Office supplies and work-related expenses might not seem exciting—but they represent a consistent opportunity to save money or earn rewards. Whether you’re an office manager, small business owner, teacher, or remote worker, using cashback apps for your recurring purchases can lead to significant long-term savings. Here’s how to get the most out of them.

Start With the Basics: How Cashback Apps Work

Cashback platforms partner with retailers to give you a percentage of your spending back in cash, points, or gift card value. This doesn’t increase your purchase total—it simply returns a portion of it to you as a reward. Apps like Fluz, Rakuten, and Ibotta make this easy, often working seamlessly with online checkouts or through gift card purchases.

Use Gift Cards as Payment Tools

Instead of paying with your debit or credit card directly, use a gift card from a cashback app. For example:

• Buy a Staples gift card or Office Depot gift card via Fluz, then use it for your order to earn instant cashback.
  
• Choose the exact amount you plan to spend to avoid having leftover balances.
  
• Apply promo codes or store discounts on top of your gift card payment to stack savings.
  

Shop Through Portals for Online Orders

Many cashback platforms offer browser extensions or direct shopping portals. Here’s how to use them:

• Use the Rakuten browser extension to be notified of cashback availability as you browse retailer sites like Amazon, Walmart, or Staples.
  
• Activate your shopping trip within the app or website to track your order.

Combine Apps With Credit Card Rewards

Cashback apps aren’t mutually exclusive with your existing rewards credit card. In fact, they work well together:

• Pay with a business credit card that offers extra points or cashback on office supply purchases.
  
• Then, buy a gift card using a cashback app and pay with the same card—earning double rewards.
  

Use Receipts and Loyalty Integrations

Some apps, especially Ibotta, allow you to earn rewards by submitting receipts or linking loyalty accounts:

• Link your Walmart or Target accounts to Ibotta to earn on qualifying purchases automatically.
  
• Scan receipts for in-store supply runs and earn cashback on items like paper, pens, or snacks.
  

Plan Purchases Around Bonuses

Watch for seasonal promotions where cashback rates are boosted:

• During back-to-school months, apps may offer enhanced earnings on office supplies.
  
• Holidays like Labor Day, Cyber Monday, and Small Business Saturday often come with limited-time rewards.
  

You can track these via the Fluz Discover page or by enabling push notifications from your cashback app.

The Bottom Line

Cashback apps are a smart tool for anyone who regularly buys office supplies, school materials, or work essentials. Whether you’re stocking a classroom or furnishing a startup, platforms like Fluz, Rakuten, and Ibotta help you turn regular expenses into easy savings—often with no change in your buying habits.