Welcome! If you’re like many of us, you diligently collect receipts from your grocery trips, drugstore visits, and other shopping excursions. But what if those slips of paper, often destined for the recycling bin, could actually put a little extra money back into your pocket? It might sound too good to be true, but with the help of a few clever smartphone apps, it’s entirely possible. This guide is here to show you exactly how.
We all appreciate ways to make our dollars stretch a bit further. Whether you’re managing a budget, saving for something special, or simply enjoy the thrill of a good deal, turning everyday shopping receipts into cash or gift cards can be a rewarding experience. This comprehensive how-to guide will walk you through the world of receipt scanning apps. We’ll explore which apps are worth your time, how to use them step-by-step, and tips to maximize your earnings. No complicated jargon here – just clear, straightforward advice to help you get started.
By the end of this guide, you’ll understand:
- What receipt scanning apps are and how they work.
- Which popular apps are reliable and user-friendly.
- How to download, set up, and use these apps effectively.
- Tips and tricks to earn the most from your receipts.
- How to troubleshoot common issues.
So, grab your smartphone, gather a recent receipt, and let’s explore how to transform those ordinary shopping records into tangible rewards!
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Before we dive in, let’s make sure you have a few basic things ready. Don’t worry, it’s nothing too complicated:
- A Smartphone: Most of these apps require either an iPhone (iOS) or an Android smartphone. These are the two most common types of smartphones available today.
- Internet Connection: You’ll need an internet connection (Wi-Fi is often best, as it won’t use your mobile data) to download the apps, browse offers, and upload your receipts.
- Your Shopping Receipts: Keep those physical paper receipts from grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, and sometimes even restaurants. Some apps also work with digital e-receipts from online shopping.
- An Email Address: You’ll need a valid email address to create accounts with these apps.
- A Little Patience and Consistency: While these apps are generally easy to use, learning the ins and outs of each one and remembering to scan your receipts regularly takes a bit of habit-forming. But the rewards can make it worthwhile!
Why Bother with Receipt Apps? The Payoff Explained
You might be wondering if taking the time to scan receipts is truly worth the effort. It’s a fair question! While you likely won’t get rich using these apps, they offer several appealing benefits:
- Small Rewards Add Up: Each receipt might only earn you a small amount, from a few cents to a few dollars, depending on your purchases. However, if you shop regularly and scan consistently, these small amounts can accumulate into a nice little bonus over time. Think of it like a digital piggy bank!
- Discover New Products and Deals: Many apps feature special offers on specific products. This can be a great way to discover new items you might enjoy or save money on brands you already love.
- Make Shopping More Engaging: For some, using these apps adds a fun, game-like element to the routine task of grocery shopping. It can be satisfying to see your rewards balance grow.
- Flexibility in Rewards: Most apps offer various ways to redeem your earnings, such as cash deposits to PayPal, gift cards to popular retailers (like Amazon, Target, Walmart, or Starbucks), or even charitable donations. You can choose what best suits your needs. Imagine using your earnings to treat yourself to a coffee, contribute to a gift for a grandchild, or offset a small household expense.
The key is consistency. Making receipt scanning a regular part of your post-shopping routine can lead to pleasant surprises in your rewards account.
Understanding How Receipt Apps Work
The basic idea behind most receipt scanning apps is quite simple. Companies and brands want to understand consumer shopping habits – what people are buying, where they’re shopping, and what influences their purchasing decisions. In exchange for sharing your purchase data (anonymously, in most cases), these apps offer you rewards.
Here’s a general overview of the process:
- You Go Shopping: You make your usual purchases at grocery stores, drugstores, etc., and get a paper receipt.
- You Scan Your Receipt: Using the app on your smartphone, you take a picture of your receipt. The app’s technology then “reads” the receipt to identify the store, date, items purchased, and total amount.
- The App Processes the Data: The app checks for eligible offers or participating brands on your receipt.
