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Day: March 18, 2021

When Should You Budget?

Posted on by shopkick

We all know saving is smart and overspending isn’t — but putting those simple principles into practice? Not always so simple. Good money habits take time and intention. And if you’re working to build lasting financial wellness, the best place to start is with one key habit: your budget.

We’ve all heard the word “budget” before — from parents, personal finance books, or maybe from painful trial and error. But knowing we should budget is different from knowing how and when to actually make it work.

Let’s walk through some practical tips to help you use your budget as a tool, not a burden.

1. Budget Before You Get Paid

Payday feels like a celebration — especially if you’ve been counting down the days with just a few dollars left. But if you wait until after the direct deposit hits to start thinking about your budget, it’s easy to overspend in those first few days. (Looking at you, Target.)

Instead, plan your budget before your paycheck lands. Decide in advance where your money will go, so you’re not left scrambling at the end of the month — or checking your account balance with dread on the 29th.

2. Give Every Dollar a Job

Budgeting doesn’t mean restricting — it means being intentional. When you assign every dollar a purpose (bills, groceries, savings, fun), you’re creating a plan instead of wondering where your money went.

Yes, this includes fun money! The goal isn’t to eliminate joy — it’s to make space for it without guilt.

3. Use Your Budget as a Daily Guide

Your budget isn’t a one-time task. It’s a living, breathing tool that you should revisit often. Check it before making a purchase, use it to help you say “no” when needed, and feel good saying “yes” when it aligns with your goals.

It’s not about deprivation — it’s about freedom within boundaries you’ve set for yourself.

4. Let It Evolve With Your Life

Your budget should change as your life changes. What worked in college probably doesn’t work now. And even a budget from a few months ago might not fit today’s priorities.

As you shift through new seasons — new jobs, relationships, kids, goals — your budget should shift too. Revisit it monthly and adjust it before each new paycheck, so it stays aligned with your reality.

Your Budget = Your Power Plan

A budget is more than numbers on a spreadsheet — it’s a promise you’ve made to yourself. It’s the plan that keeps your goals in focus and your spending in check. It’s the daily habit that helps you stress less, save more, and get one step closer to the life you want.

Here’s to budgeting with purpose — and making every dollar count.

How to Earn Kicks: 16 Tips for Shopkick Success

Posted on by shopkick

I’m a Shopkick master, everyone knows that. I mean, it’s nothing for me to earn a gift card a month, which I promptly spend on splurges at Starbucks or combine with all my Walmart Savings Catcher deals for extra savings. Right now, I’m saving up for a Best Buy gift card for a special someone.

how to earn kicks on ShopkickBut, it recently came to my attention that while almost everyone knows how Shopkick works (you shop! you get kicks! you redeem for gift cards!) not everyone really knows how to earn kicks on Shopkick the right way. So, I thought, “Let’s fix that!” Here are some things every Shopkicker should be doing, how to follow the Shopkick rules—and some tips for getting the most out of the very best shopping app, Shopkick.

How to Earn Kicks: The Nitty Gritty

Obviously, you’ve already downloaded the Shopkick app and set up your profile. Once you’ve done that, everything else kind of runs itself. Still, there are some things you can master to get the most kicks possible:

  • Turn on notifications and Bluetooth: Do this so that you never miss an opportunity, like a great sale or a chance for extra points. The app will also let you know if you’re about to walk past a store that’s got a deal for extra kicks.
  • Open the app at least once a week: New places to get kicks come up all the time. Plus, kick amounts increase often and products change frequently.
  • Stay up-to-date: Be sure to update the app whenever there’s a new release to make sure you always have the latest, greatest working version of Shopkick.

How to Earn Kicks in-Store

So, you’re up-to-date and your Bluetooth is turned on. It’s time to start earning kicks … for everything you do. Challenge yourself to do these four things the next time you go shopping and watch the kicks start rolling in:

  • Walk into a store: Many stores give kicks just for walking through the door! Just remember to have the app open and Bluetooth turned on.
  • Scan products: Get kicks!
  • Buy products and upload a receipt: Get kicks!
  • Link your credit card and make a purchase: Get kicks!

How to Earn Kicks from the App

Sometimes, I’m too lazy to go out. At those times, I like to earn kicks while shopping in my jammies. From my phone. And, hey, Shopkick is the best mobile shopping app, after all. When I open the Shopkick app, I:

  • Watch a video: Learn more about products—and get kicks!
  • Find an instant surprise: Go on a treasure hunt to find instant surprises. These are located under the Discover tab.
  • Make an online purchase: This is self-explanatory, but here’s an added tip: Sometimes I go to my favorite online shops on my desktop to load up my cart. Then, I open up my Shopkick app and navigate to that store and buy everything in my cart—and get kicks!
  • Invite friends: You can earn free kicks whenever someone you invite to Shopkick downloads the app and starts using it.

How to Earn Kicks on the Web

So, as I mentioned, sometimes I prefer to shop online, then buy everything from my handy-dandy Shopkick app. Other times, though, I like to earn rewards for shopping on the web. Here’s how:

  • Open a browser on your computer: Go to www.shopkick.com and login using the same credentials as you do to log into the app on your mobile phone.
    See unique stores like Macy’s and Sephora where you can earn kicks for online purchases.

