With the price of gas, food, and other amenities on the rise we all have been cutting back on the things we normally spend on. Unfortunately one thing we cut back on first is our donations to charities. It is hard to be charitable when we ourselves feel like victims.
I have been searching for ways to remain charitable without taking a hit myself. This can be accomplished by donating your time and used or like-new clothing and furnishings, which other people less fortunate will find useful.
But there is another underused way in which we can give big without spending at all. Here it goes. Please pay attention:
Step One: All major drug chains have a system in place to get shoppers into their stores. At Rite Aid it is called the “Single Check Rebate” program. How it works is that you pick up their weekly or monthly flyers. Find items that are available with a rebate. Purchase them. Enter your receipts into your computer and get a rebate check at the end of each month.
Step Two: Many of the items are FREE. Meaning you buy the item on sale for say $2.99 and receive a rebate of $2.99. Unfortunately, many of the items are not things that I need, (i.e., tampons, beauty products, feminine hygiene stuff, etc.), or are brands I do not use. But still they are free. It occurred to me that just because I don’t use or need these items doesn’t mean that they are not of value to others.
Step Three: Buy everything that is free up to the rebate limit each month at the participating stores. You’re going to get your money back before the credit card bill becomes due anyway. Put all the stuff you don’t need into a bin and donate it to a charity. Local charities in my area are an AIDS crisis center, a center for victims of violence, a church with a food, and clothing bank.
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