Ibotta - The Best App For Free Cash In Store and Online

How are people still not using Ibotta?  I'm going to assume it's because you have never heard of it. Ibotta is an awesome app that gives me cash back for my in store and online purchases.  I used it as much as I can and have racked up a nice little chunk of cash.

Now what to spend it on... Shoes, shoes, shoes.  My mind is telling me no, but my boday, my boday...

When I first blogged about Ibotta in 2017 I had earned $67.95 in rebates.  The last time I blogged about Ibotta in 2019 I was up to $155.50.  Now as of writing this post, $274.33.  That's a lot of money for little effort.  My past posts have detailed instructions on how to claim in store cash back.  Feel free to check out my past posts on Ibotta by clicking here and here.  But for those of you who are new to my blog (welcome BTW) or need a refresher on how the Ibotta app works, I'll briefly show you how easy it is to get cash back on the purchases you already make.  I still recommend you check out my past posts for more detailed instruction on using the Ibotta app.

So one new thing Ibotta has been doing over the last few months is offering "free after rebate" offers on select items.   How on Earth can you say no to that?  The answer is you don't and I have all the (free) Cup Noodles aka "cup of noodles" to prove it.

On a recent trip to Walmart I saw that the Mystery Oreo was "free after offer."

Free Oreos?  And a mystery flavor?  There is nothing like frozen Oreos (you're welcome) so this purchase was a no brainer.

And it just so happened that Walmart had two packages left.  Probably since they were going to expire in March 2020, but that's besides the point.  So I bought them, followed the instructions for claiming a rebate on Ibotta, and got reimbursed more than what I purchased the Oreos for.

It's that easy.

And the flavor was graham cracker.  It was aight.

When I first started using Ibotta you had to scan a physical copy of your receipt to upload for rebate redemption and that is still true for many stores.  My main grocery store, however, no longer provides physical receipts and instead emails you a copy of your store receipt.  For these stores you can still claim cash rebates, but you must link your loyalty card in your Ibotta app.

After you have linked your loyalty card number with the easy to follow instructions, you need to  select all the rebates you are interested in.  I do it before shopping, but I imagine you could do it while you are shopping.  That's just not an option with a 2.5 year old.  Honestly I select almost everything I think I might purchase so if I end up purchasing an item on rebate I qualify for the cash back.  And make sure to include "free after offer items":

Didn't we already establish I have enough Cup Noodles to last a lifetime?  And the cash back on any item purchase, which varies from $0.10 to as much as $1.

Within 24 hours I'll receive a notification on my phone and through email letting me know that I've "got cash" and also alerting me to which items I purchased were eligible for cash back. 

While I encourage you to select items for cash back in the Ibotta app prior to shopping in stores with linked loyalty cards, I have been able to claim rebate on items if I select the rebates in the app immediately after shopping, but this is not a guarantee.  

And for stores where you have to scan a copy of your receipt, I would highly recommend following the steps to claim rebates within a day or two so you don't forget.  Receipts are not eligible for rebate if they are more than 7 days past the date of purchase.

If you're interested in Ibotta sign up with my referral code j6igsw or link here.  I'll receive a referral bonus (thank you!) and you will earn $20 just for using the app.  And then you can invite your friends who invite their friends and receive small dividend as your team grows.  Let's get that cash money!

Strike a Pose

In the words of Madonna, "strike a pose."  Unless you are a 2 year old who wants to move, move, move and go, go, go.  I had to take an action shot of little man today because I'm loving this affordable outfit.

Get it Carter!  And get it daddy who dressed him today.  Apparently my husband knows a thing or two about fashion.  

In the excitement of having a first child we didn't tend to look at price when shopping.  If my husband or I saw something cute, we HAD to have it for Carter.  And now a days boys clothes are adorable so we want everything.  However, with two kids, and all the costs involved (food, daycare, diapers), we now try to be a little bit more cognizant of the cost of our purchases, especially when it comes to clothing.  Now don't get me wrong, we still splurge every now and then.  The boys are 22 months apart and were born around the same season so we have been lucky to be able to recycle tons of Carter's old clothes.  It's been really fun to see Luke wear the clothes Carter once wore.  Yesterday I hung up all of Carter's former 3-6 month clothes and it gave me all the feels.  It was like taking a walk down memory lane.  I know one day Luke won't want hand me downs, but luckily that day is not today and camo is NEVER going out of style (at least not in my world).  Our go to stores for toddler clothes and great deals are Target, Old Navy, Costco, and Walmart.  Yes I said it, Walmart.  Don't believe me?  The pants he's rocking today...

Wrangler Relaxed Cargo Jogger (Toddler Boys)

Walmart.  And those kicks... 

Athletic Works Boys' Mesh Jogger

Walmart!

