Recently in Sports & Recreation Category

To some of you, today is the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, or the first Saturday of September. But some of us who know the importance of this date isn't found in history books. Rather, today is about history that is about to be made. Today is the first Saturday of NCAA football. I'm excited because the Cal Bears open the season with a #12 ranking in the AP and USA Today polls, and could crack the top ten by winning the games they should.

But enough regional bias. We're united by a love of football and a love of saving money. That's why I get my gear from Football Fanatics. They've got products a true fan needs, ranging from clothing to shot glasses, baby clothes to dog shirts.

What if you're not an NCAA fan? What if (like me) you went to a university with no football team? Then, there is an exhaustive NFL section as well so you can support your favorite pro football team.

Don't like football? Football Fanatics also has pages of gear for MLB, the NHL, or the NBA.

Don't like sports? Well then why have you read this far? Oh! Right! To find out that Football Fanatics offers 6% Cash Back through Ebates.

Get ready for the season with deals in our Football Category!

This one snuck up on me a bit, folks, but in my relentless pursuit of free shipping deals, I somehow overlooked our Nike coupon for free shipping on orders of $125 or more. Since Back to School is upon us, you can bet that a number of stores are offering special promotions to help ease the strain on the wallet that goes along with getting your kids (or yourself) ready for another year of school. Nike is no exception, as they have items on sale in addition to everyday 6% Cash Back and Nike coupons.

Whether you are looking for new shoes, athletic apparel, sports gear, or a whole mess of running accessories, you can find it all at Nike, and if you're looking for Nike coupons, look no farther than Ebates. But act quickly -- the free shipping offer from Nike expires today, so time is of the essence!

Find Nike coupons and more in our Sports & Outdoor category!

Although I would never describe myself as someone who likes to camp, there are a few occasions throughout the year where the opportunity to embark on a lively camping trip comes my way. And when I go camping, I need gear to make the adventure as comfortable as possible. To prepare for my next trip, I took a trip to L.L. Bean, through Ebates where I could shop with the promise of cash back and L.L. Bean coupons. It did not take me long to find deals on items I would have never known that I needed but so glad I discovered before hand. Like this reusable Java Drip Coffee Maker for $24.95 with 2% Cash Back.

Not only does it come with reusable cloth filters but it is also compact and lightweight. Regardless of where I wake up, I need a tasty and incredibly strong cup of coffee to get me going. Shop now and get cash back from Ebates and L.L. Bean coupons to save on your camping and outdoor living essentials from affordable pocket GPS to cots.

Find more coupons and get cash back at Ebates!

I know I've said it in the past, but I am moderately in love with Eastbay, one of the best sporting goods suppliers out there. They've got shoes, they've got apparel, they've got equipment; really, they've got it all. Even better, they've got it all at wonderful prices with even better customer service.

So what makes this great site even better? The fact that you can earn 5% Cash Back on all your purchases from Eastbay, and you can even take advantage of Eastbay coupons to sweeten the deal that much more. Our Eastbay coupons not only keep you up to date when there are specials going on, but you can even get coupon codes to save an average of fifteen dollars on orders of $75 or more. So no matter what your sport, Eastbay has you covered, and if you like to save money when shopping online, Ebates has you covered with cash back and Eastbay coupons.


Find more sporting goods in our Sports & Outdoor category!

While I'm usually the electronics guru around these parts, Bill and I have a shared love of musical instruments that goes above and beyond the circuitry found in most stomp boxes. That's why it's so great that Ebates has Musicians Friend coupons to get the best deals on all kinds of musical doodads, including cymbals, drum trainers, and all the guitar goodies you could dream of. And the best part? Why that's 3% Cash Back at Ebates, of course!

Many know Musicians Friend for their guitar and bass deals, but they excel in another area as well: drums! As a person who's been banging on things since birth, I recently picked a nice little starter drum set from Abes of Maine and needed cymbals to go along with it. Musicians Friend had a great deal on a nice little cymbal upgrade, and it even came with a free stand! You can't beat that!

