Apps to start saving right away
With these apps on your phone you are definitively going to save some money on most of your purchases. From booking hotels, to eating out or even your regular groceries, these apps help everybody keep some dinero in their pockets!
7/16/20264 min read
MONEY-SAVING APPS EXPLAINED IN ONE SENTENCE
(Use the referral links to get extra bonuses.)
With these apps on your phone you are definitively going to save some money on most of your purchases. From booking hotels, to eating out or even your regular groceries, these apps help everybody keep some dinero in their pockets!
Why are these apps so "generous"?
These bonuses are examples of customer acquisition costs.
Companies know that if they can get you to try their service, many people will continue using it for years.
For example:
Rakuten might pay you $50, but if you shop through them regularly, they could earn hundreds of dollars in commissions over several years.
Upside may pay $10 to acquire a user who ends up earning them referral fees every time they buy gas.
A restaurant on InKind might effectively spend $25 to attract a customer who later becomes a regular and spends hundreds of dollars annually.
This is similar to how banks offer $200–$900 checking account bonuses or credit cards offer 60,000–100,000 bonus points. They expect to earn that money back over time.
Is there a catch?
Not usually in the sense of hidden fees or scams, but there are trade-offs:
They collect data. Apps like Fetch learn about your shopping habits, while Rakuten and ShopBack track purchases made through their links.
They influence where you shop. You may choose a store because it offers 10% cash back instead of because it has the best price.
Some bonuses have conditions. You may need to make a qualifying purchase or spend a minimum amount.
Payouts aren't instant. Cash back may take weeks or months to become available.
If you were already planning to make the purchase, these apps can provide essentially "free" savings. If they convince you to spend money you otherwise wouldn't have spent, then the savings disappear.
The biggest key is to use them as a discount on planned purchases, not as a reason to buy more.
RAKUTEN
Our favorite! Get a $50 sign-up bonus with Rakuten, plus cash back every time you shop through their portal. Just search for the store you want, whether it's Expedia, Booking, Sephora, Hilton, Adidas, Avis, and thousands of others, activate the offer, and shop as you normally would. Every three months, Rakuten mails you a cash back check. It's especially useful for travel bookings and online shopping, and the first $50 is basically free!
Rakuten has also an IN-PERSON option that if you register your credit card in the app gives you back 5% in restaurant in your area just by paying with that card. No coupons, or receipts or any extra steps needed.
Sign up here:
https://www.rakuten.com/r/PELLIC83?eeid=28187
FETCH
One of the original rewards apps. Fetch gives you gift cards just for taking a picture of any receipt. It doesn't matter if it's digital or paper, a grocery receipt or a TV purchase, lunch or a pair of shoes. Scan it and earn points. It's that simple.
https://referral.fetch.com/vvv3/referralsocial?code=RPV2YX
INKIND
InKind gives you $25 to use at participating restaurants the first time, and after that you can usually save 10% to 20% every time you dine out. They also regularly offer extra dining credits when you spend a minimum amount at certain restaurants. Perfect for meals with friends.
If you have the app you can also buy gift cards at Costco worth $100 for only $64, so 36% discount plus whatever cashback they give you when you actually use them.
Get your bonus here:
https://app.inkind.com/refer/32RYRJKM
UPSIDE
The $10-$17 bonus from Upside is easy to earn, but the real value is the long-term savings. Upside shows you a map of nearby restaurants, gas stations, and convenience stores offering cash back. Claim an offer before you pay, then earn rewards after your purchase.
Depending on the place, they might ask you to take a picture of the receipt or pay with a certain card that you need to register in the app. We love this app for road trips or when running low on gas in a part of town you are not familiar with. Very good also to compare where to get the cheapest fast snack on the go.
https://upside.app.link/ALBERTO99574
SHOPBACK
Get a $15–$30 sign-up bonus with ShopBack:
https://app.shopback.com/JFiJUfBqFTb
One of the best features is that it often gives you $1 back on every Amazon purchase (you'll need a U.S. bank account or PayPal account to cash out). ShopBack also runs some incredible promotions, like 20% cash back on hotels or even 80% cash back at Temu.
HOMEEXCHANGE
HomeExchange lets you stay in homes all over the world. It works best if you're willing to let someone stay in your home too, but the welcome points alone are often enough for 8 to 10 free nights almost anywhere.
Create your free account here so you get extra points:
https://www.homeexchange.com/?sponsorkey=alberto-bcada
Complete your profile, verify your account, but don't pay for the membership yet. Promotions come up regularly. The standard annual membership is around €180 or $235, which is an excellent value if you plan to travel, but it's worth checking for a discount before subscribing. Be sure to read our full article for all the details.
TRUSTED HOUSESITTERS
Think of it as HomeExchange, but instead of exchanging homes, you stay for free in exchange for taking care of pets. There are no points to worry about, and you can find opportunities all over the world. Highest Membership also includes two Priority Pass airport lounge passes.
Learn more and get 25% off here:
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