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Ibotta hacks can make using the app easier.
I love the Ibotta app.
You get money for groceries you would buy anyway.
The average person makes $200 a year or at least $20 a month.
I think if you have a family, you should make even more though.
As I talk to people, many people say the app requires work.
I think it does not have to though.
The point of most money making methods I talk about on the blog is for them to be effortless and take little time.
Like anything, if you don’t know how to use something properly, you could be wasting time.
Personally, everyone should be able to make money with Ibotta effortlessly.
If you are not making at least $20 per month of effortless money or wasting too much time, read this post.
These Ibotta hacks will make you a pro in no time.
Honestly, I make that without buying name brand products, so I think people who buy name brand products should make more.
Even if you are making that, you should read this post to make sure you know how to properly use Ibotta.
After applying these Ibotta hacks, you can use the app effortlessly with little time and have it be one of many things not noticed in your day.
You are gong to buy groceries.
Why not get money from your shopping?
Ibotta is the best app for groceries.
What is Ibotta?
Ibotta is a free receipt scanning app that you can download to save money on groceries.
Receipt scanning apps give you money for snapping picture of your receipts.
They are the first apps that I recommend to put some money in your pocket.
Why?
It takes only seconds to scan a receipt.
Most are for grocery receipts.
If you want to get started with receipt scanning apps, read our page here.
Ibotta is the best and most popular grocery app again.
Why?
It is in almost every grocery store and has more rebates than any other grocery app.
It is the digital modern day version of clipping paper coupons.
Though it is known for saving money on groceries, it also has a competitive cashback site too.
If you are unfamiliar with Ibotta, you can read my review here.
How does Ibotta work?
- Buy your groceries as normal
- Clip digital coupon before or afterward
- Redeem offer and take picture of receipt
- Build up to $20 and cash out
Here are the Ibotta hacks that will turn you into an Ibotta pro in no time.
20 Ibotta Hacks To Make The App Effortless and Make More Money
1. Get the sign up bonus
Like many other apps, Ibotta has a sign up bonus.
Get $20 just for signing up and completing the following:
- $10 Welcome offer for redeeming offer in store
- $5 For redeeming mobile offer
- $5 For redeeming both mobile & in-store offer
2. Look for offers before you shop
Ibotta does require this extra step that differentiates it.
Some people don’t like this step, but it is worthwhile.
You must look at offers throughout the week before you shop.
Personally, when I look at all the receipt scanning apps, the ones that make you more money require an extra step.
Apps that take no time pay less.
Ibotta is one of my highest receipt scanning app.
I average $20 per month.
I know that is still small, but when you combine with other apps this is an easy effortless $100.
The only other receipt scanning app that makes me more money is Shopkick which requires more time than Ibotta and requires you to scan products in stores.
Like anything, once you develop your routine, you can have it part of your normal day and forget about it.
Personally, the Ibotta app is a lot of fun to me.
Pick one or two days each week to look at offers starting out.
If you shop at multiple stores (like me), you will need to check all those stores.
I notice that since Whole Foods is my main store, I look at that first and the other stores move quickly.
If you are brand new to Ibotta, you will want to familiarize yourself with the categories at top of app like dairy, pantry, snacks, produce, etc.
You can then know which categories to pay attention to.
For instance, I always buy yogurt, so I know this is a category to look at.
I don’t have a pet, so I ignore that category.
3. Use Store loyalty cards
Many grocery stores have a loyalty program.
Ibotta has preferred partners that you can link a store loyalty card.
lbotta is in about every grocery store, but only a few allow you to link your grocery store loyalty card.
You should do this if your store is offered.
4. Bonus rebates
Ibotta has bonus categories for different name brands.
You can find these on your home page under “Earn more with bonuses.”
For instance, right now if I buy both Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies and Grahams and Cookies, I will get $1.25 in addition to $1.25 off each offer.
That is basically buy one get one free.
5. Check daily for weekly/weekend bonuses
These are my favorites.
They are in the same section as the last one except you can usually see these on the homepage.
Usually these occur in the middle of the week or on a weekend.
They expire after a couple days, so you must check daily.
You will need to buy a certain number of items with rebates.
“Any item” does not count.
For instance, this past weekend there was an offer for $1 if you bought 12 items during the weekend.
I generally like at least $2 offers though.
These usually occur every weekend and throughout each week.
