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Be Frugal is one of the most popular cashback sites out there.
That is not surprising.
With high cash back rates, a large number of retailers, and the ability to cash out with only a penny, it is a hit with everyone.
If you shop online and are not using a cashback site, you are leaving money on the table.
Cashback sites can give you up to 40% back on your purchase, though the average is between 1-5%.
There are so many cashback sites out there though.
How do you choose?
I have reviewed Rakuten and TopCashback.
I have also reviewed Swagbucks.
I plan to review all the top cashback sites.
No one site is perfect.
My suggestion is to pick 2-4 sites that you will regularly use.
Different sites have different rates at different merchants
Be Frugal is a very popular site and one of my top sites.
Here is the review.
Maybe you will pick Be Frugal as one of your main portals after reading this review.
What is Be Frugal?
Be Frugal is a cashback site that gives you money for your online shopping.
The site was started in 2009 as a coupon site.
In 2011, it expanded to include cash back.
From there, it grew fast and is one of the largest cashback sites with over 5000 retailers participating.
Their headquarters is in Boston, Massachusetts.
I get a lot of great discounts and coupons to various stores, so the fact that they started out as a coupon site makes sense.
How does Be Frugal work?
Like all cashback sites, you shop like normal after going through the portal.
I like to browse beforehand at the merchant I want to shop (i.e. Macy’s, Amazon, etc).
Then, when I am ready to purchase, I clear my cart
(if anything is there), and go to Be Frugal.
So, just by taking the extra step to go through a cashback site like Be Frugal, you get free money.
How To Sign Up For Be Frugal
Step 1: Go To Be Frugal
Use this link and get $10 for joining
Step 2: Enter Your information
Use your email, Facebook, or other accounts to join.
Step 4: Browse, shop, and get cash
You are now officially a member and can shop normally.
How does Be Frugal give you free money?
Like most cashback sites, Be Frugal receives a commission.
They share this commission with you.
For example, if Amazon paid Be Frugal 10% , they might give you 5%.
Be Frugal makes a profit.
The merchant got a customer.
You get 5% back.
It is a win for everyone.
Most cashback sites work this way again.
Methods of Payment
Be Frugal has several methods of payment:
- PayPal, minimum $.01 to cash out
- Direct Deposit to bank, minimum $.01 to cash out
- Venmo, minimum $.01 to cash out
- Zelle, minimum $.01 to cash out
- Gift Card, minimum $5 to cash out but varies
- Check, minimum $25 to cash out
As you see may methods only require a penny to cash out.
This is one of the features that makes Be Frugal stand out.
You will need $25 to cash out with check though.
The amount varies to cash out with a gift card.
Like all cashback sites, Be Frugal must first get paid by the merchant.
This can take 30-90 days.
A purchase I did this summer posted quickly and another took longer.
I think they are quicker than other sites though.
How long does it take to get paid?
Be Frugal has three steps to get paid.
Step One: Pending
After you shop, your earnings show up as “pending” in your Be Frugal account
Your earning stay in the “pending” period until the retailer conforms your purchase.
Step Two: Verified
After the retailer confirms your purchase, your payments moves to “verified.”
It will stay in this phase until the retailer pays Be Frugal.
This can take 30-90 days.
This period is true of all cashback sites.
Step Three: Payable
After the retailer pays Be Frugal, your cash is moved to payable.
The cash is now yours.
You can use one of the payment methods described in the previous section.
Since you only need a penny to cash out with several methods, this will be easy.
Deals/Coupons
Be Frugal has a “deal” and “coupon” section on their home page.
Their deal section is very good.
You can find some of the best deals listed in one place.
These change weekly, so you will need to check each week.
If you are on their email list, you will receive the deals each week in your inbox.
They list the best deals at all the top retailers in one place.
Current deals include:
- Macy’s 2 piece Clinique $8 (regular $31)
- Ann Taylor shirt $7 (regular $45)
- Anker Noise cancelling headphone $29 (regular $65)
If you don’t get the weekly email, just check back every week again.
Be Frugal also has a coupon section.
These will give you the best coupon codes in one place.
Some are in-store coupons.
If you add their extension, it will automatically add the best coupon codes to your online purchase.
Current coupons include:
- Free chips & queso with $20 purchase at Applebees
- $5 KFC meal
- $5 Take home entree with dine in purchase at Olive Garden
Again, I find the “deal” section to be very valuable.
I usually just read the weekly email, but you can check it each week.
The “deal” section is why I first started using Be Frugal.
Be Frugal vs Rakuten (Ebates)
Be Frugal is very popular, so naturally people wonder which site is better, Be Frugal or Rakuten (Ebates)?
Honestly, I use both.
The truth is no one cash back site is perfect, so it is best to pick 2-4 to use regularly again.
Be Frugal usually has higher rates and more stores, but Rakuten is more user friendly and best for beginners.
If you collect travel rewards, you can transfer Rakuten cash to American Express points too.
Again, I use both as well as TopCashback and Swagbuck’s.
Some merchants are only on one site, so your store may determine your choice.
Again, you should pick 2-4 sites because there will be different rates at different stores at different times.
Is there a sign up bonus?
Yes.
You receive $10 for signing up.
The $10 will stay pending until you have $10 in cash back, which should only take a couple of purchases.
Is there a referral program?
Yes.
Receive $10 for each friend you refer.
You will receive your $10 when your friend’s account has $10 in payable cash.
Your friend gets $10 for signing up.
Price Match
Be Frugal has something called a price match.
If you find more cash back on another cash back site, they will give you 125%.
There are several restrictions, so make sure to read their page.
Tips
- Only go to Be Frugal when you are ready to purchase
- Use a rewards credit card
- Use coupons on the site to save money
- Check out deals each week for the best sales at retailers in one place
- Check out the coupon section to even get in store coupons to places like the Olive Garden and Applebees
Pros
- Large number of retailers, over 5000
- Cash out with only a penny using several methods
- Great referral program, get $10 per referral
- $10 sign up bonus
- Price guarantee
- Deal and coupon section different than other sites
Cons
- Can take a while on certain merchants
- The interface is not as user friendly as others
Summary
Be Frugal is one of the most popular cashback sites.
It has some of the highest rates and more merchants than others sites.
As with any cashback site, no one site gives the highest rate at all merchants, so it is best to choose 2-4 regular sites.
Be Frugal is definitely one of my regulars.
As always, check Cash Back Monitor.
I have never tried their Price Match, but I know there are restrictions.
If you shop online, not using a cashback site is leaving money on the table.
You can check out the top cashback sites here.
I hope this review was helpful.
Have you ever used Be Frugal?