Introduction — The Secret to Saving More Every Time You Shop
Imagine earning cashback, applying a coupon code, and gaining reward points on the same purchase.
Sounds too good to be true? It’s not — it’s called stacking savings, and it’s one of the smartest money-saving techniques savvy shoppers use in 2025.
By combining cashback offers, coupon discounts, and credit card rewards, you can often save up to 40% or more on everyday shopping.
Here’s exactly how to do it — step by step.
1. Understand How Cashback Works
Cashback is money you earn back after making a purchase through a partner website or app.
For example, if you buy a $100 item and earn 10% cashback, you’ll get $10 back after the transaction is confirmed.
Top Cashback Sites in 2025
- Rakuten (Ebates) – Up to 40% cashback on thousands of stores
- TopCashback – Known for high payout rates
- Swagbucks – Earn cashback and gift cards for shopping, surveys, and watching videos
- BeFrugal – Up to 50% cashback during seasonal promotions
Pro Tip: Always start your shopping journey through one of these cashback portals to ensure your purchase is tracked.
2. Apply Coupons Before Checkout
After activating your cashback, the next step is to find and apply coupons to reduce the purchase price even more.
Best Coupon Extensions
- Honey – Automatically applies the best working promo codes at checkout
- Capital One Shopping – Finds hidden discounts and price drops
- RetailMeNot – Offers verified coupons for both online and in-store shopping
Pro Tip: Always apply your coupon after activating cashback, not before — this ensures both track correctly.
3. Pay with a Rewards Credit Card
Finally, use a rewards or cashback credit card for payment. You’ll earn extra points or cashback on top of what you’ve already stacked!
Example:
You shop at Nike via Rakuten (5% cashback), use a 10% off coupon, and pay with a 2% cashback credit card.
You just saved:
- 10% off from coupon
- 5% cashback from Rakuten
- 2% from your credit card
Total: 17% saved + rewards earned!
4. Combine Store Loyalty Programs
Many stores (like Target, Walgreens, or Sephora) offer loyalty or membership programs that reward you with extra points, free gifts, or discounts.
Sign up for these — and when you make a purchase through a cashback site, you can still earn your store points in addition to cashback and coupons.
Pro Tip: Always use the same email for your loyalty account and online shopping account for proper tracking.
5. Stack During Special Sale Events
To maximize savings, time your purchases during major sale periods, such as:
- Black Friday & Cyber Monday
- End-of-season sales
- Amazon Prime Day
- Back-to-school events
During these events, cashback portals often increase their rates, and coupons multiply — allowing for triple-layer savings.
6. Compare Cashback Rates Before Shopping
Not all cashback websites pay the same rate.
Use Cashback Monitor (cashbackmonitor.com) to compare which site offers the highest cashback for your specific store before you buy.
7. Redeem Rewards Wisely
Cashback and points are useless if you don’t redeem them smartly.
- Use credit card points for statement credits or travel deals.
- Redeem Swagbucks or Rakuten earnings as PayPal cash or gift cards.
- Avoid redeeming points for low-value merchandise unless it’s a great deal.
8. Avoid Common Mistakes When Stacking
Even smart shoppers make errors that prevent their savings from stacking properly.
Here’s what to avoid:
- Clicking multiple cashback sites before checkout (only the last one counts).
- Using invalid coupon codes that break tracking.
- Returning items, which often cancels your cashback rewards.
Rule of Thumb: Always follow the cashback site’s instructions exactly and make sure cookies are enabled on your browser.
9. Try Cashback Apps for In-Store Shopping
Stacking isn’t limited to online shopping — you can do it in-store too!
Apps like Ibotta, Fetch Rewards, and Shopkick let you:
- Scan receipts for cashback
- Earn points for grocery purchases
- Combine manufacturer coupons with store promotions
You can earn money back even after you shop, just by scanning your receipt.
10. The Ultimate Stacking Example (Real-Life Scenario)
Let’s say you’re buying a new pair of sneakers for $120 from Adidas.
Here’s how stacking can save you money:
- Activate 8% cashback from Rakuten → $9.60 back
- Apply a 15% coupon code → Save $18
- Pay with 2% cashback credit card → $2.04 back
- Earn loyalty points → 120 points toward future purchases
Total Saved: $29.64 (24.7%) + loyalty points earned
Now multiply that across your annual shopping — you could save hundreds!
Final Thoughts — Make Every Dollar Work Harder for You
Stacking cashback, coupons, and rewards points isn’t complicated — it’s just smart money management.
By following this system consistently, you’ll never pay full price again.
Remember the three golden steps:
* Start with a cashback portal
* Apply a valid coupon
* Pay with a rewards card
Start stacking today — your future self (and your wallet) will thank you!