- You Earn Rewards: If your receipt qualifies (e.g., you bought specific promoted items, or the app gives points for any receipt from certain stores), you earn points, cash back, or other forms of rewards in your app account.
- You Redeem Your Rewards: Once you reach a certain threshold (e.g., $5, $10, or $20 in earnings), you can cash out your rewards for gift cards, PayPal deposits, or other options.
A Note on Data Privacy: It’s important to be aware that by using these apps, you are sharing your shopping data. Reputable apps have privacy policies in place to protect your personal information. They are typically interested in aggregated, anonymous shopping trends rather than your individual identity. We’ll focus on well-known and generally trusted apps in this guide. Always take a moment to review an app’s privacy policy if you have concerns.
Choosing the Right Receipt Apps for You
There are many receipt scanning apps available, and it can be overwhelming to decide which ones to try. The good news is that you don’t have to pick just one! Many people use multiple apps to maximize their earnings, as different apps may have different offers or reward structures.
When choosing apps, consider:
- Ease of Use: Is the app intuitive and easy to navigate?
- Types of Offers: Does it offer rewards for specific products you buy, or for any receipt?
- Reward Options: Does it offer cash, gift cards you’ll actually use, or other appealing rewards?
- Payout Threshold: How much do you need to earn before you can cash out? Lower thresholds are generally better.
- Store Compatibility: Does it work with the stores where you typically shop?
We’ll spotlight several popular and effective apps later in this guide, giving you a closer look at their features and how to use them.
General Step-by-Step Guide to Using a Typical Receipt App
While each app has its own unique interface, the basic process for getting started and using them is quite similar. Here’s a general walkthrough:
Step 1: Download and Install the App
- Open the app store on your smartphone. This is typically the App Store on an iPhone or the Google Play Store on an Android phone.
- Use the search bar (usually a magnifying glass icon) and type in the name of the receipt app you want to download (e.g., “Fetch Rewards” or “Ibotta”).
- Find the correct app in the search results and tap on it.
- Tap the “Install” or “Get” button. You might need to enter your app store password or use fingerprint/face recognition to authorize the download.
- Wait for the app to download and install on your phone. You’ll see its icon appear on your home screen or in your app list.
Step 2: Create Your Account
- Open the newly installed app by tapping its icon.
- You’ll usually be prompted to “Sign Up” or “Create Account.” Tap this option.
- You may be asked to provide information such as your email address, and to create a password. Some apps might also ask for your name, zip code, or date of birth (often to verify you’re old enough to use the app or to provide location-specific offers).
- Some apps offer the option to sign up using your Google, Facebook, or Apple account. This can be quicker, but ensure you’re comfortable with the permissions requested.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete your registration. You might need to verify your email address by clicking a link sent to your inbox.
Step 3: Link Loyalty Cards (If Applicable)
Some apps, like Ibotta, allow you to link your store loyalty cards (e.g., your Kroger card, Walgreens card). This can sometimes automate the process of getting credit for offers, meaning you might not always have to scan a receipt for that store if your card is linked and you’ve activated offers beforehand.
- Look for a section in the app like “Link Accounts,” “Loyalty Cards,” or “Retailers.”
- Select your store and follow the instructions to enter your loyalty card number or login details for that store’s online account.
Step 4: Browse Offers Before Shopping (Important for Some Apps!)
For apps like Ibotta or Checkout 51, it’s crucial to browse available offers before you go shopping. You often need to “add” or “activate” offers for specific products to your in-app list to be eligible for cashback on those items.
- Open the app and navigate to the “Offers,” “Browse,” or “Find Offers” section.
- Scroll through the available deals. You can often filter by category (e.g., dairy, produce, household) or search for specific items.
- If you see an offer for a product you plan to buy, tap on it to add it to your list. Pay attention to any specific requirements, like size or variety.
For apps like Fetch Rewards, this step is less critical as they often reward you for any receipt or for specific brands without needing to pre-select offers.
