The highest paying apps for Android that are free and fun

Posted on May 30, 2018 by shopkick

I remember the days when I used to roll my eyes at old sayings and cliches, things like it feels better to give than to receive, or an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Then I became a mom. All of a sudden, I found myself very sincerely teaching these old sayings I used to think were corny to my boys because I realized there’s quite a bit of truth to them.

And the truest of them all, at least in my humble opinion, is that the best things in life are free. I have three boys at home, three boys who love their fancy video games, but, honestly, I think they have the most fun on the random days when the weather is nice and we all get out to run around at the park. Thinking about all of this was actually a big part of my motivation recently when I set out to earn a little money by using my Android smartphone, and I decided the ideal way to do that was by finding the highest paying apps for Android that are both fun and free.

And you know what? I actually found some really cool apps! It’s my pleasure to share what I’ve found with all of you. To borrow an old cliche, in my experience sharing really is caring. I hope you have as much fun using these free apps as I do!

Highest Paying Apps for Android #1: App Trailers

App Trailers is the first on the list of highest paying apps for Android. It’s both free and fun, and it’s also an app that my boys and I can enjoy together because it pays you to watch free videos. I like it because of the rewards and my boys like it because many of these videos are about something that’s very near and dear to their little hearts: video games.

We’ve watched videos about games from EA, Rovio (which makes Angry Birds), and plenty of other companies that my guys know far more about than I do. The more videos you watch, the more points you earn. Then you can trade those points in and get paid via PayPal, or in Amazon gift cards.

Highest Paying Apps for Android #2: Make Money Earn Free Cash

As you can tell by the name—Make Money Earn Free Cash—this app is basically about two things: making money and earning free cash. And it’s free to download via the Play Store on Android devices.

I think of this app as no-nonsense, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a lot of fun to use, especially if you’re like me and enjoy learning about new apps that you might have otherwise missed out on. It’s pretty simple to use. All that you do with Make Money Earn Free Cash is download free apps, watch videos, and then complete offers from the sponsors, which usually involves signing up for mailing lists or taking surveys. Obviously, this isn’t always fun, but sometimes you learn about really cool new apps, and that can be a blast! When you’re ready, you can then go ahead and get paid for your earnings via PayPal.

Highest Paying Apps for Android #3: Shopkick

The last one on the list of the highest paying apps for Android is actually the one I’ve been using the longest. It’s called Shopkick, and, just like the other two, it’s both free and fun to use. How it works is that Shopkick rewards you for things you do while you’re out shopping. Don’t worry, you won’t even have to go out of your way to use it. See, Shopkick gives you points for things like watching videos, making purchases, scanning barcodes on certain products, and even just for walking into the store! You can then trade those points in and get paid in gift cards to some of your favorite stores, which is just as good as getting cash back.

But I have to say, Shopkick is my favorite just because of how thoroughly it has transformed my trips to the store.

It’s a free app for Android (and also iPhone), but more importantly, Shopkick is seriously a ton of fun to use. Finding time to get out to the store can be kind of hard, especially when you have three boys at home like I do, and, if I’m being totally honest with you here, it used to be a bit of a hassle. With Shopkick, though, a lot of times I’m having so much fun trying to maximize the number of points I get on each trip, that my trips fly by. I’ve even started looking forward to going to the store! Oh, and I’ve really started looking forward to cashing my points in for gift cards.

Those are just some of the choices, though. There are literally dozens more out there. But I have to say, Shopkick is my favorite just because of how thoroughly it has transformed my trips to the store. Even the boys have gotten in on the fun, coming with me and asking me what items they should look for to scan for points. It sounds cliche, but you really can’t put a price on that kind of togetherness.

Get to know one of the highest paying apps for Android that also happens to be as free as it is fun! Download Shopkick today and join a community of loyal Shopkickers who’ve already discovered how much you can earn with the help of a free shopping sidekick.

And, if you’re on social media catching up with friends, be sure to also join Shopkick on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for a little daily fun and inspiration.

Image courtesy Bankrx

Apps that pay you real money for real-life activities

Posted on May 28, 2018 by shopkick

Sometimes I feel like I’m living in a virtual world, and I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. These days, there are just so many of us out there who work online, play games online, and who most certainly have friends that they only contact through social media channels online—at least I know that I do. And I think these are all great things. In fact, some of my closest friends in real life are friends that I first met online.

And friendships are not the only new thing I’ve been making in the digital world lately. In fact, thanks to a little poking around, I’ve recently discovered apps that pay you real money for your real-life activities. These apps are exactly what they sound like. Although they obviously exist solely on your phone or another compatible device, they basically track your real-life activities and give you rewards, generally in the form of cash, for the things you do every day. Isn’t that a great concept?

So, I figure why not share it with all of you fine people out there today? In fact, you might like these apps that pay you real money for real-life activities just as much as I do. After all, what’s not to like about turning the things you do every day into some nice bonus income? With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of my favorites.

Apps that Pay You Real Money #1: Gigwalk

Gigwalk is what’s known as an in-person app because, in order to use it to make real money, you have to complete tasks in person. The way it works is that let’s say you’re out for a walk, and you open up Gigwalk and see a pin at a store in your community. You simply click that pin and it gives you a task to complete.

These tasks are usually so simple that you can spend a few minutes knocking them out before continuing on your way. Examples include seeing if a brand display has been set up properly, or even doing a quick bit of inventory for a certain product. Depending on how involved the tasks are you can make anywhere from $3 to $100 per gig (although in my experience it’s generally much closer to $3). Once you complete those gigs and your work is approved, you can then get paid real money via PayPal.

Apps that Pay You Real Money #2: Field Agent

Field Agent is another one of those apps that pay you real money. Much like with Gigwalk, with Field Agent, you may find yourself doing things like checking out store displays or making sure things are priced correctly as you go for a walk or head out to shop.

