Last updated on August 22nd, 2021 at 07:57 pm
I know some of you are looking at the number and going why 41 websites and apps? Why not shoot for an even 50?
Well, yesterday was this thrifty gals 41st birthday! Each year since I have started blogging I like doing a post that is a bit more personal around the time of my birthday. This year I decided to share 41 websites & apps I a thrifty person use and love.
Honestly, though there are a few sites on here I have not used but instead just researched or found thrifty people I trust who said “yes I used that site and loved it” because my “personally used” list ran out in the 30s and I am not in that decade anymore.
41 Websites & Apps Thrifty People Use & Love
(Links in this post are affiliate links. I will be compensated when you make a purchase by clicking those links. See my disclosure page for more information)
This list is not in any rating order. I love all these sites equally for how they help my family and other families save money. I tried to put them into categories, but there are of course some websites or apps that could go in more than one category, so I just put them in the one I thought they served best.
Apps For Saving Money At The Gas Pump
1. GetUpside
GetUpside is an app that gives you cash back when you get gas. In our area my family is able to use this app at several different gas stations, saving anywhere from 1 cent per gallon to as much as 10 cents per gallon
The GetUpside app is simple to use; it takes less than a minute to find a gas station, claim the offer, and then enter the information needed to start processing the cash back. Generally it takes less than 24 hours to receive your cash back in the “Cash Out” area of the app. You can opt to receive your cash out through PayPal, a mailed check, or a gift card (starting at $10).
Use my referral code YG5ZB during sign up and you will receive a one-time 15¢/gal bonus. Go here to sign up for GetUpside.
Websites For Cash Back Offers
2. MrRebates
MrRebates has a website, app and a chrome extension button making earning a cashback simple. You can request a cash back once your account hits $10. They offer cash back at thousands of stores.
3. TopCashBack
What I like about TopCashBack is that you can cash out once your cash back is complete regardless of the total. Yep at TopCashBack, there is no cash back threshold you have to reach. You can also increase the amount you earn by cashing out for Amazon gift card codes.
4. Rakuten
If you frequently shop online, get the Rakuten browser tool, which makes it easy to start earning cash back at all qualifying websites. Rakuten does have a $5 cash out threshold and it does only give out payments each quarter, but it is well worth using. I have received as much as $15 in cash back from one order. Go here to sign-up for Rakuten.
Websites For Finding Out About The Lastest Deals
5. Money Saving Mom
I have been reading Crystal Paine’s blog Money Saving Mom since the very early beginnings when a neighbor told me about it. It is a great site for finding out information on all things thrifty and frugal. Coupon deals, free samples, and much more.
Programs Offering Free Samples
6. PINCHme
Join PINCHme and receive free samples that you can provide feedback on. PINCHme offers new samples each month.
7. Daily Goodie Box
Join Daily Goodie Box and receive free samples that you provide feedback on. I have yet to get a free box from Daily Goodie Box but I have watched Crystal Paine of Money Saving Mom open her’s up on Facebook live and the samples are a generous size.
The Best Website For Finding Promo Codes
8. Honey
Honey has saved me so much money! On average, it saves me $10 for each website that it can find me a promo code for. And the best part is that it is instant savings–I don’t have to wait for cash back with Honey (unless you use the Honey Points cash back area, which I don’t tend to). Honey has a browser app too, which makes applying a promo code a breeze; in fact, at a lot of sites Honey can enter the promo code for you with just one click. Go here to sign up for Honey.
Apps That Will Save You Money Or Earn You Gift Cards
9. CoinOut
CoinOut earns you cash back with almost any receipt/purchase. You can choose from three payment options (PayPal, Bank Deposit, or Amazon) and two of them have zero minimum earning amounts. There is a limit on how many receipts you can upload in a day, but the receipts can be a few days old before you upload them–which is a nice feature for us forgetful folks.
Go here to sign up for CoinOut and then download the app.
10. Ibotta
Ibotta is an app that gives you cash back on groceries, movie tickets, clothing, pet supplies, craft supplies and more. Cash out to Paypal or for an e-gift card to Amazon, Starbucks, Walmart and more. I have cashed out numerous times without issues.
