No Debt Plan

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Lynnea at beingfrugal.net put up an article yesterday about getting items for free (after rebate) at Walgreens and Rite-Aid.

I had heard about programs from CVS in the past where these bloggers are getting $30 worth of useful items for $5 or something like that, plus $5 CVS cash back. Something along those lines. Unfortunately, there isn’t really a CVS in my area. There is a Walgreen’s on the way home, but I’ve never really bothered to go in unless I was picking up a prescription.

But thanks to Lynnea, I discovered Walgreen’s currently has the following items for free after rebate (until April 26):

• Aquafresh toothpaste (5.6 or 6.0 oz.) up to $3.49
• Colgate 360 toothbrush up to $3.99
• Soyjoy bar 1.06 oz. up to $1.39
• Just for Men Touch of Gray up to $8.29
• Tums QuikPak, 24 doses up to $4.49
• jane, Be Pure Mineral Blush or Kabuki Brush up to $4.99
• Wal-Zyr 24 hour allergy relief, 10 mg., 5 tablets up to $3.99
• Wal-itin 10 mg., 30 tablets up to $6.99

You can get all of the above for free after rebate. So I went down to Walgreen’s after work, bought some Aquafresh (6 ounces because hey, if we’re getting something for free let’s maximize it), and paid $3.66 including tax.

Walgreen’s also has a new program in Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Tennessee and Wisconsin where you can claim your rebates online. That’s a very random assortment of states, but I’m lucky enough to live in one of them. I came home, hopped on the website, registered, and put in my rebate number at the top of the receipt. It was instantly recognized.

You have two options to get your rebate: a check or Walgreen’s gift card. If you choose the gift card you get an additional 10% back. Why wouldn’t you do this? I have no idea. You also have to send all of your rebates in at the same time, meaning I can’t send in my request today and then go back later to get the toothbrush. I thought about waiting, but there isn’t anything else really that we need.

I put my request in this morning for a Walgreen’s gift card. I should end up with $3.49 + .34 = $3.83. Even after paying tax, I’ll “earn” 17 cents. Better than free toothpaste. You’ve got to love that.

Of course my wife laughed at me when I told her about it, but I think this shows the mentality I have towards frugality. She even said, “You are more patient than men. You’re willing to wait a few weeks to get 30 cents.” Exactly! Listen, this isn’t a life altering event. We’re not going to retire off of free toothpaste. But a consistent mentality that helps you find deals like this? That will take you somewhere.

Tomorrow I’ll tell you about our first mistake as homeowners, so come back!

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If you're in serious debt, you need expert debt help and the best advice on which debt solutions would be right for you. You may also want to know what's involved in an IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement), Bankruptcy or other solution to your financial troubles.