Sometimes, you can even use it in tandem with Gigwalk, doing two tasks at the same store! I know I have in the past, and it’s been really productive for me. Oh, and just like Gigwalk, Field Agent pays you for your work starting at $3, and it lets you cash out and collect your money via PayPal. Basically, my advice is that if you’re using one of these, you should just go right ahead and sign up for the other. That way you don’t miss out on any chances to earn real money.

Apps that Pay You Real Money #3: Shopkick

I think of all the apps that pay you real money for real-life activities, my favorite is Shopkick. Shopkick is actually what’s known as a shopping rewards app, and how it works is that it gives you points for shopping activities that you do each time you go to the store anyway, activities like buying certain products, scanning barcodes while you’re browsing to get more information, and even just walking into the store. You can then trade those points in for gift cards, which, let’s be honest here, are the same thing as real money.

What I like the most about Shopkick, however, is that it’s turned my sometimes routine shopping trips into a whole lot of fun!

What I like the most about Shopkick, however, is that it’s turned my sometimes routine shopping trips into a whole lot of fun! Instead of a chore, every time I hit those aisles it feels like I’m on a fun scavenger hunt for points to earn as many rewards as I possibly can. I’ve even become a regular on Shopkick’s Facebook page, where I share tips, jokes, and whatever else with fellow users. I like Shopkick so much that I honestly can’t remember all that well what going to the store used to be like before I started using it—though I’m sure I wasn’t nearly this engaged. That’s why overall Shopkick is my favorite of this bunch.

The last thing I want to tell you is that I’ve been using all three of these apps for some time now, and they’ve helped me add a nice little boost to my budget, especially Shopkick. I’ve also just now started to share them with my many friends online, and they seem to be enjoying them as well! At least, they certainly seem to be awfully grateful for the advice.

So, there you have it: three great apps that pay you real money for real-life activities. I suggest using them all, of course, but if you have to select just one I would highly advise going with Shopkick. Let’s face it, no matter what you do you’re going to have to make somewhat regular trips to the store, and with Shopkick those trips become not only a way to earn yourself some rewards, but to also make every stroll down the aisles a whole heck of a lot more fun!

Looking for the coolest apps that pay you real money for real-life activities, especially one that can help you make your routine shopping trips more fun? Download Shopkick for free and join a community of Shopkickers who love the rewards of shopping with us!

Or join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and check in every day on your phone, no matter where you are, to learn about the hottest, newest deals.

Image courtesy bigtunaonline

5 Ways to Earn Totally Free Gift Cards, No Surveys Required

Posted on May 25, 2018 by shopkick

I was in my favorite coffee shop the other day, getting my morning banana bread and cup to go when I noticed next to the door they’d mounted an iPad to act as a mini-kiosk for customers. On the screen, there was a green smiley face and a red frowning face, and above these two faces, it said, How was your experience with us today? Everyone had been super nice (that’s why this place is my favorite) so I pressed the green smiley face and started walking out the door.

Before I could leave, though, I noticed that the screen now had a set of at least 10 more questions for me to answer, all with small print. Well, I just didn’t have time for that. So, I kept walking. I just don’t have time, or—if I’m being honest—the patience to fill out long and intricate surveys. Smiley faces, sure, but long questions? There just isn’t a window in my day. I do, however, know that many of my friends use survey apps that pay them in gift cards to answer questions. That’s not for me, and I imagine there are plenty of you out there nodding right now in agreement. That’s why today I want to talk about some great ways to earn free gift cards, no surveys required.

Most of these ways to earn free gift cards require little to no deviation from your daily routine—about the same amount of time it took me to tap that smiley face on the iPad. Let’s face it, that old cliche about time being money, it’s true, especially these days. So, having to spend your valuable time taking surveys to get free gift cards kind of makes it not so “free.” The ideal way to score those cards is through stuff you’re already doing. Let’s take a look at some of the most effective methods I’ve come across.

Play Games to Earn Free Gift Cards, No Surveys Required

This first item on my list is, without question, a great way to earn free gift cards, but whether it saves you time in your everyday life will vary depending on your hobbies. I know that I’ve personally played games to relax for a good long while, going all the way back to when I was a little kid with my old Super Nintendo. I still have plenty of puzzle games and the like on my phone, and I’m not shy about busting them out when I’m in a waiting room or in the breakroom at my office.

There are actually several sites or apps you can pick from that will make playing to earn a reality. The way they work is that they give you points for the time you spend playing games, and then you can later trade those points in for free gift cards, no surveys required (of course). Some of my favorites are CashCrate or InboxDollars. While survey-taking is the main way to earn rewards on these, it’s definitely not required (thankfully!) and you can actually earn by playing games. They all have slightly different interfaces, as well as types of games that you can play, but the general idea is the same: play games for a while, earn points, trade them in for your free gift cards.

It’s really all about playing the averages in this sort of setup. Read a lot of blogs, and you’re likely to come across more blog giveaways. Enter more of those giveaways and you’re likely to win. It took me a while to win my first one, but now I’ve won a great deal. I’ve also come across some really interesting blogs, which has been a nice little bonus for me. I’ve even come across websites that track blog giveaways and help you find the ones with gift cards. Some of my favorites include Bloggy Giveaways or Giveaway Monkey.

Use Credit Cards to Earn Free Gift Cards, No Surveys Required

This is one I recommend to my responsible friends out there. There are plenty of credit cards you can sign up for that give you cash back or free gift cards for all that you spend. This is, of course, only valuable for you if you pay your bills on time and don’t become liable to have to pay back much interest. Not to brag, but I’ve always been a conscientious credit card user, so I don’t even really have to think twice when it comes to taking advantage of this one.

Finding cash back credit cards is a bit more common than finding ones that pay you back in the form of gift cards, but it can be done. In fact, I personally use Walmart’s credit card, which allows me to turn in my cash back rewards for statement credits or gift cards. I like to go with gift cards there because they’re much more versatile: you can save them, use them right away, or even give them—like their name implies—as gifts. Like the other techniques on our list, I have a few websites that may be able to help you find these cards, including creditcards.com and NerdWallet.

