Kim emailed in the following tip:
Over the years, I have saved well over $100 per year by sending in rebates on items we were purchasing anyway.
I have received rebates on:
- beauty and health care products from the P&G and Oil of Olay rebates
- diapers and wipes
- furnace filters
- oil and oil filters for our cars
- Christmas gifts (walkie-talkies, small appliances, toys, etc)
- bread
- coffee
- candy
Almost none of these were in-store rebates where I was required to spend the rebate in the same store, I didn’t have to purchase an absurd amount of any item, and to date, I have received every single rebate I ever sent in.
One time I even received a coupon for a free item because a company didn’t think they sent the rebate back in a timely manner! So it really can pay to send in rebates!
I made $10 on haircolor when I received a rebate on a product that I had already gotten free after coupon and ECBs from CVS; I also got a $100 rebate on a photo quality printer that was on sale for $99 when I bought a digital camera a few years ago. I don’t do rebates really often, but they’re well worth the effort.
I send in rebates all the time. I Google search for rebates and I keep my eyes peeled in the stores for “Try Me Free’ rebates. Walgreens always has beauty rebates, Walmart, Target, and Kroger usually have cleaning product rebates, and I’ve even found a free rebate on instant mashed potatoes at Food Lion. Even if the beauty product might not be something you’d typically use, always keep gifts in mind. My best friend loves trying new products and my ‘free’ items make perfect Christmas gifts.
How do you find out about all of these rebates? Do you seek them out? Do you use certain websites or apps?
I find out from a variety of sources. Recently, there was an ad in a coupon insert that offered a $5.00 gift card for Starbucks when you purchased two specially marked bags.
Pepperidge Farm bread had a special peelie on the package. In the current CVS flyer, there is information about the Oil of Olay rebate. P&G is very good about promoting them in their monthly coupon insert.
I also get emails from different manufacturers, such as Filtrete, that promote their rebates. My husband watches for any rebate information when he purchases oil and oil filters for our cars. Those are usually promoted in the store near the product.
Sometimes stores will promote that there is a rebate as part of a sale. This was the case with some Christmas presents I purchased.
Money Saving Mom posted about rebates on small appliances during a black Friday sale.
I also read about them on blogs and websites. Please keep in mind that many of these rebates are $10 – $20 each so you don’t have to have a lot of offers for it to quickly add up. 🙂
There is currently a peelie rebate on “Not Your Mother’s” hair care products at select CVS stores. This will make the item free if it is at your store! I am always on the look out for “try-me free” peelies at CVS, especially!
I have received rebates from purchasing major appliances. Some power companies also give credit for purchasing a new, more energy efficient appliance as well.
I do rebates too but make sure you make photocopies of your receipts and UPC codes and forms because sometimes you do have to re-contact them and make sure everything is squared away.
PLease, i have a question. What it means sending something in rebates?
Thanks
Sometimes manufacturers will offer to send money back after you purchase certain items.
For example, Oil of Olay regularly will offer a rebate on various items. You can go to their website, download and print the form with the details. Currently I believe they have a rebate that if you purchase $50 worth of certain products, send in your receipts and UPC codes from the product, they will then send you a check or visa gift card for $20.00.
The rebate forms will have the specifics such as items that qualify for the rebate, how many you need to purchase, what date you need to have the form in by, etc.
I hope this is helpful.