Step 1: Understand the Power Duo: Shopkick and Ibotta
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of stacking, let's quickly recap what each app brings to the table. Understanding their individual strengths is key to maximizing your combined savings.
Sub-heading: Ibotta – Your Receipt-Scanning Cash Back Companion
Ibotta is primarily a cash-back app that focuses on offering rebates for specific products and "any brand" offers at various retailers, especially grocery stores. You add offers to your list, purchase the items, and then scan your receipt (or link your loyalty card for some retailers) to get cash back. It's like clipping digital coupons and getting money deposited directly into your account!
Sub-heading: Shopkick – The Multi-faceted Rewards Earner
Shopkick is a unique app that rewards you with "kicks" (their in-app currency) for various shopping-related activities, not just purchases. These activities include:
Walk-ins: Earning kicks just for entering participating stores.
Scans: Scanning barcodes of specific products in-store (no purchase necessary!).
Purchases: Earning kicks for buying featured items and submitting your receipt.
Online Shopping: Earning kicks by shopping through their portal or linking your card.
Video Watching: Earning kicks by watching short videos within the app.
The beauty of Shopkick is its versatility. You can earn kicks even if you don't buy anything, and you can redeem your kicks for a wide variety of gift cards or even PayPal cash.
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| Can You Use Shopkick And Ibotta |
Step 2: The Golden Rule: Look for Overlapping Offers
The core strategy for using Shopkick and Ibotta together is to find offers that overlap on the same products. This means you're getting cash back from Ibotta and kicks from Shopkick for a single purchase. It's double dipping in the best possible way!
Sub-heading: How to Identify Overlapping Deals
Tip: Use the structure of the text to guide you.
Start with your Shopping List: Before you even leave the house, make your usual shopping list.
Check Ibotta First: Open your Ibotta app and search for offers on the items on your list. Add any relevant offers to your "Your List."
Then Check Shopkick: Now, open Shopkick and see if any of those same items have "purchase" kicks available. Also, check for "scan" kicks on products you might be walking past or considering.
Prioritize: If an item has both an Ibotta rebate and Shopkick purchase kicks, that's a prime target for stacking!
Step 3: Strategize Your In-Store Action
Once you've identified your overlapping offers, it's time to execute your plan in the store. A little bit of planning goes a long way here.
Sub-heading: Before You Hit the Aisles
Charge Your Phone: Seriously, don't run out of battery mid-shopping spree!
Enable Location Services: Both apps rely on location services for certain features (like Shopkick's walk-in kicks). Make sure they're enabled for both apps.
Review Offers Again: Give your Ibotta and Shopkick lists a quick once-over to refresh your memory on specific product requirements (size, flavor, etc.).
Sub-heading: While You're Shopping
Shopkick Walk-ins: As you enter a store, open Shopkick to see if there's a "walk-in" offer available. Sometimes you just need to have the app open as you cross the threshold.
Shopkick Scans: For products with "scan" kicks, locate the item and carefully scan the barcode using the Shopkick in-app scanner. Remember, you don't have to buy these! This is a great way to earn extra kicks even if you don't find a purchase offer.
Verify Ibotta Products: For your Ibotta offers, it's crucial to scan the product's barcode with the Ibotta app while you're in the store. This confirms that the exact item you're picking up qualifies for the rebate. Nothing's worse than buying an item only to find it doesn't match the offer!
Purchase Carefully: When you purchase items that have both Ibotta and Shopkick purchase offers, ensure you're buying the correct size, flavor, and quantity specified by both apps.
Step 4: The Post-Shopping Receipt Dance
The magic doesn't happen until you've submitted your proof of purchase. This is where the receipt comes in!
Sub-heading: Submitting to Ibotta
Capture Your Receipt: Immediately after your shopping trip (or as soon as you get home), open Ibotta and select "Redeem."
Select Retailer: Choose the correct retailer where you made your purchase.
Scan Barcode (if applicable): For some retailers, Ibotta will ask you to scan a barcode on your receipt.
Highlight Offers: Ibotta's system will typically try to match offers automatically, but you might need to manually select the items you purchased that qualify for rebates.
Submit: Once you've confirmed everything, submit your receipt. You'll usually see your cash back pending or approved within a few minutes to 24 hours.
QuickTip: Every section builds on the last.
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Sub-heading: Submitting to Shopkick
Capture Your Receipt: For Shopkick "purchase" kicks, open the app and find the relevant offer.
Scan Product Barcode (again, if prompted): Some Shopkick purchase offers will require you to scan the product barcode and your receipt.
Scan Receipt: Follow the prompts to take a clear picture of your entire receipt. Make sure the store name, date, time, and qualifying items are clearly visible.
