How To Make Side Money With Rakuten

How To Make Side Money with Rakuten text overlay purple background with pink dots

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Side money is nice isn’t it? 

It’s money that is helpful when it comes in but it’s not mission critical. It’s low stress, low stakes, in a way. It’s fun money that you create, which can be used to fund other fun, non-serious things, or more serious things, like bills. It’s your choice, because it’s your money.

Rakuten is one way you can earn a bit of easy side money.

It’s a cash back tool that works through a Browser Extension and App, and you can use it to earn rebates on your online purchases. While it seems too good to be true, it’s not! It is very real.

Once I got the hang of it, and made it a habit by remembering to use it consistently, I started to receive Rakuten payments regularly. If I can learn to make side money with Rakuten, you can too. All it takes is a little forethought before making a purchase and setting up a few tech tools on your devices.

Rakuten rebates are especially helpful when you’re making large purchases, for example, home repair items, but Rakuten can also be used for any item you’re looking to buy online - from skincare products to cat food.

The best part about Rakuten rebates is that they truly do work and they accumulate in your Rakuten account until your quarterly payout period hits.

How Does Rakuten Work?

How To Make Side Money with Rakuten text overlay purple background with pink dots with Yes You Can, plus Money Clipart

Rakuten partners with eCommerce brands to offer you cash back rebates on your purchases. It’s totally free for you to sign up for it. The only catch is that you have to activate your Rakuten Rewards before checking out.

This system works in 2 ways, using either a desktop or mobile/tablet device:

With the Rakuten desktop browser extension

Get the Rakuten browser extension for Google Chrome.

Once downloaded, head to the extension widget in the upper right corner of your browser before you check out at any online shop.

If the online shop accepts Rakuten, a little pop up window will appear that says “Activate X% Cash Back.” If it doesn’t appear, click on the extension drop down menu and select Rakuten. If there is a bright purple Activate Cash Back button, click on it. 

Now your cash back is ready and you can check out.

Here is what this process looks like:

Rakuten Browser Extension Popup
Rakuten Browser Extension Drop Down Detail Menu

With the Rakuten Mobile App

Download the Rakuten App for your mobile or tablet device.

Once you have it downloaded, login using your email address and type in the store you want to make a purchase through. If the store accepts Rakuten, continue to your store of choice through the Rakuten App and your purchase will be automatically set up for cash back.

Here’s how the process looks:

Rakuten App Homepage
Rakuten App Transfer Screen
Walmart Shopping Screen inside Rakuten App

When Do I Get Paid?

To get paid, first you want to choose your payment method. Rakuten pays you money in two ways - check by mail or PayPal - both payment methods occur automatically once you reach a payout minimum of $5.01.

You’ll select this payment method in your Rakuten account.

Then, make your online purchases using the Rakuten App or Browser Extension, whenever the store accepts Rakuten, as shown above. 

Once your purchase is complete, you’ll receive an email that your cash back is pending approval with the retailer and will be applied to your account within the approval window. Cash back is cleared to be paid to you as soon as 15 days after your purchase. 

The only occasion when you won’t get cash back on a purchase is if you return it. All other purchases I’ve made with Rakuten are approved.

Rakuten pays out quarterly. So you can expect to either receive a PayPal money drop or check in the mail around these dates:

  • February 15

  • May 15

  • August 15

  • November 15

Here’s a list of the extra money I’ve made recently with Rakuten:

List of confirmed Rakuten Payments

While it’s not enough to retire on yet, let’s face it, the pennies add up to pounds! 

Also, getting a few dollars in the mail is better than getting no dollars in the mail. If you add your Rakuten earnings with any other passive income streams you have, keep in mind that collectively, this pocket change does pay bills.

I’m always happy when I see my Rakuten money arrive, and if I can trade it for a few dozen eggs or a pack of protein, then I’m ahead of the game and so are you.

To end, Rakuten is one way you can make passive income from home, since you’re simply recouping money on the purchases you’re already making. In my eyes, it is worth the effort.

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