How to Earn Kicks on Shopkick the Right Way

As it turns out, some people like to try to break the rules. Nobody likes a cheater, so here’s how to play fair and not get banned:

  • Scan in-store only: For scans, make sure you are in the store when you attempt to scan a product and that you scan the actual physical item. Remember, the companies paying for all those amazing free gift cards you get with your kicks—retailers like T.J.Maxx and Marshalls and brands like Lego and Tylenol—love to be on Shopkick because it helps them connect with their customers in a fast, fun, easy way. They reward Shopkick for helping them, and Shopkick passes those rewards on to all you awesome Shopkickers. It’s a win-win-win for everyone, but it only works if you’re physically interacting with products in the store.
    Also, don’t fall into any traps or “creative shortcuts” that may have you breaking the rules; Shopkick’s technology detects when rules are being broken. Yikes!

It’s a win-win-win for everyone, but it only works if you’re physically interacting with products in the store.

  • Be unique: Another way people get in trouble is by having more than one Shopkick account on their phone. If someone pretends to be multiple people—by signing up for multiple Shopkick accounts—that raises serious red flags. To protect the members of the Shopkicking community who are playing fair and who want to keep getting gift cards, Shopkick asks rule-breakers to leave (which they hate to do!)
  • Keep your mobile number to yourself: Don’t share your number with someone else. No one else should be logging into your account from their phone. It looks suspicious,  like one person is trying to pretend to be many people.
  • Invite—and shop with—friends: Help your BFFs get Shopkicking! An easy and fun way to keep racking up the kicks is to Shopkick with others. I personally love to head out with my friends. I hear all the time how Shopkickers like to Shopkick with their sisters, mothers, daughters, husbands, wives, etc. They use it as a way to get their steps—and kicks—in on evenings or days off. Both you and your friends will get extra kicks after they earn their first kicks in-store within seven days of accepting your invitation. Why not go with them on their first Shopkicking adventure and show them the ropes?

So, that’s it my Shopkicking friends—my best advice on how to earn kicks on Shopkick so you can rack up the points! If you have any other ideas, I’d love to hear them.

If you’re as social media savvy as you are shopping savvy, join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for daily shopping fun.

Image courtesy Zinkevych

8 Ways to Save Money While Shopping With the Girls

Posted on by shopkick
In my experience, there are two kinds of shopping trips: the fun, carefree kind where spending isn’t top of mind, and the strategic kind where you’re all about value and stretching your budget. I’ve done plenty of both — and these days, I’m all about saving while still enjoying the moment (especially when I’m out with my girls).

Over time, I’ve discovered a set of go-to tips that help me save more and shop smarter — without sacrificing any of the fun. Whether we’re hitting up Target, the mall, or grabbing Starbucks between stores, these tricks have made all the difference. Here are eight ways to save money while shopping with your crew:

1. Make a List and Stick to It

Impulse buys happen — unless you go in with a plan. Before heading out, jot down what you actually need. Using a list (even in an app!) helps keep your shopping focused and budget-friendly. It also gives you more room to splurge on the things that matter most.

2. Earn Rewards on Grocery Trips

Let’s be honest: grocery runs aren’t always the most exciting. But when you use shopping rewards apps, you can earn points (or even cash) for your everyday purchases — and then use those rewards on more fun shopping trips with your friends.

3. Save on Coffee Stops

My Starbucks habit is real — so finding ways to save on it is a must. From loyalty programs to credit card perks and shopping apps that offer gift cards, there are plenty of ways to earn your next cup for free. More energy = more shopping.

4. Set a Spending Limit

It may sound basic, but having a budget in mind before you head out is powerful. My friends and I talk about our limits ahead of time and help each other stick to them. It’s fun to shop — and even better when you leave the store with no regrets.

5. Watch Videos and Earn Rewards

There are apps that reward you just for watching short videos — yes, really. I squeeze them in while waiting in line, eating breakfast, or winding down at night. It might not seem like much at first, but it adds up fast.

6. Use Coupon Apps

Gone are the days of digging through your purse for paper coupons. Today’s coupon apps make saving simple with digital discounts you can apply right at checkout. Just open the app, scan, and save.

7. Join Loyalty Programs

If you’re shopping at the same stores often — like Target, Walmart, Starbucks, or Best Buy — make sure you’re signed up for their rewards programs. They’re free, easy to use, and help you earn savings just for doing what you already do.

8. Use Shopkick (My Favorite!)

Of all the apps I’ve tried, Shopkick is my absolute favorite. It rewards you for things you already do: walking into stores, scanning items, watching videos, and making purchases. You can even earn kicks (Shopkick’s points) from home, like during your morning coffee or while lounging on the couch.

I love that I can use it both in-store and online at retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and more — and trade in those kicks for gift cards. My whole shopping crew uses it now, and it makes our girls’ days out that much more fun and rewarding.

Ready to Save Together?
If you’re looking to stretch your shopping budget without cutting back on the fun, these tips are a great place to start. And if you haven’t already, download the free Shopkick app and join a community of smart, savvy shoppers. You’ll earn rewards for shopping the way you already do — just with a little more strategy (and a lot more savings).

And for even more inspiration, follow Shopkick on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.