I am sure that you have probably seen some of the commercials for Rakuten (formerly Ebates) on television recently.  I decided that I wanted to give it a try and see if it was worth my while. I signed up and started going through their site when I wanted to purchase something online.  It was definitely worth a try, and I will continue to use this service. 

I received a total of $64.11 cashback in just a couple of months.  These were purchases that I would have made online regardless if I were participating in their program.

A good example of how it works is that I just recently purchased a pair of Sketchers Women’s GoWalk Sneakers from Macy’s online.  I received 20% off the regular price and then since I had gone through Rakuten, I received an additional 15% cashback ($6.00) and free shipping,  It was a total savings of $16.00 (plus what the shipping charges would have been). Rakuten will be sending me a check for my purchases during this quarter in November.  The checks are mailed quarterly (February, May, August, and November).  

The percentage that you receive in cashback changes regularly.  When I made the purchase they were having a special of 15% cashback for Macy’s.  The normal cashback amount for Macy’s is usually 3% but they do offer double cashback specials and they also have days where the percentage is more than double.  I have downloaded the app on my laptop so when I go to the store’s site, Rakuten will give me a pop up asking if I want to activate the cashback and it lets me know what the cashback is at the time.  This is extremely convenient.

You can take advantage of this cashback program when you shop online at Macy’s, Kohls, Amazon, Sephora, Walmart, and Ebay, just to name a few. They participate with over 2,500 stores.  They also offer double cash back savings, in-store cashback, discounts on travel and vacations as well as incentives when your friends or family sign up and use the service.  

You have to wonder how they can offer these savings.  It is called affiliate marketing, the stores pay Rakuten for sending customers to their sites/stores and Rakuten rewards it’s customers for going through their site.  I just appreciate saving money.

If you are interested in trying Rakuten and haven’t already,  it’s FREE. Please click the link below and sign up. You will receive $10.00 just for signing up once you have made your first purchase.  Anyone who refers another person will receive $25.00 for each referral. It is their “Give $10, Get $25” referral program. WIN-WIN

https://www.rakuten.com/r/DRAEBE10?eeid=28187

This photograph was taken of the peach blossoms on a tree that I planted in my father’s memory.  It seemed fitting to plant a peach tree because when I was a child, my father planted two peach trees and two apple trees in our yard.  Once the peach trees became prolific, he would make homemade peach ice cream on hot summer days. We would have family, friends, and neighbors gather to share the ice cream and socialize.  This was a time when you didn’t lock your doors when you left your house. We didn’t have security cameras, we had caring neighbors. Everyone looked out for each other. You knew and respected your neighbors and valued spending time with each other.  My father was extremely generous and friendly. He would help anyone in need and give you the shirt off his back.  

My mother would use the peaches to make the most fabulous peach cobbler you’ve ever tasted.  She would just whip it together and she never used a recipe. She would also can the peaches so we could enjoy them during the winter months.  She was thoughtful and shared the harvest with family, friends, and neighbors. My mother was an amazing cook and her abilities weren’t limited to the kitchen.  There wasn’t anything that my mother couldn’t do, fix or make. To this day, I am absolutely amazed at her loving grace and the abundance of energy that she had.

My parents were just like everybody else’s parents.  They loved each other. They were committed to each other and they took care of their family.  They endured hardships but they stuck together and leaned on each other. They were able to celebrate 60 wonderful years together, prior to my father passing away.  I am honored to be their daughter. I can identify where my personality traits and physical traits came from. There are times that I see my mother in my actions and other times, my father.

Interestingly, I have been told that peach blossoms are significant in Feng Shui.  They help attract love and like-minded people to you. While I do not know anything about Feng Shui, I do know that I have been blessed with a loving family and many like-minded friends.  Acquaintances, not unlike the seasons come and go, but I have an amazing family and friends that love me and always have my back. For that, I am very thankful and I count my blessings.

What things in nature remind you of your childhood or make you feel warm and fuzzy when you see or even smell them?  Peaches will always make me think of my father.