Who is BeFrugal? The Real Story Behind Saving Big Online

Small Change, Big Wins

Let’s start with a little truth… I used to be a “treat yourself” type. Coffee shop here, cute gadget there… I didn’t think about it much. But then, once (on kind of a dare to myself), I skipped my daily coffee run for a week. Suddenly, I’d not only survived, but when I checked my wallet, I’d actually saved almost $25 with zero pain. Who knew? Small moves add up! That’s when I started wondering—what other invisible savings were hiding in my own routine? Enter: BeFrugal, and basically, a rabbit hole of frugal fun I’m still tumbling down today.

So if you’ve ever flipped through endless budgeting tips and thought, “Who are these people who have enough self-control to spend nothing?!”… hang tight. This isn’t about restriction—it’s about rewiring how you spend (just a little!) so you can save loads without even noticing.

Who Dreamed Up BeFrugal?

Seriously, Who Are These People?

If you’ve found yourself searching for “Who is BeFrugal?” it’s probably because you’ve been burned by too-good-to-be-true money-saving apps (we all have). But this platform? It was born out of real-life frustration. Back in 2009, a handful of regular folks (with some sharp tech skills) in Boston, MA, started getting ticked off at how many “deals” were really just… advertising noise. They thought: What if we build something that actually puts money back in people’s pockets—no tricks? Fast-forward, and BeFrugal’s still run by a tight team (seriously, fewer than 25 employees) who crunch codes, test coupons, and dream up new ways to save every day.¹

Want even more of the backstory? Peek at Who is the owner of BeFrugal?—nerdy but a fun, quick read!

From Idea to Money-Saving Machine

BeFrugal started from a simple place—”Why isn’t it just easier to save?” (Like, why does finding real deals feel like an advanced scavenger hunt?) Their answer: a site that rounds up working coupons and pays you a slice from the big retailers’ commissions. No complicated math, just “shop as usual, get paid a little for it, repeat.” And yes, it actually works. Today? They’re partnered with over 5,000 stores. Clothes, electronics, travel, kitchen gadgets—it’s almost a challenge NOT to find a cash-back deal for what you need.¹

A Real-Life “Oops That’s Awesome” Moment

If you ever want a laugh, ask BeFrugal’s users for their most “accidental win.” My personal best? I used a code that stacked with a cash back offer on a blender, saved $60 total… then earned a $10 bonus for signing up just the week before. All by doing what I’d do anyway. That’s sort of the BeFrugal effect.

Can You Really Trust BeFrugal?

Is BeFrugal Legitimate?

This is the part where, if you were texting me, you’d see a ton of “lol” and all-caps excitement. But really—Is BeFrugal legitimate? Oh yes. This isn’t some shadowy “crypto” promise. BeFrugal is BBB-accredited and rocking a solid 4.2/5 rating on Trustpilot out of 2,000+ reviews. People like the simple model: retailers pay a small fee for sending you to their store, and BeFrugal just gives most of that fee to you. That’s it. No weird subscriptions, no hidden requirements.¹

Sure, now and then someone has a tracking glitch (if you’ve ever had to chase down missing rewards, I feel your pain)—but most reviews say the support team actually follows up and makes it right. Payouts? You pick if you want PayPal, check, Venmo, or eCard; the money lands in your account, sometimes in less than a day, sometimes in a couple of weeks, depending on the store.

If you need even more reassurance—and honestly, sometimes it helps—check out Is BeFrugal legitimate? for more nitty-gritty details and user stories.

Real People, Real Savings

Look, I get it. The “up to 40% cash back” ads sound like clickbait, right? But scroll the reviews and you’ll spot stories from people who’ve cashed out hundreds just from doing holiday shopping, or used the bonus to buy groceries during a rough month. I once saved enough “extra” in a year to fund my nephew’s noisy, plastic-packed birthday wish list (sorry, sis).

Where Does the Money Come From?

Retailers have big marketing budgets. Instead of spending all that on ads you scroll past anyway, they pay folks like BeFrugal to send shoppers their way, then BeFrugal simply splits the love. It’s kinda like your friend tipping you for telling them about a new taco spot—only with less salsa and more stacking power.

The Deal Sweetener: Bonuses & More

That Tempting BeFrugal Sign Up Bonus

You know how some rewards programs make you jump through hoops for “points” you never use? Not here. There’s a real, honest $10 BeFrugal sign up bonus just for making your first qualifying purchase. And don’t sleep on their referral program—if you rope in a fellow savings nerd, you both get a boost. (Suddenly my family group chat is all, “Hey, did you see a bonus yet for my hair dryer order?”)

