How to Use Cashback Apps for Furniture, Home Decor, and Appliance Shopping in 2024
Save on furniture, decor, and appliances with the best cashback apps for home shopping. Discover top apps for home deals, compare rates, and learn strategies to maximize cash back on big-ticket items. Use Spoken.io to find the best prices across retailers.
Photo by Giorgio Trovato / Unsplash
Cashback apps can be a powerful tool for saving money on home-related purchases, from decor and furniture to larger appliances. These apps offer cash back on eligible purchases, allowing you to save a small percentage on each purchase. In this guide, we’ll explore how cashback apps work for home shopping, the best apps for different types of shoppers, and tips for maximizing your savings on home items.
What Are Cashback Apps and How Do They Work for Home Shopping?
Cashback apps are digital tools that reward you with a small percentage of money back when you shop at participating retailers. Many cashback apps partner with popular home goods retailers like Wayfair, Home Depot, and Lowe’s, making it easy to save money on big-ticket items and decor alike.
There are two main ways cashback apps work for home shopping:
- Portal-Based Apps: These require you to shop through the app’s portal or website to earn cash back. Apps like Rakuten and TopCashback fall into this category, and they frequently partner with home retailers, allowing you to earn cash back on everything from sofas to kitchenware.
- Card-Linked Apps: These apps, like Dosh, let you link your credit or debit card. They automatically track eligible purchases at participating retailers, so you can earn cash back without needing to go through a specific portal.
Some apps focus more on specific categories like groceries but still offer occasional deals on household basics. Ibotta, for example, frequently has deals on cleaning supplies and essentials that might come in handy for budget-conscious households.
Pros and Cons of Using Cashback Apps for Home Goods
Pros
- Easy Savings on Big-Ticket Items: Cashback apps can be especially beneficial for home shopping because purchases like furniture or appliances can add up to significant cash back.
- Stackable Discounts: Often, cashback offers can be stacked with store discounts or credit card rewards, maximizing your overall savings.
- Passive Income Potential: With card-linked apps, cash back is earned passively, meaning once set up, they don’t require extra effort to earn rewards.
Cons
- Minimum Payout Requirements: Some apps require you to reach a certain cash back threshold before you can cash out, which might take time if your purchases aren’t frequent.
- Longer Wait Times for Cash Back: Many apps have processing times, and some may delay payouts if you return items.
- Limited Retailer Selection: Not all stores are partnered with every cashback app, so you may not get rewards for every home purchase.
Choosing the Right Cashback App for Your Home Shopping Needs
Different cashback apps work best for different types of home shoppers. Here’s a breakdown of which apps are likely to suit you best:
- For the Dedicated Home Shopper: Rakuten
Rakuten is ideal for people who frequently shop for home items online. With partnerships with major retailers like Wayfair, Overstock, and Walmart, it’s perfect for users who buy furniture or decor regularly from well-known stores. - For the Big-Ticket Buyer: TopCashback
TopCashback often provides some of the highest cashback rates and has partnerships with a wide range of home goods retailers. With no minimum payout threshold, it’s great for those making big purchases like appliances or high-end furniture, allowing you to withdraw cash back immediately. - For the Passive Saver: Dosh
Dosh is an excellent option for shoppers who prefer a “set it and forget it” approach. With Dosh, you link your card, and cash back is applied automatically for eligible purchases, even for some home stores. Though Dosh has fewer specific home goods retailers, it’s ideal for passive savings. - For the Budget-Conscious Household Shopper: Ibotta
Ibotta is primarily geared toward groceries but also offers cash back on smaller household essentials. It’s perfect for households looking to save on recurring purchases, like cleaning supplies, with occasional deals on household basics. - For the Coupon Hunter: Honey
Honey is known for finding coupon codes but also has a cashback program. If you like to stack savings, Honey’s combination of cash back and coupon searching makes it a great option for maximizing discounts on decor, small appliances, and other home items.
Comparison of Popular Cashback Apps for Home Purchases
Here’s a quick overview of some of the most popular cashback apps for home shopping and what they offer:
- Rakuten: Rakuten is perfect for large online purchases, including furniture and decor. With a wide range of home retailers and quarterly payouts, it’s a solid choice for home shoppers.
- TopCashback: Known for high rates and partnerships with a variety of retailers, TopCashback works well for frequent shoppers of furniture and decor, especially if you want to cash out without meeting a minimum threshold.