Go here to sign up for Ibotta and then download the app.
11. Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards offers over 150 brands to earn points from. Each time you buy one of these brands when you go shopping simply upload a receipt and the app will fetch the points you earned. Points can add up fast when combined with bonuses.
Go here to sign up for Fetch Rewards: Use my referral code RE9FU at sign-up and receive bonus points when you complete your first receipt.
12.Makeena
Makeena is an app I am just starting to explore. It offers rebates on organic foods including many “any brand” offers that include items like milk, eggs, and various organic vegetables and brand specific deals.
Go here to sign up for Makeena and use my referral code TWNAVD during sign up to earn 1000 points (equals $1) once you upload your first receipt.
13. Receipt Hog
Receipt Hog is another app that isn’t store or item specific–meaning you can use it regardless of where you buy your groceries, fast food or clothing. Depending on what you buy you earn either cash back or spins.
Go here to sign up for Receipt Hog. Use the code YECT1667 during sign-up to earn free spins.
Daily Deal Sites
14. Jane.com
My favorite purchase from Jane.com is my peas in a pod Mothers necklace bought for less than $10.00, shipping included, from an Etsy seller. Which brings me to one of my favorite things about Jane.com: you often give home-based businesses a boost when you buy through them. Jane sells everything from clothing for men, women, and children to beauty products, home decor, jewelry and even pet products. Many items can be personalized. Shipping varies. Deals usually last several days but can sell out.
15. Zulily
Although they don’t always have the lowest prices, Zulily is handy to have in your thrifty tool bag. The site offers daily deals on name brand items. They often feature the running shoes I wear at 50% off and the sandals I like for cheaper than I can get them in store. Deals usually last several days but can sell out.
16. Living Social
I have used Living Social deals to save money on my favorite restaurant as well as my favorite shampoo.
17. GroopDealz
GroopDealz runs deals on a large variety of women’s clothing, jewelry, home decor and children’s items. Shipping costs depend on the item and how many you order of it. Deals usually last for several days, but popular ones sell out fast. Many items can be personalized. What I like about GroopDealz is that often the sellers are small business owners, which is true of the site below as well!
Survey And Point Programs That Are Worth Your Time
18. MyPoints
My favorite no-brainer way to earn points through MyPoints is by clicking the emails they send you. Each one is only worth 5 points, but those few points slowly start to add up until they equal a cash out earned through very little time spent.
19. Paid Viewpoint
I am not a fan of many survey sites, finding them too long for little return. However, I like Paid Viewpoint. Sure their surveys don’t pay much, but they don’t take long either. Most surveys are under 2 minutes, and you can have your earnings paid to Paypal once your account reaches $15.
20. Swagbucks
What thrifty person wouldn’t like earning gift cards from normal everyday actions they do online, and that is just what Swagbucks does.
21. InstaGC
Hidden in its name is the reason why I love InstaGC. You receive the gift cards you earn instantly. Most of their ways to earn can be easily done while multi-tasking. For instance, you can listen to music and earn points while working on your laptop through the Radio Loyalty section.
22. Branded Surveys
- How To Earn Giftcards With MintVine Now called Branded.
A reader told me about Branded Surveys (formally MintVine), and I am so glad she did. It has been a while since I have discovered a primarily survey based site that I like so much. There are a few ways to earn points without doing surveys but their surveys, are where the bulk of the earnings are. What makes me like Branded so much is they put how long a survey will take right beside the button to take the survey, and their estimate is very accurate–plus their screening process is quicker than many survey companies I have tried, and you sometimes get something even if you do get screened out.
23. PrizeRebel
PrizeRebel has a great mix of easy point earning tasks and low cash out values. Cashouts begin at just 200 points for a $2 Amazon gift card code, and it doesn’t take long to earn 200 points. What I like about PrizeRebel is they reward you for being an active member with a member level system that gets you discounts on rewards and faster delivery of those rewards.
24. Survey Junkie
I tried out Survey Junkie after a reader recommended it. Yes, there are surveys there with those irritating screening questions, but Survey Junkie usually gives you a few points for your troubles if you should get screened out. When I tried it out, I was able to reach the $10 cash out level within a few short sessions of working at the site. Go here to sign-up for Survey Junkie.
