What a Deal!!

I have to tell you about this website I found that I think is about as clever as anything! It's called ebates.com. Basically, you sign up with them and you get a $5 "bonus". Then, every time you buy something online, first you log into ebates, then you search for the store you want to shop with (say, gap.com), you click on the link and it takes you straight there. So, basically your just linking through ebates.com. You won't even be able to tell. The website you're shopping through will be exactly the same as if you went straight there!

Now, each store has a pre-set percentage that you will receive in cash-back. So if you search for gap.com, it will come up on ebates and have 10% cash back (or whatever the % happens to be.....and it changes daily on many of them). So if you spend $100 at gap.com, you'll receive a check for $10 from ebates.

Awesome? Um, yes!

Also, if you become a fan of ebates.com on FB, you'll get daily updates that inform you of the "Store of the Day". Today that happens to be restaurant.com. Ebates is offering 30% cash back on all purchases! And restaurant.com is offering 60% off all their certificates if you enter the coupon code HARVEST at checkout.

So, I purchased $25 gift certificates from both Sandrini's and Flames & Skewers and a 50% of certificate from Los Hermanos.....all for $10.70. And I'll get a check for 30% of that from ebates.com!

Some things to note: There are certain restrictions on the restaurant.com certificates, like a minimum purchase amount when you redeem them. (Most aren't that big of a deal, just be sure to read the fine print!) Also, you have to have at least $10 in your ebates.com account before they issue a check. But, you get $5 right off the bat for joining and if you link through them for every purchase that you were going to make online anyway, it shouldn't take too long to get that first check!

Happy shopping!!

Now excuse me while I go do a happy dance! ;)

Alice

I was so excited to get my big box in the mail yesterday! I mean, really excited! Who doesn't love mail? And cheap household items? All delivered for free?

6 bottles of Suave shampoo/conditioner: $.60 each
Roll of paper towels: $.59
12 rolls of toilet paper: $3.57
2 boxes of Kleenex (2-ply): $.68 each

Since shipping is always free, all of this cost me $10.20 after tax (Honestly, I have been racking my brain trying to figure out how they are able to ship this for free and still make a profit! It costs me $4.95 to mail a t-shirt. I bet the box this all came in weighed 10 lbs! So far, the only reasonable conclusion I can come up with is that the mastermind behind Alice.com is married to the guy who owns UPS. Seems reasonable to me!) Anyway, I think it was a great deal! Granted, some of their prices (especially if they're not offering coupons) are not so great! Some things I can definitely find cheaper on sale & with my coupons.....but if I can save a little through this site and save myself a trip to town, I'm all for it! I always go straight to the "Other Ways to Shop" tab and select "Shop the Best Deals" option from the drop down menu. Go to Alice.com and sign up and you'll receive a $10 credit after you've spent $50! Happy shopping!

And let me know if you find out about the shipping mystery. I'm thinking of sending my kids to Vermont and UPS might just be the way to go! ;)

The Great Kern County Fair

Isn't he cute when he wrestles steers? I think so too! ;)

The girls, anxiously awaiting the start of the pee-wee rodeo.....

Ride that stick horse, Emma!

Here she is running back to the finish line after pulling the ribbon off of the goat! She came in second place in this event.

Lauren riding her stick horse ....

My little milk maid.....

Ridiculously huge trophy for taking first in the dummy cow milking! :)