Musicians Friend coupons aren't the only way to save at Ebates. Check out our other 1100+ stores for other great musical deals with cash back!

Looking for the perfect gift for my active Dad, I found myself on the Cabela's website, and I knew that it would be just the right place to find it. Cabela's carries a complete inventory of outdoor equipment for hunting, archery, shooting gear, fishing, camping, boating and much more.  With 3% Cash Back from Ebates and Cabela's coupons for additional savings, I was sure that the perfect gift would also come at the perfect price.

Shop Cabela's during the Ebates Father's Day Promotion and find deals and Cabela's coupons galore. Currently, Cabela's is having their Spring Sale, where over ten thousand overstock, special buys, and clearance items are up to 70% off. With ten thousand items to choose from, surely you can find something just right for your Dad and maybe even yourself too!

Shop all the Father's Day Merchants and get increased cash back and coupons too!

I like to think of myself as a traditional "manly man". As such, I try to do my own auto repairs if possible. Granted, my skills are limited, but I can at least replace simple stuff like brake pads and oil filters. On days when I want to be in the garage working on my rapidly-deteriorating truck, I am thankful for Tire Rack. I can get all the parts I need for my everyday upkeep and can shop by vehicle make and year, which takes the guesswork out of searching for parts.

Plus, through Ebates you'll get 3% Cash Back at Tire Rack, and get great Tire Rack Coupons. Right now, there is a coupon for 10% all KONI products at Tire Rack, which means even more savings! So if you're an auto tinkerer like me, if you like to keep your car looking its best, or if you're looking for a gift for Dad (hint hint) for Father's Day, you can get all sorts of great automotive deals at Tire Rack. Don't let the name fool you!

Check and see if your favorite automotive tools stores are at Ebates!

Outdoor enthusiasts know to shop Cabelas for cash back, and great savings. They also know the best savings can be found with Cabelas coupons. From now until May 12th, save on outdoor essentials like fly fishing gear, casting rods, and even Swarovski Optic Binoculars. No matter what you purchase from America's largest purveyor of sporting goods, you'll earn 2% Cash Back at Cabelas by shopping through Ebates.

With its massive inventory, it's no wonder Cabelas outfits the entire family. You'll find archery supplies, camping equipment, sonars, and other boating electronics, hunting gear, and let's not forget clothing and footwear for every season. So whether you're shopping for yourself, the family, or the household pet, shop Cabelas through Ebates. You'll find plenty of Cabelas coupons, and other great ways to save.

Shop our Sports & Outdoor category for additional savings!

... That today is the mandatory first day for Spring Training. Pitchers and catchers have been trickling into camp all week, and World Baseball Classic players have been making their flights into Spring Training compounds in Arizona and Florida, but February 22nd is the true "First Day of Spring Training." In honor of this, it is now officially time to stock up on your team's apparel from MLB.com, your official place for all your official baseball memorabilia and gear
while earning 3% cash back.

I can't say just how excited I am at the prospect of another baseball season starting, especially with my Oakland A's poised to have such a great season (or at least a winning one). If, like me, the soles of your feet tingle at the words "Spring Training" then run out and pick yourself up a jersey, hat, or even underpants of your favorite team so that no matter how little or how much you happen to be wearing at any given time. Also, through the end of February, you can get an extra 10% off official team jackets with this coupon. For someone who has spent quality time in the bleachers here in SF, you know how much it comes in handy to have a warm jacket that also helps support your team.


I always think of it this way: Spring Training lasts just long enough to turn that new team apparel into "perfectly broken in team apparel." 

It's Monday morning, day after the Super Bowl, and unfortunately that means that today is the beginning of the longest wait you'll have until you see football again. There will be celebrating in Steel-town, free agent rumors, head coach hirings (and firings), and all sorts of other fun that goes along with the off-season. 

