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Insider Advice: How to Turn RaiseRight Into a Routine That Pays Off

how to turn RaiseRight into a routine

Want to get the most out of RaiseRight and earn as much as possible? There’s no one better to ask than the people who know it best—the folks who build it, use it, and improve it daily. 

Our RaiseRight team members have compiled 16 tried-and-true tips for making RaiseRight second nature in your shopping and budgeting routine. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for pro-level earning strategies, follow these expert-backed strategies to turn RaiseRight into an effortless habit! 
 
We've organized our tips into three groups to help you navigate and adopt RaiseRight at a manageable pace: 
 
  1. If you're new, start with the basics—we’ve got simple tools and strategies that make it easy to stay on top of earning opportunities. 

  2. After you’ve built that foundation, take it a step further by making RaiseRight a natural part of how you shop and dine.

  3. Once you get the hang of it, you can strategically plan shopping trips, budget with gift cards, or time your purchases around bonus events to get the most out of every dollar.


Phase 1: Start with the basics 

New to RaiseRight? These simple first steps will set you up for success. 

1. Opt into our emails 

This is the easiest way to stay on top of upcoming earning opportunities! Our emails keep you in the loop about limited-time bonuses, new brands, helpful tools and features, additional ways to earn, and so much more. 

2. Download the mobile app and enable push notifications 

Our mobile app puts RaiseRight at your fingertips. Turn on those push notifications to ensure you never miss an opportunity! 

With our app, you can instantly purchase gift cards, access all your eGift cards in your digital Wallet, shop online, favorite your go-to brands, track earnings, and more—all in one place. 

"I place the RaiseRight app on the first page of my home screen next to other frequently used apps, so it's always top of mind and easy to find when I'm shopping or ready to pay the bill."

—Michelle, Brand and Content Marketing Manager

3. Install the browser extension 

Our game-changing browser extension brings the earnings to you. It automatically alerts you when a brand you're shopping with offers RaiseRight gift cards or online earnings.

The extension icon will light up when earnings are available, so once it’s installed, you can shop your favorite brands' websites as usual and let the extension do the work for you. 

"I love the browser extension. It reminds me of newer brands with online earnings that I didn't realize were an option before."

—Jill, Chief Operating Officer

4. Favorite the brands you shop at 

As you explore brands on RaiseRight.com or the mobile app, click the heart icon to "favorite" the brands you shop with the most. This way, you'll receive tailored notifications when the brand offers bonus earnings. 

5. Start with a gas or grocery gift card 

Ready to make your first purchase but not sure where to start?

We strongly recommend starting with a gas or grocery gift card for the places you visit most. Using gift cards for everyday essentials is one of the best ways to get familiar with RaiseRight.

For extra convenience, go with a reloadable card and just top it off with funds as you go. You won’t have to worry about ordering a new gift card every time you head to the store or gas station. 

"I keep reloadable gas gift cards for a few different brands in my car and refill them as needed."

—Neil, Data Analyst


Bonus tip: Link a bank account (ACH) as your primary payment method for the lowest transaction fees. It's safe, secure, and encrypted. Learn more here.

6. Mark your calendars for bonus events

When a brand is on bonus, you can earn extra—sometimes even double or more!

Select bonuses are available daily and every weekend, but major events like Raise Days are the best times to earn big. During Raise Days, you'll find hundreds of brands on bonus for a limited time. 

"Searching for gift cards on bonus gives me a dopamine hit. Whenever a brand I love is offering 16% or more, it's a no-brainer to buy. It feels like a game that I'm winning every time!"

—Dawn, Senior Systems Engineer


Take note: Raise Days occur four times a year—in February, May, September, and November. Back-to-school bonuses start in late July, and holiday bonuses start in late November and run through mid-December. Make sure you're receiving our emails or push notifications so you know when these events are happening! 



Phase 2: Add RaiseRight to your routine 

Once you’ve got the basics down, these strategies will help you earn with every purchase you make. 

7. Ask yourself: "Can I earn here?"

Just as you would search for a discount code or coupon before buying something, take a moment to look up the brand on RaiseRight before completing any purchase. It only takes a few seconds (and it's instant with the browser extension)!

"The curiosity of 'can I earn here?' has been reinforced so often that it's become a habit. Whenever I pull up somewhere or get into a checkout lane, I search the brand on RaiseRight to see if I can get an eGift card."

—Charles, Senior Technical Product Manager

"If I'm out of town and going to a new restaurant, I'll always check to see if RaiseRight carries their gift card. Last summer, my family went to Saltgrass Steakhouse in Branson, Missouri—and they were on RaiseRight under the parent brand, Landry's! I earned a nice percentage back, which was great because my family is not cheap to feed."

