How to use IBOTTA to Make Money

**This page contains affiliate links to products I recommend. If you purchase something from this page, I may receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you**

Who Likes Saving Money?

Like most people in this world I love saving money. I mean, don’t you work hard for every little coin that you earn? I would love to be like some people who have time to coupon, but I don’t, I work TWO jobs and I’m maintaining this amazing blog.

So when this mind blowing app called Ibotta was introduced to me, let just say it was more than a game changer, it was a LIFE Changer.

(If you want to learn more about different affiliates I use to monetize my blog you should check out my post on How I Made 91 Cents My First Month Blogging. It’s packed with tons of useful information for a new blogger.)

What is Ibotta?

Ibotta is a app that pays you real cash money whenever, wherever you shop. Ibotta is a money saving app that literally allows you to save money on items you would buy regardless.

How to Get Started

If you don’t already have this app downloaded onto your phone, I’m sure you will be more inclined to do so after this post. I actually heard about this app from a coworker. She basically told me “this is an easy way to make money on things you plan on buying anyway.” Now tell me you wouldn’t want to hear more! 🤨 The best way to prove this is a life changer is to show you.

Now let me explain exactly how to get started….

This is probably the most important part right? So I’m gonna try and break this down so anyone can download it & start saving right away! 

Disclaimer Time

I am more of a visual person so it’s easier to show you these steps by screenshots. Personally I have a Samsung Galaxy so I will be giving instructions from an Android’s point of view but it shouldn’t differ too much from Apple. If it does please let me know in the comments.

First things first! Downloading the app.

You will want to click on my link for Ibotta to get started. If you use my referral code, wvvrbfn, you can get up to a $20 Welcome bonus.

This should automatically take you to your Google Play store or Apple store depending on your phone device. My referral code should automatically populate but if by chance it does not there will be a spot to enter it in.

You should come to a screen like this.

You will need to fill this section out:

□ First Name
□ Email
□ Password – must be at least 6 characters long
□ Birthdate 
□ Zip code 
□ Gender
□ Referral Code (This should be prefilled with a code if not enter in wvvrbfn for the $10)
□ Hit join with email 

(If you chose to sign up through Facebook or Google you won’t have to go through the above list) It should just take you to this next step.

Next Steps

You should now be on the Welcome to IBOTTA screen. Once you get to the Welcome screen you should have an email confirming your sign up. 

Once you get your welcome email you are basically set. 

How to use Ibotta

Now let’s talk about how to use Ibotta. When you first launch the app you will see a screen similar to this.

In the bottom right hand corner you will see Account. Hit that button.

You will come to this screen. Scroll down to the bottom & hit the link that says ‘How to Use Ibotta‘

Then this screen will appear. At this point any of your questions can be answered.

The Fun Part

Here goes the fun part! This is where you save money on things your gonna buy anyway. 

When you are on the main screen they give you ‘Recommended Retailers‘ these will normally be stores near where you currently are.

Just for an example I’m going to hit Target.

Hypothetically Speaking

Let’s say you’re about to stop into Target to pick up a few things. Normally you would go right in and just use your Target App. Well now you’re gonna want to launch Ibotta as well, except you’re gonna want to launch Ibotta before walking in. (It can be a little time consuming to click all the items you might need while pushing a cart)

I’m telling you this app will get VERY addicting. I have a few friends and family members that I, not only got addicted to the app, but now they have also gotten there friends and family members addicted as well. 😂🤷‍♀️

Now back to the basics…

On the left I have checked the Milk because I plan on buying Milk when I go into Target. On the right you see Pop Secret that is not checked.  When you launch your app none of these items will be checked. If you plan on buying anything listed under each retailer then hit the (+) button next to that item.

(Please note that if you select an item that is also offered at another retailer like ‘Walmart’ it will be checked once you hit that retailer. This is a easy way to save time on the app.) 

Promotions

Some items that you check will make you watch a 15-30 second commercial, look at a quick recipe, or take a 2 second survey in order to redeem the cash back. Here are a few examples of what you might see.

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Once you have checked all the items you plan on buying you can proceed to shopping.

Welcome Bonus

Now for the sake of redeeming your $10 Welcome Bonus we will use the below screenshot as an example.

In order to redeem the $10 you will need to buy an item under any Recommended Retailer that does not consist of an ‘Any Brand‘ item like the Milk.

