The Roundup is a feature series of posts here on Notes from the Trail that focuses on news, insights, and content that are noteworthy.
This post is short and gassy. You’ll appreciate both.
Did you know there’s an app which networks with gas stations, restaurants and more and gives you a discount on listed prices? It’s called Upside.
I recently deposited over $80 into my checking account from the app that I’d saved on using it for my gas fill-ups.
.Here’s how it works:
Download the app on your smartphone. (Search for Upside on the app stores.)
Enable it to use your location.
Launch the app. It will find gas stations (or restaurants or whatever) near you. It will show you the listed price of gas (what the gas station is selling gas for $/gallon. It will also show you what you can save per gallon by using the app.
Claim the offer at the gas station you want to go to.
When you arrive at the gas station, “check in” on the app and follow instructions. Sometimes, you just need to fill up using your credit card that you’ve linked to the app. Other times, it will ask you to take a picture of your gas receipt and upload it to the app.
Voila! You’re done! You’ll get a notice hours or a day later, along with the money you saved. You can then transfer it to your bank account (no fee to do so) or transfer to an Amazon gift card or other gift cards - take your pick!
Even better - if you recommend the app to friends and they sign up using your code - they get savings AND you get credit when they fill up with gas the first time! Yes, you get a bonus from your friends’ fill ups!
Can you guess what’s next?
Click this link or use promo code 9JGEW to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus the first time you make a purchase. Please click here to use my code!
Be happy when you gassy, everyone!
About MoviePass…
I mentioned in footnote 1 (below) that the claim/check-in process with Upside reminded me of “the glorious days of MoviePass.” On a whim, I did a web search for this former movie app magic, and I was stunned to see moviepass.com render this:
Of course, there was NO hesitation. I filled it out and hurriedly hit “submit.” Then I emailed a movie buddy of mine with the news. A little more searching, and I found this on The Verge:
“Two years after the wildly popular subscription service MoviePass crashed and burned, its co-founder Stacy Spikes is determined to bring it back. Spikes says MoviePass will return this summer.”
This summer is almost over, and still no word other than the website to sign up. MoviePass was amazing when it worked… until it didn’t. $10/month for all the movies you could watch in any theater? It was UH-MAZE-ING. I now have a Regal Movie Club membership, but it’s $21/month.
We will see what happens in this MoviePass melodrama.
“Movies are a primary mental escape for me. The advent of MoviePass last year was like winning a lottery for me. Its demise was mourned. When Regal introduced its own version, I was back in my seat at least once a week, sometimes with a movie buddy but often alone.”
The Mirror Line
Saudi Arabia is hoping to build a 75 mile long skyscraper. The concept images are amazing.
This whole process reminds me very much of the glorious days of MoviePass. I loved that app sooooo much. See my blog on its glory days and demise, along with the short-lived Sinemia.
MoviePass is officially coming back by Catie Keck on The Verge, February 10, 2022.
Tall tables and routine reflections, November 23, 2019 - This isn’t the first post about my love for movies. Check out 12 things it's important to know about me, October 31, 2014.
World’s Longest Skyscraper: Saudi Arabia’s $1 Trillion ‘Mirror Line’ Revealed by Nick Hall, July 28, 2022
WHATTTTTT,, ???? That skyscraper is just amazing,, will be interesting to see what develops out of the planning, and whether or not it really comes to fruition. Probably not in my life time,, Im to old,, tee hee. I have been using upside for a couple of months now,, Ive only gotton around 12 bucks back, but there are only two gas stations in my area that I can use it at. And no restaurants that we would use.. We are on a very fixed budget,, but for us I guess its worth it,, hey, every penny counts right?? I still pick up pennies when I find them. I collect all change I can find for my egg money for eggs from free range chickens. Havent bought store eggs in 6 years,, but that is another story right? Great writing Jeff, keep at it. Jamie