Instant Cash Back Is Only A Click Away!
I love shopping online, probably more than I should. But I rationalize it in several ways. First, it saves me the cost of fuel and my time to travel to a bricks and mortar store. My time is worth something, and I value it greatly. No half hour there, twenty or more minutes searching, waiting in line, then another half hour back. Besides, the environment benefits as well. I also don’t have to worry, “How do I get this home now?” Granted, I do have a convertible, and onlookers have been amazed at what I’ve been able to tote home with me. I make good use of that vertical space! (You should see my Christmas tree photo.) Online shipping is often free, and they bring it to your door, if not inside for you (I love my UPS man!) Taxes are often dismissed as well. If you buy from a store that is not represented in your state, bye-bye tax! And don’t forget all of the coupons and freebies that are available online at your disposal that we never see at the stores. But perhaps the greatest benefit of all is the online cash back system.
An online cash back system refers to sites that offer cash back for shopping with stores online, but by going through a cash back site. Each cash back site will list the stores you can shop from through them, as well as how much money you will automatically earn back in return, usually represented by a percentage. Amounts can range anywhere from one percent to the thirties. This is how online stores attract more business and a new market of savvy buyers, realizing that they will win your loyalty by offering a “reward” in return. The money is then either deposited into your bank account, or you can request a check. And the good news is that there are very few stores who don’t offer money back. Almost all do. The stores we normally shop with like Home Depot, Best Buy, Office Depot, Sephora, Travelocity, HSN, Franklin Covey, Bloomingdales, Dell, Sears, and even eBay are just a handful of those who participate. If you have to or want to shop online, why not keep more of your money while you’re at it?
So who are these cash back sites? There are six good sites to shop through that offer cash back. Most have agreements with stores that offer the same amount back, but the percentages can vary, so it is wise to check each to get the biggest bang for your buck back (I love alliteration). I have had excellent good fortune with BigCrumbs, eBates, MrRebates, Cashbaq, FatWallet, and Bing. All you have to do is register with the site, then start shopping! It’s really that simple.
Just so you have an idea of what you can expect, here are my total earnings to date for some of the cash back sites I shop through: $262.12, $199.63, $55.16, $31.17, and $7.39. Total = $555.47 (Not including my most recent purchases that are still pending). I don’t know about you, but more than $500 back in my wallet (or better yet, savings account or invested elsewhere) works for me…literally. I was already buying these items and services anyhow. Why shouldn’t I get the most out of it as possible? I go Christmas shopping every year, I love to travel, insurance is required and a good investment, there’s a better variety of clothing, shoes, and cosmetics online, I enjoy the bargains I discover on eBay, and not all department stores are near me, and so on.
Here is an example of what some of my purchases look like on one cash back site:
| Date | Store | Amount | Cash Back |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12/21/2009 | Saks Fifth Avenue | $14.00 | $0.63 |
| 12/21/2009 | Saks Fifth Avenue | $14.00 | $0.63 |
| 12/20/2009 | Magazines.com | $28.00 | $8.82 |
| 12/13/2009 | FranklinCovey | $115.43 | $15.59 |
| 12/07/2009 | Travelocity | $494.88 | $7.20 |
| 12/04/2009 | Prescriptives | $35.00 | $2.52 |
| 11/29/2009 | eBay.com | $49.08 | $1.58 |
It’s easy as pie to keep AND increase your piece of that pie! Just check out each of the cash back sites, register, familiarize yourself with who offers the most back for each specific store you want to shop from, then just click and shop. There are no fees to register. It does not cost you money to use. It is simply money back for an audience that knows it’s savvy when shopping, and the stores will do anything to aquire and retain your loyalty. Let someone else do the work for a change. You’ve worked hard enough for the money you’ve earned. Now delegate, and put it to work for you, and relax as the savings add up!
The Richer Pincher 