A lot of us live in places where driving is essential because public transportation either isn’t available or isn’t reliable. This means fueling our cars can really strain our budgets, especially if we drive a lot or are frequently driving kids around. As someone who’s often shuttling kids, I’ve found two great apps that have helped me save a lot on gas. I’ve been using these apps for the past few years and they’ve been incredibly beneficial.
**Get Upside App**
The Get Upside app is my go-to for saving on gas. While it’s relatively new and not yet available everywhere, it’s awesome because it offers cash back on gas, groceries, and meals at certain restaurants. Right now, I only get rebates on gas where I live, but I’m looking forward to when they expand to groceries and restaurants too.
The app is super easy to use. When you open it, you see a map with your location and nearby gas stations that participate. It shows the price of gas after the rebate, which helps you see exactly how much you’ll save. Sometimes, paying a bit more upfront for a bigger rebate pays off in the long run, so you can build up more money in your Get Upside wallet.
Make sure to hit “Claim” at the station you choose before you start fueling up. If you don’t, you won’t get your rewards. After pumping gas, keep the receipt and upload it by clicking “Upload Receipt.” Without a receipt, you can’t claim the reward. Sometimes the machine might mess up, but the rewards make it worth the hassle. After uploading, just click “Confirm” and your account should be credited within a day.
You can cash out to your PayPal account, or exchange your balance for a digital gift card to popular stores like Amazon, Target, Starbucks, and more. I usually go for the Amazon gift card because I shop there often. They keep adding new gift cards to the list, which is nice. This app has been a reliable source of timely rewards for me.
**Receipt Hog**
Over time, the Receipt Hog app has become essential for all my shopping needs, not just gas. What makes this app great is its flexibility. It doesn’t matter where you shop, though some smaller places might not be recognized right away until you upload a receipt. It’s part of the game – sometimes you gain, sometimes you don’t.
Using the app is simple. Take a photo of your receipt, rate your shopping experience, and earn rewards. Different types of stores offer different rewards:
– Big Box Stores
– Gas Stations
– Grocery Stores
– Specialty Stores
As long as you take a photo of the receipt within two weeks of the purchase, you’ll get credit. You can exchange 1000 coins for a $5 Amazon gift card or transfer the money to your PayPal account. Here are the other reward levels:
– 2900 coins for $15
– 4300 coins for $25
– 6500 coins for $40
I’ve traded coins many times, mostly at the 4300 coin level, and once at the $40 level, usually opting for Amazon gift cards to buy household items. It’s always been rewarding and doesn’t cost me anything!
Using these two apps together has really helped me cut my gas expenses. It’s exciting to save money on gas and other purchases. Nobody likes spending a lot on fuel, but apps like Get Upside and Receipt Hog make it easier to handle. The money saved can go toward other important needs and wants – a win all around!
Have you tried these gas-saving apps or any others that help you save?