The rebate life: Save as you spend using the internets

We all have different ways of saving money. Personally, I try to imprison my cash in my wallet. I avoid eating out, buy generic brands, scour thrift stores, steal food, fight pigeons for breadcrumbs, swipe candy from small children...you get the picture.

My wife, on the other hand, cruises sales, discount bins, and rebates like a traveling businessman on the Vegas strip. While I work on not spending money, she works on getting the most for every dollar she puts out there. I respect her money saving method, she respects mine, and we both put our small change in a big jar. Hey, it adds up.

One of my wife's favorite sites is Ebates.com, a company that gives her rebates on much of her online shopping. Basically, here's how it works: