Practical Guide for Newcomers

Save hundreds of dollars
every year in the USA

Cashback apps, discounted gift cards, smart credit cards, and the cheapest unlimited cell plan — all with referral bonuses included. Compiled by a real user who's been doing this for years.

Start here See my workflow →
14 Tools covered
$200+ Typical annual savings
0 Monthly fees
Overview

How this all works

There are three layers of savings you can stack on top of each other. Most people only know one.

1

Cashback apps

Earn money back on groceries, gas, and restaurants just by taking a photo of your receipt or activating offers before shopping. Free to use, no subscriptions.

Ibotta, Fetch, Upside, Shopkick →
2

Discounted gift cards

Buy gift cards for Starbucks, Chipotle, PlayStation, Amazon and hundreds of other brands at 3–15% below face value. Then pay with a cashback credit card on top.

GCX, CardCash, CardDepot →
3

Cashback on top

Pay for discounted gift cards with a credit card that gives you cashback. Discover and Chase Freedom give 1–1.5% on everything, and Discover doubles your first year.

Discover, Chase Freedom →
💡
Quick example: Buy a $50 Starbucks gift card on GCX for $44 (12% off). Pay with Discover card: +$0.66 cashback. Then use Ibotta when you visit. That's three layers of savings on one coffee run — costing almost no extra effort.
Layer 1

Cashback apps

All free. All work on receipts or in-store scanning. Stack multiple apps on the same purchase when possible.

Fr

Fetch

Simplest app
Bonus on first receipt

The simplest cashback app. Just photo your receipt after any purchase — groceries, restaurants, pharmacy, even Amazon orders — and earn points. Also earns points for playing free games or completing simple offers. Points convert to gift cards.

Photograph every receipt — even a coffee cup receipt counts
Check "Offers" for extra points on specific brands
Sometimes the same product has offers in both Fetch and Ibotta

How to use:

  1. Download Fetch and sign up with the referral code below
  2. After any purchase, take a clear photo of your receipt in the app
  3. Points are credited automatically within minutes
  4. Redeem for Amazon, Starbucks, Target gift cards and more
Referral code: WFRFD2 click to copy
Get sign-up bonus →
Up

Upside

Best for gas
$11 first purchase bonus

Save on gas, groceries, and restaurants. The concept is different: you "claim" a specific offer at a specific gas station (or restaurant), go there, and upload your receipt. The cashback tends to be higher per transaction than other apps. Especially valuable for fuel savings.

Check Upside before every gas stop — saves 5–25¢/gallon
Also covers some grocery chains and restaurants
You must claim the offer BEFORE visiting the location

How to use:

  1. Download Upside and sign up using code PAVEL2748
  2. Open the map, find nearby gas stations with cashback offers
  3. Tap "Claim" on the offer you want, then go fill up
  4. Take a photo of your receipt and submit it in the app
  5. Cash out to bank account, PayPal, or gift cards
Referral code: PAVEL2748 click to copy
Get $11 bonus →
Sk

Shopkick

No purchase needed
Bonus kicks on sign-up

Earn "kicks" (points) for walking into stores, scanning barcodes of products (even without buying), and for actual purchases. Unique because you earn rewards just for visiting a store or scanning items. Less lucrative than the others but worth doing while you're already shopping.

Scan barcodes in-store for free kicks (no purchase needed)
Works at Target, Walmart, TJ Maxx, Best Buy, and more
Combine with Ibotta and Fetch on the same shopping trip

How to use:

  1. Sign up using code EASY455359
  2. Browse offers in the app — check what's available near you
  3. When in a store, tap "Check In" to earn walk-in kicks
  4. Scan product barcodes on offered items (no need to buy)
  5. Redeem kicks for gift cards (Target, Amazon, Starbucks, etc.)
Referral code: EASY455359 click to copy
Get bonus kicks →
TC

TopCashback

Best for online & hotels
Free to use

A cashback portal — when you're about to buy something online (hotel, flight, clothing, electronics), go through TopCashback first and earn a percentage back. Especially powerful for travel bookings. Also has a gift card marketplace inside.

Always check TopCashback before booking hotels or buying online
Covers Booking.com, Hotels.com, eBay, Apple, and thousands more
Has its own gift card marketplace — worth browsing

How to use:

  1. Create a free account using the referral link below
  2. Before any online purchase or hotel booking, go to TopCashback
  3. Search for the store you're planning to buy from
  4. Click through their link to the store and complete your purchase
  5. Cashback appears in your account within days; withdraw to bank or PayPal
Referral link: topcashback.com/ref/member1116545048638
Sign up free →
Layer 2

Gift card marketplaces

Buy discounted gift cards for places you already visit. This is probably the most underused savings trick in the US.

