As I’ve written about before, I’m a huge fan of cashback websites. I mean who doesn’t love free money back on stuff you’d be buying anyways, right? In recent years, two sites have really distinguished themselves in my eyes. In terms of high cashback rates, and strong customer service, both Rakuten and TopCashBack have risen to the top of the “cashback world”. So I figured it was time to throw them in the ring and let them duke it out. Here’s my unbiased Rakuten review and TopCashBack review along with analysis of who wins this hard-fought battle.

TopCashBack Review:

TopCashBack started in the UK back in 2005 and has brought their awesomeness to the U.S. in recent years.

So you might be asking yourself “How does TopCashBack work exactly?” Well, here’s the skinny…

• Free to register. Once you register for free, you simply start all of your online shopping via their website, browser extension, or mobile app. Important: Be sure to authenticate your account by clicking the link in your “Welcome Email” to make sure you get your cash back.
• They offer cashback at over 4,400 online retailers. Top merchants include Amazon (up to $10 back), Levi’s (10% back), Sam’s Club (up to 15% back), Gap brands (4% back), Macys.com (6% back), American Eagle (4% back), and Overstock.com (5% back).
• Coupons? Heck yeah, they offer a ton of coupon codes that you can use to stack your savings.
• Cashback Guarantee. They have something called a “Highest Cashback Guarantee”. So if you find that another cashback site is offering a higher rate for a particular retailer, they’ll happily match it.
• Click Smart. When using TCB, make sure you click through their site so a cookie is implanted on your computer and can correctly track your purchase. If you have cookies disabled, you won’t get cashback. Also, if you go searching for a coupon code on a different site before completing your purchase, your cookie will probably get erased by the coupon site. DON’T do it. Only use the coupons that TCB provides.

Also, they don’t have a minimum account balance required for withdrawals and you can take money out whenever you want.

Once your cashback hits the pending status, you’re free to withdraw any amount.

Why TopCashBack Rocks:

• They give all their commissions BACK to their users. TopCashBack rocks because they give ALL of the commissions they earn from your purchases back to you. So if Amazon pays them 8% on your purchase, you get 8% back. They’re the only cashback site that currently does that. They make their revenue on advertising and charging retailers to be “above the fold” on their site and app.
• Cash out with American Express or a Gift Card. When you’re ready to cash out your TCB account, consider the American Express Reward Card as payment. Why? Because they’ll add an extra 3% to your payout amount for doing so. Total no-brainer. They also offer special gift card payouts. For example, right now you can choose an Amazon gift card and get an extra 3%.

Here are a few ways TCB could even be more bodacious.

How TopCashBack Could Be Better:

• Rarely Offer Sign-Up Bonus. A few times a year they’ll give you a bonus for signing up, but not regularly.
• Make Cashback Guarantee easier to use. They give you 7 days after your purchase to file a claim if you find a higher cashback rate on another site. But…you must prove the rate was higher on another cashback site on the day of your purchase. This will require you to somehow take a time-stamped screenshot of some sort. For smaller purchases, this sounds cumbersome and more trouble than it’s worth.

OK, now let’s answer some of the concerns I’m getting in the comments section…

TopCashBack Tips For Success:

Some shoppers are having trouble getting their purchase to track properly with TCB, prompting some folks to wonder if TopCashBack is legit or not.

So to help everyone out and to ensure that are INDEED legitimate, here are the main reasons why your purchase is NOT being tracked correctly.

Make sure you follow these rules SO YOU GET PAID.

• Not Logged In – Make sure you are logged into TopCashBack before you shop.
• Visited Another Site First – Do NOT click on another cash-back site before going to TopCashBack.
• Didn’t Complete Purchase in 1 Session – If you don’t add items to your online shopping cart (and make the purchase) in one shopping session, your order won’t track.
• Used Invalid Payment Method – Don’t pay with gift cards or reward points as they are NOT eligible for cashback.
• Browser Cookies Not Enabled – Make sure you enable cookies before you use ANY cashback site.
• Returned Items – Keep in mind that you won’t earn cashback on items you return.

