Recent comments

  • Ask the Readers: Are Rebates Worth It? (Your Chance to win $10!)   16 years 21 weeks ago

    I'll always do rebates on an item that i was already planning to purchase/already purchased. I generally won't purchase a non-needed just to do the rebate, because there is that risk it won't come through, then I'll be stuck with an unnecessary item.

  • Ask the Readers: Are Rebates Worth It? (Your Chance to win $10!)   16 years 21 weeks ago

    Actually I must admit that I'm a sucker for rebates. If I can buy something for free after rebate I usually do. I often try new products this way.

  • The Fallacy of Homeownership as a Sound Investment   16 years 21 weeks ago

    ...and I still bought. My house cost $70,000 and my mortgage payment is $500 a month for 30 years. I plan to move in 3 years and even if I sell it for the same amount that I bought it for I will have still made money.

    For one, I got a $7,000 check from the government for buying a house (it's 10% of the house value or $8,000, whichever is less). Also, I have a no down payment loan at 5.5%. My maintenance on the house is minimal as I'm not married and don't care how the house looks.

    If I were renting I wouldn't have gotten $7,000 and I wouldn't be putting a bit of each mortgage payment toward the principle of the house. Even though it's only a little bit that doesn't go to interest right now, it's still more than I would be putting toward principle if I were renting which would be zero.

  • Giving Back to Those Not Necessarily on Your Christmas List   16 years 21 weeks ago

    I'm from the Red Cross social media team and I just wanted to thank you for your support of Holiday Mail for Heroes! We really appreciate it. Honestly, I've been very excited to see how so many people are happy to contribute their words and kindness to these cards. Thanks again!

  • Ask the Readers: Are Rebates Worth It? (Your Chance to win $10!)   16 years 21 weeks ago

    Not only do you have to follow arduous fine print you have to make copies of this all this information and remember to check up on the rebate a good month a two from when you filled out the information to begin with since invariably there is a problem.

    I have been considering doing the Rite Aid rebates since they are single check. Has anyone had success with them?

  • Ask the Readers: Are Rebates Worth It? (Your Chance to win $10!)   16 years 21 weeks ago

    I'm partial to Rite Aid Rebates. I usually only purchase things I want and will use or will need. (Toothpaste, toiletries and the like.) The only thing is that you can only request one check so if you know you're going to shop more in the month you have to wait otherwise you can't claim any more rebates. Which is fine, unless you forget to request the check. I haven't done that yet, so I guess I'm playing with fire, but I think it will work out. Even so, I typically get about $10 worth of rebates every month.

  • Ask the Readers: Are Rebates Worth It? (Your Chance to win $10!)   16 years 21 weeks ago

    Only for things that I was going to buy anyway. If the best deal includes a rebate then great. If there are 2 like products and I don't have a preference and 1 has a rebate then it could steer me in the diretion of that product. However, I'm not a rebate shopper.

  • Ask the Readers: Are Rebates Worth It? (Your Chance to win $10!)   16 years 21 weeks ago

    My husband & I have used rebates for large ticket electronic items, like printers and so on. If the rebate is not substantial, it doesn't seem worth the hassle - as they are mostly for name brand goods, which I buy rarely.

  • Ask the Readers: Are Rebates Worth It? (Your Chance to win $10!)   16 years 21 weeks ago

    I won't do a rebate for something that is over $10 if I don't know and trust the manufacturer or store. For instance, I do rebates every month with Rite Aid and they always deliver exactly what they say they will - I consider Rite Aid rebates extremely safe. On the other hand, I have several times been out in the cold on manufacturer rebates (hello Natural Dentist!).

    If I wouldn't want to pay full price for the item, I don't go for the rebate if I don't trust the company. If I would pay full price, I may take the risk.

  • Ask the Readers: Are Rebates Worth It? (Your Chance to win $10!)   16 years 21 weeks ago

    Rebate? No doubt son. No doubt.

  • Ask the Readers: Are Rebates Worth It? (Your Chance to win $10!)   16 years 21 weeks ago

    If it's a big ticket item then it's definitely worth the time to fill out the form. For smaller items that I have never tried then it gives me an incentive to go ahead and try that item.

    If I end up not liking it or using it then all it cost me was the price of a stamp.

  • Ask the Readers: Are Rebates Worth It? (Your Chance to win $10!)   16 years 21 weeks ago

    I love rebates, especially if the outcome is a free item. Yes, I am guilty of purchasing something I normally wouldn't if the end result is free. It is sort of an addiction. I will admit it. I like the feeling derived from getting a good deal.

  • Ask the Readers: Are Rebates Worth It? (Your Chance to win $10!)   16 years 21 weeks ago

    First make sure there are no other better deals... the trick to any money saving venture is to make sure the amount of effort required is worth the money saved.