Browse Social Media to Earn Free Gift Cards, No Surveys Required

I’m the type of person who likes to follow the stores that I frequent most on social media. I started doing it so I could have an easy way to find their pages and check their hours. Then I started to notice that the stores used social media to share information about their products, giveaways, coupons, and opportunities to receive gift cards. I get it, it’s a fun way to win new customers while also generating word-of-mouth buzz.

Shop to Earn Free Gift Cards, No Surveys Required

I try not to play favorites with my recommendations, but I have to say I think this last method is the best to earn free gift cards. There are actually apps out there that will give you points for your shopping behaviors that you do anyway. How they work is you just go ahead and do things you do when you’re shopping already, things like scanning barcodes to get more information about certain products, buying products, and for even just walking into the store.

The shopping app I use the most is this one called Shopkick, which I can’t recommend enough. It gives you points for all those reasons I mentioned above, and it’s also a whole lot of fun to use. In the simplest possible terms, I’d say it’s a fun app that also pays you for shopping. The key to using it is consistency. I know I’ve heard of users earning at least a gift card each month, and I can say that from my own experience that doesn’t sound at all unrealistic. It really is just one of the best free apps that pay you money. You can also combine Shopkick with some of the other sites and apps on this list, specifically the ones related to credit cards.

I know the saying has been around forever, but I think it’s especially true these days: time really is money, and I don’t have much extra time to take surveys, even if they do reward me with free gift cards. If you do, great! But I’ve found that it’s much easier to take advantage of ways to earn free gift cards that fit neatly into my existing lifestyle.

While things, like playing games, entering giveaways that I learn about through blogs, and browsing social media with an eye out for deals, are all really effective ways to earn free gift cards, my personal favorite is the Shopkick app. It depends on what I have going on any given week, but there are some weeks where I literally find myself heading out to the store five or six times for little things. Now with Shopkick, I can earn points each time I set foot in the aisles, points that I can later trade in for free gift cards, no surveys required. That’s definitely something that would make me hit a smiley face instead of a frowning face.

Celebrate Memorial Day with kicks!

Posted on May 24, 2018 by shopkick

When life gives you kicks, go shopping! Celebrate Memorial Day weekend with BIG kicks when you shop through the Shopkick app on LivingSocial, Kohls.com, Overstock, Groupon and more!

Thinking of heading out to stores on Monday, 5/28? Stop by T.J.Maxx and Marshalls to get BIG kicks when you walk in. Plus, earn even more when you pay with your linked card at Best Buy, Carter’s, and many more participating stores.

Happy shopkicking!

Big kicks through the app

May 25–28

25 kicks/$1

was 8 kicks

22 kicks/$1

was 7 kicks

15 kicks/$1

was 2 kicks

15 kicks/$1

was 10 kicks

11 kicks/$1

was 7 kicks

1,200 kicks

was 900 kicks

10 kicks/$1

was 3 kicks

10 kicks/$1

was 5 kicks

Big kicks in stores

May 28 only

200 kicks

2 kicks/$1*

was 1 kick/$1

6 kicks/$1

was 3 kicks/$1

6 kicks/$1

was 3 kicks/$1

6 kicks/$1

was 3 kicks/$1

6 kicks/$1

was 3 kicks/$1

10 kicks/$1

was 5 kicks/$1

200 kicks

8 kicks/$1

was 4 kicks/$1

2 kicks/$1**

was 1 kick/$1

*Scan Shopkick QR code
**You can also use your linked card at fabletics.com

Don’t have the app yet? Download here to start earning rewards for the shopping you already do!

How to earn free movie tickets for your entire crew

Posted on May 23, 2018 by shopkick

I don’t know about you, but my kids just can’t get enough of Marvel and Star Wars movies. Some days it seems like my kids are all about Captain America one minute and Kylo Ren the next. I shouldn’t complain too hard, though, because I know exactly whose fault this is—mine. I used to love superheroes and sci-fi growing up, and I couldn’t wait to share it with my kids when they got old enough.

The only hangup though is that nowadays spoilers are always a concern. Nobody wants to find out a major plot twist before actually seeing a movie. So, my kids are always insistent that we see the movies on the day they come out, and hey, if I’m being honest, I’m afraid of spoilers, too. You never know when someone’s going to drop one on Twitter! Problem is that all those first-run movie tickets get pretty expensive for the entire family. That’s why I’ve recently put my tech-savviness to the test and searched for apps and other ways to earn free movie tickets.

And you know what I’ve found? There are actually plenty of ways to do that out there! These ways are actually pretty diverse, but I’ve found a few good ones that work for me, and, as much as I’ve always loved Iron Man, there’s just something special about watching him on the big screen with the kids at a showing you got to attend with free movie tickets.

Earn Free Movie Tickets Through Theater Rewards Clubs

In doing my research online on ways to earn free movie tickets, I found that one way was through joining a theater rewards club offered by the company that runs the multiplex in your town, AMC, Cinemark, or Regal, for example. Luckily for me and my little crew of Marvel fanatics, we have one of those programs where we live that gives you discounted popcorn on Tuesdays, free tickets on your birthday, and points that let you earn free movie tickets the more you go.

So yeah, there’s really no reason not to sign up for this one. You typically just have to provide a valid email address and put up with the occasional advertisement email, which sometimes actually includes a great deal such as two-for-one tickets. You can search for your local theater online to find out if they offer this, or keep an eye out for more info next time you head out to a show.

Earn Free Movie Tickets Through Advanced Screenings

This second option is maybe not as reliable as the first one, but it can sometimes be a lot more fun. It involves being on the hunt for free advanced screenings. Theaters often do these to gauge audience reactions to films or to start generating positive word of mouth. Now, for someone like me who’s trying to take the entire crew of kids to the show, it’s tough to find one that has the number of tickets I need.

What makes it just a little bit easier though is that there are actually several reputable websites that have information about tracking down free advanced shows. Some of the sites I’ve found include Sony Screening, Gofobo, and Wild About Movies. I must say though, that they’re almost always limited to major metropolitan areas, but once in a while, they have an offer in a smaller town. Just make sure you check the sites regularly.