Today is also your chance to bid the 2008-2009 season farewell by getting geared up for next year. Whether you want to get the first ever Super Bowl Commemorative Towel to celebrate the Steelers' victory, or if you want an officially-licensed Arizona Cardinals NFC Championship Sweatshirt to remember your team's rise to the top (even if that meant beating the 49ers to a playoff berth).

Man, with Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve back-to-back Wednesdays, it feels like it's been forever since I last wrote a "Did you know?" feature, and it feels great to be behind the keyboard again for this perennially fun segment. Considering the time of the year, I consider it apropos that today's featured site is all about personal improvement. Verseo.com has a vast array of personal training and wellness accessories, from exercise equipment to power cleanses, stress erasers to hair growth, even hair removal. Basically, if there is something about your body that you'd like to do a little touching up to, this site has some sort of product that will allow you to do just that.

To be completely honest, I'm fascinated by a number of their products. I would love to try some of their detox patches or even home electrolysis options. There is one item, however, that fascinates me more than most, and that is the Body Burner. I actually think it's a great workout tool. It comes with instructional DVDs that cater to varied skill levels, and it is designed for low-impact workouts, which is great for folks with chronic knee problems (kind of like myself). Plus, it really just looks like it would be fun to work out on. However there is just one issue I take with this product. It's not the price, it's not the space it takes up; it's the "numerical dance platform." I understand the idea behind it, and I think it's great: this way anyone using the Body Burner can know where they should be facing and turning at all times. But look closely. That is not a platform, it's a trampoline. Let's call a spade a spade: this exercise machine is a trampoline. The numerical design is innovative, and I love the idea of a trampoline for low-impact exercise. But don't call it a "dance platform" folks. We're getting a trampoline exercise program, which I'm sure works well. I'd gladly spend the $59.95 for this package, complete with "dance platform", stability bar, DVDs, and even a nutrition guide, especially knowing I'll get 9% cash back on any Verseo purchase. My only hesitation is that nowhere in this whole product description does the word "trampoline" arise.

So, whatever your exercise, fitness, or personal care needs may be, be sure to check out all the innovative products available at Verseo, all of which can be had with 9% cash back by using your Ebates account. They also have an interesting blog called "Beauty Secrets by Mary" where the ladies can get all sorts of tips on looking their best and men can get all sorts of tips on understanding ladies.

In our unrelenting efforts to appeal to every sport enthusiast in the market, we are always looking for more new and exciting stores so that you can earn cash back regardless of what sports you are interested in. Our latest addition? Holabird Sports. On the surface, it appears that Holabird is just a tennis-specific site, but after a little clicking around, you'll soon realize there is much more to this store. Aside from a wide selection of racquet-related sporting supplies, which include Tennis, Squash, Racquetball, and Platform Tennis (a new discovery to yours truly), Holabird also stocks a wide variety of running shoes and accessories. They even carry medical supplies including braces, bandages, and anti-friction guard to prevent uncomfortable chafing from athletic activity.

What impresses me most about the selection at Holabird is the sheer variety of sport-specific shoes that they stock. Regardless of whether you prefer baseball, basketball, football, tennis, running, walking, or even lacrosse, they have some sort of footwear to help you perform to the best of your abilities. Or, if (like me) you prefer your sports on TV, they have a wide selection of casual shoes and sandals. Naturally, the best part about Holabird now teaming up with Ebates is that we can now offer 4% cash back on their already-low prices. So not only do you get cash back on your purchases as an added incentive, you don't have to go to Baltimore to take advantage of their great deals!

As those of you who follow my "Weekend Idea" have probably noticed, I spend a decent amount of time recommending things that I don't know much about. From fishing or swimming to gardening or camping, I have tried to promote a handful of activities that I always like the idea of but usually lack the gumption to act upon.

