I love to save money when I shop! I get an even bigger kick when I make money shopping.
Yes, you heard me correctly; you can earn money shopping!
With advances in technology, retail competition has become increasingly fierce. To such an extent, companies and brands are becoming increasingly creative in how they reach and acquire new customers. Instead of spending marketing dollars on traditional advertising methods, many brands are reaching out to consumers in unique ways. With these methods, you can earn a little extra income to help pay for bills, buy extras, or even save for a dream vacation.
Of course, there are other ways to earn money shopping that can earn you a nice chunk of change, including mystery shopping, using an on-demand app to complete people’s grocery shopping, or even starting your own personal shopping business.
If you want to get paid to shop, keep reading for all the fun ways to get started.
1. Capital One Shopping
If you like to shop online, you need to download the Capital One Shopping browser! This program is entirely free, and you don’t need to be a Capital One Bank member to participate.
Just sign up here for an account, and then download the browser extension to your device. Then, shop online like you usually do. Capital One Shopping will automatically notify you of deals, promotions, and cash back rewards at participating retailers.
The cashback that you earn can be used to purchase gift cards from popular retailers and establishments like DoorDash, Macy’s, Lowe’s, Sephora, Old Navy, and many more. Since I’ve been using Capital One Shopping, I’ve saved $652, and I’ve earned $228 in free gift cards!
2. Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards is a smartphone app that allows you to earn rewards for your online and in-person shopping activities. After you’ve gone shopping, scan your receipts into the app. For each one you submit, you’ll earn a varying number of points that can be redeemed for sweepstake entries, gift cards from places like Starbucks, CVS, eBay, and others, or cash via a Visa prepaid card, or you may take your earnings and make a charitable donation. You can also earn additional points by connecting your email and Amazon accounts, playing games, and referring friends to the app.
You’ll need a minimum of 3,000 to 7,000 points to earn a $3 to $5 value gift card or donation. Since I’ve been using Fetch Rewards, I’ve earned 164,843 points, equivalent to approximately $145 in extra money.
3. Get Cashback from Your Credit Card
A word of caution here. You should ONLY use this method if you can pay off your credit card balance each month. If you’re unable to do that, DO NOT use this method, as you’ll accumulate costly debt with interest.
Every month, I use my credit card to purchase everything—from groceries and insurance to our cell phone bills, doctor bills, and everything in between. For every dollar spent, I earn 1 point, and it takes 100 points to equal $1. While this doesn’t seem like a lot of money, it can be quite the payday when you put everything on your credit card, and you only cash out a couple of times a year.
Depending on which credit card you have, they may have periods where you can earn double or triple points back on certain items, like gas, groceries, or travel, so points can add up quickly. Remember, at the end of each month, pay off your balance in full; this way, you never pay interest fees.
4. Ibotta
Ibotta is one of my favorite apps, which allows you to earn extra cash while shopping online and in person. Before heading out on a shopping trip, scan the brands that offer cashback and add the necessary items to your grocery list. Then, go shopping, purchase the items, and snap photos of your paper receipts. Once your transaction has been verified, your account will be credited with the specified cashback amount.
Like the other apps mentioned, you can refer your friends and earn even more money. Once your account reaches $20, you can request a payout via PayPal or direct deposit, or purchase gift cards from select retailers, including Best Buy, Amazon, Starbucks, Sephora, Walmart, and many others. I’ve been using Ibotta for years now, and during that time, I’ve earned $2,555 in cash back!
5. Instacart Shopper
If you don’t mind grocery shopping, Instacart can be a great way to earn extra money during your free time. To get started, download the shopper app and apply to be a full-service shopper.
As a full-service shopper, you’ll handle grocery shopping and delivery of the groceries to the customer. In this role, you’ll work as an independent contractor earning money for each delivery and 100% of customer tips. As a full-service shopper, you can pick up as many orders (what Instacart calls a batch) as you can fit into your schedule.
The qualifications to be a full-service shopper include being at least 18 years old, eligible to work in the US, having reliable transportation, and a valid driver’s license. The great thing about Instacart is that you can start working quickly and cash out your earnings in just two hours.
