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June 3, 2015

5 Tips for a Better Night’s Sleep

If you’ve been feeling a little less than energized lately, you might need to take a look at your sleeping habits. There’s no need to worry because there are a lot of ways you can improve the quality of your sleep for more consistent relaxation and fewer restless nights.

Check out our guide with four tips for getting a better night’s sleep!

1. Make Your Bedroom a Zen Zone

One of the reasons why you have trouble falling asleep at night might be due to the fact that your bedroom isn’t fully established as your “zen zone.” Ideally, your bedroom should be a space devoted solely to relaxation.

Simple things like working at a desk, exercising, watching television, or eating in your bedroom can actually be disruptive to your sleep later on in the night. If you’re reserving your bedroom as a space for sleep, you’re setting yourself up for a restful mental state in a calming environment from the moment you walk in.

2. Limit Your Late Night Screen Time

As far as getting into the restful mental state is concerned, limiting your late night screen time can be another good way to prevent restlessness. The artificial light from your iPad, laptop, or cell phone can suppress your melatonin levels and affect your level of alertness, in turn taking a toll on your overall health.

If you need to read something before bed, opt for a printed book or non-light emitting device. You’ll thank us for the tip when you start sleeping like a baby.

3. Get Smarter About Meal Timing

As any nutritionist will readily tell you, it’s unwise to eat a large meal before going to sleep. Your body won’t have enough time to metabolize the meal and you’ll end up storing more fat than you’d experience with an earlier dinner.

In addition to the unwanted effects of late night dining on your waistline, a large late night snack can cause discomfort and keep you from falling asleep as you normally would. And of course, anything with caffeine like chocolate, coffee, or tea is best to avoid as well within four to six hours of going to bed.

4. Stick to a Relaxation Routine Before Bed

One of the best things you can do before settling into bed is sticking to a set relaxation routine. Taking a soothing bath with a stress relief soak formula is a great way to unwind at the end of a long day. Take advantage of savings and cash back rewards with Bed, Bath and Beyond coupons for products like the Lavender Vanilla Aromatherapy bath. You’ll nourish your skin with essential oils and natural ingredients while removing any feelings of stress for a calm, relaxing sleep.

4. Diffuse Essential Oils

Essential oils can be used both topically and through inhalation from a diffuser to improve quality of sleep. Lavender essential oil is great for wind down before bedtime, so diffuse a couple hours before you’re ready to hit the sack. It will help you feel in a relaxed mood so that when you’re ready to close your eyes you’re body is already triggered for sleep mode.

Follow these five tips and you’ll be all set to start enjoying a more relaxing, reenergizing sleep tonight!

Stay in the loop to hear about great deals and tips!

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

June 2, 2015

4 Tips for Traveling with Kids

Traveling requires packing and planning at any age, but adding young kids into the mix? Things can easily get a little overwhelming. If you’re going to be traveling with your children in the near future, check out these tips to minimize stress and make your trip an enjoyable one.

1. Plan Your Destination Wisely

The best way to ensure that things go smoothly when you’re traveling with little ones is to plan, plan and plan some more. Minimize any uncertainties ahead of time by making sure that you’ve covered all of your basics with passports, visas, hotels, flights, car rentals and immunizations as far in advance as possible. As you get closer to the date of departure, things will be much easier for everyone.

Along the same lines, look into family friendly options with established resources for parents with young children. There’s no shortage of resorts that can cater to your needs. All you have to do is find them. And when you do place your bookings, use travel coupons from Ebates to find a deal.

2. Be Judicious About Your Packing “Essentials”

Let’s face it, if you’re traveling with children, you’re going to run into over-packing issues. While you might think a third sweater is necessary, your children are not going to be chilly in Orlando in mid-June, trust us.

Start off with the items that you and your family use on a daily basis like a stroller or car seat. They’re the essentials you need most when you’re traveling, but if they’re not going to fit in your overhead compartment, consider investing in a travel-friendly option using BuyBuy Baby coupons. When you’ve covered the basic essentials, move onto clothing, but bringing only what you need is the key to success when packing.

3. Bring Bribes

Inevitably, travel is going to lead to more than one incidence of an exhausted kid, and your best bet for a quick solution is a bribe. While you might not be a fan of the “bribe your kids” school of parenting at home, you have a little more freedom to indulge your kids while you’re on vacation. It’s a different frame of mind, and everyone deserves a treat every once in a while, especially if it’s going to keep them calm, happy and tantrum-free.

4. Kids in Flight

There’s a special place in heaven for parents that can keep their child peaceful for the duration of a long flight. Although there’s no set formula to guarantee a calm flight for your kids, you can certainly take a few precautions to help things out. CNN suggests flying while they normally sleep. If you can take a red-eye to your destination, the chances of getting your child to sleep through a long flight are going to be dramatically higher, making things easier for everyone. But if you’re on a shorter jaunt, just make sure you have enough hours of prerecorded entertainment to keep them busy for the length of the flight. Another episode of Sesame Street anyone?

