ebates app – user's Blog!

February 28, 2017

Download the Ebates App Today!

If you thought Ebates couldn’t get any easier to use, you’re in for a surprise. We’ve just stepped up our game with a newly redesigned mobile app and a slew of cool features that make earning Cash Back on the go even more seamless. Check out the major updates below, including our recent feature as Apple’s Featured App of the Day!

Mobile Exclusive Flash Sales

Access mobile-exclusive sales and coupons with top stores.

In-Store Cash Back

Link your credit card to special in-store offers and get Cash Back on purchases made at participating brick-and-mortar stores! Find out more about this fabulous product here.

Geo-Push Notifications

Receive a notification when you’re within walking distance of a store offering In-Store Cash Back and never miss a good deal again.

Price Comparison Tool

Scan your favorite items to see which Ebates store offers the best price. Simply hit “Search” in the bottom panel and click the barcode icon in the top left corner.

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Refer-a-Friend

Now easier than ever. Text a friend your referral link through the app. When they sign up and make a qualifying purchase, you’ll make $25 and they’ll make $10!

Download the Ebates app today and let us know what you think! Available for iPhone in the App Store and for Android in Google Play.

November 21, 2016

Strike Cash Back Gold! Get 1% Cash Back With the Best Buy In-Store Coupon

It’s back! The second in a series of in-store coupons for Best Buy, available exclusively in the Ebates App. Whether you’re shopping for TVs, cell phones, speakers or dishwashers, here’s the skinny on how to get Cash Back at Best Buy:

1. Make sure you’ve installed the Ebates App. Once you’ve signed in to Ebates, Best Buy can be found in the Stores tab.

2. Click “Redeem Code” to unlock the Best Buy coupon code. A special QR code will appear.

3. Share the QR code with your cashier. She’ll scan the code, and you’ll be on your way to earning 1% Cash Back*.

That’s it! Keep checking the app to find more in-store coupons for Best Buy—they’re a perfect way to rack up Cash Back when you need to pick up your gadgets today.

If online shopping is more your speed, you can still use the Best Buy promo codes and coupons directly in the app. With Ebates, earning Cash Back is always just a few clicks away.

Disclaimer:
*1% Cash Back can be earned on in-store purchases only and may differ from Cash Back for online orders. Offer valid in participating US stores only. Each code generated is good for a one-time purchase per member, per day. Offer excludes purchases of Best Buy gift cards, warranties, Laptops, Tablets, Desktops, Video Game Hardware (Including Virtual Reality Hardware), Point Of Sale Activation (POSA) Cards, Apple branded watches, services (including but not limited to Geek Squad services, etc.) and transactions on third party (i.e. non-BestBuy.com) websites or properties, even if such transactions occurred as a result of a Customer clicking a link from a Best Buy Property.

October 7, 2016

12 Reasons You Should Not Join Ebates

You’ve probably heard of Ebates. Maybe you’ve been meaning to join or maybe you’re clinging to the old adage: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Well, we’re here to tell you that you’re right. There are many reasons not to become an Ebates member. If you agree with any of the statements below, Ebates probably isn’t for you.

1. I really don’t need any more money.

Sure, I shop quite a bit. But when I kiss that money goodbye, I don’t want any of it to come back. Even though Ebates offers up to 40% Cash Back on the things I already buy, I’m pretty content with 0%.

2. It’s just too complicated.

You mean I have to go to Ebates.com, type my favorite store into the search bar and click the “Shop Now” button before buying something online? That’s, like, three steps that take seven whole seconds. My time is precious, thank you. See How It Works.

3. It has to be a scam.

Where does the money come from? It can’t be as simple as stores paying Ebates and Ebates sharing the commission with me. Good day, sir.

4. Freedom of choice is overrated.

Ebates offers Cash Back at how many stores? More than 2,000? Having so many options is just overwhelming, even though it means I can get paid to shop for virtually anything.

5. Paying full price is my jam.

Ebates may put thousands of coupons, deals and promo codes from major stores at my fingertips, but I’m just not a deal-hunter. I mean, I know there’s not much hunting involved since I can easily see a store’s coupons on its Ebates page, but, you know, reading. Ugh.

