How Rakuten Cash Back Works (Formerly Ebates) and more...

If you remember Ebates, the cash back service is now called Rakuten. It can be an easy way to earn a little money back on purchases you were already planning to make online.

Rakuten Cash Back is not an instant discount at checkout. You start your shopping trip through Rakuten, activate the available offer and complete an eligible purchase. Once the store reports and confirms the order, the cash back is added to your Rakuten account.

I have used Rakuten since it was called Ebates, and I have always liked earning a little cash back on purchases I was already planning to make. It is not a reason to spend more, but it can be a simple extra savings step when I am shopping online.

Right now, new Rakuten members can get a $50 bonus after joining through my referral link and spending $50 on qualifying purchases.

What Is Rakuten Cash Back?

Rakuten is a free cash back shopping service that partners with online stores. When you start at Rakuten and make an eligible purchase, the store pays Rakuten a commission. Rakuten then shares part of that commission with you as cash back.

Cash back rates and exclusions can change, so always read the store’s current terms before you shop. Some products, categories, gift cards, taxes, shipping charges or other parts of an order may not qualify.

How Does Rakuten Cash Back Work?

1. Start at Rakuten

Go to the Rakuten website, app or browser extension before you begin shopping. Find the store you want to shop at and check the current cash back rate and terms.

2. Activate Cash Back

Select the store and activate the offer. Rakuten should open the retailer’s website and create a shopping trip so the purchase can be tracked.

3. Complete Your Purchase

Shop as you normally would and finish the purchase in the same activated shopping session. Avoid opening competing rewards or coupon extensions during the trip because they may interfere with tracking.

4. Wait for the Purchase to Track

Cash back may take time to appear in your account. Rakuten may show the purchase as processing or pending while the store confirms that the order is eligible. Returns, cancellations or excluded items can reduce or remove the cash back.

Tips to Help Your Rakuten Cash Back Track

• Confirm that Cash Back is activated before you place the order.
• Read the store’s exclusions and terms before shopping.
• Use coupon codes listed by Rakuten unless the store’s terms specifically allow another code.
• Avoid private or incognito browsing, VPNs, ad blockers and competing rewards extensions during the shopping trip.
• Keep your order confirmation and order number until the cash back is confirmed.
• If you switch devices or leave the retailer’s website, return to Rakuten and start a new shopping trip before ordering.

When Does Rakuten Pay Cash Back?

Rakuten currently sends cash back payments every three months. Your confirmed balance must generally be at least $5.01 to receive a payment. If it is below the minimum, the balance rolls forward to a future payment date.

Available payment choices can include a mailed check, PayPal, electronic gift cards or eligible rewards point options, depending on your account and the choices Rakuten currently offers. Check your Rakuten account for the payment methods available to you.

Is Rakuten Worth It?

Rakuten can be worth using when you are already planning to make a purchase and the store has an eligible cash back offer. The best approach is to compare the final price, read the exclusions and avoid buying something only because cash back is available.

Remember that cash back is not guaranteed until the retailer confirms the purchase. Returns, cancellations, unapproved coupon codes and tracking problems can affect the amount you receive.

Important Rakuten Cash Back Reminders

• Cash back rates can change.
• Not every item or category qualifies.
• Taxes and shipping usually do not earn cash back unless the store’s terms say otherwise.
• Purchases made by phone, chat or customer service may not qualify.
• Returns and cancellations can reverse the cash back.
• Cash back is usually not immediate.

How to Get Started with Rakuten

Before signing up, check the current welcome offer and eligibility requirements because the bonus amount, qualifying purchase and deadline can change.

Once your account is set up, remember to start at Rakuten or activate the browser extension before making an eligible online purchase.

Get a $50 Rakuten Bonus

If you are new to Rakuten, you can currently get a $50 bonus when you join through my Rakuten referral link and spend $50 on qualifying purchases.

Be sure to check the current offer details and eligibility requirements before signing up. Bonus terms can change.

When you use my referral link, I may also receive a referral bonus at no additional cost to you.

    

If you love easy photo freebies, you’re going to want to jump on this one fast!

Right now you can score a FREE 5×7 premium photo cards from Walgreens when you use the current coupon code 9FOLDS at checkout.

These are perfect for:

• Graduation announcements
• Birthday invitations
• Baby announcements
• Thank you cards
• Party invites
• Just because happy mail

The best part? You can usually choose FREE same-day pickup at your local Walgreens, so you can avoid shipping costs and grab them quickly.

Here’s how to snag the deal:

1. Head over to Walgreens Photo
2. Choose a premium 5×7 photo cards
3. Upload your photos and customize your design
4. Add the coupon code 9FOLDS at checkout
5. Select free same day pickup if available near you

A quick tip: these Walgreens photo freebies tend to disappear FAST, so if the code is still working when you see this, don’t wait too long! Also make sure you’re signed into your Walgreens account before checking out because that’s usually required for the promo to apply.

I always love using these deals for family photos, little notes to grandparents, or last minute party invites without spending a fortune. Such an easy way to make something special for free!

    

You can get a FREE 8×10 Photo Print from Walgreens.

