How to Celebrate Halloween in Three Easy Steps

What is your favorite Halloween memory? Whether it was a character, animal, dream career, or favorite food, I loved choosing my costume every year. I loved dressing up, marching in school parades, and going trick-or-treating every year. Because I have such fun memories, Halloween is still one of my favorite holidays. I always add a new décor piece or two to my collection, I never miss the chance to go on a haunted hayride, and I love throwing Halloween parties for friends.

The idea of prepping for a holiday is especially enjoyable, so I thought I would share how you can prep and save for Halloween with Shopkick in three simple steps.

Add Décor:

Carving, or at least purchasing, pumpkins in honor of Halloween is always a given! Rather than creating a freehand design, I keep a kit on hand filled with templates to make carving fun and easy. I originally purchased my kit from Walmart, and I know they still stock them. Even if this is the only festive piece of décor you have, you and your home will certainly be in the Halloween spirit.

If you want to take your décor up a notch, consider purchasing dish towels and a new candy bowl for your neighborhood’s trick-or-treaters from Kohls.com. Then swing by your local T.J.Maxx and Marshall’s to pick up a few new decorative items, like pieces for your mantle, doorstep, kitchen, or even your kids’ rooms. Another great tip is to purchase a new fall scented candle from Yankee Candle. Not only will the scents feel festive for Halloween, but you can continue to light your candle throughout the season.

Make sure your Shopkick app is open while you shop for your décor with all of the retailers I mentioned because you will earn kicks with every purchase!

Purchase a Costume:

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or for your kids, costume shopping is always one of the most fun aspects of Halloween! Now, shopping has become much easier because so many retailers offer costumes online, plus you can earn kicks on your costume purchases when you shop with Shopkick.

Walmart.com has quite a selection every year, and you can easily purchase a few costumes in different sizes so you, your partner, and your kids can try every piece on at home. If your kids love playing dress up, think about ordering their costume one size larger, so they can continue enjoying it for months to come!

If you’re looking for other options for yourself or simply hoping to find accessories, Kohls.com, Marshall’s, and T.J.Maxx always offer budget friendly finds to add to your outfit. Jet.com also has great fashion finds, and Ulta is the perfect place for Halloween ready makeup and hair supplies.

Entertain with Ease:

When you’re throwing a party, the best thing to do is purchase everything in bulk. I love ordering from Boxed.com with Shopkick because I’m able to earn kicks while ordering everything from beverages and snacks to household essentials and candy (of course!). Rather than pulling out any of your dinnerware, use paper and plastic. Your guests are attending your party because they want to spend time with you and each other, and I guarantee they will agree with the ease of your party.

For an added dose of fun, book a visit to a haunted house or a ride on a haunted hayride on Groupon through Shopkick! Tickets are typically less expensive when you purchase them through Groupon, and you will earn kicks towards free gift cards. Regardless of the price, haunted houses and hayrides are always worth it. There’s just something about a fun spook that enriches relationships and makes everyone laugh!

Whether your Halloween plans are simple or elaborate, I know you will have even more fun this season because you’re earning kicks and saving thanks to Shopkick. Enjoy making your memories!

Fall is for Football: Let’s get ready to tailgate and cheer!

Every season feels as though it was designed specifically for the sport played throughout, and the fall makes football feel even more poignant. Perhaps this time of year makes you remember all of the Friday nights you spent under the lights in high school. Maybe you remember attending your very first game with family or friends and finding yourself completely amazed as you took in the sights and sounds of the field and players you cheer on in person. Perhaps it’s simply the joy found in cheering on your college, city, or town as they begin a new road toward records broken and games won. Whether it’s nostalgia that draws you to the sport or a complete devotion to where you reside, football allows those of us who are fans to feel a renewed sense of camaraderie. For these reasons, we cheer for Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays when our fall sport of choice kicks off once more.

Because football season is enjoyed best when you’re prepped and ready for all of the tailgates and cheering to come, we thought we would share our go-to products for you to keep on hand from our favorite stores, all while earning kicks for every $1 spent through your Shopkick app. Make sure to take a peek below or open the app now as we get ready for game time right along with you!