Step 5: Go Shopping!
Head to the store and make your purchases as usual. If you’ve added specific offers to your app list, make sure to buy the exact products (brand, size, quantity) specified in the offer details.
Remember to get a paper receipt!
Step 6: Scan Your Receipt
This is the core action. Most apps make this process fairly straightforward:
- Open the app soon after your shopping trip (many apps have a time limit, often 7 to 14 days from the purchase date, to submit receipts).
- Look for a button or icon to “Scan Receipt,” “Upload Receipt,” or often a camera icon. Tap it.
- The app will likely ask for permission to use your phone’s camera if it’s the first time. Allow this.
- Lay your receipt flat on a well-lit surface. Avoid shadows and crinkles.
- Position your phone’s camera so the entire receipt is visible within the guidelines shown on the screen. Make sure the store name, date, total amount, and all items are clear and legible.
- If the receipt is very long, most apps have an option to “add a section” or “take multiple photos” to capture it all. Follow the app’s prompts.
- Tap the capture button (usually a circle or camera icon) to take the picture. Review the image to ensure it’s clear. If not, retake it.
- Once you’re satisfied with the image(s), submit the receipt.
Step 7: Select Your Purchased Offers (If Needed)
For apps where you pre-selected offers (like Ibotta), you might need to confirm which of your added offers are on the scanned receipt. The app may try to auto-match them, but sometimes you’ll need to manually check them off.
Step 8: Wait for Processing and Earn Rewards
The app will process your receipt. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of days. Once processed and approved, you’ll see the rewards (points or cash) credited to your app account.
Step 9: Redeem Your Rewards
Once your earnings reach the app’s minimum payout threshold (e.g., $5, $10, $20), you can cash out!
- Navigate to the “Rewards,” “Redeem,” or “Wallet” section of the app.
- You’ll see your current balance and the available redemption options (e.g., PayPal, various gift cards).
- Select your preferred reward and follow the prompts to redeem it. Gift cards are often delivered digitally to your email or within the app. PayPal cash is transferred to your linked PayPal account.
And that’s it! You’ve successfully turned a grocery receipt into a tangible reward.
Spotlight on Popular Receipt Apps
Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular and reliable receipt scanning apps. We’ll cover their key features, how they generally work, and their pros and cons.
1. Ibotta
Overview: Ibotta is one of the most well-known and widely used cashback apps. It focuses on offers for specific products at a vast range of grocery stores, pharmacies, liquor stores, pet stores, and even some online retailers.
How it Works:
- Find Offers: Before you shop, browse the Ibotta app for offers at your chosen store. You must add these offers to your list by tapping a “+” button. Offers can be brand-specific (e.g., “$1 off Brand X Cereal”) or generic (e.g., “25 cents off any brand of milk”).
- Shop: Purchase the exact items you’ve added to your list.
- Redeem:
- Scan Receipt: After shopping, scan your receipt. Ibotta will then ask you to verify the products you bought that match your selected offers, sometimes by scanning the product barcode.
- Link Loyalty Card: For some retailers, you can link your store loyalty card. If you do this and have added offers, the cashback might be applied automatically after your purchase, with no receipt scanning needed.
- Get Paid: Once your earnings reach $20, you can withdraw to PayPal, your bank account, or choose from a wide variety of gift cards.
Pros:
- High-value offers often available.
- Wide variety of participating stores and product categories.
- Bonuses for redeeming multiple offers or completing certain tasks.
- Option to link loyalty cards for some stores.
- Offers for alcohol (where legally permitted).
Cons:
- Requires you to select offers before shopping, which takes some planning.
- Can be time-consuming to find and add offers.
- $20 minimum payout threshold is higher than some other apps.
- Sometimes requires scanning product barcodes in addition to the receipt.
Best for: Shoppers who are willing to plan their trips around specific deals and don’t mind spending a bit of time browsing offers to maximize savings on particular brands or products.
