Online shopping is part of everyday life for most of us—groceries, travel, electronics, and everyday essentials all get purchased throughout the year. But what if you could earn money back on the purchases you already make?
Cashback apps like ShopBack let you do just that. ShopBack pays you a percentage of your purchases when you shop through their platform, turning ordinary online shopping into a way to save money. Founded in 2014, ShopBack has helped millions of shoppers earn cashback on retailers they already use.
In my experience, I earned $35.19 by signing up and making two simple purchases, while spending only $24.29. That means I effectively profited from the shopping I was already doing, thanks to a sign-up bonus and straightforward cashback credits. If you already buy from retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, DoorDash, or Expedia, using a cashback service can help you earn money back on those purchases.
How to Save $200 a Year on Things You’re Already Buying Online
Below is a simple guide to how you can save hundreds of dollars each year by using a cashback service like ShopBack.
How cashback works (it’s super easy!)
Earning cashback through ShopBack is straightforward. If you already shop online, integrating it into your routine is simple:
- Start from ShopBack – Open the ShopBack app, website, or browser extension before you shop.
- Click through to the retailer – Use the ShopBack link to visit the store and complete your purchase. Follow any store-specific rules to ensure tracking.
- Cashback is confirmed – After the return window passes, your cashback will be verified and confirmed.
- Withdraw your earnings – Once you reach the minimum (usually $5), withdraw your funds via PayPal or the available payout methods.
That’s all it takes—no catches, just a convenient way to earn money back on purchases you’d make anyway.
My experience: Earning with ShopBack’s sign-up offer
I tested ShopBack to see how it performs in real life. Here’s what I did and what I earned:
- I received a $30 sign-up bonus when I created an account and made my first purchase.
- I earned $4.99 cashback on my first Amazon order using the ShopBack app.
- I earned $0.20 cashback on a second Amazon order, which helped me hit the withdrawal minimum.
Total earnings were $35.19 on purchases I was already planning to make. Promotions like these vary by retailer and time, but many offers are available regularly across different stores.
New users can often receive a sign-up bonus when they register and meet the platform’s requirements. Bonuses and cashback amounts vary, so check the current offers and terms when you sign up.
How much you can save in a year (realistic example)
Here’s an example of how cashback can add up if you shop online regularly. Percentages and promotions change frequently, so actual amounts will vary:
- Amazon: Initial promotional cashback plus small amounts on additional orders could add up to $5.99 or more.
- Walmart: A $100 monthly spend at a small cashback rate can still yield extra savings, with occasional higher-rate promotions boosting totals.
- Best Buy: Annual electronics purchases at a few percent cashback add to meaningful yearly savings.
- Expedia: Travel expenses at a 2–3% cashback rate can result in several dozen dollars back annually.
- DoorDash: Small monthly food delivery cashback and occasional bonuses accumulate over time.
- Clothing and specialty retailers: Annual spending across stores like Old Navy or Columbia at modest cashback rates contributes additional savings.
These figures don’t include extra savings from promo codes, flash sales, and seasonal deals that can often be stacked with cashback offers.
Bonus ways to increase your savings
Cashback is a solid savings method, but combining it with other strategies will boost your returns even more. Below are practical tips to maximize what you earn.
1. Combine cashback with credit card rewards
Using a rewards credit card in addition to ShopBack can double-dip your savings. For example, a 2% card reward plus a 6% ShopBack rate effectively gives you 8% back on the purchase.
Many cards offer rotating bonus categories—check your card’s calendar and plan purchases accordingly to maximize combined benefits.
2. Complete shopping quests for extra bonuses
ShopBack frequently runs promotions called Shopping Quests—targeted tasks that award additional cashback when completed. Examples include bonuses for first-time browser extension purchases, spending milestones with travel brands, or minimum spends at specific retailers. These bonuses stack on top of standard cashback rates, so check the Quests section before you buy.
3. Use the browser extension to avoid missed opportunities
Installing the ShopBack browser extension helps ensure you never forget to activate cashback. The extension provides instant alerts if a visited store offers cashback and can automatically track qualifying purchases.
4. Use shipping rebates to reduce delivery costs
If you dislike paying for shipping, take advantage of shipping rebates that some cashback platforms offer. New users often receive a small number of shipping rebates to use at participating retailers, and ongoing rebates may be available through promotions or completed quests.
Summary: Save on what you already buy
Most of us shop online regularly, so using a cashback platform is an easy way to earn money back on purchases you would make anyway. Cashback sites are straightforward to use and can deliver meaningful savings across categories from clothing and groceries to travel and electronics.
In my case, ShopBack returned $35.19 on $24.29 of spending, effectively making the shopping trip profitable. It was simple to use and worth the small effort involved in signing up and following the tracking steps.
Cashback platforms are free to use and can be a reliable way to reduce your annual spending. If you plan to start earning cashback, review current promotions and sign-up offers to take advantage of available bonuses.
Do you use a cashback service? Why or why not?
Recommended reading:
- 13 Best Cash Back Apps To Make Extra Money
- 21 Ways To Get Free Money Now
- 17 Best Ways To Get Paid To Shop
- 21 Apps That Pay Real Money Instantly