Skip to content

Category: Relaunch

8 Ways to Save Money While Shopping With the Girls

Posted on by shopkick
In my experience, there are two kinds of shopping trips: the fun, carefree kind where spending isn’t top of mind, and the strategic kind where you’re all about value and stretching your budget. I’ve done plenty of both — and these days, I’m all about saving while still enjoying the moment (especially when I’m out with my girls).

Over time, I’ve discovered a set of go-to tips that help me save more and shop smarter — without sacrificing any of the fun. Whether we’re hitting up Target, the mall, or grabbing Starbucks between stores, these tricks have made all the difference. Here are eight ways to save money while shopping with your crew:

1. Make a List and Stick to It

Impulse buys happen — unless you go in with a plan. Before heading out, jot down what you actually need. Using a list (even in an app!) helps keep your shopping focused and budget-friendly. It also gives you more room to splurge on the things that matter most.

2. Earn Rewards on Grocery Trips

Let’s be honest: grocery runs aren’t always the most exciting. But when you use shopping rewards apps, you can earn points (or even cash) for your everyday purchases — and then use those rewards on more fun shopping trips with your friends.

3. Save on Coffee Stops

My Starbucks habit is real — so finding ways to save on it is a must. From loyalty programs to credit card perks and shopping apps that offer gift cards, there are plenty of ways to earn your next cup for free. More energy = more shopping.

4. Set a Spending Limit

It may sound basic, but having a budget in mind before you head out is powerful. My friends and I talk about our limits ahead of time and help each other stick to them. It’s fun to shop — and even better when you leave the store with no regrets.

5. Watch Videos and Earn Rewards

There are apps that reward you just for watching short videos — yes, really. I squeeze them in while waiting in line, eating breakfast, or winding down at night. It might not seem like much at first, but it adds up fast.

6. Use Coupon Apps

Gone are the days of digging through your purse for paper coupons. Today’s coupon apps make saving simple with digital discounts you can apply right at checkout. Just open the app, scan, and save.

7. Join Loyalty Programs

If you’re shopping at the same stores often — like Target, Walmart, Starbucks, or Best Buy — make sure you’re signed up for their rewards programs. They’re free, easy to use, and help you earn savings just for doing what you already do.

8. Use Shopkick (My Favorite!)

Of all the apps I’ve tried, Shopkick is my absolute favorite. It rewards you for things you already do: walking into stores, scanning items, watching videos, and making purchases. You can even earn kicks (Shopkick’s points) from home, like during your morning coffee or while lounging on the couch.

I love that I can use it both in-store and online at retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and more — and trade in those kicks for gift cards. My whole shopping crew uses it now, and it makes our girls’ days out that much more fun and rewarding.

Ready to Save Together?
If you’re looking to stretch your shopping budget without cutting back on the fun, these tips are a great place to start. And if you haven’t already, download the free Shopkick app and join a community of smart, savvy shoppers. You’ll earn rewards for shopping the way you already do — just with a little more strategy (and a lot more savings).

And for even more inspiration, follow Shopkick on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

How to Earn Kicks: 16 Tips for Shopkick Success

Posted on by shopkick

I’m a Shopkick master, everyone knows that. I mean, it’s nothing for me to earn a gift card a month, which I promptly spend on splurges at Starbucks or combine with all my Walmart Savings Catcher deals for extra savings. Right now, I’m saving up for a Best Buy gift card for a special someone.

how to earn kicks on ShopkickBut, it recently came to my attention that while almost everyone knows how Shopkick works (you shop! you get kicks! you redeem for gift cards!) not everyone really knows how to earn kicks on Shopkick the right way. So, I thought, “Let’s fix that!” Here are some things every Shopkicker should be doing, how to follow the Shopkick rules—and some tips for getting the most out of the very best shopping app, Shopkick.

How to Earn Kicks: The Nitty Gritty

Obviously, you’ve already downloaded the Shopkick app and set up your profile. Once you’ve done that, everything else kind of runs itself. Still, there are some things you can master to get the most kicks possible:

  • Turn on notifications and Bluetooth: Do this so that you never miss an opportunity, like a great sale or a chance for extra points. The app will also let you know if you’re about to walk past a store that’s got a deal for extra kicks.
  • Open the app at least once a week: New places to get kicks come up all the time. Plus, kick amounts increase often and products change frequently.
  • Stay up-to-date: Be sure to update the app whenever there’s a new release to make sure you always have the latest, greatest working version of Shopkick.

