Could Cash-back Websites Help You Save Money?
When retailers want to increase online sales, they will sometimes pay a commission to other websites which direct potential customers to their cyber store through a link. However, you can take advantage of this reward by using cashback websites.
Rather than keeping all of the profit, these sites give some of the proceeds to you, meaning you can save huge sums on digital purchases. Therefore, you should check whether you can click through to a company on a cashback site before going direct.
How can you save money?
Normally, you will receive a certain commission on each transaction you make. For example, you can currently receive 3.03 per cent cashback from the Debenhams website by using the link provided on Topcashback.co.uk.
However, you will sometimes be able to take advantage of lump sums. These are often provided if you sign up to a subscription service. npower is currently offering up to £100 cashback to new customers who sign up through Quidco.com.
Receive cashback on the essentials
You can get money back every time you spend on essentials, such as groceries, by becoming a member of a cashback website. Most supermarkets offer £5 to £10 to customers who order their first online shop.
However, you can also take advantage of cheaper groceries by going to your local store. Quidco’s ClickSnap has a range of different offers, such as 40 pence cashback on eggs, which you can claim by sending in a picture of your receipt.
Save money on financial products
If you’re on a debt management plan, it’s likely that you are looking to apply for a new bank account or switch your home insurance provider. Cashback websites can support these types of money-saving exploits further by allowing you to claim commission when you sign up.
However, make sure that the financial product is right for you before applying, and always calculate the overall cost so you can compare properly. Sometimes, it might work out cheaper to go with a company that offers a smaller cashback reward.
Get your hands on gadgets for less
Cashback websites often have fantastic deals on the latest gadgets, meaning that you can treat yourself or buy gifts for others for less. Since these items tend to be expensive, even a small commission can amount to big savings.
Special deals are often available on new mobile phone contracts – Tesco is currently offering up to £50.50 back on the Apple iPhone 5 through Topcashback. However, you can receive rewards on almost any item or service, from photograph prints to flat-screen televisions.
Enjoying days out on a budget
Research from Family Action shows that 44 per cent of British parents cannot afford to throw their child a birthday party. However, a larger proportion might be able to celebrate the special occasion without breaking the bank by taking advantage of cashback websites.
As a mum or dad, it might fill you with dread when your little one asks to go to the theme park or the cinema for their birthday, but just a few clicks on your computer could mean that the dent in your bank balance is less noticeable.
Families who visited attractions during the recent Easter holidays saved £35,000 on tickets through Quidco, so no matter what the event, accessing these websites before planning a day out can be extremely beneficial.
No purchase offers
You could profit from your cashback exploits, as long as you’re careful to read all of the associated terms and conditions. Getting cashback doesn’t always mean an initial outlay – sometimes making money is as simple as clicking a link.
On Topcashback, you can earn £1.51 for a car insurance quote application, secure 70 pence for filling in a survey, or receive £15.15 for signing up for a free LOVEFiLM trial. Look under the ‘Free Cashback’ section of the website for more deals.
If you download the Quidco mobile phone application, you can earn a few pence just for ‘checking in’ at nearby retailers using the GPS system. This money can soon stack up if you’re strolling down the high street.
Are cashback websites right for you?
Cashback websites are normally free to use, and they offer you discounts or commission on everything from loaves of bread and electricity bills to airline tickets and car tyres. It could therefore help you to save money in a wide range of areas.
However, you should always be cautious. You should still shop around, since you might not always get the biggest savings from a cashback site, and decide which deal is the best for you by calculating overall costs of a product or service.
Stef has worked through a debt solution plan with the help of Debt Free Direct, she now writes articles on money saving tips and advice to help people avoid getting into debt; or save money to pay off their existing debt.