See Also: The 11 Best Cashback Sites Worth Your Time (and Hacks to Maximize Your Savings)

Rakuten (Formerly Ebates) Review:

Since 1998, Rakuten has been giving money back to their registered users whenever they shop online.

Here’s exactly how it works.

• Free to register. Once you register for free (and get a $10 bonus), you simply start all your online shopping via Rakuten and start earning up to 40% cashback from over 2,500 online retailers.
• Stack your savings with coupons. They have a ton of coupons available, over 10,000 as a matter of fact, that you can stack on top of your cash back rates for extra savings.
• Sounds too good to be true? This is a common misconception of cashback sites. Rakuten works be receiving a commission of the retailer when a shopper makes a purchase, typically between 3% and 18%. Rakuten will then turn around and give a chunk of that commission to their user and keep the rest as profit.
• Do you have to shop via their website? No. You can also shop via their mobile app as well as through their browser extension which they call their “Cash Back Button”.
• Top Merchants: Nike (6% back), Kohl’s (2% back), Macys.com (2% back), Bass Pro (3.5% back), American Eagle (2% back), and Lowes.com (1% back).
• How do you get paid? Every 3 months you’ll get paid via a check or Paypal, your choice. A few times a year you’ll also get an option to redeem via an Amazon gift card. Your account must reach at least $5.01 to qualify for payment.

Here’s a breakdown of how Rakuten rocks and how it could be better.

Why Rakuten Rocks:

• Sign-Up Bonus: Get a $10 Welcome Bonus when you register and spend $25 or more via Rakuten.
• Cashback available on in-store purchases too. The in-store cashback option at Rakuten is exclusive to only them. Works like this: 1) Add your credit and debit card to your account. 2) Find an In-Store Cash Back offer you like and link it to your card. 3) Pay with your linked card in stores and get Cash Back added to your account.
• Double cashback stores. Every week Rakuten rolls out a bunch of retailers offering 2x their normal cashback rate. For example, they’re currently offering Walmart (4% back), Dell (12% back), and Under Armour (8% back).

Get in the habit of always taking a look at their “double cashback retailers” to see if you can score twice the cash back in your Rakuten account.

How Rakuten Could Be Better:

No Rakuten review would be complete without some analysis of how their service could be better.

• Missing some stores. They’re missing a few big name retailers. After some research, the biggest names that don’t offer cashback include Home Depot, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, Adidas, Apple Store, and Durham Sports.

See Also: 9 Shopping Apps That You MUST Use to Save Money

So Who Wins This Cashback Battle?

Rakuten and TopCashBack both have their strengths and weaknesses.

Rakuten has less retailers overall that offer cash back, but they have the cool in-store cashback feature that’s lacking with TCB.

Rakuten has fantastic cashback rates via their limited time “Double” cashback offers. TCB will match those high Rakuten rates, but they require you to fill out an online form in order to get the cashback rate match.

Because a combination of both sites would equal the PERFECT cashback site, I recommend signing up for both Rakuten and TopCashBack.

That way you can check both sites regularly to find the highest rates available, score in-store cashback (with Rakuten), and utilize favorable payout bonuses (with TCB).

In other words, play one site against the other and come out a winner every time you shop.

Ask the Reader: What cashback site is your favorite? Or do you like paying full-price for some reason?

By Kyle James

Disclaimer: While all opinions are 100% my own, I do get paid a small commission if you sign up with either site. Money I use to keep this blog rolling and research more fantabulous content that can hopefully help you save.

As we head into December and you wrap up your Christmas shopping (literally), it is worth noting some of the better products that offer the best savings this time of year. If you have gift recipients on your list and are still unsure what to get them, perhaps this will help you maximize your savings this December.

