Rakuten
Some of you may remember when this app was called Ebates but now it’s called Rakuten. It’s an app you can use to get cash back on purchases at any store, as long as that store is online. It’s pretty simple. You download and then simply do your online shopping through the app.
In true futuristic fashion, you can even add a Google Chrome extension to your web browser that just adds a Rakuten cash back button whenever you’re on a site that has a deal. Rakuten also has a feature called Coupon Magic, which automatically applies coupons as users shop, getting them even more cash back in the checkout process. I recommend this app for anyone who prefers to shop online.
GetUpside
For those who don’t prefer to shop online, there’s GetUpside. This app rewards shoppers for making in-person purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. Depending on the location, shoppers are given a percentage of cash back for their purchase. It’s pretty simple, especially since we need gas to get around each day—that’s an easy way to earn cash back.
Instacart
What if I told you that in the future, you could push a few buttons on your smartphone, and then before you know it, all of the groceries that you need for the week will be delivered right to your door? The future is closer than you think! This has been a reality for some time with Instacart and you don’t have to just use it to shop for yourself. You can also use it to get paid to shop for others, too. When used on its own, Instacart isn’t a cash back app, but when used in conjunction with the next app on the list, you’re well on your way to getting funds back for shopping!
Shopkick
Shopkick is a great way to earn cash back both online and in stores! When you use this app, you’ll earn “kicks” (aka, cash!) for doing things like walking into stores, scanning participating products, and of course, making purchases.You can then trade in your kicks in for FREE gift cards that are just as valuable as cash. Shopkick turns every trip to the store into a fun scavenger hunt for points. Instead of just buying things, you get to look for items and other features that will reward you the most kicks. It’s a blast, and I absolutely love that it can be used alongside many of the other apps on this list.
Survey Junkie
I prefer to use Survey Junkie when I have a little downtime. Once you download the app you can start earning cash to take surveys. Like any research company, it’s free for you to sign up and participate. The more surveys you take, the more points you get, and you can later trade those points in for cash. I’ve been told that the surveys pay anywhere from $2 to $75. If I’m out shopping and there’s a long line, I will log on to Survey Junkie and take a few surveys—it’s a quick and convenient way to earn cash back!
Paribus
Remember years ago when stores would advertise that they would match a price at a competing store? Basically, if you bought something at one price and then found it somewhere else cheaper, you could get some of your money back for it. Well, Paribus has modernized that concept.
Let’s say you buy something and then you see it somewhere else at a lower price point—Paribus gives you the cash back for the difference. It really is that easy! While you can’t use this app as consistently as some of the others on our list, it will definitely provide some peace of mind!
Acorns
Acorns makes it easy to invest the spare change you’re left with after making everyday purchases. Let’s say you buy something for $2.75, Acorns will round that purchase up to $3, and then take the $0.25 differential and invest it into the stock market for you, which in ideal circumstances will ultimately yield cash back for you at some point in the future.
Twenty-five cents might not seem like all that much, but if your purchase differentials total $5 a day… that will add up to more than $1,800 throughout the course of the year. With Acorns, you can transfer the money at any time, and the only caveat is that you have to invest a minimum of $1 a month, which I sometimes accomplish after just two purchases. If you refer a friend, you also get a $5 credit that you can withdraw at any time.
