If you’re already buying groceries, filling your gas tank and grabbing the random crap your family needs every week, you might as well get something back for it.
I take pictures of my receipts.
Yep. Grocery receipts. Target receipts. Gas station receipts. The receipt from the completely unnecessary thing I somehow walked out of the store with even though I went in for toothpaste.
Why?
Because I use Fetch, and those little pieces of paper I’d normally throw away can earn me points toward rewards.
And this is one of those money-saving things I love because it does not require me to completely change how I shop.
I’m buying the groceries anyway.
I might as well make the receipt work a little harder before I throw the damn thing out.
What Is Fetch?
Fetch is a free rewards app that gives you points for things you’re already buying.
The easiest way to use it is ridiculously simple:
Shop → Get receipt → Take picture of receipt → Get points.
Fetch currently gives you at least some points for eligible physical receipts, and certain products, brands and special offers can earn additional points. You can also earn through eligible electronic receipts and online shopping opportunities inside Fetch.
Those points accumulate in your account and can eventually be redeemed for available rewards, including gift cards.
No coupon binder.
No spreadsheet.
No standing in aisle seven doing advanced mathematics while someone tries to get around you with their cart.
That’s why this one has stayed in my rotation.
Here’s How I Use Fetch
My strategy is not complicated.
I buy what I was already going to buy.
Then I scan the receipt.
That’s it.
There ARE special offers inside the app that can earn you additional points, and I’ll absolutely look at them.
But here’s my rule with cashback and rewards apps:
I don’t want to spend $10 on something I didn’t need just because somebody offered me points for it.
That’s not saving money.
That’s shopping with extra steps.
If an offer matches something I was already going to buy? Absolutely.
If not? Keep scrolling.
Don’t Forget Your Online Receipts
This isn’t only about the crumpled grocery receipt that’s been living at the bottom of your purse for three days.
Fetch also supports eligible eReceipts and online shopping rewards. Depending on the purchase and retailer, you may be able to earn through an eReceipt, Fetch Shop or certain linked offers.
So if you’re shopping online anyway, it’s worth checking the app before assuming there’s nothing there for you.
See the recurring theme here?
If I’m spending the money anyway, I want to know whether there’s a way to get something back.
And Yep — Fetch Has Referrals Too
This is the part I want more people to remember.
Just like I talked about with Rakuten, these apps aren’t always only about what you can save or earn from your own shopping.
Fetch also has a referral program.
You get your own referral code, share it with someone who hasn’t joined yet, and when that person signs up using your code and completes the qualifying first-receipt requirement, you can both receive bonus points. Fetch says there’s currently no overall limit on the number of successful referrals, although the number of points offered can change and special promotions sometimes increase the bonus.
We’ll plug in exactly what my app is offering today because referral promotions change.
My Fetch referral code: 59V73
If you’re new to Fetch and decide to use my code, make sure you enter it before scanning your first receipt. Once that first receipt has been scanned, Fetch says you can no longer add a referral code for that signup.
And yes — if you use my referral code and complete the requirements, I may receive referral points too.
That’s why it’s called a referral. Nobody needs to pretend we’re doing this for humanitarian purposes. 😂
This Is What I Mean By Small Income Streams
Is scanning receipts going to pay your mortgage?
No.
Please do not quit your job because Wendie told you to photograph a CVS receipt.
But that’s also not the point.
I like finding little ways to get more value out of money I’m already spending.
Cash back here.
Receipt rewards there.
A referral bonus.
A gift card.
None of those things individually needs to be life-changing.
But when you start stacking little savings and little income streams together?
They add up.
And I’d much rather have that money and those rewards working for me than sitting in a trash can underneath yesterday’s coffee grounds.
The Bottom Line
If you already have Fetch:
SCAN YOUR DAMN RECEIPTS. 😂
And before you shop, take ten seconds to look at the offers in your app. You might already be buying something that earns extra points.
If you don’t have Fetch yet and want to try it, you can use my referral code:
FETCH
Then once you’re using Fetch yourself, don’t forget that you get your own referral code too.
Save money.
Earn rewards.
Share the apps you genuinely use.
Maybe make a little something from the referral.
That’s the kind of Mom Math I can get behind.
Referral disclosure: This post contains my Fetch referral code. If you sign up using my code and meet Fetch’s current referral requirements, I may receive referral points. Referral offers and reward amounts can change, so check the Fetch app for current terms.