Get ready for Game Time

Walmart.com

There is an art to tailgating, and there’s nowhere better to stock up on supplies than Walmart.com! Add a new portable grill to your cart so you can make the best barbeque, and make sure to add all of your go-to barbeque ingredients to your cart too (hamburgers, hotdogs, rolls, and all of the fixings are key!). You can’t attend a tailgate without drinks, and water and soda are great to buy in bulk. A party isn’t a party unless you can enjoy your food and drinks, so don’t forget to purchase plates, napkins, cups, and utensils (not to mention trash bags!). A canopy tent can save the day when you’re enjoying your party in the parking lot of your stadium on a hot or rainy day. Lastly, would it be a tailgate if you didn’t have a football to toss? Of course not! You will want to add one of those too.

Boxed

Boxed is the place to go to buy in bulk! If you’re a seasoned tailgater, you already know all of your group’s favorite snacks to enjoy. So, why not save time and money by purchasing them in bulk in advance? Simply add bags from your order to your tailgate stash, and you will be ready to go well in advance of kickoff!

Kohls.com

If you’re attending a football game, you have to rep your team! Stop by Kohls.com’s NFL section to add long and short sleeve t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and more to your cart. You can also purchase an official jersey in honor of your favorite player. There are so many options, you will be able to wear something different for each week your team is in the mix to win! P.S: Your kids likely have spirit days at school, and football t-shirts and jerseys are perfect to wear!

SeatGeek

As much as we enjoy watching our favorite teams at home, there is nothing that compares to cheering on our players in person! If you are hoping to attend even just one game this season, we cannot recommend SeatGeek highly enough. Simply type your team’s name into the search bar on the homepage, press enter, and watch as all of your team’s upcoming games fill your screen. Then click on the one you want to attend. There you will find a whole listing of tickets for a complete variety of prices, and you will be greeted by a map of the stadium so you can see exactly where you will be sitting. Once you find tickets that meet your needs, purchase them! Many are e-tickets you will receive right away.

What are your top tips for tailgating? What team do you cheer on? Let us know in the comments!

Don’t miss out on big Labor Day kicks!

Ready for more kicks? Celebrate Labor Day with great deals and big kicks all weekend long! Earn tons of kicks in stores when you walk in and purchase using your linked card. Plus, earn kicks for every $1 spent online through the Shopkick app.

View the kick plan below or open your app to start earning. Happy shopkicking!

Get big kicks in stores
8/31 – 9/3
4 kicks/$1
was 2 kicks
*using your
Shopkick QR code
8/31 – 9/3
150 kicks
9/1 ONLY
150 kicks
9/1 ONLY
6 kicks/$1
was 3 kicks
9/2 – 9/3 ONLY
150 kicks
9/1 ONLY
6 kicks/$1
was 3 kicks
8/31 – 9/3
150 kicks
9/1 ONLY
6 kicks/$1
was 3 kicks
8/31 – 9/3
150 kicks
9/1 ONLY
6 kicks/$1
was 3 kicks
8/31 – 9/3
100 kicks
8/31 – 9/3
10 kicks/$1
was 5 kicks
8/31 – 9/3
200 kicks
8/31 – 9/3
8 kicks/$1
was 4 kicks
8/31 – 9/3
2 kicks/$1
was 1 kick
*also available at
fabletics.com
8/31 – 9/3
Linked debit cards must be run as credit in order to receive your kicks.
Get big kicks online
8/31 – 9/3

25 kicks/$1
was 8 kicks

25 kicks/$1
was 15 kicks

20 kicks/$1
was 9 kicks

20 kicks/$1
was 10 kicks

15 kicks/$1
was 7 kicks

10 kicks/$1
was 5 kicks

10 kicks/$1
was 5 kicks

10 kicks/$1
was 5 kicks

10 kicks/$1
was 7 kicks

6 kicks/$1
was 3 kicks

6 kicks/$1
was 4 kicks
Some exclusions may apply. Please check the app for more information.

 

Still need the app?

Download Shopkick today to start earning your free gift cards?

Get SWEET kicks this Blue Weekend plus a chance to win a Disney gift card!

The sweetest kicks of the summer are here! Earn up to 18,500 kicks when you walk in, scan, submit receipts, and make purchases with your linked card in stores like T.J. Maxx, Carter’s, Brighton, and more. You can also earn up to 25 kicks per $1 spent online through Shopkick on Groupon, Kohls.com, and many more! Check out our kick plan below or open the app now to start scooping up kicks!

Plus, get entered for a chance to win $500 in kicks toward a DISNEY GIFT CARD when you use your linked card as credit in stores, submit a receipt, or make a purchase online through Shopkick during Blue Weekend.

