Author: Maria Flores

María Flores is a retail marketing enthusiast who brings years of experience spotting shopping trends and creating engaging content at Trax Retail. She loves helping readers discover smart ways to save while making everyday shopping more rewarding. When she’s not diving into data, you can find her sipping iced coffee with her 2 dogs by her side.

How to Prep for Cold & Flu Season

Posted on by Maria Flores

Keeping My Family Healthy This Season — With a Little Help From Shopkick

When the sniffles start making their way through school drop-off lines and weekend playdates, I shift into mom-mode: cozy blankets, comforting meals, and a fully stocked cold & flu kit — just in case.

The best part? I can earn free gift cards on many of the essentials I already buy through the Shopkick app. Because keeping our families healthy shouldn’t mean stretching our wallets.

Here’s how I prep our home for cold and flu season — and how you can, too.

Daily Immunity Helpers

Small daily habits go a long way in keeping everyone healthy. I like to keep these on hand year-round:

You’ll need:

  • Vitamin C and D supplements
  • Kids’ multivitamin gummies
  • Hand sanitizers and antibacterial wipes
  • Tissues for backpacks and purses

How I use them:
I place grab-and-go items right by the door so no one forgets (looking at you, Monday mornings). Vitamins stay next to what they pair well with — OJ for the kids, morning coffee for me.

💡 Shopkick Tip: Scan and buy household health items from participating retailers like Target or Walmart to earn kicks. Check the app before you shop for the latest offers.

Cold Relief Meds (for When the Coughs Hit)

Once the first cough arrives, I go straight into comfort mode.

You’ll need:

  • Cough syrup (kids + adult options)
  • Pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen
  • Chest rubs or soothing balms
  • Throat lozenges
  • A reliable thermometer

How I use them:
These all live in one basket, so I can move fast in the middle of the night — no digging through drawers while half-asleep.

💡 Shopkick Tip: Look for bonus kicks on cold and flu medicine, pain relievers, and other medicine-cabinet staples. Those little blue bubbles mean free gift cards for staying prepared.

Cozy Comfort Supplies

Because care isn’t just medicine — it’s warmth and love, too.

You’ll need:

  • Soft blankets
  • A humidifier
  • Herbal teas with honey
  • Soups for quick, cozy meals

How I use them:
I keep our “sniffle station” ready — a basket with tissues, lip balm, a book or two, and a comfy throw. It makes sick days feel a little better for everyone.

💡 Shopkick Tip: Earn kicks across multiple categories — groceries, home goods, and wellness — when you shop in-store or online.

Mom-to-Mom Pro Tip

Don’t wait until someone wakes up coughing at 2 a.m. If you prep now, you’ll be the calm and collected one later. (Future you will thank you!)

Quick Shopkick Checklist

Earn kicks when you:

  • Scan eligible items in-store
  • Purchase participating products
  • Submit receipts right in the app
  • Shop online through Shopkick partners

Pro tip: Turn those kicks into free gift cards for coffee — because parents deserve a win, too 😉

Cold and flu season may bring a few sneezes, but it also brings moments of care and connection. With Shopkick, every trip to the store becomes a little win — because keeping your family healthy should feel good in more ways than one.

Download the Shopkick app today to turn everyday moments of care into little wins — one kick at a time.

Cozy Up Your Kitchen: Two Easy Fall Recipes That Earn You Rewards

Posted on by Maria Flores

Two Cozy Favorites to Make Your Kitchen (and Wallet) Feel the Warmth of Fall

Fall brings a rhythm all its own — cooler air, golden leaves, and a craving for something warm and comforting. Whether it’s a creamy pasta on a crisp evening or a sweet dessert that fills your home with cozy scents, this season is made for slowing down and savoring.

And when you shop for ingredients with reward apps like Shopkick, your cozy season gets even more rewarding — every scan, step, and purchase helps you earn free gift cards from your favorite stores.

Here are two easy fall recipes to inspire your next grocery trip and fill your kitchen with flavor.

Savory Favorite: Creamy Pumpkin Alfredo

Celebrate National Pasta Day (October 17) with a dish that captures the essence of fall. This creamy pumpkin Alfredo combines the comfort of pasta with the richness of seasonal flavors — an easy, crowd-pleasing meal that feels elegant but comes together fast.

You’ll need:

  • 8 oz fettuccine or your favorite pasta
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • Salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg

How to make it:

  • Cook the pasta according to package directions.
  • Melt the butter in a large pan and sauté the garlic for about one minute.
  • Add pumpkin, cream, and Parmesan, stirring until smooth and creamy.
  • Toss in the pasta and season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

Top with more cheese, a sprinkle of sage, or roasted walnuts for texture. It’s rich, cozy, and perfect for any fall dinner table.

Shopkick tip: Before you shop, check your app for participating pasta, dairy, and pantry brands that earn you kicks — every ingredient, from noodles to cream, is a chance to earn free gift cards.