The concept

People who receive gift cards as gifts but don't want them sell them at a discount — often 5–15% below face value. You buy a $50 Starbucks card for $44, for example. The cards are legitimate and fully usable. You can stack this with credit card cashback when you buy the gift card itself.

Check these sites before visiting Starbucks, Chipotle, Olive Garden, AMC, PlayStation Store, Target, Walmart, Amazon — any place that sells gift cards.

GCX (formerly Raise)

$5 off first purchase

One of the largest gift card marketplaces. Huge selection with competitive discounts. Recently added a small fee on transactions, but still worth checking. Get $5 off your first card with the link below.

Starbucks
Chipotle
PlayStation
Target
Amazon
+hundreds more

How to use:

  1. Sign up at GCX using the referral link below
  2. Search for the brand you're about to spend money at
  3. Browse available cards sorted by discount percentage
  4. Purchase the card — it's delivered electronically immediately
  5. Use the card code when checking out at the store
Get $5 off first card →

CardDepot

Often best rates

Currently offers the best discounts among the three. No added transaction fees (as of this writing). Always compare all three sites before buying — the best deal shifts regularly.

Starbucks
Restaurants
Retail
Entertainment

How to use:

  1. Go to carddepot.com
  2. Search or browse for the brand you need
  3. Compare the discount with GCX and CardCash
  4. Buy and use immediately — cards are delivered digitally
Visit CardDepot →

TopCashback Gift Cards

Cashback on top

TopCashback also has its own gift card marketplace. The unique advantage: buy a gift card there AND earn portal cashback simultaneously — a rare double-dip that other marketplaces don't offer.

Restaurants
Retail
Travel
Entertainment

How to use:

  1. Sign in to your TopCashback account
  2. Go to the gift card marketplace
  3. Browse brands — compare discount % with GCX, CardDepot, CardCash
  4. Purchase and use the card immediately
Browse TopCashback Gift Cards →

CardCash

Wide selection

Another solid marketplace with a wide inventory. Good for finding cards from niche brands that GCX and CardDepot might not carry. Always worth a quick check.

All major brands
Restaurants
Travel

How to use:

  1. Go to cardcash.com
  2. Search for the brand you want
  3. Compare the discount rate vs. other marketplaces
  4. Buy the card and use it right away
Visit CardCash →

Pro tip: Pay for gift cards with a cashback credit card. Buy a $50 Chipotle card at 10% off ($45), then get 1.5% cashback on the $45 purchase. Your effective discount is ~11.5%. Do this every time you know you'll spend at that brand.

Layer 3 + Credit Building

Credit cards

Especially important for newcomers: you need to build credit history in the US from scratch. These two cards are a great starting point.

DISCOVER
•••• •••• •••• ####

Discover it® Card

Best first card for newcomers to the US

Discover is famously beginner-friendly — they often approve applicants with limited or no US credit history. The killer feature: Cashback Match. After your first 12 months, Discover automatically doubles all the cashback you've earned. If you earned $150 cashback, they give you another $150.

  • 1% cashback on all purchases
  • Cashback doubled at end of first year (effectively 2%)
  • No annual fee
  • Good approval chances even without US credit history
  • No foreign transaction fees
For newcomers: Apply as soon as you have an SSN. The sooner you get this card and start using it responsibly, the sooner you're building credit. Always pay the full balance monthly — no interest charges, only cashback.
Referral link: refer.discover.com/s/terekhovpd1
Get $100 credit — Apply →
CHASE
•••• •••• •••• ####

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Best cashback rate on everyday spending

Once you have a year or two of US credit history, the Chase Freedom Unlimited gives you a flat 1.5% cashback on everything, with higher rates on specific categories. Use this card to buy your discounted gift cards and stack the savings.

  • 1.5% cashback on all purchases
  • 3% on dining and drugstores, 5% on travel through Chase
  • No annual fee
  • Sign-up bonus usually $200 for spending $500 in first 3 months
Strategy: Use this card to purchase discounted gift cards from the marketplaces above. You get a discount on the card PLUS 1.5% back on the purchase price.
Referral link: referyourchasecard.com/18m/EFEY4IMN3X
Apply at Chase →
Golden rule: Only spend what you can pay off completely each month. Credit card cashback only makes sense if you never carry a balance — interest charges will wipe out any rewards quickly. Treat it like a debit card, pay in full every statement.
Mobile

Best unlimited cell plan

Two great options: Visible (Verizon-based) and Mint Mobile (T-Mobile-based). Both are contract-free and much cheaper than major carriers.

