Couponing a fad that has people all over the world grabbing newspapers and printing coupons off of the Internet has just gotten easier. A brand new free smartphone app called Ibotta (currently only available for Apple products) has just made couponing easier and more efficient.

Ibotta utilizes well-known manufacturers in creating a list of products from which the user of the app can choose from. The products range from food to household necessities to pet accessories. All of the Ibotta products appear to be on shelves, similar to those in a store, but remember that these shelves only contain certain products, to see if a product qualifies as a product on Ibotta there is a scan option at the bottom of the offer screen.

But how does Ibotta work? As the user is scrolling through their product listings they can choose a product by tapping on that product. After the product has been tapped, either two or three “buttons” pop at the bottom of the products screen. The buttons allow the user to take a poll pertaining to Ibotta or the product, play trivia about the product, get a recipe or watch a video about the product. By doing these different tasks, the user can add money to their account. Also, tapping the product while it is enlarged allows the user to tell Ibotta whether or not they like the offer.

After the user has accumulated money into their account, then they go shopping at Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Duane Reade or Target, Ibotta is adding new retailers all of the time. Once the user is done shopping and they have received their receipt, they upload their receipt into the Ibotta system, by choosing the tab, “upload receipt” in the main menu of the app. When the receipt has been uploaded, then the user chooses “Withdraw Cash.” In this menu they can either choose to file their money into a personal Paypal account or donate to any school in America.

Ibotta also gives the user an opportunity to invite friends and spread the Ibotta love. There are ways to share with friends via Facebook or e-mail.

The Fossil Ridge High SchoolDECA chapter is using Ibotta to fundraise for the organization Project Mercy, which is a nonprofit organization that aids children in Yetebon, Ethiopia. By using Ibotta and choosing to donate the money earned to FRHS, the user is not only saving money, but they are saving lives.

To find out more about Ibotta watch this video: http://vimeo.com/51179012

To find out more about Project Mercy: www.projectmercy.org