Rebates are wonderful. They are like coupons but with lots more work involved. Some items provide instant rebates at checkout which is the best. However, most rebate programs require the consumer to follow steps to prove they've made the qualifying purchase and apply for the rebate. These steps can include a variety of things from copying the receipt to cutting out the UPC Bar Codes from the box your product was sold in.

According to a recent report, nearly 25% of those who applied for rebates never got them! This is alarming because many people make purchases with the rebate savings in mind.  

Dealing properly with rebate offers has been a challenge for consumers since the time they were first introduced. Remember, rebates were designed to entice people to purchase a certain product or service. Actually paying rebates out costs companies money so the more rebates they can avoid paying, the more profit they earn.  

Some companies that process rebates actually market their services to retailers highlighting their ability to reduce the number of rebates paid out. They do this by making the process complicated with the slightest deviation from the rules disqualifying consumers.  

How can you be sure you get your rebate?

-Read the rebate rules completely before you make the purchase so you understand the steps that will be required to get paid.

-Follow the instructions very carefully and double check that you've followed each step.

If the rebate requires you to print your address with a blue pen on a 3x5 index card, using a black pen and a 4 x 6 card will usually disqualify your application.

-Make and keep copies of everything you mail.

You may need proof that you did what was required. Don't forget to make a copy of the UPC Bar Code or other items you are required to cut off of the original box.

-Keep track of the time the processor says it should take to send you the rebate. Once you reach the maximum date, start following up with the rebate processor and the retailer. Don't let the original retailer tell you that they can't help you with rebates. They have a legal responsibility to make sure the companies they've hired process rebates within the time frame advertised.

Thanks to technology you can now track the status of many rebates online and we encourage you to do so to make sure YOU GET PAID! 

Buy Two or More Policies from the Same Insurer

There are some insurance companies that specialize exclusively in only one type of insurance such as auto, health or life.  But, there are also some companies that offer a variety of coverage options. If you purchase multiple policies from the same insurer, you could be eligible for what is called a multi-policy discount. These discounts vary but can be as high as 30%.

Ask About Associations

Many associations, membership organizations, schools, and employers have negotiated special agreements with insurance companies that provide discounts for members or alumni. Check with the groups that you are already a member of to see if you are eligible for any insurance discounts. This includes AAA, labor unions, large employers, sports leagues, Universities, military and other charitable organizations.

Ask for Discounts

Many people take the insurance agent's first quote as the final number. Always ask for a better price, more discounts, and other ideas to help you save. And this is not just for first time buyers. Long time customers should be sure to talk to their agent(s) once a year to ask for ways to reduce premiums as well.

Check with your State

Many states provide affordable insurance coverage for residents hi hazard prone areas unable to obtain insurance through the voluntary insurance market. 

1. Directory Assistance Fees. You're not still calling 411 are you? Carriers can charge $1.25 or more for every 411 call. Try using a service like 1-GOOG-411 or (800) FREE-411 for free directory assistance.

2. In-store Credit Card Fees: Beware of in-store promotional cards that offer an initial store discount.  An introductory 0% interest rate can quickly leap to over 20% with just one late payment. Also, when you apply for a new card, an inquiry is made to the credit bureau, which may slightly lower your credit score.

3. Non Bank ATM Fees: ATM Fees can add up. They can also be slightly misleading; it's not unusual for ATM convenience fees to cost $2.00, and for the card-issuing bank to charge up to an additional $2.50 as a non-bank ATM Fee. As a result, it may cost up to $4.50 to withdraw $20.00.

4. Credit Card Late Fees/Overdraft Fees: Paying late fees on credit cards and bills, and overdraft fees on bank accounts can be a disheartening use of one's hard-earned money. Especially when a minimum payment on a credit card of $15 is missed, resulting in a late fee that can be as high as $39 (and perhaps result in an APR% increase). Overdraft fees add up, especially when they are made in quick succession, resulting in fees for each transaction made while an account is overdrawn.  

5. Car Maintenance Fees: Unless a car is under warranty, going to a dealership for a repair is one sure way to overspend. Car dealerships often promise that certain work can only be done by authorized dealerships, and are less-inclined to negotiate prices, something that should be done with any type of auto maintenance.

6. Airline Cancellation Fees. We know that we're all busy, and some scheduling conflicts are unavoidable and there's no way to account for the things that "just come-up." But, when it comes to travel, there are hefty fees for changing the date of a flight.