Visible by Verizon

Runs on Verizon's network

Visible is a budget carrier owned by Verizon, running on the same nationwide network. Their plan includes unlimited talk, text, and data at a fraction of the cost of major carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, or traditional Verizon plans.

No contracts, no annual commitments. Great for newcomers who want reliable coverage without a long-term lock-in.

  • Unlimited talk, text, and data
  • Verizon network coverage
  • No annual contract
  • Hotspot included
  • Cheaper than all major carriers for equivalent unlimited plans

How to sign up:

  1. Use the referral link below to get a discounted month
  2. Choose your plan (Basic or Plus)
  3. Order a SIM card or eSIM (instant for eSIM)
  4. Activate by following their instructions — takes about 10 minutes
  5. Keep your existing phone number if you want (number porting is free)

Use my referral link — you get a discount, and so do I:

Join Visible →

Referral code: 68SDNFL

Mint Mobile

Runs on T-Mobile's network

Mint Mobile is a prepaid carrier running on T-Mobile's nationwide network. You pay upfront for 3, 6, or 12 months — the longer you pay, the cheaper it gets. A great option if you prefer T-Mobile coverage over Verizon.

No contracts. No annual commitment. Plans start from $15/month when paid annually. Use the referral link for $15 off your first purchase.

  • Unlimited talk & text, generous data
  • T-Mobile network coverage
  • No annual contract — prepaid, cancel anytime
  • Hotspot included
  • From $15/month (annual plan) — among the cheapest available

How to sign up:

  1. Use the referral link below to get $15 off
  2. Choose a plan and how many months to prepay
  3. Order a SIM card or eSIM (eSIM is instant)
  4. Activate online — takes about 10 minutes
  5. Keep your existing number — free porting

Use my referral link — get $15 off your first purchase:

Join Mint Mobile →
How I use all this

My real-world workflow

This is exactly how I use these tools on a typical grocery trip — takes 5 minutes total.

1

Before the store: check Ibotta

Quickly scan what offers are available and whether I can hit a completion bonus. If a bonus requires buying 5 specific items and I already need 3 of them, I'll grab the other 2 even if they're cheap items I'll use anyway.

2

At the gas station: Upside first

Before every fill-up, I open Upside and claim the offer for the cheapest nearby station. This is a habit — it takes 30 seconds and saves a few dollars every tank.

3

After the store: photograph receipt in Fetch

Right in the parking lot or at home. Takes 10 seconds. The app scans the receipt automatically. Even if there are no specific offers for my items, the receipt itself usually earns some base points.

4

For restaurants/coffee: check gift card sites first

If I'm going to Chipotle, Starbucks, or any chain — I first check GCX, CardDepot, and CardCash. If there's a 10%+ discount, I buy a gift card before going. Takes 2 minutes.

5

For online purchases/hotels: TopCashback

Before booking a hotel or buying anything online for more than $20, I check if TopCashback has a deal for that merchant. Booking a $200 hotel with 5% cashback = $10 back for 30 seconds of work.

6

Pay with credit card — always

Every purchase goes on the Chase Freedom Unlimited (1.5% on everything) or Discover (1% + doubled first year). Never pay cash or debit for everyday spending — it's leaving money on the table.

Rough monthly savings estimate

Ibotta (groceries) $10–$25
Fetch (all receipts) $3–$8
Upside (gas) $5–$15
Gift cards (restaurants) $5–$20
Credit card cashback $10–$25
Estimated total $33–$93/mo

Numbers vary based on spending habits. Consistent users regularly save $500–$1000/year.

Where to start (priority order)

  1. Discover card — build credit immediately, double cashback year one
  2. Ibotta — biggest impact on grocery bills
  3. Upside — free gas savings on every fill-up
  4. Fetch — photo every receipt, passive earnings
  5. Gift card sites — before any restaurant or entertainment spend
  6. TopCashback — before any online purchase or hotel booking
Bonus

Other useful tools

Extra ways to save or earn that don’t fit neatly into the categories above.

Wn

Whatnot

Free giveaways + wallet credit
Wallet credit
on sign-up

Whatnot is a live shopping platform where sellers host auctions and giveaways. The key feature: many shows run free giveaways — you can join and win items without spending a cent. Sign up with the referral link below for generous wallet credit to use on the platform.

Filter for free giveaway shows — no purchase required to enter
Wallet credit from sign-up bonus can be used on any purchase
Popular categories: trading cards, sneakers, electronics, collectibles

How to use:

  1. Sign up using the referral link below to get wallet credit
  2. Browse live shows — filter by category or search for giveaways
  3. Join free giveaway shows and enter without spending anything
  4. Use your wallet credit on any purchase you want to make
Referral link: whatnot.com/invite/terekhovpd
Join Whatnot →
Questions

Common questions

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