This week, I am doing the complete opposite; I'm writing about something I enjoy with a passion. This week, I talk about pool. See, growing up, I was the envy of the kids at my school - I was the kid with a pool table in his garage. Every Friday and Saturday night from 1992 through 1995 from about seven to ten in the evening, my two friends and myself could be found listening to music and playing pool. Looking back, those were some of the happiest times in my life. As I grew older, my family got a new pool table that was closer to regulation size, and I started playing a lot more seriously. I've always found that little else relaxes me like a few games of pool in the cool of that garage. Nowadays, I tend to play the majority of my pool in local bars, and thanks to the years of playing in my youth, I usually can hold my own.

When I started here, the only places I could purchase any billiard supplies were major sporting goods stores. While I appreciate the fact that they are making pool cues, balls, and racks available to the general public, they don't have supplies that make a poolshark's heart go pitter-pat. It's exactly this reason that I was thrilled when I found out that we had added a new billiard-specific website, PoolDawg.com. Let me tell you, as someone who can actually speak from a voice of experience, this place has it all. I spent about half an hour just clicking around and salivating over all the great products they have for sale at this site. From the high end cues, like Medici and Viking to their own brand one-piece cues or accessory bundles, these guys have everything that a seasoned pool player could want, all at ridiculous prices. Even better, they offer free ground shipping on orders over $75, and if you buy almost any cue on the site, you are pretty much gauranteed a free gift plus your 3% cash back.

I'd better stock up on Ramen, because I could put a major dent in my paycheck with all the great products on this site.
(image from Karimtemple.com)

I'm going to be brief yet again, but today was the first time in months that some of us here at Ebates had a "basketball lunch". Yes, it is exactly what it sounds like; instead of going to the lunch room, we go to a local basketball court and squeeze in a few games of hoops instead. Despite the fact that I haven't played in probably a year or two, and despite the fact that I'm sure my knees will hate me tomorrow, I still have to recommend a little excess activity for the weekend. Remember, the weather could go foul any day now (or for some of you, it already has), so if you are able, this is the perfect chance to squeeze in a little extra fun: shoot some hoops, throw around the football, go to the batting cages, or even just hit the golf links. Whatever your sport, go out and have some fun -- you'll feel better for doing it! Luckily for you, here at Ebates, we have a great selection of sports stores, all of which can be found in our Sports & Outdoors category. From the leading names in sports super-stores, to lesser-known specialty merchants, you can find darn near anything you could want to have some fun this weekend and every weekend following.

 

I know it sounds absurd, but I love pinatas more than most people. I suppose it's rational; it combines some of my favorite things: spending time with friends, eating candy, and hitting things with sticks. Plus, you don't usually see a pinata unless it's a party. However, beyond my love for pinatas, I had never given much thought to them. I never thought about the complex thought process that goes into picking out the perfect pinata for the occasion, or even where one is supposed to purchase a pinata.

Now I finally have an answer, and that answer is Pinatas.com.

I mean, come on; who wouldn't want to take a broom handle to that delightfully evil looking little clown?

So I have found a mecca for pinatas for all occasions: birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Purim, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, even Mardi Gras!  What's even better is the fact that not only are these pinatas reasonably priced, they also earn you 6% Cash Back on every purchase.

Also, don't let the name fool you, pinatas.com also has a number of other various party supplies, and currently has an entire page dedicated to Halloween. You can get masks and decorations (yes, including Halloween pinatas) at up to 40% with their Halloween Discounts sale.

Now that's more savings than you can shake a stick at!

Another Friday has come rumbling in, and despite the promise of a torrential downpour throughout most of Northern California I am still going to recommend that we all get out and experience nature a little. Again, being the type who has always kept himself sequestered in the city, I don't really "do" camping. As much as I love the sound of crickets or the view of stars over my head as I peacefully drift off to sleep, I prefer not having to check my shoes when I wake up in the morning to make sure that no creepy-crawlies have taken up residence in my size thirteens.

There are millions of Americans, however, who love sleeping out in the open, exploring new terrains, hitting the trails, and all the other fun-filled activities that fall under the blanket term "roughing it."  For you people, we have a few merchants that you might be interested in. Even if you don't love outdoor adventure, chances are you can find some manner of clever or fun gizmo that will make your life infinitely better.