6. My friends definitely don’t need any more money.

If I gave my three besties $10 for making their first purchases through Ebates, I’m pretty sure they would never speak to me again. And the $75 in Cash Back I would get for referring them to Ebates would just make matters worse. Learn More.

7. I love missing out on sales.

Following Ebates on Facebook and getting access to daily Double Cash Back offers sounds awful. And getting sales alerts from my favorite stores sent directly to my phone via the Ebates App will literally ruin my day.

8. I hate getting the best possible deal.

If there is a better price for the same item out there, I don’t want to know. I can easily compare prices and Cash Back amounts for those Steve Madden booties by searching for them at Ebates.com or through the Ebates app. I can even scan products with the app while physically shopping at stores to find the best price. But, really, I enjoy paying the most I possibly can.

9. I also hate shopping on the go.

Being able to shop on my phone or tablet with the Ebates App is just too convenient. I prefer to wait until I’m at a computer, even if it means missing out on a flash sale. What can I say? It’s all about severely delayed gratification and missed opportunities.

10. I only like shopping in stores.

Nothing beats a trip to a mall. I can try things on, catch up with my friends and top it all off with a pizza pretzel. There’s no way I could get Cash Back for doing all tha— Oh. There is? I just have to add my credit card to my Ebates account, link In-Store offers to my card and then use that card to shop in the store? Well, still. See reason No. 1. Free money just isn’t my thing. Learn More.

11. I’ll just forget to use Ebates.

I can’t even remember what I had for breakfast this morning. It’s not like there’s a magic Ebates Cash Back Button that I can add to my browser that would automatically let me know if the store I was visiting offered Cash Back.

12. I definitely don’t want to get Cash Back everywhere.

The Ebates Cash Back Visa Credit Card sounds like a terrible idea. Getting 1% Cash Back on gas, groceries and countless other things, plus 3% Cash Back at Ebates stores? Rewards, schmewards. I also get a $10 bonus after my first purchase on the Ebates credit card and that just isn’t necessary.

What’s that you say? None of this sounds like you? We didn’t think so! Who doesn’t like free money and more ways to get the most out of shopping? Have any other questions about Ebates? Leave us a comment below!

September 7, 2016

7 Essential Money Saving Apps for College Students

Whether you’re a soon-to-be college freshman preparing to leave the nest for the first time or a seasoned grad student gearing up for your final year, it’s likely you’ll be pinching pennies at some point during your academic career, if not all throughout. Personal finance management is an essential skill you may not have picked up during high school, but you don’t need to be a business major or an economics whiz to master it. If you have a smartphone, you’ve got the power. There are hundreds of apps on the market designed to help users save money. Ebates has compiled some of the best, listed below. Use these in conjunction with the Cash Back and deals available through Ebates at hundreds of stores like Amazon and Bed Bath & Beyond to get the most bang for your buck.

1. Loot

Even if you’re on a tight budget, it’s important to stash away a few bucks whenever possible for a rainy day fund, or even just an extra latte here and there. Loot is a free app designed specifically for students which helps you to calculate what your disposable income is. Loot is a little different than most other budgeting apps in that it is connected to a prepaid Visa card onto which you load money. This makes it easy to monitor where you spend your cash daily without the need to manually plug in each expense, as you do with many similar programs. By helping you to develop responsible money management habits, the app aims to subsequently help you to budget for disposable income.

2. MySupermarket

The stereotype of a starving college student can sometimes feel all too real. While clipping coupons can work to save you a few bucks, it can also be fairly time-consuming. MySupermarket helps ensure that you always get the best deal on each item on your shopping list. All you have to do is create your shopping list in the app, and it will tell you where you can find each item at the lowest price, or if a particular store is offering a special on the item. You can also use your phone to scan the barcode of an item while at the store, and the app will alert you if you can find it cheaper elsewhere. Don’t have a car and don’t relish the idea of schlepping a half-dozen shopping bags from the store back to the dorm? This app also works for online grocery orders.

