Back-to-School Cashback Deals: Earn While You Shop for School Essentials!

Hey all, it's that time of year again - back to school is fast approaching! As any parent knows, stocking up for the new school year is no joke. Between supplies, clothes, gadgets and who knows what else on dozens of lists, it adds up quickly.

But I've got a little secret that can help lighten the load on your wallet. Have you heard of websites like Rakuten, Dosh and Ibotta? They allow you to earn actual cash back on purchases from popular stores. I'm talking about getting money back for things you'd be buying anyway. How great is that?!

Let me tell you about some of my favorite cash back deals right now. Rakuten has always been one of the big players - they're offering a sweet 10% back on Office Depot through the end of September. 10%!!! That's huge on supplies, furniture, tech, whatever you need. You also get 5% back at Target and a few percent at other big name retailers. Just remember to activate the deals before checkout.

Another good one is Dosh. New users can sign up and get a $10 bonus for spending $25. Plus they have 7% back at Old Navy through the end of the month. Perfect for new clothes! You'll also find rotating offers of 5% at places like Foot Locker. Just download the app and turn on any offers you like.

Ibotta is great if you don't mind snapping photos of receipts within two weeks. Right now is $5 back on $25 at Walmart or $10 back on $50 in eligible purchases. Go wild stocking up while you save! Redeem your cash back once you hit $20 to treat yourself.

What are Cashback Deals?

Cashback deals are a great way to save money while shopping for back-to-school essentials. With a cashback program, you earn a percentage of your total spending amount back as a reward.

Cashback sites like Rakuten, Dosh and Ibotta partner with retailers - both online and offline stores. Whenever you shop through the cashback portal or activate an "offer" on a purchase, you'll receive a certain percentage of that transaction amount credited back to your account.

The cashback is usually paid out as real cash that can be deposited into your bank account or PayPal. Some programs may offer statement credits or reward points that can be redeemed for future purchases.

The best part is that you essentially get money back for things you were already buying! All you have to do is remember to shop through the cashback website or app instead of going straight to the retailer. You can browse, add items to your cart, and check out like normal.

So whether it's 1% or 10% back, cashback adds up over multiple purchases. It's an easy way to whittle down the overall cost of supplies, clothes, electronics - everything on your back-to-school shopping lists. The more you spend, the more cashback you earn to put towards future shopping or savings.

Why Choose Cashback for Back-to-School Shopping?

Extra savings on big purchases: Schools often require large purchases like computers or bulk art supplies. With cashback, the rewards accumulate with spending amounts, so you get more money back on costly items. This can save parents hundreds versus an upfront discount.

Works for all shopping: Cashback programs partner with retailers across categories like clothing, electronics, dorm items - whatever's on your list. You're not limited by the discount offers available for a single store.

Ease of use: it's simple to browse and shop as normal, then submit receipts or activate offers post-purchase from brands you already patronize. No codes or coupons to track down.

Lifetime of savings: Unlike sales that may end, cashback offerings are ongoing all year from brands regularly in your routine. You can shop in periods without deals and still come out ahead.

Leverages your spending: You get money back for purchases you were already budgeting for and needing to make. It's essentially found money without changing shopping habits.

Top Categories to Maximize Cashback

1. School supplies - Stock up on the basics and earn rewards on every notebook, pencil and calculator purchase. Look out for enhanced back-to-school offers.

2. Electronics and tech - Laptops, tablets and devices rack up costs. Cashback helps offset this investment, especially with seasonal bonuses.

3. Clothing and shoes - Outfit your student while banking cashback. Stores run special offers for uniforms and popular back-to-school brands.

4. Backpacks and accessories - Must-have bags and gear provide further cashback earnings with everyday use.

5. Textbooks and learning materials - A heavy expense that cashback lightens, especially ebooks and online courseware.

6. Dorm and home essentials - College students can save with cashback on dorm-life items like bedding, storage and kitchen supplies.

Read more: Back-to-School Early Bird Discounts: Shop Smart, Save Big!

Top Cashback Offers and Deals

1. Amazon

Spend $50 on School Supplies, Get $10 Off: When you purchase $50 worth of eligible school supplies, you automatically receive a $10 discount at checkout. This promotion is a great way to save on classroom essentials like disinfectant wipes, glue sticks, and more.

2. Target

20% Off for Students and Teachers: By joining Target Circle for free and verifying your student or faculty ID, you can enjoy a 20% discount on qualifying purchases, including school supplies and other essentials.

3. Best Buy

Deals on Electronics and Dorm Essentials: Best Buy is offering significant discounts on laptops, with prices starting from $169, and dorm appliances from $39. They also have various tech items on sale, making it a good stop for students heading to college.

4. Apple

Education Discounts on MacBooks and iPads: Apple provides up to $220 off on MacBook purchases for students and educators, along with a free gift card worth up to $130 to use on future purchases.

Additional Retailer Highlights

5. Walmart: Known for competitive pricing, Walmart offers school supplies starting at just $0.20, making it a budget-friendly option for parents.

6. Dell: Offers laptops starting from $79, which is ideal for students needing a reliable device for schoolwork.

7. Nike: Discounts on clothing and accessories are available, with items starting from under $15, perfect for back-to-school apparel.

How to Make the Most of Back-to-School Cashback Deals

With a little planning, you can maximize your cashback earnings to slash costs on school shopping. Here are some tried and true strategies:

1. Use cashback credit cards: Look for a rewards card that offers a percentage back on all purchases. Use it for eligible back-to-school buys and earn cashback two ways - through the card and retailer programs.

2. Shop cashback websites: Tools like Rakuten, Dosh and Ibotta let you earn extra moolah by shopping online or in stores through their portals. Activate any offers before checkout.

3. Look out for bonus days: Keep an eye out for special occasions when cashback rates are doubled or tripled. Time your spending to take full advantage.

4. Stack savings methods: Pair cashback programs with coupon codes, sales, and loyalty promotions for stackable discounts. You can cut costs significantly this way.

5. Monitor offers closely: Redeem cashback earned before it expires so you don't miss out. Check for bonuses too - some programs reward gift cards over cash.

With strategic shopping powered by cashback, you'll finish school prep feeling good about the money you put back in your pocket.

Guys, take it from me - use these cashback opportunities to your advantage. Shop as normal, then submit those receipts or activate bonuses. Why not make a little money to put towards school stuff? Happy shopping and good luck for the new year!