Day: July 30, 2025

5-Minute Self-Care Tips for Busy Parents

Posted on by Kick Writers

To all our Shopkickers with little ones — we see you. Between school pickups, packing lunches, and juggling work or home responsibilities, your own well-being can easily take a backseat. But self-care doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming.

Here are five simple ways to care for your body and mind — in just five minutes or less. Whether you’re in the car line, at your desk, or prepping dinner, these quick habits can help you reset and feel a little more grounded.

1. Breathing Exercises

A few deep breaths can do wonders. Lie flat on the floor if you can, placing one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach. Inhale deeply through your nose, exhale slowly, and focus on how your body moves with each breath. It’s a small pause that can release big tension.

2. Quick Yoga or Stretching

Even one minute of mindful movement counts. Stand tall, stretch your arms overhead, roll your shoulders, or reach down to touch your toes. Moving with intention — even briefly — helps improve circulation and eases tightness that builds up during the day.

3. Shoulder Rolls

This one’s easy to do anywhere — while cooking, working, or even sitting in the car. Roll your shoulders in big circles, then smaller ones. Reverse the direction and repeat. This simple motion helps loosen tension in the neck and shoulders, common areas of stress.

4. Keep a Calming Scent Nearby

Aromatherapy on the go? Yes, please. Carry a small rollerball, essential oil, or portable incense with a calming scent like lavender or eucalyptus. A quick inhale can help you pause, reset, and feel more centered.

5. Splash Cold Water on Your Face

Feeling overwhelmed? Step into the bathroom and splash cool water on your face. It’s a small physical jolt that can help regulate your nervous system and bring you back into the moment. Bonus: it feels incredibly refreshing.

Small Moments = Big Impact

Parenting is full of beautiful chaos. But you deserve care, too. These little rituals can help release built-up tension and bring moments of calm into your day — no extra time, budget, or setup required. The more you support yourself, the better you’ll feel showing up for your family.

And if you’re heading out for errands anyway, turn that time into something just for you. With the Shopkick app, you can earn kicks while shopping in-store or online — then redeem them for gift cards to treat yourself later. A little self-care, on us.

Download the Shopkick app and start earning while you tackle your day — because you deserve rewards, too.

Surprising Foods to Grill This Summer: 8 Unique Ideas

Posted on by Kick Writers

Grilling is one of our favorite summer pastimes — and it’s a perfect excuse to try some surprising foods to grill that go beyond burgers and hot dogs. Sure, we love classics like kebabs and hotdogs, but summer is the ideal time to get creative with new flavors and ingredients. From fruit to veggies to unexpected mains, these eight ideas will bring fresh inspiration to your next cookout.

1. Avocados:

Everything is better with avocado, right? Believe it or not, it tastes even more amazing when grilled! Let it cool and add it to egg or chicken salad, or mix it into your guac for a smoky twist.

How to Grill: Slice the avocado in half, remove the pit (but keep the skin), brush with oil, and grill for 2–3 minutes on each side.

2. Carrots:

Carrots are a staple in many family meals — and grilling brings out their natural sweetness even more. This is one of the most underrated yet surprising foods to grill.

How to Grill: Grill carrots in a pan with olive oil, rosemary, salt, pepper, and thyme. Cook for 10–12 minutes, adjusting the heat as needed.

3. Peaches:

Peaches are already delicious, but grilling them caramelizes the sugars and deepens the flavor. They work well in desserts, cocktails, or on their own.

How to Grill: Cut in half and place on the grill for 8–10 minutes until tender and lightly charred.

4. Pizza:

Skip the oven and head to the grill for pizza night. Grilled pizza creates a crisp, smoky crust that’s reminiscent of a wood-fired oven.

How to Grill: Use store-bought or homemade dough. Brush with oil, grill one side, flip, and add sauce, cheese, and toppings. Cook until the cheese is melted.

5. Watermelon:

Yes, grilled watermelon is a thing — and it’s a game-changer. Pair with feta in a salad or drizzle with lime juice for dessert.

How to Grill: Cut into wedges and grill for 4–6 minutes, flipping once. Add salt for savory dishes or lime for something sweet.

6. Lettuce:

Grilled romaine takes Caesar salad to the next level. It adds a smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with creamy dressing and croutons.

How to Grill: Cut romaine hearts in half, brush with oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and grill each side for 2–3 minutes.

7. Pineapple:

Sweet, juicy, and caramelized — grilled pineapple works with savory or sweet dishes. It’s also one of the easiest fruits to grill.

How to Grill: Place slices directly on the grill for 2–3 minutes per side, flipping occasionally.

8. Quesadillas:

Quesadillas get a crispy, golden finish on the grill that’s tough to beat. They’re also a great way to feed a crowd quickly.

How to Grill: Assemble your quesadilla, then grill both sides until the tortilla is golden and the cheese is fully melted.

Make the Most of Every Cookout with Shopkick

Whether you’re grilling surprising foods or sticking to the classics, don’t forget to earn rewards while you shop for ingredients. With the Shopkick app, you can earn kicks (aka points) by walking into stores, scanning products, and uploading your receipts — or even by shopping online.

