Is Forgetfulness Costing You Money?

Posted on Jul 06 2026 Posted in Surveys

Become a TopCashback member for cash back, deals and more free perks. Join TopCashback Free

Have you ever forgotten to cancel a subscription, missed out on Cash Back or realized too late that a coupon expired before you could use it? Small moments of forgetfulness can add up, potentially costing consumers hundreds of dollars each year.

That's why we're curious to know: How has forgetfulness affected your finances? Have you ever purchased something you already owned because you forgot you had it? Do you often forget to activate Cash Back before shopping online? What money-related mistakes frustrate you the most?

These are just some of the things TopCashback wants to know. And who better to answer these questions than you?

We want to hear from our members about how everyday forgetfulness impacts their spending and savings habits. Take a brief survey via the link below and enter for a chance to win $50! One lucky winner will be selected at random on July 20.

Please be sure to submit your email address at the end of the survey to be selected at random. Participants are required to answer every question to be eligible for the giveaway.

If you win, you will be notified via email from our winners@topcashback.com email account. The survey closes on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 6 a.m. PT.

Responses are voluntary and will remain confidential. All answers will be compiled together and analyzed as a group. See the full giveaway terms and conditions for more information.

To take our survey, click here!

Comments

Member645332517023July 12 2026, 18:49 Yesssssss

nexusdigitalcreativeJuly 12 2026, 13:03 yes, let's do it

vijaygtJuly 12 2026, 07:59 TopCashback

SoloviovaJuly 11 2026, 21:35 Иногда я забываю о небольших покупках, скидках или сроках оплаты, что может привести к тому, что я потратил больше, чем планировал. Вот почему я использую напоминания и стараюсь планировать свои расходы заранее.

Fredkings July 10 2026, 18:04 Awesome

Member244474400312July 10 2026, 04:48 Definitely, forgetful cost you money when it comes to subscription. You always got trapped to sign up in the first place by incentive, then later forget that you have sign up. Even it was a small amount, they will add up. But there is an app that you can keep track of all your subscriptions in case you forget.

RafaelCantarelaJuly 9 2026, 21:50 Usually I never forget to use TopCashback before a purchase online. But sometimes I lost a coupon/bonus because it expires before I use it.

ChrisWieland2July 9 2026, 20:25 Forgetfulness affects my finances more often than I'd like to admit. My most frustrating money-related mistake is definitely forgetting to activate my Cash Back before checking out. Because I frequently order electronics and supplies online, missing out on those cash back opportunities means I am leaving a lot of money on the table. I've also missed out on great deals because I saved a coupon code but forgot to use it before the expiration date. It is definitely a frustrating habit that costs me hundreds of dollars a year

Fredkings July 9 2026, 14:34 Own some

RochellepaluchJuly 9 2026, 10:20 How come my subscriptions to life extension and liquid IV doesn’t track in TopCashback?

BerniukazJuly 9 2026, 06:00 Ir happens that I forget to use TopCashback, but trying to use it as much as I can. Yeah, sometimes I buy things that I already have.

shehryarqureshi2July 9 2026, 03:55 Yess let’s do it

yiruiJuly 8 2026, 18:50 I did too many times

showchowJuly 8 2026, 18:20 too boring

YohammaryroseJuly 8 2026, 16:01 Yes I did that many times.

Bayan Bekzatova July 8 2026, 08:25 Forgetfulness can affect finances in different ways - sometimes almost imperceptibly, and sometimes very expensively. For instance:
Forgotten bonuses, cashback or gift certificates → lost profit.

* Untimely paid taxes or fines → additional expenses.

Dominick7July 8 2026, 04:26 Hate it when/if I forget to activate the cash back option..

James77July 7 2026, 20:51 I definitely do my

Member144347108803July 7 2026, 20:43 No worries, HAL 9000 is here to help!

welma_chenJuly 7 2026, 16:46 Sometimes I forget to take advantage of the promotion or cash back.

Member943487509211July 7 2026, 16:14 I’m always forgetting a day late to cancel a promo offer

mukherjeeJuly 7 2026, 15:43 It is so easy to sign up and so challenging to cancel, its like the process is purposefully made up, so that you just give up.