3. RetailMeNot

Everyone needs a little retail therapy now and again. RetailMeNot helps you to get your fix while staying within your budget. The free app gives you access to thousands of different coupons and specials for a variety of stores, including Target, Starbucks, Sephora, Bed Bath & Beyond, and more. If you come across a coupon you’d like to use but don’t need it right away, the app allows you to save it for later. It also alerts you when these saved coupons are about to expire. If you’re looking for a certain item, though you’re not set on a specific store, the app will also search for deals within your area. To take advantage of the savings, all you have to do is show your phone at checkout, or if you’re shopping online, just input the code.

4. Mint

Similar to Loot, Mint is an easy-to-use, free budgeting program that helps you to set and meet savings goals. You can visit the Mint.com site, or download it as an app on your phone. Although Mint doesn’t use a prepaid Visa, it does allow you to securely link your debit and/or credit cards so you can just as easily keep track of your spending. With both Mint and Loot, this aspect is particularly important as it can help you to easily pinpoint areas you could cut back on in favor of saving for other things. Once you’ve established a budget, Mint will also send you email reminders should you go over the specified amount.

5. Honey

Similar to RetailMeNot, Honey is a valuable savings app that collects thousands of coupons and codes at hundreds of sites to make sure you get the best deal on every order. You can download Honey to your phone or to your computer as an Internet extension. The great thing about Honey is it will automatically search for and try out all of the available codes when you begin the checkout process at an online store, so unlike with RetailMeNot and many other sites, you don’t have to try out each one manually. If there’s one thing college students have less of than money, it’s time, so this aspect of the app is especially nice. Honey also allows you to rack up points to earn cash back, and offers incentives if you persuade your friends to start using Honey as well.

6. Groupon

College is the perfect place to try new things. Groupon affords you the opportunity to try new things off-campus as well as on, without paying the usual cost. This app has been a favorite for a while now, and it’s easy to see why. With this app, you can take advantage of daily deals of 50 to 90 percent off a variety of activities, goods, and services in over 500 cities. Many businesses post deals through Groupon to establish new customers, so it’s a great way to find hidden gems and up-and-coming establishments you may not normally try or be able to afford.

7. ATM Hunter

We’ve all been there. You’re at the bar enjoying some drinks with friends, go to pay the tab with your debit card, and realize they only accept cash or their card machine is down. Finding an ATM in itself can be difficult in certain areas, particularly if it’s late at night. Add to that the $2 to $4 fees many ATMs charge per transaction, and the fact that you stuck to more budget-friendly beers instead of cocktails seems to have been for naught. ATM Hunter is a free app that helps you find free cash machines, so you don’t have to stress if you’re caught in a jam in an unfamiliar area. You can also filter the search so the app will only show you machines from your bank, adding even more convenience.

September 6, 2016

Essential Apps for an Affordable Vacation

In the modern age, planning a vacation is simultaneously much more complicated and a lot simpler than before. With countless websites and companies all pulling at the leash to give us the best deals and the best options, it’s easy to get lost in the choices — especially when you’re looking to stay within your budget while still enjoying your getaway. Blank checks aren’t an option for most of us, but that doesn’t mean we have to miss out on a fantastic vacation — it just means we need a little help.

Here is a list of the most essential apps to have when planning and enjoying your vacation, helping you find the best places, save the most money, avoid getting ripped off, and even ensure that you don’t forget your toothbrush.

To Do

Anyone who’s planned a vacation knows exactly how valuable all those little essentials and nonessentials are to making sure the vacation not only goes off without a hitch, but that no unexpected expenses swing around to surprise you along the way. To-Do is an organizer app that lets you categorize and access your notes easily, so the planning stage is both flexible and effective. The app is available on iTouch and iPhone, and Ebates offers fantastic Cash Back and coupons for the App Store, making it easy for both your app and your vacation to be more affordable.

Flight Tracker

An affordable vacation relies on making the wisest investments, but it also means not losing the investments themselves. Nothing’s worse than showing up all ready to head off on your vacation, just to find out that your flight has been delayed or that it’s been pushed up and you’ve missed it altogether. Flight Tracker is a free app for most devices that lets you check your flight’s status on the go, so you don’t have to worry about booking another plane, having to reschedule your hotel, or losing your car rental. Not to mention all the painkillers you’d have to buy to get through the ordeal.

