Most likely you are a member of at least one rewards program, whether it is a store specific one like Kmart’s Shop Your Way Rewards or an online one like Swagbucks or Ebates. And like most of us, you probably forget that you have that card or that account so you have all these reward accounts sitting and doing nothing. Or you think that it isn’t worth it, you won’t earn much, so why bother? I used to be that way, but now I am a firm believer in using rewards programs when possible. I like them both online and in-store. I find that they are a simple and easy way to earn a little bit of money or gift cards.
There are three main types of rewards programs: store card, phone app, and online. To help you use them to your best advantage, I’m going to go over the basics each type.
Store Card Rewards Programs
This would be cards to specific stores and places that earn you points/coupons/discounts when you shop. For me, the one I use the most is my Shell Fuel Rewards card. We have a lot of shell stations around us. Every time I put gas in my van, I swipe my fuel rewards card first and save at least 3 cents off per gallon. Many gas stations now have rewards programs. Of all the card rewards, I find the gas savings ones to be the best one to use.
Other programs would be for places like Kmart, Rite Aid, your grocery store, or even Dick’s Sporting Goods. It does take a little time to sign up and you do have to learn the rules and policies of using your card. Some places do points on purchases, some are just for exclusive sale and coupons. Sometimes points expire so you will need to know how quickly you need to use points.
Also, check with restaurants and coffee places. It is no secret that I love the Dunkin Donuts Perks program. I have to put money on and use a gift card to earn points but for every dollar I spent, I get 5 points. After 200 points, I get a free medium coffee. Plus, with the Perks program, there are often coupons and bonus point offers.
App Reward Programs
These would be things you use in-store but aren’t through the store. Think of things like Ibotta, Checkout51, and Shop Kick. These sometimes involve taking a picture of your receipt after your shopping trip to earn cash back on certain things. Some of them, like Shop Kick, require scanning UPC codes of certain products while you shop and answering a quick survey. Some of these offer cash and some of them offer gift cards for your reward. My favorite of all of these is Ibotta. I love how they have a lot of “any brands” so I can earn cash back on store brand things like milk, bread, frozen vegetables, and a number of other items. Or I can use a paper coupon on a brand name and still combine with Ibotta if there is an offer on that product.
You can read more about my favorite money saving and rewards apps, here.
Online Rewards Programs
These ones are great as you can use them without leaving your house. Some of them, like Swagbucks or Bing Rewards, are known best for giving you points for doing internet searches. Some are great for cash back on online purchases. Ebates is one of the best known of these, but you can also shop through Swagbucks. I like all of these about the same, but probably Swagbucks comes out a little in the lead just from the ease of use. And the fact that I use it every day whereas Ebates is only about 10-15 times a year. I’ve already talked quite a bit about how I use Swagbucks and Bing Rewards so I won’t go into that again.
Learn how to use store, online, and app reward programs to your advantage Click To TweetWith all these different types of rewards programs, you do need to pick and choose which ones you use or you will be overwhelmed. If you almost never go to Kmart or Starbucks, it probably isn’t worth it to you to be a member of their rewards program. I am a member of the CVS rewards program as I do like to take advantage of some of their sales but as I have to drive 45 minutes to get to one and they are on a difficult to navigate intersection, it isn’t often. I do still have a Dick’s Sporting Goods rewards card as we used to shop there more often. It does not cost me anything to belong, so I’ve kept the card. However, I probably wouldn’t sign up for one now as I’m now only there once a year if that often.
To help with the overwhelming nature of all these different rewards programs, I use my smartphone. I use the app, Key Ring, instead of actually carrying around all my rewards cards. I also have a folder on my phone called “Money” and any sort of rewards or money saving app gets put there where it is easy to find. (Yes, that’s my actual phone and that’s my husband as part of my background. 😉 )
What are you favorite reward programs?
Becca @ The Earthlings Handbook says
My favorites are:
Giant Eagle (supermarket) gives great deals on groceries and earns points toward discounts on gas at the station closest to our house. Because we have a hybrid car and drive only a few times a week, we only buy gas every 5-6 weeks, so we save 10-90c/gallon every time.
CVS has a store half a block from my office, so that’s where I buy snacks for work and baby wipes whenever my daughter’s sitter tells me in the morning that she’s running low. I also watch their sales flyer for things my family needs. CVS prints coupons with your receipt when you use the card, and those often give really good deals, so sometimes I’m over there twice a week several weeks in a row!
Panera Bread gives me a free coffee, free pastry, or $2 off a sandwich every few months. Since I only eat there every two weeks or so, I feel that’s a pretty good rate of return. I appreciate that the rewards don’t expire for a month or two, which gives me a chance to get back and redeem them.
Target offers a Visa card that gives you 5% off everything in the store or Website every day and free shipping, and it’s also a regular Visa you can use anywhere, and they also donate a portion of your spending to the school of your choice.
Becca @ The Earthlings Handbook recently posted…Technology to Help You Be Energy Efficient and Environmentally Friendly This Summer
Julie says
The only thing I really miss about working is being able to stop into places near work but not near here to get the deals. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten at Panera Bread. They just put on in in the “big city” where I go shopping once a month or so. That’s good info to know about them. Thanks!
Sarah @ SarahTitus.com says
I may have missed it, but what does Receipt Hog do?
Sarah @ SarahTitus.com recently posted…60 Day Power Bill Challenge
Julie says
Receipt Hog gives you points for taking pictures of your receipts. It isn’t one of the really fast programs but you don’t have to buy anything specific to get the points like with Ibotta or Checkout 51. I talk more about it here: https://www.happyfrugalmama.com/5-favorite-frugal-smartphone-apps/