Not To Proud: ASK!

Boys: Dad and I have a goal. To achieve this under taking we decided to be no holds bar. I am sharing this because the one thing your father and I both find hard to do is ask for help.

We don't want to cause or become an inconvenience.

Rarely do we ask for or accpet help. Today is different. We asked. There are many ways people can help that won't lead to blood, tears and sweat. We hopefully found a way to receive help off of something people do already!

Here is the email we sent:


They say it takes a village... WE NEED OUR VILLAGE....

Why Your Help?

We have challenged ourselves. We are cutting back and getting serious. Our goal: DEBT free. We cut up the credit cards. In 36 months (at the very longest!) we plan to pay off credit cards, a line of credit, two car loans, save six-months salary and once again funding our retirement at 18%. It snowballs from there...

Living debt free offers not a greater life, but lifestyle. We will finally be able to give more to others, organizations and our community. To give is one of our great pleasures and to do so without reservation will be wonderful! We can pay it forward. It will help remove the fear of unexpected injuries/surgeries not paid by our insurance. This also opens up more choices regarding our children’s education.


What Have We Done?

We purged and now have started a Craigslist sale. Nicole will begin her new part time job. Adam has side work. We have switched our phone company and opted for a ‘time of use’ plan with our electric company. There is no cable or network TV in our home. We said we are SERIOUS!

Okay... on with it.

How Can You Help?

When we shop online we use Ebates.com to earn a % in cash back. We have been a member since 2008. Not only do we earn our money back it is a totally free! We shop online for most everything (Lowes, Kohls, Old Navy, The Children's Place, Barnes Noble, 1800flowers, Restaurant.com...). 1200 retailers participate! If there is a location near we’ll choose ship-to-store for free shipping and earn our cash back.

Some stores offer 1% while others offer up to 26% cash back. After the holidays we received a check for $52 for items we already planned to buy; and still used coupon codes! And yes, all future checks will go straight towards our goal.

If you already shop online (even if it is to send gifts!) signup http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=ubRsiOkhShFbs%2FHhzZT7cA%3D%3D. Find your store, click on it and it links you to the stores site. Make your $25 purchase by 5/31. You will earn $5 towards your cash back check. Cool!

How Will This Help?

Signing up through our referral link http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=ubRsiOkhShFbs%2FHhzZT7cA%3D%3D and making your planned $25 purchase by 5/30 earns us $10! You made your purchase, you get $5 (plus your cash back %) as well as helped us. Easy peasy right?

If you wonder what Ebates.com is check it out... Seriously browse it. If you like what you see sign up. Please use our link or we won’t earn the credit. BOO.

We cannot stress enough: Do not make an online purchase if you don't already shop online. Also, we do not want you making an unneeded purchase. This is a request for those will be. NO shopping pressure!

We will resend this email in May. Some of you intend to sign up and forget (MOM!). So, the next email is ONLY a reminder- this is it. We promise we are not harassing you. Again, the subject will read: Wanna Help?

How Can You Help MORE?

Between now and 5/30 there is NO cap to what we can earn.

Heck, if you plan to shop online two times before May 30th ask your partner to sign up (or sign them up!) http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=ubRsiOkhShFbs%2FHhzZT7cA%3D%3D . We'll earn $10 from this referral, too. Awesome!

Forward this to those you email: friends, family and coworkers. Ask them to pass along, too. Many people will appreciate saving money on items they already buy and getting their own $5 bonus. And with great appreciation we earn $10 if it is by 5/30 and at least $25!

We had to tell ourselves there is no harm in sending this email. We are thinking outside the box to reach our goal. There is no shame in being creative. We have certainly received worse emails and forwards.

Feel brave- click forward.


Thanks a bunch!

If the link http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=ubRsiOkhShFbs%2FHhzZT7cA%3D%3D doesn’t work copy and paste into the address bar.