There can also be a monthly offer too.
Right now, there is one for $20 if you buy 50 items by the end of the month.
I don’t know if I will make that one though.
I don’t work too hard with Ibotta!
It helps me to make my $20 a month buy hitting at least 2 of these weekly/weekend bonuses a month.
Again, I buy less name brand products than others as well as more organic products.
If you buy name brand products, I am sure you will make more than $20 a month though.
6. Buy small
With Ibotta, you come out better by buying smaller items than larger items.
For instance, if you can buy a single serve yogurt instead of a big container, you would make more money.
The offer will probably be available again, and you can buy it again when it shows up in your Ibotta app.
7. Use Dollar Store
If you have a Dollar Tree in your area, you can actually make a profit by redeeming an item from the store.
So check there for your items.
8. Check items before you buy
Ibotta has a barcode feature where you can scan to make sure you have the right product while you are in the store.
Make sure to use this feature because I have had the wrong item before.
You will see it under the product.
Just click the box of the product to see more details.
9. Keep your receipts
Keep your receipts for a week afterward.
Your picture could have been blurry, or there could have been an error.
If there is a mistake, you can resubmit your receipt.
10. Make a list
As with saving on groceries in general, always have a list.
11. Use Ibotta for other things besides groceries
Again, Ibotta saves you more on just groceries.
I don’t wear makeup, but I notice they have some great offers.
They also have great offers on deodorant, baby care, pet care, and health care.
Some people use Ibotta to get stuff free like detergent, toothpaste, etc.
Check out the Krazy Coupon Lady.
12. Use Ibotta’s shopping portal
Ibotta’s shopping portal has offers, but it is competitive with others like Rakuten and TopCashBack.
Check to see if they have the higher online discount for your purchase.
I have seen good rates for things like hotels.
13. Use Pay With Ibotta
The “Pay With Ibotta” feature basically allows you to buy a gift card for your purchases with Ibotta and get cash back.
For instance, currently you could save 5% at Applebees by using this method.
This may be a good feature to use at times.
Just keep in mind that this will take the place of a reward credit card with higher bonuses in areas like dining out.
This is great if you don’t a credit card.
You can still earn rewards.
Keep in mind that discounted sites like Raise will save you around 20% or more at restaurants and clothing stores.
14. Refer your friends
You can make a lot of money by referring your family and friends, usually $5 per person.
Ibotta gives you a unique code that you can just copy to your social media accounts.
If you are new to Ibotta use our referral here.
Then, refer your friends.
15. Look out for promo codes
These are not common, but occasionally occur.
For instance, I just got a promo code to sign up for text alerts and get $2.
Sign up for Ibotta’s mailing list or follow them on social media.
16. Stack Ibotta with sales
In general, you can save more if you buy your items on sale.
Most Ibotta items go along with a sale.
17. Use coupons
Like sales, you can save even more by combining Ibotta with paper coupons.
Again, coupons are out when there is an Ibotta item to redeem frequently.
That is how companies market their product.
18. Use Ibotta with other apps
Like other things, Ibotta works best when you stack it with other apps.
This page explains how I stack Ibotta with other receipt scanning apps for an easy $100 per month.
Apps that you can stack Ibotta with include Fetch, Checkout 51, etc.
19. Don’t buy stuff you don’t need
You are not using Ibotta correctly if you are buying items that you don’t need.
That defeats the point.
Of course, there is nothing wrong if you genuinely want to try a new product.
My other business is a health and wellness business, so I am always excited to try a new healthy or organic product.
20. Make it a habit
Sometimes, people think Ibotta is more work.
I find it to be a simple, effortless app.
It is my second highest receipt scanning app after Shopkick, so get these hacks down to a system, and Ibotta will be effortless if it is not already.
Summary
Like many things, if you don’t know how to use something properly, you could be wasting time.
Again, Ibotta is my second highest earning receipt scanning app after Shopkick.
I find it easy and a lot of fun.
I run into people who think that it takes a lot of work.
Since I know this is not true, I wrote this post.
Like everything, once you get your system for using Ibotta in place, it can be something not noticed in your day.
That is the point of everything we review on the site.
You are going to buy groceries.
Why not get money back for it?
Ibotta pays more than other grocery receipt scanning apps and has more products.
Do you use Ibotta to save on groceries and put money back in your pocket?
Have you tried any of these hacks?