Earn Extra Money with Mail in Rebates

One of the reasons I love rebates is because I love getting checks in the mail. Who doesn't love getting free money? Yeah, sometimes it may only be a few dollars - sometimes more. However, those few dollar checks add up quickly. On my good months of doing rebates I can count on getting between $40 or more back. I save them up and once a month I deposit them into my savings account.

Companies like to use rebates as a form of advertisement. They offer rebates as an incentive to encourage customers into buying a product. In return, they will send you a reward, usually a check or a free product coupon. The reason this works for the company is because there is a very small percentage of consumers who follow through and mail in the rebate. They buy the product because of the rebate, with every intention of sending it in. However, what usually happens is, the rebate soon gets forgotten, put off or lost and therefore is never sent in. Companies are aware of this and use this as a marketing tool.

It's up to the consumer to read the directions and redeem the rebate correctly. Like with coupons, being organized is essential so you can keep on to of the rebates and getting them sent in on time. However, once you get a system down, you can quickly become addicted to getting free money in the mail.

The standard return rate of rebates is about 6 - 8 weeks. Some feel that is too long to wait for a few dollars. However, once you get them going you will have checks rolling in like clockwork, several times a week - and those add up fast. Most rebates only take a few minutes to do and are for products I have already bought so it's like free money.

If you want to get started on rebates, you can find several place them.

*Check your Sunday newspaper coupon inserts.

*Trade for rebate forms. Rebates are just like coupons - they are not everyone gets the same ones.

*Check your grocery store for products that might have rebate forms on them.

*Most drug stores have some kind of monthly rebate program. These are my favorite cause they are very easy to do and you only have to mail them in once a month.

*Check manufacture websites for rebates. Sometimes they will offer printable rebate forms.