I Tried Rakuten for a Month: Here’s How Much I Made

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I’ll be honest: I signed up for Rakuten mostly because I saw someone on TikTok say they made actual money from it, and I was curious (okay, mildly suspicious). But also… they said you get a $30 bonus just for spending $30? That’s basically a free Target run.

So I gave myself a little challenge: use Rakuten for one month, no wild spending, just my usual stuff (groceries, skincare, a couple travel bookings) and see what happens.

Did I get rich? Nope.

Did I get free money for things I was already going to buy anyway? Yep.

Let’s break down exactly how it works, how much I made, and whether this whole cashback thing is actually worth it.

What Is Rakuten (and How It Works)

If you’ve never used Rakuten before, here’s the quick version: it’s a cashback site that gives you a percentage of your purchase back when you shop through their links. That’s it. No mystery.

You just sign up (free), search for the store you’re shopping at (like Target, Sephora, Expedia, Ulta, etc…) and click the “Shop Now” button. That click tracks your purchase, and you get paid a few weeks later.

You can also install the browser extension, which is honestly the easiest option. It pops up when a site offers cashback, so you don’t forget to activate it. I used this the most, because I’m not trying to remember one more thing every time I buy dish soap.

The best part is you don’t have to buy anything extra. You’re just getting a little cash back on things you were already planning to buy. For me, that’s the kind of frugal I can get behind: low effort, real savings.

What I Bought

Let me be clear: this wasn’t a “treat yourself” experiment disguised as a blog post. I didn’t suddenly start buying air fryers and patio furniture just to rack up cashback.

I stuck to my usual spending, things I would’ve bought anyway, but paid a little more attention to where I was shopping. If a store had cashback on Rakuten and the price was the same? I picked that one. Easy.

Here’s a quick peek at what I bought:

• A hotel stay through Expedia (this one gave me the biggest cashback)
• A small Ulta order (because I always run out of dry shampoo at the worst time)
• Some boring-but-necessary household stuff from Target
• An Etsy gift (yep, Rakuten works with Etsy!)
• A food delivery order for date night

Total spend? Around what I normally spend online each month, just rerouted through Rakuten to scoop up a little cash along the way.

I also didn’t mess with any extreme hacks. No credit card stacking, just basic purchases and one click through the Rakuten extension.

How Much I Actually Made

Okay, let’s talk numbers, because that’s probably why you’re here.

After one month of using Rakuten on my regular purchases, here’s what I earned in cashback:

• Expedia hotel booking: $21.60
• Ulta order: $3.50
• Target household stuff: $4.20
• Etsy gift: $1.85
• Food delivery (via DoorDash): $2.10
• Rakuten sign-up bonus: $30 (this is the real MVP if you’re new. Use my referral link.)

Grand total: $63.25.
Not bad for basically doing… nothing different.

If you take out the $30 sign-up bonus (which is only for new users), I still made over $30 from purchases I was already planning to make. That’s more than I’ve made from some side hustles that actually required work.

Is It Actually Worth It? My Honest Pros and Cons

Rakuten isn’t going to change your life. But for what it is, I think it’s kind of brilliant. Here’s my breakdown after using it for a month:

Pros:

• It’s free. No sign-up fees, no subscriptions, nothing shady.
• Super easy to use. Especially with the browser extension, just click and go.
• You earn on stuff you were already buying. No need to spend more to “get a deal.”
• That sign-up bonus is real. $30 for spending $30? I’m not complaining.
• Works at a ton of stores. From big ones like Target and Expedia to random ones like Etsy or Petco.

Cons:

• Cashback takes a while. You don’t get paid instantly, it took a few weeks to show up, and payouts only happen quarterly.
• Not every store qualifies. Some retailers are hit-or-miss, and you can’t always stack it with coupons or in-app offers.
• Cashback rates change a lot. One day it’s 10%, the next it’s 2%, so it’s not always consistent.

So… Is It Worth It?

If you’re already shopping online, why not get a little money back? It’s the kind of frugal habit that adds up over time, just a tiny bonus for being intentional.

If you’re trying to save money without going full no-spend challenge, Rakuten is an easy win. I’ll definitely keep using it, especially for bigger purchases like travel or gifts.

My Tips for Getting the Most Out of Rakuten

If you’re going to use Rakuten, here’s how to make it actually worth your time (because yes, there is a right way to use it):

1. Install the Browser Extension

This is a game changer. Instead of forgetting to check Rakuten before you shop, the extension pops up when a site offers cashback and lets you activate it with one click.

2. Double Check for Bonus Offers

Rakuten runs “Double Cashback” events all the time, especially around holidays or seasonal sales. That’s when I try to time bigger purchases, like travel bookings or bulk household stuff.

3. Use It for High-Ticket Items

I got the most cashback from booking a hotel through Expedia. Travel, furniture, tech—those bigger purchases = bigger returns. Even 3% adds up fast when you’re spending $500+.

4. Share Your Referral Link

This one’s underrated. If you refer a friend and they sign up and spend $30, you both get a $30 bonus. Here’s my referral link, bestie 🙂

5. Check If Your Go-To Stores Are On It

I was surprised how many places I already shop were included: Ulta, Etsy, even food delivery apps like DoorDash. Now I always do a quick Rakuten check before I check out.

It’s honestly the easiest frugal-living “hack” I’ve added to my routine.

Would I Keep Using It? (And Should You?)

Yes—I’m sticking with Rakuten.

It’s not life-changing money, but it’s easy money. And for someone who’s always trying to save without giving up the little things (like spontaneous Ulta orders or booking a weekend trip), it just makes sense.

If you’re already shopping online, using Rakuten is like adding a coupon that pays you back after checkout. It’s low effort, kind of fun to track, and way more satisfying than forgetting you had a $10 Target gift card.

Want to try it? Here’s my referral link. You’ll get $30 back when you spend your first $30. That’s a free grocery run or a cute planner, just for clicking one extra button.