2. Fetch Rewards
Overview: Fetch Rewards is prized for its simplicity. Instead of clipping specific offers, you earn points for scanning almost any receipt from a grocery store, supermarket, convenience store, club store, liquor store, or big-box retailer. You earn more points for purchasing products from their partner brands.
How it Works:
- Shop: Buy groceries and other items as you normally would.
- Scan Receipt: Open the Fetch app and tap the orange camera icon to snap a picture of your receipt. You have up to 14 days from the purchase date to scan.
- Earn Points: You’ll earn base points for any valid receipt. You’ll get bonus points if your receipt includes products from hundreds of participating brands (e.g., Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo, Unilever products) or if you purchase special offer items highlighted in the app.
- Redeem Points: Once you accumulate enough points (starting as low as 3,000 points for a $3 gift card), you can redeem them for a wide array of gift cards, including Amazon, Target, Panera, and many more.
Pros:
- Extremely easy to use – just scan almost any grocery receipt.
- No need to pre-select offers or clip coupons.
- Fast receipt processing.
- Low payout threshold for some gift cards.
- Wide variety of partner brands means you often earn bonus points without trying.
- Also accepts eReceipts from connected email or Amazon accounts.
Cons:
- Base points per receipt can be low if you don’t buy partner brands.
- Primarily gift card rewards; no direct cash back to PayPal or bank.
Best for: Anyone looking for a super simple way to earn rewards from their shopping without much effort. It’s great if you buy a variety of brands and shop at different stores.
3. Shopkick
Overview: Shopkick offers multiple ways to earn rewards (called “kicks”), not just from receipts. It’s more interactive than other apps.
How it Works: You earn “kicks” for various actions:
- Walk-ins: Earn kicks just for walking into participating stores with the app open and Bluetooth enabled.
- Scans: Earn kicks for scanning barcodes of specific products in-store (no purchase necessary for these). The app will show you which items to find and scan.
- Purchases with Linked Card: Link a credit or debit card, activate offers, and earn kicks when you pay with that card at participating retailers.
- Receipt Scans: Purchase qualifying items from a list in the app, then scan your receipt to earn kicks.
- Online Shopping: Earn kicks by shopping at online partner stores through the Shopkick app.
- Watch Videos: Occasionally, earn a few kicks for watching short promotional videos in the app.
You redeem kicks for gift cards to retailers like Amazon, Starbucks, Target, Walmart, and more. The redemption threshold usually starts around 500 kicks for a $2 gift card, but most are $5 and up.
Pros:
- Multiple ways to earn rewards, even without making a purchase.
- Fun and engaging, like a treasure hunt in stores.
- Low redemption threshold for some gift cards.
Cons:
- Can be battery-draining if you use the walk-in feature often (requires Bluetooth and location services).
- Earning a significant amount of kicks can take time and effort.
- Best rewards are often tied to specific, sometimes expensive, items.
Best for: Shoppers who enjoy interactive experiences and don’t mind spending a bit of time in stores scanning items. It’s also good if you frequent malls or shopping centers where many partner stores are located.
4. Receipt Hog
Overview: Receipt Hog adds a bit of fun to receipt scanning. You can upload almost any receipt from stores that sell groceries, health items, beauty products, or household goods. You earn “coins” based on the total amount spent on your receipt.
How it Works:
- Shop: Make purchases at grocery stores, supercenters, convenience stores, drugstores, pet stores, toy stores, etc.
- Scan Receipt: Take a picture of your receipt within 14 days of purchase.
- Earn Rewards:
- Coins: Earn coins based on your receipt total (e.g., under $10 earns 5 coins, $10-$49.99 earns 10 coins, etc.).
- Spins: For certain types of receipts (like clothing, electronics, office supplies), you earn “spins” for a slot machine game where you can win more coins or other prizes.
- Sweepstakes Entries: Most receipts also earn you entries into monthly sweepstakes for larger coin prizes.