How to Earn Kicks in-Store

So, you’re up-to-date and your Bluetooth is turned on. It’s time to start earning kicks … for everything you do. Challenge yourself to do these four things the next time you go shopping and watch the kicks start rolling in:

  • Walk into a store: Many stores give kicks just for walking through the door! Just remember to have the app open and Bluetooth turned on.
  • Scan products: Get kicks!
  • Buy products and upload a receipt: Get kicks!
  • Link your credit card and make a purchase: Get kicks!

How to Earn Kicks from the App

Sometimes, I’m too lazy to go out. At those times, I like to earn kicks while shopping in my jammies. From my phone. And, hey, Shopkick is the best mobile shopping app, after all. When I open the Shopkick app, I:

  • Watch a video: Learn more about products—and get kicks!
  • Find an instant surprise: Go on a treasure hunt to find instant surprises. These are located under the Discover tab.
  • Make an online purchase: This is self-explanatory, but here’s an added tip: Sometimes I go to my favorite online shops on my desktop to load up my cart. Then, I open up my Shopkick app and navigate to that store and buy everything in my cart—and get kicks!
  • Invite friends: You can earn free kicks whenever someone you invite to Shopkick downloads the app and starts using it.

How to Earn Kicks on the Web

So, as I mentioned, sometimes I prefer to shop online, then buy everything from my handy-dandy Shopkick app. Other times, though, I like to earn rewards for shopping on the web. Here’s how:

  • Open a browser on your computer: Go to www.shopkick.com and login using the same credentials as you do to log into the app on your mobile phone.
    See unique stores like Macy’s and Sephora where you can earn kicks for online purchases.

How to Earn Kicks on Shopkick the Right Way

As it turns out, some people like to try to break the rules. Nobody likes a cheater, so here’s how to play fair and not get banned:

  • Scan in-store only: For scans, make sure you are in the store when you attempt to scan a product and that you scan the actual physical item. Remember, the companies paying for all those amazing free gift cards you get with your kicks—retailers like T.J.Maxx and Marshalls and brands like Lego and Tylenol—love to be on Shopkick because it helps them connect with their customers in a fast, fun, easy way. They reward Shopkick for helping them, and Shopkick passes those rewards on to all you awesome Shopkickers. It’s a win-win-win for everyone, but it only works if you’re physically interacting with products in the store.
    Also, don’t fall into any traps or “creative shortcuts” that may have you breaking the rules; Shopkick’s technology detects when rules are being broken. Yikes!

It’s a win-win-win for everyone, but it only works if you’re physically interacting with products in the store.

  • Be unique: Another way people get in trouble is by having more than one Shopkick account on their phone. If someone pretends to be multiple people—by signing up for multiple Shopkick accounts—that raises serious red flags. To protect the members of the Shopkicking community who are playing fair and who want to keep getting gift cards, Shopkick asks rule-breakers to leave (which they hate to do!)
  • Keep your mobile number to yourself: Don’t share your number with someone else. No one else should be logging into your account from their phone. It looks suspicious,  like one person is trying to pretend to be many people.
  • Invite—and shop with—friends: Help your BFFs get Shopkicking! An easy and fun way to keep racking up the kicks is to Shopkick with others. I personally love to head out with my friends. I hear all the time how Shopkickers like to Shopkick with their sisters, mothers, daughters, husbands, wives, etc. They use it as a way to get their steps—and kicks—in on evenings or days off. Both you and your friends will get extra kicks after they earn their first kicks in-store within seven days of accepting your invitation. Why not go with them on their first Shopkicking adventure and show them the ropes?

So, that’s it my Shopkicking friends—my best advice on how to earn kicks on Shopkick so you can rack up the points! If you have any other ideas, I’d love to hear them.

If you’re as social media savvy as you are shopping savvy, join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for daily shopping fun.

