Using credit cards is the only way I shop. Then again, we pay off our balances each month. Nevertheless, I would never give up the benefits associated with using my credit card: price protection, extended warranty, Visa/AmEx/MC-specific discounts, etc.
I picked up good clean boxes from my local liquor store. They were happy for me to take them away by the truck load.
Also we coordinated our move with a friend to share a UHaul. Cut the cost in half and doubled our labor.
I always do a rebate if it's available, but I'd rather buy something that's on sale than deal with a rebate. I only buy rebate items if it's something I'd use anyway. Then I do the rebate and just hope it actually goes through. I'm pretty careful about keeping track of receipts and following instructions. I find some stores make rebates so much easier than others. Rite aid and Staples let you do it online, and it's fast and easy. I have no qualms about their rebates. Other stores make it a challenge and I avoid buying there.
I just don't have the time or patience to deal with rebates, so I don't bother. If an item isn't the discounted price when I'm purchasing it, I'll just pass.
I love a rebate, but it has to be for something I actually need. I've heard many rebate horror stories, so if something were to ever go wrong; at least I would be stuck with a product I was planning to use.
The Canadian version of Black Friday is Boxing Day - Dec 26. Here is my solution: I stay home. The stores are crowded and unpleasant, what's left is mostly junk, I don't much like shopping at the best of time, and I am prone to impulse purchases. Works for me.
I definitely enjoy rebating, especially now that more stores are allowing for online rebate filing (because paying 44-cents for the stamp on a $1.50 rebate always seemed kinda stupid to me). I especially like Rite Aid and Staples online rebates. I've also done a couple Kelloggs rebates this year and some other food products. Overall, I don't go out of my way looking for rebate opportunities, but if something I'm interested in anyway includes a rebate, that's more incentive for me to give it a try.
To the above poster who asked about Rite Aid, it's easy to log on and file each receipt as soon as you get home, then request the check at the end of each month.
I contact you because we are both travel bloggers and probably have an overlapping audience. We could share that audience.
Are you interested?
My journey
From October 2009 - October 2010 I will travel around the world and find and support deserving causes (such as orphanages, streetkids projects, refugee camps, ngo's) by working for them, offering publicity and donating some money. I organize it primarily through couchsurfing and understand Charity Travel as a humanly rewarding way of traveling while helping the needy people on the planet. I hope you like this idea - you are welcome to read more about it on
I hope to globalize humanitarian aid by proving it is perfectly possible to remain independent of large bureaucracies - because the internet allows us to establish the right contacts.
I simply offer you a mutual link to attract attention to both our ventures.
All oustanding suggestions, especially number 8. We use periodic moves to jettison the spare crap that we never seem to be able to tackle. Paring down the possesssions can save a boatload on a move, but start early on that, it's a job in itself.
On keeping your belongings from getting broken, it might help to let the movers know up front that they'll be getting a tip at the end of the move that will reflect the condition of your contents. A down payment on the tip won't hurt either.
This can save on breakage no matter what company you choose. It all comes down to the guys doing the actual move, and the rapport you develop with them.
I used to get excited about rebates, but not so much anymore. I tend to forget to keep what is needed in order to get the rebate. Perishable food item based rebates are especially hard for me, because most times I have to wait until the product is consumed before I can cut out the proof of purchase labels. By the time I can finish all packages that pertain to the rebate...I have long forgotten about the rebate...and it's requirements.
I do rebates only for items we need. I also consider how the rebate is submitted (online or via mail). For example, if I can get a "free" bottle of $6.99 shampoo, but have to pay 45 cents tax on it and 44 cents to mail in the rebate, I have paid a dollar for this "free" item, which is more than the full price of some shampoos.
So yes, I do rebates, but there are many things I consider before purchasing the product.
In light of the extremely fast rate of technological advancement in computing, my wife and I decided not to buy a new laptop (which we need) until one of our current laptops becomes unusable. We figure that by the time this happens (even if it is only six months away), we'll be able to buy a better laptop for less money.