- Redeem Coins: Once you collect enough coins (e.g., 1,000 coins = $5), you can redeem them for Amazon gift cards, Visa prepaid cards, or PayPal cash.
Receipt Hog also has short surveys and other small activities to earn extra coins.
Pros:
- Accepts a wide variety of receipts.
- Gamified elements (slots, sweepstakes) can make it more engaging.
- Relatively simple to use – just snap and earn.
Cons:
- Earning coins can be slow, as the amount per receipt is fairly small.
- The “spins” for non-grocery receipts don’t guarantee winnings.
- Payout threshold can take a while to reach.
Best for: People who want a simple app that accepts most receipts and enjoy a bit of game-like fun. It’s a good “catch-all” app for receipts that might not qualify for other apps.
5. Checkout 51
Overview: Checkout 51 is similar to Ibotta, offering cashback on specific grocery items. Its offers update every Thursday morning.
How it Works:
- Browse Offers: Check the app for new offers starting Thursday morning. Add the ones you like to your “Shopping List” in the app. Offers are often limited in quantity, so it’s good to check early.
- Shop: Purchase the qualifying items at any store (unless a specific store is mentioned in the offer).
- Scan Receipt: Upload a photo of your entire receipt. You’ll then check off the items you purchased from your list.
- Earn Cashback: Once your receipt is processed and approved, the cashback amount is added to your account.
- Cash Out: When your balance reaches $20, you can request payment. Historically, Checkout 51 mailed a physical check, but they have been transitioning to PayPal and other digital options. Check the app for current payout methods.
Pros:
- Offers can be used at almost any store, unless specified.
- Sometimes has unique offers not found on other apps.
- “Pick Your Own Offer” feature sometimes allows you to get a small rebate on items like fresh produce.
- Gas rewards available at participating stations.
Cons:
- Offers are limited and can run out, so you need to act fairly quickly.
- Requires pre-selecting offers.
- $20 payout threshold.
- Offer list refreshes weekly, so you need to buy and upload within that week for those specific offers.
Best for: Shoppers who like to browse weekly deals and can act on them promptly. It’s a good companion app to Ibotta, as their offers can differ.
6. Pogo
Overview: Pogo takes a slightly different, more automated approach. It allows you to link your bank accounts and credit cards, and it automatically scans your transactions for opportunities to earn points. You can also earn points by scanning physical receipts and by sharing your data (anonymously) for market research.
How it Works:
- Link Accounts (Optional but Recommended for Full Benefits): Securely link your bank accounts, credit cards, and even retailer accounts like Amazon or Walmart. Pogo uses Plaid (a common financial data service) for secure connections.
- Automatic Rewards: Pogo finds rewards and savings automatically from your linked transactions.
- Scan Receipts: You can still scan physical receipts for additional points, especially from purchases not made with linked cards.
- Data Sharing & Surveys: Opt-in to share anonymized data or take short surveys for more points.
- Earn Points: Points accumulate in your Pogo account.
- Cash Out: You can cash out your points directly to Venmo or PayPal once you reach a minimum threshold (often around $3, or 3,000 points).
Pros:
- More automated than many other apps if you link accounts.
- Low payout threshold ($3).
- Direct cash out to Venmo or PayPal.
- Earn from data sharing and surveys in addition to purchases.
Cons:
- Requires linking financial accounts for maximum benefit, which might be a privacy concern for some. (Though they use standard security like Plaid).
- Points per transaction or receipt can be small.
Best for: Tech-savvy individuals comfortable with linking financial accounts for automated rewards. Also good for those who want a low cash-out threshold and direct Venmo/PayPal payments.
A Note on Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a popular rewards site and app that offers many ways to earn “SB points,” which can be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal cash. One of these ways is by uploading receipts for specific grocery items (similar to Ibotta or Checkout 51) or any receipt for a smaller amount of SB. If you’re already using Swagbucks for surveys, watching videos, or online shopping, adding receipt scanning can be another way to boost your SB earnings. It’s worth checking out if you prefer an all-in-one rewards platform.
