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Category: Retail

  • Cash App Boosts save 15% at Torchy’s Tacos, DoorDash & Whataburger

    If you’re looking to add a new tool to your cash back and savings tool kit, Cash App Boosts are more than worth a look.

    Boost is a cash back rewards program available for users of the Cash App Cash Card, and it could help you save as much as 10% to 25% on some of your everyday spending at restaurants, grocery stores, coffee shops and more. You can change your boost after you use it to another boost so if you use it for an Uber ride for $1 off then switch it to 25% off a retailer or delivery service such as DoorDash.

    If you do not have the Cash App you can get it here and a $5 bonus.

    Boost your uber rides for $1 off.

    They broke the internet a few months ago with a 99% for DoorDash. Keep in mind this isn’t an everyday thing but the 15% of at Torchy’s Tacos, 10% Chick-Fil-A, and Taco Bell are on-going boosts.

    Here we list the current Cash App Boost offers and cover how Boosts work and how to use them to save money. We also break down how this feature compares to other cash back and rewards programs.

    What is Boost on Cash App?

    Cash App Boosts give Cash App users a chance to earn instant discounts on some of their everyday spending. Boosts are linked to the Cash App Cash Card, a debit card tied to your Cash App account, and may only be used when you pay with the card at eligible restaurants and retailers. Boosts are easy to use, but only one can be activated at a time and each Boost must be activated before you make your purchase in order to get the deal.

    Cash APP Boost recently changed the name to offers which are instant offers (better than cash back).

    How do Cash App Boosts work?

    Boosts are only available to Cash App Cash Card users. To apply for a card, a user must have downloaded the Cash App and be 18 or over. You can customize your Cash Card to show your “Cashtag,” choose your card finish and even add stamps, signatures or other custom artwork to the card. Once requested, cards should arrive within 10 business days.

    You can request and customize your Cash Card in just a few steps

    Tip: Since the Cash Card is a debit card, not a credit card, you won’t have to face a hard credit pull when you request one.

    Boosts work by giving users instant cash back when they pay for purchases using the Cash Card at select retailers, including grocery stores, restaurants and more. Trader Joe’s, Xbox and coffee shops are a few of the favorite deals among users. However, many Cash Card users don’t know about Boosts since Boosts aren’t turned on automatically (and even more app users don’t know because they don’t have the Cash Card).

    Boosts work differently, depending on the deal. Some Boosts take a percentage off the entire purchase, while others take a flat dollar amount off. Some require a minimum purchase, and many have a maximum discount. Boosts may be offered for specific retailers, brands or broad categories of retailers, like grocery stores or coffee shops.

    As the Boost feature has evolved, Cash App has added different functions. Locked Boosts are a fairly new feature and may be accessed only after making a specified number purchases with the Cash Card. After you’ve made the required purchases, you will have limited access to the deal. When the Boost gets locked again, you must make the required number of Cash Card purchases again to unlock the deal.

    While using the Cash Card might be inconvenient for some, others should find these “premium” Boosts with higher discounts worth it, especially if they frequently visit eligible retailers.

    Tip: You can easily link your Cash Card to Apple Pay to take advantage of Boosts when you use your mobile wallet.

    How to use Boosts

    Once you activate your Cash App Cash Card, you’re ready to use Boosts. Here’s how to activate a Boost, step-by-step:

    • From the Cash App startup screen, tap the Cash Card icon.
    • Tap the “Save With Boost” button.
    • Scroll through the list of available Boosts and tap the one you’d like to activate.
    • Read the Boost’s restrictions, and if you’re ready to activate, tap “Activate Boost.”
    • A logo will show you which Boost is active. Your Boost is automatically applied when you make an eligible purchase with your Cash Card.

    As noted, only one Boost may be active at a time, but you can change them out as often as you like to enjoy a number of different deals. When you’re ready for another deal, simply switch to another Boost. We changed from Torchy’s Tacos 15% off to Whataburger 15% off during lunch then dinner in one day!

    Tip: You can start adding Boosts as soon as your Cash Card request is approved. No need to wait for the physical card to arrive in the mail.

    Previous and Current Cash App Boosts

    Cash App keeps its list of Boosts relevant by updating it regularly. Indeed, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Cash App has swapped out many deals at movie theaters, sit-down restaurants and coffee shops for more quarantine-friendly options, like home and beauty goods, groceries, home improvement stores, food delivery and online gaming. Boosts also include a range of price points for different demographics, and national as well as local offerings. Keep in mind these vary per person.