Stay in the loop to hear about great deals and tips!

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

June 2, 2015

TOMS Bag Giveaway

TOMS has recently launched a brand new line of handbags with a purpose and they want you in on the action.

How often can you say a piece of clothing helps others in need? Each bag helps save a life. Infection is a leading cause of death among mothers and newborns worldwide. By providing clean birth conditions and skilled birth attendants, nearly half a million lives can be saved each year (Source: UNFPA & Every Newborn Action Plan, 2014). With every bag you purchase, TOMS will help provide a safe birth for a mother and baby in need. One for One®.

These five contemporary styles are perfect for summer and TOMS is giving away two bags of each kind for a total of 10 handbags for 10 lucky winners! Enter to win one of these life-changing (and chic) TOMS bags and spread the word about the TOMS movement. TOMS is in business to help improve lives.

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What You Could Win:

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How to Enter the TOMS Bag Giveaway:

1. If you’re not already an Ebates member, join over 8 million other savvy shoppers who earn up to 40% Cash Back on almost everything they buy. Joining Ebates is free and you’ll receive a $10 Welcome Bonus when you join today at www.ebates.com.

2. After you enter your Ebates email, you can earn extra entries for each type of entry. Comment, tweet, pin, follow us, like us, circle us — the more you do, the more entries you get! This sweepstakes ends on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at 11:59 PM PST. The winner will be randomly picked through Rafflecopter, and will be posted on Facebook and this blog. Please be aware of the Giveaway Rules.

Be sure to keep an eye on your inbox, as the winner will have 24 hours to accept the prize before we will choose another winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stay in the loop to hear about great deals and tips!

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

June 2, 2015

Disney’s Twice Upon a Year Sale

Calling all you Disney fans out there! Head on over to the DisneyStore.com where they are hosting a Twice Upon a Year Sale and offering up to 40% off hundreds of items! Plus, shipping is free when you spend $75 or more with promo code SHIPMAGIC! If you have any summer birthdays coming up, this sale is a great way to stock up on gifts.

We’ve made our way through the entire online sale and there are products for every member in the family, as well as some real steals for baby! Here are just a handful our favorites. You’ll have to visit the sale for more.

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Don’t forget to go through Ebates for 3% Cash Back on all purchases! (Hurry, sale ends 6/5/15)

Want to save even more?

Save 10% off select merchandise purchases of $50 or more made with your Disney Visa^® Card or Disney Rewards^® Redemption Card.* Sign in and shop at Disneystore.com and use code: DRVCMEMBER at checkout to apply extra 10%.

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

May 29, 2015

16 Summer Dresses Under $50

With summer weather getting ready to shine, it’s time to break out the flowy, light and bright dresses. Fit & flare and maxi dresses are always in style while the hottest trends this summer are trapeze and shirt dresses. We’ve searched around and gathered 16 dresses perfect for the warm days and long nights. The best part? Every single dress is under $50 so you won’t have to break the bank while treating yourself! Remember to use Ebates to get Cash Back on all your purchases to save even more.

Accentuate your waistline and twirl to your heart’s delight with a flirty and feminine dress that boasts a flared skirt. All you need is a cute pair of heels or booties for a chic look, day or night.

Cutout-Back Floral Print Dress (Forever 21 $22.90) | MINKPINK ‘Poetic Justice’ Halter Fit & Flare Dress (Nordstrom $47.40) | MILLY for DesigNation Floral Fit & Flare Scuba Dress (Kohl’s $40.80) | Watermelon Print Sundress (Dorothy Perkins $28)

Play it loose and breezy with a vintage-inspired trapeze dress. This style looks fabulous with wedges and makes for a Sunday brunch look your friends will covet.

Go Baroque Trapeze Dress (Forever 21 $24.80) | As U Wish Print Trapeze Dress (Nordstrom $46) | re:named Drapey Midi Dress (Nordstrom $48) | GLAMOROUS Floral Print Raw Edge Shark Bite Hem Tank Dress (Nordstrom $48)

Dress up for work with flats and a jacket or go ultra-casual for weekend with sneakers and a mini backpack. Shirt dresses are as versatile as they are adorable.

Slub Knit T-Shirt Dress (Forever 21 $15.90) | Stripe Shirt Dress (Dorothy Perkins $44) | Lush Striped T-Shirt Dress (Necessary Clothing $34.99) | Buttoned Shirt Dress (Forever 21 $24.90)

Look long and lean with a head-turning maxi dress. Break out the flat sandals for a comfy yet super cool look for the beach, backyard BBQ or summer music fest.

