In today’s economic climate, many find it an extreme challenge to get ahead and keep money in their pockets. With gas prices off the charts, the price of food climbing the ladder with ferocity, and the costs of housing, phones, children, etc., life can carry with it overwhelming financial stress. However, money saving options do exist in the world, providing a plethora of outlets; helping to pinch those pennies and ultimately save money for those more important things in life. While many may cut out coupons from the daily newspaper, other highly valuable options do exist. Websites such as Ebates, Mr. Rebates, iGive, and UPromise not only offer easier, more convenient shopping alternatives, but they also offer great deals in receiving coupons, rebates, and guided information regarding keeping the cash in your wallet.

Ebates

How it Works:
This company was started in 1998 by two District Attorneys with reputations of prosecuting those committing fraud and identity theft.

The website offers 21 categories for shopping, including Baby & Kids, Clothing, and Music & Movies.

In order to get any rebates or coupons, one must set up a free membership through the website. Upon doing so, a member has instant access to savings. Simply select a category and see the websites that provide a certain percentage of cash back. For example, if a person is interested in purchasing toys, and a toy store is offering 8% cash back on all purchases, a member must click on the website offered through Ebates. Ebates will take note, adding an 8% total of whatever is spent to the member’s account. It’s that simple. Four times a year or more, Ebates will send a check to the member via snail mail or directly to his or her Paypal account. If a member chooses to do so, Ebates will also donate the rebate to the member’s favorite charity.

There is also a section at the bottom of Ebates entitled “Ebates Daily Double”. Here resides a section for those companies who have doubled their rebate value. Taking a look at the Daily Double provides an excellent opportunity for saving.

Mr. Rebates

How it Works:
Mr. Rebates, launched in 2002, offers 2000+ online stores to shop from. The Better Business Bureau gives this site an A+ rating.

Similar to Ebates, Mr. Rebates encompasses the same saving concept. However, Mr. Rebates adds a number of categories to its shopping list, for instance: Automotive, Garden, and Green Shopping.
Typically, the rebate confirmation will only take 3-5 business days through this website. However, it may take up to 30 in some cases. Choosing a category through this site will not only provide what coupons are available, but the cash back percentage. Mr. Rebates also has the option of friend referral, offering more money to those friends accepting the request, and using the service.

iGive

How it Works:
Just like Ebates and Mr. Rebates, iGive allows a member to set up an account, taking advantage of many shopping opportunities. However, this site adds its own little flair. Upon setting up an account, a member will be asked which cause he or she would like money donated to. For example, if a person wants to rescue retired greyhounds, iGive will donate the rebates acquired to whichever greyhound rescue charity the member chooses. An excellent source for charities who need funds, iGive provides extra funds for those needing it most.

upromise

How it Works:
This site, like the others, transforms rebates, providing them to those seeking out a college education in the future. Here, a member may choose a budding child, be it a daughter or son, grandchild, or niece or nephew, and put the rebate money aside, saving it for that child’s college education.

Each of these sites provides a great deal of savings; the perfect way to keep cash in your pocket or the ideal way to donate to those you feel need it most.

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Jeff Acaits is a freelance writer who has previously covered personal finance matters including private student loans.

Photo courtesy of Free Web Photos

Rule #1 – Be open minded!
Don’t go shopping for a specific item because you probably won’t find it! If you go in looking for a size 8, black cocktail dress, you’ll likely come out empty handed. Instead, go in looking for a cocktail dress and look at sizes 6, 8 and 10 because alterations work miracles!

Rule #2 – Shop often!
Take the time to browse Goodwill and Thrift Stores regularly since the inventory changes daily! Remember, browse does not always mean buy! Consider your shopping excursions “treasure hunts” because you won’t always find a treasure! I promise, once you discover your first amazing deal…you’ll be hooked!

Rule #3 – Be friendly with employees!
Make friends with an employee, and you just might be able to get them to call you when a certain item comes in! This is especially true at consignment stores. My mother is a knitter, and one of her “friends” called her when 100+ skeins of yarn were donated and put on sale for 25¢ each! Being friendly might also help you bargain on the price!

Rule #4 – A bargain is only a bargain if you can use it!
Only buy items you absolutely LOVE! If you start buying items just because they’re a bargain, you’ll quickly run out of space!

