Put your money where your mouth is or better yet – put money back into your wallet with these helpful apps. After all, who doesn’t want free food and gift cards? Here is a list of apps that I have used that will help you achieve something extra for your food and shopping adventures.
Shopkick
Shopkick gives you points or kicks for walking into one of their listed stores. You can earn more points by scanning products’ barcodes shown on the app. Then these kicks can be redeemed for gift cards, around $2-$100 depending on the store. Additionally, more kicks can be claimed by purchasing a listed product and scanning the receipt and inviting friends gets you 250 kicks. When I first signed up, it gave me 500 kicks for scanning any product in the store.
Ibotta
Ibotta allows you to earn cash back on select items, around $0.50-$3.00 cash back, though one item may have more multiple tasks you can complete to earn more money, which may include watching a YouTube video or taking a poll. Once you purchase an item, take a picture of your receipt or scan the receipt’s barcode. You can withdraw money after reaching $20 in cash back but inviting friends gives you $10.
Sweat Coins
The quote provided by Sweat Coins perfectly summarizes what the app does, “The app that pays you to get fit.” Sweat Coins uses your phone’s GPS to track how many steps you walk, then these steps are converted into points or coins. You get more coins for walking outside. (One of the reasons why I’m excited about warmer weather!) I noticed that I have to walk at least 2,000 indoor steps to obtain coins, but information on its website states, “1,000 outside steps = $0.95.” You can obtain a maximum of 5,000 coins per day. The app is free but there are upgraded versions that charge $10-30 per month to earn coins faster. Examples of prizes you can obtain include a Forever 21 gift card and an IPhone X.
SwagBucks
Personally, I have used the website version of SwagBucks more than the app version, but both are similar. You can earn points or SB by watching videos, taking surveys, online shopping, searching, and playing games. 100 SB is $1, and you can start redeeming for gift cards at 300 SB or $3.00 to places like Amazon and PayPal. I like taking surveys and watching videos when I’m bored, especially when I’m in between classes and waiting for the next one to start.
Point Pockets
This app has motivated me to pay attention in class. Not surprisingly, this app is created by people who understand how tempting it is to get on our phones when we’re bored in lectures. Instead of giving into temptation, turn on the app and allow it to run. More points are awarded the longer you stay off your phone in class or on campus so make sure to turn on your phone’s GPS. Then these points can be used for restaurant and online deals.
Forest
If you need more motivation to stay off your phone, check out Forest. You plant a virtue seed and the seed grows into a tree when you are not using your phone but instantly die when you get on. You start with a tree, but it may turn into a forest. The best part, Forest has teamed with organizations to help plant trees in real life!