Get Paid to Shop: How I Earn Cash Back on Everyday Purchases with Rakuten

I Got Paid Just for Shopping Online — Here’s How You Can Too

Let’s be real: the holidays can get expensive. Between gifts, groceries, and last-minute Amazon orders, it adds up fast.

But here’s the thing most people don’t realize — you can actually earn cash back just for shopping like you normally do.

That’s what I love about Rakuten. It’s one of those rare tools that feels too good to be true… until you check your PayPal and see a payment for things you were already going to buy.

(This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share products I truly love and recommend!)

What Is Rakuten (and How Does It Work)?

Rakuten is a free cashback website and app that partners with over 3,500 stores — including Target, Walmart, Sephora, Macy’s, and even travel sites like Expedia.

When you shop through Rakuten’s site or browser extension, they earn a small commission from the store — and then share part of that with you.

You get real cash, not points, and you can receive payments through PayPal or check every quarter.

How to Start Earning Cash Back

Here’s how easy it is:

1. Sign up for a free Rakuten account using my referral link.
   (You’ll even get a $30 bonus after your first qualifying purchase!)

2. Download the Rakuten Chrome extension. It automatically notifies you whenever you’re on a site that offers cashback.

3. Shop like normal. You’ll see a little pop-up showing your cashback percentage before you check out.

4. Get paid! Rakuten pays you every three months — I call it “surprise savings day.”

Real Ways I’ve Used Rakuten

Here’s how I personally use it:

• Holiday shopping — I always buy gifts online anyway, so why not earn cash back?

• Target runs — I shop through Rakuten before buying home essentials.

• Travel — Booking hotels through Rakuten partners like Expedia or Hotels.com earns me 5–10% cash back.

• Subscriptions — Even sites like Chewy and Sephora give cashback on repeat orders.

Last quarter, my total was $86.40 — just from clicking one extra button before checkout.

Tips to Maximize Your Cashback

• Stack your savings: Use Rakuten plus store promo codes or sales.

• Activate your account before you shop — the browser extension helps you remember.

• Shop through the app when you’re buying from your phone.

• Refer friends — Rakuten pays you for every friend who signs up and makes a purchase.

And if you want to take it a step further, invest those savings automatically with Acorns. That’s what I do — it’s like turning cashback into long-term wealth.

Final Thoughts

Saving money doesn’t always mean cutting things out — sometimes it just means being strategic.

Rakuten is one of the easiest, most low-effort ways to earn extra cash year-round. Whether you’re shopping for the holidays or just restocking groceries, it’s one of those small habits that adds up in a big way.

Start earning cash back today with Rakuten — your future self (and your wallet) will thank you.

FAQs About Rakuten

• Is Rakuten really free to use?
  Yes! Rakuten never charges you — they earn commission from stores and share part of it back with you.

• How long does it take to get paid?
  Rakuten pays quarterly (every 3 months) through PayPal or check.

• Does Rakuten work on mobile?
  Yep! You can use the Rakuten app to earn cash back on your phone, too.

• Can I use Rakuten and coupon codes together?
  Absolutely — it’s one of the best ways to stack savings.