6. Personal Shopper
Personal shoppers, also known as personal concierges, are highly organized individuals who offer assistance to people who have too much to do. In this role, you may pick up dry cleaning, select and wrap gifts, grocery shop, wait in line, and complete other errands people need completed. First, decide on what services you want to offer, then sign up with TaskRabbit. Once you’ve completed your application and passed the background check, you can complete your profile by listing the services you offer, your rates, and the times you’re available.
If you prefer not to use a gig app, you can also start your own personal shopper business, which is a slightly more involved process. If you’re interested in pursuing this route, check out this article for details.
7. Rakuten
When I first heard of cashback websites, I thought they were a scam. However, after trying Rakuten (formerly Ebates) firsthand, I can assure you that it is 100% legitimate. In fact, I use Rakuten or Capital One Shopping for all my online shopping. If you could earn between 1% and 20% cashback on purchases you were going to make anyway, why wouldn’t you?
To use this method, sign up for a free account and download the browser extension. When you shop online, Rakuten will automatically alert you to cashback offers. If you don’t want to download the browser extension, you can log in to their portal, locate the store you want to shop at, click on the link, and then proceed with your shopping. Rakuten will record your transactions and pay you cashback via PayPal or a physical check quarterly.
Rakuten also offers cash referral bonuses for referring friends and family to the platform. While there are numerous cashback sites to choose from, Rakuten and Capital One Shopping are my faves. I’ve been using Rakuten since 2013, and during that time, I’ve earned over $3,377 just shopping online.
8. Receipt Hog
Another easy way to make money shopping is with Receipt Hog. With this mobile phone app, you can earn virtual coins by snapping pictures of your receipts. The virtual coins you earn can be redeemed for cash via your PayPal account, a Visa prepaid card, or Amazon gift cards. The information that Receipt Hog collects is used for market research. You can submit up to 20 receipts per week, and it takes 1,000 virtual coins to earn $5.
You can also earn additional coins by taking surveys, linking your accounts (like Amazon), earning bonuses, and referring friends to the app. I’ve been using Receipt Hog for a long time, and while it hasn’t made me rich, I’ve managed to earn $200 in free gift cards. If you sign up using my referral code, jen59328, you’ll receive a bonus.
9. Secret Shopper
If you have excellent memory recall and writing skills, mystery shopping can be a fun way to earn extra cash in your free time. As a mystery shopper, you’ll go into local stores and establishments to verify that workers and stores are conducting business in the manner they are expected to. Sometimes, your assignment will consist of making phone calls to confirm that store clerks are fast, friendly, and able to answer your questions. After you’ve completed your assignment, you’ll write up your findings and submit the report to the company.
According to Bestmark, as a new mystery shopper, you can earn around $10 to $20 for a basic gig. However, as you build up your reputation as a highly detailed shopper, you can score higher-paying gigs and fun perks like free admission to amusement parks, free products, and complimentary restaurant and hotel visits.
If you’d like to test the waters of mystery shopping, here are secret shopper apps to get you started.
10. Shopkick
Shopkick is another easy way to make money while shopping! Simply download the app to your iOS or Android device and open it up when you walk into participating retailers. Once you walk through the door, you’ll instantly earn kicks. Next, scan barcodes on products in the store to earn even more kicks. Link up your credit card, browse through lookbooks, refer your friends, and shop online to earn even more kicks.
It takes 1,250 kicks to earn a $5 reward. Kicks can be traded in for gift cards from Target, Old Navy, Starbucks, Ulta, and more. Since I’ve been using Shopkick, I’ve earned $520 in rewards!
Yes, You Can Get Paid to Shop!
The last thing I do when I’m shopping is I look for additional discount codes and coupons on RetailMeNot. While this doesn’t make me money, it saves me a TON of money. Just search for the store you’re shopping at, and more often than not, there will be a discount code that you can use.
As you can see, there are numerous ways to earn rewards and cash back when shopping. I’ve personally tried and continue to use many of these methods each time I shop, so I’m 100% confident that they’re legit and that they really pay you for shopping.
Do you use any of these methods to make money shopping? Do you use a platform that I haven’t listed? Feel free to leave your favorites below.