You will need to redeem an item like ‘Pop Secret‘, ‘Philadelphia Cream Cheese‘, ‘Crest‘ etc. Any Brand items will not count towards your Welcome Bonus.

Checking for Items the Easier Way

Now that you know how to manually check off items. Let’s say you’re shopping in Target and you pickup an item that you have no idea rather or not Ibotta has an offer for.

You will want to either:

1. Search for the item you have in hand OR
2. Scan the item by the barcode.

The screen will look something like this:

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Any items that you have checked off and actually bought will need to visible on the receipt.

Next you will hit upload receipt which will be at the top of the screen. 

Once you get to the next screen you will need to read the directions & then hit the continue button at the bottom. 

Last step is actually taking a picture of your receipt. For most retailers you will have to follow these instructions. For Walmart it’s as simple as scanning the QR Code.

And Viola…Your done! Ibotta finds all the items you checked off on the app and matches it with what’s on your actual receipt. If by chance they miss something you will be able to correct it before you submit the actual receipt to Ibotta.

Money Time!

After you have uploaded your receipt you will either instantly get your money or it make take a few minutes, up to an hour to show up on your Ibotta account.

Either way I want to show you what it will look like by giving you insight on my actual numbers as of today.

First you will got to account at the bottom of the screen.

Then it will bring you to this screen.

Let’s Break it Down

My Earnings

Earnings is where you will see all your earning since you join the program. I like to be transparent with my viewers so here is a peak at mine.

Now I’ve slacked off throughout the years but if you go really hard at this your numbers could be twice as high as mine in half of the time.

Bonuses

Bonuses are different task that Ibotta gives you as an incentive to get more money faster. Like this month there is a way for me to get 50 cents, $3, $50, $10 etc.

Once you click on each icon it explains exactly what you have to do in order to receive the incentive for that particular month.

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Invite Friends

This is where you will go to to invite your friends. Pretty self explanatory. Every month Ibotta typically changes the incentive to invite more of your friends, family and coworkers. This month if you invite 5 friends you will get $50 which is SWEET!

You have a choice of inviting them via email, text, facebook, or it allows you to use a lot of different apps you already have downloaded onto your phone, which is sooo convenient.

Teamwork

Teamwork is where you are able to track how you are doing compared to your friends. As you can see there are over 4 levels this month, each level is a chance to receive more money.

You can build your team faster if you connect it to Facebook. Anyone that has Ibotta will show up on your list of team members. #winning

Once again you can clearly see that I’ve been slacking. I’ve only redeemed 2 out of 10 offers so far this month. I want you to keep in mind that ‘Any Brands‘ does not count towards your levels incentives. You actually have to buy a name brand product in order for those offers to count.

My Favorites

This is where you can select all the stores you regularly go to on a daily basis. Here are a few of mine.

Just wanted to add that Ibotta will allow you to redeem credit for shopping online as well. Kind of like Ebates but you can do everything under one app. That is why you see Target online shopping on my favorites list.

Ibotta has a massive list of online shops that you will be excited to see. Cashback offers are pretty good too.

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Settings

Setting is where you will be able to change things about your profile and get information on your account.

Promo Codes

I’ve had my account for a few years now and I’ve never used Promo Codes but if you had some this is where you would put them.

Help

Once you click the ‘Help’ tab it will actually take you to the internet where you will be able to ask and get answers to most of your questions.

How to Use Ibotta

We have all seen this screen before. This is where you will get videos, tips, and tricks on how to use Ibotta to your fullest advantage.

How do You Feel?

I know it seemed like a lot but after you install the app it’s pretty easy. Ibotta has made the app pretty self explanatory but if at any point you need help or have ANY questions please leave a comment or email. I’ll defintely walk you through what I can.

If you have any feedback please let me know. I want to make this experience as user friendly as possible, so you can start earning easy money now.

I use Ibotta every time I shop, it’s a bad habit but for a REALLY good reason.

Now it’s your turn. Sign Up now and let’s get this team going!

Join My Tribe

I have created a Brand New Tribe on Tailwind  called Bosses on a Mission. If you would like to join please click the link. It cost you nothing to promote yourself and I would love to Build a Friendship through design. This is a Pinterest focused group where you can pin your own content for other members to share. The more re-pins the better right? Come join the rest of the Bosses and let’s Build Your Brand today!