Both the Wrangler Camo Pants and Athletic Sneakers were purchased in store at Walmart for a combined total under $15.  They are fashionable and can be worn various ways.  Camo is on trend and the pants seem like they will be great quality.  Plus grey and white sneakers go with everything!  Blue clothes, black clothes?  It don't matter.  It works!  Grey sneakers are the best.  We will see how long the shoes last, but they feel comparable to Champion, which was my go to shoe brand when Payless was still a thing (RIP Payless, RIP!).  Carter is extremely active and growing like a weed so sneakers only last  him a few months.  Every time I blink I feel like his feet have grown again.  He's currently a toddler size 7 and he just turned 2.  I'm  hoping future NBA all star.  With the price of these shoes I don't feel bad tossing them if and when Carter grows out of them or more likely destroys them playing "ball".  They are far cheaper than the majority of the other sneakers he grew out of after a few wears.  And more money in my wallet and not down the drain makes me a happy mama.

How do you save money on kids clothes?  I would love to hear your secrets in the comments below.

Get free money when you shop using Ibotta

It's been forever.  For-ev-er.  I feel like I constantly apologize for my absences, but it is what it is.  I'm a working mom with a full time 9-5pm and a side hustle, so needless to say I'm busy AF.  But I have my eyes on the prize and I'm ok with this chaos (for now).

Ibotta... I've blogged about it before (here).  It is one of my favorite money savings phone apps and no they are not paying or giving me some incentive to blog about them, although Ibotta feel free to.  Ibotta gives you cash back on everyday purchases from places you shop at like the grocery store, drug store, liquor store... you get the picture.  The app is super easy to use and all you need to do is make sure you keep your receipts to claim your cash back.  Sometimes I check out the rebates before I go to stores, which I would recommend if you have any on the fence purchases like buying one brand versus another.  For example, if one item has a $1.00 cash back, but costs $0.10 cents more than the competitor then I'll pay the extra $0.10 to get the $1.00 back.  Common sense.  Most of the time, however, I search the rebates after I've already completed my shopping trip and generally I get lucky with at least one item offering cash back with purchase.  Yesterday I went grocery shopping and without even checking the rebates first ended up getting 5 rebate offers on items that were already on sale.  Score!  And anyone who knows me knows I love a sale / deal and free money!  Go get Ibotta, but use my referral link at the end of this posting.  The app is already super easy to use, but for you, I'll break it down (like a shotgun).

How to find rebates:

1. Download the app on your phone from the app store
2. Open the app (I told you I'd make this easy)

3. Find the grocery store you plan to shop at or just shopped at and click the icon.  You can search in the search box or if you are like me the app recommends which stores I shop most at.  And yes, Walmart is number 4.

4. Scroll through the categories to see what items are on rebate.  I personally prefer to scroll through each category such as "Dairy & Eggs," "Pantry", "Breakfast," etc. as it is easier for me to make sure I didn't miss a potential item for rebate.  Plus, it helps me remember what is on rebate before a shopping trip because mom brain.

Note:  Make sure you choose every item that you want to claim rebate on.  The app will not give you credit for items you didn't select that are eligible for rebate.

To claim items for rebate:

1. Click the plus sign to add an item you purchased for rebate. 

2. The app will either make you watch a video (generally 30 seconds or less), read an advertisement (see below), or answer a question before you can claim rebate credit by clicking the blue box at the bottom of the screen.

3. Once you have selected all your items for rebate click the "Redeem" icon at the bottom of the screen.

4. This will prompt you to take a picture of your receipt.  Receipts must be redeemed within 7 days so make sure to do this ASAP unless you like missing out on free money.  But since you are still reading this I'm going to assume free money is your jam too.  With receipt in hand press the blue bottom on the bottom of the screen that reads"Continue."

5. Take clear pictures of your receipt.  If you have a long receipt press the "Add Section" icon and keep taking pictures of sections of your receipt until your entire receipt has been captured.  When done press "Finish" button in the bottom right corner of the screen.
6. The app will find and automatically match eligible offer from the rebates you selected. Remember if you didn't select all rebates prior to scanning your receipt the app won't find them for you!  Every now and then the app misses an offer selected.  In that case click the white button towards the top of the screen that says "Add Offers."

7. A screen will pop up with offers you selected, but that the app didn't think were eligible.  But don't fear.  In this case I got deli cheese that the app missed.  Simply click the missed offer and tada...it gave me credit.  Just note that sometimes the app won't automatically give you credit in which case you will need to scan the items bar code.

8. When all the items you purchased are verified click the bottom blue button to claim your rebates.

9. And within 24 hours you will get that sweet, sweet cash in your account, which you can redeem in various ways such as via PayPal, Venmo, or gift cards.

I received an email a few hours later notifying me that the cash back had been added to my account.