Soprano Print Halter Maxi Dress (Nordstrom $44) | Light Orange T-Shirt Dress (Dorothy Perkins $28) | MILLY for DesigNation Print Empire Maxi Dress (Kohl’s $46.80) | Geo-Stripe Maxi Dress (Forever 21 $29.90)

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

May 28, 2015

Sweet 16 Celebration Winners

We just wrapped up our week-long Sweet 16 Celebration for the 16th anniversary of Ebates! It was such a blast, complete with fantasy party Pinterest boards, a Twitter party, amazing throwback photos and, of course, cake. (Well…we had cake at the Ebates headquarters, but we would have gladly shared it with you!) We gave away over $400 in prizes to our amazing members. Here’s a recap of how we celebrated.

To kick off our celebration week, we took to Pinterest to get creative. We asked members to make a board on Pinterest called “Sweet 16 Dreams” and create their fantasy Sweet 16 party. We saw so many inspired entries featuring outfits, decorations, food, invitations and more. Picking the best two boards was NOT easy! Our first place winner won a $100 Amazon Gift Card by choosing to follow her roots with a Native American theme and our second place winner won a $50 Amazon Gift Card by rocking the red carpet with a Hollywood theme. Thank you to everyone who participated! It was wonderful to see all your gorgeous themes and unique ideas.

Winners: Lynn M. and Jennifer M.

On Wednesday, we threw a party on Twitter! It was definitely a fun way to get to know our members and relive some amazing memories (with a few fashion disasters and celeb crushes thrown in). We asked our followers questions and were rolling on the floor over some of the hilarious answers while getting misty-eyed over the ones that made us yearn for our youth.

Ten of those who participated were randomly selected as winners and each received a $20 Starbucks Gift Card. We want to thank everyone who participated. We had a ton of fun learning more about our awesome Ebates members!

Winners: Lori C., Malika E., Rita F., Gina G., Anne-Marie L., Dana M., Iram M., Randy P., Lis R. and Taara S.

Thursday rolled around and we obviously felt it necessary to have a #ThrowbackThursday Instagram contest. We asked members to post a photo of themselves at 16 for the chance to win a $50 Ebates bonus! Above, you’ll see the delightful 16-year-old faces of the three beautiful employees that help run the blog. Aren’t we just precious?

Winner: Kristina W.

As one last special treat, we took to Facebook to surprise our members with one last giveaway opportunity! Over 1,400 entries poured in but only one could win a $50 Sephora Gift Card. We appreciate every single participant who made our celebration a blast!

Winner: Christine S.

Stay in the loop to hear about great deals and tips!

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

May 28, 2015

What to Buy in June: Top 8 Deals

June is days away and summer is right behind it, bringing along some serious savings. But knowing where to look is half the battle. A lot of retailers will have hot summer sales but these eight types of products are where you will see rock-bottom prices. Here are the absolute best things to buy in June to get the biggest bang out of your summer bucks.

Caribbean Vacay – The weather in the Caribbean gets a little hot and hectic in June with hurricane season. If you’ve never minded a little wind, this would be a great time to book. Check out Expedia, CheapCaribbean and other travel sites that offer Cash Back at Ebates.

Tools – With Father’s Day coming up in June, retailers will be sure to have some door-busting deals on hardware, power tools, even paint. Get dad a perfectly practical gift while stacking up Cash Back at Ebates from stores like Ace Hardware, Home Depot, Build.com and more.

Designer Clothing – June is when all the major fashion labels are itching to clear out stock to make room for fall collections. Take advantage at top retailers like Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue and more.

Lingerie – Warm weather brings hot June nights and it’s the perfect time to give your bedroom look a little kick. Keep an eye out for blowout lingerie sales, especially Victoria’s Secret’s Semi-Annual Sale that usually comes along in June.

Fitness equipment – Indoor exercise equipment is not in the highest demand when the sun is out and the Great Outdoors can be your gym. Retailers are looking to pick up the slack with some major deals on everything from elliptical trainers to barbells. Shop stores like Sports Authority, REI, Sears and Overstock.com for great prices with Cash Back at Ebates.

Kitchenware and Dishes – Even if you’re not getting married this wedding season, you can still take advantage of low prices used to incentivize wedding registries. Items like kitchen goods, small appliances, dishes and flatware will be a steal from department stores like Bed Bath & Beyond, Crate & Barrel and Kmart.

Laptops – Unlike TV deals, which are few and far between in June, laptop deals will pop up everywhere with Back to School sales. (Yes, Back to School already!) Stop by Fujitsu, HP.com, Lenovo and more to get Cash Back at Ebates on the perfect notebook or laptop for your scholastic (or extracurricular) needs.