1. Automobiles

Next years models are already on the lot and year-end quotas are trying to be met, all of which makes December an excellent time to purchase a new car.

Dealers are trying to get rid of last years models and the deals right now are amazing. Zero % financing is available with many manufacturers and salesmen are eager to close deals before the end of the year.

The key is to do your research with online sites and figure out what the invoice is on the model and make that you want and offer $500 to $1000 over invoice.

Then bargain, bargain, bargain. Don’t be afraid to walk away if the deal doesn’t feel right.

See Also: The Best Days to Shop Between Now and Christmas

2. Tools/Hardware

Christmas is a HUGE time of year for tool and hardware sellers.

Tools and power equipment are at the top of many guys (and gals) Christmas wish-lists.

To spur on sales, your Home Depot’s and Lowe’s of the world are offering some fantastic deals this month to encourage additional consumer spending.

3. Laptop Computers

We have noticed that computer deals, especially on laptops, continues to be very strong since the Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend. Why you ask?

Well, as consumers gobble up the VERY popular tablet products like the Apple iPad and Samsung Galaxy, the price point on less-popular laptops are better than ever.

Simple supply and demand makes you a BIG winner when shopping for a new laptop this Christmas.

4. Small Appliances

Small appliances also top many Christmas lists and seasonal sales are available everywhere right now.

We have seen coffee makers at 75% off the original price and brand name waffle makers for less than $5 at Walmart.

They all make great gift ideas on the cheap.

5. Airline Tickets

Thinking of planning a trip for next Spring?

If so, December is your best time to book airline tickets and price compare hotel rooms and rental cars.

If you wait until January, you will definitely pay more.

6. Bicycles

With the exception of bikes for kids, bicycles for adults are really great deals right now.

Nobody is buying them and bike shops and sporting goods stores are slashing prices to try and entice purchases.

Buy your bicycle now and store it for a couple months in your garage in preparation for those great Spring bike rides.

You will be glad you did and so will your pocketbook.

See Also: 11 Smart Ways to Save Right After Christmas

7. Home Theater Systems

New models are unveiled every Spring, so consumer electronic retailers and trying to clear out last year’s models.

Then throw in the Christmas hoopla over electronics and some really good deals are to be found.

Expect deals on home theaters systems and HDTV’s to get even cheaper in January as retailers try to get rid of old inventory to make room for new models.

8. Christmas Decorations

Wait a little while on this one! Starting December 26th, you will get Christmas decorations and ornaments for practically nothing. 70% to 80% off is very common.

This is also a great way to buy wrapping paper for pretty much, um……FREE

9. Plants (Perennials)

If you can buy plants now and store them in a warm spot, you will save a ton of money compared to buying them next spring.

10. NFL Tickets

If you live in or near an NFL city and your local team sucks out loud, you can score a great deal on NFL tickets right now.

Stadiums all across the U.S. are struggling to fill the seats, especially teams that are NOT playoff bound.

You can often find tickets for below sticker value at the websites listed below.

Key stores to check: StubHub.com, Tickets Now.com, and TicketMaster.com.

By Kyle James

Photo credit to Sharon Mollerus.

I got three kids at home who eat more than I do. The result is a grocery bill which can be ridiculously high if we don’t shop smart and look for savings. It’s with this in mind that I present some brilliantly simple ways to save money at the grocery store, especially for those who’d rather not spend their evening with a pair of scissors clipping coupons. I hope they help you save, I know they really help us on a monthly basis.

Gotta Have a List

I remember my single days when I would go to the grocery and come home with maraschino cherries, beef jerky, olives, tooth picks, bag of potatoes, and a box of corn flakes.

I would get home and realize that I still have ZERO ingredients for a “real” meal and just pick up the phone and order a pizza.

Just make a dam list during the week as you run out of things.

Then if you want to plan some meals, just make sure you have the ingredients, if you don’t, barter with your neighbors.