SWEET kicks in stores

August 24 – 26

 50 kicks
Aug 25 only

 50 kicks
Aug 25 only

150 kicks
Aug 25 only

 4 kicks*
was 2 kicks/$1

150 kicks
Aug 25 only

 2 kicks**
was 1 kick/$1

150 kicks
Aug 25 only
 6 kicks
was 3 kicks/$1

150 kicks
Aug 25 only
6 kicks
was 3 kicks/$1

150 kicks
Aug 25 only
 6 kicks
was 3 kicks/$1

100 kicks
10 kicks
was 5 kicks/$1

200 kicks
 8 kicks
was 4 kicks/$1
*Scan your Shopkick QR code
**Also available at fabletics.com

SWEET kicks through the app

August 24 – 26

25 kicks/$1
Aug 24-25
30 kicks/$1
Aug 26
was 8 kicks/$1

25 kicks/$1
was 15 kicks/$1

15 kicks/$1
was 7 kicks/$1

15 kicks/$1
was 5 kicks/$1

15 kicks/$1
was 3 kicks/$1

15 kicks/$1
was 5 kicks/$1

15 kicks/$1
was 5 kicks/$1

10 kicks/$1
was 3 kicks/$1

10 kicks/$1
was 3 kicks/$1

10 kicks/$1
was 3 kicks/$1

10 kicks/$1
was 2 kicks/$1

15 kicks/$1
was 7 kicks/$1

10 kicks/$1
was 5 kicks/$1

15 kicks/$1
was 6 kicks/$1

10 kicks/$1
was 3 kicks/$1

Chance to win BIG at Disney

But wait, there’s more!

disney giveaway blue weekend

Get entered for a chance to win $500 in kicks toward a DISNEY GIFT CARD when you use your linked card as credit in stores, submit a receipt, or make a purchase online through Shopkick during Blue Weekend. Check out more details here: https://goo.gl/JYxdJH or open the app now to start scooping up the sweet kicks!

*Some exclusions may apply. Please check the app for more information.

Don’t have the app?

Download it here to start earning free gift cards for the shopping you already do!

Prime Day starts now!

The biggest shopping event of the year for Amazon Prime members is here! Prime Day starts now and runs through 7/17/18. Get amazing kicks on eligible Amazon purchases made through the Shopkick app, and discover incredible deals on hundreds of thousands of items.

Don’t have an Amazon Prime membership yet? It’s not too late to sign up and take advantage of these instant savings!

Prime Day Starts Now

Get AMAZING kicks through 7/17

Amazon Fashion
25 kicks per $1
was 5 kicks

Amazon Devices
25 kicks per $1
was 5 kicks

Amazon Home
25 kicks per $1
was 7 kicks

Check out the deals and big kicks now!

 

Happy shopkicking!

Don’t have Shopkick yet? Download and start earning your free gift card today!

Celebrate Memorial Day with kicks!

When life gives you kicks, go shopping! Celebrate Memorial Day weekend with BIG kicks when you shop through the Shopkick app on LivingSocial, Kohls.com, Overstock, Groupon and more!

Thinking of heading out to stores on Monday, 5/28? Stop by T.J.Maxx and Marshalls to get BIG kicks when you walk in. Plus, earn even more when you pay with your linked card at Best Buy, Carter’s, and many more participating stores.

Happy shopkicking!

Big kicks through the app

May 25–28


25 kicks/$1
was 8 kicks

22 kicks/$1
was 7 kicks

15 kicks/$1
was 2 kicks

15 kicks/$1
was 10 kicks

11 kicks/$1
was 7 kicks

1,200 kicks
was 900 kicks

10 kicks/$1
was 3 kicks

10 kicks/$1
was 5 kicks

Big kicks in stores

May 28 only


200 kicks

200 kicks

2 kicks/$1*
was 1 kick/$1

6 kicks/$1
was 3 kicks/$1

6 kicks/$1
was 3 kicks/$1

6 kicks/$1
was 3 kicks/$1

6 kicks/$1
was 3 kicks/$1

10 kicks/$1
was 5 kicks/$1

200 kicks
8 kicks/$1
was 4 kicks/$1

2 kicks/$1**
was 1 kick/$1
*Scan Shopkick QR code
**You can also use your linked card at fabletics.com

 

Don’t have the app yet? Download here to start earning rewards for the shopping you already do!