Maximizing Your Earnings: Tips for Success
Getting the most out of receipt scanning apps involves a bit of strategy and consistency. Here are some tips to help you boost your rewards:
- Consider “Stacking” Apps (Carefully): For apps that give rewards for any receipt (like Fetch Rewards or Receipt Hog), you can often scan the same receipt into multiple such apps. For item-specific apps (like Ibotta or Checkout 51), you generally can’t claim the *exact same item offer* on multiple apps, but if one app has an offer for Brand X Cereal and another has an offer for Brand Y Coffee on the same receipt, you can claim both. Always check app terms, as some might restrict this.
- Scan Receipts Promptly: Most apps have a time limit for submitting receipts, typically 7 to 14 days from the purchase date. Make it a habit to scan your receipts as soon as you get home or within a day or two. This also prevents them from getting lost or faded.
- Check for Offers *Before* You Shop: For apps like Ibotta and Checkout 51, this is essential. Browse offers while making your grocery list. This way, you won’t miss out on deals for items you plan to buy anyway.
- Activate Special Bonuses and Promotions: Many apps offer bonus points or cash for completing certain tasks, like redeeming a certain number of offers in a month, consecutive weekly scanning, or achieving milestones. Keep an eye out for these in the app.
- Link Store Loyalty Accounts: If an app offers this feature (like Ibotta), link your store loyalty cards. It can save you the step of scanning receipts for those stores and sometimes unlocks exclusive offers.
- Refer Friends (If You’re Comfortable): Most apps have referral programs where you and your friend can earn a bonus when they sign up using your code and scan their first receipt. If you have friends or family who might be interested, this can be an easy way to earn extra.
- Be Consistent: The key to seeing your earnings grow is consistency. Try to make receipt scanning a regular part of your routine. Even small amounts add up over time.
- Read the Fine Print: Pay attention to offer details – specific sizes, varieties, quantities, and expiration dates. This ensures you get credit for your purchases.
- Keep Your Receipts Until Points are Awarded: Hold onto your physical receipts until you see the rewards credited to your account, just in case there’s an issue and you need to resubmit or contact support.
- Don’t Buy Things Just for the Rebate: The goal is to save money on things you already need or want to try. Buying unnecessary items just to get a small rebate can defeat the purpose.
Troubleshooting Common Issues & FAQs
Sometimes things don’t go perfectly smoothly. Here are some common issues and questions you might encounter:
FAQ 1: My receipt scan was rejected. Why?
This can happen for several reasons:
- Blurry or Unclear Image: Ensure your photo is sharp, well-lit, and captures the entire receipt.
- Receipt Too Old: Most apps require receipts to be submitted within 7-14 days.
- Wrong Store or Ineligible Items: The receipt might be from a store not supported by the app, or it might not contain any qualifying items or brands for apps like Fetch.
- Duplicate Receipt: The receipt may have already been submitted by you or someone else.
- Information Missing: Crucial details like store name, date, or total might be cut off or illegible.
- Not a Full, Itemized Receipt: Credit card slips or non-itemized summary receipts are usually not accepted. You need the full, printed store receipt that lists each item.
Solution: Most apps allow you to retake the photo or will provide a reason for rejection. Try again, ensuring a clear image and that the receipt meets all criteria.
FAQ 2: I didn’t get credit for an item I bought. What do I do?
Sometimes an app might miss an eligible item, especially if the receipt wording is unusual.
Solution: Most apps have a customer support section or a way to report missing credit. You might need to provide details about the item and possibly re-scan the receipt or a product barcode. For example, Ibotta has a robust help section and allows you to submit a request if you believe an offer was missed. Fetch Rewards has a “Correct My Receipt” feature you can use if points seem wrong.
FAQ 3: Are these apps safe to use? Is my data secure?