    Here are the Boosts you can activate:

    • Aldi: 10% off one purchase (minimum purchase of $1.50, discount up to $7.50)
    • Chick-fil-A: 15% off (minimum purchase of $1, discount up to $7.50)
    • Chipotle: 15% off one purchase (minimum purchase of $1, discount up to $7.50)
    • Dick’s Sporting Goods: 10% off one purchase (minimum purchase of $1.50, discount up to $7.50)
    • Domino’s: 15% off one purchase (minimum purchase of $1, discount up to $7.50)
    • DoorDash: 10% off (minimum purchase of $2, discount up to $5)
    • Dunkin’: 20% off one purchase (minimum purchase of $1.50, discount up to $7.50)
    • GOAT: 5% off one purchase (minimum purchase of $5, discount up to $15)
    • GoPuff: 10% off one order (minimum purchase of $5, discount up to $5)
    • Grocery stores (any): 10% off one purchase (minimum purchase of $1.50, discount up to $7.50
    • The Home Depot: 15% off one purchase (minimum purchase of $1, discount up to $7.50)
    • Hulu: $5 off one purchases anywhere (Boost unlocked by making a purchase on Hulu)
    • Jack in the Box: 10% off one purchase (minimum purchase of $1.50, discount up to $7.50)
    • McDonald’s: 15% off each purchase (minimum purchase of $1, discount up to $7.50)
    • Nordstrom: 10% off one purchase (minimum purchase of $1.50, discount up to $7.50)
    • Lyft: 20% off one purchase (minimum purchase of $1.50, discount up to $7.50)
    • PlayStation Network: 15% off each purchase (minimum purchase of $1, discount up to $7.50)
    • Publix: 10% off one purchase (minimum purchase of $1.50, discount up to $7.50)
    • Restaurants (any): 15% off one purchase (minimum purchase of $1.50, discount up to $7.50)
    • Sam’s Club: 5% off one online purchase (minimum purchase of $1.50, discount up to $20)
    • Shake Shack: 15% off each order (minimum purchase of $1, discount up to $7.50)
    • Starbucks: 10% off each purchase (minimum purchase of $1.50, discount up to $7.50)
    • Subway: 10% off one purchase (minimum purchase of $1.50, discount up to $7.50)
    • Taco Bell: 15% off each purchase (minimum purchase of $1, discount up to $7.50)
    • Ulta Beauty: 10% off one purchase (minimum purchase of $1.50, discount up to $7.50)
    • USPS: 20% off each purchase (minimum purchase of $1, discount up to $7.50)
    • Walgreens: 10% off one purchase (minimum purchase of $1.50, discount up to $7.50)
    • Walmart: 10% off one purchase (minimum purchase of $1.50, discount up to $7.50)
    • Whataburger: 15% off each purchase (minimum purchase of $1, discount up to $7.50)
    • Xbox: 15% off each purchase (minimum purchase of $1, discount up to $5)
    • Spirit! Halloween for 25% off
    • Torchy’s Tacos for 15% off

    There are limits to using Boosts, however. You cannot use a Boost more than once in a one-hour period. Sometimes Boosts will also specify how often an offer may be used in a time frame, such as once every six hours.

    Another downside is that Boosts get retired on a regular basis, so some deals you love won’t be available forever. However, as Boosts are retired, new Boosts appear in their place to keep things fresh. The good news is, as long as your Boost is activated, it won’t expire until after you use it, even if it’s already been retired.

    Another restriction is that Category Boosts (such as grocery store Boosts) can only be applied to retailers in that category. For example, a grocery store Boost may only be used at a grocery store – and not necessarily any place that also sells groceries, like Target or Walmart.

    Note that many Boosts, including all Category Boosts, can only be used for in-store purchases using the Cash Card, so be sure to read the fine print beforehand. Boosts also may not be applied to cash back transactions.

    Tip: If you’re looking to score discounts at a wider variety of retailers, including on online shopping, you may also want to give apps like Cashback Monitor, Rakuten (ebates), Honey and Ibotta a try.

    Making the most of Cash App Boosts

    Savvy Cash Card users can get the most bang for their buck by only using Boosts for things they already intended to buy – and not for impulsive shopping. A smart strategy is to check the app each day to find the current deals and plan accordingly.

    One tip is to look for the Boosts that don’t require a certain number of purchases beforehand. Using the Boosts for weekly grocery shops and other bigger-ticket household items is also a great way to maximize the discounts (though keep any maximum discount in mind before you buy).

    One way to have your cake and eat it too is to use Boosts along with a friend or partner. Each of you can activate a different Boost to take advantage of multiple deals: Visit a coffee shop with one card, and then hit up a restaurant with another. Wait an hour and use another deal. Then pay each other back on Cash App (obviously).