MotogJuly 7 2026, 15:21 It costs when things are forgotten.

sueywJuly 7 2026, 15:05 I usually stay on top of things by adding to my calendar with alerts

GazaJuly 7 2026, 14:57 I dnt use to forget but when I dnt have money I forget even to eat

AuntySuzanyJuly 7 2026, 14:46 We all forget things. It costs!

Member1143960920927July 7 2026, 14:32 What most frustrates me is taking advantage of a promotion by following the offer directions and then never getting what I was promised. This happens time and again on this site.

sususansJuly 7 2026, 13:24 Subscriptions are a huge drain, forgetting to cancel/suspend things

mrchabbJuly 7 2026, 12:15 As we are human we all forget things. Especially having a subscription that we don’t conmonly use or forgetting to cancel after a trial period!

Mousy712July 7 2026, 12:07 Good good

cbentrup1July 7 2026, 12:05 My memory is shot... I can't remember anything anymore.

MrsjaffatJuly 7 2026, 08:44 I don’t listen to the reminders that I’ve set.

KKatJuly 7 2026, 08:27 I set reminders, but then ignore the reminders. :-/

llccrrJuly 7 2026, 07:51 I'm always forgetting =(

TopSiddJuly 7 2026, 07:37 I setup reminders, alerts and alarm but still my adhd brain will forget it.

yanjientJuly 7 2026, 07:29 I have to use both reminders and alarms daily

vdarsignyJuly 7 2026, 06:36 If it is important, I am usually adding a reminder in my calendar, but if not, for sure I forgot some sales or to use coupon codes. It didn't really affect my finance, as usually if I didn't use it in time, it is not really a necessary.

MarkontokJuly 7 2026, 06:19 I forget to use coupon codes.

Member514004210633July 7 2026, 05:31 I seldom forget to review any and all coupon codes before using a portal for shopping. sometimes i may forget to discover there exists a promotional bonus needing activated before visiting the merchant at the portal and that hurts worse finding out later the same day.
It has effected my finances alittle if not even thing is reviewed better in advance.
Worst thing encountered is signing into portal getting routed to merchant and for some reason the routing has been not tracked properly and need to waste my time submitting the order number to ensure all works out as expected. the added wasted time is not admired for anyone.
Never bought someone that i would have forgotten i already owned before.

gideonpatchJuly 7 2026, 05:19 Sometimes, I forget to activate that lovely $2.5O bonus you have. Actually, it would be nice to have that right now.

shortempressJuly 7 2026, 05:13 I forget to check for promo codes, cash back offers, etc. Frustrating Because to I know that I can get cash back but then I forget when I'm in a hurry.

Member645406839656July 7 2026, 04:58 I forget to check if one of my credit cards offers a better cash back deal for a specific purchase than my other ones do.

Kamel IbrahimJuly 7 2026, 00:48 Good Survey

Fahd2573July 6 2026, 23:26 Forgetfulness is a problem, especially when you forget that you forgot. How many times have I gone out in the car and then realized on the way that I'd forgotten where I was going? Also, I solved the problem of website passwords by setting specific passwords so that if I forget one, I only have to try three. And without a doubt, I've lost a lot of money by forgetting when sales started and ended.

SacJuly 6 2026, 23:20 When I’m in a hurry, I sometimes forget to activate Cash Back before placing an order. I usually remember right after I’ve completed the purchase, but by then it’s too late to earn the Cash Back. It’s frustrating because I miss out on savings.

mblankenship3July 6 2026, 22:06 My biggest forgetfulness financial blunder is related to digital goods, i.e. games and movies. I'll see a good deal in store or online for a physical copy, and not realize we already own it in digital form. It's a real problem when I can't just "look" to see what I own anymore.

ThunnathipJuly 6 2026, 21:24 I usually use TopCashback when booking hotels because the savings really add up when I travel. Unfortunately, I've forgotten to activate Cash Back several times and only realized it after checking out. Now I use the browser extension, which reminds me whenever Cash Back is available. It's saved me from making the same mistake again.

Member313366868459July 6 2026, 21:05 Forget to use promo codes all the time.

