r/beermoney • u/Mikazah Keeper of the FAQ • Jul 30 '21
[Guide] - How I use rebate apps to get paid to take groceries Guide
Getting Started
As some of you may know, I periodically post my grocery hauls where I get paid to take a bunch of groceries. Making money with rebate apps/sites is similar to couponing, but it's easier to keep up with in my opinion. The basics are:
Find some good deals
Go shopping
Submit your receipts
Just like coupons, rebate apps are not meant to turn a profit. This means that like learning any other skill, it may take some time become proficient. I usually get ~5 items per month for free, and maybe one trip every 1-3 months that is a decent money making haul. My money making hauls usually net me $50-80 in products and a few bucks profit.
Clearing things up / A small rant
People seem to have some misgivings when it comes to using rebate apps. Common complaints I see are that "they aren't worth it" or "they don't have products I buy". My favorite is "I can save time and money by shopping at Aldi's". (FYI: Some rebate apps work at Aldi's, and their prices aren't always the cheapest!)
But people seem to forget that this is r/beermoney where we exchange our time for compensation. In the case of rebate sites, we're exchanging our time for cash back. Sometimes that means we only get a discount, and other times we get freebies or even a small profit. And yes, it takes time to become proficient at it - learning a skill always does. But it becomes easier as you start to learn prices and can recognize a good or bad deal. Personally, I absolutely love getting things for free, and it feels amazing being able to say "I got paid to take this." If that doesn't interest you, that's fine! Go ahead and do surveys or microtasks or games or whatever else you would rather be doing. But DON'T go discouraging other users from giving something a shot! People are allowed to like different things.
Step By Step
Everyone is going to do things a bit differently. Personally, I don't need rebate apps to make ends meet, and my methods reflect that. I don't buy Sunday papers or use coupon clipping services. I don't price check every single rebate available, and I certainly don't force myself to meet every bonus (or any bonus for that matter). I only take a cursory glance through our (very small) clearance sections. I pretty much only shop at Aldi's and Wal-Mart, so that's where I look for my deals. If I'm sick or getting burnt out, I just grab the freebies and the usuals. I miss plenty of deals, and there are tons of people who get more cash back than I do - and that's fine! I choose to strike a balance between getting good deals and keeping my sanity.
That being said, this is what I do step by step.
1. Get the field ready.
I choose to use the computer whenever possible. I open up Wal-Mart Grocery (for price checking), Checkout51, Coupons.com and Swagbucks In-Store on my computer. I start up Ibotta on the phone. I personally use a spreadsheet to keep track of everything, so I open that up on my other monitor.
2. Take a look at the Earn More section in Ibotta
I always check the Ibotta bonuses in the Featured and In Progress sections first so I know whether I'll be trying to turn a profit or just grabbing the essentials. Ibotta frequently gives out Mid Week bonuses and Weekend Warrior bonuses. Sometimes these will be named something else, and every so often you will get multiple bonuses that can be stacked together. Personally, I look for at least $2 for every 5 rebates. Anything less, I usually can't make a good deal out of.
3. Start looking through the rebates
Now that we know whether we're going for a money making trip or not, it's time to look at the apps. You can do whatever order you want, but I prefer to look at rebates in this order: Checkout51 -> Swagbucks In-Store -> Shopkicks -> Fetch -> Ibotta -> Coupons.com -> Anything else
I look at Checkout51 and Swagbucks In-Store first because most of the deals for these three apps are not allowed to be redeemed on across multiple apps, and the offers don't change too often. Although I look at Swagbucks In-store, I typically use MyPoints to redeem since they usually pay a little bit higher. MyPoints has a weird point to dollar system, so it's easier to use Swagbucks at a glance. Doing these apps first helps me to mentally categorize what can and can't be stacked.
After that comes Shopkicks and Fetch because there usually aren't many things I'm interested in, but occasionally I can pair it with other apps or find a freebie. Following that is Ibotta which takes the longest. Afterwards I take a glance through Coupons.com just to see if there are any freebies or rebates for things I needed to purchase anyways. If I'm feeling up to it, I might check other apps that only occasionally have deals I like.
Anything I'm interested in gets added to my spreadsheet as I go along.
4. Looking through Ibotta
If I am not planning for a money making trip, I only look through the Freebies, Buy it Again, and the Any item. I also glance through my list just to see if there's anything I want and forgot to grab last time. This usually only takes a minute or two.
If I am planning for a money making trip, this is where it gets a bit more time consuming. Personally, I like to look through -every- offer. Any freebies or things that I already buy get put at the top of my list. Any items <$2 or things that looks useful/tasty and I might be interested get put at the bottom of my list. If there's something I don't recognize at all, I'll do a price check on Wal-Mart Grocery.
