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When you think of saving money, you probably think of the plain vanilla strategy to put a portion of your paycheck into your savings account.
Of course, that reliable method should never be counted out, but there are so many other savings techniques at your fingertips!
Imagine if you could take advantage of your existing habits or make slight adjustments to generate savings you didn’t even know were possible. It’s like free money! It could actually be a little bit… *gasp* fun?
Try these savings tricks now. If you have any doubts, you’ll see that they do actually work when your savings account shows $5 with two or three zeros at the end instead of just one!
1. Get Auto Quotes More Often – You Could Save $610 On Car Insurance if You Just Looked Here
You’re sharing the same roads with a lot of different people. Distracted people, oblivious people, road-rage people, etc. It’s best to cover yourself with insurance when everyone is operating a giant motor vehicle.
That’s why car insurance exists and is mandatory. You might be overpaying on your current insurance premium since it can be a hassle finding another provider.
However, you can search for quotes easily on EverQuote. They help match you among dozens of regional agencies and insurance carriers to filter the best matches to save on your car insurance.
It takes about 4 minutes to fill out the form and you’ll see a list of matches that show potential online quotes, email, and potential phone quotes.
EverQuote can save drivers $610 a year on average* compared to their current insurance premiums. Once you see your list of potential matches, choose the online ones you want or wait for more information via email or phone.
It’s a pretty simple process, so try it out to see how much you could be saving on the road!
2. Meal Prep While Getting Up to $240 Cash Back in Grocery Savings
Did you know that it’s 325% more expensive to eat out versus eating at home*? Maybe it’s time to make more trips to the grocery store instead and meal prep.
You’ll be aware of all the ingredients in your meal, in addition, you’ll get paid just for shopping!
It’s simple. All you have to do is take a picture of your grocery receipt and Ibotta (iOS or Android) will pay you cash.
Here’s how it works:
Before you go to the store, search for your shopping list items in the Ibotta app. After your store visit, take a photo of your receipt to get cash back.
Ibotta (iOS or Android) is free to download and you’ll also get up to $20 in Welcome Bonuses when you sign up!
Some offers we found:
- 25 cents back on any item
- $3 – $5 back on various wine
- $2 back on KIND Protein Bars
- 25 cents – $4 back on ice cream
- $2 back on Herbal Essence Haircare
Popular stores are Walmart and Target, but Ibotta also works at restaurants, online shopping sites, and at the bar! On average, active Ibotta users save up to $240 a year or more. What would you do with that extra money?
Welcome Bonus: Up to $20
Average savings a month: $20
What it could add up to in a year: $240
Additional Referral Earnings: $5 per referral
3. Budget Easier with this App – Even if You Don’t Know How
If you have trouble budgeting, you’re not alone. Most people actually don’t know how to properly budget and that could possibly put them in debt.
Truebill (iOS or Android) easily helps you budget, even if you don’t know how to. Their simple to follow budgeting pulls your historical spending, organizes it, and allows you to clearly see your spending so you can set a target budget with context. (Aka you can see where you’re wasting money on).
Truebill’s five-star reviews come from people formerly bad at budgeting. Dawn H. said “LIFE CHANGING!!!! I was never able to save money or budget myself but with Truebill all the work is done for you! I am very grateful.”
Truebill (iOS or Android) will also alert you if you’re getting a little too spend-happy in your budgeted categories so you know when to curb it. Another user, Clee M. said “This app is 100% true in what it advertises. I am normally skeptical about connecting my bank info to apps. This app is completely safe and easy to use!”
It’s simple but actionable budgeting that anyone can follow and it’s free to use! Join the many users today and control your spending with Truebill!
4. Cash Out on The Everyday Things You Do Online – Seriously
How much time do you think you spend online? Most likely more than you think.
The average American spends 24 hours online a week(*), but for me, I know I definitely surpass this since I have to be online for work. Along with post-office hours shopping, browsing, reading, it’s rare that I’m not online.
If it’s the same for you, capitalize on all that online time by earning points you can redeem towards gift cards, and even better, cash.
You can do it with Swagbucks, a free rewards program for the everyday things you do online.
Earn points by:
- Watching entertaining videos
- Shopping at your favorite retailers
- Searching the web
- Participating in surveys
- Playing fun trivia games
Then you can redeem for a large variety of gift cards (Amazon, Target, Walmart, Starbucks are popular) or my favorite, Paypal Cash and Visa Gift Cards. Cash out in as little as $3!
You’ll even get a $5 bonus when you earn 2,500 SB points within your first 60 days.
The best way to earn SB? Surveys. You can get up to 300 SB for each qualified one you participate in. While you obviously won’t get rich doing this, you can nab an extra $10-$20 a month on them.
Keeping your profile updated and doing the Daily To-Do List will also earn you extra SB. There are a lot of opportunities so you can cash out early and often!
5. Don’t Toss That Receipt! Definitely Do This First for Free Money
Before you crumple up that receipt in your pocket or forever lose it in the abyss of your purse, scan it into the Fetch Rewards app (iOS or Android), and earn points towards free money. I repeat, free money.
It’s ridiculously simple and actually fun to use.
Shop at any grocery store, convenience store, club store, neighborhood store, or big box store, take a picture with the app, and that’s it. (Favorites include Target, Kroger, and Walmart!)
Unlike other apps, you don’t have to go to specific stores, there’s nothing to pre-select prior to shopping, and there’s no minimum spend. Just scan in any receipt (iOS or Android) from a store that sells groceries (even when you didn’t actually buy any groceries) and boom, points for money.
You can start cashing out as soon as $3 (3,000 points) and you can grab a $2 welcome bonus on us (2,000 points) when you use promo code REWARD before scanning your first receipt!
Welcome bonus: $2
Average savings a month (depends on purchases): $25
What it could add up to in a year: $302
Additional referral earnings: $2 per referral
6. Play Games & Boost Your Savings at the Same Time. Win-Win.
Who says saving has to be boring?
Go ahead and download Long Game Savings (iOS or Android) a savings app that turns saving into a game.
Just play 1 game a day, and you could win cash daily.
Yes, it’s safe. Your money is FDIC-insured up to $250,000 and you can withdraw money at any time.
After setting up your savings account, you’ll be able to play quick games like Spin to Win, Flip Cards, Slot Machines, and more for chances to win money to increase your savings. Eons better than 0.01% interest rate.
It’s like you’re getting paid to save (iOS or Android) and it only takes less than a minute of your day to play. And there’s no judgment on playing too many games this new year.
7. Up To 40% Cash Back Automatically on Shopping? Sign Us Up!
Saving money and getting cash back on purchases always sounds like a great idea – until you completely forget to take the steps to get the savings. There are SO many ways to save money while shopping, who can remember if it’s not automatic?
Rakuten (previously called Ebates) on iOS or Android can help you get cash back on everyday shopping as well as apparel, beauty, and more, automatically. With Rakuten, you don’t even have to upload your receipts after your purchases. They’ll send you simple push notifications when your favorite stores increase their cash back deals or have a good sale.
Offering simple one-tap savings with no points or fees helps ensure that you get the most out of your purchases. So, before buying anything, hop into the app on iOS or Android to see if you can get up to 40% cash back at over 2,500 stores.
They also have an amazing referral program where you can earn $25 for each eligible friend. New members get a $10 bonus too!
8. Buy Stuff Normally (Or Splurge) = Get Gift Cards You Actually Want
If you have room for 1 more app on your phone, then it needs to be this.
Actually, delete another app to make room for this one. It’s that good.
It’s called Drop, a free app on iOS or Android that gives you gift cards on stuff you already buy from your favorite stores and brands.
Your everyday purchases from Amazon, Trader Joe’s, and Walmart? You’ll get points for that. Points translate to gift cards so the more you collect, the more you can redeem!
The only thing you need to do is link any credit or debit card you usually use for buying stuff and that’s it! Drop (iOS or Android) will automatically recognize when you buy from your activated offers to reward.
There’s literally no downside to using this free app to get more gift cards (iOS or Android). Use it on top of your loyalty points and credit card points for even more rewards!
LIMITED TIME OFFER: Use promo code SMARTWALLET to unlock 5,000 points ($5) automatically when you link your first card on Drop!
9. Accidents Happen – Here’s How To Afford Emergencies When You Don’t Have Enough
True story: My cousin was on a cruise to Canada, and while coming down the stairs, she missed a step and tumbled down. She later found out that she broke several bones in her left foot, and was unable to go to work for 3 weeks because of a massive cast.
Unfortunately, accidents like this can happen and it could be disastrous to your wallet and potentially your career.
Sure, you can always prepare by having a savings account devoted to “what if” moments, but if you find yourself in a tight spot, there are options that can help, like Opploans.
Even if you have a poor credit score you could still get a personal loan for short-term financial needs such as 6 to 24 months. Definitely useful for unexpected situations when you don’t have enough.
Submitting an application doesn’t affect your FICO credit score, so check if there’s a short-term personal loan that you may need for a medical emergency, major purchases, life events and more.