Earn Free Movie Tickets Through an App

The best way I found to earn free movie tickets though is with an app called Shopkick. Shopkick is what’s known as a third-party shopping app, and how it works is that it gives you points for the normal things you do while you’re out shopping. When I’m using Shopkick, I get points for stuff like making purchases, scanning the barcodes on certain items for more info, and even for just walking into the store.

Then, I can trade those points in and get paid in gift cards, including gift cards to my local theater. It’s really cool, and I’ve actually started to like shopping more because of it. Before, I used to look at shopping as a serious hassle, something I just had to do and get over with. Now, it’s a lot more like a fun scavenger hunt for points, points that I can use to earn free movie tickets for me and my crew. Basically, these days I’m turning my old annoying grocery shopping trips into superhero movies!

Put them all together, and you basically have your own Avengers team of superheroic value techniques helping you reduce the amount of money you spend on movies.

One thing I should mention before we wrap up here today is that you can actually use all three of these techniques to maximize your productivity as you earn free movie tickets. You can and should use your movie rewards program every time you go watch a film, just like you can and should use Shopkick each time you go to the store. One of the keys to making this work is consistency, sticking with these apps and using them all the time.

Put them all together, and you basically have your own Avengers team of superheroic value techniques helping you reduce the amount of money you spend on movies. At least that’s the way I look at it. But as I said, I grew up with superheroes and Star Wars and all that, so forgive me for being kind of a nerd!

Ready to start having fun with your shopping while at the same time earning free movie tickets for your entire crew? Download Shopkick for free and join a community of loyal Shopkickers who’ve already discovered how rewarding—and fun—shopping can be!

And, if you love using your smartphone to stay up on social media, join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for daily shopping inspiration.

Image courtesy Maglara

Easy money: apps that pay you to grocery shop

Posted on May 18, 2018 by shopkick

Hey everyone, I think it’s time we talk about easy money. It sounds great, right? But what does that really mean? In my own experience as a mom raising three boys and trying to keep my monthly budget tight, easy money tends to mean anything that reduces my spending. This happens through reduced prices, rebates, and—my personal favorite—apps that help you save money on purchases.

In my world, there’s no easier way to save money than by getting rewarded to do things like grocery shop, which, with three growing boys at home, has basically become a second job. If that sounds too good to be true, just wait! Today I’m here to share my three all-time favorite, easy money apps that pay you to grocery shop.

Getting Easy Money with Couponing Apps

There’s a whole category of apps—digital couponing apps—that are largely replacing those paper coupons of yore. My favorite of the bunch is SnipSnap, which lets users take pictures of printed coupons and then transforms those into digital, mobile-ready ones.

With SnipSnap, I just go over the ads that come in the mail or in the newspaper and take pictures of all the ones I want to use. I don’t have to cut them out like I did in the past, and I don’t have to jam them into my cluttered purse, where I face a risk of eventually losing them. I can also browse an online directory of coupons my friends have snipped, and I can download and use those, too. It’s a free and easy-to-use coupon experience, minus the risk of papercuts!

Superstore Savings: The Walmart Savings Catcher App

I divide my time pretty evenly between the stores where I live, including my own local grocery store, Target, and Walmart. I’ve found though, that the Walmart Savings Catcher App is a pretty great way to make sure I get the best possible price that I can at Walmart. It’s easy to use, too. All you have to do is scan your receipt after your regular trip to Walmart.

When you’re done, the app checks the prices you paid against the prices that are currently being offered by other stores in the area. If there’s an instance where you could have gotten a lower price somewhere else, Walmart gives you back that difference. Basically, remember those ads that used to say we’ll match the lowest price? What this app does is find the lowest price for you, and then it goes ahead and matches it.

The Best of the Easy Money Apps: Shopkick

Those other two apps are great, but my all-time favorite of the apps that pay you to grocery shop is Shopkick. Shopkick turns every trip down the grocery aisle into a kind of scavenger hunt for rewards points, called kicks. Scan the barcodes on certain items and get kicks. Scan your receipt after making certain purchases, get even more kicks. Sometimes, you can even collect points just for walking through the doors of certain stores! You can then trade those points in for gift cards to some of your favorite stores.

In my opinion, those gift cards are easy money. The app also has a feature that allows you to make a grocery list of everything you need before you get to the store, and when you add an item to the list it will tell you about eligible sales and rebates. It makes planning my grocery runs way easier.

In my opinion, those gift cards are easy money.

While Shopkick is my favorite of these so-called easy money apps, I should note that I really love to use all three apps at once. All three are really easy to use, and they also save me money. I use my digital couponing app to save money at the register, scan my receipts at Walmart to make sure I get the lowest prices and use Shopkick to collect points to trade in for gift cards! I guess you could say that when it comes to making easy money, apps for grocery shopping are the way to go.

Get to know one of the best easy money apps that pay you to grocery shop, as well as one of the best shopping apps period. Download Shopkick’s free app today and join a community of loyal Shopkickers who’ve already discovered how much you can earn with the help of a free shopping sidekick.

And, if you’re on social media catching up with friends, be sure to also join Shopkick on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for a little daily fun and inspiration.

Image courtesy Wavebreak Media Ltd

Mobile advertising companies: how to choose the best one

Posted on May 16, 2018 by shopkick

It seems that mobile advertising companies are everywhere. From the established offerings of Google to small start-up app developers, everyone wants to cash in on the popularity of mobile. As of January 2018, 77% of adults in the U.S. have a smartphone, making this an advertising market with massive reach and a major impact. However, the skills that mobile advertising companies offer can vary quite a bit. Finding the best mobile advertising companies is about looking for the five factors that set them apart from the rest: a strong user experience, innovative features, anti-fraud compliance, detailed analytics, and an established reputation.

