligible for a Brand Name offer. You can stack an Any Brand offer with a brand name offer but you cannot stack two brand name offers on the same item (unless you purchase enough products to satisfy each offer individually).
What is the downside of using Rakuten? ›The only downside to Rakuten is that it can take months to get a check and be paid for shopping you've already forgotten about. If you're a frequent online shopper, using Rakuten is a seamless process.
Can I use honey and Rakuten at the same time? ›Rakuten (formerly eBates) and Honey are great ways to save if you shop online! I've saved about $600 via Rakuten and $200 on Honey. While you can't use their cashback together, you can let honey find a coupon, then run Rakuten. Your mileage may vary.
Does Rakuten have a limit on cash back? ›
For the most part, the amount of cash back you receive will depend on the brand you're ordering from; cash back can be as low as 1% and as much as around 20% — and there's no limit to how much money you can cash out.
How do 2 cashback cards work? ›As mentioned previously, having a 2% cash-back credit card means you'll earn 2 cents back for every $1 you spend using the card, or $2 for every $100, and so forth. There might not be a limit to how much you can earn in cash back.
What is the highest paying receipt app? ›- Coupons.com. Managing grocery store coupons is the specialty of the Coupons.com app. ...
- Dosh. Dosh adds hotels into the retail and dining-out discount mix. ...
- Fetch Rewards. ...
- Ibotta. ...
- Rakuten. ...
- Receipt Hog. ...
- RetailMeNot. ...
- Upside.
Fetch turns your receipts into free cash and gift cards from your favorite retailers. Snap receipts from any store or restaurant. Then redeem your points for gift cards, charitable donations, sweepstake entries and more! There's no coupon clipping or chasing down deals.
Is receipt hog better than fetch rewards? ›Though receipts are worth more points on Fetch Rewards than on Receipt Hog, with Fetch providing 25 points per receipt, it's considerably more difficult to receive a reward. You'll need 5,000 points before receiving just $5.
How do you maximize Shopkick? ›- Link Your Credit And Debit Card. ...
- Shop On Weekends. ...
- Try Stacking Rewards. ...
- Use Shopkick Walk-In Rewards. ...
- Always Keep Your Receipts. ...
- Turn On Shopkick Notifications. ...
- Refer Your Friends. ...
- Find Bonus Kicks On Social Media.
(iii) You will not submit false, inaccurate, fabricated, counterfeit, tampered with or otherwise artificial and unauthentic purchase information for the purpose of gathering kicks or other awards.
How do I get unbanned from Shopkick? ›If you were banned and didn't scan from a website, please email us at feedback@shopkick.com. We will take a look at each account individually.
Can I use Register Rewards and still get Register Rewards? ›Register Rewards:
Register Rewards (RR) are manufacturer coupons that print out from the Catalina machine at the register. The Walgreens weekly ad will have deals where you earn a RR when you buy a certain product. Since they're manufacturer coupons, you can't use other manufacturer coupons on top of them.
Points are not transferable from one Member to another, except at the time of unlinking Cards, in conjunction with the “Donate your Points” program or other special Points transfer programs that may be offered by OFG from time to time. 21.
Can register rewards be used on anything? ›
Walgreens uses Cash Rewards (formerly Register Rewards). They are coupons that print when you purchase certain items. They are cash-off coupons for purchasing most anything on your next purchase (see coupon for exclusions like alcohol, gift cards, prescriptions, etc).
Can you use Rakuten and Swagbucks at the same time? ›So if you're looking to maximize your take-home rewards, Swagbucks is the way to go. That's not to say you won't make money on Rakuten. It's just that there are simply fewer opportunities. Again, there's no reason why you can't use both apps and maximize your earning potential.
Can you use both Ibotta and coupons com? ›“No,” was the answer. “Ibotta offers available in-store and online cannot be combined with other discounts including: Manufacturer coupons, Paper coupons, Digital coupon codes, Retailer digital rewards.”
Can I use Checkout 51 and Ibotta? ›Re: CHECKOUT 51
@megla Yes you can. There are limitations with CO51. You can't use coupon.com app, and you aren't supposed to combine with paper coupons.
Ibotta will automatically deactivate an account for a counterfeit receipt or more than two accounts on a single device. All other concerns regarding an account will lock the Saver from withdrawing earnings while our Care Team completes a review.
Can you use coupons app and Ibotta at the same time? ›The new wording that rolled out last week on their website indicates: Help Section of their website which indicates, "Ibotta offers cannot be combined with manufacturer coupons, paper coupons, digital coupons, or other rewards promotions.
Can you use the same receipt on two different Ibotta accounts? ›Tip: When you take advantage of identical offers across two Ibotta accounts, make sure you do separate transactions at checkout. You're only allowed to submit a receipt once. If you try to submit the same receipt into both you and your partner's account, your accounts could be flagged for fraudulent activity.
Is Rakuten closing down? ›...
Rakuten.com.
| Type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Internet |
| Founded | September 12, 1997 |
| Founder | Scott Blum |
| Fate | Shutdown in 2020 by Rakuten |
Depending on your area's federal, state, and local tax laws, you may pay taxes on the rewards you receive through Rakuten. However, these rewards might be exempt from taxes in most cases, as the IRS treats the Rakuten cashback rewards like discounts and not income. Discounts are non-taxable.
Why did Rakuten close? ›With customers complaining of unreliable service, Rakuten Mobile has seen subscribers slipping away over the past year. This week, Japan's newest mobile network operator, Rakuten Mobile has announced that it will close 261 retail stores across the country, bringing its total retail footprint down to 1,000 locations.
Can I use coupons and Ibotta together? ›
The new wording that rolled out last week on their website indicates: Help Section of their website which indicates, "Ibotta offers cannot be combined with manufacturer coupons, paper coupons, digital coupons, or other rewards promotions.
Can you use Rakuten and TopCashBack together? ›Because a combination of both sites would equal the PERFECT cashback site, I recommend signing up for both Rakuten and TopCashBack. What is this? That way you can check both sites regularly to find the highest rates available, score in-store cashback (with Rakuten), and utilize favorable payout bonuses (with TCB).
Is there a downside to using Rakuten? ›The only downside to Rakuten is that it can take months to get a check and be paid for shopping you've already forgotten about. If you're a frequent online shopper, using Rakuten is a seamless process.
Can I stack Rakuten and honey? ›Rakuten (formerly eBates) and Honey are great ways to save if you shop online! I've saved about $600 via Rakuten and $200 on Honey. While you can't use their cashback together, you can let honey find a coupon, then run Rakuten. Your mileage may vary.
Can you double up on Rakuten and honey? ›Unfortunately, you can't use Rakuten and Honey at the same time to double-dip on rewards. Retailers pay cash back to the website where the cookie was last used, so whatever site you use last for your purchase is the one that will credit.
Can you get in trouble for using too many coupons? ›One of the unfortunate consequences is that retailers have to raise prices to mitigate their losses, ultimately costing consumers more money in the end. Additionally, coupon fraud can actually lead to some pretty significant fines and even jail time, depending on how extreme it is.
Can you double dip on Ibotta? ›Lastly, consider double-dipping Ibotta rewards with Rakuten (formerly Ebates). This will only work on in-store offers in which the retailer participates in both apps. Rakuten works with linked credit cards, whereas Ibotta requires a receipt upload. A good example would be Under Armour.
Do you lose Rakuten cash back if you return? ›Returned or cancelled orders may void Cash Back and be deducted from your Cash Back Balance, depending on the store's policy. If a store processes your exchanged order as a cancellation and a new transaction is created, the exchange may be treated as a cancelled order.
Can I refer my husband to Rakuten? ›You can invite all the friends, family members and coworkers you know. Who doesn't love Cash Back? However, please be aware that in order to receive credit, members have to be new to Rakuten.
Does Rakuten stack with credit card cashback? ›Cash-back rewards are stackable …
You'll earn even more cash back, though, with the card. The Rakuten Cash Back Visa credit card earns 3% cash back on qualifying purchases made through Rakuten.com, in-store offers, Rakuten hotels and Rakuten travel. All other purchases earn 1%.