I do some rebates. It depends on the item, the amount and how my life is at the time. If it's an item that I would be buying anyway, I'll almost always do the rebate. If it's something I would be buying but I can get the item free and have a legitmate use or donation location, I will often do the rebate. If life is calm, I'm more likely to deal with rebates. When life is crazy, I generally don't.
I used to do a lot of simple rebates on small items. Postage was cheap and it was relatively simple to apply for and receive a rebate.
Now, the rebates seem to be mostly attached to larger items (electronics, appliances, etc.) and the companies make it very difficult to apply for the rebate. And some of the rebate clearinghouses do everything they can to prevent you from receiving your rebate.
So, I would never buy an item based on an expected rebate. If I needed an item and it offered a rebate on top of a competitive price, I would buy it and apply for the rebate. If I get the rebate, great! If not, I haven't lost much.
I believe that rebates work with proper planning. Let's face it, you can find a rebate on just about anything, but that's not a reason to buy it. I've recently discovered Walgreens Register Rewards. I plan on using the circular in Walgreens to find products that are in my budget.
As long as there are things you want to do, I don't think you need to worry. (I've known some people who couldn't think of anything they really wanted to do. Them I could never come up with a way to help.)
Remember that it's perfectly normal for your passion to change over time. The days of having just one career are almost as far gone as the days of having just one job--and that's okay. A couple years ago, several of the Wise Bread writers (including me) talked about theirs in a post called what is your dream job. I talk about how my dream job changed from programming to writing.
So, I'd start with the basics: What do you choose to do when you have control over your own schedule? What list of activities for the day makes you jump out of bed?
Then, think about what you do that's of value to other people. That's important in two ways. First, it means it's something you might be able to get paid to do. Second, something that's important to others has a greater chance of being deeply satisfying.
If you've already got a job, you can take an incremental approach--which aspects of your current job are most satisfying and which are boring or annoying? What would your job look like if you did more of the former and less of the latter? Could you talk to your boss about restructuring your job to look like that? I talk some about that in a post called find work worth doing and then I talk about other aspects of it in a post called how to get a job--learn the secret from a bad movie.
There are a few other posts on Wise Bread on finding your passion. Here are the ones I could find:
I actually just sent in a rebate two days ago! It was for something that was a great deal with the rebate, and an okay deal without it, but something that I could use for years. So, I made the purchase even though money is tight. With the rebate, the item will pay for itself with just 2 uses, so I figured that it would be a great investment. Saving money at the store is one of my favorite things, but not using the item at home doesn't save me anything!
On the other hand, if it is a rebate to try a new item, I will do that if there is a chance I'll use it. I'm only out the price of a stamp, I get a free item, and there is a chance that it will be a favorite! (Plus, you're more apt to find coupons for items like that as well!)
I rebate if, and only if, I am getting the object anyways.
8 months ago I bought a phone. I had decided on which phone I wanted, then I started price shopping. I was going to pay $50 for each (wife's and mine), but then I found them on Amazon with $50 rebates each.
I just bought a router, I had chosen the router I wanted due to features, then I went price shopping, and the cheapest store (buy.com!?) also included a $10 rebate making it even cheaper.
If it's not something I want anyways, I don't get it.
Using credit cards is the only way I shop. Then again, we pay off our balances each month. Nevertheless, I would never give up the benefits associated with using my credit card: price protection, extended warranty, Visa/AmEx/MC-specific discounts, etc.
I picked up good clean boxes from my local liquor store. They were happy for me to take them away by the truck load.
Also we coordinated our move with a friend to share a UHaul. Cut the cost in half and doubled our labor.
No time for evaluating what to get rid of than before you pay to move it!
