STAPLES PART 2 INK RECYCLING April 24, 2012

Okay– these Items all seem unrelated, but they aren’t!

Do you see the computer software???

That is TREND MICRO ANTIVIRUS Software.
(BRAD’S FAVORITE– we needed it for our MAC)

Hello– STaples had it on sale

$65- $55 VISA DEBIT CARD= $10 for something we NEEDED for our computer!

So know you are wondering how is Software, a box of Ink Cartridges & and a Hair buff have in common–

The ink & Hair Buff were both bought w/ my $55 visa card!

YEP– I have been recycling ink here and there, but not consistently to cover our own ink usage and other office supplies we use.

I had read about people buying USED INK from ebay.   I had to think about.   Finally, I decided I would!
That box of ink cost $35 w/ 200 cartridges– that is 20 months of recycling at $2 each= $400
But don’t forget I paid for it w/ a gift card for buying software we NEEDED!

I bought that in February and so far I have recycled 30 cartridges netting $60 in store credit.

The hair buff was bought off of easy w/ the rest of that $55 gift card!

Of all the office supply stores Staples has the least restrictive recycling program.   I recycle 10 month= $20 credit– NO strings attached.   I don’t need to spend anything- although I am usually picking up other office supplies 🙂

Sometimes they will have promos like SPEND $50 HP ink get $4 per cartridge.   That is easy enough for me b/c we have an HP printer!

Most people who dabble w/ staples won’t buy ink off of ebay, I however use lots of office/school supplies b/c we homeschool.   I also don’t have lots of friends who burn through ink and pass them on to me.    I kind of worried about the ethical ramifications, but finally decided if hubby or friends gave me ink I would recycle it– this is just moving the process forward.   Also it is potentially keeping more ink out of the landfill– maybe, I’m not entirely sure what Staples does w/ them.

SAVE YOUR INK CARTRIDGES

COLLECT THEM FROM FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS

THEY EQUAL REWARDS MONEY!

STAPLES PART 1

Okay friends this is going to be a CRASH COURSE on Staples!

Here is a pic of most of the items I have bought since January.

 EVERYTHING

In this photo EXCEPT the Trend Micro Computer software was FREE (excluding tax, b/c NC is greedy) after

Staples REWARDS or REBATES!

Not everything was purchase in the same week a few items here and there based on what was on sale.

So far I have accumulated:

4x reams white paper

2 x reams pastel paper

2x Duracell batteries

6 packs 4×6 photo paper (1 not shown b/c I already used it)

4 packs 8x 11 photo paper

A few secrets to Staples
*get a customer card– if you homeschool make sure you get the teacher rewards card
*Learn the difference between REWARDS & REBATES

*Know that unlike CVS/Walgreens you have to wait until the 15th of the next month to get your REWARD CREDIT.

Okay REWARDS– if you think of them like Walgreens/CVS Extra Care Bucks you will be fine.
REBATE sale items mean I will get CASH BACK AFTER I submit the rebate

(very easy online program 5-10minutes the first time)

Here is an example of what I bought this week April 22-28

The only thing interesting this week was Photo Paper

Staples 4×6 photo paper $9.99–FREE after REBATE

limit 2 packs for this deal.

So I spent $19.98 + tax–

I will get $19.98 sent to my paypal account or a check in the mail.

Previous Check in the Mail

This check was for $5.98 for buying 2- 3packs of kleenex tissues @ $2.99 pr pack.
SO FREE TISSUES AFTER THE REBATE

This week I bought a Kindle Touchpad & 2 packs photo paper & I recycled 10 ink cartridges @ $2 each.

I paid $71, but will get $19.998 REBATE back on the photo paper.

I had $65 or so in REWARDS from last month’s purchases & Ink Recycling ($20 credit).

So WHY RCYCLE INK????
Okay, I am going to be honest– I’m not doing it just b/c I am green!
I have no clue if Staples really recycles them.   What I do know is b4 finding out about Staples I just threw them away.
NOW I recycle partly b/c I get a $2 store REWARD for every one I recycle– w/ a limit of 10 per month.

So that is $20 of STAPLES REWARD…store credit I can spend every month.
Usually, you have 60-90 days before the REWARDS expire.
I can use the REWARDS on anything in the store except gift cards & stamps.   I can use it to buy items that generate REBATES, I can use them at the copy&print center…almost anything.
What I DO NOT USE THEM FOR IS sale items that generate REWARDS for the next month.

 If you use REWARDS TO PAY FOR REWARD SALE ITEMS YOU USE YOUR REWARDS.
If you use your REWARDS to pay for REBATE ITEMS– NO PROBLEM!

Often I will do 2 transactions if I have REWARDS to pay for REWARD ITEMS.   I always just use REAL CASH to buy REWARD items.
That is okay, but once you get going w/ this you know you will get your REWARD MONEY back next month.

Here is how it often works for me
1– Buy item that generates REWARD

2– use REWARD CREDIT to buy items that generate REBATE ITEMS

3–SUBMIT REBATE GET REAL CASH BACK!

4– START AGAIN!