Save Money With Rakuten
I know a lot of you have said you don’t have a Kroger near you in order to take advantage of earning 14% or 20% off your gift card purchase, so this post is for you (or anyone who wants to save money!).
This is the first post in a series of how to save money when shopping online.
Rakuten, formerly known as Ebates, is your one stop for earning cash back when shopping online. When I first heard about Rakuten, I didn’t think it would save me that much money because the only online shopping I do is Amazon. Well let me tell you, I was wrong.
First of all, I quickly discovered that Amazon is not the only place that I do online shopping. Since Cullan is really into antique toys, we do most of our shopping for him on eBay. Over the past few months, most stores have been closed so I’ve been doing online shopping at Kohl’s and Old Navy. I also recently bought a few Groupons, and they were eligible for cash back through Rakuten as well.
To start earning cash back with Rakuten simply go to their website and sign up. If you sign up using my link you will automatically receive $10 cash back after you make your first purchase. That’s $10 in FREE money!
After you’ve registered an account all you have to do is visit Rakuten.com prior to shopping online, and select the store you are going to be shopping at. Rakuten will log your visit in order to give you credit for any purchases that you make. It’s that simple.
For example, if I want to buy the kids some clothes at Kohl’s I will go to Rakuten.com and log into my account. I will then search for Kohl’s. Once I select Kohl’s then I see a list of options. The nice thing is that Rakuten will display other coupon codes that you can use as well. So you can see that you can get free shipping with an order of $75, plus earn 2% cash back from Rakuten. After you scroll through and see all of the offers, just click “Shop” next to the offer that you want. Rakuten will take you to the Kohl’s page, and after you place your order your cash back will start being processed.
Some stores only offer cash back for certain categories. Amazon and eBay are two examples I can think of. For example, I made a furniture purchase from Amazon and it was eligible for 6% cash back. That same day I made a toy purchase, and it was not eligible for cash back. You can see what categories currently offer cash back available on ebay.
Don’t forget to download the Chrome extension. Sometimes I forget to click through Rakuten first, or I think that the website I’m visiting probably wouldn’t be eligible for cash back through Rakuten. If you download the Rakuten Chrome extension, then you never have to worry about missing out on eligible cash back. I’m always surprised at what pops up on the Rakuten Chrome extension. I went to buy a Groupon the other day and my Chrome extension popped up. Thankfully I didn’t miss out on that cash back – I earned $10.14!
I was looking at booking a hotel directly through the hotel’s website and again the Rakuten Chrome extension popped up. I was buying something on eBay and it popped up again. The Chrome extension makes it so easy to remember to use Rakuten so that you don’t miss out on cash back.
You don’t even have to remember to request payment either. Rakuten automatically pays out your cash back once a quarter. If you have earned at least $5 cash back, and have an address or PayPal account on file, then your payment will be sent automatically. I have my PayPal account linked, so the money is just deposited for me.
You can also earn cash back from Rakuten when shopping in a brick and mortar store. Just log into the app and select the store that you will be shopping at. If you’re going to be shopping at Vera Bradley, click “get deal.” Then you will need to link your credit card if you haven’t already done so. When you pay with that credit card in the store you will automatically get the cash back added to your Rakuten account.
Here is an example of restaurants in my area that are offering cash back if you pay with a credit card via the Rakuten app.
Sign up now through my link and you will receive $10 cash back after you make your first purchase. Don’t miss out on your FREE $10!
If you have any questions about the Rakuten app or website, please leave a comment below. I’d love to help you start saving money and earning cash back with Rakuten.
68 Comments
Jennifer Van Haitsma
My mother in law uses this and loves it! I still need to check it out. Thanks for the reminder!
Sara W
It’s been nice getting cash back here and there.
Amy
This sounds awesome and so easy to use?!
Sara W
It’s very easy, especially with the Chrome extension!
Melissa
This post is wonderful timing! I always remember to use Rakuten too late after I purchased things. Thanks for the steps!
Sara W
Glad you found it helpful!
Kristen
Such an easy way to save! Thanks for sharing!
Sara W
You’re welcome. Glad to help.
Steph
I’ve used Ibotta in the past. I need to check this one out!
Sara W
I use Ibotta as well.
Jen @ Jen Bradley | MOMS
This is so cool! I’ve never tried a cash back site like this, but it seems like a no-brainer!
Sara W
It’s so easy to earn cash back with Rakuten, which is why I love it!
