Be a Savvy Shopper: How to Get Cash Back on Your Purchases

Cash back rebate programs are a great way to save money on popular items but only if you use them correctly. Retailers love these programs because they can advertise their wares at lower prices. Because many people do not take the time to send in the rebate information, retailers often get a boost in sales at regular price. Savvy shoppers not only follow directions for cash back rebates but also seek out the right kind of rebates. Here are the things to look for in a cash back rebate program. First, make sure that the details of the program are clear. Before you purchase the item, especially if it is a large ticket item, read about the rebate program in detail. Ask a store associate if you can see the rebate information before you buy. The best rebate programs require only a receipt and proof of purchase. Watch out for rebate programs that require you to do extraneous steps in order to receive your rebate. Another characteristic of a good rebate program is a good discount percentage. There's no point in filling out all of the paperwork on a rebate program only to get a few dollars back. It's up to you to determine how much money is worth the time take to fill out the rebate forms and send off your rebate request. In addition to item-specific programs, there are also other rebates you can take advantage of. Some stores offer programs on all of your purchases instead of just on specific items. These programs will allow you to earn back a percentage of all of the money that you spend at a store. You can typically sign up for these for free. You'll get a card that you use at checkout, which will tally up all of your spending. Store-wide rebate programs can often be complicated. Although they don't cost anything to use, you'll want to make sure that you are using the right one to get the most out of your shopping dollars. Make sure that the program is applicable to all of your purchases, and not just certain types. Many stores limit "rebate points" to items in certain categories. If your store's rebate program is categorized, be sure that the categories are items that you'll actually use. For example, it makes no sense to join a program that has a large rebate for cosmetics if you are a single male. The other major factor to look for in storewide rebates is the level of involvement that you need to have in order to obtain your rebate. Some stores will send you a check at the end of the month or at the end of the quarter for all of your rebates. Other stores may require you to fill out forms each month or quarter to obtain your rebate. If you don't fill out the form, your rebate may be lost. Be sure that you understand the specifics of the program before you spend money expecting to get something in return.