Rule #5 – Use your imagination!
Look beyond the chipped paint or tarnished silver, and imagine what a good cleaning or fresh coat of paint will do! I have a friend that loves to brag about her $10 chair – it was a thrift store treasure that was in perfect condition, but it had very dated upholstery. Of course, she had to spend a bit on new fabric, but the chair now looks like something out of a designer magazine!

Rule #6 – Shop in upscale neighborhoods
Yes, you can find consignment shops and thrift stores in upscale neighborhoods, and this is where the treasures are waiting! Cocktail dresses abound in these stores because many of the woman in these neighborhoods attend charity functions regularly and will not wear the same dress twice! My teenage have a closet full of Polo and Jos. A. Bank khaki shorts all from Goodwill, all for $5!

Please click on the title of this article to let me know what treasures you have found when shopping thrift stores and consignment shops.

T.J. Maxx is located right next door to my daughter’s dance studio, so I often spend an hour browsing the T.J. Maxx bargains!

Let me tell you, if walk up and down every aisle at T.J. Maxx, you just might be amazed that the deals exist far beyond the clothing racks! Stores like T.J. Maxx are the secret to living the good life on a budget!

20 Great Things You Can Find at T.J. Maxx and probably never thought of!

1. Chi Hair Products (not the flat irons, just the shampoos and conditioners!)
2. Pet Beds
3. Skincare Products – yes, you can afford high end skincare at T.J. Maxx!
4. Fitness Balls, Yoga Mats and Weights
5. Workout Outfits
6. Undergarments to help you suck it in like Spanx at a reasonable price!
7. Skechers Shape-Ups toning shoes
8. Purses
9. Calphalon Pots and Pans
10. Dishes
11. Glasses
12. Gourmet Food Items like pasta, pasta sauce, soup mixes, coffee and salsa.
13. Scrapbook Paper and Kits
14. Notecards and Stationery
15. Accessories – an inexpensive way to add a decorative touch to your home! Don’t miss their seasonal decor!
16. Furniture – especially chairs and small tables
17. Artwork
18. Mirrors
19. Throw Pillows – a quick and inexpensive pick me up for a tired sofa!
20. Sheets – yes, you can afford Egyptian cotton!
21. Towels
22. Children’s Toys and Books
23. Baby Gifts
24. DVD’s
25. i-homes and other accessories for i-pods (my daughter told me to add this one!)

 
Please click on the title of this article to share your T.J. Maxx bargains!

Ever since the invention of co-ops and wholesale purchasing, consumers have been using the power of group buying to get great discounts on products they use everyday. Now that we’ve entered the internet age, finding ways for consumers to group together to create buying power has gotten even easier with sites like Groupon. Groupon is a site that offers daily deals on products and services in your area. If enough people agree to use the discount, everyone gets the deal. Sounds easy, right? Here’s how it works.

1) Sign up
It should come as no surprise that the first thing you need to do is sign up. Subscribe to Groupon’s Daily Deals. You’ll need to provide your location and a few other details, like your email address. Filling out as much of your account as possible will ensure that you are getting deals that are personalized and tailored to your needs.

2) Get Daily Deals
Once you’ve signed up, you’ll start receiving daily emails about businesses in your area who are giving away deals to people who opt-in. These discounts are usually at least 50% off, and can be up to 90% off, the regular price. The catch is that a certain number of people have to opt-in to the deal in order to get the discount. Once the minimum number of people opt-in to the deal, the deal is good for 24 hours or until the item or service is sold out.

3) Get Your Voucher
After you’ve opted in to a deal and the group number has been met, you’ll get an email with instructions on how to redeem your product or service. Usually, it comes in the form of a printable voucher, but it can also be a phone number or other means of contacting the seller.

4) Gifting
One of the great things about Groupon is that you don’t have to buy items for yourself. Groupon has an easy “buy it for a friend” button you can use to buy the item then send the voucher, product, or service to someone else. This can be great for birthdays, Christmas, special occasions, or just for fun, but you have to be on top of the deals in order to take advantage of them.

In this economy, we could all use discounts on great products and services. If you want to get those discounts, sign up for Groupon today and start saving money.

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About the author: Diane Johnson primarily writes about online education, pell grants, and anything else that interests her. She enjoys traveling, reading, sledding, and shopping.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of PlayStation MOVE. All opinions are 100% mine.

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