CertifiKID Field Report: Ibotta - Easy Couponing for Busy Families

We are big fans of businesses that save our CertifiKID families either time or money. When we come across a product or service that claims to do BOTH of these things, we get pretty darn excited. Enter Ibotta.

Ibotta is a free mobile coupon app that allows shoppers to earn cash rebates on select products from hundreds of popular retailers like Target, Walmart, Amazon, Kohl's, and just about any grocery store you can think of -- all with just a few clicks. I love to save money, but as a busy full-time working mom of three, I'm both too busy and frankly, too lazy to put much effort into couponing or scouring the depths of the Web for promo codes or deals. When I heard about Ibotta, I was excited to give it a try.

Downloading the app was fast and easy. And with this CertifiKID offer, I scored a $10 welcome bonus just for verifying my first purchase! YES! I was under the impression that Ibotta was just for grocery store coupons, so I was immediately pleasantly surprised by the long list and variety of retailers -- everything from restaurants and convenience stores to travel websites, clothing stores and major online retailers. For instance, Ibotta interfaces with Amazon to offer cash back on all sorts of things. You simply tap the offer you are interested in and Ibotta automatically redirects you to Amazon to make your purchase. Within 24 hours, you receive cash credit in your Ibotta account -- it's literally that easy. 

I wanted to give Ibotta a thorough test drive, so I readied my grocery list and hit the app to check for rebates. Searching for items is easy - simply select your store and browse by category, or type a specific product or brand in the search box. Click on the item to add to your rebate list (sometimes this requires performing a simple task, such as viewing an ad). You can view your items at any time by clicking "My Rebates" on the bottom tool bar. I found a few items to add to my list and went shopping.

Sometimes Ibotta even introduces you to a product you didn't even know existed. Ben & Jerry's Pint Slices, #YouCompleteMe

After purchase, all you do is click "Redeem" on the bottom tool bar and select the store where you purchased your items. Ibotta leads you through either taking a picture of your receipt or scanning the receipt's QR code, depending on the retailer, and automatically matches up your purchases with your rebates. Within 24 hours, your cash magically appears in your Ibotta account. Even better, for some stores, Ibotta provides the capability to link your loyalty card to your account. Your rebates are automatically submitted to Ibotta upon using your loyalty card at checkout, eliminating the need for a receipt.

Once you reach $20 in rebates, you can transfer the cash directly to your PayPal or Venmo account right from the app. You can also cash out with a variety of gift cards, including Starbucks, Best Buy, Amazon, Sephora and more! How awesome is that? 

Too busy to hit the stores? Ibotta even offers cash back on purchases you make on other mobile apps initiated through Ibotta. Whether you need to book a trip or grab dinner for the family, Ibotta makes it easy with deals on top apps, including Amazon, Hotels.com, Delivery.com and many more.

Ibotta makes couponing super easy for non-couponers like me. Now that I know how simple it is to use, I will definitely be checking Ibotta first before heading to the grocery store ... or any of my favorite stores on their list. Sign up now and claim your $10 welcome bonus!

This post is sponsored by Ibotta. However, we only promote businesses that we genuinely believe in and think will appeal to CertifiKID subscribers.

Tags: families savings coupons deals free rebates ibotta

CertifiKID was founded by a mom with a passion for helping parents provide the best experiences for their children on a budget. From outings to adventures, classes to camps, theater to sporting events, amusement parks to getaways, CertifiKID provides the best family-friendly experiences at unbeatable prices. Sign up for family-friendly deals in your area and start saving!