How To Stretch A Dollar And Save More This Year

Sarah Brumley

Sarah Brumley

Did you know the average family throws away hundreds of dollars every year by not leveraging cashback and rewards apps? That’s money you could be putting toward groceries, family outings, or even your next vacation! Today we’re changing that. Whether you’re grocery shopping, pumping gas, or just spending spare change, I’ll show you how three powerful apps can help you save, earn, and grow your money effortlessly. Sound like something you need? Well then, let’s get started!

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How To Stretch A Dollar And Save More This Year

Well hey there, and welcome to The Financial Fix Up Podcast! I’m your host, Sarah Brumley, and I’m so excited to have you here today. If you’re new to the show, welcome to a space where we tackle practical ways to save money, make smart financial decisions, and create a life that feels a little less stressful. And if you’re a returning listener—thank you for being part of this journey with me!

Here’s the thing: a lot of money slips through the cracks simply because we’re not using the tools available to us. But what if you could take just a few minutes each week to put that money back in your pocket? That’s exactly why I’m talking about three amazing apps that can save you money, earn you rewards, and even help you invest without lifting a finger. These apps have been game-changers for me, and I know they can help you too – otherwise I wouldn’t be offering them to you on this podcast.

So, without further ado, let’s just jump right in.

Fetch: Turn Receipts into Rewards

What Is Fetch?

Alright, let’s talk about Fetch. If you haven’t heard of it, this app is a total game-changer for families. Basically, it takes those boring shopping receipts you’ve got crumpled in your purse—or shoved in the bottom of your car console—and turns them into rewards. Yep, rewards.

You scan your receipt, earn points, and then trade those points for gift cards. Super easy, right?

Imagine you scan 10 receipts a week—groceries, takeout, whatever—and you average 250 points per receipt. By the end of the year, you’d have 130,000 points. That’s $130 in gift cards! Just for doing what you’re already doing. If you’re shopping anyway, why not let Fetch give you a little something extra for it?

How It Works

Here’s the quick rundown:

  1. Download the Fetch app.
  2. Snap a picture of your receipt after shopping.
  3. Watch the points roll in. And there’s even bonus points if you buy from brands that are running promotions—easy wins!

Personal Story

My sister told me that she actually saved up the majority of her points over the past year and used them to get each of her kids a gift card for Christmas. She also uses them for birthdays, too, and I think that’s a brilliant way to take the pressure off over those expensive times of year, all by using something you already have – receipts.

Addressing Skepticism

Okay, I know what some of you are thinking: “Sarah, this sounds like a hassle. Do I really have time for this?”

Trust me, I get it. But honestly, Fetch is so quick and easy. All you have to do is snap a photo of your receipt, and the app does all the work for you. Plus, they use secure encryption, so your information is safe. If you can spare 10 seconds, you can use Fetch.

Pro Tips for Families

If you want to get the most out of Fetch, here are a couple of tips:

  • Maximize Bonuses: Check the app for special promotions before you shop. Sometimes you’ll earn double or triple points on certain items.
  • Digital Receipts: Link your email and Amazon account so Fetch can scan those automatically. That way, you’re earning points on your online purchases too—because let’s be real, online shopping happens a lot in my house!

Challenge

Alright, here’s my challenge for you this week: make a habit of scanning every single receipt you collect. Groceries, coffee runs, takeout—you name it. Think of it like a little treasure hunt. You’ll be amazed at how quickly the points add up, and it’s honestly kind of fun!

Let me know how it goes—I’d love to hear about your first rewards win.

Acorns: Invest Your Spare Change

What Is Acorns?

Alright, let’s dive into Acorns. If Fetch is all about those quick rewards, Acorns is more like planting a money tree and watching it grow over time. It’s an app that takes your spare change from everyday purchases and invests it for you—completely on autopilot.

Here’s how it works: Say you grab a coffee for $2.75. Acorns rounds that up to $3 and takes the extra 25 cents to invest in a diversified portfolio. Over time, those little bits of spare change really add up!

Why It’s a Game-Changer

Let me be real for a second—I was super skeptical when I first downloaded Acorns. I thought, “Is this even worth it?” But six months in, I checked my account and saw I had over $480 saved. Without even noticing, I had a little stash of money and by the end of the year, we’d accumulated enough to cover all of our Christmas expenses.

That’s the beauty of Acorns—it works in the background, so you don’t have to think about it.

How It Works

  1. Link your debit or credit card to the app.
  2. Spend like you normally would—on groceries, coffee, or whatever.
  3. Acorns rounds up your purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the difference.

