I used to buy a lot of electronics and computer equipment that seemed like great deals due to mail in rebates. Then I’d let that rebate slip get lost in a stack of papers, or lose the receipt, and I rarely followed through on rebates. Now we have a system that ensures we take advantage of any and all rebates that come our way.
Here’s what we did to wrangle our rebates:

  1. Pick a “Rebate Boss” Designate a single person in your household to do the rebates. Choose the person who is most likely to succeed of course 😉 In our house, that’s LaLa. She fills out the forms, makes the requisite copies, sends the rebates, and keeps a tickler file. It just helps us to have the responsibility lie with one of us specifically.
  2. Just Do It Don’t put off filling out the forms or making copies, do it immediately. If there is something you need that will take more time, get everything else ready to go. I used to procrastinate and then the rebate would get lost in the clutter and poof. LaLa gets everything together as soon as possible: makes the copies, gathers all the pieces, including the envelope while she’s motivated by the idea of the rebate money.
  3. Keep Track and Follow Up Once our rebates are sent out, we put them in a folder and wait for the money. Every month or so we check the folder (and/or online if possible). We’ve never had to follow up on a rebate that didn’t show up, but the Travel Gnome has (successfully so).

This article also has a lot of tips for rebate success. What else do you do to keep on top of your rebates?