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Free after rebate. Just typing those words brings a smile to my face. Retailers, at least a few of them, have come a long way with their rebate programs. Not long ago, rebates required numerous copies of receipts, complicated forms with tiny print and the need to slice out a UPC from a multitude of different packaging materials. (The embarrassment of presenting someone a “gift” that clearly had a UPC missing was always an awkward moment.) The odds of actually receiving your rebate check added more frustration to the process. Retailers have made the rebate process much easier and I’m here with recommendations on how to maximize rebate opportunities at a couple Hastings businesses.

I’ve been taking advantage of the Menards rebate program for years. I have more hammers, pliers, and random hardware than I ever thought possible. Check out the weekly Menards flier and nearly every week there are a handful of items that are offered at no cost (or very little) thanks to rebates. Menards makes the process pretty straight forward. You’ll receive a special rebate receipt with every eligible purchase. Match up the rebate number on the receipt with the proper form found at the customer service desk. Fill out your name/address, mail it in and you’re done. To be a real Menards rebate pro, try these tips. Tip # 1: Menards ads will often say that you need to spend at least $10 in non-rebate merchandise in order to be eligible to receive a rebate on their items. It’s not true. You can go in and just purchase the rebated items and you will receive the funds. Tip #2: Save postage and mail all your weekly Menards rebates in one envelope. They all go to the same address so you need not worry about stuffing an envelope with multiple rebate receipts and forms and mail them off to Elk Mound, WI. (I can recite the entire Menards rebate mailing address without looking. It’s a talent that the ladies don’t seem to love and admire as much as I would have hoped.) Menards issues their rebates in the form of merchandise credit, so you can only “spend” your rebate at Menards. Not a problem as you can use your rebate checks to purchase new rebate items and perpetuate the rebate cycle.

Walgreens takes my award for easiest rebates with their Register Rewards program. If Walgreens has a $7.00 item that is “free” via Register Rewards then you’ll immediately be issued a $7 credit slip at the time of purchase. The credit is only good at Walgreens and there are some limitations (ie: you can’t use the credit to purchase stamps or prescriptions), but it’s still a pretty good deal. My tip for you is to ask that the clerk to ring up the Register Rewards item separately from other items you’re purchasing. Use the credit clip you receive to help pay for the groceries, cards, photos, etc. that might also happen to be on your shopping list that day.

So go. Conquer area rebate programs… and feel free to cut me in on 5-10% of your savings.

About the author: Dan Peters

Dan Peters is a 30-something administrator at Hastings College where he tries daily to convince students that he’s not nearly as old as they think he is. Having grown-up in central Nebraska, Dan knows all the spots to have fun, eat a ton and find a celebration. Dan is a huge fan of Jimmy Buffett and is committed to the idea of one day having Jimmy play at the Adams County Fair.