Member545190802718July 6 2026, 20:57 Totally forgot to use cashback the first time I started using the app.

joyzkimJuly 6 2026, 20:42 Ugh! I almost always miss on rewards like this and I feel terrible when I do especially free money. I just got an email for a free 7.00 when I make any purchase and it expired 6/30. Kohls is another one that gives you Kohl’s cash back but it expires!!!! Why do companies give you this as a reward and then counts on you not remembering to use it??? I really try to shop online using TopCashback!

JoseEspinozaJuly 6 2026, 20:41 I only forgot once to come to TopCashback before my purchase, and I still regret it 😅

TeeJay34567July 6 2026, 20:40 I use reminders and automation so I don't have to worry about remembering too much. I do sometimes forget to use cash back sites when shopping online.

rosewjmJuly 6 2026, 20:15 I rarely forget to find the cashback offers before I place an online order.

jscharettJuly 6 2026, 19:46 I forget to use promo codes all the time.

bigheadzzJuly 6 2026, 19:25 yes，I forget to use the application

xuan huJuly 6 2026, 19:11 Yes, I often forget to apply promo codes when signing up for software or online services.

maria813July 6 2026, 18:42 I sometimes forget to use the application

Srisler1977July 6 2026, 18:19 I have CRS!!!

Member545273009001July 6 2026, 18:08 Yes i forget alot .

Member333247868442July 6 2026, 18:03 Yes it has costed me a lot a number of times

Member545273009001July 6 2026, 18:01 Yes i forget alot .

nickliu19July 6 2026, 17:58 Yes, forgetfulness has definitely cost me money. I've forgotten to activate Cash Back before checking out, missed coupon expiration dates, and even let subscriptions renew when I no longer needed them. Now I rely on calendar reminders and shopping lists to help me avoid these mistakes, but they still happen occasionally. Even small oversights can add up over time, so every reminder and savings opportunity helps.

IbahaggJuly 6 2026, 17:57 So far nothing like this has happened. I don't handle the finances. Anytime we order something online I come straight here. It's been very helpful.

Member545224346652July 6 2026, 17:54 I like to purchase horror action figures and magic tricks on Ebay. Some of these items have not been opened yet. I check my Ebay's Purchase History to confirm if I have purchased an item late last year or early this year.

alertanik1605July 6 2026, 17:39 Very good

Member344683437900July 6 2026, 17:16 i have a calendar!

SherrydlgJuly 6 2026, 17:07 Yes ive forgotten things, its very upsetting

Member444941274753July 6 2026, 17:02 I use a mobile app to track subscription dates that are important. I also use a written calendar and a budget to track critical subscription dates.

Milton457July 6 2026, 17:02 Forgetfulness has affected my finances somehow , mostly when I forget I need to make a payment and I get charged a late fee . Yes I have previously purchased something not remembering I already had it at home because I forgot , a few times I would say. I always forget to claim the cash back offers , and I tell myself im not but then It keeps on happening . The main mistake I make is to forget my credit card on time , I hate having those late fees .

Member1138730354047July 6 2026, 16:39 Yes, I often forget to cancel subscriptions and it makes me so mad when I do

Member444962084517July 6 2026, 16:37 I forget, and sometimes my app auto opens, and the cashback isn’t eligible

Member1132315932557July 6 2026, 16:36 Yes, sometimes I just forget. But if I browse topcash website, I buy something with cash back.

Member1143995633301July 6 2026, 16:27 I am very forgetful. All of the above that you mentioned describe me. What can I do about it?

Marmar23July 6 2026, 16:07 I’ve forgotten to use a coupon before it expires. I’ve also forgot to return items and missed the refund window. I’ve forgot to use gift card and pay using credit. The struggle is real. But I try not to let it annoy me.

drfigliolaJuly 6 2026, 15:54 Check out those i use more frequently and cancel if needed

metmanJuly 6 2026, 15:27 I use a computer app to remind me of all deadlines, expiration dates, etc,,,has never let me down.

Member843151535045July 6 2026, 15:25 My coupon with cash back expired because I forgot about it,& missed out

yanjientJuly 6 2026, 15:15 I have to use both reminders and alarms daily

Mindyshaffner July 6 2026, 15:01 I have forgotten to buy through topcash

Henryd735July 6 2026, 14:49 I missed some good promotions, because I got busy.