Websites For Learning DIY Skills
25. Skillshare
I think skillshare is well worth the $8.25 a month that you pay for it. I have recently taken several iPhone photography courses that are really helping me improve the quality of photos I share on my Instagram account for my travel blog. Skillshare offers courses on hundreds of topics including, writing, blogging, designing, lettering and more.
Use my referral link to get a free 2 month trial of Skillshare
26. Creativebug
Have you always wanted to learn how to sew, crochet, knit, paint or pretty much any craft? Creativebug offers hundreds of courses for a very low monthly fee.
Websites And Apps For Finding NWT Clothing And Shoes For Less
27. ThredUp
ThredUp was the first consignment clothing website I tried. I have ordered from ThredUp several more times since and have been happy with all my orders. They have clothing for boys and girls from infancy through the childhood years. Teenage clothes for girls. Maternity clothes and women’s clothes. You also start your account with a $10 credit when you sign up through my referral link.
28. Poshmark
I suffer from Plantar Fasciitis, or at least I did until I used these methods to make it go into remission. I do not want to experience the pain of another flair up, so I am cautious about the type of shoes I wear. Birkenstocks are my go-to summer shoe brand and they are not cheap! I do, however, find that I can get new pairs at least 50% off by browsing the Poshmark app until a great deal becomes available on a new pair.
Use my referral code SNAILPACER when you download the Poshmark app and join Poshmark. When you do, you will get $10 off your first order.
Websites for Thrifty bookworms
29. My Reader Rewards
Receive free hold in your hand books from My Reader Rewards formally (Tyndale Rewards). I recently cashed out some Tyndale points for an Adventures In Odyssey CD set.
30. Paperback Swap
Paperback Swap is a great site for finding those books on your want to read list. I often find books that we use in our homeschooling. You start your account by listing ten books which then gets you one free book credit. After that, you get swap credits every time someone orders and receives one of your books. There is some cost involved (see the site for all the details), but it is still a thrifty way to find books on your want to read it list.
31. Recycle Bank
Recycle Bank is a program that pays you to learn about thrifty actions. Most of their actions don’t take long. I like trading my Recycle Bank points for magazines like Runner’s World. What magazines they offer changes from time to time. Also, make sure that you read what format the magazine comes in; it could be digital or a traditional held in your hand and mailed to your door. Recycle Bank also offer gift cards that you can cash your points out for from time to time.
32. Spirit-Filled Kindle
My current favorite source for either free or low-cost Kindle books is Spirit-Filled Kindle. I liked their Facebook page and clicked “get notifications” so that I don’t miss out on their daily listing of free, .99 cents and $1.99 titles.
Websites Where You Can Find Printable Coupons
Printable coupon sites are an excellent way to save money on groceries, toys and more. Here are a few coupon sites I have used.
33. Coupons.com
34. Smart Source
Websites Where You Can Buy Stuff, You Need & Sell Stuff You Don’t
35. Craigslist
Our family has had more luck selling on Craiglist than buying. But I know others that have gotten fantastic deals through Craiglist on cars, furniture, appliances and more.
36. Facebook
- Tips For Successfully Selling In Facebook Buy & Sell Groups
- 10 Ways Thrifty People Use Their Facebook Account To Save & Earn Money
Facebook is for so much more than socializing. I don’t know how many times I have said “our family needs….” only to have offers in seconds of items for either low cost or free. I am also a member of several Facebook buy and sell groups and the few times I have used them to sell my items I have been pleased with my success.
37. eBay
eBay and I go way back. I started as a part-time seller selling things to raise enough money for my kid’s activities like swimming lessons. I then branched out into helping my children buy items such as lightly used iPods at a fraction of the cost of new.
38. Amazon
Amazon is a great site for finding items that are often lower than in the store. You can also sell there and not just your old books. Last year I listened to a podcast on Smart Passive Income about a couple making an incredible income selling items the find on clearance on Amazon.
Websites That Will Save You Money On Prescription Glasses
39. Zenni Optical
All three of our kids wear glasses and my husband wears readers. Now readers can be purchased for just $1 at Dollar Tree, but our children’s prescriptions are way stronger than readers so for them, I head to Zenni Optical.
How much can you save by shopping Zenni? Well, I purchased my son a pair of scratch-resistant, blue light-blocking glasses for just $80 at Zenni and I was quoted over $300 on a similar pair at our eye doctor’s–that is a savings of $220! Go to Zenni and get $5 off your first order when you use my referral link (these words in blue).
Websites And Apps That Will Save You Money On Accommodations
40. Airbnb
Here is a post that talks about our first experience staying at an Airbnb–we have stayed at several more since then. We love that you can get a whole home, apartment, or tiny house for either the same price or less than the average cost of a hotel room. The full kitchen in Airbnbs we rent allows us to save further money by eating most of our meals in while we travel.
41. Hotels.com
When we can’t find an Airbnb for a good price in the area we are staying, we use Hotels.com to book a hotel. As members of their rewards program, we get a free one-night hotel stay with every ten stays (a small fee does apply).
For more ways to save money on traveling, read this post.
Want to save or earn money? Join my Thrifty People Of Snail Pace Transformations Facebook group.
For a list of 52 different websites, apps, and stores our thrifty family uses to help us keep our expenses low, click here to visit our Thrifty Tools Resource Page.
3 More Posts For Those Desiring To Live A Thrifty & Thriving Lifestyle
- Don’t Throw Out Those Receipts: Here is How You Can Make Money From Them
- 19 Ways To Turn Your Smartphone Into A Money Making Machine
- Live Big On Little Cash With These 100 Ways To Save Money
Thrifty and Thriving: More Life For Less Money
We all know that thrifty family—the one that manages to live on a cash budget with ease. They don’t worry about their credit card bill because there isn’t one.
They seem to wear what you wear and eat what you eat, even though they may earn less than you do. Yet they are free of the financial worries that cause you hours of anxiety each month.
How do they do it?
This book is going to show you their secrets. This is not your typical “how to save money” book. It does not list 25 ways to save on food or 10 ways to decrease your electric bill. Instead, it shares more than 40 key practices and principles that thrifty families use every day.
Those practices and principles are broken down into manageable action steps that YOU can use to start changing your finances for the better—one small, snail-pacing step at a time.
Available in Paperback and Kindle on Amazon get your copy here.
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This is a great list! I’ve heard of many of them as I am a deal shopper but there a few that I hadn’t heard of.
Pinned for later!
This is a great list! I will be pinning this to re-read again and again!
what a great round up! I forgot about Brad’s Deals.. I used to always log on his site!!
Can’t wait to check some of these out! Some of them I do use. Another smartphone app that’s great is Receipt Hog – it’s really easy to earn points to redeem for gift cards by just snapping pictures of your receipts.
These are fantastic! I am always looking for ways to save a little bit of $. Pinning for future reference!
I use swagbucks and a few others on that list.
ebates is a great way to get cash back on your purchases.
thrivemarket is a great site for saving money on groceries, especially if you are on a gluten free diet, paleo diet and others.
I have not figured out how to download a coupon printer without getting numerous viruses on my computer. I do use an anti virus and it will not allow me to download some coupon printers!
Yes coupon printers can be a problem as far as viruses go, at least that is something my friend who works on computers told me. There is a way around it and have them print but not the viruses, he did it to the laptop the children use for homeschooling for me. I can’t remember exactly what he did though it has been a few years.
I have tried out thrive market too shortly after writing this article and they do have great prices!
Download Yowza!! Mobile shopping app great coupons and offers
I just clicked over and had a look. It does look pretty neat I am going to have to take sometime to dig into it. Thanks for sharing.
You can also use Bing to get your Hulu Plus every month. That is an $8 savings right there.
Great tip! Thanks.
Happy Belated Birthday! I love your list of money saving websites!
Thanks!
This is a good list. Thank you for sharing. I was looking for apps that could help us earn extra income from home. But there is so much more info here. Great job!
If you want websites and apps to earn money from home with check out my list of 18+ point reward programs https://snailpacetransformations.com/point-programs/ . I review and list them as I find them so that page is constantly changing. I suggest pinning it so you can come back to it later and see if I have added new ones.