Today I save $4 on items that I would have purchased regardless if they were on rebate.  Plus some of them were already on sale.   And while $4 is not a lot of money to some, I firmly believe that every little bit adds up.  I currently have $155.50 in my account that I can withdrawal at any point for whatever I want. 

So now please tell me that every little bit doesn't add up.

I hope that after you read this review you'll consider joining Ibotta and use my referral code j6igsw when you sign up.  If you use my code the app will credit me $5.

And then you can refer all your friends and get $5 every time someone you refer uses the app.  It's a win win for all of us who love free money.  Now go download the app and get that money.

If you liked this post please leave a comment below to let me know what you plan on buying with your cash back.  

Ebates for Holiday Shopping

The Holidays are coming and if you are like me than you probably do a lot of Holiday shopping.  So why not get a little something for yourself when getting things for others?  Enter Ebates.

I’ve talked about Ebates over and over again and if you have signed up for Ebates then you go girl (or boy… whatever).  But if you haven’t signed up yet, or if you have signed up, but “forget” to go to Ebates first before online shopping (hint, hint Mom) then shame on you!   So let me tell you about Ebates again. 

Ebates is a company that rewards you with cash back for shopping online.  Yes, it sounds too good to be true, but how it works per Ebates website is:

stores pay Ebates a commission for sending our members to shop at their websites.  Ebates then splits that commission with you, in the form of Cash Back.

There are tons of different stores participating with Ebates with varying cash back options.  And these cash back percentages change throughout the year (I've seen up to 20% cash back, right now up to 15%).  For example, It Cosmetics is offering 4% cash back right now.  If you read my last post (here) and decided to become an It Girl and purchase some of my favorite It Cosmetics products for yourself, then you would get 4% cash back for any purchase made through the Ebates website.  Basic math here: if you spend $100 you get 4% cash back or $4.  $4 to some may not seem like enough of an incentive to sign up for Ebates, but every purchase you make online adds up and free is free!  So maybe you are a baller instead and want to purchase the $1190 Soho Leather Gucci Disco Bag I've been dreaming of from Saks Fifth Avenue, who is offering 8% cash back on Ebates right now.  That is essentially $95 off the purchase of this gorgeous Gucci Disco Bag.  But $95 cash back doesn't entice you?  I forgot you're a baller.  You see my point...

Additionally, Ebates has a mobile app for on the go shopping and offers in store cash back options, which I've personally never tried, but plan to do next time I go to Buy Buy Baby.  I'll let you know how that works out.

I plan to do all my Holiday shopping though Ebates so mama can have a little spending money.  When you have a new baby, every penny counts including this Big Fat Check for $12.57 that I just received for my recent purchases through Ebates.

So have I convinced you yet to sign up for Ebates?  Use my referral link here and when you sign up and make a purchase you will get $10 free for joining and I will get $25 plus a chance to win $50,000!  And then after you have joined Ebates start referring all your friends so you too can get referral commission.  Everyone wins here.  Plus, if you sign up by November 19, every purchase you make through Ebates gives you an entry into a chance to win $500.  Now that would pay some of my Holiday bills, probably yours too... Fingers crossed!

Ebates

Most people know about Ebates by now, but I still meet people who don't know about Ebates or use it for ALL their online shopping.

So for those of you who don't know Ebates offers cash back for all most of your online shopping.  I can't say all because there are still times that I will purchase something online and the site is not participating with Ebates (I'm talking specifically about Joyus...come on Ebates that site is the bomb!).

Ebates is super simple once you sign up here.  
1.  Click the link for the site you want to shop at.  Clearly today it's all about Nordies.

2. Once you click the desired shopping site a new tab will pop open and take you to Nordstrom's website.

3.  Shop as you usually would and get a percent back off your purchase.  In this case 6%.  

I swear it is that easy.  And then you get a big, fat check or money transferred to your PayPal account.

Right now when you sign up for Ebates you get $10 cash back and a chance to win a 2016 Toyota Highlander for doing nothing more then one extra click of your mouse before doing what you already did best.  Now you can do it better.  Seriously if you are not using Ebates to get cash back you are missing out on free money.  And while a $22.31 check may not seem like much, those checks add up.

Do you shop?

I love to shop.  But I'm still a bargain shopper.  If I am going to shop I want the best deal and I want a little something something in return.

Shopping online is a no-brainer.  You can easily compare prices and find promo or coupon codes so you know you are getting the best bang for your buck.  I like the best bang.

I've talked about Ebates before and I will say it again: If you are not using Ebates before you make an online purchase you are loosing free money.  

Every time I know I am going to make an online purchase I first check to see if the retailer is on Ebates.  Let's use Sephora as an example:

Each retailer has a different percent cash back offer for your purchases and the only catch is you have to shop through the Ebates link.