Celebrate National Walking Day and get free stuff

Everyone knows the big holidays, days like Memorial Day, Labor Day, the Fourth of July, and Halloween, but did you know that almost every single day on the calendar has a themed celebration to go along with it? I know at my house we certainly do. In fact, we’ve even made it a point to start celebrating some of these more obscure holidays!

celebrate National Walking DayMarch 3, for example, was National Cold Cuts Day, so we went out and made ourselves some deluxe cold cut sandwiches. Another good one: October 7 is National Inner Beauty Day, which we honor at our house by celebrating the personal qualities that make each member of our family special.

One of our favorite days, however, is actually National Walking Day! It happens during the first Wednesday in April each year, and it’s just such a wonderful chance to get out of the house and into the spring weather to enjoy one of my favorite simple activities: walking! From the store, around the neighborhood, on a hike—you name it.

At my house, we like to celebrate National Walking Day while also earning some free stuff, whether that’s a T-shirt for completing a 5K (walk, not run!), cash for a task done for a stranger, or—my favorite—gift cards just for walking into certain stores! There are plenty of ways to celebrate National Walking Day and get free stuff, and today we have a helpful little guide to some of the best.

Celebrate National Walking Day and Get Free Ts

One of the cool aspects of National Walking Day is how charity groups use it as an occasion to host 5K events to raise money for worthy causes. Walks tend to vary by geographic region, but in the past, my friends and I have participated in National Walking Day 5Ks that raised money for everything from the American Heart Association to the American Cancer Society to some more localized, grassroots causes.

I’m pretty tuned in to the events in my area, but you can easily hunt down a great event (and, of course, a free t-shirt that comes with it) by searching online for “National Walking Day 5K” plus the name of your area or by going to an event site like Eventbrite. And hey, if you participate you’ll not only help others and collect a prize, you’ll also get your steps in—and then some.

Step It Up on National Walking Day and Get Paid

We’ve talked quite a bit in the past about the best free smartphone apps that pay you cash, and it just so happens that one of those apps has the word walk right in the title. I’m talking here about Gigwalk, which is a great fit for users who do a lot of walking in a city or even a suburban setting, especially one that has lots of shops, restaurants, and other businesses.

Gigwalk is free to use, and how it works is that you open the app and see gigs—short projects or jobs or tasks people are paying to have done—posted on a map. These gigs will be represented by red pins, and when you click a pin you get details and specific instructions about what you have to do to complete the gig. This usually includes something random like taking a photograph of a display in a certain store. These gigs can take anywhere from just a few minutes to up to a few hours and pay ranges from $3 up to $100. That’s right, $100! In my experience, though, those lucrative gigs are highly sought after and usually rare. The money goes into your PayPal account after you’ve completed a gig.

Celebrate National Walking Day and Get Free Gift Cards

The app I really like to use for getting free stuff on National Walking Day is called Shopkick. It’s a shopping rewards app that lets users earn points—called kicks—for the shopping they do normally. It rewards you for things like making purchases, scanning barcodes of items, and even for just walking into some stores! Once users accumulate enough kicks they trade them in for gift cards.

To get some kicks this National Walking Day all you have to do when you’re out walking is open up your Shopkick app, go to the “earn” tab, and look at the list of kicks that are nearby. Now, these will vary by location, but in my area, there are plenty of stores like as 7-Eleven, Walgreens, and Target that offer kicks. Of course, you don’t have to limit yourself to using Shopkick on National Walking Day—you can earn kicks by walking into stores 365 days a year. You can also earn kicks by scanning certain items within that store for more info and by making purchases as well. Shopkick has been such an incredible boost for my budget!

The real point of the day is to just get out of your house and enjoy a nice walk of course, but that shouldn’t stop you from raking in some savings, too.

So, there you have it, three great ways to celebrate National Walking Day and to get free stuff while you do. The real point of the day is to just get out of your house and enjoy a nice walk of course, but that shouldn’t stop you from raking in some savings, too.

Who knows, maybe you’ll get hooked on using Shopkick like I am? And maybe you’ll also get hooked on celebrating these silly and fun obscure holidays. Why not, right? There’s no day that can’t be brightened with a little bit of fun!

Learn all the ways you can use Shopkick to get free gift cards while celebrating National Walking Day. Download Shopkick’s free app and get ready to be wowed. Welcome to the fun, Shopkicker!

If you’re as social media savvy as you are shopping savvy, join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for daily shopping fun.

Image courtesy djoronimo

How to kick off National Reading Month and get rewards

What’s the best way to kick off National Reading Month? With kicks, of course!

