(and actually get the best value for money every time you shop)

So let’s just be brutally honest!! We now seem to live in a society that is completely geared towards rewards, points, offers and generally just psychological Jedi mind tricks when it comes to getting people to buy things…

And hey, I’ll be the first to admit… I’m fully locked into the game.

Because if I’m going to spend my money and let’s be honest, everything is so expensive right now, I want to get the best value one way or another. Whether that’s a discount in actual dollars, cashback back in my pocket, or reward points I can use towards something I actually want… like flights.

And while yes, it is slightly painful that every single retailer seems to have their own app, their own loyalty program, and their own way of collecting your data…

I’ve kind of just accepted it.

Because if it’s happening anyway, I might as well make it work as well as I possibly can.

So I’ve done gone and done the hard yards for you!! I’ve gone through and gathered as much data of my own to help us not leave a point or cashback left on the table!!

All the rewards programs, apps, offers, bonus sign ups, discount codes… and pulled it into one easy place so you can actually see what’s available, what you might be missing out on, and how to maximise every single purchase.

Because if you’re already spending the money, you may as well stack the cashback, stack the points, stack the offers, and get the absolute most value you possibly can out of every purchase… especially right now!!

How to use this spreadsheet to get the best value every time you shop

The best way to use this spreadsheet is not to open it after you’ve bought something and hope for the best. It’s designed to get you familiar with what cashback and rewards are out there and get you set up and well on your way to earning…

Step 1: Set yourself up properly first.

Before you even start shopping, use the spreadsheet to see which cashback platforms and reward programs you’re not signed up to yet. Take advantage of any sign-up offers, and download the apps and browser extensions. This makes everything easier, faster, and far more likely to actually track properly when you shop.

Step 2: Start with Google.

If there’s something you want to buy, search the product first and compare prices across different retailers. Look for the best base price, any sales, and any available promo codes. There’s no point earning cashback or points if you’re already overpaying.

Step 3: Let your browser do the work.

With extensions like Qantas Shopping, ShopBack and TopCashback installed, you’ll often see points and cashback offers appear directly in your Google results or pop up when you visit a retailer. This removes the guesswork and makes the process almost foolproof.

Step 4: Check the retailer in the spreadsheet.

Once you’ve found a good price, search the store in the spreadsheet to see what cashback, rewards programs, discount codes or stacking opportunities might apply.

Step 5: Compare cashback platforms on the day.

If the retailer is on both ShopBack and TopCashback, check both before you buy. Rates change constantly, so always go with the best offer available at that moment.

Step 6: Check Qantas Shopping as well.

See what points are on offer and factor that into your decision. Sometimes the value of points, especially if you’re using them for flights, can outweigh cashback.

Step 7: Work out what’s actually most beneficial for you.

This is the step most people skip. Look at the price, the cashback, the points and any promos, then decide what gives you the best overall value. The cheapest option isn’t always the best one if another option gives you significantly more back.

Step 8: Stack wherever you can.

Combine sale prices, cashback, points, credit card rewards and any valid discount codes to layer as much value as possible onto one purchase, and don’t forget that a lot of banks and card providers now have their own rewards or cashback programs as well.

For example, my American Express cartd regularly has offers you can activate like “Spend $200, get $20 back” or “10% back at THE ICONIC (up to $50)” or “Spend $100, get $15 back.” These sit on top of everything else, so you could be earning cashback, points, and a statement credit all on the same purchase.

Step 9: Check the fine print.

Make sure your purchase actually qualifies for the advertised cashback or points, as exclusions are very common. For example, you might see something like 20% cashback on Amazon, but that often only applies to specific categories like Amazon-branded products, while the item you’re buying might only earn 1%. Always click into the offer and check the details so you know exactly what you’re getting.

Step 10: Click through properly and complete the purchase.

Activate your cashback or points and go straight through to checkout without jumping between tabs or sites to make sure everything tracks correctly.

For example, on a $200 purchase at David Jones, you could click through ShopBack or TopCashback for cashback, earn Qantas Points through David Jones Rewards, earn additional points on your Qantas-linked credit card, and potentially stack a bank offer like “spend $200, get $10 back.” That one purchase is now giving you cashback, points, and a possible statement credit on top of any sale price you already got.

At the end of the day, you want to always find the best price, check cashback, check points, decide what’s most valuable to you, then stack everything you can so your money is working as hard as possible every time you spend.

It’s also worth deciding which rewards program matters most to you, whether that’s Qantas or Velocity, so you can maximise your points over time, but don’t rule one out completely because some retailers only partner with one, and you still want to be earning wherever you can.

NOTE

I’ll be updating this spreadsheet as regularly as I can as offers, cashback rates and partnerships change, but with so many moving parts there may occasionally be errors or things that have changed since publishing. I’ll always do my best to keep it as accurate and up to date as possible. If you notice anything missing, outdated, or have a suggestion for something worth adding, please feel free to reach out and let me know so I can continue improving it for everyone.