TopCashback for Absolute Beginners: 12 Essential Tips That Work in 2025

I Wasted $437 My First Year Using TopCashback (Don’t Make My Mistakes)

Let me be completely honest with you. When I first started using TopCashback in 2021, I was doing it all wrong.

I’d forget to activate cashback before shopping. I’d use the wrong browsers. I’d apply coupon codes that invalidated my earnings. And worst of all, I had no system for maximizing my returns.

The result? I missed out on an estimated $437 in cashback my first year alone. Ouch.

But here’s the good news: you don’t have to make the same costly mistakes I did. After years of trial and error (and helping thousands of readers optimize their cashback strategy), I’ve developed a foolproof system for TopCashback beginners.

In this guide, I’ll share 12 essential tips that actually work in 2025 – no outdated advice, no complicated techniques, just straightforward strategies that will help you start earning serious cashback from day one.

Read our review of Topcashback back.

Tip #1: Install the Browser Extension (This Is Non-Negotiable)

If you only follow one piece of advice from this entire article, make it this one: install the TopCashback browser extension immediately.

Why? Because the #1 reason people miss out on cashback is simply forgetting to activate it before shopping. The browser extension solves this problem automatically by:

• Alerting you when you’re on a site that offers cashback
• Showing you the current cashback rate directly on the retailer’s site
• Allowing you to activate cashback with one click
• Notifying you if a coupon code might invalidate your cashback

Installing the extension takes less than 30 seconds:

1. Visit the TopCashback website and click on “Tools” in the top navigation
2. Select “Browser Extension”
3. Choose your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge)
4. Click “Add to Browser” and follow the prompts

Pro Tip: After installing, make sure the extension is pinned to your browser toolbar for easy access. In Chrome, click the puzzle piece icon, find the TopCashback extension, and click the pin icon.

Tip #2: Set Up Your Payment Methods Correctly (Most People Get This Wrong)

Many beginners make a critical mistake: they wait until they’ve accumulated significant cashback before setting up their payment methods. This creates unnecessary delays when you’re ready to cash out.

Take 5 minutes right now to set up all available payment options:

1. Log into your TopCashback account
2. Click on “Account” in the top navigation
3. Select “Payout Methods”
4. Set up each of the following:
   • Direct Deposit (fastest option – 2-3 business days)
   • PayPal (3-5 business days)
   • Gift Cards (instant delivery with bonus value)
   • Check (only if absolutely necessary – slowest option)

Important for 2025: TopCashback now requires two-factor authentication for all payout methods. Have your phone handy to complete this setup.

Tip #3: Understand the Three Cashback Statuses (And What They Mean)

One of the most confusing aspects for beginners is understanding the different cashback statuses. Here’s what each one means:

Pending

When cashback first appears in your account, it will show as “Pending.” This means:

• TopCashback has tracked your purchase
• The retailer hasn’t yet confirmed the transaction
• The cashback is not available for withdrawal
• Pending periods typically last 30-90 days (depending on the retailer’s return policy)

Payable

Once the retailer confirms your purchase is final, your cashback moves to “Payable” status. This means:

• The cashback is confirmed and approved
• You can withdraw this amount at any time
• No further action is needed from you

Declined

If your cashback is declined, it means:

• The retailer did not approve the cashback
• This could be due to using ineligible items, coupon codes, or tracking issues
• You can file a claim if you believe this was an error

Pro Tip: Don’t panic if your cashback stays pending for a while. Some retailers (especially travel companies) have pending periods of up to 120 days. This is normal!

Tip #4: Create a “Cashback Calendar” for Big Purchases

This strategy alone has saved me hundreds of dollars. Instead of making big purchases randomly throughout the year, I plan them around TopCashback’s promotional calendar.

TopCashback runs “Cashback Boost” events during specific times of the year when they significantly increase rates across certain categories. In 2025, these are the key periods to watch for:

• January: Post-holiday sales and travel booking boosts (up to 20% on hotels)
• April/May: Spring home improvement boosts (up to 15% at Home Depot/Lowe’s)
• July: Prime Day and competing retailer boosts (up to 25% at major electronics retailers)
• August: Back-to-school boosts (up to 15% on clothing and supplies)
• November: Black Friday/Cyber Monday (the biggest boosts of the year – up to 30% at some retailers)

Create a simple spreadsheet or note with:

• The big purchases you’re planning this year
• The ideal time to make each purchase based on the boost calendar
• A reminder set 1 week before each boost event

This simple planning can easily double or triple your cashback on major purchases.