Those five factors ensure a mobile advertising company has the technology, clout, and dedication to service and customer experience that a brand needs to boost sales through mobile marketing. Mobile advertising is competitive but very lucrative for the brands that manage their campaigns effectively. Brands should partner with companies that offer the features consumers demand along with the technology, experience, and reputation a brand needs to pull market share from their competitors.

Rewards:

Rewards often go hand-in-hand with a gamification strategy, as they recognize a user’s accomplishment. Consider Shopkick, which takes consumers on a digital scavenger hunt to find products and locations. When those consumers go to certain locations or interact with participating products, they receive point rewards—known as kicks—which can later be redeemed for gift cards. Such rewards are often viewed as being more valuable than their face value amount, thanks to the embedded emotional reward the consumer receives in earning the reward and again when collecting on it later.

Video:

Of all the digital advertising channels, video is the most powerful at converting passive viewers into active shoppers. In one study, it was noted that adding a video to an email marketing message increased click-through rates by as much as 300%. Using video ads in a mobile advertising campaign isn’t just an option, it’s a necessity. Consumers prefer video to both text and image-based advertising, and it’s capable of reaching active and passive audiences. When working with a mobile advertising agency, look for companies that offer video platforms.

Seeking Out Companies That Combat Ad Fraud

Any company engaging in a mobile marketing campaign needs to work with those who combat ad fraud. Ad fraud associated with pay-per-impression and pay-per-click campaigns can vary but typically uses false traffic—which appears to be coming from real users—to collect revenue from a company that has paid to display an ad. To avoid the possibility of this kind of fraud, work with a company with a proven track record of combatting ad fraud, seek out industry recognized anti-fraud credentials from respected organizations, and ensure the company you choose has policies that protect both the users of the program and the clients they partner with. To verify this, look for:

Find company leaders in the news:

Often, when a company is particularly promising, information about them is available from interviews the leadership team has completed in publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, The Business Journal, and more. Such stories are typically a good sign that the company has come up with an innovative idea or product and can give you the edge you need. Just be careful of “advertorials,” which is an article that a company has paid to have placed in a magazine. (Most are identified as such.) While the company may still have a strong base of industry knowledge, the article is not unbiased like a regular article in the business or marketing news section.

How to earn Best Buy rewards points on a budget

Posted on May 16, 2018 by shopkick

My boys are of the age where they are starting to discover things about life that make my job as a parent more complicated. That’s right, they’ve discovered the wonders of electronics and Best Buy! They are just collectively freaking out about all the new gadgets, video games, and gear they’re finding. I love to see them so passionate about innovation and tech—it’s the future after all!—but I don’t think my wallet will ever be the same.

I have, however, found some effective ways to mitigate their budding love of all things digital—specifically, the Best Buy rewards points program. The rewards program is free and easy to join using your email address, and once you’re set up, you get points for every Best Buy purchase: up to 1.25 points for every dollar you spend, depending on your membership level. Once you get 250 points, you can trade them in for a $5 Best Buy reward certificate. It doesn’t sound like much, but when you have three tech-obsessed boys at home like me, it really adds up!

By their nature, electronics can often be expensive. So, to satiate my boys and make sure my bank account doesn’t implode, I’ve had to find other ways to earn Best Buy rewards points on a budget. Not to brag, but I think I’ve come up with some good ones. That’s why today it is my pleasure to share with all of you a couple of my favorite techniques!

Maximize on Best Buy Rewards Points with Sales

The first and simplest technique—at least in my humble opinion—is to keep your eye out for sales. I know that spending $1,500 on a new TV nets you far more points than spending $500, but if you can’t afford that $1,500 TV you won’t be getting any points at all. Keeping your eyes open for great sales at Best Buy is a fantastic way to afford more electronics, which, of course, then earns you more Best Buy rewards points.

Here are some of the places I like to keep my eyes out for sales at Best Buy:

The Best Buy Ad: This sounds super old school, but each week I still like to browse the Best Buy ad that comes in the Sunday paper. My family still gets one of those—what can I say, I’m traditional like that—but even if you don’t get the paper, you can easily browse the ad on Best Buy’s website, taking in all the great sale prices they have to offer.
The Best Buy Go Mobile App: The Best Buy Go Mobile app does a great job of serving as a resource for the store’s sales. With it, you can browse Best Buy’s daily deals, the aforementioned weekly ad, clearance sales, and even open-box discounts. That way you know what kind of great sale price you’re getting before you even head out to the store.
Social Media: If you keep your eyes on Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit, you can also find many users who love to share info and tips on Best Buy sales, both for purchases in your area as well as online. We’re all in this together, so why not use some communication?

Double Up On Best Buy Rewards Points With a Shopping App

I think the most effective way I’ve found to earn Best Buy rewards points is by using a third-party shopping rewards app like Shopkick. The app awards you points for certain behaviors you do while you’re shopping, things like scanning the barcodes on products to get more info, scanning your receipts after you’ve made purchases, and—my personal favorite—just for walking into the store! You can then trade those Shopkick points in for Best Buy gift cards (or gift cards to many of your other favorite stores), making them as good as cash back.

Let’s face it, technology is an integral part of our daily lives, but it’s also still pretty expensive, especially for those of us with kids.

The best part of all of this is that you can combine Shopkick with the Best Buy rewards program which essentially doubles your earnings! Oh, and you can also use Shopkick online. It’s really comprehensive and easy to use, which is why I can’t recommend it enough.

Let’s face it, technology is an integral part of our daily lives, but it’s also still pretty expensive, especially for those of us with kids. Fortunately, by monitoring sales and also using my favorite rewards app, Shopkick, I’ve been able to find great ways to make the most of sales, rack up Best Buy rewards points, and earn gift cards with all my purchases. At least technology, and apps like Shopkick, can help turn our trips to Best Buy into extra savings. What a wonderful time to be a shopper!

Looking for the perfect app that will help you earn Best Buy rewards points on a budget? Download Shopkick for free, give it a whirl, and join a community of Shopkickers who love the rewards of shopping with us!

