Thrifty Thursday: Couponing with Technology

I must admit that I am simply too frugal to regularly buy ink for my home printer. This means I often don't get in on those great deals that require printable coupons. But that doesn't mean I can't find other great ways to save.

In fact, I just tallied up my earnings - I'm at $311.64 between all my apps!

Here are just some of my favorite ways to coupon using technology. This is especially helpful if you have a Smartphone, although some of these apps can be used on a computer.

I'll post more next week!

Ibotta 
Ibotta is an app for your smartphone that lets you get cash back through rebates on products you buy at the stores. I usually use this mostly for groceries, but you can get money back on alcohol, household products at home improvement stores and even clothing at department stores! You can even 'stack' these savings with store and manufacturer's coupons!

It's 100% free to sign up.
You can earn cash back 3 different ways: buying at the store and scanning your receipts; linking your store's loyalty card; and shopping online through Ibotta.

You earn actual money, not points to redeem! Once you've racked up at least $20, you can request a payment to Paypal or Venmo, or you can order one of their available gift cards.

Sign up with my referral link and cash in your first rebate and you'll get $10 deposited in your account to get you started!

SavingStar    

SavingStar, which can be used on a computer or through its app, allows you to clip rebate-like ecoupons for groceries and home-goods products. You pay out of pocket, but then the value of the ecoupon will be put in your SavingStar account after purchase.

You must activate the ecoupon prior to purchasing in order to get the money in your account. To earn savings at some stores, like CVS and Stop & Shop, you link your loyalty card information and use it when you shop. For others, such as Target and Walmart, you just scan in your receipt. SavingStar's ecoupons can be stacked with store and manufacturer's coupons!

Cash out once you save $5 - get it directly deposited into your bank or PayPal account or donate it to charity!

Checkout 51 

Checkout 51 can be used on a computer or through its app. It is similar to Ibotta in that are submitting for rebates. Unlike ibotta, which requires you to purchase certain products at certain stores, most of Checkout 51's rebates are not store-specific, however, the receipt must be itemized.

Cash out once you save $20 and get a spiffy check in the mail!

BevRAGE
My husband and I are very much into craft beers, but they are so costly! BevRAGE has helped take the sting out of our liquor store trips.

BevRAGE is a free app that allows you to get cash back on your purchase of alcohol and mixers - wine, beer and spirits - both at retail establishments as well as bars and restaurants. Some rebates are brand specific, while others are generic - for example, get $3 back on any 12-pack beer purchase. You must have an itemized receipt, whether from a store or a restaurant, in order to cash in a rebate.

BevRAGE is currently undergoing some maintenance - the last I used it, my earnings were immediately depositing into my PayPal account as I earned them. However, you may have to accumulated $20 now in order to cash out.

Shaw's My Mixx
If you shop at Shaw's, then you definitely need to get a free My Mixx account. You can log-on either on a computer or through their app using your phone number as your login. My Mixx is the closest to shopping with coupons, except no manual clipping involved!

Before shopping, "clip" the ecoupons that match what you plan to purchase. When you shop with your My Mixx account number, the coupon value is automatically deducted at checkout. Keep in mind that My Mixx coupons count as manufacturer's coupons, so you cannot stack with other manufacturer's coupons, nor do these coupons double like regular paper coupons often do.

Target Cartwheel
Target Cartwheel is probably one of the most well-known technology-based savings programs out there right now. It can be used either online or via the app. It's similar to My Mixx - clip your coupons prior to purchase, then have the cashier scan your barcode - either on the app or printed out - and your discounts will be taken off at checkout.

Just like to meander the store? You can scan items' UPC codes with your phone and Cartwheel will let you know if there's a coupon available for it!

The best part? Target Cartwheel has so much stacking potential!
Cartwheel coupon +
Target Store coupon +
Manufacturer’s coupon =
HUGE SAVINGS

Come back next week for a few more of my favorite technology-based savings methods!

Happy Couponing!
-Coupon Mama Massachusetts


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