The Housewife Modern

Inspiration & Resources for the modern homemaker

How to get cash back for shopping. No strings, no tricks…actual cash. 5 ways to get cash back for shopping and exactly how they work.

Cash Back for Shopping- No Tricks, Actual Cash

Sharing is caring!

I was skeptical. Seriously skeptical. Why would anyone give me money for buying something I was going to buy anyways? But I figured I’d give it a shot. After all…what did I have to lose? Nothing I signed up for required any credit card info (why would it?). What was the worst that would happen? I wouldn’t get back something I wasn’t going to get anyways?

So, I tried a few of the recommended ways of getting cash back. Most were good, a few great, a few absolutely useless. And I’ve decided to share the top 5 ways to get cash back for shopping!

No strings, no tricks. Just actual cash back.

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you sign up for one of the programs after clicking a link I will earn a small commission which helps keep my blog up and running but it won’t cost you a penny)! Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

#1: E-bates:

I was very skeptical of Ebates. After all, I had seen Ebates advertised on TV. Didn’t that mean something shady was going on? But I signed up. I didn’t have to give any credit card info (obviously) or anything that might hurt so I figured I would give it a shot.

I signed up right before a trip, so I admittedly spent a bit on a suitcase and new clothes. So far, I’ve gotten $81.07 back. For stuff I was already going to buy. In cash. Deposited directly into my PayPal account…I didn’t even have to give them bank information.
***Update 3/1/19- I’ve gotten $432.02 back! check out the screenshot below! 

One of the best features? I got $10 back right away. I signed up. Made a purchase somewhere (I think it was Amazon) and got the cash back plus $10. Just like that.

Join Ebates now and get your $10 bonus!

Current Cash-Back Report:

Is E-bates a scam?

Ebates is most definitely NOT a scam. They’ve been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Money magazine, and have had millions of users. In fact, they were founded back in 1998, and are now one of the largest, free member-based savings programs in the U.S. Their more than 10 million members have already earned over $800 million in Cash Back.

I, myself, can vouch that I’ve gotten money from them for shopping online. Not to mention a FREE $10 just for signing up.

How Does It Work?

Very simple.

  1. Simply go to Ebates. Sign into your account. (you’ll have to make an account the first time, obviously)
  2. Find the store you want to shop at. Click “shop now.” It will send you to the store. Buy what you want and just check-out like normal.
  3. The cash back will appear within the next few days in your E-bates account. You get paid by Paypal…no fees, no forms to fill out, you just get paid.

Or, if you install the browser button (which I use), just go to the store website. If they have Ebates cash back, a pop-up will appear saying “Activate your cash back”. Click that button and shop like normal. I love the browser button because I’ve visited stores that I had no idea had cash back (there are thousands on the Ebates site) and gotten money back.

 >>>Join Ebates now! <<<

Right now there are over 2,000 merchants. Amazon, Macys, Wal-Mart, Barnes & Noble, and more. I guarantee that if you shop regularly online, there is a merchant you use on the list somewhere!

#2: ibotta

ibotta is one of my favorite apps…but I’m going to be honest. You have to scan the products as well as take a photo of the receipt. So it does take a little bit longer. However, since I’ve earned $120…I’m willing to put in the time! (see the photo on the right for my savings so far!)

ibotta is easy to use. Just click on this “Sign up for ibotta!” and make your account. Since I organize my grocery list and coupons on my desktop, I love the fact I can use it on my computer, then just use the phone to scan products and receipt. I took screenshots of the process below! (both for phone and computer)

One quick tip: you can scan the item at the store to verify it is the correct item. You WON’T have to re-scan at home! I suggest this to both make sure you have the right item and save time at home. 

Make sure you check the expiration date of offers! There is nothing more annoying than activating an offer that expire the next day. Then not going to the store for two days. That’s another reason I scan the items in store.

How to get cash back for shopping. No strings, no tricks…actual cash. 5 ways to get cash back for shopping and exactly how they work.

How Does It Work? (app)

If you download the app first (instead of signing up online), I would appreciate it if you would use my referral code: esfnpcg
You can be part of my team- the more we redeem a month, the more in extra bonuses we get! It’s hard to find teams otherwise.