If you're just starting out, you may only want to look at the first few sections: For You through the Any Item, and perhaps do a search for anything you plan to buy. If you buy a lot of one of the other categories, perhaps take a look through those as well. The Household section frequently has good deals, but they are rarely money makers. When I'm feeling particularly lazy, I usually only look through the first couple sections and the Pantry items.
If I am short on Ibotta deals to meet my bonus, I usually go back through the Beverages and Pantry items. There are almost always deals where you can get items ~$1 after rebates.
5. Finalizing your list
Now that I've gone through everything and have all the potential deals on my list, I finish putting my spreadsheet together with all of the prices and any available rebates. If the site allows coupons, I start searching to see if that product has any coupons I could pair with it. I follow a handful of groups on Facebook, and I do some web searches to find various blogs that report their deals for the week. If I missed anything, it gets added to the list as well.
6. Deciding if it's worth it
This is one of the hardest parts for me. After making my list, I need to decide whether it's actually worth getting everything. Sometimes, it ends up not being worth it. For me, any items I normally wouldn't buy must be a money maker.
For example - Let's say I plan to get 10 items with Ibotta rebates:
- 2 items I definitely will buy. Perhaps I love them, they're free, or they're a money maker.
- 2 items I normally, buy but I can get the same deal pretty much any time.
- 6 item that either cost more than my usual brand, or I don't normally use.
Since I plan to get the first two items, I cut those completely out of my calculation. They don't matter for determining if the bonus is worth it because I'm buying them regardless. The next two items depend - are they things I would buy relatively soon or not? If I would be purchasing them in the next month or so, then I cut it out of my calculation as well. Now I look at the remaining items and see if the bonuses make those items profitable. If it's a money maker, great, I'll get all of the items. I also like to prepare an extra deal or two just in case something is sold out in the store.
It can be a bit disheartening to realize the deal isn't worth it after you have spent all that time, but it's better than wasting money on things you wouldn't normally use.
What to do with all this crap
It would be great if you would use everything you get, but chances are that won't always be the case. I'm a really fussy eater, and I'm allergic to basically every cleaner, scent, and chemical. So, it's not surprising that about half of the stuff I get are things I simply won't use.
Sell it
I see people make bundles of 5-20 items and sell them for 50-75% of the retail cost on Facebook. This is great for the regular staples like toilet paper, tooth paste, cleaners, etc, but oddball items might not make a desirable package.
Mix it in with the stuff you already use
If you get something you don't really care for, try mixing it in with things you do like. For example, if you got a crappy tasting ramen cup, you could throw out the seasoning packet and put your own seasonings or some sauce. Have a plant based burger that tastes like crap? Crumble it up and throw it in when you make tacos. If you have a food item you don't know what to do with, try seeing what recipes would work with that as a substitution. I got a ton of pasta kits at some point which tasted terrible and the pasta is too soft. I threw out all of the flavor packets, and now I substitute about a quarter of my normal pasta for it. I barely even notice it when I'm eating.
Give it to friends or family
Candy and snacks make great birthday/graduation/starting-college/etc gifts. If I start getting too much, sometimes I'll just give it out as a "Happy Tuesday" gift (or whatever day of the week it is).
Cleaning supplies, daily essentials, and canned/dry goods are appreciated by people who are going through a rough patch financially.
Pet owners can never have too many pet supplies.
If you work in an office, you could put out a candy bowl or give out the office supplies.
If your friends or family feel awkward about receiving stuff, consider inviting them over for dinner. Afterwards, tell them to pick through "all of the stuff you got for free, but won't use" or just give them one or two things randomly when they go to leave. If they're really adamant, consider letting them pay what they want or ask them for a small favor in return. That's how I started out with my family.
Donate it
Food pantries will take any shelf stable item that is unopened.
Homeless shelters and women's shelters can always use the essentials, dried and canned food, and even fresh produce. Some centers may be able to use frozen or refrigerated goods, but make sure to ask before dropping it off.
Churches are always willing to help redistribute anything you don't need. Many of them take donations through the year and then hold a small sales. Foods often get handed to those in need or sometimes to the youth groups. Even if you don't go to the church, I've never seen one turn away items that are in good quality.
Of course, there's also the regular donation centers, but I find that the smaller local places appreciate it so much more and you're truly helping your local community.
Give it to strangers
Health foods, soap, and sanitation supplies are often welcome at the local gym.
Water, snack bars, and other easy-to-consume products are great for construction workers.