Yelp

When you think of vacationing, you probably don’t think of an app to recommend businesses to you. But visiting an outstanding vacation destination can be disappointing when the restaurants, local shows, and attractions are outside of your price range. Going to your dream city can be far out of your vacation budget simply because your bank account can’t accommodate all the things you wish to do while you’re there. Yelp makes it possible to pinpoint the best places at the most affordable prices, including the little-known shops that escape the public eye but give you that personal charm without the high price tag.

Travelocity

Everyone says they’re the best gig in town when it comes to offering deals and lower prices on hotels, planes, and cars. Finding a reliable app that works while you’re on the go is even harder, especially when you’re trusting it with banking information or if you’re on a tight schedule. The Travelocity app has a reputation for high-quality functionality and offers comparisons on different flight, hotel, and car rental choices so you can find the most money-saving options. As an added bonus, Travelocity offers users rewards for booking on their app exclusively, so you can save even more money by using your phone and get those last-minute tickets for an even lower price.

TripAdvisor

The infamous “five-star hotel turning into a two-star once you show up” is a risk we all dread taking when planning our vacations. If you want to book an affordable hotel but don’t want cockroaches terrorizing you in the night, then you need a second opinion, and that’s exactly what TripAdvisor offers. With this app in the palm of your hand, you can get real-life opinions on hotel experiences with recommendations for alternatives if you first choice turns out not to be all it was cracked up to be according to the reviews. This allows you to book a high-quality hotel that’s much less expensive simply because it’s not very well known. To make things even more affordable, there are plenty of coupons and deals you can earn, cutting back on those small costs that can add up in the end. As another added benefit, if you’re on vacation and want to see some of the local attractions, the app recommends restaurants, museums, historic sites, and more so you can get the most for less.

August 17, 2016

10 Best Learning Apps for Kids

Everyone’s eyes are glued to a phone or a tablet these days – and for your kid, this can actually be a good thing. By downloading one or all of these top ten educational apps for children, you can make sure your kid is doing more than having fun on their device – they could be learning and advancing their knowledge.

1. Angry Birds

Angry Birds has a reputation for giving adults a distraction from work, but in all actuality, it has something to offer kids of all ages. Whether you have a five-year-old or a teen, getting them to launch these colorful little birds at pigs teaches about physics so effectively it’s hard to believe it’s fun.

2. Elmo Loves 123s

For the little ones, there’s no one better to teach them the essentials than Elmo. This friendly app gives your child all the fun of Sesame Street videos and takes it to a more interactive level with coloring and puzzles. With bright colors teaching your child to recognize and name numbers 1 through 20, it upgrades according to their level to teach them addition and subtraction, rewarding them with prizes.

3. Pixie

Sometimes book reports just aren’t fun. For younger children who find it more difficult to get engaged – or who simply aren’t strong writers – Pixie makes it possible for kids to embrace all of their creativity and strengths. This app (available in the App Store with coupons from Ebates) allows kids to record their voice, add text, and include paintings in their book report, as well as other projects. So if your child is more skilled in colors than they are in words, they can still add their own unique and fun touch to their work.

4. School Zone Time, Money & Fractions On-Track

A next step up on the learning ladder, School Zone Time, Money & Fractions On-Track (available on iTunes with coupons from Ebates) gives your older children more age-appropriate information without skimping on color, activity, sound, or fun. With unique and friendly characters teaching about different coins, math, and how to read a clock, the more your child plays this game, the faster they’ll be able to recount these facts, with upgradable levels to keep them moving forward.

5. Cookie Monster’s Challenge

Every kid needs to know the Cookie Monster, and with this app, he’s here to teach the opposite of what he’s good at – how to stay focused, how to manage your impulses, and how to follow outside instructions. With the ultimate reward of a cookie machine, your child will be encouraged to progress through all the mini games and continue learning.

6. Minecraft for iPhone

While adult YouTube stars made it particularly famous, Minecraft (available on iTunes with coupons from Ebates) teaches children of all ages about architecture, proportions, problem solving, and, at the very core, encourages creativity. Your child will learn creative solutions for the surprises the game throws at them, and will be encouraged to broaden their imagination to make their creations look more interesting and accurate to real life.

