Double Dip Savings - How to Save Using Groupon & Ebates Together

Ok, you've probably already heard about Groupon - a site where you can save a ton of money.  According to their website, "Groupon negotiates huge discounts - usually 50-90% off - with popular businesses.  We send the deals to thousands of subscribers in our free daily email, and we send the businesses a ton of new customers.  That's the Groupon magic."  What you probably didn't know is that you can get an additional 3%* of your Groupon purchases REFUNDED TO YOU by first signing up with
Ebates.

I'm assuming you already have a Groupon account.  If not, step one is to create one... click here to do that.

So, take one of today's deals in Chicago.  Through Groupon, you pay $59 for one month of unlimited Yoga classes at CorePower Yoga, a $175 value.  You're saving 66% right off the bat.  But wait!!!  First go to Ebates and create an account.  Once you're logged in and on their site, click on the "Search stores or coupons or products" box.

Screen shot of Ebates site toward the top right. 

Next, type in Groupon.  A drop down menu will appear and you'll click on the Groupon selection:

Screen shot of Ebates after typing Groupon...
notice it shows the rebate amount available in red. 

By purchasing through this link, you'll get another 3%* rebate on what you would have purchased anyway.  The cool thing about Ebates is that each retailer has a different rebate percentage - and there is a daily double which is a retailer that has Doubled their rebate for the day.  For example, today's daily double is Magazines.com which is giving a 52%* rebate.

Screen shot of Ebates site on July 26, 2011. These deals change daily.

Here's one more cool example.  Groupon sells getaways too.  There is currently one for a 5-night All-Inclusive stay for two at St. James's Club Resort and Villas for $1,199 - a 53% discount.  Add your 3%* Ebates rebate and you're going to get $35.97 back in rebates.  Put it on your miles or cash-back card and there's a third opportunity to save some green.  Whoot-wooh!

Screen Shot of available Groupon getaway available today.

There are tons of stores to save at...  as of this afternoon, the following caught my eye:

• DSW - 4.0%* Cash Back
• Macy's - 5.0%* Cash Back
• Nike Store - 6.0%* Cash Back
• Bloomingdales - 6.0%* Cash Back
• Barnes & Noble - 6.0%* Cash Back
• Walgreens - 3.5%* Cash Back
• The Body Shop - 5.0%* Cash Back
• Walmart - 2.0%* Cash Back
• Shoes.com - 8.0%* Cash Back
• Barnes & Noble - 6.0%* Cash Back
• Drugstore.com - 8.0%* Cash Back
• eBags - 12.0%* Cash Back
• Eddie Bauer - 6%* Cash Back
• Kohls.com - 4.0%* Cash Back
• Sears - 4.0%* Cash Back
• Nordstrom - 3.0%* Cash Back

Ok, you get the picture.  So go on, get your Groupon, sign up for Ebates, and save both ways!  

*The percentages I've quoted were good as of my writing this entry - they could change... e.g., Barnes & Noble was 4.0% and now is 6.0%.

**If you sign up for Groupon or Ebates through one of my links, I'll get credit for sending you their way.  If you go that route, thank you!  If not, no harm... as long as you keep some change in your pocket, I'm happy for you!