Reputable receipt scanning apps use security measures to protect your personal information and purchase data. They primarily use aggregated, anonymized data for market research. However, it’s always wise to:
- Stick to well-known, highly-rated apps (like the ones discussed here).
- Review the app’s privacy policy and terms of service.
- Use strong, unique passwords for your accounts.
- Be cautious about apps that ask for excessive permissions unrelated to their function.
If an app requires linking bank accounts (like Pogo), ensure they use secure, trusted third-party services like Plaid for these connections.
FAQ 4: How much can I realistically earn?
This varies greatly depending on your shopping habits, which apps you use, and how consistently you scan. Don’t expect to replace your income. Most users earn anywhere from a few dollars to $20-$30 a month. Think of it as a nice little bonus for coffee, a small treat, or to put towards savings. The more diligent you are, and the more you take advantage of specific offers and bonuses, the more you can earn.
FAQ 5: Can I scan any receipt?
It depends on the app. Apps like Fetch Rewards and Receipt Hog accept a wide variety of receipts from grocery stores, convenience stores, drugstores, etc. Item-specific apps like Ibotta and Checkout 51 require receipts from stores where you bought qualifying items. Most apps do not accept receipts for services (like a handyman), handwritten receipts, or movie tickets, for example. Always check the app’s guidelines.
FAQ 6: What if I shop online and get e-receipts?
Some apps are adapting to the rise of online shopping. Fetch Rewards, Ibotta (for some online retailers), Pogo, and ReceiptPal allow you to connect your email account (like Gmail or Outlook) or your Amazon account. The app can then automatically scan for e-receipts from participating online retailers and credit you for eligible purchases or brands. This is a convenient feature if you do a lot of your shopping online.
A Word on Digital Receipts (eReceipts)
As more shopping moves online, digital receipts (eReceipts) are becoming increasingly common. Many receipt scanning apps recognize this trend and have incorporated features to handle them.
Typically, this involves:
- Connecting Your Email or Retailer Account: Within the app’s settings, you can securely link your email account (where you receive e-receipts) or major retailer accounts like Amazon, Walmart, Target, or Instacart.
- Automatic Scanning: Once connected, the app can periodically (and with your permission) scan your inbox or purchase history for new e-receipts from supported retailers.
- Earning Rewards: You’ll earn points or cashback just as you would for a paper receipt, often automatically.
Apps like Fetch Rewards have a prominent “eReceipt” feature. Ibotta supports online shopping cashback by launching the retailer’s site through the Ibotta app or by linking accounts for grocery pickup/delivery. Pogo excels at this by linking directly to financial accounts and retailer accounts.
This is a fantastic convenience, especially for those who prefer online grocery shopping or frequently order items from major online stores. It saves you the step of manual scanning and ensures you don’t miss out on rewards from your digital purchases.
Conclusion: Small Change Can Make a Big Difference
Turning your grocery receipts into cash or gift cards is a genuinely achievable way to add a little extra to your budget. While it won’t make you a millionaire overnight, the consistent habit of scanning receipts with user-friendly apps like Ibotta, Fetch Rewards, Shopkick, Receipt Hog, Checkout 51, or Pogo can lead to pleasant rewards over time.
We’ve covered what you’ll need, how these apps generally work, taken a detailed look at some of the best options, and provided tips for maximizing your earnings. Remember, the key is to find an app (or a couple of apps) that fits your shopping style and that you find easy and enjoyable to use.
Don’t feel pressured to use every app or chase every single offer. Start with one or two that appeal to you. See it as a small, satisfying bonus for an everyday task. That extra $5 or $10 gift card you earn could be a treat for yourself, a small gift for someone else, or simply a little boost to your savings. Every little bit helps, and with these tools, those discarded receipts can become surprisingly valuable.
We encourage you to give it a try. You might be pleasantly surprised at how easy and rewarding it can be to turn those slips of paper into actual cash or useful gift cards. Happy scanning!