As you can see in the above picture, Ebates will give you 4% cash back on any purchase you make at Sephora through the Sephora Ebates link.  These percentages are not fixed.  I've seen cash back offers as high as 20% for retailers that I like and purchase from (I.e. Joyus).

Once you click the retailer link you are taken to Sephora, or whichever website you desire, where you can shop around, complete your purchase as usual, and then you just wait for your big, fat check.

Get it girl!

And if you don't want a check Ebates will deposit your quarterly payout into your PayPal account.  Ebates you are so good to me.

$125 may not seem like a lot of money to some, but every little bit adds up.  This is money that I can take on my upcoming vacation and I didn't do anything for it, but shop like I normally do.  I don't get spammed.  I haven't encountered any weird viruses.  I've just gotten paid.

Ebates offers referral perks.  Sometimes it's cash, sometimes it is entries into a free trip, sometimes it is both.  Right now the referral perk is $5 for every person who signs up with my unique link and an entry into a free trip to Hawaii.

If you enjoyed this post please show me some love and sign up for Ebates using my referral link here.


Today is the last day to enter to win one of my free bracelets.  Click here for the original post with details.

I love jane.com.  In fact, I've got all my friends addicted to jane.  I have to check out jane daily because you never know what deal will be featured and if you snooze, you may loose.  There are days where I don't see anything that suits my fancy.  And then there are days where I go a little kray.  After all, how much cute stuff can one deal website have?  A lot!

Remember deals are only for a limited time so when I see something I really want I buy it.  Sometimes I'll miss a deal and get lucky since the deal will come back on jane.  It's like Christmas!  I take jane very seriously.

And here for you are some of my absolute favorite things that are feature on jane today.  Trust me, these deals are worth getting.  Merry Christmas!

Pocket Cardigan $14.99

I'm obsessed with these sweaters.  I wear them everyday.  They look great over scrubs, dresses, jeans...you name it.  If you only get one color I recommend cobalt.  I get nonstop compliments every time I wear it (so I wear it often).  

Wrap Tops $12.99

These are my all time favorite tops I own.  That's a big statement.  The cut is extremely flattering.  If you are small chested this will give you the illusion of a larger chest.  If you have a larger chest this will make you look like you have a gorgeous little waist.  I have every color of this top.  Dress them up with a statement necklace or faux fur vest or stay casual with the pocket cardigan on top.  Choices are unlimited!  

Texture Skirt $8.99

My favorite skirt I own and I think I look better in it than the model.  Sorry!  

Selfie Stick $9.99

I know selfie sticks are obnoxious, but my arms aren't long enough to take selfies with groups or of outfits.  And sometimes I like to be obnoxious.  Love my selfie stick!  

iPhone-Like Ear Buds $4.99

I always loose my ear buds.  These are dirt cheap compared to Apple brand and work just as well.  You can control music and answer calls with the control near your chin.  Plus they come in cute colors.  I'm waiting until they make gold, but I love my pink buds.

iPhone Power Bank $7.25

I have mine with me and charged at all times.  It works like charm whether you are charging an iPhone or iPad.  I can even charge my phone in my scrub pockets while at work.  It is great for travel too.  

Fringe Dress $16.99

This dress I just "had" to buy.  It is so cute and it screams vacation.  I had to get this beauty before it sells out.  Plus I'm a sucker for anything with fringe.  

And these I didn't get, but I think are so cute if you have little ones:

 Girls Rhinestone Headband $4.99

Bro Code Boys Shirt $19.99

Girls Metallic Moccasins $17.95

Happy Hump Day and Happy Shopping!  

Louis Vuitton Love

I had wanted to buy a new Louis Vuitton handbag for awhile and figured this year I would be completely irresponsible with my tax return and treat myself.  My husband agreed to this plan because he too had his eye on something he wanted, but did not need, so my plan, needless to say, come to fruition rather easily.  But then something marvelous happened.  I won a contest and not just any contest, but the #hellomarchgiveaway on instagram.  And with that I won $500 (and two other items, which I am waiting to receive and then will happily review).  So what is a girl to do when she receives such a large amount of money?  Go shopping!  And that I did.

 Totally MM in Damier Ebene Canvas and Medium Ring Agenda Cover in Monogram Canvas

I ended up splurging with the rationalization that I am working oh so hard, which I am!  Did I need  
a handbag and agenda?  Not really, but with an extra $500 my eyes got a little wider while shopping.  Do I love them?  Yes!  I love the agenda.  Planners are my life line.  I have to write things down and visually see what I have due and check things off as I go along. I like the feeling of accomplishment when I see a long list of things completed.  With this agenda I will have it for years to come.  And the Totally MM is big enough for me to carry my things including my laptop.  It is cute, but functional and has a zipper, which is essential.

Stay tuned to see what I keep in my agenda and to see what else I received in the #hellomarchgiveaway.