What is National Reading Month?

March has been designated National Reading Month to encourage and celebrate the fun and adventure of reading. How can you participate? Here are 5 ways to get inspired this month!

1. Read aloud

celebrate national reading month together

Reading aloud as a family can help the kids with their language and reading skills. Plus, it’s great bonding time!

 

 

2. Schedule a read-in

celebrate national reading month cozy socks cold books

March often brings cold and blustery weather. Make of the most of a rainy day by getting cozy on the couch and snuggling up with a good book.

 

 

3. Join a book club

celebrate national reading month join book club

Need something a little more social? Join (or organize!) a local book club. Choose books as a group, read them, and circle back to discuss all together. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a new crew while you’re at it!

 

4. Recommit to your reading list

celebrate national reading month baby reading fast

Have you had a book on your to-read list for awhile? Use this month to catch up and plan out what’s next on the docket. That way you’ll have something in the queue for the next time you’re ready for a little R&R.

 

5. Update your reader

Through March 10 you can celebrate with $20 off select Amazon Kindle devices like the Paperwhite AND great books that you can access anywhere, anytime. You can load up on books from Amazon without having to lug heavy bags around or adding to clutter to your home. Plus, you’ll get rewarded with kicks for every dollar you spend that you can put towards a free gift card!

 

 

Escape into National Reading Month

For a limited time, buy an Amazon Kindle or Amazon Kindle Paperwhite through the Shopkick app for $20 off and earn 5 kicks for every dollar you spend. Pair that with a Kindle Unlimited subscription for $9.99 a month, and you’ll be ready to cozy up with that novel calling your name. Open the Shopkick app and check out some of our favorite titles this month. 

Happy reading, and happy shopkicking!

Don’t have the app? Download it now to start getting rewarded for the shopping you already do.

Get fit and earn kicks with Shopkick

Every year, many of us take time to reflect on the past year and resolve to make the new year better than the last. One popular resolution is to be healthier — losing weight, eating better, or achieving fitness goals. These “get fit” resolutions are entirely attainable, but require planning ahead.

Keep your resolutions this year

We polled loyal Shopkickers to find out about their New Year’s resolutions. Despite having the best intentions, we learned only 34% of people actually stick to their resolutions throughout the whole year. Most people, 64% of respondents, abandon their goals by Spring.

Experts say that the best way to keep your resolutions is to set smaller, more realistic goals and planning out the steps you will take to achieve them. For example, rather than promising to lose weight, pledge to lose one pound a week until you reach your goal. Instead of resolving to eat healthier, commit to planning meals three times a week and perhaps eating red meat once a week.

Get healthy and earn kicks with Shopkick

Do you need an extra reason to stick to your resolution this year? Shopkickers like Shaurice D. from Atlanta use Shopkick to help them achieve their fitness goals while they earn kicks. Some Shopkickers get their kicks while they get in their daily steps, while others browse the app to find kicks on fitness or health-related products.

get fit with shopkick

Check out our top finds to help you crush this year’s fitness resolutions and get kicks while you’re at it!

Eat Healthy

Try planning your meals in advance to set yourself up for success. You can eat wholesome AND delicious meals that are good for both your waistline and your wallet. See our menu of health-friendly treats from Boxed and Jet. Better yet, have them all delivered right to your door!

eat healthy to get fit with shopkick

Work Out in Style

Find an exercise you like and stick to it! Try a new fitness class or set a goal of to run a 5k in 2018. It helps to dress the part — these sporty-chic styles from Amazon will have you looking forward to your workout. As a bonus, you’ll earn kicks for every $1 spent on your purchases.

dress for work outs and get fit with shopkick

Get Fit at Home

If you can’t make it to the gym, bring the gym to you. Start feeling the burn today with these home gym steals at Walmart.com. Your purchases will give you a head start on your 2018 kicks!

get fit with shopkick at home

Get started

Open the app to get kicks and see how Shopkick can help you achieve your New Years resolutions. Don’t have the app? Download it here to join the fun and start earning your free gift cards!

 

 

 

The Best Gift Card Deals to Earn Holiday Shopping Rewards

When I sit down and make my Christmas gift list each holiday season, I usually make two categories. The first one is for family and friends: my kids, my husband, my sister in Chicago, my BFF from college. Everyone on this list gets a thoughtful, individualized present that I spend hours picking out while sipping hot cocoa in front of my laptop.

gift card deals for holiday Christmas shoppingThe second list, though, is what I like to call my gift card list. This list is usually for acquaintances, like my co-workers, neighbors, teachers at my boys’ school. I want to express my thanks for them being in my life, of course, but I don’t have the time to really dive deep and get them personalized presents. So, gift cards it is!

