I’d like to think it was my far-reaching influence, but that’s rather doubtful….
Ibotta had a server outage today, so if you tried and failed – try again!
This Is Not How I Do It: 12/07/2021
Tag Archives: christmas
‘Tis The Season, Again! Here We Go.
Ok, so sorry, all.
I really meant to do this earlier, because I was late for the holiday shopping season last year.
Consistency is my other lesser-known name. Which is unfortunate when it comes to stuff like this.
Here we go!
Layering is my self-coined pet-term for what happens when promotions, rebates, points and the universe align.
It takes some practice. I’ve been doing this for 10 years now on one program adding a few others in recent years. I’m not gonna say it is always easy – it takes some brain work and some research.
Truly, though, what’s better than a good deal?
Free. My favorite F-word.
I will tell you with 100% honesty that I consistently earn cash back and points to buy approximately $200.00 worth of Christmas (and self) gifts!
Yes, there is a free Christmas.
No, it won’t be this year for you.
But, perhaps by the early months of 2022, you will have a nice little sum of cash and points to use for necessities. Think home goods, home improvement, a dinner for two.
Set Yourself Up for Success
- Create an email address specifically for offers, promotions, & loyalty programs.
Why? Keeps all your offers in one place.
- No matter which email server you use, I recommend setting up an @gmail account.
Why? Some rewards programs will auto-scan email for online receipts.
If, you opt-in for that option in settings.
- Move your current loyalty accounts to the new email address.
Why? Keeps your main communication email unclogged.
- Use the links below to sign-up for programs.
Why? You will receive sign-on offers and bonuses in cash or points!
(PS, transparency: I will, too.)
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MyPoints: https://www.mypoints.knabbler
Spend $20.00 receive 1,750 points. Sign-up by Phone & Computer using link above.
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Ibotta: https://ibotta.knabbler Please, Use Referral Code: VUODLBM
$10.00 for first receipt. Sign-up by Phone & Computer.
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There are more, but let’s just work on the two I have found to be bigger earners.
Next up: step-by-step layering for (nearly) free dinner!
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Down for the Count Up, 9
SORT, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015
It is that time of year again. My favorite time of year bursting with colors, and my worst time of year bursting with tears.
I was told the hurt never goes away, it just changes. Some years it seems it has; others it seems it hasn’t.
This is one of the hasn’t. Last year I barely had time to think about anything else but condo purchase. This year, I’ve got the time.
I used to write about it a lot more, intent on gathering thoughts and feelings and memories; sorting.
I’ve never been much good at sort. I’ve always argued that Mc should be filed after Mb and before Md – if such name roots actually existed. They don’t warrant their own alphabetical sub category or file tab. Should the Mac’s be filed with the Mc’s? If not, accurate spelling will be imperative when trying to figure out which drawer to pull.
Then there’s the fabric stash. Grouped mostly by solid color, unless there’s a pattern; American Flag fabric would sit nicely between red and blue – if red and blue were adjacent on the color wheel. They are not. This is my confusion. Would Poinsettia fabric be best placed under mostly red, mostly green, assorted floral or catalogued as just Christmas?
Sort ranks up there on the difficulty chart with where to start.
I’ve started this before, and I’ve done ok. Tidbits here and there; succinct vignettes.
Written, shared, abandoned or saved. It’s going to take some cull.
I’ve been at this 8 years now. Haven’t missed a Tuesday, yet.
Background matters, but this isn’t biography.
I was born somewhere, some date, schooled, worked, and have been writing since 1973: poetry first, some stories, blogging 2007. It’s key, relevant, but not now.
Now, I’ve got to start somewhere, so it might as well be here:
- Haslett, Michigan, a slightly-above word-processing level computer, a phone-line dial-up, a bottle of wine (no idea what kind) and the unexpected blessing of one very persistent neighbor.
Quote for the Week:
Enjoy this Week’s Discovery Links:
Simple: http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/memoir-vs-autobiography-2
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Free-scape
So, here’s what happened.
I got a email. About gardening. In my very unknown, incoming-only, address.
It’s another account I keep to keep clutter from my real email.
You know, the one that people I actually know have and where the important stuff goes.
Anyway, the beauty of this junk box is that it fills up nicely with coupons and offers and a lotta ‘free.’ I love freebies. Even if I don’t need it, or won’t use it, if it’s free – I snag it and pass it along.
Samples are a great way to experiment, especially for less money. It’s a win-win. For me, experimenting for less is a happy mind expansion thing. Plus, deals and coupons save me money on stuff I know I’m going to buy, anyway. Same sort of mindset as Fetch and Ibotta. I just love layering.