Image courtesy Zinkevych

5 Ways to Save Money Before the Holidays

Posted on by shopkick

Believe it or not, we’ve officially made it to mid-December — and if it feels like the month is flying by, you’re not alone. Hanukkah is well underway, and Christmas is just around the corner. With holiday to-do lists growing by the minute, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed — especially when it comes to staying on budget.

If you’re still checking off gifts or prepping for celebrations, don’t worry — it’s not too late to save! Here are five simple ways to keep your spending in check while still embracing the season.

1. Watch for Last-Minute Sales

Retailers (big and small!) are still rolling out daily deals as they aim to hit their end-of-year goals. Flash sales — especially on clothing and accessories — can change quickly, so it pays to stay alert. Keep an eye on your inbox if you’re signed up for brand emails, or check your favorite store’s website regularly. The sale you’ve been waiting for could drop any day!

2. Redeem Your Kicks

When’s the last time you checked your Shopkick balance? If it’s been a while, now’s the time. Redeem your kicks for gift cards to help cover the cost of those final items on your list. Whether it’s a toy, tech, or last-minute stocking stuffer, using kicks to shave down your total feels like a holiday win.

3. Stick to Your List

Extra store runs are par for the course in December — but they’re also where unplanned spending sneaks in. Before you head out, make a list of what you truly need and commit to sticking with it. If something unexpected catches your eye, pause and decide: is it worth editing your list, or will it blow your budget?

4. Shop Online + Pick Up In-Store

This hybrid method has become a holiday hero. You still earn kicks, you avoid shipping costs, and you dramatically reduce impulse buys by only shopping from your pre-planned list. Plus, many retailers offer same-day pickup — and it’s a great way to avoid crowds and stay socially distant. It’s efficient, cost-effective, and safer.

5. Go Homemade

When it comes to heartfelt gifts, DIY almost always wins. Whether it’s a batch of cookies, a framed photo, a handmade ornament, or a home-cooked meal, these gifts are thoughtful, personal, and budget-friendly. Best of all, they show your loved ones how much you care — without maxing out your wallet.

What are your go-to ways to save this season?
Share your best tips and ideas with our community on Facebook — we’d love to hear how you’re making the most of the holidays, your way.

8 Summer Fruits, Vegetables, and Meals to Grill

Posted on by shopkick

Grilling is among our favorite summer activities, and it always serves as a wonderful opportunity to add new flavor to well-enjoyed recipes. We’re all drawn to grilling classics, like hamburgers, hotdogs, and kebabs, but what about fruit, vegetables, and even Italian and Mexican staples? Today, we thought we would highlight eight foods you can grill that may not have crossed your mind yet. Let’s dive in! 

1. Avocados:

Everything is better with avocado, right? And, we can confirm it takes as incredible as you might imagine grilled! Consider adding grilled avocado to dishes like classic salads, like egg salad or chicken salad, and mix it into guacamole (as always!). The key is to allow it to cool before mixing it into planned dishes.

How to Grill: Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and keep the skin. Brush with oil, and grill for 2-3 minutes on each side, according to Real Simple.  

2. Carrots:

Cooked carrots are a go-to for many family meals because they’re healthy and filled with flavor. To mix up this classic mealtime staple, try grilling it! The flavors come alive even more.

How to Grill: For best results, you may want to grill your carrots in a pan, according to The Spruce Eats. They cook for 10-12 minutes, and you will want to adjust the heat of the grill while you cook. Try this recipe, which adds salt and pepper, rosemary, olive oil, and thyme! 

3. Peaches:

Peaches are delicious no matter how you serve them, and we’ve found one of the best ways to enjoy them is grilled. Plan to eat grilled peaches how you normally would – by themselves, in cocktails, and as part of desserts.

How to Grill: The Kitchn shared their method and best tips for grilling peaches. In short, they’re ready to enjoy after 8-10 minutes on the grill!

4. Pizza:

Pizza tastes delicious after being cooking in a wood-fired oven, and we can confirm cooking on the grill creates a similar result! Create a new spin on pizza night when you prep your dough, add your sauce, cheese, and toppings and cook your pizza on the grill instead of in the oven.

