Cash Back Sites and Apps

With technology in todays world, shopping online has boomed.  With my busy lifestyle, I prefer to shop online when I can versus traveling to the store.  Not only is shopping online quicker, it can also be cheaper.  Did you know you can get PAID to shop? Here is a list and review of cash back/discount sites and apps that truly work!

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I tend to be cautious and ask questions when it comes to evaluating if a website or app is truly real and not a scam. After much research, testimonies from friends, and my own experience, these companies truly do provide (easy) money for simply doing your normal shopping. So you may ask, why would companies pay you to use these apps/sites for cashback of certain products? I do not have a business background but these are the reasons that I believe companies give you cash back for buying their products:

1. More traffic flow
2. Free advertisement
3. People are more likely to purchase items they normally would not purchase because they get cashback

Rakuten (Ebates)

Rakuten, formerly named Ebates, can be accessed via phone app or online. I have been using Rakuten (Ebates) for a few years now. To date I have received over $500.00 just by making sure I go to Rakuten website before doing my normal online shopping! Whenever I shop at Amazon, Ebay, etc or book a hotel online, I go through Rakuten first to make extra money!

How does it work?

1. Log in to your Rakuten account via online page or phone app
2. Search for the store you want to shop at (E.g. Wal-Mart, Amazon, Ebay, Macy’s, etc)
3. Check out the percent cash back that store is giving (E.g. 2%, 6%, 10%, etc)
4. Click “Shop Now”
5. Complete your normal shopping & Rakuten will automatically credit your Rakuten account with the cash back percentage for that particular store
6. You will receive your cash back via PayPal or a mailed check; cash back payments are sent every 3 months

Not only can you get cash back from online shopping, Rakuten also offers in-store cash back on a limited number of stores. For the in-store offers, you simply add your credit card and link store offers. When you shop at the stores you linked and pay with that credit card, you will automatically receive cash back to your account. Another thing I like about Rakuten is not only are there cash back percentages for stores, Rakuten also provides promo codes and coupons for each store/business so you save even more $$$!

Another way to earn even more cash back through Rakuten is by checking out their weekly double cash back offers. They rotate on what stores are offering double cash back. Every once in a while they even offer triple cash back! Lastly, you can earn easy money by referring your friends and family to Rakuten! Currently, if you refer someone, they get $10 after they shop and you get $25 for each referral! Click here to sign up and redeem $10!

Ibotta

Ibotta is an application you download to your smartphone. Ibotta contains popular shopping venues like Kroger, Meijer, and Wal-Mart to name a few. I use this application mainly when I grocery shop (usually Kroger or Wal-Mart as those are the nearest grocery stores) as it contains the most cash back deals for this kind of shopping. To date I have made over $200.00!

How does it work?

1. Create an Ibotta account
2. Before shopping in-store or online, search for the store you will be shopping at and add offers of products you will buy or might purchase
3. Go shopping & buy the products you added as an offer
4. After shopping, take a photo of your shopping receipt and submit
5. Receive cash offer for the products you purchased!

Some stores you do not have to submit a receipt to Ibotta. If a store has a loyalty card, you can link your card to the Ibotta app and once you have completed your shopping, your cash back offers will automatically be added. Cash back is deposited within 48 hours. You can withdraw your cash back you receive once your account hits $20.00. There are multiple ways you can redeem your cash back– via PayPal, Venmo, or convert your earnings to a gift card.

Not only can you earn cash back by purchasing offers listed for particular stores, you can also earn money from Teamwork bonuses and other bonuses such as redeeming items at specific retailers or completing certain tasks. Look for these extra earnings from the Bonus section of the app! Lastly, the more people you refer to Ibotta, the more money you get and the bigger Teamwork bonuses you can receive!

RetailMeNot

RetailMeNot can be accessed via phone app or online.  RetailMeNot has some cash back features but mainly is known for providing coupons and promo codes to save you money.  RetailMeNot has an abundance of popular stores and sites including Wal-Mart, Target, Amazon.  Not only does it include department stores but it also has a wide variety of categories such as restaurants, clothing stores, travel, electronics, hotels, flight, and rental cars to name a few.

How does it work?

1. Go to retailmenot.com or the app
2. Search for the store/restaurant/business/etc you want to shop at online or in-store
3. View available coupons and promo codes that can be used in-store and/or online!

I like to use RetailMeNot when I am out and about shopping. While in a store, I quickly pull up the app, search for the store, and view available coupons. It is a great one place coupon app because you do not have to worry about finding and carrying around physical coupons. It saves paper! I also use the app when I am going to or already at a restaurant. Some restaurants will have coupons like money off or free appetizers! So far I have never had an issue with a store/restaurant not accepting the coupons on the RetailMeNot app.

Drop

Drop can be accessed via phone app.  Drop is an app that provides cash back for your everyday spending.  As noted from their website, “turn everyday purchases into cash rewards.”

How does it work?

1. Link your debit and/or credit card to your Drop account.
2. Choose the store(s) you are shopping at and click on offer.
3. Do your normal shopping at that store and begin racking up points.  Each store has different amount of points per dollar or a lump some of points.
4. Redeem points for gift cards!

As simple as this app is, I do feel it takes longer to rack up cash back versus some of the other apps I use.  If there is a store/restaurant you use frequently, I definitely recommend linking your card and start earning points for that particular business.  Not only can you earn points by shopping in store, you can also use given links on the Drop app to shop online and get points that way as well. For example, some stores offer a lump some of 3,000 up to 30,000+ points for going through the Drop link to shop. Other businesses you can earn points per $1 spent (e.g. 20 points for every $1.00).

What are your favorite money saving apps/sites?

Rakuten, Ibotta, RetailMeNot, and Drop are all sites that I currently use and have the most experience with. These sites have been evaluated and used by me and have been proven to work in making money and saving money! I know there are MANY more money saving apps and sites out there. I would love to know what you use and how well it has worked for you! Feel free to drop me a comment below or send me an email at deserae@simplygreenmama.com. Thank you! 🙂