In today’s world, everyone is looking for ways to stretch their dollar further, whether through smart budgeting, strategic shopping, or travel hacks. One of the most effective and straightforward ways to earn money back on your regular purchases is through cash-back services like Rakuten. If you’ve never heard of Rakuten before or are unsure how it works, you’re in for a treat. This blog will dive deep into what Rakuten is, how it works, and why it’s beneficial to use.

Plus, if you’re ready to start saving money on your purchases, you can sign up for Rakuten here: http://bit.ly/3T0wjQV.

What Is Rakuten?

Rakuten, formerly known as Ebates, is a popular online cash-back and shopping rewards platform. Established in 1998, the company rebranded to Rakuten after being acquired by the Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten in 2014. While Rakuten is well-known in Japan for offering a wide range of services, its cash-back program is what has earned it millions of users globally.

Rakuten partners with thousands of retailers worldwide, including big-name stores such as Walmart, Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and Expedia, among others. When users shop through Rakuten’s portal or use its browser extension, they earn a percentage of their purchase back in the form of cash. The cash-back percentages vary depending on the store and current promotions, but you can expect anywhere from 1% to 40% back on your purchases.

How Does Rakuten Work?

Rakuten is essentially an affiliate marketing platform, meaning it earns a commission from retailers every time someone makes a purchase through their links. Instead of keeping all of this commission, Rakuten shares a portion of it with you as cash back. The process of using Rakuten is incredibly simple:

Sign Up: You can sign up for Rakuten for free. All you need is an email address or you can sign up with your Facebook or Google account. If you sign up through this link, you’ll also get a bonus cash reward after making your first qualifying purchase.
Start Shopping: Once you’re signed up, you can shop in two main ways:
- Via Rakuten’s Website or App: Go to Rakuten’s site or use their app to browse the available retailers. Once you’ve found the store you want to shop at, click through Rakuten’s link, and you’ll be redirected to the retailer’s site. Shop as you normally would.
- Using Rakuten’s Browser Extension: Install the Rakuten browser extension for Chrome, Safari, or Firefox. The extension will automatically notify you when you’re on a site that offers cash back, and you can activate the offer with one click.
Earn Cash Back: After making a purchase, the cash back will automatically be credited to your Rakuten account. You can track your earnings in your account dashboard.
Get Paid: Rakuten pays out cash back every quarter via check or PayPal, once you’ve earned $5.01 or more in cash back. This means every three months, you’ll receive a “Big Fat Check” from Rakuten with your earnings.

Why Rakuten Is Beneficial for Everyone

Now that you know how Rakuten works, let’s talk about why you should use it. There are several reasons why Rakuten is a no-brainer for anyone who shops online or even in-store:

1. Free Money for Shopping You’re Already Doing

One of the most compelling reasons to use Rakuten is that it offers free money for things you’re already doing. Whether you’re shopping for clothes, groceries, electronics, or booking travel, chances are Rakuten is partnered with one of the stores you’re using. So, why not earn money back on purchases you were going to make anyway?

2. Thousands of Partner Stores

Rakuten has an impressive range of partner stores in nearly every category. Some of the top stores that Rakuten partners with include:

Travel: Expedia, Priceline, Booking.com
Retail: Walmart, Target, Macy’s
Tech: Apple, Best Buy
Fashion: Nike, Old Navy, Sephora

With thousands of options, it’s easy to integrate Rakuten into your everyday shopping.

3. In-Store Cash Back Offers

Rakuten doesn’t just cater to online shoppers. Many people are unaware that Rakuten also offers in-store cash-back deals. All you need to do is link your debit or credit card to your Rakuten account and activate the in-store cash-back offers before you shop at participating retailers. This way, you can earn money back even when you prefer to shop in person.

4. Easy-to-Use Browser Extension

Rakuten’s browser extension makes the process even easier by automatically alerting you when you’re shopping on a site that offers cash back. No need to remember to go to Rakuten first; the extension will pop up and remind you to activate your cash-back offer.

5. Referral Bonuses

Rakuten has an excellent referral program that rewards you for bringing new users to the platform. If you refer friends or family to Rakuten and they sign up through your link (like this one: http://bit.ly/3T0wjQV), you both get a cash bonus once they make their first qualifying purchase.

6. Stackable Savings

One of the best perks of Rakuten is that it allows you to stack savings. In addition to earning cash back, you can still use coupons, discount codes, and rewards points from the retailer itself. Some credit cards also offer cash-back deals, so you can potentially triple-dip on savings by using Rakuten, retailer discounts, and your credit card perks.

7. Consistent Payouts

Rakuten is highly reliable when it comes to payouts. Every quarter, they send out your cash-back earnings either through PayPal or by mailing a check directly to your home. There are no hidden fees or complicated payout processes—just straightforward cash back in your pocket.

Tips for Maximizing Your Earnings on Rakuten

Want to get the most out of Rakuten? Here are some quick tips:

Shop During Promotions: Keep an eye out for special promotions where Rakuten increases the cash-back percentage at specific retailers. These offers are often timed around holidays or sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Download the App: Using the Rakuten app can help you earn cash back while shopping on your mobile device, ensuring you never miss out on savings.
Use the Referral Program: Encourage friends and family to sign up using your referral link to earn additional bonuses.
Check Rakuten Before Every Purchase: Make it a habit to check if Rakuten offers cash back at a retailer before making a purchase.

Conclusion: Why You Should Join Rakuten Today

If you enjoy saving money without any extra effort, Rakuten is one of the easiest ways to do so. Whether you’re an avid online shopper or someone who prefers shopping in-store, Rakuten makes it simple to earn cash back on your everyday purchases.

Ready to start earning? Sign up today using this link and get a bonus after your first purchase. With Rakuten, you can earn money while doing what you love—shopping!

Here is another helpful blog to help save money on groceries, click here.