    Is Cash App Boost worth it?

    The Cash App Cash Card, which is needed to use Boost, is quite easy to sign up for and may be instantly activated with a scannable QR code. Once activated, you’re ready to turn on Boosts. Unfortunately, you have to select Boosts manually before you can take advantage of the deal, unlike other apps or cash back cards that automatically apply deals.

    Also, most Boosts have maximum discount limits and you can only activate one Boost at a time, whereas many cash back cards offer unlimited rewards and other programs offer more flexibility to add multiple offers to your account.

    That said, it’s easy to get going once you’ve signed up. You can quickly add Boosts to your Cash Card and start taking advantage of instant discounts at eligible retailers with just a few taps of your device. Even better, Boost discounts are often larger than the discounts you would find with other cash back and rewards programs. Whereas most cash back cards only offer around 3% to 5% back, many Boosts offer higher discounts – as much as 10% to 15% off.

    When compared to other person-to-person cash apps, like PayPal or Venmo, Cash App’s Boost feature definitely sets it apart.

  • Get 20% Cashback on DoorDash, Netflix, Disney+ using SoFi Money

    Everyone is at home streaming and ordering takeout so why not get the best prices in a time of no income from working.

    With people across the country stuck indoors more than ever before, SoFi Money is offering a major deal for some of the most useful services during this era of quarantines and isolation. Through June, you can earn 20% cashback on food delivery via DoorDash and nearly every streaming service: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Now, and many more.

    SoFi Money has been pushing to become a mainstay in travelers’ wallets with a new debit card offering no ATM fees or foreign transaction fees worldwide. It gets even sweeter, with a $75 sign-up bonus after making two direct deposits of $500 or more and $25 for each friend you refer.

    Breaking Down SoFi’s Latest Offer

    This latest offer just boosts SoFi’s appeal at a time when travel is largely off-limits. Call it the quarantine special.

    DoorDash is the only food delivery service included in this offer. New SoFi Money members can earn up to $100 in cashback on DoorDash orders, while current members can earn up to $40. This is a great deal for our favorite food delivery service – look here at the comparison to UberEats.

    Movie, show, and music streaming services included in this cashback offer include:

    • Netflix
    • Prime Video
    • Disney+
    • Hulu
    • HBO Now
    • CBS All Access
    • Spotify
    • Pandora
    • Google Play Music

    All new and current members can use the SoFi card with multiple eligible streaming services and earn up to $75 cashback through the streaming service promotion. Cashback caps for DoorDash and the streaming services are calculated separately.

    All About SoFi Money

    SoFi Money boasts a fee-free online account service. Here are all of the perks that come with a SoFi account:

    • No account fees
    • ATM fees reimbursed worldwide
    • No foreign transaction fees
    • No overdraft fees
    • No hard credit pull when you apply
    • Transfer money via mobile from major U.S. banks or check deposit
    • $75 sign up bonus when you make two direct deposits of $500 or more

    To make sure you get the $75 sign up bonus, here is what you need to do:

    1. Use a bonus link, the only way to get the bonus.
    2. Sign up for a checking account
    3. Make two direct deposits of $500 or more
    4. A $75 bonus will be deposited into your account in 1-2 days!
    5. Refer friends and family and earn $25 for each referral!

    Once you have a SoFi Money account, you can earn $25 for every single friend, family member, or anybody else you refer (up to $10,000 annually) after you sign up for an account. This is a no-brainer and the $25 cash posts within 24 hours of the approved referral. The $25 referral link is in your profile within the SoFi phone app. Read more about setting up your SoFi Money account.

    Get 20% Cashback on DoorDash 

    If you’re ordering delivery while at home, this is the perfect excuse to support your local restaurants – and use your SoFi debit card to do it. Here’s how to earn cashback on your DoorDash orders:

    1. Add your SoFi Money debit card to your DoorDash account.
    2. Set SoFi Money as your default payment.
    3. Earn cashback within 2-4 days of your purchase.

    A few things you need to know about this DoorDash promotion:

    • Your SoFi Money account must have at least a $50 balance.
    • DashPass subscription transactions are excluded.
    • New SoFi Money members can earn a maximum cap on cashback bonus of $100. Current SoFi Money members can earn a maximum cap on cashback bonus of $40.
    • Promotional period ends June 30, 2020.

    Get 20% Cashback on Streaming Services

    Watching a few more shows than usual right now? Make the most of it by paying your monthly subscriptions with your SoFi debit card and earn 20% back! Here’s how:

    1. Add your SoFi Money debit card to your account with any of the eligible streaming services.
    2. Set SoFi Money as your default payment for subscription payments.

