
You already know I’m all about living my best life without blowing my budget, right? That doesn’t stop when it’s time to plan a trip. I’m spinning the block back to NOLA for great food, relaxation, and fun next spring, and my secret weapon for keeping costs low is Rakuten!
Rakuten is my favorite way to earn cash back on everything from hotels to travel gear. Wanna know how I’m making it happen? Let’s get into it.
Why Rakuten Is the Real MVP
Here’s the deal: Rakuten is the largest Cash Back site, partnering with over 3,500 top brands to help you save. Think Kohl’s, Macy’s, Walmart, Sephora, and more—basically, ALL your faves.
It’s super simple: just click through Rakuten links to shop your go-to stores like normal or let the browser extension do the work for you. Either way, you’re earning cash back, stacking coupons, and snagging promo codes—all for free.
Rakuten is saving me money on everything from travel to walking shoes… and trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked too!
How I’m Saving Big on My NOLA Trip!


Step 1: Snagging a Hotel Deal
First up: locking down my stay. I headed to Rakuten, and guess what? They’ve got up to 10% cash back + exclusive deals on Hotels.com right now. Plus, get a $10 Welcome Bonus when you sign up!
I booked my $990 hotel room through Rakuten, and just like that, I’m earning $49 back. That’s money I can use for something fun on my trip—or another round of beignets.
Step 2: Renting the Wheels
I love exploring beyond the touristy spots, which means I need wheels. Thanks to Rakuten, I scored 5% cash back on my $230 car rental with Priceline. That’s $11 back in my pocket—gas money for the adventures ahead!

Step 3: Upgrading My Travel Gear
After countless trips and baggage check-ins over the years, a suitcase upgrade was overdue! I found the perfect one from Samsonite, earned 2.5% cash back, and scored $5 on my $200 investment. Now I’m gliding through airports like a boss—stylish and cash-back savvy!

Step 4: Comfy Shoes = Happy Feet!

Sightseeing is my jam, but walking for hours? The shoes gotta be on point. Rakuten hooked me up with 10% cash back at Nike. My $120 new kicks earned me $12 back, and now my feet are like, “Let’s do this!”
Step 5: Food and Fun Are Non-Negotiable
Trips are all about experiences, so I booked a food tour through one of Rakuten’s partners, Giftory. The best part? I earned 5% cash back on the $100 ticket for two of us—that’s $5 back to savor the city one bite at a time!


Cash Back Adds Up! Let’s Review The Receipts:
Here’s what I earned on this trip:
- Hotel Booking: $49 back
- Rental Car: $11 back
- New Suitcase: $5 back
- Walking Shoes: $12 back
- Food Tour: $5 back
Total Earned: $82
That’s almost $85 earned just for clicking through Rakuten before shopping. It’s literally like FREE money!
Want in on These Savings?
Rakuten keeps it simple—sign up for free, shop through their site, and let the cash-back magic happen.
And remember: The savings deals change frequently, and sometimes you can get double or triple cash back on your everyday purchases.
Here’s How:
- Head over to this link: https://www.rakuten.com/r/THEBUD.
- Click the JOIN NOW button at the top of the page.
- Boom, you’re in! Sign up now as a Dream Catcher and start earning FREE cash back with me and Rakuten!
Add the Rakuten Browser Extension
Wanna make saving even easier? Download the Rakuten Cash Back Button for your browser! This handy tool automatically prompts you to activate cash back whenever you shop at a Rakuten partner store. Plus, it finds coupons and promo codes for you at checkout—no extra work.
Let’s Save and Travel!
Where are you planning to go next? Drop your travel plans in the comments and tell me how much cash back you score with Rakuten. Let’s save money and make memories together!