Or join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and check in every day on your phone, no matter where you are, to learn about the hottest, newest deals.

Image courtesy Jonathan Weiss

Get a move on: the best apps that pay you to walk

Posted on May 14, 2018 by shopkick

I take a lot of evening walks. I just love to stretch my legs, get some fresh air, and see my town at a slower pace. It’s easy to miss out on things when you’re zooming by, running errands. Then a funny thing happened on one of these walks: A friend pulled up and asked if I needed a ride. She couldn’t believe I was walking for fun!

Once I explained why I was walking, she also decided to get on board. Now, a whole group of us get together and walk around town. Recently, one of the girls remarked that it would be even better if we could make our walks more productive, maybe by becoming professional walkers who make money for their walking skills. After a good laugh, I fessed up and told her that I actually know of apps that pay you to walk!

I was surprised to find out that not one of all the ladies in our walking crew had ever heard of these apps. Especially since I’ve been using them with great success (#humblebrag) for some time. That got me thinking: how many others have never heard of apps that pay you to walk? So, because I love to walk, and I love to make some extra money, too, I thought it time to share my favorite apps that pay you to walk!

Step Up for Cash: The Best Apps that Pay You to Walk

Gigwalk

The area where my walking crew and I live is a mix of suburbs and city. The community is mostly walkable, with a few areas where, if you plan well, you can pass little shops, bigger stores, cafes, coffee shops, and restaurants. Still, it’s not so hectic and filled with traffic that you’re overwhelmed. This makes it ideal for Gigwalk.

Gigwalk is free to download, although be warned: for it to pay you, you do have to foot the bill for some small PayPal fees. The way it works is by providing you with a map of your area with participating stores and restaurants (or “gigs”) represented by a red pin. Click on the pin and a set of instructions pops up, something like: “go to [a specific location] and photograph [a specific item] with your phone.” As you walk, the map updates with additional gigs. For each one you complete you get paid!

In general, I’ve found that gigs only take a few minutes to complete and often pay less than $10, although demanding gigs can pay up to $100! The more gigs you complete, the more money you make obviously. Within a week of completing each task, you get paid via PayPal. Add Gigwalk to your daily stroll and you might not even notice you’re working!

Charity Miles

This next one doesn’t pay you directly. Instead, it donates to a charity of your choice. Charity Miles benefits more than 30 charities and organizations, including Stand Up To Cancer, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Special Olympics, and Habitat for Humanity.

When you’re out walking, the app uses motion detection within your smartphone to measure your total distance. It banks up to $.25 per mile you walk, or $.10 per mile when you bike if that’s more your thing. Then, Charity Miles’ corporate partners—companies like MasterCard, Kenneth Cole, and Humana—make the donation to your chosen charity. It’s walking with a cause—and it makes an already refreshing hobby even better!

Shopkick

Of the apps that pay you to walk, this one is my favorite. Shopkick and is a perfect choice for walkers, like me, who like to combine their favorite hobby with quick trips to the store. How it works is that Shopkick gives you points—known as kicks—for doing things you already do when you go shopping, like scanning barcodes on certain products for more information, scanning your receipt after you’ve made a purchase, and—ding ding ding!—just for walking into featured stores. You can then trade those points in for gift cards to participating stores.

One of my favorite things about Shopkick is that it makes my nightly walk even more fun by turning it into a sort of scavenger hunt for points. As my ladies and I are walking, we just pay attention to the alerts Shopkick sends us about nearby stores. Sometimes we duck in and score some points that way. Other times we plan ahead and do our shopping, too. We share tips about places where we’ve found the most kicks and just generally have a good time. I can’t recommend it enough!

One of my favorite things about Shopkick is that it makes my nightly walk even more fun by turning it into a sort of scavenger hunt for points.

So, there you have it: my personal list of the best apps that pay you to walk. I suggest integrating walks into your daily schedule because they’re a peaceful way to get some exercise and see the community where you live. I also suggest using one (or all) of these apps, because if there’s one thing I think you’ll enjoy more than walking, it’s getting paid to do it!

Get to know one of the best apps that pays you to walk. Download Shopkick today and join a community of loyal Shopkickers who’ve already discovered how much you can earn with the help of a free shopping sidekick.

And, if you’re on social media catching up with friends, be sure to also join Shopkick on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for a little daily fun and inspiration.

Image courtesy maridav

7 budget-boosting apps that give you free stuff

Posted on May 11, 2018 by shopkick

As I’m fond of mentioning, I’m the mother of three beautiful boys who tend to like little boy stuff. They absolutely love Star Wars, video games, and Marvel movies. They’re also kids, so they don’t always have the best grip on reality. For example, my youngest recently asked me what it would be like to meet Iron Man, and if he could invite The Hulk to his birthday party. It was adorable, and it also got me thinking about what kind of fictional character I would want to meet.

I thought about Princess Leia since I idolized her when I was a kid, and about Marge Simpson since her calm amid all the other Simpsons’ craziness has been an inspiration for me as a mom. But, I actually think that the fictional character I’d most like to meet is one of my own creation: the Budget Fairy. She’s like the Good Witch from The Wizard of Oz, except she visits me when I have my budget spreadsheet open and shows me really cool new ways to save money. I know, I know, it’s a fantasy.

Actually, I’ve kind of turned myself into the Budget Fairy in a way, mostly because I’ve discovered so many apps that earn me cash back and gift cards and other freebies. So now, like the Budget Fairy herself, I’m going to share some magic with those in need: a list of the seven best budget-boosting apps that give you free stuff. Most help you earn free gift cards or extra cash, but some are useful in other ways, too. Overall, with a little work—and using your favorite device—you may become your own Budget Fairy!

Free Stuff Times

There may be plenty of deals online to get free stuff, but when you’re busy raising three boys, you don’t have the time (or energy) to scope out all those deals. That’s where the Free Stuff Times app comes in handy. It’s essentially an aggregate site for finding free stuff on the Internet!