And if you’re curious about the details, check out What is the BeFrugal signup bonus? for the fine print (unironically, it’s pretty straightforward).

Is This Better Than Other Cash Back Sites?

Honestly, I bounce between a few platforms. But BeFrugal’s numbers usually beat the competition (especially on things like tech gear and seasonal sales), and their cash-out times are faster than most. They even match higher offers elsewhere. Once, I got a little extra after spotting a better deal on another site. Score! It’s like price-matching but with cash instead of guilt.

Day-to-Day: How Do You Actually Use BeFrugal?

It’s Easier Than You Think

Confession: I do not want another “step-by-step” to memorize. Thankfully, BeFrugal keeps it super simple:

• Search for your favorite store or item on BeFrugal.com or the app.
• Click through—this tells the store, “Hey, credit my cash back later!”
• Shop like you always would.
• Collect your cash back. Drink a coffee. Bask in your savings.

There’s also a free browser extension (think: Little Piggy with a cape) that pops up and says, “Hey! Don’t forget your deal!” when you’re shopping. No more coupon code FOMO.

Stacking and Hacking Savings

The magic, my friend, is in the stack. Found a 10% cash back deal on, let’s say, Macy’s. Add a working coupon code for 15% off your whole order? Boom. Your $100 splurge suddenly drops to $85, then you get a chunk of cash back after payday. It turns shopping into a game—one you actually win.

I’ll never forget my grocery hack: coupon + in-store sale + cash back through BeFrugal. My weekly food bill dropped by $20, enough to cover family movie night snacks (popcorn for dinner, anyone?).

Travel, Tickets, and More

It’s not just stuff—BeFrugal lets you earn on hotels, airfare, and car rentals. Used it last year when I booked a road trip. Got a bonus for the booking and cashed it out to pay for gas. Next-level frugal, right?

What Makes BeFrugal Different?

More Stores, More Choices

I love options. BeFrugal partners with over 5,000 stores, from the big-box guys to indie favorites. There’s something extra satisfying about earning 7-10% back on baby supplies or fixing up your kitchen with a rare home improvement deal. They keep adding new retailers, too—if you discover a hidden gem, chances are, it’ll get added soon.

Community and Support

I’m not the only fan out there. The BeFrugal crew is responsive (legit, their team is still small enough that the support feels, well, human). Try asking a question and see—odds are, you get a friendly reply, not a chatbot loop. That counts for something these days.

They Play Fair

No weird fees. No sketchy “processing charges.” And no sitting on your earnings forever—hit the minimum, get paid. If you ever hit a snag, Who is the owner of BeFrugal? details who’s actually behind the platform, if you want to know who to thank (or blame). Transparency feels rare in the cashback world, so I really appreciate that.

Your Easy Frugal Wins

Tips to Get the Most Out of BeFrugal

And if you’re the “just give me the hacks, please” kind, I hear you:

• Start small. Get the extension first so you never miss a chance for easy cash back.
• Stack deals. Use coupons and cash back together. Always. It truly adds up.
• Sign up for the referral bonus. I talk up BeFrugal all the time—my inbox has become a side hustle with how many bonuses I’ve gotten just by convincing friends to try it out.
• Keep an eye on your earnings. Watching those numbers bump up is (weirdly) addictive and motivating.
• Don’t get discouraged by small payouts. I always remind myself—a $5 bonus covers my next coffee. Or covers a week of bananas. Or adds up to something fun at the end of the year.

Shrug Off Saving Stress

So—Who is BeFrugal? It’s not just a site. It’s more like a friendly, nerdy neighbor who’s always got a fresh coupon and a reminder not to waste what you’ve already worked for. It’s legit, packed with extras (don’t forget that BeFrugal sign up bonus), and honestly, using it feels like a cheat code for your budget. Over time, those small, sweet victories become something far bigger than pocket change—they turn into real freedom.

Maybe you’ll use your cash back as a “treat yo’ self” fund (no shame), maybe it’s groceries covered, or maybe it’s just gas in the car for your next last-minute adventure. Whatever the dream, big or small—you’ve got options now. So, what’s the first thing you want to save for? Let me know—I’m always looking for new ideas for my “savings jar.” Go ahead, take the first step: sign up (don’t forget your bonus!) and see where your savings want to take you next. Your future, frugal self will owe you one.