
Rule #1: Keep all receipts.
Rule #2: Print all rebate offers.
Since implementing these two new rules about a month ago, I have come across three different rebate offers that I realized I qualified for...
By keeping all of my receipts, I can go through them as rebates are offered and see if I have qualifying items. Recently, P&G offered an deal for those who purchased $50 in their products. At first I thought there was no way that I had spent that much on P&G items, but by going back through all of my receipts, I was able to find enough products to send in for this offer. (The great thing about that particular deal was that most of the P&G items that allowed me to qualify for this were FREE or almost free through either KMart double coupons or deals at Walgreens!)
I used to see a rebate offer for either an amount that I thought I could never reach (Spend $50 in P&G products...) or for products that I thought I would never buy, and would not print it. Inevitably, I would realize a few weeks later that I could qualify for that particular rebate, only to find the rebate form not available any more. You see, companies will offer a rebate form for awhile, but will often remove it before the rebate offer is expired - most likely to keep the rebates to a minimum. By printing off all of the rebate forms as I come across them, I can always have access to them in my notebook if I need them later on.
As I type this, I have a rebate check for $7.99 on the counter next to me that I just received in the mail today - ready to be cashed! I also have two envelopes on the counter stamped and ready to be mailed...which means more money is coming. I'm telling you...this rebate stuff is FUN!!