Many of the other budget-boosting apps that give you free stuff on my list work with a sort of points-and-rewards system, meaning they ask you to do a small task and in return, you receive points that you can later trade for rewards. The Free Stuff Times app, however, serves as a directory for ways to get free stuff. It contains things like digital coupons or a link to a list of ebooks that are free to download. Essentially, it’s an online newspaper filled with connections to ways to save. Or, as the name implies, ways to get free stuff! The app also allows you to set up push notifications which help ensure you don’t miss out on offers.

Checkout51

One of the most reliable ways to get free stuff and become your own Budget Fairy may be to clip paper coupons, but it feels so antiquated! Thankfully, the idea of coupons has been translated into digital apps like Checkout51, which solves the hassles of carrying around pocketbooks stuffed with coupons.

Checkout51 lists items you can buy at the store, and it also gives you digital coupons for those items. After purchasing of an eligible item, you simply scan your receipt and Checkout51 banks the difference between the full price and the discounted one for you. It might be a few cents on mouthwash here or a nickel for chips there, but it adds up, and eventually, you can get that money back through PayPal or gift cards to some of your favorite stores.

Scratchy

When I was a kid, my uncle would give me a stack of scratch-off lottery tickets and a quarter to go wild with every year for my birthday. I never won any big prizes, but I always had a ton of fun scratching off the silver paint. Well, it takes a bit of patience and luck, but Scratchy is sort of the digital version of that.

I generally spend a few minutes on Scratchy each morning. First I choose which brands or stores I want to win a prize from, then I scratch off a digital ticket in hopes of revealing three matching logos, in which case I get a prize. Scratchy has levels to advance through, and the more time you spend playing, the higher the level you’ll reach and the better the prizes. I once won a $50 gift card to Amazon. That was a lucky day!

Fronto

Turns out you can now use your boring old smartphone lock screen to earn free gift cards, thanks to Fronto. All you have to do is swap out whatever photo is on your lock screen for news and ads that are selected by Fronto. Every time you view one of these ads, Fronto gives you points. Sometimes, it even asks you an interactive question that allows you to earn even more points. Once you’ve earned $10 worth of points, you can exchange them for gift cards. One word of advice: Fronto can seriously drain your data plan and battery life, so make sure you have data to spare and your charger in hand before you start using it in earnest!

Claim it!

Like Scratchy, this app requires a bit of patience and a lot of luck. It’s called Claim it! and it’s basically an entire social media network made up of free stuff! Individuals give away free stuff on Claim it!, and so do local stores.

The interface is super simple to use. Each week the app lists sweepstakes you can enter, and you throw your hat in the ring by simply clicking a button that says Claim it! For the data nerds out there, it also lets you know your chances of winning, how many other people have entered, and the value of each item. Just be aware that the more valuable an item is, the lower your chances of winning. For example, I found I had a 100% chance of winning a free yogurt at my local grocery, but a less than 1% chance of snagging a fancy pair of noise-canceling headphones.

Viggle

When I have a chance to unwind, I usually spend it binge-watching shows or streaming music. I’ve always been a big fan of streaming media as it makes it so easy to access entertainment you might not have found otherwise. As it turns out there’s also an app that gives you free stuff for all the media streaming you do, and it’s called Viggle.

Viggle is an app on your phone that listens for music and TV shows, and then gives you points for all the shows and songs it’s able to identify. You can then convert those points into gift cards or cash. It does, however, tend to take a long time to accumulate enough points to cash out. For example, listening to a Drake song might earn you just two of the 20,000 Viggle points required for a $20 gift card. Then again, if you’re streaming regularly like I am, that might not be a big issue.

Shopkick

Shopkick is kind of magic itself, in that it turns every trip to the store into a super fun scavenger hunt for points, which they call kicks. It’s super easy to use, and all the tasks users do for kicks are ones you do whenever you shop, anyway. Simply put, Shopkick is a free app that pays you to shop. How it works is that basically, you download the app, then walk into one of the many featured partner stores—and earn kicks. Scan featured item barcodes, get kicks. Buy a featured item, get more kicks! You can even shop from your sofa using the app, and you still get kicks! Once you’ve earned enough kicks, you can trade them in for free gift cards to a super wide range of stores.

One of my favorite things about Shopkick is how I barely have to go out of my way for free stuff. And, you can combine Shopkick with other shopping rewards apps—including many of the ones listed here—to double up on rewards! For example, Shopkick works really well with Checkout51.

Not only is Shopkick easy and fun to use, it also has a great social media community full of other Shopkickers who love to share tips about everything from deals to ways to maximize the number of kicks you can earn. It’s a small thing, but it makes a BIG difference.

Let’s cap our list today at seven because it’s such a lucky number, and some of our apps—Claim it! and Scratchy—have luck as a main component. I love all the apps on this list, but if I were to pick a favorite, it would definitely be Shopkick. Maybe it’s because I have three hungry, growing boys and seem to be at the store all the time, but having a fun way to hunt down and redeem points (which also ease my budget) is invaluable. The Budget Fairy couldn’t have crafted a more effective way for me to save!

Celebrate in style with kicks from ASOS, HSN, and Lane Bryant

Posted on May 10, 2018 by shopkick

It’s time to freshen up your closet with new offerings in apparel. Now earn kicks from ASOS, HSN, and Lane Bryant with Shopkick!

New online stores have bloomed

Check out three new places to earn kicks online through the Shopkick app. Snag cutting-edge fashion on ASOS, discover hundreds of brands online on HSN, and find the latest looks for all women on Lane Bryant, all while earning kicks for your purchases. What’s not to love about getting rewarded for being fashionable?

ASOS – 4 kicks per $1

ASOS has made a name for itself as a global fashion destination, offering hot styles for men and women. ASOS offers hip clothing for all, including petite, tall, curvy, and maternity sizes. Shop men’s trends, women’s dresses, and much more while earning rewards along the way.