- Cabela's is pretty much your one-stop location for any and all outdoor needs. Hunting, fishing, camping, ATV, anything really; if you do it outdoors, Cabela's has you covered.

- REI is one of the most widely recognized names in outdoor gear, and while they may not have some of the specialty products that Cabela's has, they do have Expert Advice sections as well as trip recommendations.

- CampingWorld really should just speak for itself.  They specialize more in RVs and their accessories, but chances are that if you own an RV, you probably take it camping. They do have a great selection of supplies like generators and gas grills that can smooth out your "roughing it" just a little.

- Patagonia, for all the attention paid to it as being a leader in outdoor wear, has also earned itself a name for comfortable and stylish design, so if you like to look better than the average camper when you hit the trails, this is the place to get all the gear that will keep you fashion-forward while staying warm and comfortable. 

Most of you don't need to know much more than you already do about The North Face. You already know that it is the number one destination for technical apparel, equipment, snow gear, and even trekking shoes. Most people don't know, however, that The North Face was started just a few miles from where I currently sit writing this blog. It is with great joy that we announce that The North Face has joined forces with Ebates to bring you the great products you know and love with Cash Back that you also know and love.

So now that they're here, what should you get? Well, everything really.


But if you have to narrow things down, consider the Recon Backpack, a lightweight pack that's a leader among day packs from the slopes to the classroom.  And now that the weather is cooling down, it's time to start thinking about getting a jacket that will keep you comfortable and warm through the coolest winters. There are three jackets available at The North Face that stand out above the competition: Stratosphere, Heathen, and Thunder Jackets. Each of these jackets have a number of different innovative, technical options to choose from so you can find the jacket that's right for your activity.

               Heathen                         Stratosphere                           Thunder


Best of all, The North Face is offering free residential ground shipping on all orders over $50 through October 3; just enter code 010304 at checkout, and get it all delivered to your doorstep for no extra charge.

... and no, folks, I'm not talking about reading blogs and clicking on words to find great deals. Here in San Francisco, at least, the weather is setting records for heat; so what better way to spend the weekend than going to your local golf course and playing "fetch" for a few hours? It's great; you can dress up in silly trousers or wear plaid shorts and have no one look twice at you. You can let out your frustrations from the week on your ball when you tee off, and you can let out your frustrations at your tee shot by stomping around an letting loose with some choice profanity and next to no one will even bat an eye.

In all seriousness, when the weather is nice, playing golf can be a great way to get some sun, get a little exercise, and have fun with some friends. Until I started doing a little research for this posting, I didn't realize just how many resources we have here at Ebates for all golf enthusiasts, from beginners like myself to the more experienced players. There are, in fact, thirteen different stores that come up when you search for the word "golf" on our site. If you're looking for supplies, clothing, or colored balls (which come in very handy if you're as bad as I am...) we have got you covered. Check out great shops like Callaway Golf, Dick's Sporting Goods, Nike, Edwin Watts Golf, Pinemeadow Golf, ProGolf, Golfsmith, Golf Outlet USA, Golfballs.com, and many other great stores bringing you all of your needs from the fairway to the driving range, from the putting green to the club house.

So get out there, dust off the clubs, remember to stretch, enjoy nature and the crisp late Summer/early Fall air, and let loose with everything you have. Just live by my personal golf motto: you're only as good as your opening drive, so make it long and straight.

If there is one down side to living in San Francisco, it is the lack of public swimming pools to be had within city limits. Granted, in my neck of the woods there about fifteen days out of the year that one would actually want to go swimming for any reason other than fitness; but still, there's nothing quite like taking a nice swim as the sun is setting to help ease you into the evening time.  While the dearth of swimming pools around me makes for a good excuse for my complete lack of a "swimsuit physique", and while Michael Phelps I may never be, I still wish that I could go swimming more often. True, at this point "more often" would be anything within two calendar years, but that's no excuse. Still, this is yet another great chance to turn my loss into your gain, as you can grab your swimsuit (trunks, board shorts, whatever) and go bid farewell to summer by splashing, swimming, or just relaxing with a nice cool drink while lounging on your favorite floaty.