YanhongchenJuly 6 2026, 14:21 I usually check TopCashback first to see do I get any deals & percentage kick back before I processing to check out while I shop on line.

Member1141120364929July 6 2026, 14:10 Since I'm a very senior, senior I've shopped and had to cut corners and clip coupons from back in the day when a 10cent coupon was "deal." A big sale day with 75% and more off items was a Red Letter Day! So for me to forget to click the TopCash icon and secure a percentage cash back is a day of mourning. To forget to go online and find/secure all the coupons I just might possibly use and then go shopping only to realize I'm not going to get items discounted, is a definite irritation.

But as I've aged, I've finally heeded my husband's many words of wisdom when he'd console me and tell me that fretting over these mishaps in shopping were not healthy. He meant not healthy physically as well as mentally.

So now, even though I don't have to pinch the pennies as hard as I did in those early years, I still "clip" coupons, shop sales, and utilize the cash back options like TopCashback. Being a smart shopper is just that! A "smart" way to use our time and money. But being smart in our failure to secure every deal remotely available to us simply means a calmer way of shopping and accepting those times when we do forget.

sdread71July 6 2026, 14:03 Truly hurts when I forget to use a coupon before it expires, miss out on the sale because the time is up or forget the scan my customer code to get discount or sale price. With two teenage boys and one of them being gluten free I am always trying to find the best deals possible to stretch our dollar even further. And to me it really hurts when I miss out on something that could have really helped out and saved us some extra cash. And the reason why I do enjoy it when I have to do shopping online that I can use top cash back and know that I'm getting money back on every order that I placed through them.

imacnut5July 6 2026, 14:02 Ugh. I had a $20 credit to use the next week at a grocery store and totally forgot. I was so mad.

Loen210July 6 2026, 13:58 "Have you ever forgotten to cancel a subscription, missed out on Cash Back or realized too late that a coupon expired before you could use it? Small moments of forgetfulness can add up, potentially costing consumers hundreds of dollars each year."

Heck yes!
Unfortunately, it happens (and more than once, twice, thrice, etc.). When we have busy work, lives it is too easy to forget. Auto renew happens the most, when they don't let you cancel or put on hold until the day before or so. And you miss the reminder.

Coupons expire constantly. And the other biggest one is when I get a gift card as a gift or as a gift to someone else, and it has an EXPIRATION date! They should make those illegal.

Anyway, grateful for Topcashback.com
(Please please add Amazon products to it since that is my prime place to shop.)

Thank You!

Lmp2000July 6 2026, 13:55 I forget where I put something so when I can’t find it and I really need it right away, I have to buy another😩

catherine_lyJuly 6 2026, 13:54 Yes, every now and again, I would forget that I need to use a coupon or forgot to clip a coupon before I had out shopping.

jnanavati79July 6 2026, 13:52 Thank you for a chance to win. I recently forgot I ordered something on Amazon. So I ended up with a duplicate and needing to decide. Do I keep it sense it will be used ultimately. Or is it worth returning when the return involves driving 10 miles round trip.

Thino1147July 6 2026, 13:46 Thank you for a chance to win. Sometimes forgot about the promotion from Top cash back or forgot applied the coupon for online.

CougargmJuly 6 2026, 13:45 I try to keep lists so I don't forget things but sometimes rushing out the door I'll forget a coupon, certificate, voucher or gift card to the store I'm going to. I'll usually take them out ahead of time and leave them on the counter but when rushing forget to check the counter :(

Andrai2023July 6 2026, 13:42 Yes, several times i try to activate or simply forget. Its harder to keep track.

Tina15July 6 2026, 13:38 This sounds like a fun survey! I forget a lot of things lately (husband just passed and the paperwork, red tape, etc. is a LOT). I've got lists to go with my lists!

suzeJuly 6 2026, 13:30 Forgotten to redeem online Visa digital card

zguan177July 6 2026, 13:30 A lot of times I missed out on the coupons I have whether it is a cash back, coupon date or for reward for retail store or for online purchases. When I do miss out from forgetting, I would look to ways to remind myself at times but not all the time but I'll be disappointed when it was a good one.

tommy924July 6 2026, 13:29 not forget but active

Pmkool1July 6 2026, 13:25 I've forgotten to submit for a rebate on a phone so I missed out on a couple hundred dollars.