Submit: Submit your receipt. Shopkick kicks for purchases usually process within a few days.
Step 5: Track Your Earnings and Cash Out
Consistency is key to seeing your savings grow. Keep an eye on your balances in both apps.
Sub-heading: Monitoring Your Progress
Check Pending/Approved Status: Regularly check the "Earnings" or "Activity" sections in both Ibotta and Shopkick to ensure your submissions are processing correctly.
Address Any Issues: If an offer is denied or kicks aren't credited, review the requirements carefully. Both apps have customer support you can contact if there's a legitimate error.
Sub-heading: Redeeming Your Rewards
Ibotta: Once you reach the minimum cash-out threshold (typically $20), you can withdraw your earnings to PayPal, Venmo, or convert them into various gift cards.
Shopkick: Kicks can be redeemed for a wide array of gift cards from popular retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target, and more, or for PayPal cash.
Step 6: Advanced Stacking & Maximizing Savings
Ready to take your savings game to the next level? Here are some pro tips:
Sub-heading: Beyond Just Two Apps
QuickTip: Look for patterns as you read.
Consider adding a third receipt-scanning app like Fetch Rewards. Fetch Rewards is even simpler as it gives you points for scanning any grocery receipt, often with bonus points for specific brands. This means you could potentially get Ibotta cash back, Shopkick kicks, and Fetch Rewards points for the same shopping trip!
Sub-heading: Digital Coupons & Store Sales
Remember that Ibotta and Shopkick generally stack with store sales and store digital coupons. However, be cautious with manufacturer coupons as Ibotta sometimes has restrictions on combining with these. Always read the fine print of the Ibotta offer. Store sales and discounted items are usually fine.
Sub-heading: The "Any Brand" and "Any Item" Advantage
Both Ibotta and sometimes Shopkick offer "any brand" or "any item" rebates (e.g., "Any Brand Milk," "Any Item" at a specific store). These are fantastic for stacking because they're so versatile. Combine them with specific product offers from the other app for even more savings.
Sub-heading: Bonus Hunting
Both apps frequently offer bonuses for completing a certain number of offers or reaching specific spending targets. Keep an eye on these bonuses as they can significantly boost your earnings! Plan your shopping trips around these to maximize your payout.
Conclusion: Double the Effort, Double the Savings!
Using Shopkick and Ibotta simultaneously truly is a game-changer for your budget. While it requires a little extra attention and planning, the rewards are well worth it. You're not just saving money; you're actively engaging with your shopping, making it a more mindful and rewarding experience. So, happy stacking, and enjoy watching those savings pile up!
Tip: Pause if your attention drifts.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to using Shopkick and Ibotta, with quick answers:
How to download Shopkick and Ibotta? You can download both Shopkick and Ibotta for free from the Apple App Store (for iOS devices) or the Google Play Store (for Android devices).
How to link my store loyalty cards to Ibotta? In the Ibotta app, navigate to "Link a Loyalty Card" within the specific retailer's section or in your account settings. Follow the prompts to log in to your store's loyalty program.
How to earn "walk-in" kicks on Shopkick? Ensure your location services are enabled for Shopkick. When you enter a participating store with a "walk-in" offer, open the app, and the kicks should automatically be credited or require a quick tap to claim.
How to scan product barcodes in Shopkick and Ibotta? In both apps, locate the specific offer and look for a "Scan Product Barcode" or similar button. This will activate your phone's camera to scan the UPC barcode on the product packaging.
How to submit a receipt to Ibotta? After shopping, open the Ibotta app, select the retailer, choose "Submit Receipt," and take clear photos of your entire receipt, ensuring all details are visible.
How to submit a receipt for "purchase" kicks on Shopkick? For Shopkick purchase offers, you'll typically find an option within the offer to "Scan Receipt" or "Upload Receipt" after you've made the purchase and scanned the product (if required).
How to find overlapping offers between Shopkick and Ibotta? The best way is to manually check both apps against your shopping list. Start with Ibotta to see what rebates are available, then cross-reference with Shopkick's purchase and scan offers.
How to cash out my earnings from Ibotta? Once your Ibotta balance reaches $20, you can withdraw your earnings to PayPal, Venmo, or choose from a variety of gift cards directly within the app.
How to redeem my kicks for gift cards on Shopkick? In the Shopkick app, go to the "Rewards" or "Gift Cards" section. You'll see a list of available gift cards and their kick values. Select your desired gift card and follow the redemption process.
How to get help if my Ibotta or Shopkick offer doesn't credit? Both apps have robust help sections and customer support. For Ibotta, go to their Help Center and submit a request. For Shopkick, check their FAQs or contact their support team through the app or website. Be sure to provide screenshots of your receipt and the offer.
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