The holidays are wonderful, but let’s be honest—they can also be expensive. Between gifts, decorations, and festive get-togethers, the costs really start to add up. That’s why I get so excited when I find a way to save a little extra without giving up any of the fun!
And this particular trick? It doesn’t just save me money—it actually pays me for shopping. I know that sounds too good to be true, but I promise, it’s 100% legitimate. I’ve been using it for years, and it’s earned me some serious cash back on things I was already planning to buy.
So before you start your holiday shopping, let me show you how this simple 1-click button can help you earn money on every purchase — and even give you a $50 bonus when you sign up through my link. Your wallet (and maybe your gift list!) will thank you.
How To Get Paid Back When You Shop Online
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could actually get paid for buying things you were already planning to buy? That’s exactly what cash back shopping does—and it’s one of those rare tricks that feels too good to be true until you try it.
Here’s how it works: when you shop through a site like Rakuten, the retailer pays Rakuten a small commission for sending them your business. Instead of keeping it all, Rakuten shares a portion of that commission with you — in real cash.
It’s simple, automatic, and it works at thousands of online stores. You can even combine your cash back with coupon codes and holiday sales, so your savings really start to stack up. Once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever shopped online without it!
I’ve been using Rakuten for years and have earned thousands of dollars back on purchases I was going to make anyway. Whether you shop online a little or a lot, this is one of those rare tricks that truly anyone can use.
How Much Can You Earn with Cash Back?
If you’re wondering how much you can actually earn with cash back shopping, the answer might surprise you! Depending on where you shop, you can earn up to 20% (or more!) back on your purchases—and that adds up fast, especially during the holidays.
And because you can stack these cash back rewards on top of sales, coupons, and promo codes, it’s like giving yourself an extra discount every time you shop.
To give you an idea of how powerful this can be, here’s a peek at my own results. Over the years, I’ve earned more than $2,000 in cash back just by clicking one little button before checking out:
No, you’re not seeing things—I’ve really earned over $2,000 back on things I was already going to buy!
I’ve earned cash back on everything from appliances to vacations, and chances are your favorite stores offer it too.
An example of the available cash back offers.
How to Earn Cash Back on All Your Online Shopping
By now, you’re probably wondering how to actually do this cash back shopping thing. Don’t worry—it’s quick, easy, and totally free. Once you’ve got it set up, it’ll work quietly in the background every time you shop online.
Here’s how to get started — it only takes a few minutes to set up.
Pro Tip: You’ll get $50 back when you spend at least $50 on your first cash back purchase. That’s like getting your first holiday gift for free!
Step 1 – Create Your Free Account
There are a few different ways to earn cash back while shopping online, but my go-to is Rakuten.com.
Rakuten is one of the biggest and most trusted cash back sites, which means you can earn money back from almost any store you already shop at. It’s simple, safe, and it’s the one I’ve personally used and recommended for years.
The first thing to do is create your free Rakuten account.
(And like I mentioned above, you’ll get a $50 bonus after your first $50 purchase when you use this link or the button below!)
Step 2 – Add the Rakuten Cash Back Button to Your Browser
This is the step that makes saving money automatic — no remembering, no extra clicks, no missing out. Once you’ve created your Rakuten account, add the Rakuten Button (their free browser extension) to Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.
(Not familiar with extensions? They’re like little helpers that live in your browser — sort of like adding an app to your phone, but for your computer.)
👉 Add the Rakuten Button here and you’ll never forget to activate your cash back again.
Rakuten Button Tips:
Here are two quick things to know before you add it:
- Make sure you’ve created a Rakuten account using this link before you install the button.
- Extensions like the Rakuten Button 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.
Step 3 – Shop & Save!
Now comes the fun part—shopping! When you visit a website that offers cash back, a little Rakuten notification will pop up to let you know how much you can earn — which makes it a little addictive (in a good way). Just click “Activate” and keep shopping like normal. That’s it—no codes to remember, no extra hoops to jump through.
Here’s what it looks like once your cash back is active:
Rakuten will even go the extra mile and find coupon codes for you automatically, which means you can save even more without lifting a finger. When you’re checking out, it’ll suggest any available coupons and apply them for you in one click.
Step 4 – Get Cash Back
After you make a purchase, Rakuten will send you an email confirming that your cash back has been tracked. You can also log in to your Rakuten account anytime to see your pending rewards.
Then comes the best part — payday! Rakuten sends out payments every three months, either straight to your PayPal account or as a paper check (your choice). It’s like a little “thank-you” surprise for the shopping you were already planning to do.
Ready to try it yourself? Here’s a quick recap to help you get started.
Summary: How to Earn Cash Back on Your Holiday Shopping
To make things super simple, here’s a quick recap of how to start earning cash back on your holiday shopping (and get your $50 bonus!):
- Step 1 – Create your free Rakuten account here.