See Also: The 14 Cheapest Grocery Stores in Your Town (Hopefully)

Shop Store Brands

The quality of most store brands has really been increasing the last few years, this is especially true with the Costco Kirkland brand.

In most cases you’ll never know the difference.

I actually like the store brand cottage cheese better than the name brand from our local Winco grocery store.

Yes I like cottage cheese, and no, I am not 85 years old.

Don’t Shop When Hungry

Self explanatory.

If you’re hungry you may very well come home with the following: pre-made Jell-O cups, Jell-O pudding pops, the large red vines bag, Drumsticks, 3 frozen Sara Lee pies, and Entenmann’s doughnuts.

If you have 4 of these currently in your kitchen take a pic and send it to me, I’ll send you a prize.

Plan One Large-Ass Trip

Save money on gas and time by not going every day or two.

By reducing the frequency of trips to the grocery store you also reduce the amount of temptation created.

If you don’t want to bust your grocery budget then stay out of the store.

You can’t spend if you ain’t there. You’ll never spend money on groceries if you never eat. OK, I’ll stop now.

See Also: Costco Employees Tell Me The Single Best Day to Shop

Shop Alone

Call at least a week ahead of time and rent out the entire grocery store.

No, but seriously, try and shop by your lonesome as you’ll be less distracted and less tempted to buy those white Oreo cookies your “dependents” have been “asking”….I mean begging for.

Use Manufacturer Coupons

Before you yell at me for mentioning the word “coupons”, I do have one tip that I just got to share.

The key to clipping coupons is to ONLY clip coupons on things you would have bought anyways.

Too often people get caught up clipping every coupon they can find even if they’ll probably never use it. TOTAL waste of time.

If you start buying processed food and junk food just because you happen to have a coupon, you’re doing yourself a disservice, both financially and health-wise.

Walk Quickly by the Free Samples

You do realize why those people are there giving out free samples, right?

They are NOT there to help you save money and they are NOT there to help you make good buying choices.

There sole reason for existing is to get you to buy crap you don’t need.

Companies know when they get you to touch, smell, lick, and ingest their products they have won. Many will make the impulse purchase.

Running In For Milk and Eggs? Try This

DO NOT grab a cart or basket.

Carry your milk and eggs in your hands. That way you won’t be tempted to throw impulse purchases into your cart.

You can’t buy what you can’t carry.

A related tip, try not to shop with cargo pants or parachute pants from the 1990’s. M.C. Hammer could have easily stuffed a cart full of groceries into his drawers.

Do NOT Be Brand Loyal

When you get caught up in specific brands you tend to neglect pricing.

I realize some brands are non-negotiable.

For example, somebody that likes Best Foods mayo is not going to buy Miracle Whip just to save .50 cents.

But when brand is not a big deal, always opt for the best value, even if that means buying generic.

You never know, you may actually like the cheaper brand better.

See Also: The 9 Alternative Brands That Are Cheaper But Just as Good

Double Check your Receipt

Make sure your items were scanned correctly and make sure all your coupons were accounted for if you used any.

I have lost count of the number of times that sale items did NOT ring up correctly.

After you’re handed your receipt, step to the side so the cashier can start with the next customer, and examine your receipt.

If you notice an error kindly ask the cashier for clarification.

If the store is completely swamped, and your cashier is frantically trying to keep up, try the customer service desk at the front of the store.

It’s your money so make sure you get what you deserve.

See Also: 5 Ways to Make Money From Your Grocery Receipt

Bonus: Use a Rebates App

I’m a huge fan of the free Ibotta app. Essentially the app gives you money back on purchases (via instant rebates) that you’d be making anyways.

The cool part is you’ll even get money back on generic things like eggs, milk, and a loaf of bread.

See Also: Ibotta Review: Insider Tips on Using the App to Save Money

Ask the Reader: Any tips I may have missed? Looking forward to your comments.

By Kyle James

Photo credit to Chris Waits.