7. Habitat the Game

Teaching about animals and the environment, this app allows your child to adopt a friendly polar bear. With fun sounds and bright colors, they’ll learn about responsibility as they care for the creature, as well as about energy and water conservation.

8. Fish School HD

The modern and more educational version of Red Fish, Blue fish, this app helps your child to learn their number and letters, identify and arrange shapes, and sort and remember colors, all while interacting with a cast of bright and friendly underwater creatures.

9. Dexteria Dots 2

Hand-eye coordination and more advanced math is important, and Dexteria Dots 2 serves as the perfect introduction, with vibrant colors and engaging activity on the screen to keep children captivated as they learn. It’s played as your child evaluates the numbers on the screen – represented by the dots – and then adjusts and divides them to solve a problem.

10. Stack the States

Combining the fun of puzzles with an educational map of the United States, your child will learn more about the shape of the country, the capitals, and the location of each state with this colorful app. With each state characterized by a quirky personality, the more accurate matches your child makes as they piece together the map, the faster they’ll progress to newer, more exciting levels with special bonus rounds.

July 27, 2016

15 Free College Apps to Make You a Star Student This Fall

Whether you’re coming face to face with your first semester of college or you are a veteran academic, chances are you could use a little help getting in gear for all the long nights of cramming ahead of you. Not to mention, getting organized is a crucial element to surviving higher education. Check out this list of 15 completely free apps for school success including study apps and tools to manage the loads of information you will be taking in this fall. If you’re browsing through The App Store and find a paid version you can’t refuse, remember you can get it with Cash Back at Ebates!

1. Studious – Never use a planner book again. Studious has your class schedule, assignment due dates, notes, campus map and more all in one place. It even silences your phone automatically when you are in your scheduled classes. No more embarrassing rings!

2. myHomework Student Planner – Another one of our favorite organizational school apps for students is the myHomework Student Planner, which is similar to Studious and lets you sync across multiple devices and your desktop.

3. Voice Recorder – Recording a lecture in class to be sure you don’t miss a beat is what makes Voice Recorders one of the best apps for college courses. Don’t splurge on a fancy digital recorder and use your phone, then easily download to your PC or store recordings on your cloud accounts for easy access.

4. Assignment Planner – Similar to project management software, Assignment Planner lets you prioritize assignments and school projects by due date so you can manage your time effectively. You can also keep track of your grades so you always have a handle on your GPA, no surprises come report card day.

5. Pocket – Get a head start on researching for that next term paper and store all of your online sources with Pocket. Videos, articles and more are kept all in one place for you to pore over later.

6. Sparknotes – Sparknotes have long been a trusted resource of study guides for English students. Now there is finally an app where you can access helpful study guides on literature, poetry, drama, philosophy and the ever mind-scrambling works of Shakespeare.

7. My Class Schedule – Stay on top of your class schedule with a color-coated calendar, due date alerts and widgets to keep you informed with the slightest of glances to your phone.

8. Evernote – Those pesky team projects can be super hard to organize. Take the hassle out of keeping communication lines clear with the Evernote project management app. Create to-do lists, instant message with you team, sync to any device and clip images and text from anywhere on the Web.

9. Khan Academy – The Khan Academy app is, indeed, the ultimate study buddy. Math students can enjoy instant feedback and step-by-step instruction while tackling serious equations. Khan Academy also gives you access to videos and content on other fields of study including sciences and the humanities.

10. EasyBib – Everyone knows that one of the hardest and most tedious yet probably the harshest graded part of any term paper is the bibliography. Now you can easily generate citations in multiple formats including MLA, APA, Chicago and more. You can even scan a book’s barcode with your phone for all the information you need and send them directly to your email.

11. Fast Scanner – Sharing class and lecture notes is now easier than ever. Simply use your phone’s camera to scan notes and convert into a PDF for easy sharing. Image editing tools can help you make documents easy to read so nothing will get lost in translation.

12. Scholarships.com – Finding college scholarships can be tough since the information on them is so widespread and hard to filter by your needs and qualifications. This app makes things a little easier with a sophisticated search function and a database containing more than 2.6 million scholarships and grants.

