Reading Ibotta reviews do not only help you gauge whether or not it’s a great deal, but it also helps you learn how to properly use coupons to help you save money while grocery shopping. Needless to say, it teaches you to make informed choices.
Let’s admit it, most moms are very keen on spending money. Personally, I make sure that I always stick to our family’s monthly budget. Otherwise, we will overspend and will lose our supposed monthly savings.
Perhaps some of you if not most of you will agree with me if I say that budgeting is one of the most challenging things that we do every time. Imagine, we have to ensure everything is covered – from food to bills to paying off insurances and mortgage – with the money that we have.
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Having this in mind, we, moms, need to be extra resourceful. We need to look for ways to save money without compromising anything – especially with food and other home essentials. That is why apps like Ibotta becomes really very helpful, needless to say, it is a life-saver (or should I say, savings-saver).
Ibotta is one of my favorite apps to date, and later on, you will find out why is that so. Apart from being FREE to use (who in the world doesn’t like free stuff, right?), this app, for me, makes it so easy to save our hard-earned money (save it for other essential things).
So, without further ado, let’s begin with my honest to goodness review. I promise this is not going to be just like any other Ibotta reviews out there. In particular, I am going to share with you answers to the following commonly asked questions about Ibotta:
- What is Ibotta?
- How does Ibotta work?
- How to use Ibotta?
- How to use Ibotta mobile or app?
- How does Ibotta make money?
- How much can you save (or earn) from using Ibotta?
- How to maximize your Ibotta app?
So, if you are ready, let’s begin.
WHAT IS IBOTTA?
Ibotta is one of the most popular free cashback apps today. This app aims to help you save money, especially when shopping at grocery stores.
Apart from being a cashback app, it also offers discounts ranging from 2% up to 5% back for shopping online at their partner stores.
More so, Ibotta allows you to link any loyalty card from an Ibotta preferred partner store to your Ibotta account. By doing so, Ibotta helps in tracking the eligible purchases you made.
You can also earn more bonuses by using the Ibotta app through things like “teamwork” and “friend referrals”. Basically, you earn something when you use these features.
To be honest, as compared to other cashback apps, Ibotta offers a lot of really good and helpful features that will really make you get hooked into using it. It offers so many ways for you to save, at the same time, earn money – which we, moms, love!
By the way, upon signing up, you get an extra bonus of $10. So, that’s easy money, right?
If you want to know more about the Ibotta app, you may want to check this video by Free Stuff Finder wherein they tackle what Ibotta is all about, how to use it, and more:
HOW DOES IBOTTA WORK?
Before moving on to how Ibotta works to help you save money especially from grocery shopping, let me do a quick rundown first on how the Ibotta app works. This, I find really helpful for those who are new to using Ibotta.
First and foremost, you got to download the Ibotta app on your mobile phone. Whether you are using an Android phone or iOS, you can definitely download the app. It’s available for either operating system. Don’t worry, the app is absolutely free for download. By the way, the Ibotta app may also be downloaded on the computer if you prefer using it over mobile phones.
Second, once the app has been downloaded, open it and browse through the available rebates at the moment. One by one, you can unlock any rebates for things or products you are going to buy. You may unlock rebates by tapping the plus sign.
Third, you go to the store where you normally shop at and do shopping like you usually do. Once done shopping, don’t forget your receipts! The receipts are the key to getting cashback.
Fourth, once you are home, and free, upload your receipts. Please do not forget to upload your receipts. Although you have seven days to upload a receipt
, the sooner you upload, the better — because that basically means, you will get paid sooner.
Lastly, as I have just mentioned, once you’re done uploading, wait for your payment to show up in the app.
As you can see, using the Ibotta app is so easy. It won’t take us too much time! That’s actually one of the reasons, too, why I love this app.
So, now we move on to how Ibotta really works on a day to day or on a weekly basis. Please note that what I am going to share basically works if you have already signed up for Ibotta.
Here we go —
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Make a meal plan.
