Saving money on your supermarket shopping doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right tools and strategies, you can transform every trip into an opportunity to earn rewards, claim cashback, and even make a little extra cash on the side. Whether you're looking for the best cashback apps, savvy card options, or clever ways to profit from everyday errands, this guide has you covered. Discover how to maximise your savings and make your shopping work harder for you with these five simple tips.

 

Here are five ways you can be savvy with your supermarket shopping.  These tips will help you to not only save money when shopping in-store, but you can make money too!

1. Use Curve for cashback and free cash

Curve is a clever app and Mastercard that links to your existing debit and credit cards, making it the only card you need to carry. Simply select which card you want to pay with through the app, and then use your Curve card in-store or online.

Here’s why it’s worth signing up:

• £10 free cash: Sign up to the free Curve app with my referral link and get £10 to spend on whatever you like! Simply spend at least £10 using your Curve card within 14 days, and the £10 cash will be added to your account.

  Click here to sign up to Curve with my referral link

• Combine your cards: The free Curve card and app let you combine all your credit, debit, and loyalty cards into one. You only need to carry one card and remember one PIN, and you can even add receipts in the app for better organisation.

• Cashback options:

  • Choose your favourite retailers to get 1% cashback on all purchases – available only with their paid Pro plans.
  • Refer a friend to Curve, and get 1% cashback for 30 days on all purchases.

• Extra cashback offers: Earn up to 20% cashback from selected brands, including IKEA, Argos, Primark, and more in the UK. These offers change regularly, so check the app to see what’s available when you shop.

With its ease of use, extra cashback opportunities, and free £10 cash offer, Curve is a great way to get more from your everyday spending.

Handy tip: Set your Curve card to pay with your rewards credit card (see point 2) for double benefits!

T&Cs apply.

2. Use a rewards credit card to pay (and pay it straight back!)

The key here is not to get into debt but to make the most of cashback, points, or rewards from your everyday spending.

Here’s how we do it:

• Choose the right rewards card:
  We have a Tesco credit card that gives us Tesco Clubcard points on all purchases. Not just in Tesco but everywhere we shop. These points convert into Clubcard vouchers, which we often exchange for 2x their value in restaurant vouchers (e.g., Pizza Express). We also have a Sainsbury’s credit card that offers Nectar points on purchases. These can be redeemed for Sainsbury’s shopping, travel, or even eBay purchases.

• Why use a rewards card?
  By putting all our usual household spending on these cards, we earn rewards without spending anything extra.

• Pay it off instantly:
  To avoid interest, we set up online payments from our current account to the credit card. After every purchase, we log in and pay it off immediately. This ensures we never carry a balance and avoid interest fees.

• Interest-free buffer:
  Both of these cards also offer 0% interest on purchases for an extended period (e.g., 30 months). While we always aim to pay in full, this feature provides extra protection if unforeseen circumstances arise.

• Other card options:
  If Tesco or Sainsbury’s doesn’t suit you, there are plenty of other rewards cards offering cashback, air miles, or other benefits. Research which one aligns best with your spending habits.

Tip: Only use a credit card for purchases you can afford to pay off immediately. The aim is to maximise rewards, not to accumulate debt.

3. Check Roamler and BeMyEye for mystery tasks

Roamler is an app for your smartphone offering in-store audits, many of which can be performed discreetly during your regular shopping trip. I always check mine before heading to a store to see if I can make some extra money while running errands.

Tasks are often simple, like taking a photo of a flower display or checking if an item is in stock, and pay a couple of pounds. Over time, these small tasks can add up to a nice extra income.

You need an invite code to register. For more details, check out this blog post: How to make money from your phone with the Roamler app

BeMyEye is another app that works in a similar way. It lets you earn money by discreetly taking photos of displays, noting prices, or recording feedback from sales staff. The tasks are straightforward and perfect for fitting into your daily routine.

Getting started with BeMyEye:

• Sign up using the invitation code 0rg1zy to get £1 free after completing your first mission.
• Alternatively, click here to sign up.

Both apps are excellent ways to turn your regular shopping trips into an opportunity to earn extra money.

4. Get coupons and cashback from these apps

Want to save money on your grocery shopping? Supermarket cashback apps are a fantastic way to get discounts, try new products for less, or even for free. These apps let you claim cashback on selected items by simply uploading your receipt after shopping. Here are some of the best ones:

• GreenJinn: If you shop in-store at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, or Waitrose, check the GreenJinn app for coupons on your shopping. You’ll often find deals with up to 50% or even 100% off, allowing you to try new products for free. Simply select the offers in the app, buy the items in-store, and upload a photo of your receipt for verification. Cashback is credited to your account, and you can cash out once you reach £1.50.

• Shopmium: Similar to GreenJinn, Shopmium offers cashback on selected items. Sign up by clicking my referral link here  to receive a free product, such as Ben & Jerry’s ice cream or Pringles, on your next supermarket shop! Alternatively, enter my Shopmium referral code 46e3t when signing up.

• Clicksnap: This app, run by Quidco, offers up to 100% cashback on selected items from major supermarkets, including Ocado. Simply upload a photo of your receipt through the app, and cashback will be credited to your Quidco account.

• CheckoutSmart: Like Clicksnap, CheckoutSmart offers similar deals on grocery shopping. If you’re not using Quidco, opt for this app, as cashback can be withdrawn directly to PayPal or via BACS. To avoid withdrawal fees, wait until you’ve accumulated £20 or more. Sign up at www.checkoutsmart.com

Handy tip: Sometimes, the same offers appear on more than one app. If an offer is limited to one item per app, you can claim it on multiple apps to maximise your savings!

5. Snap your receipts for even more cashback!

Finally, it’s time for you to take a photo of your receipt on these apps to get even more cashback! Don’t throw away your receipts – snap a photo of them to earn rewards with these receipt apps currently in the UK:

• Shoppix: Snap your receipts to earn points, which can be redeemed for PayPal cash, Amazon vouchers, or Love2shop vouchers. For an extra boost, if it asks for a referral code, enter the code 52YFMN8U when you register to get 200 bonus tokens after uploading your first receipt.

• SnapMyEats: Perfect for food and drink purchases, SnapMyEats lets you earn Amazon gift vouchers by submitting your dining and grocery receipts.

• Amazon Shopper Panel: With this exclusive programme, you can earn Amazon credit simply by uploading 10 receipts per month. Keep an eye out for an invite to join this app if you’re not already on the panel.

By using these apps, you can turn everyday purchases into easy rewards – a great way to make your shopping work harder for you!

Final word

With these five smart strategies, you can turn every supermarket visit into a chance to save money and earn extra cash. From cashback apps and rewards credit cards to mystery shopping and receipt snapping, these tips will help you get the most value out of your everyday spending.

Start using these tips today to take control of your shopping budget and discover just how much you can save. For more ways to boost your income, check out more popular posts:

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