Stop throwing away your receipts!

You're literally throwing cash in the garbage every time you do.

We all know that we should be saving money, but it can be hard when you don't have the time or energy.

Scanning your receipts into a cash back app is the easiest way to save extra money and get discounts on things you're already buying.

But where's the best place to get those savings?

Here are the best apps to help you turn your receipts into cash.

How to Make Money From Your Receipts

Receipt scanning has become increasingly popular among consumers who want to save money.

Use the apps below to quickly and effortlessly turn receipts from your everyday purchases into real cash.

Fetch Rewards

Turn Receipts Into Free Gift Cards With Fetch Rewards!

The Fetch Rewards app is a receipt scanning app that gives you points just for taking a picture of your receipt.

You can scan a variety of receipts (not just from grocery stores) to earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards.

What makes Fetch unique from the other apps is that you don't need to pre-select from popular retailers or choose product offers in advance to get points.

Fetch will automatically "read" your receipt and reward you for the sponsored items you buy.

You can also link your email address and Amazon accounts to earn rewards for your email receipts.

Fetch Rewards is my favorite rebate app and one of the easiest apps to earn rewards with. Check out my full review of Fetch Rewards to learn more.

Receipt Hog

Receipt Hog is a great way to turn your receipts into cash rewards while having a bit of fun along the way.

Depending on where you shop, you can earn coins, spins, or sweepstakes entries just by taking a photo of your receipt.

The objective is to earn enough "coins" to redeem for cash.

While your grocery receipts will earn you coins directly, receipts from other retailers like restaurants and home improvement stores will reward you with either spins on the Hog Slots or entries into sweepstakes which may reward you with extra coins.

Once you build up enough coins, you can redeem those coins for cash.

Since Receipt Hog accepts a variety of receipts it's an easy way to turn earn money from receipts. And it's also pretty fun to play the Hog Slots.

Ibotta

With the Ibotta app, you can earn cash back on your receipts by matching offers from select stores for your favorite products and uploading receipts.

Occasionally you'll be required to scan barcodes of specific items as well, so make sure you scan your receipts for cashback before you toss the packaging.

One of Ibotta's strengths is that it offers its users a cash payout. Most other apps let you redeem rewards for gift cards, but Ibotta will send a direct deposit to your PayPal or bank account.

Ibotta was one of the first grocery receipt scanning apps, and it continues to innovate and offer more ways to earn cashback.

Not only has it expanded beyond grocery receipts, but you can now use Ibotta's browser extension to get rewarded for your online purchases or use the app to earn from your receipts.

And now you can even use Ibotta to save money by using online grocery pickup and delivery services like Instacart and Shipt.

Checkout 51

Checkout 51 is an app that rewards users with cashback for purchasing specific products.

While similar to Ibotta in the way you select products and scan your receipts, Checkout 51 differs by allowing you to earn rewards regardless of the store you choose.

Checkout 51 is also unique in that it allows you to earn rewards on gas purchases.

Coupons.com

You may already use Coupons.com to save money on groceries, but did you know you can also use their app to earn real money from receipts?

Unlike several other receipt scanning apps that offer rewards redeemable for gift cards, Coupons.com pays you cash rewards, transferred directly to your PayPal account.

Simply scan in an itemized receipt or link your store loyalty cards for automatic cash back.

Shopkick

Shopkick offers a number of ways to earn money from your everyday shopping trips.

While you can earn points ("kicks") just for going shopping at major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy, you can get extra kicks by making purchases and scanning barcodes.

You can also earn when you shop online or by watching videos in the app.

CoinOut

CoinOut tries to simplify the process of making money from your receipts by giving you a random reward with every receipt you scan.

You can also earn more by shopping through the app or signing up for partner services.

The more you shop and scan, the more relevant the offers CoinOut will give you.

InboxDollars

InboxDollars is another app that will pay you to scan your receipts.

It's slightly different however by paying a flat rate for each receipt instead of awarding cashback or points based on the items you buy.

You can also earn more by shopping through the app, watching videos, and taking online surveys.

ReceiptPal

ReceiptPal rewards you with gift cards and cash prizes when you submit your receipts.

Just snap a picture of your paper receipts, or connect your email or Amazon account, to earn points. Then redeem your points for gift cards.

ReceiptPal also automatically enters you into weekly sweepstakes for cash prizes when you scan in a receipt.

National Consumer Panel (NCP Mobile)

National Consumer Panel (NCP) isn't quite a receipt scanning app, but it's a similar approach so worth mentioning.

With the NCP Mobile app, you'll be scanning in your actual product barcodes to earn points you can later redeem for gift cards or sweepstakes entries.

While it's a bit more effort than the traditional receipt scanning apps, once you get in the habit, you'll actually earn a faster payout with NCP.

Like some of the other programs, you can also earn rewards for completing surveys and entering sweepstakes, as well as playing free weekly games.

Another key difference with NCP is in the different reward tiers. For each week you participate, your score increases, but if you miss a week your score decreases.

Basically, the more consistent you are in making submissions, the higher your score will be. Higher scores equate to higher earnings.

Ways to Maximize Your Money Back From Receipts

While all of these apps are great ways to make some extra cash, there are a few things you can do to maximize the amount of money you get back from your receipts.

Scan your receipts right away

Most of the receipt scanning apps require you to upload receipts within a set time frame. Each app is different, but it's usually around a two-week window.

To avoid forgetting or accidentally tossing your receipt, make sure to scan them as soon as you can.

Shop and plan meals based on offers

Many of the apps offer rewards based on your shopping habits, so be sure to check for new offers and promotions.

By planning your meals around sales and coupons available through these apps, you can save a lot of money.

Keep a running list of items you need to buy as well as those that are on sale to help you save even more.

Combine your savings with in-store coupons

Many of the receipt scanning apps highlight favorite brands or events that your local retailer may also be offering low prices on.

Before heading out on a shopping trip, compare the showcase items in your app with your local store's flyer to see if there are any matching deals.

By combining your in-app savings with in-store discount offers and coupon savings, you can maximize the money you make back on your receipts.

Use a store loyalty card

Using a store loyalty card will give you additional savings on top of any app or in-store coupons.

Many stores have special offers, exclusive sales, and reserve the lowest price for their loyalty card members.

You'll also get targeted coupons and deals you can combine with the apps above to save even more.

Also, download your favorite store's app to get exclusive digital coupons.

Not only will it save you some extra cash but you'll save time by avoiding clipping coupons each week.

With the app, you can load them directly onto your shopper loyalty card.

Use a rewards credit card

Receipt apps aren't the only way to earn rewards. Some credit cards also offer great cash back rewards and bonus points at certain stores.

If your preferred form of payment is a credit card, make sure you're optimizing your purchases by choosing the credit card with the best rewards for that particular shopping trip.

Use multiple cash back apps

Cashback apps offer the best ways for you to save money on your everyday purchases, so don't limit yourself to just one app.

Take advantage of multiple apps by combining offers and maximizing the reward value and money saved.

Check for surveys and coupons printed on your receipt

Before you toss your receipts (after you've scanned them of course), take a closer look to see if there are any extra deals printed on them.

Many stores will offer free or discounted items for filling out a survey. Some others may print coupons on the back of the receipt.

Final Thoughts on How to Make Money From Your Receipts

The best way to make money from your receipts is by scanning them into the apps above for rewards.

By combining this with other strategies like matching deals with store sales, using print coupons, and paying with reward credit cards, you can turn your everyday shopping trips into money-making opportunities.