For Colleen Rice, the benefits of using a cash-back app were obvious.

It kept me from living on Ramen, she says.

Although shes made it through that tough time, she still uses the app religiously.

A woman smiles as she uses her phone to help her shop at a grocery store.

Colleen Rice has been using Ibotta since she moved to Florida and she’s earned back more than $300. Tina Russell/The Penny Hoarder

She loves that shes earning cash back on something shed be doing anyway (spending money).

No Interest Til Almost 2027?

If you might make anything a challenge, I like that, she says.

Article image

Plus its more portable than coupons, and it introduces me to brands Id otherwise not try.

How Does Ibotta Work?

Back up, back up… What is Ibotta?

Article image

No scrappy newspaper coupons required.

Heres how to use Ibotta:

1.Download the free appand sign up.

She also uses it to discover new brands.

For example, she only bought Viva paper towels before downloading the app.

But if she can get $3 back on a pack of Bounty, why not?

If youre shopping in store, add offers to your account before heading out.

Do this by tapping the little plus sign next to the offer.

If youre shopping online, shop through the Ibotta portal.

For example, launch the Etsy offer, then tap Shop.

Itll redirect you to the site.

Within 48 hours, Ibotta will deposit the money into your account.

No scanning barcodes or taking photos of receipts required.

What About an Ibotta Reward Code?

For some reason, a lot of people are wondering about Ibotta reward codes.

We do, however, have an Ibotta promo to offer you.

Theres also the Ibotta referral code.

Find your unique code by tapping Account and Invite Friends.

Pass the code along and earn a $5 bonus when your friend starts making money.

Be sure to check out Ibottas bonuses, too.

Tap Account and Bonuses.

Or a $1 bonus when you purchase two Organic Valley Grassmilk products.

(Note: These were a few options that were valid at the time of writing.)

Ibottas Best Practices

No, Ibotta wont make you rich.

But, like Rice says, its a nice little boost of money for something youre already doing.

Plus, its a great way to avoid living off sodium-packed Ramen.

But its constantly adding more partners, including non-grocery retailers.

This will keep you from falling into that oooh shiny objects mentality that could lead to frivolous purchases.

If you want to earn even more, check out thesemoney-making appswe love.

Carson Kohler ([email protected]) is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder.

Shes made more than $120 in cash back using Ibotta.

One month, the stockpile cash helped her make rent on time.

It sounds appealing right?

Check it out here!