Online shopping is great for many reasons– namely that you can shop while never having to put on a bra. And with the rise of online shopping popularity, it only makes sense that websites would try to profit off of it. The good news for you? You can profit off of it too! How? There are numerous sites/apps that you can shop through to get cash-back, but today we’re focusing on ShopAtHome. It’s very similar to Ebates, which I’m sure you’re familiar with. The idea is that you make an account and then get to your destination site through their portal. This sends you on your way to earning cash-back. What do I do? First, make an account. Like Ebates, you are credited $10 when you sign up, and who doesn’t like free money?
After you register, it’s time to shop. ShopAtHome’s database offers cash-back for over 3,000 stores, so there are plenty of places to choose from. If you already know where you want to shop, you can simply search the store rather than scrolling through the list. You choose the store, and the link takes you to the store’s website through their portal. If you make a purchase, your cash-back will show up in your ShopAtHome account within seven days! Once you earn $20 in cash-back, you can request your money via check, through PayPal, or in the form of an Amazon gift card. Until recently, you could only get paid through a check, so the PayPal and Amazon options are a huge plus.
What are the differences between ShopAtHome and other cash-back programs? There really isn’t a ton of differences, but I noticed that ShopAtHome doesn’t offer bonuses for referring friends as so many other services do. ShopAtHome is partnered with Swagbucks, so they also offer cash-back for taking surveys. As far as I know, the only other cash-back shopping service that also offers money for surveys is Inbox Dollars, but they have a much more limited shopping database. Another difference is the ease of getting your money when you want it. Unfortunately, with ShopAtHome, you must make a minimum of $20 to request funds, and then you are relying on the site to make sure your payment is made. The website says it can take up to 30 days for payments to go through. Another complaint about the site is that sometimes your cashback doesn’t show up. However, this is true for all cash-back sites. I’ve had it happen to me even with the most reputable ones, like Ebates.
Sometimes the connection gets screwed up, you exit out of the tab you used to open the cash-back site, or cookies are disabled. Whatever the reason, occasionally the cash-back doesn’t go through. The good news is, however, that if you contact them with your proof of purchase, they may reimburse you. ShopAtHome is also your one-stop shop for grocery coupons and local deals, which makes it unique. Browse through a plethora of local Groupon deals while getting a percentage of the money back you spend on your outing!
Websites & Apps similar to ShopAtHome:
1. GoCashBack: Get a $5 welcome bonus (cheapskates) and browse stores and brands with up to 30% cashback.
2. Mr. Rebates:Reveive a $7.50 sign-up bonus, then shop in the database of almost 2,000 big-name retailers. It also has weekly deals where it features stores with an increased cash-back amount.
3. EBates: Probably the most well-known cash-back site, Ebates will credit new users $10. Ebates has a Google Chrome extension that alerts you when shopping on a site with possible cash-back. ShopAtHome has this too! Ebates takes it a step further though and will even apply available coupons for you. Isn’t that nice?
4. TopCashBack- Currently offering a $15 sign-up bonus, it takes the cake for the most money back for newbies. It’s a company out of the UK, but I can’t find if they accept users that live elsewhere.
5. BeFrugal: Earn $10 when you sign up for an account, AND earn an additional $10 everytime someone you refer signs up! BeFrugal guarantees that their cash-back rates are the highest–plus they are home to over 5,000 stores.
6.Ibotta: This is an app only, but it is very user-friendly. Simply view the items to see if there are any already on your shopping list, and then when you purchase you must scan your receipt, and Ibotta will deposit your cash-back into your account. Most of the items are grocery related, but they also have categories in health and beauty, pets, babies, and more. You can also use Ibotta like the others, and use it as a starting place to then receive cash-back when mobile shopping.
7. Checkout51: Much like Ibotta but no sign-up bonus.
8. ShopKick: Similar to ShopAtHome and Ebates, Shopkick is free to sign up, and then you must use its portal to shop through. You will receive your cash-back in the form of gift cards.
9. Dosh: The biggest difference with this one is that it’s meant more for physical shopping or dining out. Oh, and the best part? You just link your credit card with the app, and it does everything else for you.
10. SwagBucks: This is a partner to ShopAtHome and was formally only involved with surveys. Now, however, it’s said to be a great option for product trials (like getting $50 when you try Blue Apron for the first time).
