How to Earn Hundreds of Dollars With Rakuten Cash Back – Episode 115
What if you received a cash back check in the mail totaling hundreds of dollars? How would you feel? Better yet, how would you use those funds? Whether you want to save on everyday purchases or earn extra money, in this episode, I’m sharing how you can earn hundreds of dollars in cash back with Rakuten.
If you aren’t familiar with Rakuten, I break down:
- [1:59] What is Rakuten?
- [2:40] How Rakuten works
- [4:39] Ways to get paid through Rakuten
- [5:30] The pros and cons
Listen to the episode here:
Listen on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Pandora | Podlink
What if you received the cash back check in the mail totaling hundreds of dollars, how would you feel better yet? How would you use those funds? I recently deposited a $148 check from Rakuten right into our travel fund, a separate bank account we use for our travel savings If you want to learn more about why a travel fund is important and how to use one, go back and listen to episode 2. The link will also be in the description of this episode. In your podcast player. I earned $148 in cash back using racket in and in this episode I wanted to spill the tea on how you can earn hundreds of dollars in cash back with this site.
If you aren't familiar with Rakuten in this episode, I'll break down what is Rakuten, how Rakuten works ways to get paid through Rakuten plus the pros and the cons. Also at the time of publishing this episode, Rakuten is offering a referral bonus where you can earn $40 by signing up for Rakuten and making a qualifying purchase within the 1st 90 days. Now, that amount may be more or less depending on when you're listening to this episode, But by using my referral link, I'll also receive $40. So thank you in advance for using my link and supporting the show. You can find the link in the description of this episode in your podcast player.
Welcome to The Thought Card, a podcast about traveling money where planning saving and creativity leads to affording travel building wealth and paying off debt. We are the financially savvy travelers.
Formerly known as Ebates Rakuten is a cash back website that allows you to earn money on online and in store purchases, Rakuten is connected to over 3500 retailers such as best buy Macy's, Walmart, Target and so much more as a fun fact. The word rakuten means optimism in Japanese, Rakuten rewards you with cash back for starting your online and in store shopping. Using racket means website app available in android and IOS or their browser extension more on that in a minute. So here's how Rakuten works instead of going directly to a retailers site like Target dot com, visit racketeers website app or use their browser extension instead. Then shop like you normally would essentially rakuten is an affiliate. They earn a percentage of each sale by referring shoppers to retailers racket in. In turn shares a portion of that commission with you in the form of cash back, earn anywhere from 1% to 20 plus percent cash back on purchases. Here's a pro tip if you're like me and sometimes forget to visit rackets in sight before making an online purchase. I recommend downloading the browser extension every time I visit a website that racket inn offers cash back with a pop up appears on the top right hand corner, prompting me to click on the link to activate this ensures I never miss a cash back offer. So I highly recommend adding this free chrome or Safari browser extension. So here's how rocketing in store cash back works. Like I mentioned, you can use racket in to earn cash back on in store purchases as well. But to do this you'll have to browse through their list of in store cash back offers link the offer and add your debit or credit card details. Pay with that specific credit card or debit card and you'll receive cash back via Rakuten. One thing to be mindful of the is that linked offers are valid only for one purchase. You'll have to re link store offers after you shop. So for convenience it may be easier to do all of this on mobile. Also when using a debit card in store, be sure to process the purchase as credit, do not enter your pin. So after using racket in for a little while you start to accumulate a cash back balance which you can track quote unquote big fat checks as rackets and calls them are distributed quarterly but you have to have at least $5 to get your payout, receive your cash back in the form of a physical check through paypal or american express membership reward points. So you may be wondering if rakuten is worth it. Well as financial savvy travelers who strive to earn and spend our hard earned funds wisely rackets and helps our family earn cash back on purchases we would be making anyway. So in addition to earning points and miles using credit cards, we can stack on cash back without doing too much extra leg work. So here's the pros for using racket in. Rakuten is