Many of us reside in locales where commuting by car is a necessity due to insufficient or lackluster public transit systems. Consequently, refueling our vehicles can put a hefty dent in our wallets – an occurrence more pronounced if you journey long distances daily or regularly ferry children around. As someone who primarily transports kids, I’ve discovered two outstanding applications (“apps”) that have substantially decreased my petrol expenditure. The usage of both apps for the past few years has been a cherished experience.
GET UPSIDE APP
The Get Upside app is a routine app I engage with for gas. Although it’s seemingly new and not yet available across all parts of the country, its unique selling proposition is the pleasure of receiving rebates on items like gas, groceries, and meals at select restaurants. So far, however, the rebate is only available for gas purchases in my locale, but I’m hopeful that grocery and restaurant rebates will soon be offered.
The user-friendly nature of this app is commendable. Upon launching the app, a map displaying my location alongside participating gas stations materializes. The gas price after rebate calculation, rather than before, is shown for each station, alongside the precise rebate amount I’ll obtain. Evaluating the final cost and estimated savings assists in making an informed decision. At times, it’s more profitable to pay a little more initially to secure a larger rebate in the long run, thereby accumulating more funds in my Get Upside wallet.
Before you begin pumping gas, ensure to click “Claim” at your chosen stations. Failure to do this denies you the possibilities of claiming your rewards. Subsequent to pumping gas, keep the receipt and click on “Upload Receipt”. Without a receipt, the reward may not be claimed. The voucher acquisition process might be laborious at times, particularly when the auto-dispensing machine malfunctions, but the benefit far outweighs the sacrifice. Following receipt upload, click “Confirm” and anticipate an account credit within a day.
Payouts can be made directly into your PayPal account, or the funds can be exchanged for a digital gift card at popular shops such as Adidas, Gap Options, Kohl’s, Nike, Target, AMC Theaters, Google Play, iTunes & App Store, Uber, Bed Bath & Beyond, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Applebee’s, Chili’s, Domino’s, Dunkin Donuts, Maggiano’s, On the Border Mexican Grill, Panera Bread, Starbucks, Amazon, CVS Pharmacy and Cabela’s. In my case, I typically opt for an Amazon gift card due to my frequent shopping habit there. New gift cards are constantly being introduced to cater to a wider audience. This user-friendly app has consistently rewarded me in a timely fashion.
RECEIPT HOG
Over the years, the Receipt Hog app, initially used strictly for gas purchases, has become an essential tool for shopping at diverse locations. The charm of this app is its indifference to shopping locations, although a few sites might not be recognized as a valid shopping hub until a receipt is uploaded. But that’s part of the game – sometimes, you win, and sometimes, you lose.
Nevertheless, the app is uncomplicated. Snap a photograph of your receipts, rate your experience at the store and earn rewards. Various reward tiers are available based on the store category:
• Big Box Stores
• Gas Stations
• Grocery Stores
• Specialty Stores
Provided a receipt is taken within two weeks of the purchase, the amount will be credited to your account. Once 1000 coins are accumulated, swap them for a $5 Amazon gift card, or deposit the funds directly to your PayPal account. Subsequent rewards are:
• 2900 coins for a $15 reward
• 4300 coins for $25
• 6500 coins for $40
I have traded coins several times, predominantly at the 4300 coin level, with a sole transaction at the $40 tier. On all occasions, an Amazon gift card was selected to purchase necessary household items. It was a rewarding and absolutely cost-free experience!
The combined use of these two complementary apps has boosted my gas savings significantly. On the whole, deploying these apps to cut costs on gas and potential areas of decrement is an exciting endeavor. No one relishes spending hard-earned funds on fuel, yet apps like Get Upside and Receipt Hog attenuate this issue. By saving, I create room for other vibrant acquisitions that meet our wants and needs: a victory on all fronts!
Have you had any experience using these petrol-saving apps? Or perhaps you’ve benefitted from other apps with similar saving opportunities?
