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.  

Alta HR Review

I love fitness trackers.  They give me a lot of incentive to move a little more.  And since I also love food, like LOVE food, I'd rather move more than have to diet.  Deprivation does not work for me.  I've had various fitness trackers over the years and tend to bounce from tracker to tracker.  I loved my Fitbit Charge HR, especially since you can manually record any exercise from pilates to weight lifting to the elliptical.  The same was true for the Apple Watch, however, I ultimately gave up the Apple Watch due to poor battery life.  By 5pm on most days my watch would be at the verge of dying after only going on a walk at lunch.  That just didn't work for my fitness needs.  Plus I didn't use most of the functions of the Apple watch and it is big and bulky. 

Which brings me to the Fitbit Alta HR, my current fitness tracker.  I wanted something that was smaller and more delicate than the Apple Watch or Fitbit Charge HR and the Alta HR seemed to fit the bill.  Plus I like that you can switch out the bands and Amazon sells adorable and affordable metallic leather bands.  Aesthetically, I like the Fitbit Alta HR more than other fitness trackers, but it falls short when it comes to functionality.  If you want to manually track exercises you need your iPhone with you and the only exercises you can manually track are running, walking, or hiking.  Additionally, the Fitbit Alta HR is supposed to auto recognize exercises after 10 minutes of activity.  This has been hit or miss in my experience.  It seems to recognize walking and elliptical workouts with fairly good accuracy (continue reading on for more on that). 

On Wednesday I worked out on the elliptical wearing both my Polar RCX3 heart rate monitor and Fitbit Alta HR.

Yes, I forgot to change the time after daylight savings... sue me.

 

The Alta HR was accurate at recognizing the length of my workout (25 minutes), but it underestimated my average heart rate and thus calories burned.  A 40 calorie difference is not that significant and I would rather have an underestimate of calories than think I can consume more food and eat more calories than I should.  If that makes sense.

On Thursday I went for a long walk because mama had to run an errand.   

I did pause my workout on both my Polar monitor and Alta HR and the Alta HR reflected this pause correctly (total time walking was 31 minutes).  Once again the Alta HR calculated that my average heart rate was significantly lower than the Polar monitor.  Because of this the Alta HR estimated that I burned 75 calories less than the Polar monitor.  Now I was cool with a difference of 40 calories, but 75 calories?  Come on now.  Of any workout the Alta HR should be able to most accurately track walking, but clearly it doesn't.  (And on a side note I was shocked that the elliptical was more accurate then walking.)

And don't get me started on any activity that doesn't involve walking or elliptical like movement.  I did a exercise class this afternoon with the following Polar heart rate results:

 

The Alta HR gives me credit for 30 activity minutes (I already did 9 minutes this morning walking), but it doesn't auto recognize the activity 

I thought the point of the Alta HR was to be able to auto recognize activity after 10 minutes of an elevated heart rate.  According to my Polar heart rate monitor, my heart rate average 150 beats per minute during my exercise class.   It is disappointing that the Alta HR didn't even recognize any activity other than giving me credit for 30 more minutes of activity.  So if I didn't wear my Polar heart rate monitor I wouldn't know how long I worked out, average heart rate, or calories burned.  For the record 304 calories burned means I can have dessert!  And frankly, the Alta HR only recognized my walk from this morning because I manually tracked it through my phone.  I've been doing this since the Alta HR is so unpredictable with auto recognition.  I'm ready for a new fitness tracker.

Fitbit just missed the mark with the Alta HR.  I've already had to replace my Alta HR once after it stopped tracking my steps and I only bought this tracker in March.  I regret buying this model over the Charge HR, since I was super happy with that tracker when I had it. 

Overall verdict on Fitbit Alta HR: Save your money and buy a better product.  If you want the most accurate device for recording various different types of workouts and resulting calories burned get a heart rate monitor with chest strap.  I've had my Polar RCX3 for years and I still love it.

Anyone else feel this disappointed with the Alta HR?  I'm ready for a new tracker.  What is your favorite fitness tracker and why?

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!  

iPhone wallet with built in rechargeable battery? Yes please!

I ordered this cell phone wallet case by Navor about a month ago and I have been loving it.  I always have to have a cell phone case so I can keep my ID, cash, and a credit card on me.  Some people may not think this is the smartest thing to do, but I always have my cell phone on me since when I'm working with patients, or at clinic, there is not always a spot to put your cell phone down.  And frankly, you should not leave your stuff unattended when you can be in a room with a patient for awhile or even just a few minutes.  Anything can happen by anyone.  Just saying...  So I bring the essentials and keep them in my pocket.  If someone wants my lunch, I don't really care.  If someone wants my identity, however, well that is another story.

What I love about the Navor case is it is not just a cell phone wallet case, it also a has a built in battery charger.  If my battery is drained and I cannot sit down and charge my phone for a few minutes, I can charge my phone while it is in my pocket.  

BRILLIANT!  

I bought this bad boy on Open Sky, which offers tons of cool stuff, but often over priced.  The one benefit of following Open Sky by email is that they offer special discounts every so often, but at least twice a month.  This wallet retails for $61.50.  Right now it is being offered on Open Sky's website for $41.50 or $33.20 if you are an email subscriber.  I managed to steal it for $28.10 during one of the sales and I couldn't be more pleased.  Plus, it is actually made of leather.  Pretty snazzy.  The charging aspect has come in handy more than I had anticipated. 

Additionally, the Navor wallet does not require any special chargers or headpieces.  The standard Apple earphones and charger work with this device.  If this sounds like something you need I would seriously check it out on Open Sky because stock is getting limited.  They offer the Navor wallet for all Apple iPhone models as well as other brands of smart phones.