This is part of the whole process. In fact, it is one of the most important parts of the whole process. Making a meal plan (personally, I prefer doing a weekly mean plan) will help you determine the ingredients you need for the whole week if you are doing a weekly plan, or the day if you opt to do a day to day plan.
Needless to say, making a meal plan will help you be disciplined. Making a meal plan means you got to stick to it.
Making a meal plan doesn’t necessarily have to be on Sundays or Mondays. It’s up to you. Whatever works for you and your family. Although personally, I usually do it on Wednesday night, because I make sure to shop during Thursdays when Ibotta usually releases new rebates.
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Make a shopping list.
Once you are done making your meal plan, you now know what products you need to but. Thus, you now create your shopping list.
Creating a shopping list also makes life easier for you — needless to say, it helps you save time (from finding rebates on the app to the actual shopping).
By the way, one secret to saving money when grocery shopping (apart from using the Ibotta app) is to stick with your list. Do not add or buy products that are not included in the list. Otherwise, you will spend more than what you are allowed to spend.
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Open your Ibotta app, and browse for available rebates.
As I have mentioned earlier, Ibotta usually releases new rebates on Thursdays, which means more options!
When browsing Ibotta app rebates, I suggest you go to the category first where you will shop items the most. In my case, it’s the “grocery” category. Once I’m on that page, I make sure to look at all the major stores within my area or depending on your preference, you may opt to go directly to your preferred grocery store.
Normally, I do check the major stores for me to be able to compare rebates. Note that there are instances when a rebate will only be available at one particular store.
I suggest, to make things easier for you, once done browsing, and you have already chosen a store, scroll down, all the way to the bottom, and then work your way up. This, I found to be so much easier, and save me a lot of time.
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Add all the rebates to your list as you find them.
Adding rebates is simple — all you got to do is click the plus sign on the rebate itself.
It is worth sharing though that there are instances when you will be asked to take a quiz first before getting a certain rebate that you like. In other cases, you may need to watch a 15 to a 30-second video. Once either is done, you may click the “unlock” button, and the rebate will be automatically saved to your list.
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Shop the way you always do.
Of course, with your shopping list with you, go to your preferred grocery store, and shop the products you need for the week. I swear, shopping with a shopping list helps you save a lot of time and effort — needless to say, money too!
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Upload the receipts as soon as possible.
Like I have mentioned earlier, the receipts are very important. Without it, you won’t get your cashback.
To avoid forgetting uploading receipts (with so much on our plate, we tend to forget things most of the time, do you agree?), make it a habit to upload them as soon as you get home or while unpacking groceries (yes to multi-tasking!).
To verify your receipts, all you need to do is open your Ibotta app and then find your store. Click the “verify” button, which you will find at the bottom and follow the prompts.
Basically, you will be asked to take a photo of the barcode for each item (usually most produce are exempted), and then a photo of either the receipt or scanning the QR code, which is available on the receipt.
Once you are done uploading the rebates will be added to your account within 48 hours. By doing just that, you get to save some money, which you may opt to spend some other time.
If you are ready to withdraw your money, it’s very easy. All you need to do is expand the profile link, and find the “withdraw cash” option, and that’s it! Depending on your preference, you may get your cash back through PayPal or Venmo, or you may choose a gift card instead. Ibotta lets you cash out with as little as $20.
HOW TO USE IBOTTA?
There are two ways to earn or save money by using Ibotta. You may use it in-store, or through mobile shopping.
Now, here are the steps in using the Ibotta app in both ways.
STEPS IN USING IBOTTA IN-STORE
Step 1: Go to the app and create an account.
Step 2: Find offers or stores you are interested in.
Step 3: Add the offers or rebates you are interested in.
Step 4: Go shopping
Step 5: After shopping, open the app and click the “redeem” button.
Step 6: Cash out via PayPal or Venmo! (Note that cash out is only allowed once you have accumulated at least $20 in your account.)
STEPS IN USING IBOTTA ONLINE
Step 1: Download the Ibotta app, and create an account.
Step 2: Log in to your account, and choose your preferred store.
Step 3: Browse for offers.
Step 4: Complete a short task to unlock certain offers, and then, add them to your account.