Kaz3681July 6 2026, 13:19 I pray to win and buy more gift cards!

Kim Saint GermainJuly 6 2026, 13:18 Something a little forgetful when it’s a lot on my plate and when I’m stress out. Driving to go somewhere and I’m suppose to be going on the opposite side of town. Lol sometimes we have to pause for a minute to regain our thoughts. Would love the $50 to use toward a massage or something for myself instead of others.

Snard65 July 6 2026, 13:16 I love this place!!

Bety LilyJuly 6 2026, 13:14 Sometimes I forget to use my cash rewards and they expire.

Member1015739201838July 6 2026, 13:14 Absolutely! Sometimes I forget I have a subscription to something I don't use

lin8886517July 6 2026, 13:13 Of course I do, whether it’s forgetting to compare prices, forgetting to pay my credit card bill, or missing out on a sale, I’ll incur avoidable expenses.

3342943582July 6 2026, 13:07 Thanks for the cash back rewards

SixjesterJuly 6 2026, 13:03 CashBack is my go to but I forget sometimes to put a in store because I don't think they will be listed for cashback.

Member1143943189110July 6 2026, 13:03 So I once forgot a court date which in return got me a warrant for my arrest. I ended up having to pay a lawyer a substantial amount of money for my forgetfulness. I highly recommend you don't do what I did.

nmoncada22289July 6 2026, 13:02 Just recently has to purchase another pair of sunglasses glasses for my son because we dont know where they went from the last vacation. I have repurchased headphones, cleaning supplies, etc. Very frustrating

Member915612553531July 6 2026, 13:02 Great cash back

AnamshoaibJuly 6 2026, 12:58 I used to forget casback on the other side until I found topcash

alexritzJuly 6 2026, 12:55 I rarely have financial mistakes, because I know how to manage my finances.

Member1035169171946July 6 2026, 12:55 A forgetfulness that happened recently was buying movie tickets for the wrong day and showing up a week late and finding the tickets are non-refundable :(!

1dunnjJuly 6 2026, 12:53 I sure do.

Mom twins shraJuly 6 2026, 12:52 Forgetfulness has definitely affected my finances a few times. I have forgotten to cancel subscriptions before they renewed, and I only noticed the charges when I reviewed my monthly payments. By then, it was too late to get my money back, and it affected my budget.

I have also added coupons and Cash Back offers to my account but forgot to use them before they expired. Then, when I finally bought the item, I realized I had missed the discount and had to pay full price instead of getting 50% off. It can be really frustrating because those small mistakes add up over time.

Supersaver23July 6 2026, 12:49 I used to forget to activate cashback on other platforms until I found topcash!! This has been the best and easiest way to receive cash back and I always suggest it.

TheeKatJuly 6 2026, 12:49 Sometimes they're cashback site fails to record my purchase. This only happens on one particular site. I'm doing it correctly, it just doesn't work.

BamaetteJuly 6 2026, 12:48 Making a list before I go shopping and then forgetting to bring it with me. I tend to overspend when I shop without a list.

Member737552679720July 6 2026, 12:48 It's frustrating when I forget to cancel a free trial subscription.

Member542455898917July 6 2026, 12:42 Most common things wouldbe that I forgotto cancel a subscription I no longer use.. and get charged agin.
also, forgot that I already have similar items sitting in the attic..

HavirovJuly 6 2026, 12:42 I was out of cell reception when my subscription reminder came. Now I will have some salmon waiting for me at home. Oh well😉

rlviningJuly 6 2026, 12:38 I've dealt with this a few times. I've forgotten about cashback or coupons more times than I like but the overall impact of that has been small. The duplicate items I've bought have often led to me selling an extra on ebay or giving it away, and the financial losses there have also been acceptable though annoying. I don't find this affects me too much -- I don't forget to pay large bills or anything like that... I get too much anxiety about those things and tend to take care of them promptly.

opurcellJuly 6 2026, 12:37 Getting subscriptions on items to save money and then forgetting to cancel or adjust timing. Often end up with duplicates or more items before i actually need them.