How to Make Money with Rakuten (Easy Cash Back Tips for Beginners)

Let’s talk about something we all love—free money. Okay, maybe not free-free, but close enough. If you’re not using Rakuten to earn cash back while shopping, you’re seriously leaving money on the table. Whether you're a seasoned online shopper or just dipping your toes into the digital cart life, Rakuten is one of the easiest ways to make money without doing much of anything.

So, What Is Rakuten?

Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) is a cash-back website and app that gives you a percentage of your money back when you shop at certain online stores. We're talking about major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Sephora, Target, and literally thousands more.

It’s not a scam. It’s not too good to be true. It’s just affiliate marketing—Rakuten gets a commission when you shop through their links, and they share a slice of it with you. Win-win.

How to Get Started

  1. Sign Up (It’s Free)
    Head to Rakuten.com or download the app. Signing up is free, and they usually give you a welcome bonus (like $10 or more) after your first qualifying purchase. Easy money.

  2. Use the Browser Extension
    This is a game changer. Rakuten has a Chrome/Firefox extension that automatically pops up when you’re on a site that offers cash back. One click activates the deal, and boom—you’re earning while shopping like normal.

  3. Shop Like You Normally Would
    Pick your favorite store through Rakuten’s site or app, click their link, and shop as usual. The only difference? You're now getting a percentage of your total back—sometimes as much as 10% or more, depending on the store and promotion.

  4. Get Paid
    Rakuten sends out "Big Fat Checks" (their words, not mine) every quarter. You can get paid via PayPal or a physical check. Some people like to let it build up—others cash out ASAP.

Tips to Maximize Your Rakuten Earnings

1. Double Dip with Credit Card Rewards
Use a cash-back or rewards credit card on top of Rakuten’s offers. That way, you’re earning from both your card and Rakuten at the same time. Sneaky-smart.

2. Watch for Bonus Cash Back Events
Rakuten runs promotions where they bump up cash back rates—think 10%, 12%, even 15% at some stores. These usually happen around big shopping days like Black Friday, but they pop up randomly too.

3. Refer Friends
Rakuten has a referral program where you can earn $25+ for every friend you get to sign up and make a purchase. Some people make serious money just by sharing their link on social media or in blogs.

4. Stack Coupons and Promo Codes
Rakuten lets you apply store promo codes while still getting cash back. So yes, you can get 20% off your order AND 10% cash back. It feels like cheating, but it’s not.

Real Talk: How Much Can You Make?

It depends on how much you shop, how often you refer people, and how smart you are about stacking deals. Casual users might earn $50-$100 a year. More serious users (especially around the holidays or big spending events) can easily rack up a few hundred dollars or more.

And if you're a deal hunter? Let’s just say Rakuten can be your new favorite side hustle.

Final Thoughts

Using Rakuten is a no-brainer. It’s free, it’s easy, and it literally gives you money for things you were already planning to buy. If you’re not using it yet, you're kind of just... giving your money away. And nobody wants that.

So go sign up, install the extension, and let those Big Fat Checks start rolling in.

Happy shopping (and saving)!

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    Disclaimer:  This page contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission if you click on one of the links and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I believe in and think you’ll find valuable.

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