It’s like sneaky saving and investing at the same time.

Practical Family Idea

Here’s a fun way to use Acorns as a family: Set a collective savings goal, like saving for a special family outing or holiday gift. For example, let’s say you want to save for a trip to the zoo or a day at the local amusement park. Every time you check the Acorns app, show your kids the progress toward that goal.

It’s a great opportunity to teach them about how small actions—like rounding up change or contributing a little extra—can lead to something exciting.

Addressing Skepticism

Now, I know the idea of linking your bank account to an app might make some of you nervous. Totally get it. But Acorns uses bank-level encryption to protect your information, so your data is safe. Plus, you’re always in control—you can decide how much extra you want to invest beyond the round-ups if you’re feeling ambitious.

Pro Tips

  • Set Recurring Contributions: Want to boost your savings even more? Add $5 or $10 a week. It’s amazing how quickly that adds up over time.
  • Acorns Later: If you’re thinking about long-term goals, like retirement, Acorns has an option for that too. It’s like planting a tree now and watching it grow into a forest later.

Acorns is one of those tools that makes investing feel less scary and more doable, even if you’ve never done it before. So, if you’re looking for a low-effort way to build your future, this is it!

Upside: Cashback on Gas, Groceries, and More

What Is Upside?

Alright, let’s wrap up with Upside, my secret weapon for getting paid to do things I’m already doing—like filling up the gas tank, grabbing groceries, or even treating the family to dinner. Yep, this app literally gives you cashback on everyday purchases.

How It Works

Here’s how simple it is:

  1. Open the app and check for cashback offers near you.
  2. Claim an offer—like 10 cents back per gallon of gas—then go make your purchase.
  3. Snap a photo of your receipt or link your card for automatic cashback.

That’s it! You’re making money for things you were already planning to buy.

Why I Love It

Honestly, I just really like this app because it’s just a bonus. I’m never tempted to go get gas just because there’s an “offer” available, but if I need gas – which seems like all the time – then this app gives me a reward for doing the thing I was already going to do.

Maximizing Savings

If you’re like me and love getting the most bang for your buck, here are a couple of ways to stretch your savings even further:

  • Plan Ahead: Check the app before you head out to see where the best offers are for gas or groceries.
  • Stack Rewards: Use Upside alongside your store loyalty programs or cashback credit cards to double up on savings.

It’s like hitting the savings jackpot!

Addressing Skepticism

Now, you might be wondering, “Is this really worth the effort?” And my answer is absolutely. Claiming an offer in Upside takes less than a minute, and over time, those savings add up. Think about it—an extra $10 or $15 a month can add up to hundreds by the end of the year. That’s money you didn’t have before!

If you’re looking for an easy way to save on the things you already buy, Upside is a no-brainer. Give it a try—you might be surprised at how quickly the cashback rolls in.

Wrap-Up: Combine and Conquer

The Ultimate Trio

Alright, let’s talk about how these three apps can team up to help you save, earn, and grow your money. Here’s the game plan:

  • First, Fetch. Use it to scan all your grocery and dining receipts—every little one adds up!
  • Next, let Acorns work its magic by rounding up your spare change and investing it for those bigger, long-term goals.
  • And don’t forget Upside for cashback on gas and groceries. It’s like getting a little extra for things you’re already buying.

When you put them together, it’s like having your own personal savings squad working in the background while you go about your day.

Family Challenge

Now, here’s a fun idea: Why not make it a family challenge? Download all three apps and set a small, achievable goal for the week. Maybe you can aim to earn enough rewards for a Friday pizza night or an ice cream outing. Get everyone involved—kids love watching the points, investments, or cashback roll in!

It’s a great way to teach the family about saving, plus it turns something simple into a little fun competition.

How Will You Stretch Those Dollars?

And there you have it: Fetch turns receipts into rewards, Acorns helps you invest painlessly, and Upside gives you cashback on everyday purchases. When you use them together, they become a budget-boosting dream team that works behind the scenes to help you save and earn without adding extra stress to your day.

If you found today’s episode helpful, why not share it with a friend, family member, or coworker who could use a little financial boost? These tips are simple enough for anyone to start using today, and who doesn’t love finding ways to stretch their budget?

I’d also love to hear how these apps work for you! Have a success story or a clever way you’ve used the savings? Email me at sarah@lemonblessings.com and I’d love to hear about it!

Whatever you decide, just know I’m cheering you on! You’ve got this! Have an amazing day and I’ll chat with you again next time!

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