PF Under 30

Paying off debt and finding my financial lifestyle

Archive for category Refunds and Rebates

Price Matching for Profit

Feb 19

Posted by kiki in Refunds and Rebates | No Comments

Remember that all in one wireless laser I bought a couple of weeks ago from Staples? Well, Amazon decided to show me on my homepage today that it was now $183. Free shipping, no tax.

At Staples it was $300 minus a $60 instand rebate. That and a bunch of other coupon wizardry got me $224 out the door.

I just talked to Stapes. They gave me $42.84 back on my card. Couldn’t PM Amazon because their Free Shipping is super saver where Staples is one business day. Anyway, they did PM their current price though, which is $40 cheaper plus tax.

Not bad for 10 minutes of my time.

Keep an eye on this kind of stuff, even after you buy it. Luckily Staples did this for me, though I think I’ll be more cautious in the future and use a Credit Card that has a 30 day price match policy. (Staples was only 14, luckily they did it for me on the 15th day.)

Amex owes me $52.33

Aug 15

Posted by kiki in American Express, Refunds and Rebates | No Comments

So now that I’ve paid in full for the last time my Costco American Express Business Card, moved all of my “auto deduct” expenses from that card to my debit, and changed all of the pre-populated info on my online accounts (Amazon.com, Paypal, Google Checkout), I’m really looking forward to no longer being an American Excess cardmember. Sure, the account doesn’t show up on my credit report (it’s a business account) but it’s got a high APR and never offers any balance transfer deals. They already tricked me once for moving my $11,000 balance from 2% APR to 15%. No brainer, it goes. Keep it simple stupid.

But I’m stubborn. It’s not that I want to keep the card, but I’ve “earned” $52.33 of “cashback” that shows up on February’s statement. Yeah, you heard it, my cashback “earnings” are a pittance of what that “Oops” cost me. Still, I feel like I would be atleast recouping some of that cost by waiting until I can get my $52. What do you think? Do you think I’m being stupid on this one or would you do it too?

For what it’s worth – the card is being cut up during my FPU class in the next week. I have moved all “auto charge” off of it, and have changed all the pre-populated “use this credit card on file” to be my debit. The card will NEVER get used again.

So – do you think I’m stupid for being this way, or should I get my $52?

Where’s my $600 IRS?

May 6

Posted by kiki in Living Expenses, Refunds and Rebates | 2 Comments

The IRS still owes me my $600. I know I’m not scheduled to get it until May 9th (Friday) but they’ve been sending out Direct Deposits early. What’s up with that? I’ve been logging on to USAA.com every day this week and last. No love from the IRS.

They better not have forgotten about me or there will be hell to pay…..

Not putting it toward debt like I had originally planned. I’m either going to buy new tires for my car (mine are almost bald) or pay this month’s boat slip fee.

Oh yeah…. did I tell you I now have a boat slip in San Diego? $600/month is now my bill. We agreed that he would buy the boat and he would pay the rent if I would pay the boat slip fee. It’s our dream, so I’m not particularly sad about it…. but I do hope we have a boat to put in it in the next week or two….

USAA ate my Bonus

Mar 27

Posted by kiki in CC Debt Progress, Mac, Refunds and Rebates, USAA | No Comments

So I just realized it’s the end of the quarter, which means my quarterly bonus is right around the corner. Cool!The other not so good news (or good, depending on how you look at it) it’s almost all going to my USAA Amex. Good news – that credit card will be paid in full. The bad news – I still have a long way to go. (Particularly with my Costco Amex oops - my biggest credit card debacle to date.) Still…. it feels good to make progress.Enter the DEBT SNOWBALL!  $1000/mo previously going to USAA Amex   —>  $1000 to Costco Amex$783.70/mo going to USAA Amex                   —> $783.70 to Costco Amex$416/mo going to Roth contributions            —> $416 to Costco Amex$220/mo minimum payment                          —> $220 minimum payment$2419.70 Debt Snowball Payment At this rate, I should be well ahead of the game @ paying this debt off by the end of the year. However, I would like to spend the extra time maxing out my Roth as well. I made a bold move by stopping my Roth payments until this was PIF. I need to put that money back (a little under $4000 left – same as every year.) Go figure!I estimate my bonus to be a little over $2300 (after taxes). While this one will mostly go to USAA, I expect the July version to go to the Costco Amex too.April will pretty much look like a money tree in this blog – between the bonus, the rental income, regular paycheck, and my expense check. However, besides my recent purchase of .Mac, I’m continuing to live frugally. On the flip side – my debt progress bars are kicking a$$! 

Extra Tax Rebate coming May 9th.

Mar 18

Posted by kiki in Refunds and Rebates, Taxes | No Comments

Direct deposit – how I love thee? Let me count the ways:

  1. My paycheck gets deposited automatically. Whether I am on vacation (last time) or on business (next time).
  2. My 2007 income tax came back to me in 7 days thanks to the wonders of direct deposit. I paid my AMEX bill the very same day with that money.
  3. My economic stimulus check ($600) is going to be direct deposited into my USAA account May 9th. This is a wonderful early birthday present to me. That $600 will be paid to my Costco Amex the very same day.

 Thanks to the wonders of Direct Deposit – I got my 2007 refund in 10 days instead of 30. Same will go for the extra stimulus money. Because of my social security number, I am scheduled to get mine on the 9th.Go here for a list of when you can expect to receive yours.