Since moving, money has been tight. We've had new needs in our new home to set it up and make it work, on top of lots of unexpected fixes that our lovely home inspector "overlooked". Hubby works even more hours for the same salary pay. I still carry on multiple part time jobs from home when I can. We found out the house is in need of a big project that is a bit outside of the emergency fund at this point, so we're doing what we can to save for that one day soon when that big purchase will be made. With the kids in school, I've been searching for ways to save even more money. Coupons are not as helpful in this area - even with most stores doubling up to 75 cents. Sale prices are even double of what I used to pay at Kroger on a great sale. I've found myself shopping a lot at Costco & Sam's Club and filling in at Aldi. So I'm going back to my old standby ways of saving money, like I did when the kids were small and the diaper prices were rising. I thought I would share a few of the ways that you can easily save money, just by doing what you would normally do.
IBOTTA: When I'm at a grocery store though, one app that I use to save money is Ibotta. I've saved hundreds of dollars over several years. Select rebates are available and you can save those to a list. Select your store, take a picture of your receipt, scan the items purchased (if required) and cash in your rebates for Paypal money or other gift cards. You build your team through social networks and when you and your team complete certain goals you can earn even more money. There are extra bonuses as well through specific companies. You can even earn money shopping online and in stores like Kohls, Target and more. I tend to stick more with grocery items, but I have friends who have used ibotta for shopping online. As I write this, when you sign up using my link, you'll get $10! What a deal!!
CHECKOUT51: Another app that I like to use, though not as frequently, is Checkout 51. It's easy to earn small amounts each week, and unlike Ibotta, they don't care which store you're using. They're for specific grocery items and usually there is a produce pick for each week. I have always purchased at least one of the options for that week to get a least 25 cents. When you reach $20 you can cash it out for a check. I've had this app for a couple of years and have cashed out twice for a check. Rebates reset every Thursday and you are to turn in receipts for that week only.
SWAGBUCKS: On the computer, I like to use Swagbucks. I used to use this many years ago when the kids were young. I went away from it over the last maybe 3 years, just because I got out of the habit. In the last week I've started using it again. I've already earned $6 to Amazon in just a few days, simply by completing daily tasks that take minutes, and through using Swagcodes as they pop up in the toolbar, as well as shopping through Swagbucks whenever possible. Since I downloaded the toolbar, it not only allows me to easily search and earn bucks, but I can also get a notification when there's a free Swagcode. It also pops up to alert me about cash back I could be earning on websites that I'm shopping on. Just in the last week, I've made purchases from Shutterfly and Old Navy. Both qualified for money back, just by purchasing items I wanted to. You can even print coupons from the site and when you redeem your paper coupons in store you earn for each one you've printed! When you're ready to cash out, you can redeem for various gift cards or prizes but I prefer to cash out to Amazon. Over the years I've earned roughly $450 to Amazon through Swagbucks! Also, Swagbucks is one of the very few places that allows you to earn money shopping through Amazon!
EBATES: If I'm shopping and not earning money through Swagbucks, I also will check to see if I could earn more money through shopping through ebates instead. I wish I had seen that they're offering 6% back through Old Navy because when I purchased yesterday I only received 2% through Swagbucks. Ebates does offer more sometimes, however there is a minimum amount to cash out (I had an .80 balance for years because I kept forgetting to use it and never grew) AND once you decide to cash out at the end of a period, it takes another 45 days to transfer to your Paypal. So you can get more, but it may take longer to get into your hands than with Swagbucks.
RETAIL ME NOT: Retailmenot is another website I like to check before shopping online or in store. Just last weekend when I was shopping for shoes with my husband, I planned out our trip knowing the area we were going to, and looked on the site for coupons to have ready. I was able to pull up DSW, Dicks Sporting Goods and other stores to get coupons. We ended up saving 20% on his shoes and that was much better for our budget! They also have an app if you want it on the go!
OTHERS: Each store I regularly use has its own apps. Target uses Cartwheel, Giant Eagle and Shop N Save have their own apps with coupons. I may find the time to delve into these individually but I wanted to get a starting point with this post for ways that my family saves money and I hope it helps someone else as Christmas is approaching quickly! Lots of shopping online to do and you can be earning money back with each purchase as well as saving money with these coupon sites that I've shared.
*Disclaimer: Some of the above are affiliate links. Solutions for Sanity may receive a referral bonus for readers who sign up for these apps or sites at no cost to you. I am a true believer in these sites or I would not be recommending them to you, but need to disclose this fact. :)
IBOTTA: When I'm at a grocery store though, one app that I use to save money is Ibotta. I've saved hundreds of dollars over several years. Select rebates are available and you can save those to a list. Select your store, take a picture of your receipt, scan the items purchased (if required) and cash in your rebates for Paypal money or other gift cards. You build your team through social networks and when you and your team complete certain goals you can earn even more money. There are extra bonuses as well through specific companies. You can even earn money shopping online and in stores like Kohls, Target and more. I tend to stick more with grocery items, but I have friends who have used ibotta for shopping online. As I write this, when you sign up using my link, you'll get $10! What a deal!!
CHECKOUT51: Another app that I like to use, though not as frequently, is Checkout 51. It's easy to earn small amounts each week, and unlike Ibotta, they don't care which store you're using. They're for specific grocery items and usually there is a produce pick for each week. I have always purchased at least one of the options for that week to get a least 25 cents. When you reach $20 you can cash it out for a check. I've had this app for a couple of years and have cashed out twice for a check. Rebates reset every Thursday and you are to turn in receipts for that week only.
EBATES: If I'm shopping and not earning money through Swagbucks, I also will check to see if I could earn more money through shopping through ebates instead. I wish I had seen that they're offering 6% back through Old Navy because when I purchased yesterday I only received 2% through Swagbucks. Ebates does offer more sometimes, however there is a minimum amount to cash out (I had an .80 balance for years because I kept forgetting to use it and never grew) AND once you decide to cash out at the end of a period, it takes another 45 days to transfer to your Paypal. So you can get more, but it may take longer to get into your hands than with Swagbucks.
RETAIL ME NOT: Retailmenot is another website I like to check before shopping online or in store. Just last weekend when I was shopping for shoes with my husband, I planned out our trip knowing the area we were going to, and looked on the site for coupons to have ready. I was able to pull up DSW, Dicks Sporting Goods and other stores to get coupons. We ended up saving 20% on his shoes and that was much better for our budget! They also have an app if you want it on the go!
OTHERS: Each store I regularly use has its own apps. Target uses Cartwheel, Giant Eagle and Shop N Save have their own apps with coupons. I may find the time to delve into these individually but I wanted to get a starting point with this post for ways that my family saves money and I hope it helps someone else as Christmas is approaching quickly! Lots of shopping online to do and you can be earning money back with each purchase as well as saving money with these coupon sites that I've shared.
*Disclaimer: Some of the above are affiliate links. Solutions for Sanity may receive a referral bonus for readers who sign up for these apps or sites at no cost to you. I am a true believer in these sites or I would not be recommending them to you, but need to disclose this fact. :)
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