This is a great time to get one of those family pics printed. Pic up an inexpensive frame from the Dollar Store and you have a very thoughtful gift!

Use the coupon code PRINT810 to get one FREE 8×10 photo print.

Choose to pick up your free photo print in your nearest Walgreens store to also get free shipping.

Free Walgreens Photo Coupon

Walgreens App Instructions:

• Download App
• Select “Photo” Dept.
• Select “Prints”
• Choose to upload from a device, then “Next”
• Scroll to the bottom and select 8×10 for $3.99
• Upper right of Order Details select “Use Code”
• Enter code PRINT810 
• Total will be $0.00 + free store pickup

Get yours here today!

If for some reason this doesn’t work for you, try using a desktop computer instead of the mobile app to get it to work.

    

I have an amazing Great Wolf Lodge Deal to share with you today – as low as $120.84 per night stays (regularly up to $350)!

This is a great time to book a reservation for some family fun! You can choose a single-night stay or multi-night stay and enjoy some family time at this popular indoor water park resort.

Choose from 19 different Great Wolf Lodge locations, with different pricing and package options at each.

How to Save Money at Great Wolf Lodge

It’s rare to find Great Wolf Lodge coupons or promo codes, which is why I will always share this Great Wolf Lodge Groupon top deal when it comes around.

Allow me to tell you a little about why I love this place so much.

It started several years ago when we were looking for a fun and out of the ordinary vacation idea for our family.

Great Wolf Lodge seemed like a natural fit for our outdoor, nature loving family.

We went the first year with no idea what to expect and LOVED every minute of our time there.

It was Labor Day weekend and they held a special Luau party that included lots of crafts, food, games, and contests.

Including a pie eating contest which my husband was first in line for!

It was perfect for him and he won and the prize was another FREE night’s stay to use anytime in the next year.

So we made it an annual trip for the next several years when he continued to win the contest each year.

Great Wolf Lodge Discounts

There is an awesome Great Wolf Lodge deal running on Groupon today, that you’ll really want to check out if you are interested in taking your family to splash around the pools, ride the water slides, and enjoy all of the other attractions they have to offer.

This offer is for up to 61% off your stay at Great Wolf Lodge, and includes many locations nationwide.

As low as $120 per night, you’ll gain access to everything Great Wolf Lodge has to offer!

Including the award winning waterpark!!

Great Wolf Lodge Deals

Included in your stay:

• Waterpark Passes
• Nightly Story Hour
• Wake Up with Wiley
• Kids Activities

You’ll also find many other extra activities including arcade rooms, MagiQuest, Ten Paw Alley Bowling, Build a Bear Workshop, Mini Golf, Compass Quest, and More!

Note: not all extra activities are available at all locations.

I’m sure this deal will sell out so make sure you purchase this special offer for your next stay while you still can!

Grab your Great Wolf Lodge Deal here.

    

These Routine Charts for Kids will help them have success every single day.

One of the ways that you can be sure that your kids have the most successful school year yet is by teaching them how to live with simple daily routines.

Teaching some simple routines like the ones below will help everyone stay on track in all areas of their lives all year long.

Even choosing just one of the kids printable daily routine charts to put into practice, will allow for much easier life for everyone, even on the most hectic of days!

Daily Routine Charts for Kids

I suggest starting with one of the routine charts.

Once you child has gotten pretty good at follow the routines on that chart, then you can add another routine chart for your child to work on.

There are three routine charts for kids to choose from.

• Morning Routine Chart
• After School Routine Chart
• Bedtime Routine Chart

Choose on of the time periods that is the most stressful for you or your child to focus on.

Morning Routine Charts

The printable Kids Morning Routine Chart helps kids to move through each task easily so you can get out of the door on time and ready to go!

It covers everything they’ll need to do from the moment they wake up including:

• Eat Breakfast
• Brush Teeth
• Make Bed
• Get Dressed
• Prep School Bag
• and more!

Grab your free printable routine chart here.

After School Routine Chart

Use the printable Kids After School Routine Chart to teach kids how to prioritize the things that need to be done before dinner time.

It covers everything they’ll need to do after school including:

• Unpack Schoolbag
• Eat Snack
• Do Homework
• Play
• Set Table for Dinner
• And More!

Grab your free printable routine chart here.

Bedtime Routine Chart

I love how this printable Kids Bedtime Routine Chart trains kids how to be successful adults one day.

It covers everything they’ll need to do before they can go to bed each night including:

• Put on PJ’s
• Tidy Bedroom
• Brush Teeth
• Clothes Ready
• Lights Out
• And More!

Grab your free printable routine chart here.

Knowing how to set yourself up the night before for a great start to the next day is one skill we should all attain.

The sooner in life we do so, the better off we will be.

It doesn’t matter if you use all of the kids daily routine charts to get through the day, or just one of the daily routines for kids.

You will thank yourself for doing so when you begin to feel the pressure subside a bit, as your kids take on more and more responsibility for themselves and their contribution to the family.

Can you just imagine the sense of personal well-being you’ll be instilling in your kids from early on in life.

Download all of the Kids Routine Charts.