Do you love earning cashback for buying things you were already intending to purchase? If so, this article is for you!
We’ve already talked about DOSH. For a refresher, go here https://mjmakesmemories.com/best-app-for-earning-cashback/ Today we’ll talk about another app that has added a good chunk of money to my vacation fund!
Rakuten!
Formally known as Ebates, this site easily turns your online purchases into cold hard cash!
How does it work? First, you register here: https://www.rakuten.com/r/MJCREE2?eeid=28187. When you do this, you will automatically earn $20 cashback.
Next, upload the Rakuten app to your phone. You do not have to do this, but if you enjoy shopping via your smartphone, this is a good idea.
The next time you decide to purchase something online, go to the Rakuten website or through the app. Search to see if the store you are shopping at has a cashback deal. Click on the store link via the website and Viola! You will earn a percentage of your purchase back in cold, hard cash.
Let me share an example from this past weekend. I was purchasing discount passes for our upcoming trip to Hawaii. I went to Rakuten and saw that the website Go City was on the site. They were offering 3% cashback on our passes. I purchased all 6. The next day I checked my account and 3% of the cost of those passes had been added to my Rakuten account. The next time I am issued a “Big Fat Check”, as they call it, I will get that cash (plus cash from other purchases this quarter).
I make a lot of purchases on Amazon, and they do not usually have many cashback options. Having said that, I am shocked by how many companies I do business with do! Make a habit of checking their website every time you go to make a purchase.
You will receive your cash quarterly from Rakuten via PayPal. Sometimes, you will also be given the option to turn the cashback into gift cards.
Over the years I have literally earned over $1000 for purchasing things I was going to buy anyway. I can’t recommend this enough!
Are you wondering what my top stores are to get cashback? Well, here’s a clue to number 1 
What is Groupon? It’s a place to purchase items and experiences at a discount. Shop owners put these out to get you through their doors.
Some of my favorite Groupon deals through the years have been experiences. My kids got a week-long camp learning how to wakeboard and kneeboard on a lake in Austin for $99 each. That one was an amazing gift that keeps on giving 
Groupon is a GREAT place to find discounted excursions! We booked a catamaran tour for a fraction of the cost on Groupon.
Between the discount, Groupon provides, readily available coupon codes, and Rakuten, you can get sweet deals on these and so much more!
My second-place store for earning Cashback is Kohls. Their online store is my go-to for the endless supply of shoes, denim, underwear, Sunday suits, etc. that we burn through. A family of 6 has serious apparel needs!
Kohl’s frequently has 30% off coupons and Kohl’s Cash for me to spend on these essentials.
Additionally, I love that I can order and then hop on over to the physical store for free pick up or returns. And Kohls also takes my Amazon returns, so hooray!!!!
My third place for cashback appears to be Priceline. I often find rental car discounts there the deepest. Paired with Rakuten cashback and it’s a golden situation. For hotel discounts, airfare, cruises, and cars, make a habit of checking Priceline via Rakuten.
Don’t forget to check Rakuten when making random purchases! I recently got a nice chunk of change back from ordering my Christmas Cards on Snap Fish. Because it was the holiday season, I believe my cashback was 12%!
Pro Tip: Around Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and other big sales weekends, DO NOT forget to look on Rakuten for some SUPER awesome percentages! For example, Thing 1 needed a new laptop for college. She earned over $100 in cashback because it was Black Friday weekend!!!! To put it in perspective, normally she may have earned $15 on that purchase. Big score!
Having said that, Don’t turn your nose up when your return is only .50 and decide that using Rakuten isn’t worth the effort. I’m surprised how some quarters I’ve earned $30 in cash back on little returns like this. Rakuten takes so little time to go to the website and then link through to your favorite stores.
In summary, Rakuten is a gold mine for helping you save for your future vacations!
Have any questions? Comment below!
And as a reminder: to sign up for Rakuten and earn $20 cashback, go to https://www.rakuten.com/r/MJCREE2?eeid=28187