Thrifty Thursday

I decided to join in on Kristin's Thirfty Thursday this week and give a little piece of money saving goodness.

This "tip" is probably not news to anyone, but Staples does an amazing job keeping up with the trend of couponing and getting things for free, etc.  I began to "work" the Staples curricular back in January.  I had seen an ad in the paper one Sunday and I was AMAZED and how much "stuff" I could get for a dollar or less sometimes after rebates.  The system works very similarly to Rite Aid, which I like better than CVS. (With Rite Aid, you get sent an actual check and don't have to fool with ECBs and only spending the money at the store, etc.)  Rite  Aid and Staples both send you checks (they are slightly different so make sure and do the research/read the fine print) and you can deposit those into your bank account, so its really like you are getting "something for free".  Staples not only has rebates but also a reward systems too. (Again, do your research- they are different!)

Staples Reward program allows you can recycle your print cartridges and get $$ back.  When you sign up for a Staples Reward account (free, of course!) and go into the store to purchase a new print cartridge, bring in your used one and you'll automatically get sent a check (last week it was $3, but its gone down to $2, started on July 1st) in the mail.  It makes my normally $15-$17 print cartridge a tiny bit cheaper!  Last week I went into Staples with my $4 rewards rebate check and bought an ink cartridge that was $17.50, used my $4 off and in about a month I will get another $3 check in the mail and I can use that on another purchase.

At the beginning of the year, I went into Staples and purchased things that we already needed and used- notebook paper, printer paper, pens, paper, etc...  normal office supplies, but at a cheaper price.  Like I said, Staples has two different ways of saving and earning money and the Thrifty Couple does a great job at advertising the best deals and what to do, where to sign up, etc.  And I'm sure many other blogs also give the low-down weekly.

Because of Staples awesome deals, we are stocked up on envelopes, pens, printer paper and a few other goodies that I was able to get for free.  Its so nice to not have to worry about budgeting for those items!

Happy Saving and Shopping!  

For more frugal and thrifty tips, visit Kristin every Thursday at her blog- Bits and Pieces From My Life.