Cashback is one of the easiest ways to save money without changing anything about how you shop. If you buy something and get money back for doing… nothing extra… why wouldn’t you?

We use cashback all the time. In fact, just this year we’ve had around £300 paid back into our pockets – simply by choosing the right retailer and clicking through the right link. No coupons. No spreadsheets. Just smart shopping.

Here’s how you can do the same.

Start With the Big Cashback Sites

Our go-to platform is TopCashback. Whenever we’re buying something online, we do the same routine:

1. Find the item we want.
2. Check which retailers stock it.
3. Look up the cashback rate for each retailer.
4. Pick the one offering the best overall price once cashback is factored in.

It takes 20 seconds and genuinely makes a difference. That’s how the £300 happened, not from huge one-off purchases, but from small wins stacking up across a year.

Pending vs. Confirmed Cashback (Don’t Panic)

A common worry is: “Why is my cashback still pending?”

Here’s why:

• The retailer needs to confirm the order.

• The returns window has to pass.

• Cashback companies only get paid after that, then they pass it on to you.

So sometimes it tracks instantly but takes weeks (or months) to become spendable. It’s normal. Pending isn’t bad, it’s just waiting its turn.

The One Mistake That Can Wipe Out Your Cashback

This is a big one and catches people out:

If you click away, open new tabs, use unapproved voucher codes, or complete the checkout too slowly, your cashback can vanish.

To protect it, follow this simple rule:

Go to TopCashback → click the retailer → buy the thing in one clean journey without opening other tabs or apps.

Also:

• Turn off ad blockers

• Make sure cookies are enabled

• Avoid applying promo codes not listed on the cashback site

It’s boring, but it works.

Cashback Isn’t Guaranteed – So Don’t Budget Around It

Cashback is free upside, not income.

Sometimes it doesn’t track. Sometimes retailers reject it (often for reasons you never see). That’s part of the game.

So think of cashback as a bonus, a nice surprise. Not something to rely on for covering bills or budgeting.

Earn Cashback Through Your Bank Cards Too

Cashback isn’t just for shopping portals.

Some bank accounts and apps offer it automatically when you spend:

• Monzo: Cashback at selected retailers (but remember to toggle each retailer “on”).

• Trading212: Cashback-style rewards depending on the account type.

• Chase: Popular 1% cashback on everyday spending.

• Some bank accounts give cashback on household bills like energy, broadband, council tax, mobile and water, but watch for monthly fees. Do the maths: if the cashback doesn’t exceed the fee, skip it.

Credit cards can also offer cashback, but here’s the golden rule:

If you use a credit card for cashback, pay it off in full every month. No exceptions.

Cashback is great. High-interest debt is not.

Use Browser Extensions to Catch Cashback Automatically

If you forget to check cashback options (easy to do), install:

• TopCashback’s browser plug-in

• Honey or Pouch (good for auto-checking voucher codes)

These pop up when a retailer offers cashback so you don’t miss free money.

So How Much Can You Really Earn?

A realistic, everyday example:

• Groceries via a 1% cashback card → £20/year

• Bits and pieces online at 5% average → £30/year

• Insurance product → £40 cashback

• Broadband switch → £60–£80 cashback

• Misc purchases and gifting → £20–£50/year

Total: £170–£220 without trying.

Add in the way we shop,  comparing retailers and always checking TopCashback – and it’s easy to reach £300+ a year.

That’s a week’s food shop. Or a birthday gift. Or money straight into savings.

All from shopping exactly how you already do.

The Bottom Line

Cashback isn’t complicated. It’s not risky. And it’s not too good to be true. It’s just one of the simplest money-saving tools out there.

If you shop anyway, you might as well get paid for it.