This New App Automatically Gets You Money Back for Eating and Drinking Out

Like many people, I spend too much money on food and drink.

I’m looking at my recent credit card purchases right now — and I’m cringing…

• $3.53 for coffee this morning

• $9.80 at Panera yesterday

• $34.16 for beers this past Saturday (that’s for two people)

• $29 for brews this past Thursday (I need to explain this one. I was at a concert. I ordered two beers, which were for my parents. It cost $29. Ridiculous.)

I need to stop here before I embarrass myself too much.

But… you knew there was a “but” coming… Swagbucks just released a new app called Swagbucks Local that rewards when you dine out with its partnered vendors.

Not Familiar with Swagbucks? Let Me Explain

Most simply, Swagbucks is a rewards site.

You earn Swagbucks (SBs, which act as points) for doing various tasks, such as shopping, searching the internet, taking surveys or watching videos.

Once you collect a certain amount of SBs, you can exchange them for gift cards to places like Amazon, Target, Starbucks and Walmart.

For example, right now, if you earn 500 SBs, you can snag a $5 Amazon card.

So… What’s Swagbucks Local?

Swagbucks Local is just another way to stock up on SBs. But instead of taking surveys or watching videos, you don’t really have to do anything but download the app and connect your credit or debit card.

That’s because you earn points when you dine at local restaurants, buy coffee from your go-to cafe or hit up your favorite dive bar.

There’s no need to ask your barista, “Hey, do you do the Swagbucks thing?” All you have to do is search the map on the app to see which establishments are participating in your area.

Don’t want to put that much planning into it? That’s fine, too.

Swagbucks Local automatically registers when you’ve swiped your card at a participating eatery and will reward you in SBs.

Here’s How to Download Swagbucks Local and Start Earning SBs

This is easy. That’s coming from me, someone who has little patience for new apps and downloads.

Here’s how I set up Swagbucks Local:

1. Download the app in the iTunes store or on Google Play for Android users. It’s free.
2. If you have an existing Swagbucks account, go ahead and sign in. If not, create an account.
3. Link your debit and/or credit cards. I simply linked my credit card because that’s what I use exclusively, but you can link as many cards as you want — as long as they’re Visa or American Express.
4. Peruse the map. Right now, Swagbucks Local is live in more than 2,000 areas (and continues to grow). You’ll see which local spots offer SBs with purchases.

Or, you can skip this step. Once you have your credit or debit card(s) connected, Swagbucks registers if you make a purchase at an affiliated vendor. You don’t have to do a thing; it’ll automatically reward you.

The number of SBs you earn per dollar will depend on the location. In my area, many eateries and coffee shops are offering 7 SB per dollar. So that $3.53 coffee I bought this morning? 25 SBs.

When you sign up and link a card right now, you’ll also automatically bank 100 SBs.

So I’m already a quarter of the way to a $5 gift card. And I feel a little less guilty splurging on coffee this morning. I mean, it was a lavender vanilla latte… No way I can make that thing at home!

Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links. We’re letting you know because it’s what Honest Abe would do. After all, he is on our favorite coin.

Carson Kohler (@CarsonKohler) is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder. Swagbucks has always intimidated her for some reason, but Swagbucks Local is way easy.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, one of the largest personal finance websites. We help millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. In 2016, Inc. 500 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the No. 1 fastest-growing private media company in the U.S.

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