—Donna, Customer Support Representative

8. Plan purchases around RaiseRight

Need new shoes, a birthday gift, or a last-minute dinner reservation? Before making any purchases or plans, browse RaiseRight’s categories to see what's available or search for bonus offers to get the most possible earnings.  

"When I'm at the mall and sales are going on, I check RaiseRight to see which brands have bonuses. I prioritize shopping at the stores where I can combine earnings with the discount for the most savings."

—Joe, Chief Product Officer


Also, if you’re planning a big-ticket purchase soon, like a new appliance or a vacation, be sure to check RaiseRight first. Compare available brands to see where you can get the best overall deal, combining any discounts with earnings to maximize savings. 

9. Pair RaiseRight with your favorite loyalty programs

Are you a devoted member of a store’s loyalty or rewards program? Using RaiseRight with your favorite brands is a simple way to amplify your rewards and the satisfaction of fundraising. 

If you're already entering your phone number, scanning a membership barcode in an app, or using a loyalty card to collect points or discounts, you just need to take it one step further and complete payment with a gift card or activate online earnings.

You’re already making a conscious effort to use the store's rewards program, so why not effortlessly double your benefits by using RaiseRight at checkout?

10. Use gift cards as a budgeting tool 

To stay on track with your budget, set a monthly limit for groceries, gas, or dining out and purchase gift cards in those exact denominations. For instance, if your monthly grocery budget is $500, you can buy $500 worth of grocery gift cards to use exclusively for grocery shopping. 

This strategy helps you stick to your budget while also boosting your RaiseRight earnings with everyday purchases. 

11. Incorporate RaiseRight into your financial checklist

Treat RaiseRight like any other bill or regular payment you need to monitor. Whether you track expenses weekly or review finances monthly, make it a point to check your earnings progress or plan ahead and budget for upcoming purchases. 

12. Simplify gift giving

As you mark your calendar for birthdays, holidays, or special events, add a note to grab a gift card, too. 

Skip the stress of figuring out "what should I get them?" and eliminate an extra shopping trip. A gift card is a practical way to show your love and appreciation, whether you’re attending a wedding, thanking your kids' teachers, or gifting your mail carrier for the holidays. 

Read more: How to Wrap Gift Cards



Phase 3: Earn like a pro

These more advanced, expert-backed practices will take your RaiseRight earnings to the next level. 

13. Combine gift cards + online shopping earnings 

Many brands offer gift card earnings and online shopping earnings. That's right—you can earn both ways on one transaction! 

Imagine you're shopping at Nike.com, where they offer 11% gift card earnings and 10% online shopping earnings. Your cart total is $100. You buy a $100 gift card for your purchase, earning $11 (11%). Then, you complete your purchase on Nike.com through RaiseRight to earn an additional $10 (10% of your total). Altogether, you earn $21 by combining gift card and online shopping earnings!

"I more than doubled my earnings while shopping at Land’s End! Earned $7 on my gift card and another $8 after I shopped on their site."

—Kristin, Customer Support Representative

14. Wait for a bonus before you buy

If you know you need to make a purchase soon but have some flexibility, consider holding off until the brand goes on bonus. Some bonuses can offer more than double the usual earnings! 

As you use RaiseRight more, you’ll become familiar with the brands that often offer bonuses. This will help you better time your purchases and maximize your earnings and savings. 

15. Stock up if it makes sense 

For the brands you shop with or dine at frequently, consider purchasing gift cards in bulk or larger denominations when bonuses are available. 

Purchasing larger amounts helps you earn more and eliminates the hassle of buying smaller gift cards each time. It's an efficient way to get the most earnings possible while ensuring you're always ready to pay with a gift card.

16. Turn it into a fun family activity

Get the whole household involved and make earning a family affair! 

For example, share eGift cards with your partner or spouse when they head out to pick something up. 

"I'll text pictures of gift cards to my wife if we have any available balances, or if she's going to a store that offers earnings."

—Joe, Chief Product Officer


You can also give your teenagers gift cards for gas, lunch, movie theaters, or shopping trips with their friends. It’s a great way to help them manage their spending while earning for your cause. 

Lastly, don’t forget about extended family and friends—ask aunts, uncles, grandparents, or neighbors to join in and support your program. Use the Invite Friends & Family tool—available in your RaiseRight dashboard—to make it easy for loved ones to sign up and start earning, too. 

Accelerate your earning potential

Looking for more ways to grow your earnings and savings? Explore these articles for other tips and tactics: 

For more guidance on navigating the RaiseRight platform and its features, check out our Participant Resource Center or connect with our Customer Support team for one-on-one assistance. 

Happy earning!