Many of us live in places where driving a car is necessary because public transportation isn’t great or doesn’t exist. As a result, filling up our gas tanks can get expensive, especially if you drive long distances daily or often shuttle kids around. Since I mostly drive my kids around, I’ve found two fantastic apps that have significantly cut my gas costs. Using these apps over the past few years has been a real game-changer for me.
**GET UPSIDE APP**
Get Upside is an app I use regularly for getting gas. It’s relatively new and isn’t available everywhere yet, but it offers rebates on things like gas, groceries, and meals at certain restaurants. Right now, I can only get rebates on gas purchases in my area, but I’m optimistic that grocery and restaurant rebates will be added soon.
The app is very user-friendly. When you open it, a map shows your location and nearby participating gas stations. It displays the gas price after applying the rebate, along with the exact amount you’ll save. This helps you make an informed choice. Sometimes, it’s better to pay a little more upfront to get a bigger rebate later, which can add more money to your Get Upside wallet over time.
Before filling up, make sure to click “Claim” at your chosen gas station. If you don’t, you won’t be able to claim your rewards. After pumping gas, keep the receipt and click “Upload Receipt.” Without it, you won’t get the reward. While the receipt submission process can be a bit tedious, it’s worth the effort. After uploading the receipt, click “Confirm,” and expect to see the credit in your account within a day.
You can transfer your earnings to your PayPal account or convert them into digital gift cards for popular stores like Amazon, Target, Starbucks, and many others. I usually go for an Amazon gift card because I shop there often. New gift cards are frequently added to serve a broader audience. This app has reliably rewarded me in a timely manner.
**RECEIPT HOG**
Receipt Hog started as an app I used just for gas purchases, but now I use it for all sorts of shopping. The best part is that it works with receipts from almost any store, though some places might not be recognized until you upload a receipt. It’s a bit of a gamble sometimes, but it’s easy to use.
Just snap a photo of your receipts, rate your shopping experience, and earn rewards. There are different reward levels based on the types of stores:
– Big Box Stores
– Gas Stations
– Grocery Stores
– Specialty Stores
As long as you upload a receipt within two weeks, the amount will be credited to your account. Once you collect 1000 coins, you can exchange them for a $5 Amazon gift card or transfer the money to your PayPal account. Here are the subsequent reward levels:
– 2900 coins for a $15 reward
– 4300 coins for $25
– 6500 coins for $40
I’ve redeemed coins several times, usually at the 4300-coin level, and once for the $40 tier. Every time, I chose an Amazon gift card to buy household necessities, making it a cost-free and rewarding experience.
Using these two apps together has significantly increased my gas savings. Overall, using these apps to reduce fuel costs and other expenses is exciting. No one likes spending hard-earned money on gas, but apps like Get Upside and Receipt Hog help ease the burden. By saving on gas, I can spend more on things we really want and need, which feels like a win!
Have you tried these gas-saving apps? Or do you have other favorite apps for saving money?