How to Cut Costs on Everyday Spending with Cashback & Rewards

TL;DR: Save More Without Changing How You Spend

Earn everyday cashback on groceries, transport, shopping, and travel
Combine loyalty rewards with cashback offers for extra savings
Use tools like Curve Pay to track and manage everything from one wallet
Save money with cashback without switching banks or cards

Everyday costs are climbing, and finding simple ways to save has never been more important. But cutting back doesn’t mean cutting corners. With the right tools, you can earn cashback on the spending you’re already doing—whether that’s groceries, public transport, or booking a weekend away.

This guide breaks down how to use cashback rewards and loyalty programs together to unlock real savings. And with Curve Pay, stacking those perks is easier than ever.

Everyday Expenses Where Cashback Saves the Most

Groceries

Supermarket spending is one of the best places to start cutting costs. Whether you shop at Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s or M&S, many offer cashback through your payment card or via apps—on top of their own loyalty schemes.

Using M&S Sparks, Tesco Clubcard, or Nectar points alongside cashback tools can reduce your monthly bill without changing your habits. A weekly shop of £100 can easily turn into £4–£6 cashback per month, especially when paired with cashback-boosting cards or wallets.

Public Transport & Travel

Getting around isn’t cheap—but it’s another area where cashback adds up fast. Spending on Trainline, National Express, or monthly bus passes can earn you cashback when done through the right card or app.

You can often combine this with student railcards or commuter discounts—effectively getting a double discount on the same journey. Curve Pay simplifies this by letting you choose which card gets charged — so if you’re booking with Trainline, for example, you can stack Curve’s cashback on top of your card’s own rewards, effectively earning more back on the same journey.

Retail & Lifestyle Shopping

You don’t need to wait for big purchases to earn meaningful cashback. Everyday department stores like Boots, Argos, John Lewis and B&Q offer loyalty programs that reward your regular spending.

For example, using the Boots Advantage Card or Nectar at Argos earns you points—but if you pay through a cashback-eligible card or Curve Pay, you unlock an extra layer of rewards. That’s how smart spenders double dip.

Travel & Holidays

When it comes to travel, a few percentage points in fees or rewards can make a big difference. Booking flights, hotels, or holiday packages through cashback-eligible platforms like Booking.com or Expedia gives you a clear way to save.

The method of payment also matters. Paying with PayPal in store may be convenient, but it often comes with hidden currency fees. Curve Pay offers real exchange rates and 1% cashback on foreign currency spend, making it a stronger option for travellers.

undefined

How to Stack Cashback & Rewards for Bigger Savings

Stacking means combining loyalty cards, cashback programs, and digital wallets into one smart strategy.

Here’s an example:

You shop at Tesco and scan your Clubcard (loyalty points). You pay using a cashback credit card via Curve Pay (card cashback + Curve cashback). That’s three types of rewards on one transaction—without doing anything extra.

Managing all of that sounds complicated, but Curve Pay makes it seamless. You can track your cashback, switch between cards, and manage rewards from different retailers—all in one app.

Seasonal Cashback Hacks to Lower Costs

Big sales events aren’t just good for discounts — they’re also prime time for cashback offers, making them one of the smartest holiday spending tips to lower your costs.

Back to School: Earn cashback on school supplies, tech, uniforms and stationery from retailers like Argos, John Lewis, and Amazon.
Black Friday & Cyber Monday: Combine holiday sales with stacked rewards for the biggest savings of the year. Whether you’re buying gifts or booking travel, now’s the time to activate every available cashback source.
Christmas Shopping: The festive season can be expensive, but it’s also one of the best times to maximise rewards.

Download Curve Pay

Conclusion

Cashback and rewards aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re a smart way to cut everyday costs without changing your routine. Whether it’s your weekly shop, daily commute, or summer getaway, these little wins add up.

Curve Pay makes it easier to:

Combine loyalty cards and cashback across all your spend
Earn rewards even when using your regular debit or credit cards
Stay on top of everything in one app

FAQs About Everyday Cashback

Is cashback taxable in the UK?
In most cases, cashback is treated as a rebate, not income. But there are exceptions. Here’s a full answer on whether cashback is taxable.

Why didn’t my cashback track?
Cashback can fail to track if you use an ad blocker, forget to click through a partner link, or if your card isn't properly registered. Always double-check the terms before shopping.

Which everyday categories offer the most cashback?
Groceries, transport, and retail typically offer the highest and most consistent cashback opportunities.

Can I earn cashback abroad?
Yes—especially with wallets like Curve Pay, which let you earn cashback and skip FX fees when spending in another currency. Terms and limits apply - see Fair Use Policy for details.