John DeFlumeri Jr
I always do a rebate if it's available, but I'd rather buy something that's on sale than deal with a rebate. I only buy rebate items if it's something I'd use anyway. Then I do the rebate and just hope it actually goes through. I'm pretty careful about keeping track of receipts and following instructions. I find some stores make rebates so much easier than others. Rite aid and Staples let you do it online, and it's fast and easy. I have no qualms about their rebates. Other stores make it a challenge and I avoid buying there.
I just don't have the time or patience to deal with rebates, so I don't bother. If an item isn't the discounted price when I'm purchasing it, I'll just pass.
I love a rebate, but it has to be for something I actually need. I've heard many rebate horror stories, so if something were to ever go wrong; at least I would be stuck with a product I was planning to use.
The Canadian version of Black Friday is Boxing Day - Dec 26. Here is my solution: I stay home. The stores are crowded and unpleasant, what's left is mostly junk, I don't much like shopping at the best of time, and I am prone to impulse purchases. Works for me.
I definitely enjoy rebating, especially now that more stores are allowing for online rebate filing (because paying 44-cents for the stamp on a $1.50 rebate always seemed kinda stupid to me). I especially like Rite Aid and Staples online rebates. I've also done a couple Kelloggs rebates this year and some other food products. Overall, I don't go out of my way looking for rebate opportunities, but if something I'm interested in anyway includes a rebate, that's more incentive for me to give it a try.
To the above poster who asked about Rite Aid, it's easy to log on and file each receipt as soon as you get home, then request the check at the end of each month.
I've heard good things, but haven't tried it. Thanks for the tip!
Linsey Knerl
Dear blogger,
I contact you because we are both travel bloggers and probably have an overlapping audience. We could share that audience.
Are you interested?
My journey
From October 2009 - October 2010 I will travel around the world and find and support deserving causes (such as orphanages, streetkids projects, refugee camps, ngo's) by working for them, offering publicity and donating some money. I organize it primarily through couchsurfing and understand Charity Travel as a humanly rewarding way of traveling while helping the needy people on the planet. I hope you like this idea - you are welcome to read more about it on
http://charitytravel.blogspot.com
I hope to globalize humanitarian aid by proving it is perfectly possible to remain independent of large bureaucracies - because the internet allows us to establish the right contacts.
I simply offer you a mutual link to attract attention to both our ventures.
Looking forward to your reply,
kind regards,
Kamiel Verwer
kamielverwer.blogspot.com
Yes, rebates are worth it if 1.) you truly want the item and 2.) you're dealing with a reputable rebate company.
6. Anything you won't be able to hide from the kids between now and Christmas morning ;-)
(We got around that problem by storing our kids gifts at other peoples houses until Christmas Eve Eve)
All oustanding suggestions, especially number 8. We use periodic moves to jettison the spare crap that we never seem to be able to tackle. Paring down the possesssions can save a boatload on a move, but start early on that, it's a job in itself.
On keeping your belongings from getting broken, it might help to let the movers know up front that they'll be getting a tip at the end of the move that will reflect the condition of your contents. A down payment on the tip won't hurt either.
This can save on breakage no matter what company you choose. It all comes down to the guys doing the actual move, and the rapport you develop with them.
I used to get excited about rebates, but not so much anymore. I tend to forget to keep what is needed in order to get the rebate. Perishable food item based rebates are especially hard for me, because most times I have to wait until the product is consumed before I can cut out the proof of purchase labels. By the time I can finish all packages that pertain to the rebate...I have long forgotten about the rebate...and it's requirements.
I do rebates only for items we need. I also consider how the rebate is submitted (online or via mail). For example, if I can get a "free" bottle of $6.99 shampoo, but have to pay 45 cents tax on it and 44 cents to mail in the rebate, I have paid a dollar for this "free" item, which is more than the full price of some shampoos.
So yes, I do rebates, but there are many things I consider before purchasing the product.
