Rewards Apps That Are Worth It
My name is Emily and I am a spender. I come from a long line of spenders, but I was taught at a young age to never pay full price for something. Wait a month and it will be half the price and still in style. That's probably why I've never been too into trends, but I prefer pieces that will last me a long time and still look presentable years later.
If a store has a free loyalty program, chances are I'm apart of it (that also goes for movie theaters, restaurants, coffee shops, etc.). This probably comes from my grandmother taking me to Kohl's every Sunday and spending her magical Kohl's Cash. I tend to stick to the same places, so why not get all the loyalty perks?
If a store doesn't have a loyalty program, I subscribe to their emails to let me know when they are going to be having sales and promotions so I can check them out online. Pro-tip: throw some things in your online cart and then wait a few days, they might email you with a discount so you check out.
Lastly, I'm a big believer in rewards apps. I never really got along with ibotta or Ebates, they just never really fit into my life. But I have curated a go-to stash of apps that help me save. They may not make you rich, but it sure feels nice redeeming those Starbucks cards every once in a while. All of these offer a wide array of gift card options, so you never have to worry about not using your points. So without further ado, here are my holy grail rewards apps:
This was the first rewards app I ever downloaded and stuck with. It gives you rewards for buying products with the ability to link your card or scan your receipts, but I've honestly never done that. I've redeemed $50 in rewards just by walking into certain stores and scanning specific products. I usually do not go out of my way, unless I'm right by a featured store and I have a few minutes to spare. Most of the points I've earned are from my normal Target runs. Use code "GIFR633037" for a free 250 kicks!
Okay, you've probably seen every influencer with a drop code, but let me tell you- IT IS WORTH IT. You link your card to the app and you get points for things you're buying everyday. There are some restrictions and some you have to buy through the app to get, so I would just always double check the Terms and Conditions but if you're like me and make a daily trip to Starbucks or find yourself going to Target once a week, it's worth signing up. Use code "fjkh8" for a free $5 worth of points!
Similar to ibotta, it's a cash back app that only works in certain locations. I've mostly gotten cash back from going to restaurants but they also give you rewards for going to places like Sephora and Payless. It's also nice that you can just deposit that money directly back into your bank account and not just use it for gift cards. Use code "EMILYS424" for a free surprise!
This is a must for foodies out there! If you live in or near NYC, Philly, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, or San Francisco (or you're visiting any of those) get this app. It rewards you for making reservations at restaurants you actually want to go to. They have every type of food in every price range so you really don't have an excuse not to utilize it during your next trip to NYC. Use code "EMILY800" for $5 in rewards credit!
The last app I'll leave you with is for all the bookworms out there. This app allows you to read classic novels like Little Women or Grimm's Fairytales and new self-published work and redeem the time spent on PayPal or Amazon gift cards. It does take quiet a long time to accumulate points, but free literature that turns into gift cards? I'll take it. And if you have a short story you want to share with the world, you can post audiobooks or ebooks and get points whenever someone else reads your book! Definitely worth checking out. Use code "Emily340" for 150 coins!
By no means will these apps pay your rent this month, but I just got a pair of American Eagle jeans for $5 thanks to these apps and that's pretty cool with me.