Use the Shopkick App to Earn Gift Cards and Discounts

A friend introduced me to Shopkick a few months back. It's an app that allows you to collect kicks (like points) to use toward gift cards to stores like Target, Starbucks, Best Buy, Macy's, Lowe's, Chili's and iTunes. At the same time, you can find discounts for stores that are nearby. I didn't use Shopkick at first because I was confused about how it works, so here's the skinny...


There are several ways that you can collect kicks:

1. Collect instant surprises while you are riding in the car or sitting on the couch everyday. (These are marked with a green star.)
2. Collect kicks for walking in a store.
3. Collect kicks for buying certain items or for spending a certain amount of money at the store.
4. Collect kicks for scanning items in the store.

Tips:

Watch the banner at the top of the Nearby tab for special events.

Don't use Shopkick while you drive! Only if you are the copilot, collect kicks while you're on your regular route around town. If one of your children loves using your phone, teach them how to use Shopkick and enlist them to collect kicks for you while you drive.

Available on iPhone and Android.

Join Shopkick today!  (affiliate link)

Android App: Locale

Recently I heard from a friend about a location-based app for your Android phone that performs actions based on conditions that you choose. The app is called Locale. I'm an iPhone user, so I can't use this app. And from what I have heard, the iPhone doesn't even have the capability to support an app like this. Wait until you hear what this thing can do! This one app is enough to make me seriously consider switching to Android. One little app!

Let's start with a few scenarios to explain.

Scenario 1: You and your significant other like to go to the movies on the weekends. Locale has you covered. You can program the app to set your phone to silent and turn down the screen light when you enter the theater.

Scenario 2: You're at the office. Locale has you covered there too. You can program the app to set your phone to vibrate and connect to the office's WiFi if you'd like.

Scenario 3: You don't want to be bothered while you are sleeping. Locale has you covered. You can program the app to set to silent from 11:00 pm to 6:00 am, except if it's your mom calling. Now that's smart!

Locale doesn't need babysitting. You set the conditions based on your schedule and your needs then forget all about it. Your phone works for you, and you are never embarrassed again when Lady Gaga ringtone starts singing from your pocket in church!

The one downside for Locale is the price: $9.99.  I don't like paying for apps, but for what I know about this one, I would be 100% willing to pay ten bucks for it!

If you already use Locale, I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on the app. Is it worth the money? Does its features work as well as they sound in theory?