I use the cashback app Ibotta to save on groceries. Here are tricks to making sure that you maximize your savings …
To date, I've earned over $160 cashback with Ibotta.
Saving money with Ibotta goes like this:
- Install the app on your phone.
- Select the items with cashback deals you want.
- Go shopping and buy the items.
- Scan your receipt.
- Get your cash when you reach $20.
And that's it. It's a bit like couponing without the coupons.
How to do Ibotta by the book
That's how things are supposed to work, anyway.
I've found Ibotta to be really quick with crediting my purchases to my account. And most of the time, it's pretty seamless.
Occasionally, there will be hiccups, and I won't get cashback on everything I had planned.
Check the deals before hitting the store
Part of using Ibotta is picking the deals before you shop.
You can wait until you get to the store to browse the deals, but I don't recommend it. Doing things in the comfort of your own home (and with a good internet connection) makes things easier.
Also remember: The goal from Ibotta's standpoint and from the product manufacturers' standpoint is to get you to spend money. Before grabbing a deal, always check whether you actually want it or not.
Use the top navigation bar in the app
Checking the available deals isn't difficult, but there's a lot of scrolling on the phone and can take 15 minutes or so.
Not every category is going to be of interest to you. We pass on some categories. We pass on the baby category all the time, and the alcohol-related categories most of the time.
I've found that when I scroll through the entire list, it's harder to catch when the categories change, so I use the navigation bar when I search for deals:
Double-check the terms of the deal
Just like with regular rebates, you'll get paid by Ibotta only if you buy a particular set of products.
So check what varieties of the items count toward the deal. Check to see what the maximum and minimum number are that counts. Are there any limitations on which sizes you can buy?
Treat the deal like a coupon and maximize it
Make sure you're checking the math!
Consider using the deal to get the unit price down as much as you can. The smallest size may be the best for doing this.
Verify that you've picked up the correct product
Even if you understand the deal and what you're allowed to buy, it's easy to make a mistake.
One time, I picked up what I thought was a 64-ounce bottle of Naked juice. It was a 48-ounce bottle, and it didn't count. Oops. (At least I was planning to buy it anyway.)
Check that the product barcode matches
Even after checking the terms of the deal, and even after checking that the product you've picked up counts toward the deal, sometimes there's an internal error that invalidates the deal.
I double- and triple-checked one item, but when I got home, Ibotta wasn't recognizing the item. Ibotta gives you a way to tell them about errors, but it wasn't worth it.
That's why I strongly recommend using the barcode scanner within the app to verify that the product counts toward the deal before you buy it. That way there shouldn't be any unpleasant surprises when you get home.
You can check the barcode by tapping on the deal and scrolling down a screen or so. You'll get an immediate answer whether the deal qualifies or not:
Scan the receipt immediately
The deals have an expiration date. Ibotta warns you of this on each deal.
You beat the expiration date by redeeming the receipt. Simply purchasing the item before the expiration doesn't cut it.
I've lost a few dollars in cashback because of this mistake. I waited until the next day to scan the receipt, and some of my deals were gone.
What are your Ibotta tricks?
Do you have tricks for maximizing Ibotta cashback? Put them in the comments below!