In light of the extremely fast rate of technological advancement in computing, my wife and I decided not to buy a new laptop (which we need) until one of our current laptops becomes unusable. We figure that by the time this happens (even if it is only six months away), we'll be able to buy a better laptop for less money.
Staples has a great rebate system, but it isn't very often I need something there.
I did one for groceries this year, at $10 it was worth it, but it was on things I would buy anyhow.
I do some rebates. It depends on the item, the amount and how my life is at the time. If it's an item that I would be buying anyway, I'll almost always do the rebate. If it's something I would be buying but I can get the item free and have a legitmate use or donation location, I will often do the rebate. If life is calm, I'm more likely to deal with rebates. When life is crazy, I generally don't.
I used to do a lot of simple rebates on small items. Postage was cheap and it was relatively simple to apply for and receive a rebate.
Now, the rebates seem to be mostly attached to larger items (electronics, appliances, etc.) and the companies make it very difficult to apply for the rebate. And some of the rebate clearinghouses do everything they can to prevent you from receiving your rebate.
So, I would never buy an item based on an expected rebate. If I needed an item and it offered a rebate on top of a competitive price, I would buy it and apply for the rebate. If I get the rebate, great! If not, I haven't lost much.
I believe that rebates work with proper planning. Let's face it, you can find a rebate on just about anything, but that's not a reason to buy it. I've recently discovered Walgreens Register Rewards. I plan on using the circular in Walgreens to find products that are in my budget.
I only rebate if I had already planned to buy the product. They are a nice incentive. I have never had a company not pay. Just keep records.
As long as there are things you want to do, I don't think you need to worry. (I've known some people who couldn't think of anything they really wanted to do. Them I could never come up with a way to help.)
Remember that it's perfectly normal for your passion to change over time. The days of having just one career are almost as far gone as the days of having just one job--and that's okay. A couple years ago, several of the Wise Bread writers (including me) talked about theirs in a post called what is your dream job. I talk about how my dream job changed from programming to writing.
So, I'd start with the basics: What do you choose to do when you have control over your own schedule? What list of activities for the day makes you jump out of bed?
Then, think about what you do that's of value to other people. That's important in two ways. First, it means it's something you might be able to get paid to do. Second, something that's important to others has a greater chance of being deeply satisfying.
If you've already got a job, you can take an incremental approach--which aspects of your current job are most satisfying and which are boring or annoying? What would your job look like if you did more of the former and less of the latter? Could you talk to your boss about restructuring your job to look like that? I talk some about that in a post called find work worth doing and then I talk about other aspects of it in a post called how to get a job--learn the secret from a bad movie.
There are a few other posts on Wise Bread on finding your passion. Here are the ones I could find:
I actually just sent in a rebate two days ago! It was for something that was a great deal with the rebate, and an okay deal without it, but something that I could use for years. So, I made the purchase even though money is tight. With the rebate, the item will pay for itself with just 2 uses, so I figured that it would be a great investment. Saving money at the store is one of my favorite things, but not using the item at home doesn't save me anything!
On the other hand, if it is a rebate to try a new item, I will do that if there is a chance I'll use it. I'm only out the price of a stamp, I get a free item, and there is a chance that it will be a favorite! (Plus, you're more apt to find coupons for items like that as well!)
Wow! Hot topic here.
I rebate if, and only if, I am getting the object anyways.
8 months ago I bought a phone. I had decided on which phone I wanted, then I started price shopping. I was going to pay $50 for each (wife's and mine), but then I found them on Amazon with $50 rebates each.
I just bought a router, I had chosen the router I wanted due to features, then I went price shopping, and the cheapest store (buy.com!?) also included a $10 rebate making it even cheaper.
If it's not something I want anyways, I don't get it.
I wish I rebated more. I remember once getting like a 25$ rebate that I never claimed on a video card, that bummed me out tons.
I hate knowing the psych-tricks, how companies are banking on inertia, etc, and falling for it!
But I'm gonna be more dedicated about it now. I'm excited by really good deals!