Step 5: Shop before the offer expires.
Step 6: Make in-app purchases.
Step 7: Cash out via PayPal or Venmo!h
HOW DOES IBOTTA MAKE MONEY?
For sure you have already found this in other reviews on the Ibotta app, nevertheless, let me explain how you save and earn money through the Ibotta app –, particularly for first-time users.
First thing, you have to understand why and how you get “free money” through cashback apps, in this case, through the Ibotta app. This helps you feel comfortable using the app, at the same time take away your thoughts on whether it is legit or not.
In Ibotta’s case, actually, in almost all cashback apps’ cases, they make money through referral commission particularly when something is bought by the customer. That’s basically how it works — referring customers to a store.
Good thing is, Ibotta is more than happy to share such referral commission to you (and me, too). Basically, when you refer Ibotta to a friend, you also get a referral commission. It is Ibotta’s way of saying thank you for being part of their success. Without us, customers and users of the app, they wouldn’t work, at the same time, earn money.
The cashback system is basically Ibotta and other cashback apps’ way of leading people to use the app and but from their partner stores.
Overall, if you come to think about it, it is a win-win situation for everyone — Ibotta, Ibotta’s partner stores, and the customers.
More so, Ibotta earns from various advertisements on its platform.
HOW MUCH CAN YOU SAVE (OR EARN) FROM USING IBOTTA?
How much a person makes from using the Ibotta app depends on how much she shops, how often she uses the app, if she uses it just for specific products or services only.
In some instances, there are available offers that will help bulk up your earnings. For instance, hotels.com offers a 7% off deal, which is a great deal. It will definitely help make a lot more off of Ibotta.
More so, if you are many in your household, it means you have more to grocery shop. Thus, making you earn a lot more cash back from grocery shopping.
All in all, anyone can earn back at least a few dollars weekly for shopping basic groceries. Meanwhile, other people may get to earn closer to $100 monthly — again, depending on your needs or spending.
HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR IBOTTA APP?
Mommies will always find ways to make the most out of something, do you agree? Thus, I am going to share with you some ways on how you can maximize usage of your Ibotta app.
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Test Your App Now
As soon as you are done downloading the app, and creating an account, know that you can immediately earn money! Yes, you do not have to wait for your next grocery shopping schedule to earn money through Ibotta.
Ibotta lets you upload receipts that are up to seven days old, which means, if you went grocery shopping three days ago, you can enjoy cashback for any qualifying purchases. All you need to do is look at the receipt and scan the barcodes of any qualifying products. Don’t forget to take a picture of the receipt, and watch as your savings through Ibotta start to grow.
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Ibotta Preferred Partners
Just so you know, Ibotta has a Preferred Partners plant, which includes a list of retailers who are directly affiliated with Ibotta.
Having this allows you to link these stores’ loyalty cards to the Ibotta app to enjoy great returns. More so, linking them lets you earn money without the need to take photos of receipts.
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Use bonuses multiple times on different receipts.
Almost all digital coupons can be scanned for a couple of times, which means you can reuse these coupons until they last.
I suggest you load up on an item if you think it is a great deal and that you are going to use it. However, avoid overbuying products as it might lead you to overspend instead of saving.
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Pay Using Ibotta
This feature is new. In fact, it has only been added in mid-2019. Basically, if you use Ibotta for paying your shopped goods, you instantly earn cashback. This is available at 30 major retailers.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON IBOTTA REVIEWS
Overall, we must say, Ibotta is a great app especially when it comes to earning cash back. For moms who want to earn extra money but do not have the luxury of time to work, or something like that, you may want to consider using Ibotta instead and without too much effort, you get to earn some extra cash.
Of course, it is incomparable to working and earning money. But at the end of the day, it is money earned for basically doing something you usually do anyway.
Ibotta app is very easy to use — although you may find it a little challenging if you are using it the first time. But as you keep using it, it definitely will be easier. Signing up is also a breeze.
If you are wise, you can earn more through Ibotta by doing hacks. It’s all about using your mind, and you know, learning how you can maximize it.
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