During the holidays, the gift card list can be a wonderful thing for those of us on a budget because most of my favorite stores (and I’m guessing yours, too), offer gift card deals this time of year. You know the type: buy $100 in gift cards and get $25 free. In my world, you don’t look a free gift card horse in the mouth; I take advantage of these deals whenever and wherever I can! That particular free gift card deal isn’t the only one out there, though! And, if you’re on a budget like I am, it literally pays for you to know about all of them.

Christmas is a time of togetherness and sharing; when it comes to saving money on our holiday shopping, we’re all in this together! That’s why I want to share some of the best free gift card deals for the holidays with you so that you and yours can have as merry a time gifting everyone special in your lives as me and mine.

Gift Card Granny: One of the Best Gift Card Holiday Deals

Last year, my gift card holiday shopping list reached a record high of 17 people. My boys are growing up, which means their world now includes soccer coaches, multiple teachers, tutors, and carpool moms. And my sweet kiddos want to make sure our family shows all of those people how much we appreciate them.

While gift cards may not be the most personal gift, with a little thought, you can still make the recipient feel extra special—and stay on budget. My favorite way to do this is through a site called Gift Card Granny. Gift Card Granny actually buys unwanted gift cards from people and then sells them online at a discounted price.

Here are some of the deals I found the last time I looked, although the available deals do vary as cards are sold and new ones purchased:

  • TJ Maxx: 8% off
  • Whole Foods: 9% off
  • Olive Garden: 14% off
  • Sephora: 17% off

  • Fandango: A whopping 21% off

That’s a pretty diverse set of offerings—and a diverse range of discounts. But, if you have 17 people on your gift card list like I do, saving those little percentages really adds up to big savings!

Costco and Sam’s Club for Deals on Christmas Gift Cards

I’ve heard rumors about other boy moms who are somehow raising three strapping young men without a membership to a warehouse store like Costco or Sam’s Club, but I’m still kind of skeptical that it’s possible. I know those types of stores are invaluable for our family, especially when it comes to making sure we have the mountains of snack foods we need to satisfy their infinite appetites!

Another area where our membership to a warehouse store helps out is during the holidays when it’s time to start checking people off of the gift card list. Costco and Sam’s Club sell gift cards in bulk at a discount rate the same way they sell cheese poofs in giant containers or 100-roll packs of toilet paper. In other words, you have to buy a lot of gift cards, sure, but you get them all at a discount. Think two $100 gift cards for $149.99. Deals like that are pretty common at warehouse stores.

Why Shopping Rewards Apps Offer the Best Deals to Earn Holiday Gift Cards

There comes a day each holiday shopping season when I look at my list and then at my budget and then back at my list in disbelief. It’s just part of the process; I’m sure you’ve been there, too! Luckily, there’s actually a way to get free gift card deals without spending any money at all or, at least, not more than you normally do when you go shopping.

Luckily, there’s actually a way to get free gift card deals without spending any money at all or, at least, not more than you normally do when you go shopping.

I’m talking about how Christmas shopping with smartphone apps can brighten your holidays. There are plenty of shopping rewards apps out there that will help you earn free gift cards for a wide range of activities, including taking surveys about your shopping experience, completing tasks such as taking photos of displays in stores, or for behaviors you do all the time, like buying products or even just walking into stores. You can even find free apps that pay you to grocery shop, which in my house means the never-ending work of feeding three hungry boys can add up to free gift cards for people on my holiday shopping list.

Of all the best gift card deals for the holidays, my personal favorite falls into this last category. It’s a shopping rewards app called Shopkick, and I actually use it year round to earn points, called kicks, cash them out, and start accumulating gift cards for Christmas presents. What’s especially nice about Shopkick is that it’s very user-friendly and fun. When you get awarded points for going to certain stores, scanning certain items, and making purchases, every shopping trip turns into a fun scavenger hunt that makes it easy to stick with Shopkick year round. Take it from me, there’s no better gift to give your budget this year!

Learn how you can start earning free gift cards for the holidays before your next trip down the grocery aisles. Download Shopkick’s free app and get ready to be wowed. Welcome to the fun, Shopkicker!

