Technology is changing the way Americans clip coupons

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Karla "Savings" Benavides, Extreme Couponer said, "They think that they have to go hunt for a newspaper to get coupons. They think they have to sit at a desk and cut thousands of coupons. It's not like that anymore."

In today's world, one of the first steps in couponing would be downloading apps of your favorite places to shop. For example, if you shop at CVS a lot, it's a good idea to download the CVS app for extra savings. 

Karla "savings" Benavides/Extreme Couponer also said, "It's only because they offer deals on everything. You can get everything there. You can get the laundry detergent, you can get diapers, you can get toilet paper, all the body washes all you know, hair shampoo, razors, everything. CVS has it all and they always have a ton of deals weekly."

Benavides mentioned that you can get a lot of everyday items at a reduced prices by again, simply downloading the store's app - but there are a few products in general that every couponer knows they can get a steal on.

The Extreme Couponer adds, "The one thing coupons will always pay for is toothpaste. That is the easiest thing anyone can coupon. Colgate toothpaste on sale two for $7.98. We have a $7.98 off digital coupon when you buy two making these completely free and you only pay tax."

Alongside downloading apps of the stores you frequent, it's also a good idea to download a rebate app, which is basically a cash-back app that gives you a rebate on a purchase, or provides a coupon for an additional discount; some of the popular rebate apps include Dosh, Ibotta and Getupside... 

So, saving can be simple, and the tools needed to do so are right at your fingertips.

For more information about saving money via couponing and rebate apps, visit FOX54.COM. 

Did you know you can earn money back on your everyday purchases? Well, you can with free cash back apps; but which ones are the best?

One of the first rebate apps on our list and arguably the easiest to work is Dosh. You link your debit or credit card to the app and you automatically earn cashback!

Andrea Woroch, smart shopping expert says, "Every time you pay with that credit card at a partner retailer, you're going to earn extra cashback through dosh, plus whatever your credit card offers. So, that's another way to kind of double up on the cashback when you're shopping."

Another easy to use app is Fetch; you earn points for every receipt you upload to the app. You can also turn in your points for gift cards to almost any retailer. 

Woroch added, "Getting extra cash for really not doing much other than just scanning your receipts and you're making the purchase anyway. So, why not earn? That doesn't take a lot of time."

This next one is a little harder to navigate. With Ibotta you'll need to activate offers for each item you buy at the grocery store and then upload your receipt. Ibotta also allows you to redeem your points for gift cards or cash back. 

Christina, from Saving with Christina, said, "You can combine the Ibotta cashback app with coupons, so if I find an item on sale, I have a coupon for it and I can still get cashback on Ibotta. Sometimes I end up actually making money buying products."

Brandclub is a little different. It's a loyalty app - so it rewards you for buying products you already purchase at stores you already go to. You can also take surveys to earn more rewards. 

Christina added, "It's essentially giving you rewards for brands that you are already buying. You don't have to buy anything specific. You're buying the stuff that you want to buy."

Lastly, there's Getupside -- with this app you can earn cashback on gas and restaurant purchases. You'll have to link your credit or debit card to the the app, activate the offer and pay with the linked card. 

For more information on any of these rebate apps, and how you can use them to save money, head on over to FOX54.COM.