Beyond coupons: Saving money with rebate sites

Saving money while shopping often means clipping coupons or hunting down online promo codes.

Wouldn't it be nice if someone else did the work, and you got the savings automatically?

That's where rebate sites come in!

When you sign up for one of those sites, all you have to do is shop to get cash back - no coupons or codes required!

Once such site, DealAction.com, explains how it all works:

1. CREATE AN ACCOUNT: Rebate sites will need you to create an account so they'll know where you shop and how much money to send you! You could even start saving before you shop - DealAction.com, for example, will give you a $10 bonus just for signing up.

2. PICK A RETAILER: Thousands of retailers are affiliated with rebate sites. Simply choose one and start shopping! There are 2,000 retailers to choose from on DealAction.com alone!

3. COMBINE YOUR SAVINGS: Many retailers will let you buy items on sale and even gift cards through a rebate site. (DealAction.com has this tip: Buy a gift card at an affiliated site, then use it to make a purchase. You could get cash back for buying the gift card, and cash for making a purchase! Double savings!)

Keep in mind that not all retailers will let you buy gift cards, so take a moment to read up before trying this trick. For example, DealAction.com will let you know in the "conditions" section for each retailer if you can buy gift cards.

For more on how it all works, visit DealAction.com and, for more helpful tips, visit their blog.