Tip #5: Learn Which Purchases Never Qualify for Cashback

Save yourself disappointment by understanding which types of purchases typically don’t qualify for cashback:

• Gift cards (purchasing gift cards rarely earns cashback)
• Taxes and shipping fees (cashback usually applies to product subtotal only)
• Subscription renewals (initial signup may qualify, but renewals typically don’t)
• In-store pickup orders (varies by retailer – always check terms)
• Items purchased with store credit or gift cards
• Digital downloads (varies by retailer)

Each retailer has specific exclusions, so always check the “Terms & Conditions” section on the retailer’s TopCashback page before making a purchase.

2025 Update: Some retailers have started offering cashback on gift card purchases in limited promotions. Keep an eye out for these special offers, especially during holiday seasons.

Find more cash back shopping platforms to explore here.

Tip #6: Master the Art of “Cashback Stacking”

Cashback stacking is combining multiple rewards programs to maximize your savings on a single purchase. Here’s how to do it effectively:

Level 1: Basic Stacking

• Use a cashback credit card (2-5% back)
• Activate TopCashback (varies by retailer)
• Total: Up to 25% back on purchases

Level 2: Intermediate Stacking

• Use a cashback credit card (2-5% back)
• Activate TopCashback (varies by retailer)
• Purchase discounted gift cards from TopCashback’s gift card section (5-10% discount)
• Total: Up to 35% back on purchases

Level 3: Advanced Stacking (for power users)

• Use a cashback credit card (2-5% back)
• Activate TopCashback (varies by retailer)
• Purchase through a retailer’s rewards program (like Kohl’s Cash or Ulta Rewards)
• Time your purchase during a cashback boost event
• Total: Up to 50% back on purchases

Real Example: Last month, I purchased a $500 laptop from Dell using this stacking method:

• Used my 2% cashback credit card: $10 back
• Activated TopCashback during a boost event (12% instead of usual 8%): $60 back
• Went through Dell’s rewards program (3% in Dell rewards): $15 in Dell credit
• Total savings: $85 (17% back) on a purchase I was making anyway!

Tip #7: Set Up Missing Cashback Alerts (This Saved Me $312 Last Year)

Even when you do everything right, sometimes cashback doesn’t track properly. This happens to everyone, but most beginners never notice or take action.

TopCashback has a feature called “Missing Cashback Alerts” that monitors your shopping activity and notifies you when expected cashback doesn’t appear. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Go to “Account” → “Settings”
2. Select “Notifications”
3. Enable “Missing Cashback Alerts”
4. Choose your notification preference (email or push notification)

Additionally, create a simple tracking system for your major purchases:

• Take a screenshot of the cashback offer before clicking through
• Save your order confirmation email
• Check your TopCashback account 7 days after purchase
• If the cashback isn’t showing, file a claim immediately

Last year, I had 7 instances where my cashback didn’t track automatically. By filing claims with proper documentation, I recovered $312 that would have otherwise been lost!

Tip #8: Understand the “Highest Cashback Guarantee” (And How to Use It)

TopCashback offers a little-known “Highest Cashback Guarantee” that can significantly increase your earnings. Here’s how it works:

If you find a higher cashback rate on another cashback site (like Rakuten, BeFrugal, or Mr. Rebates), TopCashback will match it plus 1%.

To take advantage of this guarantee:

1. Before making a purchase, check rates on competing cashback sites
2. If you find a higher rate, take a screenshot
3. Contact TopCashback customer service through the “Help” section
4. Provide the screenshot and details of your planned purchase
5. They’ll confirm the match plus 1% for your specific purchase

Important: You must request the match before making your purchase, not after.

This strategy takes an extra 5 minutes but can increase your cashback by 5-10% on many purchases. I use this for all purchases over $100 and have successfully received rate matches dozens of times.

Tip #9: Create a Dedicated “Cashback Email” (Avoid Missing Important Notifications)

As you use TopCashback more frequently, you’ll receive important notifications about:

• Pending cashback becoming payable
• Limited-time cashback boosts
• Missing cashback alerts
• Claim resolutions

Many beginners use their primary email address, which often leads to these crucial notifications getting buried in a crowded inbox.

Instead, create a dedicated email address specifically for cashback and shopping activities. This keeps all your shopping-related emails in one place and ensures you never miss important updates.

