You may have heard about Ebates but might not be sure what it is, or how it can help you. I have been using Ebates for a while now so I want to tell you what an amazing program it is and how you can use Ebates to save money quickly and easily. And of course, Ebates is free to use!

Ebates is like having a constant rebate coupon in your pocket, every time you shop online. Over 1200+ stores currently participate with Ebates, and what this means to YOU is a constant opportunity to save money. Say you want to purchase something online at Target. Before going to Target’s website, you would first go to Ebates and see what the current cash back rate is, and if there are any coupons available for use. Today, the Target cash back rate is 3%. To get this deal, you just click the “Shop Now” button, and you will be taken to Target to do you your shopping. Once you purchase your items, Ebates will automatically credit your account with 3% of what you spent to receive as cash back!

Most cash back rewards are credited to your account within 48 hours of shopping. And the best part? Every three months you will automatically receive a check with your earnings. The minimum payout is just $5! If your account has less than $5, your balance just rolls over to the next quarter. Want to receive your check via PayPal instead, that’s okay too – and free!

You will want to sign up for Ebates to see all the stores available, but Ebates should be your first stop online before going anywhere else. They have all the major places such as Target, Walmart, Drugstore.com, then also Hanes, REI, Toys R Us, Dell, Apple, and many, many more.

Coupon Codes on Ebates

Another great way to use Ebates is for coupon codes. Once you sign in, click Coupons from the menu bar and you will now have access to hundreds of online coupons. You can see an example in the image below:

Now… on to the referrals, and of course, winning an iPad!

Refer a friend to Ebates and you EACH receive $5 for a qualified referral. A qualified referral is one who makes a purchase of $20 or more earning cash back. Here’s how this works:

1. You click my referral link to earn your instant $5 when you sign up for Ebates. That $5 becomes a pending reward…
2. You shop for something you were already going to purchase, but click through Ebates first to get your cash back savings. When you make your first purchase of $20 or more (such as a few items from Target.com), the $5 referral money changes from pending to now active, and is credited to your Ebates account. I receive the same $5 credit as well (as will you when you refer friends)! Keep shopping through Ebates to save money, but that $5 referral is now a free $5 for you as a Thank You from Ebates! Don’t forget, in addition to the free $5 referral, you also just earned a cash back reward for shopping through Ebates!
3. To win an iPad (or $500), you refer 50 friends who register with Ebates and become qualified referrals (see steps 1 and 2).

There is no easier way to save money today than Ebates.

The deadline to win the iPad is 7/31/10 – so sign up with Ebates today and invite your friends!

Related posts:

1. Save $5 Off $50 at Target – Anytime, Every time!
2. Save Up to 80% Off at Chadwicks!
3. Pre-shop on Dealafina, and Save!

If you ever complete any paid surveys, you know Pinecone Research is the gold at the end of the rainbow in the land of paid survey opportunities. They have the best reputation, pay the highest amount ($3 per survey), and are not always accepting new applicants!

I found a working link! I almost got up and danced, but then I decided to apply before the link decided to vanish before my eyes. I’ve been trying to find an “in” with Pinecone for over a month. So as soon as I hit that “submit” button I began this post so hopefully you can get in with Pinecone too!

Here are some links that work as of today:

Pinecone Research – USA
Open, as of 3/4/10

Pinecone Research – UK
Open, as of 3/4/10

If you are interested in signing up with Pinecone, do so NOW. These links vanish like nothing I’ve ever seen. Good luck!

As time goes on and I find that these links no longer work, I will do my best to update this post if I can find the magical working links.

UPDATE (3/5/10): The direct links I originally posted last night no longer go to the application, instead they just redirect to the main site. It appears as though now only referral links from other people will work, as I think people get a certain number of invitations to provide.

The above links are currently from MySurvey123.com, and they do appear to work. If you sign up from these links you will be signing up as their referral.

Related posts:

1. Enter for a Chance to Win $1500 Cash
2. How to Save Money with Ebates (and Win an iPad)!
3. Have You Voted Today? Your Opinion Matters!

Zen Habits author Leo Babauta, has graciously made his eBook Thriving on Less, free, and available for download.

If you are not familiar with Zen Habits, I highly recommend you check it out and subscribe. It is a beautiful site filled with wonderful reminders of how to live a simpler, more joy-filled life.

The Table of Contents are as follows:

Introduction
1. A Simple Lifestyle
2. Focus on the Essentials
3. Thriving on Less, Not Struggling
4. Focusing on Enough, Not More
5. Make Small Financial Changes First
6. Look at Large Expenses for the Long Term
7. Changing Your Spending Habits
8. A Guide to Getting Out of Debt
9. Tools for a Frugal Life
10. Resources

Click here to download Thriving on Less, and be inspired!

Thank you Money Saving Mom for pointing this one out!

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1. Free: Thriving Family Magazine Subscription
2. 42 Ways to Recycle Crafts (Free eBook)
3. Free: Build Your Own WordPress Site (eBook)