    Things to know about this streaming services promotion:

    • Eligible services include: Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, Spotify, HBO Now, Amazon Prime Video, CBS All Access, Pandora Music, and Google Music.
    • Cashback is eligible for ongoing monthly subscription payments to these services
    • The maximum cap on cashback earnings is $75 per member.
    • You can use a SoFi Money card with more than one of the above merchants to earn cashback.
    • Promotional period ends June 30, 2020

    Bottom Line

    If you have any video or music streaming service and are ordering delivery, now is a great time to get or use the SoFi Money debit card and link your account. Earn 20% cashback on two of the arguably hottest stay-at-home commodities right now through June 30.

  • Postmates App is misleading customers with a hidden fee (3 fees total)

    Postmates App is misleading customers with a hidden fee (3 fees total)

    Postmates may get the shady company of the year award on this one.  It what seems many are frustrated with the apps lack of transparency when it comes to hidden service fees. Postmates seemed like a great idea at first. The app allows customers to easily order any item from any restaurant or store including Starbucks and have it delivered to their doorstep in less than an hour.

    Postmates will give customers $100 in free deliveries to start out or let you sign-up for their unlimited delivery with no fees attached but both still include hidden service fees. While these fees are not new to the Postmates app they have been steadily increasing from pennies to over $7 in some cases on top of the delivery fees. The on-demand delivery service charges a total of three fees including “delivery”, “service”, and a “small plate fee” if the order is less than $14.

    Users on Reddit and other community forums are complaining over the rise of the service fee saying that its a “Scam”. Let us repeat again that the service fee is not considered the delivery fee that the on-demand app charges. People are starting to notice that the service fees went from 9% to 12.99% to now an unknown variable rate which averages at technically 22% because they charge the fee of the subtotal plus the tax. Yes, your taxes are included in both the tip that you provide in the app and the service fee.

    How does Postmates determine the Delivery Fee?
    According to Postmates the fees help pay for your Postmate’s time and keep the whole operation running smoothly, so you can get whatever you need quickly and conveniently. They add that the Postmates Delivery Fee is a flat rate of $5.99, however we can currently bring you orders from our Partners at an even lower rate: $3.99! Additionally, a variable percentage based service fee is applied to the purchase price of your items. During peak times, delivery prices may surge* (or Blitz). Surge pricing creates a strong financial incentive for Postmates to make themselves available when you need them most.

    The Estimated Total Doesn’t Always Show


    They claim that you will always be notified of your Delivery Fee on the checkout screen before requesting a Postmate. That opens up another can or worms because no charges are listed if you wish to make a customized order such as adding a plate to a listed restaurant that has no price until completed or adding a restaurant not listed in the app. Of course on this delivery you do not get a warning of a service fee nor do you get a warning of a small plate fee (order under $14).

    What is the Service Fee?
    The Postmates service fee is a variable percentage based fee applied to the purchase price of your items. You will be able to verify the service fee for your order on the checkout screen ONLY on orders that are not custom orders such as when you add a restaurant not listed in the app or a plate that is not listed.  To find the fee it is normally under the Subtotal and you have to click on an information icon (i) on the order summary screen to find it. It used to be listed under Taxes and Fees not just Fee so it was even more misleading.

    All of this should alarm consumer advocates and consumers to look more closely at these types of hidden fees. Postmates could face legal problems and settlements if this continues. One consumer frustrated with being blasted with these fees:

    I have been a big customer of Postmates and have referred many of my friends to the app so when I figured out that I have been cheated on 80% of my orders in the past year with hidden fees I am shocked and feel deceived. I have also participated in many promos where they have a “free” delivery then I look back after the fact and notice a “service fee”. That is not a free delivery. These service fees have added up to over $400 extra. This was misleading because most of my orders did not state the price as it was a customized order and I had no idea about the service fees. I did know about the small plate fee a few times after the fact but the service fee on top of a delivery fee, and a small plate fee is unacceptable. They also hide the fee under taxes with a (i) that you must click on in the app to see the “service fee”. This fee hides as the tax. I have been wondering why the taxes for my orders have been so much and after investigating this issue it has been concluded that the “service fee” is the reason for this. – Postmates User

    One example of this service fee on top of a $5.99 delivery fee is of $3.46 for a plate of tacos that would only cost $17.27 in person. Here is the receipt below of the cost without using the on-demand app:

    As you can see the taxes are included in this receipt and the Postmates app deception of including a Taxes and Fee area (before they moved to just Fee) was particularly questionable.