Sweet Favorite: Mini Cinnamon Apple Pies

Nothing says fall quite like the smell of warm apple pie. These mini cinnamon apple pies give you all the flavor and comfort of the classic dessert — in a quick, no-fuss version perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends.

You’ll need:

  • 1 refrigerated pie crust (or pre-made dough)
  • 2 apples, peeled and chopped
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ tablespoon butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon flour

How to make it:

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F.
  • In a bowl, toss chopped apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, melted butter, and flour until evenly coated.
  • Use a drinking cup or cookie cutter to cut circles from your pie crust.
  • Place dough circles in a muffin tin, spoon in the apple mixture, and top with a smaller circle or lattice-style strips of dough.
  • Bake for 18–20 minutes until golden and bubbling.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or caramel drizzle for an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert that looks as good as it smells.

Shopkick tip: Look for featured brands on pie crusts, apples, and baking essentials in your app. Scan them in-store or upload your receipt to earn free gift cards while baking something sweet.

Mini apple pies and cinnamon sticks

Make Every Ingredient Count

This fall, your grocery trips can be as rewarding as your recipes. With Shopkick, you’ll earn kicks every time you walk into a participating store, scan products, or shop online.

Here’s how to get started:

Pro tip: The more fall essentials you scan — from pumpkin purée to pasta — the faster your kicks add up.

Comfort, Flavor, and Rewards

Fall is about comfort, flavor, and feeling good about the little moments. With Shopkick, even your grocery runs can feel like a win — because you’re not just shopping for dinner, you’re earning rewards along the way.

Download the Shopkick app today and make your fall meals (and your next gift card) come to life one kick at a time.

How to use Shopkick to Find Smart Finds

Posted on by Maria Flores

Shopping is an essential part of daily life, but it doesn’t have to feel monotonous. Imagine transforming routine trips to the store into moments of discovery and reward. That’s where reward apps like Shopkick step in, turning everyday shopping into something more exciting by helping you uncover smart finds and earn kicks along the way.

Smart finds aren’t just about what you put in your cart. They’re about rethinking the way you shop. Every aisle becomes an opportunity to notice something new, exciting, and meaningful. And the best part? Those discoveries can turn into real rewards, making each trip feel dynamic and purposeful.

What Makes a Smart Find

A smart find is more than just a product — it’s an experience. It’s the kind of item that makes you pause and think: this could really make my day easier or more enjoyable.

Whether it’s a practical innovation like eco-friendly cleaning wipes, a fun surprise like limited-edition cookies, or a brand-new snack flavor you’ve never tried before, smart finds turn shopping into a game of discovery.

It’s about seeing everyday products in a new light: finding items that align with your needs or inspire you to try something fresh. With Shopkick, these moments don’t stop at the checkout counter. They transform into kicks, letting you earn rewards for every scan, exploration, and purchase.

How to Make Smart Finds Part of Your Routine

Shopkick makes finding smart products seamless and rewarding — and the beauty is that it fits naturally into your shopping routine. You don’t need to go out of your way. Simply follow these steps:

  1. Explore the App: Before heading out, open Shopkick and discover featured products that qualify for kicks
  2. Scan in Store: While shopping, locate these items and use the app to scan their barcodes
  3. Upload Your Receipt: If you decide to purchase, simply upload your receipt to unlock even more kicks

It’s that simple. By taking a moment to explore and scan, you can earn rewards that add up to free gift cards. Shopkick turns a quick trip to the store into an opportunity to make your shopping journey more engaging and beneficial.

Woman looking at phone while grocery shopping with cart full of food

Seasonal Inspiration for Smart Finds

Smart finds tend to shift with the seasons, which makes it easy to line them up with what you’re already shopping for:

  • Fall favorites bring pumpkin spice everything, cozy coffee blends, and plenty of autumn snacks
  • Back to school is all about lunchbox staples, easy dinners, and little time-savers that make busy weeks easier
  • Holiday cheer shows up in festive cookies, special treats, and party appetizers that make gatherings more fun
  • Game day calls for chips, dips, and drinks — perfect whether you’re hosting friends or just watching from the couch

Seasonal smart finds add variety to your routine and a little spark of excitement, helping each shopping trip feel fresh while still earning rewards.

The Bigger Picture

Smart finds are more than just products — they represent moments of discovery and reward. Shopkick transforms the ordinary act of shopping into an exciting journey where every aisle holds potential. By scanning, exploring, and earning kicks, you turn small wins into something bigger: a shopping trip you actually look forward to.

With Shopkick, everyday shopping becomes extraordinary. Smart finds turn into rewarding moments, and every trip is a chance to discover something new.

Ready to join?

Download Shopkick today and start earning free gift cards for the shopping you’re already doing. For more tips and inspiration, follow Shopkick on social media and keep the smart finds coming.