How to Grill: Tasty shared a great grilled pizza recipe that you will be able to enjoy in under 30 minutes! Feel free to purchase prepared dough if you don’t want to make your own. Then add olive oil, sauce, cheese, and basil to complete the recipe!

5. Watermelon:

Did you know you can grill watermelon? It’s possible! Plan to add it to classic salads, like watermelon feta salad, or enjoy it for dessert with ice cream. According to Real Simple, adding salt to grilled watermelon is perfect for savory meals, while adding lime juice makes it taste even sweeter for a dessert treat.

How to Grill: The Kitchn knows how to grill fruit, Shopkickers! In addition to their grilled peaches recipe, they also shared a recipe for grilled watermelon. Plan to enjoy watermelon from the grill in 4-6 minutes, and make sure to cut your watermelon into wedges for the best results.

6. Lettuce:

Summer salads are a menu staple, and grilled lettuce offers new flavors to classic salads, like Caesar! We think you will enjoy the flavor added by the grill.

How to Grill: For the best results, plan to grill romaine lettuce. Lightly season with salt and pepper and add a touch of oil before grilling on each side for 2-3 minutes.

7. Pineapple:

If you have yet to taste grilled pineapple, add it to your grilling menu as soon as possible! The sweet fruit is a delight when grilled, and pineapple tastes as wonderful as a side dish to the rest of a grilled meal as it does when added to desserts.

How to Grill: Simply place pineapple on the grill and heat for 2-3 minutes, flipping the sides every so often. It’s truly that easy!

8. Quesadillas:

Similar to pizza, quesadillas taste excellent when they’re cooked on the grill rather than in an oven or on the stove!

How to Grill: The key to a great grilled quesadilla is the flip – you’ll want to cook your tortilla on both sides to make sure it’s evenly crispy and the cheese (and any additional ingredients!) are fully melted and mixed together. If you’re looking for a complete grilled quesadilla recipe, try this grilled chicken option from Delish!

Which recipe, fruit, or vegetable will you try grilling first? Let us know on Facebook!

Use one shopping app to make money at your favorite stores

Posted on by shopkick

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.

Learn how to spend less money as a student in college with shopping apps

Posted on by shopkick

People always say college is a learning experience that goes way beyond lectures and textbooks. And they’re right — I’ve learned how to manage my time, take care of myself, and most recently, how to spend less money as a student.

When you’re responsible for buying all your own essentials, that weekly grocery bill (or dorm décor haul) can sneak up on you. And while I still love surprise care packages from my mom, I know I can’t count on them forever.

So, if you’re also trying to stretch your student budget without sacrificing everything fun, here’s one of my favorite tricks — and it all starts with your phone.

Download a Shopping Rewards App

There are tons of ways to spend less as a college student — stay in more, eat out less, volunteer, live off ramen (we’ve all been there). But even with all that, I found myself going over budget at the store. That’s when I discovered the magic of shopping rewards apps.

The best ones work at a variety of stores, are easy to use, and actually fun (unlike Chem 101). They should fit into your normal routine so that saving doesn’t feel like a chore.

Why I Use Shopkick

After trying a few apps, Shopkick became my go-to. Here’s why:

  • You earn points (called kicks) for everyday shopping behaviors — like walking into stores, scanning items, or making purchases.

  • You can also earn kicks online by visiting websites, watching videos, or shopping through eReceipts.

  • It works for both in-person and online shopping, so it fits into my busy schedule.

Using Shopkick seriously feels like turning every errand into a mini scavenger hunt — which makes it way more enjoyable than just picking up toothpaste and cereal.

Turn Kicks Into Gift Cards

Here’s where the real savings come in: once you collect enough kicks, you can redeem them for gift cards to major stores like Target, Walmart, and Amazon. That means you can get your dorm supplies, snacks, or next go-to hoodie without dipping into your bank account.

Spend Less, Stress Less

Shopkick has made a big difference in how I manage money as a student. It’s rewarding (literally), fun to use, and a smart way to make your budget go further. I even find myself looking forward to shopping, which is a big shift from seeing it as just another expense.

So, consider this your cram session on how to spend less in college. You might not remember every detail, but if you remember one thing, make it this: Shopkick is your new budget-friendly bestie.

Download the app today and start earning your kicks — because being a student is expensive enough.