DONUTS. – Top your June savings off with a sweet treat on National Donut Day, June 5. Stores like Krispy Kreme, Tim Horton’s and Dunkin’ Donuts have offered free donuts in the past and as they say, the past is bound to repeat itself—in a very delicious way. *Drool*

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

May 24, 2015

3 Tips for Hosting the Perfect Summer Party

It’s almost summer, and that means it’s almost time for the season of barbecues, pool parties, bonfires, and fun. If you’re planning to throw a party this summer, all you need to do is prepare a few key details and you’ll be all set to give your guests a great time.

1. Choose Your Theme

When the weather starts to heat up, it’s the best time of the year to plan a fun outdoor party. One of the best ways to get your guests exciting about an upcoming party is to center things around a theme. If you’re celebrating for the Fourth of July, you already have your theme ready to go, but other ideas like Kentucky Derby parties, lawn games, and garden parties are all light themes that help you in your planning for everything from invitations to libations.

If you’re looking for the subtle decorative accoutrements to accompany your theme, avoid Party City and hunt for vintage home and garden accessories from eBay. Whether you’re looking for a croquet set, chic votives, Derby fascinators, or an antique tea set, you can find tons of great deals on unique items using eBay coupons from Ebates, as well as thousands of free shipping offers.

2. Get Creative With Your Drinks

Speaking of libations, the key to any successful party is the food and drinks you serve. Get creative with your drinks and keep things in theme. While Cinco de Mayo may have already passed, a cantina-themed fiesta is going to be great all summer long, and a few margarita varieties are just the thing to get things started.

Want to host a wine-tasting and painting party? You might have to venture farther than your grocery store to find some interesting vintages. Get up to 7.5% Cash Back on wines that your guests will adore when you order from Wine Insiders through Ebates.

3. Get Your Guests Involved

While a traditional dinner party is always a nice time, there’s something more exciting about heading to a party where there is a little more planned for guests. Getting your guests involved in the party doesn’t necessitate months of planning, but a few simple options can keep the party flowing, fun, and lively. Whether it’s lawn games, projecting a classic film, setting up a build your own Bloody Mary bar, or something else, a few simple activities can be the difference between a good party and a great one.

Follow these simple tips and your guests will be talking about your party for months to come. As always, your party preparations are always more affordable when you shop with the discounts and Cash Back that Ebates offers!

Stay in the loop to hear about great deals and tips!

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

May 22, 2015

Nailing Nautical Style

With temperatures rising and long days in the sun starting, it’s time to hit the water. Whether you’re actually planning on heading out on a sailboat anytime soon, or if you just want to borrow the style elements that go along with it, we can help you dress the part. While classic nautical style might be available far and wide, finding the items that put a modern twist on those classics is a fun way to update the look.

Start With Your Boat Shoes
Of course, the cornerstone of any nautically inspired look begins with your choice of footwear. For a classic look, go with a pair of Sperry’s. But if your looking for a contemporary update, the classic brand recently partnered with acclaimed lifestyle photographer and Instagram celebrity, Gray Malin, to produce a line of shoes with his prints. Get a pair of the Original Lisboa Umbrella 2-Eye Boat Shoes to show off in your next Instagram picture. Oh, and you might as well take some Cash Back while you’re at it using Sperry coupons from Ebates.

Anchors Up
Nothing really drives the nautical theme home like an anchor motif. Whether it’s a print on a pair of shorts or a charm on your bracelet, an anchor is a classic symbol of everything preppy, seafaring, and nautically inclined. Try this Dogeared Anchor Yourself Necklace for a subtle anchor appearance. This necklace will remind you that while things change, you are strong and can stay steady.Factor in the savings from Bloomingdale’s coupons from Ebates and it’s pretty hard to resist.

Sailor Stripes, Revisited
There are plenty of takes on the classic sailor striped shirts in white and navy with three quarter length sleeves. If you want something with a more contemporary fit, try the Stripe Cropped Sweatshirt from Banana Republic. It’s a flattering cropped look that’s perfect for warm weather all spring and summer long.

The Espadrille
If flats aren’t your thing and the classic boat shoe doesn’t do the trick, the espadrille is a nautically influenced shoe with some height. The Michael Kors Damita Wedge Sandal available from Nordstrom is a good options with contemporary lines and a comfortable fit.

Get a modern nautical look with these four fun styles today!

Stay in the loop to hear about great deals and tips!

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

May 21, 2015

Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale!

The much anticipated event has finally arrived! This moment only happens each spring and fall – the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale! Save up to 40% off select styles, plus get 6% Cash Back on all purchases. If you’ve had your eye on a new handbag, watch or pair of shoes, now would be the time to buy. We’ve gathered up some of our top picks including hot designers like Michael Kors, Tory Burch, Kate Spade & Rebecca Minkoff. Act fast because styles are selling out quickly!