- Dosh: Dosh’s card-linked feature is convenient for users who want to earn cashback automatically, though it has a more limited selection of home retailers.
- Ibotta: Focused on groceries, Ibotta is ideal for household essentials, with occasional deals on cleaning supplies and small home goods.
Each app has unique strengths, so it may be worthwhile to use more than one depending on your shopping habits.
Maximizing Savings on Home Items with Cashback Apps
Here are a few strategies for getting the most out of cashback apps when shopping for home goods:
- Shop During Sales: Combining cashback with seasonal sales can yield significant savings. Black Friday, for example, is an excellent time to buy appliances, while summer sales often feature discounts on patio furniture.
- Stack Rewards: Many cashback apps allow you to use rewards in conjunction with store discounts or credit card points. This can be especially beneficial for large purchases, like buying a new sofa or refrigerator.
- Look for Increased Rates on Big-Ticket Items: Cashback apps occasionally offer increased rates on specific retailers or categories. Keep an eye out for promotions when shopping for high-value home items to maximize cash back.
Conclusion
Cashback apps offer a convenient way to save on home-related purchases, especially on big-ticket items like furniture and appliances. Each app has its strengths, so choosing the right one can help you maximize savings. Whether you’re a frequent home shopper or just looking for deals on essentials, there’s likely a cashback app that fits your needs. For even more savings, check out Spoken.io to compare prices on home items across top retailers and ensure you’re always getting the best deal on your purchases!
Quick facts
Which app gives the most cashback?
TopCashback and Rakuten generally offer high cashback rates across various retailers, with TopCashback often having the edge due to its partnerships. Ibotta typically offers higher rates for grocery-related purchases, making it a good choice for in-store shopping.
Which app provides the best cashback?
The best cashback app depends on your needs. For general shopping, Rakuten and TopCashback provide solid rates. Ibotta works well for groceries, while Dosh is ideal for passive, card-linked rewards. Compare apps for your favorite stores.
Is Ibotta or Rakuten better?
Ibotta and Rakuten serve different purposes. Rakuten is best for online shopping across major retailers, while Ibotta offers higher cashback for specific grocery items in-store. Choose based on whether you shop more online or for groceries.
Do cashback apps really work?
Yes, reputable cashback apps work by sharing a portion of retailer commissions with users. This model benefits both shoppers and stores, allowing users to earn money back on eligible purchases made through the app.
What app actually pays you cash?
Rakuten, Ibotta, and Dosh all pay users in cash. Payouts are available via PayPal or direct deposit once minimum thresholds are met, allowing you to receive actual cash rather than points or rewards.
Which is better, Fetch or Ibotta?
Fetch is simpler, rewarding users for any receipt, while Ibotta requires specific item purchases but offers higher rewards. Fetch is convenient for casual use, whereas Ibotta is better for focused grocery savings.
Is there a downside to using Rakuten?
Rakuten’s main downsides are its quarterly payout schedule, which can feel slow, and limited availability at certain stores. Some users may prefer faster payouts or broader retailer options offered by other cashback apps.
What is the catch to Ibotta app?
Ibotta requires specific items to be purchased for cash back, and users must upload receipts or link accounts for verification. While this can be more involved, it typically offers higher rewards, especially for groceries.
What are the cons of Ibotta?
Ibotta’s cons include item-specific purchases, the need for receipt uploads, and a minimum balance before withdrawal. This structure may be less convenient than other apps but offers strong rewards for frequent grocery shoppers.
What is TopCashback app?
TopCashback is a cashback app known for high rates and no minimum payout threshold. Users earn cashback on purchases from various retailers and can withdraw earnings at any time, making it popular among frequent shoppers.
What is the catch to cashback?
The main catch with cashback apps is that rewards depend on eligible purchases and specific retailers. Minimum payout requirements and wait times may also apply, so it can take time to accumulate withdrawable cash back.
Which site gives highest cashback?
No single site always offers the highest cashback; it depends on the retailer and promotion. TopCashback and Rakuten frequently compete for the best rates, so it’s wise to compare rates before big purchases.
Geoff Abraham
Co-founder & President of Spoken
Geoff is the co-founder and President of Spoken. He is a Dad. He holds a BA from UT Austin (Plan II) and an MBA from Stanford. Geoff has built several successful businesses, including a bicycle taxi business in San Francisco which he ran for 10 years with his wife, Mimosa. He is an executive coach, and he actively invests in seed-stage startups via The Explorer Fund.
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