Download the free Shopkick app today and turn your summer grocery runs into gift cards. Then, head to our Facebook page and tell us: which of these surprising foods to grill are you trying first?

How to Get Free Sephora Gift Cards: 3 Simple Tips

Posted on by Kick Writers

Your next beauty haul? It could be free.

Whether you’re prepping for a night out or just restocking your skincare faves, Sephora is the go-to for all things glam. But here’s the best part: you don’t always have to pay full price. In fact, you can earn free Sephora gift cards with a few simple moves — and no, we’re not talking about clipping coupons.

Here are three easy ways to turn your everyday shopping habits into Sephora savings.

1. Join the Sephora Beauty Insider Program

If you shop Sephora, you should definitely be a Beauty Insider. This free rewards program lets you earn points with every purchase, which can be redeemed for samples, exclusive sets, and savings during Sephora’s big annual sales.

The more you spend, the more perks you unlock:

  • Free birthday gift

  • Early access to events

  • Free shipping

  • Insider-only discounts

While it doesn’t technically give you gift cards, the rewards are pretty close and definitely worth signing up for.

2. Earn Rewards with Shopkick

If you’re looking for an easy way to earn actual Sephora gift cards, Shopkick is your best bet. Shopkick is a free rewards app that lets you earn points (called kicks) by doing things you already do:

  • Walk into popular stores

  • Scan product barcodes

  • Upload receipts from qualifying purchases

  • Shop online

  • Watch videos and browse in-app offers

Once you’ve collected enough kicks, trade them in for gift cards to Sephora — and other top retailers like Target, Ulta, and Amazon.

Pro tip: You don’t need to make a purchase to start earning. Even scanning featured products in-store can add up fast.

3. (Optional) Try Survey Apps — If You Have Time

Some apps, like Survey Junkie, offer Sephora gift cards in exchange for completing surveys. These can be a nice supplement to your savings, but keep in mind they often require a significant time investment. If you’re multitasking (say, watching Netflix or waiting in line), they might be worth a few extra points — but don’t rely on them as your primary method.

Shop. Earn. Glow.

Sephora splurges feel even better when they’re free. Whether you’re earning perks through Beauty Insider or racking up kicks with Shopkick, there are plenty of ways to treat yourself — without blowing your budget.

Download Shopkick today and start earning toward your next Sephora haul. It’s fast, fun, and totally free.

Want even more savings inspo? Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to discover bonus tips, real user wins, and limited-time kick offers.

3 Ways to Get Free Starbucks Gift Cards for Shopping Sprees

Posted on by Kick Writers

Let’s be honest—between coffee dates, errands, and weekend plans, your calendar is probably as packed as mine. I never turn down a chance to catch up with friends, but finding time to shop can be tricky. Lately, I’ve resorted to early mornings and late-night Target runs just to get everything done.

Thankfully, one thing gets me through: coffee. And what’s even better than a Starbucks latte? Scoring free gift cards to pay for it.

If you’re looking to sip while you shop, here are three easy ways to earn Starbucks gift cards—no coupon clipping required.

1. Use the Starbucks® Rewards Program

This one’s a no-brainer for regular Starbucks visitors. Download the Starbucks app and sign up for the free Rewards program. Every dollar you spend earns you two stars. Once you hit 300 stars, you’ll unlock Gold Status, with freebies like handcrafted drinks, food, and more.

Tip: Load money onto your Starbucks card in the app before you order. That way, you’ll earn stars on every purchase—and rack up rewards faster.

2. Apply for the Starbucks® Rewards Visa Card

Want to take those stars even further? The Starbucks Rewards Visa Card lets you earn stars not only at Starbucks, but also on everyday purchases like groceries, gas, and even online shopping.

You’ll collect points wherever you swipe—and those points convert to stars in your account. Translation: every coffee run (and grocery haul) brings you closer to your next free drink.

3. Earn Starbucks Gift Cards with Shopkick

Shopkick is my favorite rewards app, hands down. It’s free, easy to use, and turns everyday errands into a fun scavenger hunt for points—called kicks.

You can earn kicks by:

  • Walking into stores

  • Scanning barcodes (no purchase needed!)

  • Uploading receipts

  • Shopping online

  • Watching videos and completing app-based challenges

Once you rack up enough kicks, you can redeem them for gift cards to Starbucks (or dozens of other popular retailers like Target and Amazon). You can even stack Shopkick with your Starbucks Rewards or Visa Card for extra earning power.

Bonus: Shopkick makes errands way more fun—and it’s a great excuse to treat yourself to a coffee after a successful scan session.

Fuel Your Shopping (and Your Coffee Habit)

Between loyalty stars, bonus points, and app rewards, earning Starbucks gift cards is easier than ever. Whether you’re shopping in-store or online, these tips can help you sip and save at the same time.

Ready to start earning?
Download Shopkick today and join thousands of savvy shoppers turning their everyday trips into rewards.