I use a simple naming convention like “yourname.shopping@gmail.com” and check it twice weekly to stay on top of all cashback opportunities.

Tip #10: Learn Which Browsers and Devices Work Best

Not all browsers and devices are created equal when it comes to tracking cashback. Based on my extensive testing in 2025, here’s what works most reliably:

Best Browsers (in order of reliability):

1. Chrome
2. Edge
3. Firefox
4. Safari

Devices to Avoid:

• Smart TVs and gaming consoles
• Some mobile apps (always use the mobile website instead)
• Public or shared computers

For the highest tracking success rate:

• Use Chrome with the TopCashback extension installed
• Enable cookies and disable ad blockers when shopping
• Complete your purchase in the same browsing session
• Don’t switch between devices mid-purchase

Following these simple guidelines will significantly reduce tracking issues and ensure you receive the cashback you’ve earned.

Tip #11: Maximize Your Earnings with the Referral Program

The TopCashback referral program is one of the most generous in the industry, but most beginners either don’t know about it or don’t use it effectively.

In 2025, you’ll earn $25 for every friend who signs up through your referral link and earns $10 in cashback. There’s no limit to how many people you can refer!

Here’s how to maximize your referral earnings:

1. Get your personalized referral link from “Account” → “Tell-A-Friend”
2. Share a screenshot of your actual earnings along with your link
3. Explain exactly how your friend should make their first purchase
4. Follow up to ensure they’ve activated their cashback correctly

The most effective places to share your referral link are:

• Personal finance or budgeting groups
• Family WhatsApp or group chats
• Colleagues who shop online frequently
• Social media accounts (where allowed)

I’ve earned over $1,200 from referrals alone by helping friends and family set up their accounts properly and ensuring they don’t miss out on their initial cashback.

Tip #12: Convert Cashback to Gift Cards for Bonus Value

When it comes time to withdraw your cashback, most beginners automatically choose direct deposit or PayPal. However, there’s a smarter option that can increase your earnings by up to 15%.

TopCashback offers bonus value when you convert your cashback to gift cards from popular retailers. In 2025, these are the best conversion options:

• Amazon: 5% bonus value
• Target: 7% bonus value
• Walmart: 3% bonus value
• Home Depot: 10% bonus value
• Best Buy: 6% bonus value
• Starbucks: 15% bonus value

For example, if you have $100 in cashback and convert it to a Home Depot gift card, you’ll receive a $110 gift card instead of $100 cash.

This strategy works best for retailers you shop at regularly. I personally convert most of my cashback to Amazon gift cards since I know I’ll use them, effectively giving me an additional 5% boost on all my TopCashback earnings.

Putting It All Together: Your First 30 Days on TopCashback

Now that you understand the essential strategies, here’s a simple 30-day plan to get started:

Days 1-3:

• Create your TopCashback account
• Install the browser extension
• Set up all payment methods
• Create your dedicated cashback email
• Enable all notifications

Days 4-10:

• Make your first qualifying purchase to trigger the sign-up bonus
• Check competing cashback sites and request a rate match if applicable
• Verify your cashback is tracking correctly
• Get familiar with the TopCashback mobile app

Days 11-20:

• Share your referral link with 3-5 close friends or family members
• Explore the “Highest Cashback” section to identify good deals
• Create your cashback calendar for upcoming purchases
• Try your first cashback stacking experiment

Days 21-30:

• Check that your initial cashback is still tracking properly
• File a claim if any expected cashback is missing
• Plan a larger purchase around an upcoming cashback boost event
• Set a monthly reminder to withdraw payable cashback

Following this simple 30-day plan will help you build the habits that maximize your cashback earnings for years to come.

The Bottom Line: Start Small, But Start Today

The biggest mistake I see beginners make is overthinking and delaying. They wait for the “perfect” purchase or the “perfect” time to start using TopCashback.

But here’s the truth: even small purchases add up significantly over time. That $5 cashback on your first purchase might seem minor, but it’s the beginning of a habit that can save you thousands over the years.

I started small in 2021, making all the mistakes I’ve helped you avoid in this guide. Even with those mistakes, I still earned over $500 my first year. Now, with these optimized strategies, I consistently earn $1,500+ annually – all from purchases I was going to make anyway.

The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll see those cashback dollars accumulating in your account. So take action today – create your account, install the extension, and make your first cashback-eligible purchase.

Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you!

FIND THE BEST CASHBACK SHOPPING PORTALS HERE