How To Make Money Passively While Shopping

It’s Legit… I Swear!

I'm the last person that will encourage more shopping. We see our share of poor purchasing decisions and are called in to control it all. I'm all about encouraging prevention, but we're here to coach you on that and the cure. But I digress...

You have probably engaged in affiliate marketing, whether you realize it or not. When you read those articles on product reviews with a link to purchase them, that click and purchase pay the author a small commission. So how do you get in on it when you shop? It's easy. Sign up for these two services with ZERO cost to you, and you will passively make money on many purchases.

Rakuten (formerly Ebates)
How it works: Sign up here and receive $30. You can also receive a referral of $30 for each person you refer (terms apply). There are thousands of participating retailers, and their cash back will change daily. You will get paid quarterly via check or PayPal. When you visit a retailer's site, Rakuten will pop up with the cashback percent if it's a participating merchant.

Capital One Shopping
How it works: Sign up here. You don't need a Capital One card to make money. You register your credit cards, and when you purchase from a participating retailer, it will pop up with the cash back. But wait, it gets better! It will also search for promo codes at checkout for further instant savings. The cashback will accumulate on your account for gift cards listed on their site.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t add my standard warning. Please don’t impulse shop and shop with intention. It isn’t a deal if it becomes clutter or worse… in a landfill.