How I Earn Cash Back On (Almost) Every Purchase

It’s inevitable. Spending money is something we all MUST do each month. Even those dedicated folks participating in things like No Spend January (or whatever month) still can’t get away from spending on necessities – gas, groceries, utilities, etc. So if you have no choice but to spend this money, why not get cash back for it? It’s like getting a discount on (almost) everything you buy! Keep reading for how I earn cash back!

Ebates
I’ve talked about Ebates briefly in my post on 6 Ways to Make Extra Money, but I really think it deserves its own post. I do a lot of my shopping online. Whether it be Target or Amazon for household products and other gadgets, or my favorite stores (my city doesn’t have a J.Crew or Nordstrom) for luxuries like clothes and shoes, I almost always shop online. Especially since I can usually get free shipping. Ebates offers cash back at HUNDREDS of stores! I’m sure your favorite store will be on there. The cash back offers change all the time and range from 1% to 10%+.

How does the cash back work? It’s easy. You just go to Ebates.com and complete a quick sign up. Then, search for the store from which you want to make a purchase. The site will automatically redirect you to the your store’s main page. Now you shop as you normally would! After you complete your purchase and the order is shipped out to you, your Ebates account will be updated to reflect the cash back you’ve earned. Ebates pays you, either via PayPal or a check in the mail, every quarter. Seriously. You get real money in the bank! I made just over $45 last quarter for all of my holiday shopping.

Sign up for Ebates now!
(If you sign up using my link, I get a referral bonus at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting this blog!)

Credit Cards
I can hear some of you gasping already. “Credit cards?! Aren’t they the devil? I love credit cards and how we can make it work for us. The key is to choose a good cash back card and be able (and willing!) to pay it off in full each month.

I can’t use Ebates for things like water, cable, and internet, but I can use my credit card! My internet provider (Comcast) lets me use my credit card for monthly automatic payments. I use my card for EVERYTHING. Unless the vendor is cash only, you can bet I’m going to use my credit card. I mean, why wouldn’t I? It’s like getting a discount on everything I buy.

What Cards Do I Use?

The Chase Freedom card is one of my favorites. The Freedom card offers 1% unlimited cash back on every purchase you make and 5% on rotating categories each quarter up to $1,500.

I also carry the American Express Blue Cash Everyday card for the rare instances that my Chase Visa is not accepted. *Ahem, Sam’s Club!* Also, the Blue Cash card offers 3% at supermarkets (up to $6,000, then 1%), 2% at gas stations, 2% at select U.S. department stores, and 1% on other purchases.

Target is my happy place. And their Target REDcard offers a 5% discount on every purchase you make at their store or website. You also get free shipping! This isn’t cash back, it is a discount!

Takeaway
1. Signing up for Ebates should be a no-brainer. It’s basically getting money back on things you would normally buy anyway.
2. Chase Freedom, American Express Blue Cash, and Target REDcard are the three cards I always have in my wallet. And they all help me to save money.
3. Make sure you pay off your credit cards every month! It’s no use getting cash back if you are racking up interest fees!

(I am not affiliated with Chase or American Express. I do get a referral bonus if you sign up for the Target REDcard using my link. Thank you for your support!)