Check out this short and fun list of freebies and rewards programs I've stumbled upon over the years. Expect updates because I'm always on the lookout for the good stuff. And hey, just a heads up – don't bet on striking it rich with these. The hype can be real, but the fortune? Not so much.
But hold up, don't leave just yet! While you won't be rolling in dough, you can snag some sweet rewards if you stick with it. I've worked my magic and scored some decent treats from these programs.
Oh, and guess what? I practically fund Christmas each year with these rewards. Yep, it's totally doable. The secret sauce? Consistency, a sprinkle of referrals, and the willpower to not cash in early. Dive in, give it a shot, and good luck!
Alright, let me spill the tea on MyPoints my numero uno in the rewards game. Why? Because it's been my ride or die for the longest time. Easy breezy, and guess what? This is the original one that practically funded Christmas by itself for my eldest for ages.
Here's the lowdown: they hit you up with emails, and all you gotta do is clickety-click to claim those points. Easy peasy, right? You even get a smidge of points just for giving the email a nod (aka click). Now, if you decide to splurge through the link or snag the offer, more points for you!
Here's the real talk...I rake in a good chunk of points just by reading and clicking, no purchases needed. Quick, painless, and it all adds up. But, and here's the kicker, you gotta stay on top of the click game because there's a ticking clock on each email. Time's ticking, my friend!
Alright, next up in the rewards chronicles is Rakuten, the artist formerly known as eBates. I've been giving this one more airtime lately, mainly because it showers you with cashback instead of gift cards. But, and there's always a "but," it dishes out the goods quarterly. So, if you're on a Christmas savings mission and gift cards are your jam, MyPoints might still be the MVP.
I've got a little routine going, I still give those MyPoints emails a click, but when it's time to flex the plastic, it's all about Rakuten. Well, when I remember, that is. And that's the kicker: you've gotta remember to click through to log that shopping spree for points. There's a nifty Chrome extension that'll throw you a reminder, but even then, I sometimes get caught up in the hustle and forget. Oops.
Alright, let's talk about the lazy-but-not-so-lazy genius of Fetch Rewards. It's probably the smoothest ride in town, but brace yourself for a bit of time investment because, yes, you'll be doing some receipt scanning. Turn those grocery receipts into gift cards, my friend! Oh, and it's not just groceries. Even your fast-food binges and gas pit stops count!
Here's the deal: they've got the hookup with all the cool brands, making sure you snag savings wherever your shopping spree takes you. It's like a daily dose of discounts. Easy peasy.
And hold up, sign up through my link, snap your first receipt, and ka-ching! You're scoring $2 in points. I'm talking about scanning everything in sight...groceries, gas, the fast food frenzy. Bonus points dance for certain products, too.
I'm kinda obsessed with this one. Sure, the cashier might think I'm a little off, like, "Does she not trust our 89-cent soda prices?" But hey, I'm just after my 25 precious points! Gotta hustle for those goodies.
Upside is a free app that gives you real cash back on gas, groceries, and at restaurants. When I first started using this one, it only offered gas purchases, but they just recently started adding fast food places. Cash back for your Quarter Pounder and fries?! Yes, please! I live in a smallish area Use promo code SHANNON32939 to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus on your first purchase.
Let's chat about Ibotta, the secret weapon in your cashback arsenal for grocery hauls, online splurges, and beyond! I'll be real; I didn't give it much love in the early years after signing up. Seemed like it was all about those fancy name-brand things that weren't on my shopping list. But, oh boy, times have changed.
Now, I'm paying attention and tapping into its magic more. There's this sweet "any receipt" option that's a lifesaver for just keeping the Ibotta vibes alive. Plus, they sprinkle in a bunch of "any brand" options on the staples—milk, bread, yogurt, you name it. It might not be raining cash, but hey, every dime counts, right? And now they monitor your cards for purchases and if you buy something that they had cash back available for, they give you a courtesy notification and you have 24 precious hours to log in to your app and claim it! Ibotta, you sneaky little lifesaver, you.
They usually roll out some freebies for Thanksgiving, covering the basics for your feast. Super Bowl parties? They got you covered with some gratis goodies, too. I did notice this year there were more catches (see what I did there?!) than previous years, but if you can make use of the deals, free is free. Am I right?!
Guess what landed on my radar a many moons ago? TopCashBack. It's like the long-lost twin of Rakuten, but here's the scoop, it often flexes higher cashback rates. Online whispers (and a nod from someone I trust big time) say it's the bee's knees. Now, full disclosure: I'm guilty of forgetting to tap into this gem. It's a rookie move; it's still in its "new kid on the block" phase for me.
But hey, they say new is exciting, right? So, give TopCashBack a spin. It might just be the cashback jackpot you've been snoozing on.
Let's pump the brakes a bit real quick and learn a lesson from UpVoice. I'm not using this one anymore, but I'm including it in the list anyway, and here's why: it was cruising along as a pretty decent program. The earnings weren't mind-blowing, but hey, they were steady... until, surprise surprise, they pulled the plug without a heads-up. Bummer, right?
No notice, no chance to cash in those hard-earned points. It's like a digital shutdown heartbreak. But hey, lesson learned, especially for folks like me who like to let those points build up and make a grand exit once a year. Time to switch gears and cash out more often. Stash it away for future adventures, especially with the shiny new programs that are still finding their footing. Consider this a friendly nudge to stay on the safe side. :-/
Hey savvy friend, if you stumble upon a link that's playing hide and seek or spot a program that's giving off major sketchy vibes, do me a solid, and shoot me a message. I'll do some Sherlock-level investigating, and if things aren't on the up-and-up, I'll yank it off the list. Teamwork makes the dream work, right? Cheers!
