shoppingonabudget

I usually avoid mail-in rebates at all costs. Personally, I like to save money upfront, but I will use them from time to time.

This week, my 5 year old daughter had an ear infection. We had to wait about 10 minutes for her prescriptions at Rite Aid. We walked through a few aisles near the pharmacy. My daughter, an avid Sponge Bob fan, saw a yellow Sponge Bob thermometer. Normally I wouldn’t have bought it because we already have a few traditional thermometers, but I considered it a special treat. It cost $11.99 and I noticed a rebate sign.

So, I return home and look at the receipt. It didn’t say anything about the rebate, so I went to the Rite Aid website and was pleased. These rebates aren’t necessarily mail-in rebates. What you do is register for a free account and enter information from your receipt. It automatically determined I was eligible for the thermometer rebate.

I could have requested my $3 check right away, but after some more browsing I saw that there are many other rebates available. Right now until February 28, 2009 you can buy Wonder Waves Garnier Fructis Shampoo, Conditioner, Mousse, or Hairspray and get it for free (with the $2.99 rebate). There are many other products, but they just give you discounts and not a free product.

I am going back to Rite Aid this week and make use of these other products, enter in my receipt information and request my check. Like I said, I usually avoid mail-in rebates. It is usually because I can never remember to save the barcode or mail-in the form, but I don’t have to with Rite Aid’s current program!