HSN – 4 kicks per $1

The Home Shopping Network gets a makeover as online shopping mecca HSN! From on-air to online, HSN makes shopping easy and fun. Shop their impressive online assortment of exclusive products and top brand names from the comfort of your own home through the Shopkick app.

Lane Bryant – 9 kicks per $1

Lane Bryant is perhaps the most recognized name in plus-size clothing. Though they specialize in sizes 14-28, it’s their emphasis on fashion and fit, regardless of size, that makes them a style leader. Shop through the Shopkick app for the latest looks for women of all shapes and builds!

Happy shopkicking!

How it works

Shopkick rewards you for the shopping you already do. There are many easy ways to earn reward points (we call them kicks). Redeem your kicks for free gift cards and enjoy. It’s that easy! With a wide selection of gift cards available from Starbucks to Target, Sephora to Amazon, you can be sure to find the perfect gift card to treat yourself.

Don’t have Shopkick yet? Download it now and to start earning rewards today!

Shopkick Survey: What’s Keeping Mom Up at Night?

Posted on May 9, 2018 by shopkick

With Mother’s Day around the corner, we asked Shopkick moms what’s most on their minds this year.

In a survey of over 5,600 moms across the country ranging from ages 18-71, we uncovered how moms feel about raising children in light of some of today’s news. From Millennials to the Silent Generation, from Californians to Floridians, find out how moms are engaging their children in dialogues about what’s happening in the world below!

On Mom’s Mind

Biggest Concerns: Physical safety for their children is the #1 concern for moms today (30%), followed closely by financial security (26%), according to survey results. For single moms, specifically, financial security (33%) is the predominant concern, while physical safety remains a close second (30%).
Fostering Conversations: 75% of moms are engaging their children in conversations about such current events, with school safety as the #1 topic of discussion (37% of moms engaging). Racial equality (25%) comes in second, followed by gender equality (11%), and presidential politics (8%).
Generational Differences: The up-and-coming generation of mothers in Gen Z are most concerned with financial security (38%), and the most likely to discuss gender equality with their children (17%). Millennial moms place nearly equal emphasis on discussing school safety and race equality (31% and 30% respectively). Moms that fall into the Silent Generation spend the most time of all age groups discussing presidential politics (25%) and racial equality with their children (38%).
Across the Country*: New York moms are the most likely (80%) to engage in conversations with their kids about the outlined issues (money, physical safety, online behavior and privacy, health and bullying), topping Florida (78%), California (76%), Illinois (75%) and Texas (73%).* Moms in Illinois spend the most time discussing and teaching their children about school safety (44%).

Shopping Values

Shopping Their Values: When it comes to managing household finances, the overwhelming majority of moms (78%) state they shop their values and are impacted by a brand’s ethics when considering where and what to purchase. However, only 25% of moms change where or how they spend based on their political beliefs.
Different Generations: Silent Generation and Gen Z moms are more likely to adjust their shopping habits based on their political beliefs (35% versus 25% of moms in the middle generations).
State by State*: Floridians are the most likely (80%) to match their shopping habits with their values and to be impacted by brand ethics. Moms in Illinois are second only to those in California in their likelihood to change where and how they spend their money based on political beliefs (28% and 31% respectively).

Shopkick conducted a survey of over 5,600 users who self-identified as mothers to uncover the issues of most concern and their shopping decisions. Shopkick classifies age groups as: Silent Generation (over 71), Baby Boomer (54-71), Generation X (42-53), Xennial (33-41), Millennial (20-32), and Generation Z (under 20). The survey was conducted between April 6 and 12, 2018.

*Based on the top 5 states (California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois) in terms of volume of respondents.

Highest Paying Apps for Android #1: App Trailers

Highest Paying Apps for Android #2: Make Money Earn Free Cash

Highest Paying Apps for Android #3: Shopkick

Apps that Pay You Real Money #1: Gigwalk

Apps that Pay You Real Money #2: Field Agent

Apps that Pay You Real Money #3: Shopkick

5 Ways to Earn Totally Free Gift Cards, No Surveys Required

Play Games to Earn Free Gift Cards, No Surveys Required

Enter Giveaways to Earn Free Gift Cards, No Surveys Required

Use Credit Cards to Earn Free Gift Cards, No Surveys Required

Browse Social Media to Earn Free Gift Cards, No Surveys Required

Shop to Earn Free Gift Cards, No Surveys Required

Big kicks through the app

May 25–28

Big kicks in stores

May 28 only

Earn Free Movie Tickets Through Theater Rewards Clubs

Earn Free Movie Tickets Through Advanced Screenings

Earn Free Movie Tickets Through an App

Getting Easy Money with Couponing Apps

Superstore Savings: The Walmart Savings Catcher App

The Best of the Easy Money Apps: Shopkick

Mobile advertising companies: how to choose the best one

Giving Customers What They Want With a Strong User Experience

Gamification:

Rewards:

Video:

Adding Advanced Tech to Gain Consumer Awareness

Geotracking:

Augmented Reality:

Voice-based Assistants:

Mobile Pay:

Seeking Out Companies That Combat Ad Fraud

Partnerships with the Trustworthy Accountability Group:

Audits from the Media Rating Council:

Clear User Terms:

Gaining Detailed Analytics Through Mobile Marketing Moments

Incremental Sales ROI:

New Customer Acquisitions:

Ad Impressions and Completed Views:

In-store Product Engagement:

Vetting the Reputation of Mobile Advertising Companies

Look for testimonials and case studies:

Seek out online reviews:

Find company leaders in the news:

Maximize on Best Buy Rewards Points with Sales

Double Up On Best Buy Rewards Points With a Shopping App

Step Up for Cash: The Best Apps that Pay You to Walk

7 budget-boosting apps that give you free stuff

Budget-Boosting Apps That Give You Free Stuff

Free Stuff Times

Checkout51

Scratchy

Fronto

Claim it!

Viggle

Shopkick

New online stores have bloomed

ASOS – 4 kicks per $1

HSN – 4 kicks per $1

Lane Bryant – 9 kicks per $1

How it works