Apps that Help You Save Money on Groceries

As mom, AKA family manager, it’s my job to buy food for the family. Over time I’ve learned that I can save money on my groceries with certain apps which is great when you’re living on one income. It is important to use our resources wisely and save money where we can. I have recently discovered a couple of apps that help you save money on groceries. Apps for your phone can put money back into your pocket with things you would normally buy anyway! 

Apps that Help You Save Money on Groceries

I’m going to tell you about the apps that I personally use. Now, I buy mostly generic at Aldi and Walmart. Of course, you can’t get cash back on those items, but for the things that we do buy name brand, I always check these apps to see if they have anything available.

Checkout 51

One of my favorite apps to use is Checkout 51. (Get up to $5 back if you use my link) All you do is check the app before you go shopping and purchase items that are on their list. Once you have your receipt, you take a picture of it through the app and then you receive cash back for that product. Once your account balance reaches $20.00, you get a check. 

 I love that I can get cash back on my Walmart Grocery Pick-Up. Yay for taking e-rceipts!

Offers are only good for a week, and you must upload your receipt during the time. You also only get cash back on your first purchase of that item. For example, if you got 2 bags of Kettle chips, you would only get cash back on one of them unless you can claim the item more than once.

You can use these offers in combination with coupons or any other methods of saving.

SavingStar

SavingStar works with your store loyalty card just like electronic coupons do. I use SavingStar with my Kroger Plus card. There are several stores that SavingStar works with, you just need to check and make sure your store is one of them.

You simply look at your app before you go shopping, select the offers that you want, and shop! Your money will automatically go to your SavingStar account. Once you reach $5.00, you can choose how you want to get paid. I get paid through PayPal.

They also usually have one “healthy” offer per week that will give you cash back on fresh veggies or fruit. They offer new eCoupons every week!

Ibotta

Ibotta is probably the best grocery coupon app and the most popular. The biggest downside is that it cannot be used with Walmart Grocery Pick-Up, which is my favorite way to buy groceries. 

There are three different ways to earn with Ibotta.

Find offers and go shopping

Simply scan the app for offers you are interested in, go shopping, and then take a picture of your receipt and upload it to the app.

Link a loyalty card

Scan the app for stores where you have loyalty cards. Link the app to your loyalty card and when you go shopping and use your loyalty card you will automatically get cash back.

Mobile In-App Purchases

Scan the app for offers before you shop. Find offers you like and launch the apps from the Ibotta app. Make a qualifying purchase to get cash back.

Cash Back Apps for Shopping

I use two main cash back apps for shopping. 

Ebates

Ebates is my favorite! I use a simple browser extension and anytime I go to shop online it lets me know if that website offers cash back. I buy a lot online like diapers, wipes, cleaning products, clothes, shoes, make-up, and more! Having Ebates in my browser extension means I get a nice check every quarter. I use that money to sock away in my vacation fund!

If you use my link for Ebates you’ll get $10 after your first shop! 

Swagbucks

I’ve been working Swagbucks hard lately to earn Visa gift cards to use for a vacation I have planned. While you don’t earn straight cash back, you can earn all sorts of gift cards for completing tasks like searching the internet and taking surveys. I also have a browser extension for Swagbucks and I always check if Ebates or Swagbucks offers higher cash back. 1 Swagbuck is worth 1 cent. Use my link to get a 300 SB bonus after earning your first 300 SB!

Acorns

So, Acorns isn’t a cash back app, but it is a way to effortlessly save money. All you do is connect Acorns to your bank account and each time you make a purchase Acorns will round up to the next dollar and take that amount and put it into a savings account. So, if you spend $34.57, Acorns will round up that purchase to $35.00 and save .93 for you. We really like it! Get $5 when you use my link!

So those are all the ways we are saving money and getting cash back. I like to use the extra money for vacation and gifts. The possibilities are endless! I know it seems like extra work, but some of these apps, especially the Ebates and Acorns aren’t much extra work at all! 

Curious about how we live on one income? Check out these posts!

Raising a Large Family on One Income

2016 One Income Budget – I shared our budget in 2016. Of course, things have changed a lot since then and I’m no longer sharing our budget, but this is good to look at for reference.

5 Big Budget Busters – What things are busting your budget?

Downsizing – I blogged about our downsizing adventure a few years ago.

How To Set Financial Goals with Your Spouse – My husband and I are opposites and these personality traits have been the biggest obstacle in our finances.

All of our living on one income posts!