Review of Ebates: The Cash Back Program

April 23rd, 2012 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

Ebates is a program that we use from time to time when buying things online.  The idea behind the website is simple:  By going through their site (portal) and connecting to participating vendors via tracking tickets, shoppers will get a cash rebate on the items they buy, paid out on a quarterly basis.  Each of the vendors has a percentage of cash back that will be rebated through the Ebates program.  The percentage is clearly visible and on occasion, Ebates will notify you if there is a pending special percentage rate to take advantage of.  For example, sometimes drugstore.com might have an offer that gives double cash back for purchases made during a certain period of time.  These offers are very worthwhile to take advantage of, especially if you can wait to purchase your items until you note a special cash back rate.

The first thing you’ll need to do is sign up with Ebates on their site, Signing up is free.  New accounts get a $5.00 start up bonus credited when the first purchase through Ebates is made.   To make a first purchase is very simple.  To do this, you’ll need to go to the Ebates site and click on the seller that you want and access their site through the Ebates portal.  This will create a tracking ticket that records your purchase.  If you don’t do this, you will not receive cash back.  It’s absolutely essential to go through Ebates.com.

Once you have made your qualifying purchase, you should receive an email confirming cash back is pending, many times the same day.  Make sure to add Ebates to your safe senders, so the confirmation isn’t sent to junk mail.  In a couple days, check your Ebates account online and you will likely see that cash back from your recent purchase added to your pending total.  On a quarterly basis, the money in your account will be refunded to you via Paypal.

One of the reasons we choose Ebates over some of the other possibilities out there is that their choice of partners is excellent.  They are affiliated with drugstore.com, TheGap.com, different ink companies, and most places where we shop online, with the exception of a couple.  So, it makes it very likely we can get some money back.  The other thing we like is their responsiveness and accuracy.  Most of the time, there is no issue, but on the one or two occasions where something didn’t post via tracking ticket, I contacted Customer Support and it was resolved quickly and easily.   The last thing we like about them is the reliability – the money we are due is always in the account on or before the 15th of the month, during the quarter we’re due payment.

It’s as simple as that to get cash back through Ebates!  We highly recommend you give them a try.  Having read out review of Ebates, please consider joining Ebates via our referral link, by clicking the Ebates logo below.  (For any 3 referrals, we get $5, your membership will not be affected negatively in any way.  If you don’t want to join via our referral, just Google: “join Ebate”).

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How to make a grocery list with my free coupon spreadsheet!

January 12th, 2012 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Couponing Tips

One of the things many people want to know is how do I keep it all straight when it comes to coupons.  Well, once I have clipped and organized my coupons, I do have a couple of things that I do and use to keep me on track and within my grocery budget.

I pick a primary shopping day of the week.  For example, mine is Thursday.  This is convenient because I am not making many expensive ‘quick’ trips to the grocery store.  Generally, I do not go unless I have to; unless a needed item is an emergency I won’t go, and that item is usually a fresh one like milk that it is more difficult (not impossible!) to stockpile.  And hopefully, I have planned my grocery list, shopping and stockpile so that such an emergency is a rarity.

So, in order to plan a trip to the store there are a few things I do in advance. First, I have a notepad or grocery list handy so that as we run low or out of an item, I can add it to the list.  It’s much easier than trying to remember, or constantly forgetting the item at the store and then making a special trip that results in unnecessary spending.  Second, I check out the weekly sales flyer for potential sales and deals.    Most can be previewed on the Internet before they are mailed out.  Third, I check out my coupon binder for what coupons I can match with sale prices and the items on my list.  Fourth, I might check out one of the many internet sites that offers a preview of the upcoming Sunday coupons.  This way, when I start to compile my grocery list, not only will I have a list of the coupons I have but also the ones that are upcoming and so if I don’t have a coupon for the item and it isn’t an immediate need I can defer it until I do have a coupon and/or the item is on sale.  This is why stockpiling is important – it helps you to set a low price point.

For example, let’s say I am running low on laundry detergent.   Normally, when it is BOGO and I have coupons, I will buy 4-6 and stockpile them because I can get a price point as low as $.99 sometimes.  That’s a decent price point for laundry detergent and far below retail.  The amount I buy is usually enough to get us through until the next sales cycle (about 8 weeks) where I can do it all again.  If I didn’t stockpile and had to buy that laundry detergent weekly, I might be spending $6 or more a week.  So, you understand why planning and organization is important – that way, you can take advantages of sales and spend more money on things you like!

