In recent years, digital coupons and cashback apps have become more popular for saving money. By using these tools, you can lower your expenses and improve your shopping experience. This guide is a comprehensive one that will guide you through the process of effectively using digital coupons and cashback apps to maximize your savings.
1. Understanding Digital Coupons
What Are Digital Coupons?
Digital coupons are digital versions of traditional paper coupons. They are typically offered by retailers and manufacturers and can be accessed and redeemed through websites, mobile apps, or loyalty cards. Digital coupons provide discounts on specific products or categories, helping you save money on your purchases.
Where can you find digital coupons
There are multiple sources where digital coupons can be obtained, such as:
Retailer and Manufacturer Websites: Digital coupons are available directly on the websites of many retailers and product manufacturers. They are frequently found on product pages or in specific coupon sections.
Retailer Mobile Apps: Digital coupons are often provided by retailers through their mobile apps. These apps often include additional features, such as barcode scanning for in-store use.
Coupon Websites and Forums: There are many websites and online forums that specialize in aggregating digital coupons from various sources. It is easy to search and find specific coupons through these platforms.
Grocery Store Loyalty Programs: It is common for grocery stores to provide digital coupons to their loyalty program members. To receive automatic discounts at checkout, you can load these coupons onto your loyalty card.
Email Newsletters: Digital coupons can be received directly in your inbox by subscribing to retailer newsletters via email. Retailers often send promotional emails with exclusive coupon codes.
Types of Digital Coupons
There are different forms of digital coupons, including:
Product-Specific Coupons: These coupons offer discounts on specific products. For example, you might find a digital coupon for $1 off a particular brand of cereal.
Storewide Discounts: Some digital coupons provide a percentage or fixed amount off your entire purchase. These can be particularly useful for larger shopping trips.
Buy One, Get One (BOGO) Offers: BOGO coupons grant you a free or discounted item when you purchase another at full price.
Percentage-Off Discounts: Coupons provide a specific percentage off the price of a product or category.
Free Shipping Coupons: It's common to find digital coupons that waive shipping fees, which makes online shopping more cost-effective.
Loyalty Rewards and Points: Rewards and points can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases through loyalty programs.
2. How to Use Digital Coupons
2.1 Register and Sign In : To begin using digital coupons, you'll typically need to create an account or register on the retailer's website or mobile app. Basic information like your name, email address, and password may also be required.
2.2 Browse and Clip Coupons : After setting up your account, explore the digital coupons available. When you come across coupons that interest you, choose or clip them. Saving the coupons to your account will allow you to use them later.
2.3 Link Loyalty Cards : Some retailers allow you to link your loyalty card or provide your phone number to your digital coupon account. This link enables automatic discounts at checkout when you use your card or provide your phone number.
2.4 Redeem Coupons at Checkout : When you're ready to make a purchase, either in-store or online, the digital coupons you've clipped are automatically applied at the checkout. Your total cost will reflect the savings.
3. The basics of cashback apps explained
What is the meaning of Cashback Apps? Cashback apps are apps that allow consumers to receive cash rewards or rebates for making purchases through them or by submitting receipts. These apps work with retailers and brands to grant cashback to their users for buying specific products or in specific categories.
How do cashback apps work? Cashback apps function by providing users with a refund of some of their purchase price in the form of cash, gift cards, or other incentives. Your app account will receive the cashback earned within a few days or once you meet the specified requirements.
Cashback app types Cashback apps come in different forms, including:
1. Retail-Specific Apps: There are retail-specific apps that are exclusive to specific retailers or brands and offer cashback for shopping in their stores.
2. General Cashback Apps: These apps have partnerships with a variety of retailers and brands, allowing you to earn cashback on a wide range of products.
3.Receipt Scanning Apps: Users must upload photos of their purchase receipts in receipt scanning apps, which are then processed to receive cashback on eligible items.
4.Browser Extensions: Browser extensions are available through certain cashback apps, which will notify you of cashback opportunities when you're shopping online.
