When I was little, my mom had a bright red plastic case filled with coupons she clipped from the newspaper. It looked like a tiny file cabinet, complete with tabs labeled for all the stores we frequented. At checkout, she’d pull out her glasses, flip through each tab, and hunt for the perfect deal to match our purchases.

Even as a kid, I remember thinking, “There has to be a better way.”

Thankfully, there is.

Today, if you’re a tech-savvy shopper like me, you’ve likely ditched the scissors and paper coupons in favor of shopping apps. And while many retailers offer their own apps or loyalty programs, I’ve found something better — a single app that works at all my favorite stores.

Let me show you how I save (and earn!) with just one app.

Why I Ditched Store-Specific Apps

Store apps are fine — they often come with coupons, loyalty points, or member perks. But the problem? You have to juggle a different app for every store. It’s too much to manage, and they only reward you for shopping at one place.

That’s why I started using shopping rewards apps instead. These let you earn rewards across multiple retailers by doing things you already do — like walking into a store, browsing, scanning barcodes, shopping online, or watching videos.

The trick is finding one that fits your routine.

What I Look For in a Shopping Rewards App

If you’re going to use an app regularly (which is key to earning the most rewards), it has to check a few boxes:

• Works on both Android and Apple devices: I use an iPhone, but I love sharing finds with my mom who’s team Samsung.

• Supports in-store and online shopping: I’m about 50/50 with how I shop — so I need an app that covers both.

• Fun to use: If an app feels like a chore, I won’t use it consistently. I want something that adds a little fun to my routine.

Why Shopkick Is My Go-To App

My absolute favorite? Shopkick.

Shopkick rewards you with points — called kicks — for doing everyday shopping activities, like:

• Walking into stores

• Scanning product barcodes

• Making purchases (in-store and online)

• Watching videos or discovering new products in the app

Once you collect enough kicks, you can redeem them for gift cards to popular retailers — like Target, Walmart, Amazon, and more. I’ve personally used mine to stock up on groceries, grab new household essentials, and even treat myself.

Shopping Feels Like a Game — and That’s the Best Part

What I love most about Shopkick is that it turns every trip into a mini scavenger hunt. Suddenly, I’m excited to check store aisles and discover new products. Even when I’m at home, I can earn kicks just by watching videos or browsing deals in the app.

The “Discover” tab is also great for quick recipes or learning about trending items — especially when I’m in a cooking rut or looking for a little inspiration.

And yes — you can use Shopkick alongside other store apps. That way, you earn rewards from multiple places at once. Win-win.

Ready to Start Earning While You Shop?

If you want to simplify your shopping routine and get rewarded for what you’re already doing, download Shopkick. It’s free, available on both Android and iPhone, and works whether you shop online or in stores.

So ditch the coupon clutter and make every shopping trip more rewarding. Trust me — your future self (and your wallet) will thank you.

Get your kicks. Download Shopkick and start earning today.