clumsytaco
Hello my taquitos! 💜
Like many of you, I have always wondered about subscription services and if all the sponsored posts on social media were truly honest reviews. So to help with that, I'm here to give my recommendations on services I use - some every day.
NONE of the below companies have requested I do this.
This is NOT sponsored
If you sign up using any of my links, I will get whatever benefit the company offers for referring a friend.
This is just me trying to do a tiny side hustle with things I already use all the time. I hope you are enticed to try some of these out!
Adding one exception, Capcut gave me the opportunity to become an affiliate. If you sign up for their premium services with a new account, you can get an extra 7 days free using my link below. I am including it because I genuinely use Capcut to edit all my reels!
| Company | Rakuten |
| Referral Link | Code: ROXIGU8 www.rakuten.com/r/ROXIGU8 |
| What is it? | A free cashback / coupon service for online + in store purchases. Earnings are paid out quarterly. |
| Notes | I have been using this service since 2019. As of right now, 09/19/2024, my lifetime cashback with this service is $805.29. I'm expecting a $45.93 payout so far in November. You can choose to get paid via a check or PayPal. To use Rakuten, you can: > Install the mobile app on your phone. You can search the available stores through the app and shop for them within the app. > Install the browser extension (available for both mobile and desktop). This allows you to go directly to the store you want. If Rakuten is an option, the extension will notify you to activate the cashback and then you just online shop like normal. If for whatever reason you forgot or it didn't work, you can reach out to their support with the information and they will add the cashback manually for you. (I know because I've experienced this twice since I joined - user error on my end of course.) > By connecting your preferred card. When in the app you can select to activate in store deals. Then simply visit the store and make a purchase with your linked card to get the deal. Not all stores allow you to use Rakuten, but every bit adds up over time. Most stores typically offer 1-4% cashback but quite often you will see deals for 10-20%. I tend to wait for those deals and bulk buy from my go to stores. For example, I used to shop from Chewy all the time but sadly they've removed their cashback. So when I went on Chewy this morning to check, Rakuten automatically recommended a better option. Petsmart was offering 12% cashback. I ended up getting close to $15 cashback on my purchase for using Rakuten. Some of the stores I've used Rakuten on include: Chewy (no longer offering it), Petsmart, Petco, Ulta, Hot Topic, Groupon, Redbubble, Old Navy, Target, Walmart, Staples, Sam's Club, Bed Bath & Beyond, ebay, GameStop, Apple, Michaels, GoDaddy and more. I sincerely recommend Rakuten to everyone. If you need to squeeze some money, this is a great way to do it - although you do have to be patient as it doesn't get paid until the quarter is over with. |
| If you sign up: | From 07/01 - 09/30/24 I will get $30 to my account for any referral that joins using my link and makes a purchase using Rakuten of $30+ within a month. You will also get an additional 10% as cash back after doing so (one time only). |
| Company | Curology |
| Referral Link | https://app.curology.com/r/t4r9w6w5 |
| What is it? | A paid subscription service for personalized formula from a licensed dermatology provider. |
| Notes | I've gone to a few dermatologists in my life. Unfortunately they were all men and seemed to brush off all my concerns. I am a woman with PCOS. I have horrible acne issues that I've dealt with my whole life. I paid the hefty co-pays to see them (specialist rates) and paid for the prescription treatments they recommended. The most recent one, the derm prescribed some stuff that left my face burning. I reached out and he said I just had to keep doing it. So I did, for a month. My face peeled, it was red and puffy. I was hurting every day and my hands were so dried out from applying the prescriptions. The acne body wash made me break out even more, it was just a horrible experience so I weened myself off and called it quits. Then one day in 2021, Instagram advertised Curlogy to me. I was skeptical but desperate. Figured, why not try it out one time. They requested pictures of my face and back to see how bad it was. They asked some questions and soon after I received a message from Jessica Lee to clarify some things and recommend my custom formula based on the info I provided. It felt like a scam - how could she do that without even seeing me to assess anything? Anyways I went for it. When I got the box, I wasn't very impressed. Everything seemed rather small. But believe me, a little bit goes a long way. I was confused since the formula didn't burn my face. My skin didn't peel and my hands were fine. Then the moisturizer they provide makes my face feel like heaven. Too good to be true compared to my previous dermatology experiences. But I trudged on and followed the treatment plan. I didn't notice anything at first but after about 2 months, I looked at the pictures I provided them. My acne had cleared up significantly and I couldn't believe it. I started crying as finally I had something that helped. I continued my treatment with Curology and now I have the best skin (comparatively) that I've ever had in my life. I still break out, but not as often. And the custom formula really does help manage it. When I first signed up, the dermatologist assigned to me would also check in with me every so often. Jessica asked me about my progress, requested progress photos, made further recommendations and updated my formula as needed. Unfortunately it seems they have discontinued this service however I can still message her at any time with questions. They can still perform all I described above but they don't seem to actively do so anymore. Or perhaps that's just my experience. Included in my box is the custom formula, a face cleanser and face moisturizer. Unfortunately they raised the prices I believe in August 2023 so my current total is $81 (including taxes) paid every 2 months (used to be about $60). You can customize your box at any time and upgrade some items or add other items like acne patches, body wash, lip balm, etc but I find I don't need any of those. The cleanser and moisturizer actually last me longer than 2 months so sometimes I skip those and just buy the formula. What is also nice is that you can order your next box ahead of the scheduled 2 months or push it back as late as you need to. This has come in very handy for me on months I'm tight on money and need to wait out until the next paycheck. All in all, Curology has immensely improve my self esteem. I absolutely recommend you give them a try if you are looking for any acne/skin solutions. I'll never pay for a general dermatologist visit again. |
| If you sign up: | We both get $20 towards future shipments after you finish signing up and purchase your first box. |
| Company | Fetch |
| Referral Link | Code Y793U9 https://referral.fetch.com/vvv3/referraltext?code=Y793U9 |
| What is it? | A free service that provides you points for scanning receipts. Points can be redeemed for things like gift cards and sweepstakes. |
| Notes | I just recently signed up for this service (June 2023). I used to use a different service but they no longer provide points for scanning any receipt, or if they do, they do so sparingly and only once a day. With Fetch, you get 25 points regardless of where the receipt is from and regardless how many you scan in a day. As of right now (November 2023), I'm up to 11,851 points in such a short time span. I can redeem those points for a $10 online gift card from many stores - but let's be honest, I'll be doing it for Amazon LOL. How it all works is super simple, you get a physical receipt from somewhere, you open the app, you press the camera icon and you snap the picture. I've uploaded pretty badly lit and blurry photos and the app is pretty good at reading the text. If there are any issues, you can submit corrections for review. The app also allows you to scan your email or Amazon for digital receipts. However you do need to give the app access to all of that and I'm personally a bit iffy on doing stuff like that so I don't. But I did come across a hack which requires having an additional device or a printer. Essentially, pull up your digital receipt on a second screen or print it out and then use your app on your main device to scan it. Just don't forget to do it within 2 days of purchase! As with any of these services, some products or stores provide an incentive of bonus points. Scanning a qualifying receipt will land you more than the default 25 points depending on the offer. You also have a fun "spin wheel" of sorts every day or so where you can win additional bonus points - although I most often just get 5 additional points. I can't speak about the payout experience as I haven't done that yet. But overall, I would recommend Fetch for being super easy to use and providing points for any receipt scanned. You can quickly amass points and well hopefully you can get yourself something nice from it! |
| If you sign up: | You get 500 points and I get 1,000 points to our accounts after you sign up and scan you first receipt. Bonus ends 11/08/23 |
| Company | GoodRX |
| Referral Link | N/A |
| What is it? | A free and paid service for prescription discounts usable in most pharmacies. |
| Notes | In 2022 my health insurance premiums increased, my coverage became shittier and medicine I need became more expensive or not covered anymore. My insurance refused to cover a prescription I've been using since I was a kid so I had to figure something out. GoodRX came in so clutch and helped cover most of the cost and I was able to continue affording my medicine. Many of my other medicine is also a bit cheaper with GoodRX over my insurance. For example, one I pay $20.22 with my insurance but in GoodRX I pay $15.11. It's "not much", but boy do things add up especially when money is tight! You can sign up for GoodRX right at the pharmacy counter. They will help apply your Good RX number to your account and it's good forever. What I didn't know is you can actually make an account and get an app and everything. Summer 2023 I came across it and man have I been missing out! The medicine that cost me $15.11 at the Safeway cost me $10.93 at the Walgreens just down the block! It allows you to search your prescription, strength, and amount and compare the price across multiple pharmacies so you can select your best option. From there you either take your prescription to that pharmacy or request a prescription transfer and give them your GoodRX number to add to your account. It's that easy! Also, you can add your prescriptions to the app to get a daily reminder to take your meds. If you check in that you did, you can get 100 points per day. The points accumulate and you can redeem them for gift cards. How does that even make sense? Idk and idc, because I'm now at 18,200 points and I can't wait to accumulate more to get a nice gift card! Everything I mentioned is for free btw. GoodRX also has a paid subscription but I have never even looked into it. One thing I would recommend is keeping an eye on the prescription costs. Like everything, the prices can fluctuate at the new year. You don't want to end up paying more than what your insurance would charge. |
| If you sign up: | I get the joy of knowing I may have helped you save some money on your prescriptions because healthcare is shit. |