Easy ways I earn cash back and stretch my budget

One of the simplest shifts I made on my debt-free journey was learning how to make and save money with tools I was already using — apps! These cash-back and rebate tools won’t make you rich overnight, but when used consistently, they can absolutely add up and help chip away at your debt or give you extra breathing room in your budget.

Let me break down my four go-to tools: Rakuten, Ibotta, Fetch Rewards, and Lolli — how they work, how much I’ve earned, and how you can start using them too.

🛍️ Rakuten – Get Paid to Shop Online

What it is: Rakuten is a cash-back website and app that pays you a percentage back when you shop at your favorite online stores — including Target, Sephora, Macy’s, Best Buy, and more. Since I am trying to spend only on necessities and thing I need, I use Rakuten for things like ordering of my contacts, hotels/flights (for trips), and things not directly shopping/retail related.

How it works:

• Sign up for a free account – referral link
• Before you shop online, go to Rakuten first or install the browser extension.
• Click through to the retailer’s site and shop like normal.
• Earn cash back that you get every quarter via check, giftcards.

What I love:

• Super easy to use, especially with the Chrome extension.
• I’ve earned over $500 in cash back just by doing regular shopping.
• You get $30 for referring friends!

👉 Sign up for Rakuten here and get a $30 bonus when you make your first qualifying purchase! Sign up here!

Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission if you use my referral link. Thank you for supporting my journey!

🛒 Ibotta – Grocery Savings That Add Up

What it is: Ibotta gives you cash back on grocery and retail purchases, both in-store and online. Think of it like digital coupons — but you actually get money back.

How it works:

• Download the Ibotta app here
• Add offers to your account before shopping (easy to browse).
• Shop at participating stores like Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Costco etc.
• Upload your receipt or link your store account.
• Get cash back straight into your Ibotta wallet.

Why I love it:

• Perfect for anyone who grocery shops weekly (aka all of us).
• Works on name brands and even some store brands.
• I’ve saved over $300 so far using Ibotta consistently.

🎁 Use my code otreqsk and get up to $5 in welcome bonuses!

Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission if you use my referral link. Thank you for supporting my journey!

🧾 Fetch Rewards – Snap Receipts, Earn Points, Redeem for Gift Cards

What it is: Fetch Rewards lets you scan any receipt and earn points toward gift cards — literally any receipt: groceries, gas, fast food, online purchases.

How it works:

• Download the Fetch app [referral link here].
• Snap a photo of your receipts (within 14 days).
• Earn points automatically. Redeem for Amazon, Target, Starbucks, etc.

Why I love it:

• Takes 5 seconds to scan receipts.
• No need to “clip” offers — it automatically gives you points.
• I’ve earned $100 in gift cards that I use for holiday shopping, birthdays, or just a treat-yourself moment.

🎉 Use code 9VE653 when you sign up and get 2,000 bonus points instantly!

Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission if you use my referral link. Thank you for supporting my journey!

🤑 Lolli – Get Bitcoin Back When You Shop

What it is: Lolli is a rewards app that gives you Bitcoin back when you shop at over 1,000 participating online stores, including big names like Walmart, Macy’s, and Best Buy. You also get free Bitcoin daily, by logging in no purchase neccesary. I’ve been able to transfer over $300 worth of Bitcoin to my Crypto Wallet and majority of this was from the free daily Bitcoin and holding of the coin.

How it works:

• Sign up for a free account on Lolli – https://lolli.com/share/MEJKHU.
• Shop at participating stores and earn Bitcoin instead of cash back.
• Your Bitcoin balance is held in your Lolli account, and you can redeem it or withdraw it to your crypto wallet.

Why I love it:

• I love earning Bitcoin instead of cash back, especially as part of my financial strategy.
• You can earn a significant amount of Bitcoin over time — even small purchases add up!
• It’s a great way to diversify your savings strategy.

🚀 Sign up for Lolli and start earning Bitcoin on your purchases today! Referral Link

Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission if you use my referral link. Thank you for supporting my journey!

💬 Final Thoughts

Are these apps going to erase $150,000+ in debt? Not by themselves. But they do help make your money go further, and every dollar saved or earned helps build momentum.

If you’re on a debt-free journey like I am, finding little ways to make extra money (or stretch the money you already have) adds up over time. These apps are part of my toolkit, and I’ll be sharing more of my faves soon!