    Restaurant Servers Do Not Get Tipped (Mostly)
    Keep in mind these service fees do not go towards tips for the bartender or service industry working hard to make sure the order is ready to be picked up. Customers place orders through the Postmates app, which includes a delivery charge and a varying fee based on distance for everyone else) and a flat 9 percent “service charge.” The delivery fee is split 80/20 between the driver and Postmates, respectively. Most people would logically assume that the 9 percent service fee goes to the hardworking people slathering mayonnaise on your sandwich. Sadly, they would be wrong. According to Postmates spokesperson April Conyers, that fee goes to “the company and is applied toward operations.”

    To sum it all up we expect answers from the Postmates On-Demand delivery app and hope they respond to this issue. They can do this by possibly refunding customers they have mislead and make the app more transparent when charging for fees instead of having different groups of fees. When you order a delivery you should have a delivery fee and a tip.

  • Where is My Stimulus Check and How Do I Spend It?

    If you have not filed taxes you will not be getting a stimulus check.  You must file taxes and select a check from Uncle Sam or a direct deposit to get the money thrown your way.

    Also, there is another alert you might want to watch out for.  Identity thieves will have a new cash cow to go after when Billions of dollars flood the streets as free money from the U.S. Government this week.  You may want to check your mailbox frequently if you requested a check and make sure no one can steal it.  I have seen people stealing out of mailboxes when they know other peoples checks or credit cards are arriving in the mail.  Guard your mailbox by getting your mail immediately.

    Did you stimulus check arrive this week?

    There are many things you can do with the money.  I recommend paying off your debt or mortgage.  The retailers want you to buy, buy, buy.

    Wal-Mart will let you cash your stimulus check for free.  Sony is offering $400 discounts on High Definition TV’s.  The number two retailer Home Depot is giving away big discounts on High Efficiency washing machines such as the GE HE’s.

    The absolute best way to spend your Stimulus Check?

    More important than paying off debt is actually feeding your family and keeping food on the table.  Kroger and Ralph’s will add 10% of the value to the rebate checks in increments of $300 to each gift card.  Albertson’s, SuperValu, and Shop N’ Save will give you an extra $30 for every $300 in rebate checks you put on gift cards.  Your family can look at this as an investment that will earn more than interest in a bank account and keep you eating during a threat of a recession.

    Basically, all you have to do is go in your local store and purchase gift cards with your rebate checks and save huge money from that.  My family can spend $200 at least in one grocery trip so it adds up.

  • Is Cash still King?

    Don’t let the recent IPO’s of Visa and MasterCard fool you.  There are a few reasons that some refuse to pay on credit or people that have been ripped off because of retailers who went bankrupted such as Sharper Image.  We may have to rethink the “cash is king” syndrome once more.  This explains about gift cards and the potential pitfalls.

    Gift cards are a popular choice, both as gifts and even as rewards points and program redemptions. Unfortunately, sometimes this great idea is not as great as it seems. Gift cards can expire, companies can shut down or declare bankruptcy, or a multitude of other situations can arise that can entirely devalue your gift cards. There are several types of gift cards, and some may come with specific conditions, fees or other problems. Know what you are buying before you buy for the smartest gift card shopping…or simply fork over the cash and let the recipient decide how to spend it.

    There are two basic types of gift cards. The first are store specific cards. These are the gift cards that you pick up at the check out on your way out the store. They might work at a single store or possibly at several stores; however, the actual options for these cards are rather limited. Some retailers allow you to use their gift cards online, while others do not. General purpose gift cards from Visa, MasterCard or American Express may be used at most retailers; however, there are some limitations, including airline tickets. While these general purpose gift cards offer great flexibility, they may come with many additional fees.

    Some gift cards do come with an expiration date. Be certain to note the date if this is the case. You may be able to request a new gift card from retailers if yours expires, but there will be additional fees for this. Also, a few states have disallowed expiration on gift cards, and if you live in one of these states your gift cards will not expire. Service fees may apply when you buy gift cards, depending upon the state in which you live. You also may find that shipping fees for gift cards can be higher than is reasonable. Shop around to avoid these fees. Keep in mind when giving a gift card that businesses do find themselves in bankruptcy proceedings or simply shutting down. In these instances, gift cards may become totally worthless. General purpose gift cards may charge monthly maintenance fees after a certain period, or may charge additional fees for ATM withdrawals.

    Gift cards can be a good option if you need an easy and appealing gift, but you should shop smart, or simply give cash to the recipient. Avoid cards with substantial fees, and choose cards that do not expire whenever possible. Be certain that you choose reliable retailers for store specific gift cards, and try to select cards that allow the recipient to shop online or in person for the most versatility.