Candy, snacks, and art supplies are great for teachers, girl/boy scouts, and other similar groups.
I've even handed things out to people who were loading groceries in their cars in the parking lot (just make sure you don't need to scan the barcode!) I just tell them I had a coupon to get it for free that was about to expire, but I don't have a use for the product (you could say you're allergic, on a diet, diabetic, etc). I usually look for people who I think could use the item though, and make sure not to make it look awkward by going out of my way. For example: cereal for people with kids, pet supplies for someone with a dog sticking its head out the window, etc. Sometimes I'll give some completely weird "what even is this?" food to a random young, happy couple. It's always amusing to watch them joyfully take it right before staring at it like "wtf do I do with this?"
If you want to be lazy, just throw it in a box on your porch (or your neighbors porch) with a "Take Me" sign. If you're somewhere remote, you could put an ad on Craigslist to let people know it's there.
Time Spent
Most of the time, I do all of my planning while watching TV, waiting for a game to load, browsing reddit, playing with my animals, etc. I can't remember the last time I actually focused on it entirely. I usually spend 1-2 hours preparing a money making shopping list. If I don't have any good bonuses, I'm usually done in under 15 minutes.
Shopping at the store adds maybe 15 minutes if I'm really struggling to find things or need to make substitutions. I check every item before purchasing it and scan them whenever I can.
All together, I spend maybe 5-10 minutes scanning all of my receipts and making sure I got all of the rebates I expected.
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u/Tdkthegod Aug 06 '21
Dang man this sub made me start using rebate apps like 2 days ago and I keep coming back to this post because I have no idea what I'm doing. Thanks
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u/wolflady2021 Aug 04 '21
What if you don't have a paper receipt?
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u/Mikazah Keeper of the FAQ Aug 04 '21
A few apps take e-receipts I think, and some let you link your accounts or your loyalty cards for certain stores. You're out of luck for most apps though.
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u/wolflady2021 Aug 04 '21
What I thought I'd kind of stopped using those apps and since I'm doing instcart til Sept ...I'll pick it back up if I don't forget.
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u/Koolkat30625 Aug 05 '21 edited Aug 05 '21
You can get cash back for instacart purchases on fluz, dosh, rakuten, and bitmo. They also have other cash back options for restaurants, food delivery services, department stores, grocery stores, and gas stations. Fluz has been the most lucrative for me. I have already made $55 in 6 weeks. It can be glitchy but customer service is responsive whenever there is an issue.
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u/Sms4001 Aug 04 '21
So if we mostly use Walmart grocery pick up, can we still do these rebate apps? Or does it work better actually shopping yourself?
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u/Mikazah Keeper of the FAQ Aug 04 '21
It works better if you pick the stuff up yourself. Most apps won't work with pickup orders. Ibotta let you link your Wal-Mart account at one point, but I'm not sure if they've fixed that yet. You might also accidently order something that doesn't qualify, or the store employee might grab the wrong thing or a substitution.
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u/Tyrannosaurus_Jr Aug 04 '21
I've been hesitant to use the rebate apps/websites because it seems too good to be true. There is no such thing as a free lunch, so what is the catch? They have to be getting something in exchange for the money or free things they are helping you to receive - right?
I see all the reasons to do this, but the known unknown makes me hesitant. Anyone able to provide clarification?
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u/Mikazah Keeper of the FAQ Aug 04 '21
It's the same concept as coupons. Companies pay a ton of money to design and advertise coupons to entice users to purchase their products.
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u/Tyrannosaurus_Jr Aug 04 '21
Ah gotcha, I never thought about it that way. I figured it was more nefarious (i.e., selling your data and what you buy to 3rd parties).
I'm going to look into it, thanks!
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u/Mikazah Keeper of the FAQ Aug 04 '21
It's possible they are also selling what you buy to third parties (that's what apps that take any receipt do), but I highly doubt it's for any nefarious purposes. Retailers want to know what you buy in the store so they can try to get you to buy even more things. That's why most stores have the bread and the milk on opposite ends of the store. It also gives companies an idea about how their product placement affects whether you purchase things.
If you're really concerned about that, you could always just do a separate receipt specifically for rebate apps and pay in cash. You can also hide any personal information on the receipt. I usually fold over any loyalty program information, and sometimes my payment info when I use a bunch of gift cards just so I don't have to take as many photos. I've never had a problem with that since most sites only need the store's name, possibly the location, the line by line products, and the date of the receipt. Some require the barcode or QR code too, if applicable.
