Online shopping and eCommerce continue to grow in popularity. It's projected that over 20% of 2023 retail sales will happen online. That's about 10% more than the previous year, and it reflects the billions of people that shop on their phones or computers.
With so many people shopping online, companies have started to take notice. There's now a multitude of ways to earn cash rewards and get free money just for doing things you'd do anyway. Whether you're grocery shopping, stopping at a gas station, or buying new clothes, you can use the tips in this article to reward yourself with real money in your bank account.
Cash Back Apps
Cash-back apps are some of the most popular and easy-to-use ways of getting cash back. There's a growing number of them, too. They pair well with online purchases, but a lot of them allow you to make physical purchases and upload proof that you went shopping. You'll earn cash either way. Here are some of the most popular cash-back apps in 2023.
Ibotta
With the Ibotta app, you can browse hundreds of stores and brands for special discounts. Some are specific amounts, such as $.25 back on fruit from grocery stores, while others offer a percentage back. For instance, you might earn 5% back on any purchase from Nike (or another brand). You can select the discounts that apply to your cart and automatically earn cash after purchase. Once you have $20 in earnings, you can withdraw your cash (or purchase gift cards). There are also referral bonuses that earn extra cash.
Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards is all about receipts. Once you sign up, you can attach your email address to enable the app to scan for online purchases and receipts. Scan your receipts from shopping in-store, too. You’ll earn at least 25 points for each receipt, but there are regular opportunities to earn more rewards points for purchasing from certain stores, buying particular brands, or referring friends and family to the app. You can redeem Fetch Rewards points for gift cards and other items.
Ebates/Rakuten
Ebates, now known as Rakuten, works similarly to other cash-back apps. You can shop on their website, download the app, or install a browser extension. You earn cash back as you shop, and payments are sent out quarterly. That means it takes a bit of time to see the money hit your PayPal account, but it's still a worthwhile way to save money as you shop online.
This is just a sampling of the best cash-back apps out there. There are plenty of others to choose from, and you can mix and match to earn more money. Most offer a sign-up bonus and referral bonus, too, so there's cash just waiting to be collected!
Browser Extensions
If you do a lot of online shopping on your computer, consider installing a browser extension. Browser extensions easily rival even the best cash-back app, as they do the same thing. In fact, some are even easier to use. They take you right to the products that offer cash back or show you how you can earn on things you're already in the process of buying. They're great for everyday purchases or major ones.
Here's a look at some of the best browser extensions out there. Don't start spending money without them.
Comrade
With Comrade, you earn cash back just by giving brands your attention. Sometimes, all it takes is a click on an ad or a website visit. Making a purchase earns more cash-back rewards. If you complete the account setup, you can get a PayPal payment once you accrue $10. If you don't fully set up your account, you can redeem cash once you have $25.
Comrade gives you relevant recommendations based on items or services you're already browsing for, so everything you see will be useful. It's all done risk-free, too, so you don't have to worry about your private information being compromised. You get all the benefits and none of the risks. Comrade is compatible with all major browsers, including Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
Honey
Honey is primarily a coupon-finding browser extension, but the PayPay Rewards program (formerly known as Honey Gold) lets you earn points as you shop. You can redeem the points for free gift cards. Cashback is only available if you're in the US. Its system is more similar to Rakuten than anything.
Cash Back Credit or Debit Card
Cash-back cards are one of the best ways to earn money. Plenty of credit cards reward customers for making purchases, with bonus points awarded for specific eligible purchases. For instance, certain credit cards offer extra money for purchases at restaurants and gas stations. Others reward frequent fliers or grocery store runs.
If you're looking for a rewards credit card, do some research and decide which card supports your lifestyle. Some offer equal cash back or rewards for all purchases, so you earn at a flat rate regardless of how you spend money.
For instance, the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card has a 2% rate on everything, whereas the SavorOne card from Capital One goes up to 10% cash back on Uber or Uber Eats purchases. There are a lot of credit cards that let you earn free money as you shop, and you'll get the most out of the cards that fit well with your spending habits.
Certain debit cards offer cash back, too, although those aren't as easy to find. Not every bank offers a cash-back debit card, but some (like Bank of America) have options for it.
Use Survey Sites
There are sites out there that let you complete surveys, watch ads, or do other activities to earn rewards and money. Some pay you for shopping at certain stores or purchasing particular items, too.
InboxDollars
InboxDollars has a range of activities its members can do. You can watch videos, complete surveys, and make purchases. Each activity comes with a certain payment, which can go from a few cents to several dollars. You get $5 simply for signing up, and you can redeem your cash once you hit $15. That means you only need to earn $10 to get your money through PayPal, a check, or redeem it for gift cards.
MyPoints
MyPoints lets you earn rewards as you shop. You earn a certain number of points as you spend, and you can redeem those points for gift cards, cash back, or other rewards. It takes approximately 160 points to equal a dollar, so once you get to 480 you'll be able to redeem them for a $3 gift card. You can collect them to redeem for bigger prizes, though.
Conclusion
As you can see from this article, there are plenty of ways to earn money back as you shop online. There's an abundance of apps, browser extensions, cards, and other sites that pay you to shop and interact. This article skimmed the surface of all the offerings out there. Mix and match, download multiple apps and combine them with credit card rewards, and find out how you can get the most from your purchases.
Learn how to earn money when shopping online with Comrade, the only browser extension that pays you in cash for your attention.