A refund is cash, a free product, or a gift given by a manufacturer as their way of saying "Thank You" for buying their product.

Refunds can run anywhere from $1 to $25 or a free box of cereal to a free camping tent. All it takes is a little organization and an incentive. There may be that something special you have been wanting (maybe a new outfit or a week's vacation). But somehow you can't squeeze that little extra into your budget. Through refunding, you, too, can be one of the thousands upon thousands of people who can buy that extra special something.

This unique hobby is not complicated. How much you make out of refunding depends on how much you put into it.

Wouldn't it be nice to only have to spend 34¢ on a postage stamp to receive a $3 refund check or a free sweatshirt? The average refund takes about 6-8 weeks to arrive, some a little more, some a little less. But when you open your mailbox, and see that first refund check, or that first free grocery item coupon, the excitement you feel was well worth the little effort it took to get you started.

The amount of paperwork you want to do is entirely up to you.

You may want to work on your own. Or, you may find that it's more beneficial to trade with other refunders by mail, or going to a monthly meeting of refunders in your hometown. The primary paperwork involved is, of course, the refund form itself, an envelope, and a notebook (or computer) of your choosing to keep records of all that you have sent off for. In fact, it is less complicated and involved than your budget book, and much more rewarding!

What exactly will you need to qualify for a refund?

Most companies require different parts of their packaging (usually the UPC) and a cash register tape showing you purchased the product. In some instances, all you need is your cash register tape, and in others, just the UPCs.

You probably have enough proofs of purchase in your own home right now to start refunding.

So, decide on your little kitchen drawer or corner, or some special area where you want to set up your “refund office”, and begin to bring in that extra “rainy day money”.

Refund Express is here to assist you in increasing your refund earnings.

We also offer you the opportunity to earn credits in various different ways. And we have plenty of contests and monthly drawings. You can also place ads to assist you in increasing your refund dollars.

To start refunding in earnest, you need to save EVERYTHING!

Boxtops, labels, cap hinges, inserts, cartons, etc - we mean everything. The readers of Refund Express can offer you tips and tricks on all aspects of refunding in each issue of Refund Express. Here's a few helpful hints to help get you started.

Once your issue of Refund Express arrives:

• Check the RE refund offers each month to keep up with all the current refund offers available. Many companies require the forms to accompany their proofs of purchase.
• Check the RE ad section for traders offering these forms. Forms can also be found in grocery stores, drugstores, department stores, on bulletin boards, in coupon bins, etc. If the cardboard backing states you don't need the form, simply print your name and address and send the company what they are requesting. Refund Express keeps up with all the latest offers and prints them as quickly as possible. We can always use your help by your sending us new forms.