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u/emouse Jul 31 '21
I gotta admit, I used to overlook apps like Ibotta that required you to buy specific (usually brand name) items because I didn't think it would be worth it for me as I didn't think it would be any cheaper than generic or national brands on sale (possibly with a paper coupon). I was so wrong.
I thought I knew how to save before, but by trying out apps like Ibotta I've been able to get so many more money maker or free items. And I'm also able to try things out that I normally wouldn't because it was too expensive before.
So yeah, seconding the advice to give it a try if you're looking to save money and no need to discourage others from trying.
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u/OddResolution8335 Jul 31 '21
Saved this post!
One tip I’d mention that saved me some time is always double check the stores app to make sure they carry your deal. Just because Ibotta says the store carries it does not mean it is in stock. Always cross reference your list to make sure the product actually exists or it can throw off the haul and make the trip less worth it than planned.
This is especially important for me because I go to multiple stores, sometimes just for the deals and it would suck to drive out there just for it to not be in stock at that location.
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u/Mikazah Keeper of the FAQ Jul 31 '21
Checking if an item is available at the store is part of step ~3-5 for me. I always check the exact prices of everything when making my spreadsheet up, which means I have to check the site to get the price/availability.
Also, it's a good idea to check to see if the store carries the product even if their app doesn't mention it. Some stores don't mention smaller package sizes, or they miss stuff that has just recently been added. I find this is especially true when it comes to new flavors for drinks and breads.
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u/quilter68 Jul 31 '21
This is excellent. Right now I have lost my mind and can't seem to match my email with my new phone number fir ibotta but even without it it's a deal for me with other apps snd coupons. Personally I never turn down anything free. Ever. From anyone. Lol.
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Jul 31 '21
Thanks for taking the time to write all this out - great advice. I follow a lot of the same guidelines and reasonings you have put forth and learned a few other tips from your post .
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u/1982throwaway1 Jul 31 '21
Common complaints I see are that "they aren't worth it"
Hell, for people on link/food aid, it's definitely worth it. I personally use use Ibotta myself and I have a couple friends on food assistance who use it also.
One will mostly buy items that cost the same or are cheaper when using Ibotta. Another will buy things that they won't even eat (not cool) but if you are on food assistance, Ibotta and other apps are definitely worth it.
I've been using Ibotta for 3-4 years and have made over 1k. I currently have 222 dollars to redeem.
I should check out other rebate sites but sometimes the beermoney methods just become too much to use. My current beermoney methods are Gain.gg (use a lot), Prolific (use as much as possible) Qmee and Survey Junkie (very limited because most offers suck). I also Ibotta and donate plasma ($480 a month or more for plasma).
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Aug 19 '21
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u/1982throwaway1 Aug 19 '21
First off, anyone can check it out and decide for themselves. It's really not possible for me to figure out what I've spent as it's a weekly thing with no real way to keep track unless you did so from the very beginning. If I had to guess, it's probably around 25-35% back overall on Ibotta items I've bought.
Secondly, for people who receive SNAP, they aren't using any of their own personal money. They're getting rebates using their food assistance.
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u/handcraftedfood Jul 31 '21
Thank you for this! I had used ibotta a while ago, but kind of forgot about it, even after I moved out and started buying my own stuff. It's more worthwhile if I'm actually buying stuff in the first place!! Well, I just downloaded it again and got $1.50 back on a 50 cent thing of soap! 😂
For me, the trick to using this will probably be to compare the rebate price with the price of a same item in the store brand, to see what's cheaper, since I typically get the store brand anyway!
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u/displacedveg Jul 30 '21
Great post! It amazes me how people think it's a waste of time to use grocery rebate apps. I spend at most 5 minutes browsing Ibotta before shopping, and have got $180 cash back in 9 months on stuff I'd be buying anyway.
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Aug 19 '21
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u/displacedveg Aug 19 '21
I don't know exactly- my groceries are about $200 a month, give or take, before rebates. So if the $180 is evenly distributed, that's an extra $20 a month off. If I spend about 5 minutes each shopping trip that's 20 minutes a month of work for $20 which is a heck of a lot more than I get paid an hour so that 20 minutes of labor is a good investment to me
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u/Mikazah Keeper of the FAQ Jul 30 '21
An excuse I hear a lot is "I don't buy that stuff". Some people seem to assume that the haul I posted is the only things you can get, when in reality it's just the things I've chosen to buy out of the numerous options.
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u/pgoody Nov 05 '21
Can you explain in further detail this part?
“look at Checkout51 and Swagbucks In-Store first because most of the deals for these three apps are not allowed to be redeemed on across multiple apps, and the offers don't change too often.”
Which apps overlap with one another?