Savings vs. Rebate

She feels clipping coupons may be the way to go for some savings vs. getting a rebate.

Getting a rebate is almost not worth the money, or at least that's what some retailers are hoping by making us consumers jump through hoop after hoop. In the past, all you had to do was fill out a form and send it in along with a copy of the store receipt and the UPC code. Some offer the option of going online to fill out the form but my last rebate truly made getting what was due seem almost too hard. After purchasing some pricey printer cartridges, I was promised a 25 percent rebate on my next purchase. When I went to apply for this, I was told the retailer had the wrong information and that I was entitled to a $25 dinner gift certificate and two movie tickets.

Realizing I was never going to receive what I initially thought I'd get, along with the fact that I'd already used the magenta cartridge and couldn't return it, I started to fill out the forms for the dinner and movie. Applying online was easy: I filled out two forms with the product UPC code, and then waited for my rebate to come in the mail. About four weeks later, I received a letter congratulating me on my rebate, and then the instructions began. I needed to go to a dining dollars website and choose what restaurant I wanted my $25 gift certificate from; this would involve a short (ha-ha) survey and possibly a credit card number. After I chose my certificate, it would be delivered via snail mail. When that arrived, I was to log onto Fandango.com and use the special bar code enclosed on the certificate to redeem my movie tickets, which would then be emailed to me. Helping my daughter with her physics homework is easier than this. I believe the retailers are hoping for complete exhaustion, which will result in missing a step and thus not claiming the rebate. Nowadays most of us will go the extra five miles to get not only our due but to get something free. Let's just say, as soon as I find a qualifying restaurant in my area (that's another way they get ya), I hope to have an awesome meal and later see George Clooney's beautiful face on the big screen.

She buzz words

• Nibble
• Gala Apple
• Green-bean casserole
• Child's pose

Right now she could be..

• weeding her garden
• Decorating her house for fall
• Cleaning out a cooler
• Researching travel routes
• Caring for a sick child

She sleep

Getting enough sleep is necessary for good health, yet she tends to skimp on it here and there. Here are some

She talks...

• New fall shows, fashion, baby is-sues
• Sports: NFL, NBA

She surfs...

• www.crayola.com: Check out the new audio ruler, and erasable markers

She likes it when...

• Her kids bring home artwork made just for her

She's reading...

• Everyday with Rachael Ray Magazine

She's in the Know

What is the difference between clear and cloudy apple juice? Cloudy juice is not clarified. The clarification process increases the shelf life of juice, so this juice is fresher but won't last as long as the clear kind. The Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture has found that cloudy apple juice contains more antioxidants, making it the better choice.

She teaches

teachers. Most have a masters degree and 10 years' experience. Three-quarters of them participate in continuing their education. They spend approximately 50 hours a week on teaching and non-compensated duties like bus duty and after-school clubs. Average class size for elementary school is 21 children; there are about 28 per class in higher grades. They spend an average of $440 of their own money for classroom supplies. Average starting pay for teachers is $31,704, with extra duties such as coaching bringing in more. The number of teachers leaving this profession is increasing due to low salaries and working conditions. By 2014 this nation will need 3.9 million teachers due to retirement and the growing student population.

Encourage a teacher today; make sure they know they make a difference! (Source: National Education Association)

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