13. PhotoMath – Another great resource for math students, PhotoMath lets you scan and instantly calculate complicated math problems using your phone’s camera. This is not just a cheat sheet, however. The app gives you step-by-step instruction on how to solve the problem in real time like a normal human being.

14. Gojimo – Test prep can be stressful. Study up for a variety of entrance exams, SATs and more with Gojimo. Take practice tests and see where you need to brush up on your studies before the big day.

15. Dropbox – Dropbox is file sharing made simple. Share anything on your phone or mobile device easily with other user classmates or teachers or simply store it for easy syncing to your desktop.

June 1, 2016

#ICYMI: Our Top May Blog Posts

With spring in full swing and temperatures rising, we used May to focus on summer essentials from stylish espadrilles to must-have drugstore makeup. Tips on how to save at your favorite stores like Walmart and Expedia also showed you how to get a bigger bang for your buck while racking up Cash Back at Ebates. But these four blog posts really take the cake on featuring products that ranged from practical to downright magical. Take a look at these top blog posts from May to make sure you didn’t miss out on your next favorite wishlist item, shopping tip or time-saving checklist to make this the best spring and summer yet.

Floral Accessories to Brighten Your Look

Top off your spring OOTDs with festively floral accessories from bracelets to bags and everything in between. Read more >

The Ultimate Summer Camp Packing Checklist

Before the big send-off to summer camp, make sure you have everything your kids need for safe fun and adventure in the great outdoors. Read more >

11 Remakes of 90s Toys That Prove Your Childhood was Magic

Take a trip back in time with these amazing remakes of your favorite 90s toys. Grab one for your kids (or yourself) with Cash Back. Read more >

9 Cash Back Retailers That Price Match

Find the best price every time you shop at these retailers that price match and also offer Cash Back at Ebates. Read more >

Be sure to stay tuned for more to come in May. We’re always discovering new trends, adding new stores and coupons, and rounding up more ways to get paid to shop for the things you love. Whether you’re into fashion, tech, home and garden, travel or sports, we have the inside scoop on the best products and deals online and in-store. If you’re not an Ebates member, join today to free for access to thousands of coupons and promo codes in addition to Cash Back. Then download the Ebates App and add the Cash Back Button to your browser so you never miss out on Cash Back again. Ebates is where it pays to shop!

May 25, 2016

2016 Memorial Day Coupons & Deals

Memorial Day has always been known to bring with it major savings on everything from big ticket items like furniture and appliances to clothes and accessories. And this year is no different. Check out our complete roundup of Memorial Day coupons from the stores you already know and love. Stacking your savings with Cash Back at Ebates makes shopping a no-brainer this weekend. While you enjoy some me time or quality time with the family, don’t forget to check out some of the best sales of the year!

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Be sure to stay tuned to The Smart Shopper! We’re always discovering new trends, adding new stores and coupons, and rounding up more ways to get paid to shop for the things you love. Whether you’re into fashion, tech, home and garden, travel or sports, we have the inside scoop on the best products and deals online and in-store. Check out our Lifestyle section on the blog for in-depth tips on party planning, travel, DIY, parenting and more. The Smart Shopper isn’t all about spending or saving money. It’s about how the things we buy create the life we love for ourselves and our families.

If you’re not an Ebates member, join today to free for access to thousands of coupons and promo codes in addition to Cash Back. Did you know there are more ways to get Cash Back than visiting us online? Download the Ebates App for iPhone or Android and add the Cash Back Button (available for Chrome) to your browser so you never miss out on Cash Back again. Getting Cash Back has never been easier. Once you try us, we know you’ll be hooked. Don’t forget to tell your friends! They’ll get a welcome bonus and you’ll get extra Cash Back once they complete their first purchase. Ebates is where it pays to shop!

April 29, 2016

Our Complete Mother’s Day Coupons Roundup

Spoiling mom this Mother’s Day doesn’t have to put a huge dent in your wallet. We know hunting for coupons or a promo code can be a tedious task, so we’ve made it easier for you to save big with Mother’s Day deals! Check out our complete list of Mother’s Day coupons from top stores offering Cash Back at Ebates. You can search my store name or even sort the list by merchant, offer or expiration date. All Mother’s Day promo codes below are now active so you can start shopping right now. Have a wonderful Mother’s Day!

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