If you do much online shopping, you definitely need to use a cashback site!

If you’re unfamiliar with cashback sites, they are simply sites you shop through to earn a percentage back on your purchase.  For example, if you shop at JCPenneys through the site Shop-at-Home, you’ll earn 6% back from your purchase.  While 6% may not seem like a lot, if you do much online shopping, it can definitely add up over time!

It’s important to understand that cashback sites work a little like rebates.  The percentage back will be placed in your account several days later (and it may take several months to even receive a check).  You will pay “full-price” for the item (or sale price if it is offered at a discount on the site), and later receive the percentage back on your purchase in your cashback account.  (Let me know if this still isn’t making sense!)

Here’s how it works:

1)  Head over to the cashback site you’d like to use (I share a few below) and search for the website you’re planning to shop (i.e., JCPenneys, Target, Old Navy, etc.).  Check to see what percent you will earn when you shop through the site.  It is often worth it to check more than one site to see what their percentage is that day.

2)  Click through the link to earn cashback on your purchase (always make sure you are logged into any cashback site before you click out to the store you want to shop at — otherwise you won’t receive credit).  Shop at your desired site and make a purchase.  You will pay “full-price” — you don’t see your percentage back until days later in your cashback account!

3)  The cashback will show up in your account after a number of days (usually anywhere from a week to 30 days depending on what site you’re shopping through).  Many sites will not send you a check until the $$ in your account reach a certain amount.  You’ll need to check each site’s FAQs to determine the specifics.

**My two favorite cashback sites are Ebates and Shop-at-Home.

Ebates offers a $5 credit when you sign up.  When you shop, most cashback is awarded to your account within 48 hours (though it may take up to 30 days to see it).  If you’ve earned over $5.01 in the last three months, a check will be mailed to you!  Ebates also offers a daily double — a selected store that is offering double cashback that day!  Also, make sure you pay with a credit card and not Paypal.  I once paid with Paypal and did not receive cashback on that purchase, because I guess that is against the policy — just an FYI!!

Shop-at-Home is my other go-to site.  They offer a $5 credit once you’ve signed up and made a purchase.  Shop-at-Home mails checks monthly — but you must have a minimum $20 balance (this helps keep their costs lower and makes for better cashback percentages).  They do strongly promote the Shop-at-Home toolbar, but I can’t recommend it at this point.  I felt like it slowed down my computer.  I still like the site — I just don’t have the toolbar installed!!

Please let me know if you have any questions about cashback sites!  Do you have one you like to use?

*This post contains my referral links.  If you sign up under me, I earn a credit.  If you choose to do that, I thank you very much.  If this makes you uncomfortable, you can go directly to the sites!  Please see my disclosure!