Updated November 2025

There are several ways you can save money with something you probably already own: A smartphone. There are many apps available that can help you save money or even earn money.

Here are my must-haves (and all of these are currently on my phone):

Fetch Rewards:  It’s not store-specific, which is great. You can learn more here. Use my code ND2TB when you sign up, and you’ll earn Bonus Points (amounts vary from 1500 to 4000, depending on the current promotion). 

Ibotta: Ibotta is an app that helps you earn cashback every time you shop! Just check Ibotta when you are shopping to see which products are available for a rebate, buy them, and earn cash back. In most cases, you’ll take a photo of the receipt through the app and scan the UPCs of the products to receive the rebate. Some stores have you sync your store loyalty card/phone number with Ibotta to simplify the process.   I don’t do much grocery shopping at chain stores, so I don’t use Ibotta as much as other apps. 

Shopkick is a rebate app, similar to Ibotta, where you earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards (over 70 options) when you buy specific products. More info about Shopkick can be found here.

MyPoints: MyPoints is known for being a cashback shopping site, but it also has a section called Magic Receipt, where you can scan your receipt to earn points redeemable for cashback. MyPoints Magic Receipt has non-store-specific offers, and frequently includes non-branded items such as produce. I use Mypoints instead of Swagbucks– they are owned by the same parent company.

BrandClub: This one is fairly new to me, as of late May 2022. Link your Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Chewy accounts. The app scans your previous and future purchases. When you purchase from brands that BrandClub works with, you earn cashback via the app, which can then be sent to a Venmo or PayPal account.

Makeena: Makeena is not store-specific!  In addition to savings and deals on the organic and natural brands that you love, Makeena also features what I like to call “no brand” or “Any brand” offers on produce, dairy, and health and beauty products.

Checkout 51: Checkout51 is NOT store-specific for most offers! Checkout 51 is a savings program that’s so easy to use, and no Smartphone is needed! It’s an app on your iPhone or Android phone, or you can use your computer. Just purchase specific products (and these products change each Thursday, so make sure you check out the app/website before heading out to shop), scan, and upload your receipts weekly.  

Receipt Hog: This one is fun and easy.  Just snap a photo of your receipts and upload them via the Receipt Hog app. Earn points for each receipt, and redeem points for gift cards (like Amazon) or cash. I’ve been using Receipt Hog for over 5 years!

Receipt Jar: This is a receipt scanning app, similar to Receipt Hog. Snap pictures of basically all your receipts and earn points. You can also link your Amazon, Target, Walmart, Costco, and Kroger accounts to earn more points! Payouts of $5 via PayPal start at 1,000 points; however, there are many gift card options too. You can use my referral code ABBYH87T2V and score 200 points to get started. Download the app wherever you get apps.

BYBE: If you buy alcohol or liquor, this app is for you. Available in most states, this app has rebates for beer, wine, liquor, and more. 21+ only.

Caden: This app is a little different than other cashback apps. It’s a data-mining app. Caden is the world’s first Open Data platform. Download the Caden app to be in control of and make money from your personal data. Link your bank accounts, credit cards, Netflix, Target, Walmart, Uber, and Airbnb accounts, and the app will sync to earn points. Cashout is 30,000 points or $30. Dosh and Drop are pretty similar

Dosh: This app is awesome! Dosh is primarily for restaurants, but there are retailers like Hallmark, Forever 21, Cost Plus World Market, and Sam’s Club. Offers change frequently. Signing up is easy, and there are no receipts to scan or photos to take.  Sign up here, then link your credit and debit cards.  Once you use one of the cards at a participating retailer, you’ll get a push notification from Dosh, and in just a few days, you’ll have cash back!  The Cash Out threshold is $25.00, which is pretty easy to get. 

Drop: If you use your phone to shop, this is a great cashback app. In addition, you earn points when you shop in-store at specific stores (you can pick from a list: I have 7-11, Starbucks, Target, and a few others). Points can be redeemed for gift cards. I’m saving points for a Gift Card for a Mommy/Big Kid date night. If you sign up, use my referral code: t7zgb to give yourself a $5 bonus!

Target: If you are a Target shopper, this app is for you.  Target’s app offers coupons for both money-off and percentage off. These offers can be stacked with other apps and rebate apps such as Aisle, WeStock, and Social Nature.

Rebate companies like WeStock, Peekage, Social Nature, and Aisle offer 100% back rebates on various food, beverage, and personal care items. Rebate availability changes frequently, and most rebates come via PayPal or Venmo. They are definitely worth checking out.

And don’t forget the apps for your local grocery stores! Sprouts, Vons, Ralphs, Albertsons, Food4Less, and others all have their own apps you can download and use to make grocery lists, check sale flyers, and find clipless and e-coupons.

*Disclosure* Most of those links are my personal links, so if you sign up, I earn a few cents. When you sign up, you can share your links too and earn a little bit of green!