Get Free Stuff With Online Rebates

May 22, 2006 — -- Though I have been a serious grocery coupon user for more than a decade, I have to admit that I do not take advantage of grocery rebates on a regular basis.

They always seemed too time-consuming to me. Most require using special forms, cutting out proof of purchase seals, saving receipts, and meeting a deadline. Even when I thought I had completed every detail correctly, I would get a card in the mail that simply explained I had not met the requirements of the rebate offer so I gave up.

I have changed my mind, though, since trying the new easy drugstore rebate programs that are available. These programs are monthly, all-in-one programs that allow you to redeem rebates for several products at one time. They do not require you to cut out proof of purchase seals or fill out multiple rebate forms.

Major drugstore chains like Walgreens, Eckerd and Rite Aid issue monthly booklets that list all of the products with rebates available in that month. Shoppers can buy one or several items, and send in the completed rebate form for all of the products at once. Some of the items are actually free after the rebate, which the drugstores clearly highlight to make them easy to find.

So this year, one of my New Year's resolutions was to give rebates another try. Because my previous failure probably had more to do with my lack of organization than the rebate itself, I set out to find an easy rebate system that would work for me.

I am happy to report that I have saved more than $120 in three months by completing a few simple forms. The money has come in the mail, I have not received any "rejected rebate" cards, and to be honest, I haven't spent very much time on it. So I thought I would share my rebate secrets with those of you who consider yourselves "rebate-impaired."

I decided to complete only those rebates that offered a payout of at least $10 or more for each rebate to make it worth my time. These are the steps that worked for me:

1. Once I found a good rebate offer, I immediately addressed the envelope to the rebate center and put the rebate form and shopping list (with any coupons that applied) in the envelope. I folded the envelope and put it in my coupon organizer.