How I Use Ibotta to Get Cash Back

How I Use Ibotta to Save Money on Groceries and Other Purchases

Saving money on everyday purchases, especially groceries, has become a necessity for many families, including mine. With rising costs, it's essential to find ways to cut down on expenses without sacrificing the things we need. That’s where Ibotta comes in. I’ve been using Ibotta for a while now, and I can confidently say that it’s one of the easiest and most effective ways I’ve found to save money on groceries and other purchases.

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Plus, you’re getting cash back on the things you’re ALREADY buying, it’s silly to leave money sitting on the table.

In this post, I’ll walk you through how I use Ibotta to maximize savings, share some tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way, and explain how you can start using it too. Whether you’re new to Ibotta or looking for ways to improve your cashback game, this guide will help you make the most out of the app.

What is Ibotta?

Before diving into how I use Ibotta, let’s talk about what it actually is. Ibotta is a free cashback app that allows you to earn money back on everyday purchases, including groceries, household items, clothing, electronics, and even online shopping. It partners with hundreds of retailers—both in-store and online—so you can earn cash back on a wide range of items.

Ibotta works by offering cash rewards for purchasing specific products or shopping at particular stores. Once you make your purchase and upload your receipt (or link your store loyalty card), Ibotta verifies your purchase, and you earn cashback in your account. Once you reach a minimum threshold, typically $20, you can withdraw your earnings via PayPal, Venmo, or redeem them for gift cards.

Here is a link to Ibotta if you do not already have an account: CLICK HERE! You’ll get $5 from Ibotta after you redeem your first offer!

How I Use Ibotta for Grocery Shopping

As a mom of two living in the Midwest, groceries are one of the largest recurring expenses in my household. This is where Ibotta has made a huge difference in helping me save money. Here’s how I use it:

1. Planning My Grocery List with Ibotta

One of the first steps in my grocery routine is checking Ibotta before I make my shopping list. Ibotta offers cash back on a variety of grocery items, from fresh produce to pantry staples, snacks, and more. By browsing through the app, I can see what’s currently offering cashback and plan my meals and snacks accordingly. For instance, if there’s a cashback offer on a certain brand of yogurt or cereal that my family enjoys, I’ll add that to my list and take advantage of the savings.

2. Redeeming Offers on Brand Name Products

Ibotta often offers higher cashback rewards on brand-name products compared to generic or store-brand items. While I’m typically a fan of store brands to save money, if the cashback offers make a brand-name product cheaper (or nearly the same price) as the store brand, I’ll go for it. For example, I once found an offer for $1 back on a box of Kellogg’s cereal. When paired with a sale at my local grocery store, it was actually cheaper to buy the Kellogg’s cereal than the store brand, and I was able to enjoy a family favorite while saving a little more.

3. Stacking Ibotta with Coupons and Other Discounts

One of the best features of Ibotta is that it allows you to stack cashback offers with other discounts, including store sales, manufacturer coupons, and even loyalty card discounts. This means you can maximize your savings on a single purchase. For example, if I find a coupon for $0.50 off a box of crackers, and Ibotta is offering $0.75 back for the same box, I can use both the coupon and the Ibotta offer to save a total of $1.25 on that one item. This has become a regular part of my shopping routine, as it helps me significantly cut down on costs.

4. Uploading Receipts and Earning Cash Back

Once I’ve completed my grocery shopping, the next step is uploading my receipts to Ibotta. It’s a straightforward process: I open the app, select the store where I shopped, and take a picture of my receipt. Ibotta automatically scans the receipt to match my purchases with the offers I selected before shopping. Within 24-48 hours, I usually see the cashback rewards added to my account.

A bonus tip: Make sure you upload your receipts within the allotted timeframe, usually 7 days, to ensure you don’t miss out on any rewards.

5. Using Ibotta for Any Brand and Any Item Offers

Ibotta sometimes offers cashback for any brand or even for specific items regardless of the brand. For example, you might find an offer for $0.10 back on any brand of milk or $0.25 back on a loaf of bread. These offers are great because they apply to items you’re already buying, giving you savings on everyday essentials.

Expanding Beyond Groceries: Other Ways I Use Ibotta

While groceries are where Ibotta has helped me save the most, the app also offers cashback for a wide range of other purchases. Here’s how I use it outside of grocery shopping:

1. Online Shopping

Ibotta has partnered with hundreds of online retailers, including Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and more. When I shop online, I always check if there’s an Ibotta offer available before completing my purchase. By clicking on the retailer through the Ibotta app, I can earn a percentage of my purchase back in cash. For example, if I need to order clothes for my kids from Old Navy, I check Ibotta first to see if they’re offering cash back. Even if the cashback percentage is small, it adds up over time.

2. In-Store Retail Shopping

Aside from groceries, Ibotta also offers deals on clothing, electronics, beauty products, and household goods at brick-and-mortar retailers like Kohl’s, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Sephora. I often browse these offers when I’m heading out for a shopping trip. For instance, I was able to save on school supplies during back-to-school season by redeeming Ibotta offers at Target.

3. Using Ibotta for Travel

Ibotta even offers cashback on travel-related expenses such as hotel bookings, rental cars, and flights. Although I don’t travel often, when I do, I always check if there’s an Ibotta deal available for my bookings. It’s a great way to earn a little something back on vacations or business trips that I’m already spending money on.

4. Restaurant and Delivery Offers

Dining out or ordering food delivery is another area where Ibotta helps me save. I’ve earned cashback on restaurant takeout and food delivery services like Grubhub and Uber Eats. While I don’t use these services regularly, it’s a nice perk to earn cashback when I do.

Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Savings with Ibotta

Over time, I’ve developed a few strategies that have helped me maximize my Ibotta savings. Here are my top tips:

1. Plan Ahead

As I mentioned earlier, planning your shopping list around Ibotta offers is one of the best ways to save. Before heading to the store, check Ibotta for any deals that align with what you already need. This helps avoid impulse purchases and ensures you’re getting the most out of the available offers.

2. Use Loyalty Cards

If your grocery store or retailer has a loyalty program, link your loyalty card to Ibotta. This makes it easier to automatically redeem offers without needing to upload a receipt. It also allows you to double up on savings with store discounts and Ibotta offers.

3. Take Advantage of Bonuses

Ibotta frequently offers bonus rewards for completing specific tasks, such as redeeming a certain number of offers in a given month or buying multiple items from the same brand. These bonuses can significantly boost your earnings, so keep an eye out for them.

4. Invite Friends to Earn Referral Bonuses

Ibotta has a referral program where you can earn bonuses by inviting friends to join the app. Once your friend signs up and redeems their first offer, you’ll receive a cash bonus. It’s a simple way to increase your earnings.

5. Set a Cashout Goal

To stay motivated, I like to set a cashout goal for myself, whether it’s saving for a family activity, putting extra cash toward a bill, or treating myself to something special. Knowing that I’m earning cashback for these goals makes it more fun to use Ibotta consistently.

Final Thoughts

Ibotta has become an invaluable tool for my family when it comes to saving money on groceries and other purchases. By integrating it into my regular shopping routine, I’ve been able to stretch our budget further without sacrificing the products we need and enjoy. Whether you’re new to Ibotta or a seasoned user, the app offers plenty of opportunities to save on everyday items. Give it a try, and you might be surprised at how much you can save!

If you’re ready to start saving, download the Ibotta app HERE!, and begin earning cashback on your next shopping trip. Happy saving!