black friday/cyber monday tip

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Believe it or not (where DID this year go?), next thursday is Thanksgiving, which means the next day is Black Friday, which means Christmas is right around the corner. Whuuuuhhhh?

I don't know about you, but I usually do the majority of my christmas shopping online (with the exception of stocking-stuffers). It's just so much cheaper (and coupon codes are easier to come by!). But recently, a bigger motivating factor for buying stuff online has been getting cash back from ebates.

Have you ever heard of 'em? You may have seen their really really really dumb commercials on TV, but I seriously swear by them. Basically, when I need to buy anything online, I start at their website {here}.

It's so easy. All you have to do is register, choose one of the 1500 stores to shop from and click on it. That's it! Ebates will track your purchase from there and put a percentage of your purchase into your Ebates account. Every three months, they'll cut you a check! (if the store doesn't participate, it costs you  like 0.0034 seconds of your time. There are so many options though, so I've gotten in the habit of checking just in case!)

Seriously, it's that easy. You get money back on things you were going to buy in the first place! Some stores get up to 25% cash back, and most of them have extra coupon codes you can use on top of your purchase. I got paid for some fabric I bought awhile back from Fabric.com, some slipcovers from Target, a christmas present or two for Tim... The bargain hunter in me is hooked.

Have you ever used Ebates? Are you as enamored as I am?

Disclaimer: I am NOT being paid for this post! I just was stoked to discover this little tip and wanted to pass it on. But seriously though, register; it'll change your life. Okay, I'm done sounding preachy.