It's worth the effort!

I hear alot of people say that they don't bother with rebates because it takes too long to get your money back. Or it's too much hassle to track your receipts. Or that they often don't get their rebate check back at all.
I'm here to tell you that it IS worth doing.
Yes, you have to be careful with your receipts. Yes, you have to follow the submission instructions carefully.
But it's worth it!!!
You can get ALOT of money back for things you were buying anyway. And it's a way to afford things you would like to have but may not have bought because they were too expensive.
Right now I have 17 outstanding rebates for items I was buying anyway; meat, fish, chicken, chips, Diet Coke, shrimp, cereal, tiki torches and oil, bottled water, shampoo. All these items were originally paid for within our regular budget categories; grocery and vacation funds.
Most of the rebates I do are sponsored by beer companies. But in Utah (and many other states) you don't have to buy the beer to get the rebate.
If I spent 5 minutes filling out each rebate that's 85 minutes of my time. And I probably do spend 5 minutes because I photocopy every submission so I can contact the company if my check never shows up. (BTW I've only had about 2 or 3 out of hundreds of rebates not show up, always because *I* made an error)
For that 85 minutes I'll get paid $140.00 and I'll get a free pedicure. That's $98.82 per hour and pretty feet.
How much do you make per hour? ;)
ETA: My good friend, Christy, brings up a good point. I forgot to tell you all that my rule is never sit on a rebate. Get it submitted ASAP while all the requirements are fresh and easy to find. Thanks Christy! ;)