Here’s who can qualify:
- Residents of AL, AR, AZ, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, KY, KS, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, ND, NE, NV, NM, OH, OK, OR, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, SC, WA, WI, WY, VA
- Have a minimum monthly income of $1,500 for the states listed above except AL is $3,500, and GA & ID is $3,000
- Employed at your current job for at least 3 months
- 18+ years old (19 if from AL or NE) and cannot be an active duty service member
- A traditional bank account in your name that’s been open for at least 90 days
- You get your paychecks via direct deposit
Qualified borrowers will be able to borrow up to $4,000 depending on their state and eligibility. And when monthly payments are made back on the loan, Opploans will notify the 3 credit bureaus to build up your payment history and in turn, build your credit history!
10. Just Leave This App On & Get Paid (Woo! Extra Side Money)
Panel App (iOS or Android) is a loyalty incentive app that will give you points just by leaving the app running in the background. This is passive income at it’s best.
Because it gives you points on location, go ahead and enable location services. Then just turn the app on before you go about your day and head to school, work, gym, walk your dog, wherever.
After testing it we think it’s a great (lazy) app that rewards you for doing almost nothing. If you’re still skeptical, know this:
- You don’t have to complete offers
- You don’t have to watch ads
- You don’t have to buy anything
- You don’t have to do anything but leave the app running (iOS or Android)
We snagged a $5 Amazon gift card via email after leaving the app on and forgetting about it. You can also choose VISA gift cards, MasterCard gift cards or sweepstakes entries.
Overall, a solid choice for earning a bit of money for literally just leaving the app running on your phone!
TIP: When you’re a new member, it’ll ask you if you want to keep the app running in the background. Just tap “Yes” to continue getting paid!
11. Save Up To 50% On Your Weekly Groceries With One Single App
Grocery shopping can be a drag. Between prepping a shopping list, cutting coupons to save, and trying not to spend your entire paycheck at the checkout line – it can be pretty stressful.
People coupon to cut costs, but it’s time-consuming and frustrating with all the different places to look for them.
An app is here to change that though. It’s easy grocery planning and couponing with Flipp, an app on iOS or Android that has all your weekly local store ads and coupons in one place.
Use the app to create a shopping list by tapping on the digital ads and clip coupons that match with the items you need. Long gone are the days of having a list in one hand and a stack of coupons in the other; all you need now is your phone.
You can search by category, retailer, or item and then ‘clip’ the coupon or load to your store loyalty card – it’s that easy! Flipp (iOS or Android) also allows you to see trending nearby deals, so you never miss out on a chance to save a little extra dough. Additionally, you can set reminders for expiring clips to ensure you use them in time.
With 1,000+ weekly ads from local retailers and 100+ coupons from brands you love, Flipp has no shortage of saving options!
12. PSA: Safely Build Your Credit and Save at the Same Time
Your credit score is more important than you think.
A good score can help you get easier approval for renting, lower interest rates on credit cards and loans, better car insurance rates and more. Even a better cell phone contract.
However, there are 45 million Americans that have no credit score at all.*
If you don’t have a credit score or can use help rebuilding your credit, there’s a safe way.
You can use Self, the savings plan that builds your credit at the same time.
Since 35% of your credit score is based on payment history*, Self plays a major role in helping you ace that factor affordably.
Here’s how it works:
- You choose a credit builder loan from Self but the money is held in a CD savings account
- The account is in your name and earns interest
- As you repay the loan to yourself in monthly installments, Self reports your payment history to the 3 credit bureaus (this builds your credit)
- Once the loan term is over, your CD savings account is unlocked for your access!
Through this method, you’ll be able to build credit and save at the same time.
Payment plans start at just $25 a month with terms of 12 months or 24 months.* There’s no hard inquiry to your credit, so take a look at the credit-builder loan options if you need a bit of help to build your credit!
13. “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” to Save an Average $1,720 a Year
80% of Americans have some sort of savings but could definitely use a little more help. The key to saving? It’s automation.
You won’t even notice it but Digit will make it happen.
Just link a checking account and their smart algorithm will determine small but safe amounts to withdraw into your separate FDIC-Insured Digit savings account.
Regular savers will get a 1% bonus every three months, netting you some free money!
It’s the perfect set-it-and-forget-it app where the AI will watch your savings back.
You can withdraw your money at any time you need and it’s free to use for the first 30 days. After, it’s just $5 a month.
Average savings in a month (varies): $144 or more
What it could add up to in a year: $1,728 or more
Quarterly bonus: 1% on your total savings amount
Additional Referral Earnings: $5 per referral
*EverQuote’s individual savings, if any, and premiums will vary by customer. Savings amount based on countrywide survey of users from Nov 2018 to Apr 2019 who reported old and new premiums.
*325% more expensive eating out vs home source: Investment Zen