I get a few newsy-type dailies that let me know when and where to find good stuff. I was particularly excited to learn Lowe’s was having a series of garden give-aways. Hypocritical, I know considering how hard I take the ‘annual that which I despise’ obligation.
I shared this with my gardening friend who had already heard about and tried to get into it.
Registration for the first event opened at midnight and her experience was that the site was overloaded and she didn’t get anywhere.
That was a bummer to hear. I’m not that driven to stay up until midnight battling it out with other batty internet users. Strangely, enough, though…
By the time I’d finished my weekly blog, sent it out into the social-universes of FB me, FB Knabble, WordPress, IG and Twitter it was 11:20 PM. I still thought it might be a little over the top to be hovering over my keyboard for 40 more minutes.
I puttered around prepping for the next-day work-day by re-filing blog fodder, and just generally straightening and restoring my desk back to the ‘real job’ configuration. At 11:47 the idea was still free-floating around in my head. I still had a bit of time on my non-gardening, don’t-like-to-get-too-dirty hands.
I turned up Spotify and tuned into Grandson. It’s not the kind of music you can tune-out to. Hence, the love. The first time I heard Grandson was through an IG video reaction site; totally recommend a follow. Besides the music/reaction, dude’s got an oddly sense of humor. (Links’ll be below.)
11:58, I thought I’d just try and slip into the site. Get queued up. No dice. Just a bit of a reprimand that it wasn’t time, yet.
So, I outed. Then, I inned. And outed and inned. Mmm hmm. Turned into an online version of the day after Christmas at Wal*mart at 4:00 AM in Tennessee. That’s a story by itself. Never again, folks. Never, again. Although, I did end up at a Michigan Kohl’s one black Friday. 5:00 AM. Easy in, easy find. Horrible two and a half hours of standing in line to check out. Never, again, to that, too. At least Kohl’s, handed out candy canes.
Stroke of midnight at Lowe’s online, I got it right! I got right in.
But, of course, it wasn’t going to be that easy.
Quote for the Week:
Grandson: (do you have enough love in your heart to go and get your hands) Dirty
Recommended reactionary: @fablefil
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Savings $ Layering
I had this whole thing conceptualized as a three-part learning series, which it will be, still.
However, on the front side of holiday shopping, I wanted to share how I layer savings and earn cash back and gift cards and shopper rewards, too.
So, not my best example, but my most recent. Here’s how the FoodSaver purchase worked out for me at Kohl’s:
I started by going to MyPoints and entering Kohl’s from there. 6 points per dollar was the rate on 11/23. It can rise or lower. So, before you shop at any store, open your MyPoints account.
Original price $349.99
Sale price $329.99
Kohl’s 15% Off Coupon – $49.50 (I didn’t get the 30% 😦 )
Shipping Free
Kohl’s cash earned $75.00 (think funds for holiday gifts)
Kohl’s rewards earned $14.02 (think funds for holiday gifts)
Ibotta Browser Extension 0.5% Cash Back $1.49 (think thirst quencher while you’re shopping) and remember – I earned $193.00 cash back from Ibotta last year! It all adds up. Truly.
MyPoints 1782 point (Redeemable for Gift Cards)
Fetch – Unfortunately, only works with online purchases associated with GMail accounts, SO FAR. They’re working on it!
Click the Blue Links below to get started.
Ibotta My Ibotta Referral Code: vuodlbm
Fetch My Fetch Referral Code: A8JUX
MyPoints: if you are interested in adding MyPoints to your layered savings, please private message me your email address so I may send you an invitation. You can go and sign upon your own, but it’d be nice if you give me a chance to send you the invite. 🙂
Yes, I will earn points or cash back boosts from the above links. But, once you sign up, you can, too!
Extra tips:
Create a Junk Email Address. You’ll use this for all of the stores, restaurants, point and cash back programs so they don’t clutter up your real inbox!
When you sign up for any cashback or points program there is usually a bonus. Always check your email and the website for extra deals.
Right now Ibotta is offering 2.5% cash back on Society6 purchases.
I always order samples from each site I list my art on as a quality check. Not only am I super pleased with the pleated, 2-layer, filter-insert features of Society6 masks, I am also super pleased that the Ibotta Browser popped up and offered 2.5% Cash Back ON TOP OF THE SALE PRICE – up to 50% off on a lot of items. Redbubble also offers Ibotta cash back.
Important – I will never, ever sell or give your email address away or divulge any other personal information. to any other person, company or space alien. Promise.
Artwork available on masks, pillows, clocks, tables, leggings, travel mugs, and just about any great gift you can think of!
btw – Chewy offers discounts for joining their auto-ship plan. Scheduling is your choice. Auto ships may be canceled at any time, so try it out.
knabble 