Saving Money When Filing Taxes

This article was originally published in the Standard Journal on February 10, 2015. See it here.

Tax season is in full swing.  As a child I saw it as a time when my accountant dad became a distant memory and my mom got a lot more overwhelmed.  Now I see it as a time to hopefully get a little unexpected money in my pocket (having kids provides a variety of different blessings!).

In this world of e-filing your taxes through websites such as TurboTax or H&R Block, there are ways to maximize your refund.  I’m not talking about extra tax credits or any of that jazz.  I don’t know a thing about tax rules.  That is why I have my dad. 

No, I am talking about using cash back websites to earn up to 20% back on what you spend to e-file your taxes. 

Ebates is one of the many cash back websites that offer you a percentage of your purchase price back when you shop through their links.  It may sound complicated but it is actually very simple. 

To read the rest, click "Read More"

Ebates - How it works, PLUS don't forget to use it when filing taxes!!

Ebates is one of the many websites out there that offer you cash back simply by starting your online shopping on ebates.com.  

Using it is free and easy. PLUS, you can use it when you do your taxes on sites like TurboTax and H&R Block to get even more out of your tax refund!

First, use your email address to sign up for a free Ebates account.  

Next, whenever you sit down to do online shopping start at ebates.com.  By using the store links to shop you can get back a percentage of total you end up paying.

For example, if you need something at Walmart, first go to Ebates.com, search “Walmart” and then use their link to head over to the Walmart page.  Complete your purchase in the new browser window that is created and your cash back will be credited to your Ebates account.  

Once your account reaches $5.00 or more you will be sent a check for the total amount.  Ebates sends out checks every three months. 

Ebates gets even better when you can refer friends.  With its Tell-A-Friend program you can refer people with your unique referral link and then get $5 cash back when your referrals sign up and make their first purchase of $25 or more.  

If you can refer 2 friends during one bonus period (a 3 month span) then you will get an extra bonus, totaling $50!! Here is the breakdown: Two $5 bonuses = $10 + a $40 bonus for getting 2 referrals in one bonus period = $50.  How awesome would an extra $50 be?!

This is my referral link: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=Uu4fKdgI9UqAHfG0u5kOkA%3D%3D&eeid=26471

Feel free to use this link to create your own account, and then post your own referral code in the comments! Thanks!

This post contains referral and affiliate links

Walmart Savings Catcher - Now Available Nationwide!

Have you heard of the Walmart Savings Catcher?? It is a new program where you can enter your receipt number into you Savings Catcher Account and earn money back on any item that is found with a lower advertised price (in the area). The difference you paid can then be put on a Walmart Gift Card for you to spend on something else!

It was only available in select cities, but recently was opened up nationwide!

I used it for the first time the other day on a receipt from a Walmart in the Boise area. A couple days later I checked back and had 67 cents put on my account from some strawberries and diaper rash cream that got price matched. It was pretty awesome considering I did almost nothing!  Check it out here!

I haven't been able to try it out yet in east Idaho, so let me know how it works when you do!

App Recap

In a recent "girls night" I got together with some friends to talk about some of our favorite money making apps. It was a lot of fun and very enlightening. In fact, we plan on doing it again sometime, although we will probably open it up to the males, too :)

Here is my best write up of what we talked about, as I understood it. If any of my information is wrong or unclear, please correct me!

First, the ones that were new to me:

CrowdTap

By signing up with Crowdtap, you’ll be presented with a variety of surveys, ranging from 1 question to multiple qustions. These surveys and feedback are used to help brands make major marketing decisions.For your time and input you can Get rewarded with gift cards (Amazon), product samples and more. 
Our friend, Talia is an avid Crowdtapper. She says it is one of her favorites. She signs in a couple of times a month to do some quick surveys and earns a $5 Amazon.com gift card. She has a friend that has had a ton of success with Crowdtap, and even was given free Puma workout gear as a part of a survey. Read about her Crowdtap experience here. 
From what I have read, the more thoughtful and honest the feedback on surverys, the greater chance you have to earn bigger gift cards and samples. 

Pros:
You don't have to sign in every day or anything like that. It is a go-at-your-own-pace program. 
You don't have to have a smartphone. This is something you can do from a computer or tablet.
The surveys (called "Quick Hits" I think) aren't long and time-consuming. You can pick and choose what you want to answer. 

Cons:
It seems like the rewards are somewhat based on luck. You may or may not get picked for the good ones.

Click "Read More" to see the rest!

Ebates - For You Online Shoppers

Heard of Ebates? I was referred to it by a friend a couple of years ago. I don't shop online all that often, but when I do, I first check Ebates to see if there are any cash back offers from the store that I will be shopping from.  The cash back amounts range from 1% up to 20% or even more.

If the store you are shopping from is supported by Ebates, just click the link and shop! Once you reach a minimum of $5.00 then you will receive a "Big Fat Payment" in the form of a check mailed to you. I believe they send them out quarterly.

I post this mostly because I noticed that several tax preparing sites (including TurboTax and H&R Block) are partnered with Ebates and offering cash back on tax prep services.  I though you may want to check it out!!


Go here to sign up and check it out.

The Dealio

Have you heard of "The Dealio"? I stumbled upon it yesterday and am very intrigued. It is a website dedicated to eating out. Every day you can check the website (or sign up for emails) to see what the unique daily deal is.  There are different deals for Rexburg, Rigby, and Idaho Falls eateries. There is no need for printing out coupons, or giving credit card info, simply go and say that you'd like the dealio. If you are headed out to grab a bite, check this site first and you could save a buck and discover somewhere new and delicious! 

The Dealio
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Ways to Save - It Doesn't Stop At Coupons!

There are so many new ways to save money on your everyday purchases!  Putting money back in your pocket (well, bank account, actually) is the goal of several new and popular apps for your smartphone. Don't have a smartphone? Don't despair!  Several of the apps have the option to be used without a smartphone. 

The apps by themselves are fun and useful, BUT the super savvy shopper will use the apps stacked with coupons to maximize the savings.  This is the ideal situation... at least in my book. :) 

Here is a rundown.