Once I have compiled my list, I use my coupon spreadsheet to make up the list and keep me on track.  (Free Coupon Spreadsheet Example and Free Coupon Spreadsheet Blank).  Please feel free to use my list, or make one of your own.  Mine has formulas already in it, so all that is needed is to plug in your list and total it out.  To make it even easier, pull out your coupons and organize them in advance and you are ready to go.

Using these tips and tricks will make saving and organizing yourself before shopping a breeze!  Happy couponing!

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Coupon Trading: How to Trade Coupons Online

October 25th, 2011 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Couponing Tips

When people ask questions about how I obtain so many coupons for various products, I share with them that one of the many ways I obtain coupons I need is to trade coupons online.  Coupon trading opens me up to an entire pool of coupons that I might not have access to, or which I might have to pay for from a clipping service.   It also enables me to pass on to other coupon users those coupons that I do not need, but which may benefit their savings.  Provided you keep in mind a few simple guidelines, coupon trading can be a beneficial addition to your couponing practice.

Coupon Trading Sites

The easiest way to being trading coupons is to join one of the coupon trading sites.  I joined one when I first started out.  It was nothing more than a bulletin board attached to a coupon site I visited.  I found coupon trading to be a lot of fun and I anticipated receiving envelopes of needed coupons arriving in the mailbox nearly every day.  Eventually, as the site grew busier, the owner added a forum, and I became a moderator there.   I have learned a great deal about coupon trading and how to handle situations that don’t turn out as planned. When first starting to trade coupons, I would recommend that most people do this.  While there are independent trading groups also online, there is more risk involved. On a moderated site, the benefit is having a facilitator available to help when problems arise.  Also, on a moderated site, friendships tend to form and that also provides a level of protection.  There are often ratings systems and if a member gets enough negative ratings they are not permitted to continue trading coupons on the site.

Independent Coupon Groups

Sometimes, there are independent coupon groups on social networks like Facebook, who set up with the primary goal of providing a place for virtual strangers to trade coupons.  I would recommend only experienced couponers use these sites.  It’s far more like the Wild, Wild West.  You are on your own, and there is no moderation and no relationship, so if there are issues there is little recourse.  However, I know many people who have used them with varying degrees of success.  This group is dependent on people engaging in the honor system, so most people are honest in their dealings otherwise they get a negative reputation, the group gets a negative reputation and the group will eventually lose enough members to shut down, so there is some protection there. It is in the interest of the group to trade coupons constructively.

Some Tips On Coupon Trading

1.  Be prompt & accurate when you trade coupons.  Respond to emails and messages quickly, within the same day if possible, even if the answer is no, you do not wish to trade coupons with that individual.  Keeping your word is crucial to building good coupon trading relationships.

2.  Privacy is important.  Do not exploit your trading partners’ personal information.  For those have concerns about sharing a home address with someone you do not know well, a post office box is recommended.

3.  Follow up regarding your trade.   Let your coupon trading partner know that you have mailed your agreed-upon coupons.  Let them know also when their envelope to you has arrived, and that the trade is complete.  If there are any delays or developments regarding the coupons, be sure to let the other person know.  If there is a ratings system or feedback system in place, use it.  Good communication is the essence of effective coupon trading.

4.  Many people throw in ‘extras’.  ‘Extras’ are coupons that aren’t in the agreed upon trade, but which you think your coupon trading partner might like or enjoy.  It’s a nice touch, but not necessary.  If you decide to do this, try to avoid sending coupons that are clearly not on your coupon trading partner’s ISO list.  If they don’t have kids, don’t send kid-friendly coupons as it seems like you are just dumping them off on someone else. ‘Extras’, when done right, give people an impression of good faith, thoughtfulness and generosity, especially if you have not traded coupons with them before. No more than 1-3 is necessary, and more is considered extremely generous.

5.  Remember that if you engage in bad practices, such as photocopying coupons, and you trade them to others that they can be affected by such behavior, as can you.  Also, remember you are vulnerable to others for their trades.  Some people suggest not trading internet printables for this reason, but I believe it is up to each individual to decide what coupon trading they will engage in.  Do what feels most comfortable.

And there you have it!  Coupon trading, when done properly and honestly, is a great way to add unique or otherwise unavailable coupons to your stash.  I like to trade coupons, not only for the variety, but for the relationships that can result and the savings, too!

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