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?
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 my friend Chris, who must be some kind 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!
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Need proof? Here’s a snapshot of one of Chris’ cash back accounts:
No, you’re not seeing things! Chris really has earned over $2,000 back on things he was already going to buy, just by using the simple method I’ll be sharing with you today!
Cash Back Shopping FAQs
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 cash back site will share a portion of that commission with you!
The commission you receive can be anywhere between 1% and 30% 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.
How To Earn Cash Back On All Your Holiday Shopping
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 Rakuten.com. Rakuten (formerly Ebates) is one of the biggest and most popular cash back sites out there, which means there’s a good chance you’ll be able to earn cash back on almost any site you visit, and why it’s the one I use most.
The first thing you’ll need to do is create a Rakuten account. As another little bonus, you’ll get an extra $10 after your first purchase of $25 through Rakuten when you sign up using this link!
Sign up for a Rakuten account and get an extra $10 after your first purchase!
Step 2 – Get The Rakuten 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 a Rakuten account, you’ll add the Rakuten extension (AKA the “Rakuten 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 Rakuten Button, you’ll be able to easily activate cash back offers while you shop!
The Rakuten button is available for Chrome, Firefox and Safari. Add it to your browser here.
- Make sure you’ve created a Rakuten 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.
Rakuten will show you when cash back is available on a site you’re visiting.
After you’ve added the button it will appear in your browser bar, and automatically let you know when cash back is available!
Step 3 – Shop & Save!
When you go to a website that offers cash back, a Rakuten notification will alert you of any cash back offers. To activate an offer, just click “Activate” on the Rakuten button, and proceed with your online shopping as usual. Here’s what it looks like after you’ve activated cash back:
What it looks like when a cash back offer is now active on a site you’re visiting.
- You can also view ALL the available cash back offers and coupons at Rakuten.com.
Rakuten makes it really easy to apply coupon codes too, saving you even more! During the checkout process, Rakuten will automatically find available coupons for that site, and you can apply them with just one click!
Rakuten will even find and apply coupons for you!
Step 4 – Get Cash Back
Once you’ve made a purchase, you’ll receive an email from Rakuten confirming that your purchase has been tracked. You can also check your Rakuten account page if you don’t see the email. After that, all you have to do is wait!
Rakuten will send your cash back earnings to you every 3 months, either deposited in your Paypal account or in the mail as a check. So while you won’t see the savings immediately with cash back shopping, you’ll be pleasantly surprised in just a few months when your earnings show up in your account!
Personally, I think the only thing that would make cash back shopping better is if had learned about it sooner! While I can’t go back and change the past, you better believe I’m going to be using this method from now on! :-)
Summary:
Just to make sure this process is crystal clear, here’s a handy summary of how to get started earning cash back on your holiday shopping!
- Step 1 – Create a Rakuten account here.
- Step 2 – Get the Rakuten Button here.
- Step 3 – Shop online and save.
- Step 4 – Get cash back!
Here’s a quick video overview of how cash back shopping with Rakuten works:
And that’s all there is to it! Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be earning cash back on your holiday shopping in no time. (And if you have any questions, ask it in a comment below. Chris will be happy to tell you what he knows!)
Happy shopping (and saving)! :-)
I’m a bit confused, Jillee. I went on the Rakuten site and all I saw were cash backs for “in store purchases”. Did I miss something? I would buy online. Thanks.
Hi Wendy, if you’re looking at the app on your phone then you’ll see in-store cash back deals, but they also have online deals available as well. Just make sure you’re on the featured section of the app, or just search for the store you’re interested in.
I’ve used Rakuten (was Ebates when I signed up) since July 2004. I don’t do much online shopping and when I first started using it they didn’t have the button or the auto alert that pops up now when savings are available. I would usually forget about it until AFTER I’d made my purchase and of course it wasn’t good retroactively (even by a few seconds). That being said, I’ve still gotten back nearly $300. I’ve only gotten a check every quarter (that’s when they pay out) for the past year. It really does work and now it’s so simple… Read more »
Can you get cash back from both Honey AND Rakuten for the same purchase, or does one cancel out the other one?
Hey Carole! Unfortunately whichever one you activate right before your purchase is the one that you’ll receive cash back from, you can’t combine them :-(.
Will this work when items require international shipping?
Great question, Connie. I can’t think of why it wouldn’t.
The cash back bottom is not supported on mobile devices, only computers. What is the best way to use Rakuten on mobile devices?
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You can use their app! Apple users can download it here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/rakuten-ebates-get-cash-back/id723134859
If I have amazon app, do I have to go through the Rakuten app in order to get the cash back?
Hi Julie! You’ll always want to make sure you start your shopping in the Rakuten app, click on the store you’d like to shop at and that should open a web page or app for you to complete your purchase.
Here it is for Android users:
http://bit.ly/2pWYSUY
I’ve run into the same problem as I’ve found only too late that a website where I’d just made a purchase was a Rakuten partner and there was no button on my phone to tell me. I don’t know when the last time was that I went to the Rakuten/Ebates website first to find out if a retailer offered cash back.
I started using Ebates years ago and now have the Rakuten button on my browser. A few caveats I would offer when visiting one of their partner sites (i.e., that offers cash back): 1) Be sure to activate the button before purchasing as cash back can’t be applied after-the-fact. This may seem like a “duh” but there have been times when I’ve closed the Rakuten pop-up window when first clicking on the retailer’s website because I wasn’t planning to purchase but then did anyway and forgot to activate it. 2) Beware when clicking the “Apply Coupons” button that any discount… Read more »
Very helpful info. Thx
2 questions …. Do you receive a % of the purchase? What’s Rakuten‘s advantage to giving you money?
Hi Joanne, great question. Rakuten will receive an affiliate commission by referring you, they’re simply giving some if that back to you.
Yet another great post! I just have to say I’m a huge fan of your blog. I discovered you on Pinterest forever ago and I’ve been hooked ever since. I’ve truly learned so much from you and you’ve introduced me to so many amazing products, sites, tips/tricks…the list goes on and on! Now I’m hoping I can return the favor by introducing you (or if you’re already familiar, at least a fellow visitor) to Honey! Fans of Rakuten will love it! I discovered it forever ago and like Rakuten, I never shop online without it. For those who aren’t familiar,… Read more »
Does honey work on mobile devices?
They do have an app, but the reviews aren’t great. However I’ve never used it.
Thanks for the tip, Meagan! Honey is an awesome tool as well, however I prefer Rakuten because their cash back percentages are more transparent and usually the cash back amount is higher.