Adriane
Thank you for walking us through how to do this. I see sites like this all the time but don’t want to take the time to figure them out.
Sara W
You’re welcome. I’m glad you found it helpful.
Beth Shields
I had joined ages ago and just never really used it. At that time, I didn’t frequent many of the stores. I need to go back and take a look at it again. Its been a while. Looks very successful for you. Thanks for the information.
Sara W
I didn’t think I actually shopped at that many of the stores either, or really shop online that much in general, but being at home the past few months has changed my shopping habits, and I’ve been surprised at how much I actually save using Rakuten.
Holly
I love the idea of saving money and Rakutan has a great program!
Sara W
Nothing better than saving money!
Kristin
I need to use Rakuten more. I have an account but always forget to use it. I love earning $$ from something I’m already doing anyway!
Sara W
Yes, it’s just an added bonus for doing something you were already going to do.
Sabrina DeWalt
I have used Ibotta for years. This sounds like another great way to save money. I will have to check it out.
Sara W
I use Ibotta too, it’s also a great way to save money.
Lisa Manderino
I think I need to switch over to this because I have use something called honey and it does not pay out well.
Sara W
I haven’t heard of Honey.
Maggie | leavemetodream.com
Sounds like you can save a lot of money this way!
Sara W
You definitely can, you should check it out.
Tricia Snow
I love Rakuten! No reason not to make money when you shop!
Sara W
I completely agree!
Melissa| It's a Joyous Journey
I love having the Chrome extension! It makes it so easy to remember to use Rakuten!
Sara W
Yes! I don’t know how many times I would’ve forgotten if the Chrome extension didn’t pop up to remind me.
Cas
Great info and I love the tips you shared!
Sara W
Thank you!
Amy
I love rakuten!! If you get the google extention, it will prompt any deals offered when you visit any online store or brand.
Sara W
Yes, when I added the extension it was a game changer for me.
Chelsea
Wow I didn’t know you could make that much back with Rakuten. (I also didn’t know it was formerly EBates.) And that’s great you can use it on Ebay. We’ve been purchasing more from them as well.
Sara W
Ebay has been a life saver for us since my 10 year old loves antique toys.
Alexis Farmer
Who doesn’t love getting money back? Haha. I need to try this
Sara W
Getting cash back makes me a happy shopper.
Douglas Jasper
Thank you, I am going to investigate if I can use your link but go through rakuten.ca as we are in Canada.
Sara W
Thanks! I hope you save lots of money.
Christina Furnival
I’ve heard of this but never tried it! Thanks!
Sara W
If you have any questions let me know.
Vanessa
Thanks for the run-down. I signed up before, but never used it because it seemed confusing. Now I know how it works. Thank you!
Sara W
Make sure you give it another try!
Debbie
This is the best info I’ve seen on using Rakuten! Easy to understand. Intriguing!
Sara W
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed the post.
Guy Guyton
This really takes all the mystery out of using a site like this. Thanks for the simple breakdown!
Sara W
Glad it was helpful.
heather J jandrue
I love Rakutan. I have made quite a but since we have been quaratined. LOL!
Sara W
I would’ve made quite a bit back if Amazon had still been participating, because that’s where I did most of my online shopping the past few months.
Sandi
I use Rakuten as an affiliate, but never thought of using them as a buyer. Interesting.
Sara W
It’s such a great money-saving tool.
Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life
I’ve never been great about utilizing savings such as this. Thank you for reminding me it’s time I got on the stick 🙂
Sara W
There are several money-saving apps/programs that I forget about too, but the Chrome extension really helps me remember to always use Rakuten.
Mariah French
I’ve heard about Rakuten, but have yet to try it. Thanks for including the specific examples!
Sara W
If you try it out, let me know what you think.
Kendra
We love using Rakuten too! So awesome!
Sara W
And so easy to use!
Leeandra
I love using Rakuten! It’s so great to get cash back when you shop!
Sara W
Yes! I just got my most recent cash back deposited into Paypal yesterday.
Danielle Ardizzone
I love Rakuten (started back when it was eBates).
Sara W
Me too, it’s taken me awhile to remember to call it Rakuten.
Jill DeMasi
This is awesome. Thanks for the specific steps!
Sara W
You’re welcome.
Cindy
I’ll be checking into this! Looks great I’ll use your link when I join.
Sara W
Thank you! I hope it saves you a ton of money.
Santana
I had heard of rakuten before, but didn’t really know what it was. It aounds like a great online tool!
Sara W
It really is!