In the app, click on "Find Rebates" on the bottom menu. If you have favorites set, they'll be on the top. Or click on category, such as 'grocery.'
In the app, click on "Find Rebates" on the bottom menu. If you have favorites set, they'll be on the top. Or click on category, such as 'grocery.'
This will bring up nearby stores. For this example, I clicked on "Military Commissary", but you can choose any store!
This will bring up nearby stores. For this example, I clicked on "Military Commissary", but you can choose any store!
Use the green bar across the top to pick category. I picked "pantry" for this example. All deals in that area will pop up.
Use the green bar across the top to pick category. I picked "pantry" for this example. All deals in that area will pop up.
Click on a product you are interested in. Click the "+" button to add to your list. You might have to answer a survey question or watch a short video. (Honestly, I work on the computer if it's a video).
Click on a product you are interested in. Click the "+" button to add to your list. You might have to answer a survey question or watch a short video. (Honestly, I work on the computer if it's a video).

#3: Honey

I just joined Honey a little while ago, so I’ve only gotten $10 back so far. But I only use it at the few stores that Ebates doesn’t cover. So I wasn’t expecting much.

But even better- they have COUPON CODES! That it searches for right on the site. So when I go to checkout, the little honey app pops up in the corner. I click on “check codes” and runs through all their codes. I’ve probably saved another $20 or so that way. So I’m very happy with this little browser button.

How Does It Work?

Again, very simple.

  1. Simply go to: Join Honey!  <<click there.
  2. Sign-up.
  3. Install the little browser button.
  4. Whenever you shop at a honey store, it will pop up offering you coupon codes and cash back.

#4: SavingStar

SavingStar is another of my favorite programs. But like ibotta, you have to scan the products as well as take a photo of the receipt. So it does take a little bit longer.  I’ve earned over $250 in the last couple of years of use (see the photo on the right for my savings so far!)

Saving Star is easy to sign up for. Just click on this “Sign up for SavingStar” and make your account. Since I organize my grocery list and coupons on my desktop, I love the fact I can use it on my computer, then just use the phone to scan products and receipt. I took screenshots of the process below! (both for phone and computer).

Again, make sure you check the expiration dates of offers!

How to get cash back for shopping. No strings, no tricks…actual cash. 5 ways to get cash back for shopping and exactly how they work.

How Does It Work? (app)

To add stores, click on "redeem" on the bottom. Then "add store" in the top right corner. Choose any stores that you shop at regularly.
To add stores, click on "redeem" on the bottom. Then "add store" in the top right corner. Choose any stores that you shop at regularly.
Click on "offers" on the bottom menu. All available offers will appear.
Click on "offers" on the bottom menu. All available offers will appear.
Click on the offer you're interested in. It will pop up. Click on "activate offer."
Click on the offer you're interested in. It will pop up. Click on "activate offer."
The offer has now been activated. You can click on "check if product qualifies" in store to make sure you're buying the right item.
The offer has now been activated. You can click on "check if product qualifies" in store to make sure you're buying the right item.
Click on "redeem" after you're purchased your items. Click on "start submitting receipt" to get your money back.
Click on "redeem" after you're purchased your items. Click on "start submitting receipt" to get your money back.
You'll scan barcodes to verify the products (if you scanned in stores it sometimes already shows as scanned, saving a step.). Then you'll photograph receipt.
You'll scan barcodes to verify the products (if you scanned in stores it sometimes already shows as scanned, saving a step.). Then you'll photograph receipt.

#5: Checkout 51

I included Checkout51 last for a couple of reasons: it only comes in app form and the offers are limited. In addition, they change weekly. You have to buy and scan in receipt before the next week starts. On the plus side, there is no activating offers and most of them are good at any store.

I’ve gotten back $28 with only sporadic use of the app.

How to get cash back for shopping. No strings, no tricks…actual cash. 5 ways to get cash back for shopping and exactly how they work.

How Does It Work? (app)

As you can see, there are bonus offers at the top. All other offers will be listed below that. Most of them are for any store.
As you can see, there are bonus offers at the top. All other offers will be listed below that. Most of them are for any store.
Just click the "star" next to offers you are interested in. No other activation needed!
Just click the "star" next to offers you are interested in. No other activation needed!
How to get cash back for shopping. No strings, no tricks…actual cash. 5 ways to get cash back for shopping and exactly how they work.
How to get cash back for shopping. No strings, no tricks…actual cash. 5 ways to get cash back for shopping and exactly how they work.
How to get cash back for shopping. No strings, no tricks…actual cash. 5 ways to get cash back for shopping and exactly how they work.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jennifer says

    This is such good information. I will admit, I have been skeptical about some of these before. Especially the ebates for just the reason you mentioned. Not sure why being on tv makes it seem sketchy. I’d give it a shot for sure now though!

    Reply

    • Jennie says

      yeah, I know! I saw it on TV and thought it had to be a scam. haha. But with Christmas coming up, I’m really glad I signed up.
      Don’t worry, I’ve tried a few programs and apps that completely weren’t worth the time. I only shared the ones I’ve used and loved.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *