Are Cash Back Apps Worth It?

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I wanted to answer a question I’ve gotten: “Are cash back apps really worth the time?” You might be wondering the same. Are cash back websites worth it?

And the answer is… most of the time.

I use 3 cash back apps regularly, and I definitely think they are worth the time when you use them on a regular basis. If you only use them from time to time, you won’t see your rewards, points, or cash back add up very quickly and it won’t feel worth the time.

Let me break down my favorite cash back apps and how they work:

1. Fetch Rewards

My very favorite cash back app is Fetch Rewards. It’s insanely easy to use! You don’t have to select any offers or do any work other than scan your receipts for points.

Fetch Rewards used to only let you upload grocery receipts and a few select other stores, but they recently updated the app to allow you to scan any store receipts for points.

You get the most points when you buy brand name items from grocery stores, since the app partners with those brands. But, you still get points just for scanning a receipt.

I don’t look at the offers before I go shopping. I just shop like I normally would, and scan my receipt when I get home and let the app add up the points.

For reference, I’ve gotten anywhere from 25-600 points for scanning a grocery receipt. 1000 points = $1.

You can cash your points out for free gift cards as early as 3000 points for a $3 gift card. It might not seem like a ton, but the points add up quickly!

My best advice to use this app:

Scan all your receipts, let the points add up, and wait until you want to buy something “extra” before you cash out.

I have used this app to get free gift cards for my husband’s birthday dinner, home decor from Amazon, or clothes for myself or baby!

Get the app: Find the Fetch Rewards app in your app store and use code: 33UY1 to get 2000 bonus points when you scan your first receipt!

2. Rakuten

Rakuten (used to be called Ebates) is my favorite app to use when I shop online. You get cash back when you go through the Rakuten website, or click the Activate Cash Back button when you have the browser extension installed (I highly recommend this!).

You get a percentage of cash back based on your order total. Each website or retailer’s percentage will be different (usually anywhere from 1% – 15%), and they change often. These retailers pay Rakuten a commission when they send customers their way, and they share the commission with you.

You get a paper check or paid through PayPal after you have earned over $5. You can use this “extra money” for whatever you want – fun things, extra things you wouldn’t normally get, add it to your grocery budget, or put it in savings!

My best advice to use this app:

Install the browser extension! When you have this extension on your internet browser, a button pops up in the upper right hand corner alerting you that this website or retailer has a cash back offer. You just have to click “activate cash back” and you automatically get the cash back sent to your account after checkout.

Get the app: Get the free Rakuten app here and get a $10 welcome bonus!

3. Ibotta

I will admit I used to use Ibotta a lot more than I do now, but it is still a great app to use. (I really just love how much easier Fetch is to use!)

With Ibotta, you have to select offers for the store you are shopping at and either scan your receipt or have a store loyalty card linked. Each offer is worth a set amount of cash back, and these change often.

They have offers for “any brand” products, and brand name products. Sometimes, you can even get an item for free after the cash back if there is a coupon or sale on that item, too! And if you buy beer or wine, they have really high cash back offers for those products.

My best advice to use this app:

Make your grocery list as you normally would, then quickly check the app to see if you can match any offers. I wouldn’t make your list based on the offers in the app, or you might end up spending more than you would have just to get the offers.

Get the app: Get the free Ibotta app and get $5 when you upload your first receipt!

Start using one (or all) or these apps to get cash back on things you are buying and enjoy the free gift cards and cash back!