- Step 2 – Get the Rakuten Button here.
- Step 3 – Shop online and earn cash back on all your purchases!
💡 Remember: You’ll get a $50 bonus when you spend at least $50 on your first cash back purchase — the easiest money you’ll make this holiday season.
Here’s a quick video overview of how cash back shopping with Rakuten works:
That’s really all there is to it! 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, just ask in the comments below — I’m always happy to help!)
The only thing that would make this trick better is if I had learned about it sooner! While I can’t go back and change that, you can bet I’ll be using it to save even more from here on out.
Do you have any favorite tricks for saving or earning extra cash during the holidays? I’d love to hear them in the comments!
I have been using Rakuten for several years. It takes quite a few purchases or larger purchases to get enough cashback to make it worth it. They pay out quarterly and you cashback rewards must be $5.01 or more to get a payout. Not all retailers participate and not all purchases, even if they do participate, are eligible so read the offer details. The purchase will get approved once they validate and that doesn’t always happen immediately – it can take a month or two so that impact the payout. My “big fat check” as they call them ranges from $6-$30 on average per quarter. There may be credit cards that have a better deal if you shop on Amazon a lot – which I do (too much) and they do not participate.
I made a purchase over the summer that was rather large (almost $4k) and that payout is on its way for about $250.
You just need to look for the retailers with the higher percentage – like McAfee recently had 90% cashback. Some are much lower.
Something back is better than nothing I guess! Just my “two cents” worth.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use my American Express and Discover Cards and get 5% back (but you must not carry a balance). We do Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes and Toys for Tots. For OCC, I save free items we get throughout the year from companies and events; pens, notebooks, cups, little toys, shirts, etc., and use them for the boxes.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Rakuten does not work if your order has free shipping. I tried using it few years back on Amazon (which is where I buy most stuff) it didn’t work! Not sure if this has changed recently?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Free shipping has nothing to do with whether you get paid from Rakuten. The store or business just has to be enrolled with Rakuten. Amazon does not participate in the cashback program with Rakuten. Other stores such as Walmart and Target offer free shipping and you can still get cash back from Rakuten.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Why does this work? We all know there’s no free lunch. What do the Cashback companies get or take that makes this work for them? Data mining?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The stores you shop at pay Rakuten a fee, which allows them to pay the consumer a small percentage of their purchase. I have been using it for years and love it! There is no catch and they do not sell your information.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Wow, thanks for sharing! I signed up and already made 2 purchases.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Can you get the cash back from the app on your tablet or do you have to use your computer?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Joanna, great question! You can get back back from your iPad using the Rakuten iPad app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/rakuten-cash-back-coupons/id723134859
Create your account using the browser on your device, and then download the app and login with that account.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks!
Can you get cash back from both Honey AND Rakuten for the same purchase, or does one cancel out the other one?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.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 :-(.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Chris is correct, but if you use a cash back credit card, you get that back in addition to whatever the cash back app gives you.
You can use their app! Apple users can download it here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/rakuten-ebates-get-cash-back/id723134859
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If I have amazon app, do I have to go through the Rakuten app in order to get the cash back?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.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.
If you have the Rakuten, Honey or another app on youir device, then a window will pop up if there are any cash back offers available for the site you’re shopping on.
Here it is for Android users:
Please log in or create a free account to comment.http://bit.ly/2pWYSUY
Hi Joanne, great question. Rakuten will receive an affiliate commission by referring you, they’re simply giving some if that back to you.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.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.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Will this work when items require international shipping?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great question, Connie. I can’t think of why it wouldn’t.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.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.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.2) Beware when clicking the “Apply Coupons” button that any discount codes offered by the retailer aren’t deactivated. I receive emails from several online retailers that offer early access to sales or coupon codes to apply at checkout, and sometimes Rakuten’s attempt to apply other (or the same?) coupons results in their being deactivated. The Rakuten window might read, “The coupons didn’t work, but you still get X% cash back!” Well not only did the coupons not work but it wiped out the other codes I’d entered. It’s easily fixable but something to watch out for before placing the order.
3) Be sure to read any fine print regarding cash back on a particular website. The last time I bought a major appliance I chose one website over another because it was a Rakuten partner and the other wasn’t. For an appliance the cash back was of course a significant amount, but later I noticed that it hadn’t been applied and found that cash back did not apply to major appliances. Ordering from this company had involved extra expenses over what the other one would have charged with shipping and installation, and the cash back would have more than covered these. I wrote Rakuten to voice my complaint, explaining that the sole reason I had shopped this site was that it was a Rakuten partner. They made an exception and applied the cash back anyway, which was great but shoppers should be aware that cash back may not apply to all purchases.
Very helpful info. Thx
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