easy to use and because they partner with thousands of stores, cash back savings adds up quickly. I'm really also a big fan of their search functionality. Search by categories like clothing and baby and toddler, office supplies or home and garden. You can also search by store or product using the search bar. There are also deals of the week, hot deals, seasonal deals for cyber monday and black friday for example. And so much more now as for cons while it doesn't take too long to set up, I will say that racket on does take more time to navigate to their site and use their links versus just shopping directly with the retailer. It's also easy to lose out on cash back opportunities if you're not focusing on optimization, like not using the correct link or refreshing your browser by accident or not using the correct credit card that you linked in your racket an account. Another con not all items purchased are eligible for cash back with Rakuten. So read the fine print carefully. Also rocketing is not an aggregator like hash back monitor. So if you use rocket on, you may be missing out on the opportunity to earn more on other cash back websites. If you'd like me to share ways to optimize and earn even more cash back using racket in. Let me know by leaving a comment under this episode, over at dot card dot com or you can always dM me on instagram. I'm at the Danielle easier remember if you're looking for a more set it and forget it approach. The best thing you can do is download the racket and browser extension shop like you normally would and when those pop ups appear activate to earn the cash back. So in the top of the episode, I mentioned how I recently got a check for $140 from Rakuten on and this happened over the summer when my husband Kyle purchased a new Dell laptop. We use racket in to earn 10% cash back. So it took us about 30 seconds to use racket means link and head over to Dell's website. Hey, if you're going to spend anyway, might as well get that cash back for it. Right.
So you may be wondering, is it worth it to join Rakuten? Me? I say absolutely yes. Rakuten is legit and not a scam. Rakuten is free to use and it's used by millions of people including yours truly. So don't forget by using my link, you can earn $40 by signing up for rakuten and making a qualifying purchase within the 1st 90 days. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more deep dives on the tools and resources, I use follow the show on your favorite podcast player because I'm sharing the savings app that has helped me effortlessly stash thousands of dollars every year. My husband downloaded that app. My mom has download the app. My mother in law. I tell everyone about this app because it has helped me personally save so much, so you won't want to miss that episode.
But in the meantime you can listen to episode 93 for ways to earn points and miles without traveling, actually one of the most popular episodes of the year, so I'm really happy about that. The link will be a description of this episode in your podcast player until next time, financially savvy travelers. I hope you enjoyed this episode. But don't forget there's way more where that came from. When you become a supporter of the show, you'll get bonus episodes, additional tips on affording travel real time updates as well as strategies for building wealth and creating multiple income streams head over to dot com forward slash join to support. Also be sure to follow me on instagram. I'm @thedanielledesir slide in my DM and share with me your thoughts about this episode. What did you enjoy what stood out to you? Let me know I'd absolutely love to connect with you outside of the podcast. See you in the next one.
Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission when you use my links at no extra cost to you.
Rakuten offers a referral bonus where you can earn $30 (although $40 was mentioned in the episode) by signing up for Rakuten and making a qualifying purchase within the first 90 days.
By using my referral link, I’ll also receive $30, so thank you for using my link and supporting the show.
Watch the episode here:
2023 Rakuten Review: Save Money Shopping Online & In-Store
Table of Contents
What is Rakuten?
Formerly known as “Ebates,” Rakuten is a cash back website allowing you to earn money on online and in-store purchases. Rakuten offers cash back at over 3,500 retailers, such as Macy’s, Walmart, Target, and more.
Fun Fact: “Rakuten” means “optimism” in Japanese.
Rakuten rewards you with cash back for starting your online and in-store shopping using Rakuten’s website, or app (available for Android and iOS), or browser extension.
Earn $30 when you sign up for Rakuten by making a qualifying purchase within the first 90 days.
How does Rakuten work?
Instead of going directly to a retailer’s site like target.com, visit Rakuten’s website or app or use their browser extension and then shop like you normally would.
