With Black Friday just around the corner, you’re probably thinking about getting started on your holiday shopping. If you’re anything like me, most of that shopping is probably going to occur online. ;-) But what if I told you there’s a super simple way to earn cash back on nearly all of your online holiday shopping? You’d want to know about it ASAP, right?
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Well, you’re in luck, because that’s exactly what I’ll be sharing with you in today’s post! This post would not have been possible without our C.M.O. Chris, who must be some sort of cash back shopping wizard. He knows all the tips and tricks for saving and earning money when shopping online, and I’m very glad he was willing to share this method with me (so I can share it with you!)
Right now is the perfect time to set yourself up to earn cash back, because you’ll already be making online purchases leading up to the holidays. In just a few short minutes, you can start earning cash back on your holiday shopping all season long!
Need proof? Here’s a snapshot of one of Chris’ cash back accounts:
No, you’re not seeing things! Chris really has earned over $1,500 back on things he was already going to buy, using the tips I’ll be sharing with you today!
You may or may not be familiar with the concept of cash back shopping, so I wanted to take a brief moment to explain what it is and how it works.
If someone refers you to a website and you make a purchase on that site, the person or company who referred you will typically earn a commission on that sale. The same is true for cash back sites. The main difference is that a cashback site will share a portion of that commission with you!
The commission you receive can be anywhere between 1% and 20% (or more) of your purchase price. (For example, if you earn 15% back on a $100 purchase, you would get $15 back.) So if you plan on doing a lot of online shopping this holiday season, those cash back earnings can add up fast!
It may seem too good to be true, but it really is that simple! It’s a safe, easy, and effective way to save money on purchases you’re already making.
Step 1 – Getting Set Up
There are plenty of different ways to earn cash back while shopping online, but one of the simplest ways is to use the website Ebates.com. Ebates is one of the biggest and most popular cashback sites out there, so there’s a good chance you’ll be able to earn cash back on almost any site you visit.
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The first thing you’ll need to do is create an Ebates account. As another little bonus, you’ll get an extra $10 after your first purchase through Ebates when you sign up using this link!
Sign up for an Ebates account and get an extra $10 after your first purchase!
Step 2 – Get The Ebates Button
This next step is the one that really makes getting cash back on every purchase easy. No extra thinking or planning required, just shop, and save.
Once you’ve created an Ebates account, you’ll add the Ebates extension (AKA the “Ebates Button”) to your browser. An extension is a tool that you add to your browser, similar to how you add apps to your phone. With the Ebates Button, you’ll be able to easily activate cash back offers while you shop! The Ebates button is available for Chrome, Firefox and Safari, add it to your browser here.
• Make sure you’ve created an Ebates account using this link before you install the button.
• Extensions only work on desktop and laptop browsers, so you’ll need to do this on a non-mobile device in order for it to work.
Here’s what happens when you add the button:
Once you’ll successfully installed the button, it’s time to shop!
Ebates will notify you of cash back offers while you’re shopping. Just click, and save!
Step 3 – Shop & Save!
Using Google Chrome, proceed with your online shopping as usual. When you go to a retail website, an Ebates notification will alert you of any cash back offers. To activate an offer, just click “activate,” then continue shopping. Here’s what it looks like:
Here’s what an Ebates notification looks like on Kohls.com.
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When you’re ready to checkout, go to the shopping cart page. Then click on that little “E” in the upper right corner of your browser window. The “Store Deals” tab may have additional offers or coupon codes that can save you even more money, so it’s worth it to check what’s there! When you’re ready, make your purchase as usual.
Step 4 – Get Cash Back
Once you’ve made a purchase, you’ll receive an email from Ebates confirming that your purchase has been tracked. You can also head to your Ebates account page to double-check if you don’t see the email. Then all that’s left to do is wait! Ebates will send you a check with your cash back earnings every 3 months (or you can choose to have the money deposited to your PayPal account if you prefer). So while you won’t see the savings immediately with cash back shopping, you’ll be pleasantly surprised in just a few months when that check shows up in the mail!