If you’re as social media savvy as you are shopping savvy, join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for daily shopping fun.

Image courtesy Milkos

How Christmas Shopping With Your Smartphone Apps Can Brighten Your Holidays

When I was a kid, my parents made sure that each and every Christmas was memorable for my siblings and me by going all out with gifts, decorations, and cookie baking parties, really stretching their budget to put smiles on our little faces. Now, as a mom to three beautiful boys of my own, I know the joys, and the challenges, that come with creating a Christmas my kids will never forget—and can fully appreciate everything my mom and dad did for us kids each year.

how to use apps to Christmas shop
Even Santa has been known to Shopkick | Image courtesy stokkete

My boys’ excitement for the season each December brings my husband and me an incredible amount of joy, but there’s no denying we have to keep a careful eye on our budget. Luckily, though, the shopping powers that be have given me my own Christmas gift in recent years: smartphone apps that reward budget stretching Christmas shoppers with gift cards to their favorite stores. These shopping rewards smartphone apps have helped me make my family’s holidays brighter than the giant Rockefeller Center Christmas tree!

And now here’s my gift to you: sharing what I’ve learned about how Christmas shopping with smartphone apps can make it feel like you have your very own little Santa’s elves helping you gear up for the most wonderful time of the year! Make sure not to hoard these tips to yourself, though (like you do the last frosted sugar cookie). Here’s to spreading some digital yuletide cheer!

Christmas Shopping Smartphone Apps: A Perfect Gift for Budget Shoppers

You always remember your oldest child’s first Christmas: the happy giggles as he plays with all the toys, the pictures you take together in front of the lighted tree, the adorable, tiny sweater with a reindeer knitted on the front. What you might also remember is how many times you went out to a store to pull that merry little memory off. My rough estimate is about a bajillion trips to my local Target.

While I’ve gotten more efficient in the aisles since then (have you ever tried to control three toddler boys in a Walmart?), the number of trips I make to stores during the holiday season is still pretty high. But these days, I’m getting rewarded for my frequent trips down the aisle because my shopping rewards smartphone apps are helping me to deck the halls (and my wallet) with savings!

When I go out to get blank Christmas cards for all the cousins at any of my favorite shops, I get points for simple things like entering the store, finding and scanning barcodes of featured products, and making purchases. Then, I redeem the points for gift cards that I can give as gifts or use to boost my own budget. I rack up so many points this time of year that I start to imagine I hear a ring jing jingling, and it isn’t silver bells—it’s extra change in my wallet! It’s kind of like the old days of having multiple rewards program cards, except all wrapped up like a gift inside of one easy-to-use app!

3 Ways to Shop Outside the (Gift) Box with Smartphone Apps

Every Christmas, my boys get pretty ambitious with their lists to Santa. I’ve seen it all, from a basketball stadium to pet elephant. As a creative mommy, I do my best to find little things that fit the descriptions (and my budget), like a basketball game for their Xbox or a stuffed elephant that roars when you lift up its trunk. So, when it comes to my favorite advice on how to best use your smartphone apps while doing your Christmas shopping, I suggest flexing those creative muscles yet again.

Since all of my favorite shopping apps are based on points and incentives, it’s important for you to find one that goes above and beyond just helping you earn rewards. Look for an app that motivates you to use it by turning Christmas shopping into a game, like a scavenger hunt! Once you’ve downloaded your app, here are some ways to shop outside the box—the gift box that is!

  • Plan ahead (waaaaay ahead): Honestly, I start cashing in my points for holiday gift cards in July. You can never have too many free gift cards to Target; in my experience, you’ll need them for last minute gifts (think neighbors, bosses, your kid’s soccer coach). Earning points for gift cards is always fun, but there’s an added excitement to it (which equals added motivation) when you know you’re doing it with Christmas in mind, even if it’s 90 degrees out!
  • Give the gift of gift cards: What I like to do during the holidays is make a list of all the people I want to earn free gift cards for, as well as how many points I need to earn all those cards. Then I check them off as I meet my goals, making sure to pause in my gift collecting once in awhile to slip in a few Starbucks treat cards for myself. If I score tons of points buying featured products over the course of a few weeks, I might redeem a few of them for a Peppermint Mocha for myself and then the rest for a Best Buy gift card for my brother-in-law.
  • Set weekly points goals: My favorite thing to do, though, is to set weekly points goals to help make my Christmas even merrier. Like I said above, I start this in July and I do everything I can to stick with it. The only thing that’s more fun than meeting the points goals that you set is breaking them because it’s so darn easy to earn points with the right shopping rewards app!

I love, love, LOVE Christmas but if my budget could talk, I’m sure it would say that it’s happy the holidays only come once a year. That’s why finding my favorite Christmas shopping smartphone apps has been such a gift. My personal favorite is Shopkick, which I can use to accumulate and track rewards, then get paid for shopping I already do by trading in my points (called kicks) for gift cards to big name stores like Target, Best Buy, Amazon, and Starbucks. Shopkick turns holiday hassles into a fun scavenger hunt for big-time rewards. I really ho-ho-hope you love it as much as I do!

This Christmas, get your savings all in one place. Download Shopkick’s free app and join a community of loyal Shopkickers who’ve already discovered the gift of shopping with a free shopping rewards smartphone app.

Want to share your own helpful holiday tips? Join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for daily shopping inspiration.

4th of July tips and tricks: how to get the most out of your holiday

Red, white, and blue, BBQs, parades, fireworks. Every 4th of July celebration comes with some variation of these classics, yet not all holiday celebrations are created equal. We polled our community to see what tips and tricks they recommend for having the best Fourth of July experience this year.

4th of July Preparation

Holidays can be lonely. Make sure to include those who may not have a place to go this 4th of July

Consider being an ‘includer.’

Holidays can be lonely for those who don’t have family nearby and/or who have a small social circle. Invite someone to your party or get-together who may be sitting at home alone. Extending kindness and hospitality goes a long way. – Kristen E.

Have a plan

BE SAFE! Don’t drink and drive! – Charlene D.

Leave your dogs at home or inside when fireworks are present. More dogs are lost on the 4th than any other holiday because of the loud noises that come with fireworks. – Melissa B.

Sunscreen, sunscreen, SUNSCREEN! – Paola S.

Keep everyone entertained during the Parade

Bring beach balls! Bring the water bottles that can mist you. Pack summer snacks like watermelon! Pack something comfortable to sit on. Make t-shirts as a family or be sure to wear red, white, and blue! – Lindsay M.

Midday Activities

Keep it Cool

Get a kids plastic pool…fill it with ice and water…throw your drinks in there….gets and keeps them ice cold for hours! (Add ice as needed) – Brittany T.

Go Floating

Here in Texas it is HOT hot!!!! 4th of July means finding water to cool off in – so floating the river is a big deal!!! You need ice cold adult beverages, tubes/floats, a floating cooler and something to play tunes that is waterproof and you are set for a grand day of celebrating!  – Katelyn N.

Go Get Some Kicks

Do some shopping at the outlet mall. Get some kicks while there. – Jeffrey P.

Fireworks

4th of July Sparklers

Don’t burn down your house.

Only shoot bottle rockets outside once your front door is actually closed. – Melissa B.

Sparkler Safety

Punch a small hole in the bottom of a solo cup to create a hand-shield for little ones who might be a little nervous about holding a sparkler for the first time. They can put their hand inside the cup, pop the sparkler stick through the hole and little fingers will be safe from burns. – Melissa B.

Let someone else handle the Fireworks

We are very lucky to live close to a Six Flags. My kids enjoy spending the evening riding rides. Then when it is time for fireworks we stop and enjoy the awesome show. Then ride a few more rides and then head home. – Ruth H.

4th of July Dessert Options:

smores by the fire

Get creative with your S’mores Recipe

Use chocolate chip cookies as the “bread” for an epic s’mores on the grill once the meal is over. Spread the flat side of a chocolate chip cookie with peanut butter then fill with marshmallows and chocolate squares. Wrap individually in foil. When you’re ready for dessert, toss them on the grill and get ready for a fantastic twist on a classic summer dessert. Bring enough for everyone! – Melissa B.

Personalized S’mores

Get some mini flower pots, fill it with charcoal and get some skewers. Each child will have their own pots to make s’mores. – Molly R.

Make a Sparkler Cake

Me and my kids usually bake a cake and we put Sparklers on each of the four corners and light them up. So my tip is, bake the cake, put Sparklers on the 4 corners and light them up!! However, before you cut into the cake, make sure the Sparklers are fully out. Enjoy your cake Molly R.

Don’t forget the real reason we got the day off:

American flag photo

Remember what you’re really celebrating – our independence, a very important historical holiday – Kyle J.

Have your own 4th of July tips and traditions? Share them with us on twitter @Shopkick