7 Budgeting Apps That Help You Save Money and Earn Free Gift Cards

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Let’s be honest: sticking to a budget takes work. But with the right tools, you can stretch your dollars a little further — and even earn free stuff while you’re at it. Whether you’re trying to save on everyday essentials or just love scoring gift cards, these seven budget-boosting apps can help you do more with less. Consider them your secret weapons for smarter shopping.

1. Shopkick: Your Go-To Rewards App

Let’s start with the MVP. Shopkick turns your everyday shopping routine into a scavenger hunt for kicks (our version of points). Earn kicks when you:

Walk into partner stores like Walmart, Target, and Walgreens
Scan product barcodes (no purchase required!)
Upload receipts from featured items
Shop online through the app
Link your accounts for seamless, automatic rewards

Once you’ve earned enough kicks, trade them in for free gift cards to your favorite stores. It’s easy, rewarding, and even a little addictive in the best way.

2. Your Favorite Store App

Apps from retailers like Walmart, Target, and Walgreens often feature built-in coupons, reward tracking, and weekly deals. Use them alongside Shopkick to double down on savings — check prices, clip offers, and then scan your receipt with Shopkick to earn even more.

3. Receipt Scanning Tools

There are several apps out there that reward you just for uploading receipts. While we won’t name names, combining Shopkick with a receipt-based rebate app can help you layer in extra savings for the exact same shopping trip.

4. Cash-Back Portals

If you’re a frequent online shopper, browser extensions and apps that give cash back for purchases can pair nicely with Shopkick’s online offers. Shop through Shopkick first to earn kicks, and you may be able to stack rewards if your favorite retailer supports both.

5. Fuel & Dining Rewards Apps

Some apps specialize in gas stations, restaurants, or local offers. These can be a smart complement if you’re using Shopkick for grocery or retail runs. Together, you can cover more of your monthly expenses with rewards.

6. Sample & Freebie Aggregators

A few apps and websites offer access to limited-time samples, sweepstakes, or promo codes. They can be a fun way to discover new brands, especially when combined with Shopkick’s featured item scans or product browsing rewards.

7. Your Loyalty Programs

Don’t forget to link or scan loyalty programs at stores where you shop regularly. While these aren’t standalone apps, combining store loyalty perks with Shopkick rewards is a great way to save even more without doing extra work.

The Bottom Line: Start with Shopkick

With so many ways to earn, Shopkick makes it easy (and fun!) to get rewarded for shopping the way you already do. And because you can layer it with other apps and store offers, it’s the perfect foundation for building your own personalized savings strategy.

Download Shopkick today to start earning kicks toward free gift cards — and join a community of savvy shoppers who make every trip count.

Kick Writers

Kick Writers are a crew of loyalty lovers and savvy Shopkickers fueled by caffeine and curiosity. From sharing the best ways to rack up kicks to smart shopping hacks, they’ve covered it all — and they’re on a mission to make earning rewards as fun as it is easy.