7. Cell Phone Early Termination Fees (ETFs). Most of the major U.S.-based cell phone service providers tack on significant fees if you cancel your wireless plan before the end of the two-year contract.

8. Cable Company Contracts Cancellation Fees.  Admittedly, most of our kids LOVE the boob-tube, and as they grow up (or as various sports seasons start), you may get talked into upgrading your current cable provider to go for the package that gets you the shows that will keep the family happy.  But be careful, canceling a TV service is not cheap!

9. Roaming Fees: Make sure that you understand the way your roaming and international charges work. Not every service charges extra fees for these, but many do. Since you can still be using your phone in the normal way, but in a slightly different place, it's easy to accidentally rack up huge extra fees without doing anything that feels unusual. Some roaming rates are an unforgiving $2.49 per minute. And, some carriers will even charge you to access your voicemail (a charge of $4.99 for a missed call) even when you don't pick up that call while you are roaming. The biggest "ouch" charges could occur if you happen to send a video message to your pals while on vacation, which could cost a whopping $7 per message!

from BillShrink.com 

Getting paid to keep warm

The recent cold snap across much of the country made some people realize they need to do some weather-proofing on their home. When the cold outside is coming inside, shutting the doors and closing the windows might not be enough. In fact, poor insulation is a leading cause of wasted energy in houses, and also one of the easiest ways to improve energy efficiency.

Tax preparation company HR Block reminds us that taxpayers who made energy-efficiency improvements in 2010 should check for eligibility to claim the nonbusiness energy property tax credit. This credit expired December 31, 2010 and was for 30 percent ($1,500 total maximum for 2009 and 2010) of the cost of eligible upgrades. Among these improvements are external windows and doors, insulation, roofing, HVAC and non-solar water heaters meeting specific energy guidelines.

For 2011, the lifetime maximum for this credit is reduced from $1,500 to $500, which includes credits claimed in 2009-2010 and/or 2006-2007. Always check with a tax prep professional and IRS.gov for more information on your eligibility for any tax deduction or credit. 

Consumer Alert

The IRS does not send taxpayers unsolicited e-mails about their tax accounts, tax situations or personal tax issues. If you receive such an e-mail, most likely it's a scam.

IRS impersonation schemes flourish during filing season. These schemes may take place via phone, fax, Internet sites, social networking sites and particularly e-mail.

Many impersonations are identity theft scams that try to trick victims into revealing personal and financial information that can be used to access their financial accounts. Some e-mail scams contain attachments or links that, when clicked, download malicous code (virus) that infects your computer or directs you to a bogus form or site posing as a genuine IRS form or Web site.

Some impersonations may be commercial Internet sites that consumers unknowingly visit, thinking they're accessing the genuine IRS Web site, IRS.gov. However, such sites have no connection to the IRS.

3 Extra Days!

Taxpayers will have until Monday, April 18 to file their 2010 tax returns and pay any tax due because Emancipation Day, a holiday observed in the District of Columbia, falls this year on Friday, April 15. By law, District of Columbia holidays impact tax deadlines in the same way that federal holidays do; therefore, all taxpayers will have three extra days to file this year. Taxpayers requesting an extension will have until Oct. 17 to file their 2010 tax returns.

Have a money saving tip that you'd like to share? Send it to us for possible publication in this newsletter at

education@acchelp.org 

Benefits.gov

Learn about a variety of Government Benefits, how to qualify and how to apply.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP is the new name for the federal Food Stamp Program.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
TANF is designed to help needy families achieve self-sufficiency. States receive a block grant to design and operate their programs to accomplish the purposes of TANF. These are:
-assist needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes
-reduce dependency of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work and marriage
-preventing out-of-wedlock pregnancies
-encouraging the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

Medicaid   
Medicaid is health insurance that helps many people who can't afford medical care pay for some or all of their medical bills.
Good health is important to everyone. If you can't afford to pay for medical care right now, Medicaid can make it possible for you to get the care that you need so that you can get healthy and stay healthy.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)  
is a Federal income supplement program designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income.
It provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) 
If you can't afford to pay your home energy bill, your home may not be safe, and you may be at risk of serious illness or injury. The LIHEAP may be able to help keep you and your family safe and healthy.

National School Lunch Free Lunch Program (NSLP)  

Established in 1946, The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day.

Federal Housing Assistance/Section 8 (FPHA)
Public housing assistance was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Public housing comes in all sizes and types, from scattered single family houses to high rise apartments for elderly families.