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6 Apps and Websites That Pay You for Shopping

By U.S. News & World Report

You scour the web for the latest deals and do your part to clip coupons and keep track of upcoming sales. Those bargain-hunting efforts will pay off but don’t overlook the opportunities to get cash back or rewards from apps and websites that will pay you for your purchases. These sites earn a commission on sales made through their portal. All you need to do? Set up an account. Want to save even more? Use a cash back rewards credit card as your primary method of payment.

[See: Best Cash Back Credit Cards.]

Here are six apps and websites that pay you for shopping:

1. BeFrugal

You can earn up to 30 percent cash back from all purchases made through this site. Shop more than 4,000 stores and start collecting earnings on every purchase. Payouts are made every month through PayPal but you can also request a gift card or check. One of the unique features of this site is that the company is so certain it’s offering the highest cash back available that it will match cash back rates of any other site plus add an extra 25 percent to your account if you find a better deal elsewhere. If you enjoy shopping and comparing offers, this may be the best site for you.

2. Ebates

You can earn up to 25 percent cash back at more than 1,200 online retailers and stores, including Macy’s, eBags, Kohl’s, Wal-Mart and even Groupon. You can also get cash back on some eBay purchases so you’ll need to check the site regularly to see if there are any special offers for things you are in the market for. New users get a welcome bonus and you can request a payout as soon as you earn $5. This site also features the latest coupons and promo codes so you can save even more on those purchases. The Ebates app comes in handy when you want to compare prices in a store. Just scan the barcode and the app will show you the best prices online.

[See: 10 Money-Saving Websites to Check Before Shopping.]

3. FatWallet

Venture over to the FatWallet Forum to e-socialize with fellow bargain hunters and stay updated about the latest flash sales, last-minute offers and the best cash back rewards opportunities. Shopping through this site allows you to earn up to 25 percent cash back and you can find the latest coupon codes for hundreds of stores.

4. TopCashback

Prefer to get rewarded for shopping in-store? There’s an app for that. Use the TopCashback smartphone app to snap a picture of your receipt after an in-store shopping spree and upload it for payment. You can also check in with the app to see if there are any store offers available that day. Just show the offer on your phone at checkout for an instant discount. The website claims it’s the most generous cash back site in the country and features thousands of retailers that provide exclusive offers for users.

5. Shopkick

If you prefer to shop at brick-and-mortar stores, chances are you spend some time browsing at least a few shops before making your final purchase. Use this app to earn rewards just for walking into a store and then again when you make a purchase. The app gives you extra rewards for scanning products along the way and you can keep up with the latest sales and deals at participating stores during your visit. Once you’ve earned your rewards for the day, review your account and redeem your rewards in the form of a gift card from Target, Starbucks, Best Buy and other popular retail outlets.

[See: 10 Oddly Practical Things You Can Rent.]

6. Receipt Hog

Another way to get rewarded through your receipts, this app lets you turn those everyday purchases into an opportunity to earn rewards. Unlike many online shopping portals, you’re not limited to a certain number of stores or offers. Whether you just wrapped up your grocery haul or spent the day shopping for furniture, you can upload a picture of your receipt, take a paid survey or play a slot machine game for prizes and then trade coins earned from your shopping activities and games for cash or Amazon gift cards.

More from U.S. News

Your Month-to-Month Guide to Savings

12 Habits of Phenomenally Frugal Families

6 Apps and Websites That Pay You for Shopping originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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