The only thing that would make this better is if I knew about it years ago. Just think of all the money I would have saved! Oh well, you live and you learn. But you better believe I’m going to be using this method from now on!
In Summary
Just to make sure this process is crystal clear, here are the steps one more time…
Step 1 – Create an Ebates account here.
Step 2 – Get the Ebates Button.
Step 3 – Shop & save.
Step 4 – Get cash back!
And that’s all there is to it! Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be earning cash back on your holiday shopping before you know it. :-) (And if you have any questions, ask it in a comment below. Chris will be happy to tell you what he knows!)
Happy shopping!
Does this work when purchasing airline tickets???
Yes! Here’s a link to all of the airlines, hotels and travel places that you can use ebates: https://www.ebates.com/travel-vacations/airfare :-)
Thanks for letting us know about this! I just signed up! Hoping for some savings… : )
I see Amazon is one of the sites. Will it work with Amazon Smile and Amazon Prime?
Yes!
I only have an iPad and a phone. Since I cannot install the button, is there no way for me to take it vantage of this?
There is an Ebates app!
Yes! They also have an app: https://www.ebates.com/mobile.htm
I have used ebates for years, and highly recommend it too!
Honey.com is good too. I have saved a lot of money this year with this
Honey a great one! I really like the way it suggests and applies coupon codes. I don’t typically use Honey for cashback though, I find it’s usually lower than other options available.
I like Honey as well. I use it every time I shop online.
Also check out Raise.com for discount gift cards. (Go through Ebates for an extra 1% back at Raise). By combining a discount gift card, Ebates and a cash back/rewards credit card, I have gotten as much as 22% off. Combine that with a good sale and get even more. One of my best was getting toddler clothes for my great-granddaughter at JCP. I don’t remember exactly, but I believe I saved in the neighborhood of 85%.
I’ve gotten over $2,000. over the years using Ebates. They are reliable. However, I use the Ebates app I have on my iPhone and iPad. I seldom use my laptop lately. I don’t care for Google Chrome. It’s just not for me. And I don’t get any pop up ads from Ebates, but I do receive emails letting me know of special cash back deals certain stores are offering. In addition to getting a check each quarter, you may opt to receive your cash back in the form of a “gift card” (which comes to your email) from any of… Read more »
Are there any other options to using Google Chrome?
I don’t use Google chrome since it is sooooo intrusive. I use Firefox and Ebates works perfectly with it.
I chuckled that Chrome is intrusive. Using ebates or any other cash back site isn’t? You’re selling your information to these sites, for however they want to use it. Trust me, they’re getting more out of this than you are (not that it’s not valuable cash-wise to you). I’m just not interested in giving up more of my privacy than I already do when I shop online, use my loyalty card at Kroger, and whatever info using my credit card gives away.
Hi Roxanne, You can use Ebates with any browser but in order to get the convenience of the button that lets you know if cashback is available you’ll need to use Chrome. If you don’t want to use Chrome just make sure you check Ebates for cash back on the site you’re visiting before you make your purchase, it works the same way, just requires a few extra steps.
I have the button on Firefox.
Would you look at that! There is a button. Thanks for pointing that out, I’ll update the post to reflect this. Thanks Rosemary!
Once installed, do you get a lot of ads popping up when using your computer? Also, I installed something similar previously and next thing I knew I kept getting spam emails from all sorts of offers. Will this happen with ebates?
Hi Denise, Once you install the button you will only see what is shown in the post above, which is a button in the top right corner letting you know if cashback is available. Millions of people use the button and they have over 20,000 5-star reviews so I can recommend it with full confidence. I would never recommend something that would make your experience browsing the internet worse for any OGT reader, there are enough ads as it is! And no, you will not receive any spam email, just emails from Ebates letting you know about cashback deals, but… Read more »