Day: March 18, 2025

We all know saving is smart and overspending isn’t — but putting those simple principles into practice? That’s not always so simple. If you’re wondering how to start a budget that actually works, you’re in the right place. Good money habits take time and intention. And if you’re working toward financial wellness, the best place to begin is with one powerful habit: your budget.

1. Budget Before You Get Paid

Payday feels like a celebration — especially when you’ve been counting down with only a few dollars left. However, if you wait until after your direct deposit hits to think about your budget, you’re more likely to overspend in the first few days. (Looking at you, Target.)

Instead, plan your budget before the paycheck arrives. That way, you’ve already decided where your money will go — and you won’t be left scrambling at the end of the month.

2. Give Every Dollar a Job

Budgeting isn’t about restriction — it’s about intention. When you assign every dollar a job (bills, savings, groceries, fun), you’re making a plan. As a result, you’ll spend with confidence instead of wondering where your money disappeared.

Yes, this includes fun money! Budgeting joy is just as important as budgeting rent. That’s the beauty of it — it’s about making space for what matters most.

3. Use Your Budget as a Daily Guide

Your budget isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it task. It’s a living tool that should guide your daily decisions. Before making a purchase, glance at your budget. Let it help you say “no” when you need to — and “yes” when it aligns with your goals.

In other words, it’s not about deprivation — it’s about freedom, clarity, and confidence.

4. Let It Evolve With Your Life

Your budget should change as your life changes. This is a key part of learning how to start a budget that lasts. What worked in college probably won’t work during a career shift or while raising kids.

Your Budget = Your Power Plan

A budget is more than numbers on a spreadsheet — it’s your power plan. As you learn how to start a budget and stick with it, you’ll reduce stress, spend more intentionally, and make real progress toward your goals.

P.S. Looking for an easy way to stretch your budget even further? Download the Shopkick app to earn free gift cards just for shopping, scanning, and watching videos — all from your phone. It’s a small habit that can make a big impact.

I’m what you might call a Shopkick expert. Earning a free gift card every month? That’s just part of my routine. I usually cash them in for Starbucks treats or combine them with other store rewards for even more savings. Right now, I’m saving up for a Best Buy gift card for someone special.

But here’s the thing: while most people know the basics of Shopkick — shop, get kicks, earn rewards — not everyone knows how to use the app to its fullest. So, I’m here to break it down. Below are the tips, tricks, and best practices for earning more kicks the right way.

Start with the Basics

• First, download the Shopkick app and set up your account

• Next, turn on Bluetooth and notifications so you never miss a kick opportunity

• In addition, open the app daily to catch new products and updated kick offers

• Lastly, update your app regularly to make sure you have the latest features

How to Earn Kicks In-Store

Once your app is up-to-date and your settings are on, you’re ready to earn kicks every time you head to the store. Here’s how:

• Walk into a participating store with the app open and Bluetooth on

• Then, scan featured products in the app

• After that, buy eligible products and submit your receipt

• Finally, link your retailer accounts with Walmart, Target, and more to earn automatically

Pro Tip: Try to complete all four on one shopping trip. That way, you can maximize your earnings.

How to Earn Kicks from the App (Without Leaving Home)

Shopkick isn’t just for in-store shopping — there are tons of ways to earn kicks from home too:

• To start, watch short videos to learn about new products

• Next, tap the Discover tab for surprise kicks and daily bonuses

• Also, shop online through the app at partnered retailers

• Lastly, invite friends and earn bonus kicks after they shop

Bonus Tip: I often load my cart on desktop, then, open Shopkick and complete the purchase through the app to ensure I earn kicks.

How to Earn Kicks the Right Way

To keep things fair — and to protect your ability to earn gift cards — follow these best practices:

• Always scan in-store only. You must be physically in the store, scanning the actual product on the shelf

• Also, stick to one account per person. Don’t sign up for multiple accounts — Shopkick monitors for suspicious activity

• Furthermore, keep your account secure. Don’t share your mobile number or login credentials

• Finally, invite (and shop with) friends. Shopkick is more fun — and more rewarding — when you do it together

Final Thoughts

That’s everything I know about how to earn kicks on Shopkick — and I’ve earned a lot. If you have tips too, share them with us on social. And don’t forget, if you’re not already following Shopkick on Facebook or Instagram, now’s the time — you’ll find inspiration, special offers, and maybe a few surprises.

Happy Shopkicking!