    Second, as always, don't buy something only because it's a good deal... it better be something you actually use, and better if it's something you actually were planning on getting already.

    I bought a 24 inch monitor two Black Fridays ago that was a great deal with an 80 dollar rebate. I was in the market for a monitor anyway, and the price without the rebate was good. When the entire extra effort was at most 2 hours of my time, that's a savings of $40/hour, and totally worth it.

    Most importantly, however, is to fill the form and mail it out immediately after buying!

  • Ask the Readers: Are Rebates Worth It? (Your Chance to win $10!)   16 years 21 weeks ago

    I rebate, but only if it is considered a "bonus" -- I wouldn't buy something just because I am justifying that I might get money back.

  • Ask the Readers: Are Rebates Worth It? (Your Chance to win $10!)   16 years 21 weeks ago

    Rebates are just a way to sucker people out of money. Only a few places will actually get the rebate back to you, if you actually remember to send in the rebate information in the first place. Typically, I don't bother. I'd rather find a real deal with less hoops to jump through elsewhere.

  • Ask the Readers: Are Rebates Worth It? (Your Chance to win $10!)   16 years 21 weeks ago

    I only consider rebates at three retailers: 1) Staples -- which has EasyRebates which allows for online submission, 2) Walgreens -- which has rebate directed to a debit card account, and 3) Menards -- which is really only for <$10 rebates. I've never had any issues with these three retailers and their rebates.

  • How to Sell Your Hair for Cash   16 years 21 weeks ago

    I also wanted to post my email of anyone would prefer that over calling me. Again I am a reporter looking for people that have had success selling their hair in the Phoenix area. Thanks!

    480-862-4765
    Liz_Lastra@hotmail.com

  • Ask the Readers: Are Rebates Worth It? (Your Chance to win $10!)   16 years 21 weeks ago

    I learned about refunding and coupons while still a teenager from a woman who had been a newlywed during the Depression. I was excited then to get a rebate of even a mere 50 cents. In those days, receipts weren't necessary so I would pre-save the labels and UPCs of products from companies that were known to offer regularly. That knowledge has been useful over the years when confronted with the financial curve balls thrown by life. I still do the occasional refund. I'm single and an environmentalist, so I don't go for everything for its own sake. But whether there is a refund will inform my decision about buying one product over another on the things I *do* use. Alternatively, if I can get something essentially for free but will not use it, I think about whether or not it is something the food pantry or homeless ministry can use. On every refund form I note that a copy was made on the date of mailing and what proofs of purchase were sent, then I make a copy or scan it all for my records. I have only one company claim they didn't receive everything, but when I sent them a copy of my copy of everything sent, I received the refund promptly.

  • How to Sell Your Hair for Cash   16 years 21 weeks ago

    I am a reporter in Phoenix looking for someone who has sold hair in my area. If you could in any way help out or point me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks so much.

    Liz Lastra
    480 862 4765

  • Ask the Readers: Are Rebates Worth It? (Your Chance to win $10!)   16 years 21 weeks ago

    I have had no end of problems getting rebates. Hubby and I used to do them, but now it seems that the rules are created to prevent you from getting the money back. It doesn't matter whether it is a big ticket item or not, the rules are so complicated that too much can go wrong. I would rather just watch for a sale or find the cheaper price online.

  • Ask the Readers: Are Rebates Worth It? (Your Chance to win $10!)   16 years 21 weeks ago

    I avoid rebates when I can as they tend to complicate my life.

  • Ask the Readers: Are Rebates Worth It? (Your Chance to win $10!)   16 years 21 weeks ago

    I hate rebates! I use them when I buy a new phone or computer, but that's it. I would prefer if they just put the item on sale. For everything else, I love coupons! Rebates just don't make sense to me.

  • Ask the Readers: Are Rebates Worth It? (Your Chance to win $10!)   16 years 21 weeks ago

    absolutely! i try to make the most of rebates for items i will actually use and if its free or a really low price for items i don't use but can donate, i do the rebate as well. it takes forever for the checks to come, but its nice to open the mail with a bit of an extra money surprise inside.

  • Ask the Readers: Are Rebates Worth It? (Your Chance to win $10!)   16 years 21 weeks ago

    I do rebates, but mostly for electronic items like computer parts. But frankly I think there a pain, and unless you do them perfectly then you can't get screwed out of the offer.

  • Ask the Readers: Are Rebates Worth It? (Your Chance to win $10!)   16 years 21 weeks ago

    I have used rebates and will in the future. As long as it is an item I am already planning on getting then it is like a bonus, why not hten. To buy something just because it has a rebate on it does not make really good sense to me. It is the same as coupons, if I am going to use the item and would nomally buy it why not use the rebate or coupon. I have had some really good rebates and they are nice whenthey come but they do take quite a while to get and that is the part that can be irritating.