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How to Make Money Using Free Apps

According to research, the average person spends over four hours a day on their smartphone, so why not make money while you are at it?

By S GracePublished 7 years ago 4 min read
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Throughout the last year, I made extra spending money through a combination of FREE apps. I know everyone could always use a little extra money so I am going to share my experience in hope of helping you as well! I will review each app, explain how it works and share how much I have personally earned using each one.

Checkout 51

Download: iPhone LINK / Android LINK

How it works:

  • Sign up.
  • Verify email.

Checkout 51 provides a list of sponsored items. If you purchase an item from the list, you are eligible for cash back for that item.

For example: Say the deal is get $3 back on Oreos (I am just using Oreos as an example).

  • Buy the Oreos.
  • Upload a picture of the receipt.
  • Get rewarded $3 on your Checkout 51 account within 48 hours.
  • Once you accumulate $20, you can cash out and have a check mailed to you.

Tip: Some offers can even be redeemed more than once if you buy multiple of the same item, but others cannot, so always read the offer description.

The app also sometimes has promotional deals which allow you to make extra money by referring friends! Always stay on the lookout for when they are running that promotion (they will email you).

Note: This app is Canadian so it may take up to 4 weeks for your check to get to you if you live in the United States but mine have usually only taken 2–3 weeks!

How much I've made: I have now cashed out 3 times for a total of $64.50. I also have $10.25 toward my next cash out.

Ibotta

Download: iPhone LINK / Android LINK

How it works:

  • Sign up and use my referral code: uncttfo (If you use this referral code when you sign up and redeem your first offer you will get $10 + however much the offered rebate was worth so it is very IMPORTANT you do not skip this step!)
  • Verify your email.

Ibotta is a lot like Checkout 51. Ibotta provides a list of sponsored items from different stores and if you purchase an item from that list you are eligible for cash back for that purchase.

For example: Say the offer is get $1 back on Oreos.

  • Click unlock offer.
  • Scan barcode of the purchased item.
  • Take a picture of the receipt.
  • Once approved $1.00 will be added to your account!
  • Once you accumulate $20.00 you can cash out through PayPal (and the PayPal transaction posted instantly for me!) or you can choose a gift card cash out option instead.

Tip: Use my referral code you received at the top of this when you sign up. Redeem a cheap offer. You will then receive $10 plus however much the rebate is worth. Then refer two friends, have them use your referral code, and do the same. Friend 1 = $5 to your account. Friend 2 = $5 to your account. BAM you have $20 and can cash out!

How much I've made: I have cashed out once for a total of $41.

Receipt Hog

Download: iPhone LINK / Android LINK

How it works:

  • Sign up with your email.
  • Upload pictures of your receipts.
  • Which store the receipts are from and how much you spend determines whether you receive coins, spins, or entries.
  • You receive coins from stores like Walmart, Target, gas stations, and grocery stores.
  • You receive entries from restaurants.
  • You receive spins from department stores such as clothing stores and hardware stores.
  • Coins can be saved until you get 1,000 and then they can be redeemed for either $5 via PayPal or a $5 Amazon Card.
  • Entries are used in monthly drawings for a chance to win coins.
  • Spins are used to play the slots for a chance to win coins.

How much I’ve made: I have cashed out 6 times for a total of $30.

So that is officially all the apps I use to make actual cash. However, there are two more that I use to earn Walmart credit that deserve honorable mentions! After all who doesn’t love Walmart?

Walmart App

Download: iPhone LINK / Android LINK

How it works:

  • Sign up for an account.
  • Click the “Savings Catcher” and the “Add a Walmart receipt” buttons.
  • Then scan the QR code at the bottom of the receipt.

The app price matches all of the items on your receipt in comparison to all of the other stores in your area and if it finds a better price, you are credited the difference back to your account as credit you can use in the future!

How much I’ve made: $71.12 Walmart Credit

Shopkick

Download: iPhone LINK / Android LINK

How it works:

  • Use my referral link and sign up.
  • Turn on your location.
  • Based on your location, you can get points otherwise known as “kicks” for either checking into a store, scanning the barcode of certain items while in the store or purchasing certain items and uploading pictures of the receipt.
  • Once you earn enough kicks you can choose to redeem your reward. For example, I always choose the 500 kick Walmart card and redeem a $2 Walmart card every 500 kicks I earn!

How much I’ve made: $6 Walmart Credit

So there you have it! Checkout 51, Ibotta, Receipt Hog, Shopkick and the Walmart app are all great apps to use in order to make extra money or store credit!

Hope this article helps and happy earning!

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About the Creator

S Grace

Writer. Social media enthusiast. TV fanatic. Lover of all things media related.

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