Essentially, Rakuten is an affiliate. They earn a percentage of each sale by referring shoppers to retailers, and Rakuten shares a portion of that commission with you as cash back.
Earn anywhere from 1% to 20+% cash back on purchases.
Pro Tip: If you’re like me and sometimes forget to visit Rakuten’s site before making an online purchase, I recommend downloading the browser extension.
Every time I visit a website where Rakuten offers cash back, a pop-up appears in the top right-hand corner prompting me to click on the activation link. This ensures I never miss a Rakuten cash back offer, so I recommend adding this free Chrome or Safari browser extension.
How does Rakuten’s in-store cash back work?
You can use Rakuten to earn cash back on in-store purchases as well.
You’ll have to browse through their list of in-store cash back offers, link the offer, and add your debit or credit card details.
Pay with that specific card, and you’ll receive cash back.
One thing to be mindful of, linked offers are valid for one purchase only. Relink store offers after you shop — for convenience, this may be easier to do on mobile.
Also, when using a debit card in-store, process the purchase as ‘credit.’ Do not enter your PIN.
Rakuten Payout Options
After using Rakuten for a little while, you’ll start accumulating a cash back balance that you can track.
“Big fat checks,” as Rakuten calls them, are distributed quarterly, but you must have at least $5 earned to get your payout.
Receive your cash back through a physical check, PayPal, or American Express Membership Rewards Points.
Is Rakuten worth it?
As financially savvy travelers who strive to earn and spend our hard-earned funds wisely, Rakuten helps our family earn cash back on purchases we would be making anyway.
So, in addition to earning points and miles using credit cards, we can stack on cash back without doing too much extra legwork.
Rakuten Cash back Pros

Rakuten is easy to use, and because they partner with thousands of stores, cash back savings add up quickly.
Search by categories like clothing, baby and toddler, office supplies, or home and garden. You can also search by store or product using the search bar. There are also “deals of the week,” “hot deals,” “seasonal deals,” and more.
Rakuten Cash back Cons
While it doesn’t take too long to set up, Rakuten does take more time to use their link vs. shopping directly.
It’s also easy to lose out on cash back opportunities if you’re not focusing on optimization, like not using the correct link or credit card.
Another con, not all items purchased are eligible for cash back with Rakuten, so read the fine print carefully.
Also, some people would prefer more frequent payouts instead of quarterly, monthly, or after reaching a certain amount.
Lastly, Rakuten is not an aggregator like Cashback Monitor so if you use Rakuten, you may be missing out on the opportunity to earn more on other cash back sites.
Final Thoughts
When my husband purchased a new Dell laptop last summer, we used Rakuten to earn 10% cash back which took us 30 seconds.
Hey, if you’re going to spend anyway, you might as well get cash back for it. Right?
So, is it worth it to join Rakuten? Absolutely, yes!
Rakuten is free and used by millions of people, including yours truly. There is also no monthly fee.
Rakuten is legit and not a scam.
Remember, you can earn a $30 Rakuten sign-up bonus by making a qualifying purchase within the first 90 days.
Listen to the episode here:
Helpful Tip: If you’re looking for a more set-it-and-forget-it approach, the best thing you can do is download the Rakuten browser extension, shop like you normally would, and when those pop-ups appear, activate to earn cash back.
Listen to these episodes next:
If you want to learn more about why a travel fund is important and how to use one, go back and listen to Episode 2.
Listen to Episode 93 for ways to earn points and miles without traveling.

Danielle Desir Corbett paid off $63,000 of student loan debt in 4 years, bought a house at 27, and has traveled to 27 countries, including her favorites, Iceland, China, and Bermuda. Go here to learn Danielle’s incredible story, from struggling financially and in debt to finding creative ways to earn more and live on her terms. Listen to The Thought Card Podcast, where Danielle shares how you can creatively travel more and build wealth regardless of your current financial situation. Reach out to Danielle by contacting: thethoughtcard (at) gmail (dot) com.
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