4. How to Use Cashback Apps
Download and Install : Start using cashback apps by downloading and installing the chosen app from your device's app store.
Create an Account : Create an account using the app by registering and providing the necessary information, such as your email address, and setting your payment preferences.
Browse Cashback Offers : Explore the cashback offers available inside the app. Search through product categories, brands, and specific deals, and choose those that align with your shopping interests.
Submit Receipts or Link Cards : After making your purchases, you can earn cashback in two primary ways: submitting receipts or linking cards.
Receipt Submission: Receipt submission is required for some cashback apps, which require you to photograph and upload your purchase receipts. The app's technology is capable of identifying eligible items and rewarding you accordingly.
Card Linking: Card linking is a feature that allows the app to automatically track purchases and apply cashback when you shop at partner retailers using your credit or debit cards.
Withdraw Your Earnings : When you accumulate cashback in your app account, you will be able to withdraw your earnings. PayPal, direct deposit, or gift cards to popular retailers are the most common methods for withdrawing money.
5. Tips for Maximizing Savings
Combine Coupons and Cashback : If you want to maximize your savings, it's best to use both digital coupons and cashback apps simultaneously when making purchases. By combining these offers, you can get greater discounts.
Plan Your Purchases : Make sure to plan your shopping trips and purchases with digital coupons and cashback offers in mind to ensure you get the best deals on the items you need.
Stack Offers : Look for opportunities to combine discounts or deals, which involves combining multiple discounts or deals. For example, combining manufacturer coupons, store coupons, and cashback offers can help you save the most on a single purchase.
Make sure to check for bonus rewards : Many cashback apps provide bonuses or additional rewards for reaching certain milestones or referring friends. Use these chances to earn extra money or incentives.
Refer Friends : Numerous cashback apps offer incentives for inviting friends and family members to join by referring them. Encourage your network members to sign up and start generating cashback.
6. Popular Digital Coupon and Cashback Apps
6.1 Rakuten: Rakuten, formerly known as Ebates, is a well-established cashback app and website that offers cashback rewards and discounts on purchases made through its platform.Rakuten has partnerships with more than 2,500 retailers and brands in various categories, including clothing, electronics, travel, and more.
How it Works:
Users sign up for a free Rakuten account and browse through the app or website to find cashback offers.
When Rakuten users make a purchase after clicking on a retailer's link and making a deposit, a portion of their total expenditure is credited to their Rakuten account.
Rakuten usually provides quarterly payouts through check or PayPal once users have attained a minimum cashback threshold.
Key Features:
Extensive network of partner retailers.
Offers cash back on a variety of products and services.
A browser extension that automatically applies cashback offers while shopping online.
Double cashback events and special promotions are available on occasion.
Pros & Cons:
Pros | Cons |
Wide Retailer Network: Rakuten partners with over 2,500 retailers, providing a vast selection of products and services for users to earn cashback on. | Higher Minimum Payout: Some users may find the $5.01 minimum payout threshold to be slightly higher compared to other cashback apps. |
Quarterly Payouts: Rakuten's cashback is paid out quarterly, creating a predictable schedule for users to receive their earnings. | Limited Focus: Although Rakuten offers a wide range of products, it may not provide as many specific deals as other apps in specific niches such as groceries. |
Browser Extension: By using the browser extension, cashback offers can be activated while shopping online without leaving retailer websites. | |
Special Promotions: Rakuten has special events like double cashback that can significantly increase savings. | |
6.2 Ibotta: Ibotta is a well-known cashback app that has a primary focus on groceries and household items. The app allows users to earn cashback by scanning receipts, purchasing featured products, or shopping online. Ibotta has partnered with a variety of grocery stores and online retailers.
How it Works:
Users download the Ibotta app and choose cashback offers that they are interested in.
After making a purchase, they use the app to upload a picture of their receipt to receive cash back on eligible items.
Ibotta provides cashback for both in-app purchases and online shopping through its partner retailers.
Key Features:
Specializes in grocery and everyday items.
Offers cashback for scanning receipts and making in-app purchases.
Offers an extra cashback opportunity through a 'Bonus' section.
Users can receive automatic cashback by linking their loyalty cards.
Pros & Cons:
Grocery Focus: Ibotta excels in providing cashback on grocery and household items, which are everyday essentials for many households. | Limited Retail Partners: Ibotta's primary focus is on groceries, so users may not find as extensive a range of cashback offers for non-grocery products. |
Multiple Earning Options: In addition to receipt scanning, Ibotta offers in-app purchases and online shopping options for cashback. | Required Receipt Upload: Some users might find the receipt-scanning process inconvenient, especially for larger shopping trips. |
Bonuses: The app features a "Bonuses" section where users can earn extra cashback by completing specific tasks or hitting certain milestones. | |
Loyalty Card Linking: Users can link their loyalty cards for automatic cashback, simplifying the process. | |
6.3 Honey : Honey is a browser extension and mobile app that has a specific focus on finding and applying online coupon codes. Users can save money by having it automatically search for and apply relevant discounts while shopping online.
How it Works:
Users can either install the Honey browser extension or download the mobile app.
When shopping online, Honey searches for applicable coupon codes and applies them at checkout, ensuring that users obtain the best available deals.
Users have the option to receive Honey Gold, a form of cashback, on certain purchases. Honey Gold can be redeemed for gift cards.
Key Features:
Focuses on finding and applying coupon codes.
Supports a wide range of online retailers.
Price tracking is available to alert users about price drops on saved items.
Offers a program for rewarding with Honey Gold.
Pros & Cons:
Pros | Cons |
Coupon Code Finder: The main function of Honey is to find and apply online coupon codes automatically, leading to immediate savings when shopping online. | Limited Focus: Honey has a limited focus: they only offer coupon code applications and don't offer traditional cashback. |
Wide Retailer Support: Honey is compatible with a wide range of online retailers, which makes it suitable for various shopping needs. | No Cashback on In-Store Purchases: Honey's savings are only available online, unlike other cashback apps which don't allow in-store purchases. |
Price Tracking: Users can receive alerts about price drops on saved items, helping them secure better deals over time. | |
Rewards Program: Honey offers a rewards program with Honey Gold, which can be redeemed for gift cards. | |
6.4 Swagbucks : Swagbucks is a rewards platform that gives users the chance to earn points called SB for different online activities, such as shopping, taking surveys, watching videos, and playing games. Users have the option to redeem SB for gift cards or PayPal cash.
How it Works:
Swagbucks users set up an account and explore the platform to search for cashback offers and accumulate SB points.
Users receive cashback in the form of SB points for shopping through Swagbucks links at partner retailers.
Users have the option to accumulate SB by completing surveys, watching videos, and performing other tasks.
Key Features:
There are multiple ways to earn SB, including shopping, surveys, and more.
Offers a wide range of gift card options for redemption.
Provides a referral program for extra SB earnings.
Users can easily access cashback offers by installing a browser extension.
Pros & Cons:
Pros | Cons |
Diverse Earning Options: Swagbucks gives users the flexibility of earning SB points through multiple ways, including shopping, surveys, watching videos, and playing games. | Complex Earning System: The wide array of earning options can be overwhelming for some users, and it may take time to accumulate enough SB for substantial rewards. |
Wide Range of Gift Cards: Users can redeem SB points for a variety of gift cards, allowing them to choose rewards that suit their preferences. | Limited Cash Payout: Swagbucks primarily offers gift cards as rewards, and while PayPal cash is an option, it may not be as accessible as direct cash in some cases. |
Referral Program: Swagbucks features a referral program, enabling users to earn additional SB points by referring friends and family. | |
Browser Extension: Swagbucks provides a browser extension for convenient access to cashback offers and savings opportunities. | |
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