Gather Little by Little

I hate shopping. I hate dealing with the traffic, fighting the crowds, and driving store to store trying to find the best deal. The only exception to this rule is shopping at the bookstore. I could spend days in a bookstore…

Since I can’t stand shopping, I prefer to buy things online. I first heard about Ebates from my fellow M-Network buddy Patrick from Cash Money Life. EBates is a site that partners with various online merchants and gives you cash back when you purchase items through them. What this really means is that EBates pays you to buy the items you would normally buy anyway.

Signing up for Ebates

Signing up for Ebates is really easy and completely free. Just complete their standard sign-up form and begin shopping. It really is just that simple. Cash back on purchases can be up up to 25% but on average seems to be around 4% – 7%. The amounts received are completly dependent on the merchants and any specials they may have going on.

Shopping through Ebates

Shopping through Ebates is even easier than signing up. When you visit the Ebates main page after logging in, you are presented with a list of categories for shopping on the left, deals of the week front and center, and then top coupons and top stores right below that. The first thing I do is skim through the deals of the week and top sections. If I don’t see the store I’m looking for, I then head over the categories section and utilize the store that has the best price and cash back deal. You can also add stores that you frequent often to your favorites list, available off the main menu.

Make sure you check the merchant listings though, as new merchants get added. This happened to me this week. I buy many of the supplies for my saltwater fish tank from Doctors Foster and Smith. Turns out, they’ve been added to EBates and I didn’t know it! I missed out on some good cash back over the past couple of weeks.

To make your purchase, just select the online merchant and you’re directed to their site where you purchase your items just like you normally would.

Ebates Coupons and specials

Ebates merchants offer various coupons and specials that are available via the Coupons & Specials menu item. These deals can vary, but are generally increased commissions, discounts, free shipping, or free products. Ebates also does something called the “Daily Double” which doubles the cash back for one merchant everyday.

Cash back payments

Ebates sends out cash back payments every 3 months if you’ve exceeded $5.00 in cash back money. If not, the balance will be rolled over for you. You have the option of receiving your “big fat check” either as a paper check or via paypal.

Tell your friends and get paid!

Ebates has a great “tell your friends” program that offers $5 to new members and $5 to the person that referred them. Use this to refer friends, family and co-workers to add to your cash back money! So friends, sign-up for Ebates and we’ll both get $5!

While you certainly won’t get rich shopping through Ebates, little amounts like this can add up over time. If you are going to buy something online anyway, may as well get some cash back!