How I Saved Over $70 on Groceries Plus a Quickie Pesto Recipe


Happy Wednesday, Friends! I think we're all interested in saving money, especially when there is a convenient solution. Since I'm such a bargain hunter when it comes to thrifting, you might be surprised to know that I usually dread going to the grocery store. Today I'm sharing my recent change of heart...oh, and there's pasta, too! 


quickie pesto recipe


I'm not sure when I started equating grocery shopping as a chore that was comparable to cleaning the potty. Both are necessary, but not enjoyable and let's face it--cleaning the potty can be accomplished much quicker! There are only so many coupons for the usual items on my list and it's a pretty mundane task. Unlike thrifting, the thrill of the hunt was missing, that is, until I discovered a new-to-me app, ibotta. Have you heard of it? I'll admit, I was skeptical at first because I've tried a few other apps in the past promising big savings that just didn't deliver. Well after earning $74 back from my regular grocery shopping in the first month, I'm a believer! There are no coupons to forget in the car redeem at the store. Plus, ibotta will give you a $10 welcome bonus just for trying the app! Download the app here.


ibotta app


The savings I mentioned have been at grocery stores alone, but there are also rebates at restaurants, and a variety of specialty stores. Living in a small town, my options are often limited, but both of my local grocery stores and pharmacies are included and just in the short time since I've joined, Dollar Tree and Dollar General have also been added. So now I'm getting that thrill of the hunt rush without going to the thrift stores ;) Below you can see some of the stores that offer rebates plus the prompt you'll receive to scan the product's barcode and receipt. These are several screenshots from my phone's app because I wanted to share how easy it actually is. When you push that pink button, it takes a photo of the product barcode and then asks for a photo of the receipt on step 2. 


ibotta app
This post contains affiliate links for the recommended shopping app. See full disclosure here.


Also, if you prefer not to mess with it while you're at the store, you can just snap the codes and receipt once you get home as you put your groceries away. I started out doing it that way, but after a few trips realized it was just as easy to scan the codes as I put items in my cart. Then as soon as I have the receipt in my hand at the store, I take the photo and I'm done. Usually by the time I am home from the store, the money has been credited. When I'm ready to withdraw, it is deposited into my Paypal account. Simple and user-friendly--my kind of app. Okay, now who wants pasta?


quickie pasta recipe


Basil is the one herb I enjoy cooking with, that I don't have in the garden year round, so I was happy to see the Pop & Cook cubes as one of the ibotta rebates. There are several varieties including both garlic and basil--perfect for pesto. This quickie version couldn't be easier and the basil and garlic taste so fresh and flavorful, I didn't miss the pine nuts usually included. Just place 5 basil cubes and 1 garlic in a container that's deep enough to hold the oil that will be added and let them thaw. Once the cubes are thawed, mash them with a fork. Before adding olive oil, drain the small amount of excess liquid. I added it to the water for cooking the pasta. 


quickie pesto recipe


Next add about a half a cup of olive oil and stir it gently. A little goes a long way, so for each serving of pasta, I stirred in about a tablespoon of pesto. This recipe will coat several servings of pasta and I had some leftover for a gourmet grilled cheese which was scrumptious! I also made it for the sauce for Carly's pizza and doubled the recipe. 


quickie pesto recipe




Pin it! My Thrift Store Addiction



quickie pasta recipe



One last tip, the $10 welcome bonus is awarded after your first rebate. At that time, you'll also receive a referral link, so you can receive $5 for each friend who joins! 


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  1. Just the other night I added things we bought from Wal Mart, my hubby could see the amount go up and up and was very surprised. Love the idea of taking the picture at the store...love your site, too...you are in my top 3 that I go to daily. Karan

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  2. Just the other night I added things we bought from Wal Mart, my hubby could see the amount go up and up and was very surprised. Love the idea of taking the picture at the store...love your site, too...you are in my top 3 that I go to daily. Karan

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  3. I LOVE pesto and that app looks very tempting. Definitely gonna check it out! Saving money is always welcome around my house! Thanks Cecilia :)

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  4. So you scan every item that you buy into the app? I saw a lady at the store the other day with a scanning gun and wondered what she was doing. She was scanning items as she put them in her cart. Maybe this is why.

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    1. I wanted to answer Stacey's question for others who may wonder the same thing. You select the rebates you want to use, ibotta calls this "unlocking" the rebate. This creates a list of your rebates on the app. Each item has to be "verified" which is simply using your phone to scan the product barcodes and then last, taking a picture of the receipt. It can be done while you shop or all after you've shopped--just keep your receipt ;)

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  5. Oh wow, this is pretty cool. I don't know if I missed it in reading or what but is it free to use? (I know I could just go check it out but thought others might have the same question)
    :o)
    Cecilia

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    1. Another good question, Cecilia. YES--totally free, plus a $10 bonus after you complete your first rebate, as described in the post!

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  6. How have I never heard about that app before?! This is awesome!

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  7. Very interesting. I love using apps like this, but have never heard of this particular one. Off to check it out!!

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  8. I don't have luck with apps like this but it sounds interesting enough to try. Love pesto and I cheat and buy the jarred one at Aldi's in the winter. Wow, what a difference when you use fresh basil in the summer!

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  9. Sounds good Cecilia. I love saving money. I will certainly look into this. I know our daughter would benefit from it as she buys a lot of groceries and stuff for the Ranch.
    Hugs,
    Audrey

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  10. I always get Amazon gift cards with my ibotta savings. In December I purchased a really nice bookcase with that giftcard account! I am a believer!

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  11. This app sounds awesome Cecilia. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for sharing the info with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  12. I really need to try ibotta! Who doesn't need to save a few buck on groceries? :)

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  13. Mmmmm the app sounds so interesting, I wonder if it will work in South Africa or if we have something similar. I'm off to check it out, thanks for the tip and the lovely pesto recipe

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  14. I have the ibotta app on my iPad but haven't really used it for much. I'll have to take another look at it!
    #happynowlinkup

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  15. I tried to use Ibotta for a while, but never seemed to be buying anything that was on the list. 😒 Maybe I should check it out again? And that is probably the easiest pesto I've ever seen. And easy = awesome. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!

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  16. Technology continues to astound me. Thanks for joining Monday Social to share your new app.

    Judith

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  17. Ibotta sounded very mysterious and complicated before your explanation. Thanks for it and your recipe. Also, thank you for sharing with us this at Celebrate Your Story, and I hope you’re having a great weekend.

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  18. Sounds like a super cool app! Along with your recipe! Love a good pesto!

    Thank you for sharing over at Waste Not Wednesday!

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