I won't lie; this idea didn't come to me completely out of the blue. Rather, I was inspired by a Deal of the Week from our homepage.  I know that all too often, we skip over the Ebates homepage and go straight to the coupon or store that you are intending on visiting in the first place. The problem with that is all too often you miss exciting deals like the Daily Double, or the Deals of the Week, which is where you can really start raking in some cash. In this instance, the Deal of the Week was offered by Swimsuitsforall.com, which specializes in women's swimsuits above a size six. They have some smaller suits, along with both men's and children's suits, but that isn't necessarily their focus.

Despite my natural male interest in getting paid to research women in swimwear, I do have a much less personal reason for directing you to this site: through August 31st, they are offering our customers an extra ten percent off all purchases with the coupon code PRIVATESALE.  Yes, I realize the irony of publicly announcing a sale known as "private" but hey, in the spirit of public pool users, I figured it was a good idea.

One quick word of advice when clicking around their site: they sort their clothes by numeric size, but only offer size-based searches using the S-XL scale. That means that if you search for XL trunks (like me), you won't come up with any results, but you can find that they have them in a 40 or 42; you just can't search for size 40 trunks from the get-go.  It's a little flaw in their web design, but I didn't want it to deter anyone from taking advantage of the extra savings offered on top of the 6% you already save just for shipping with Ebates.

Before I even start writing, I will acknowledge that I know next to nothing about fishing. I love to go fishing, but for myself, "going fishing" means gathering some friends, getting a one-day fishing license for each of us, buying some beer, renting a rowboat, and going out on a lake inside of San Francisco city limits. On these trips, I've caught more shoes than I have fish, and the whole trip is an excuse to sit around and crack jokes with friends in a venue that isn't one of our houses. Still, I realize that there are a lot of people all across this fine land who are avid fishermen. To you folks, the people who own boats and think that there is more to bait than finding a worm somewhere, I tip my hat.

Now, whether you are a weekend hack like myself or a devoted fisherman, you can find anything and everything you ever wanted in fishing supplies while getting some great cash back from Ebates. So if you want a new pole or some new lures to bring down to the ol' fishing hole in your town, or if you need a new bilge pump or sonar depth finder for your fishing vessel, I've found the sites that provide everything you could want, big or small.

The first of the two sites I found is more of an all-purpose nautical site, BoatersWorld. Here you can find more of the high-end boating supplies alongside of your standard rods, reels, lures, and sinkers. Devoted fly fishermen, don't worry, just because the website is focused on boaters, they still have all of your fly fishing needs.

The other site that can get you casting off in no time is the name I most commonly associate with fishing supplies, and that is Bass Pro Shops. This website has more fishing items in it than I knew existed. From baits and lures to fisherman-specific eye wear, they have it. They even have a entire category page dedicated completely to that northern wonder, ice fishing. The site has a number of products across a number of outdoorsy categories, but fishing is their specialty; and with a little help from the helpful folks at Bass Pro Shops, fishing can soon be your specialty as well. 

So there you have it, now go down to your fish and game office, get yourself a day or weekend permit, dust off your lucky fishing cap, and go have some fun this weekend!

Once every four years something magical happens, and I'm not talking about me having a successful first date. No, dear readers, I'm talking about the Olympics.

By now, you are probably all well aware of all the various story lines that are floating around this year's Olympic Games: will Michael Phelps set the record for most medals won in a single game? Will the US Men's Basketball team finally bring home Gold again? What will be the fate of our Badminton or WaterSki teams?

While nothing but time will answer those questions, there is one lingering question that I can answer right now on behalf of Ebates, and that is "Where can I go to find all the Olympic apparel and sports memorabilia that I could ever hope for?" The answer, dear readers, is go to the source: the NBC Universal Store. NBC's Olympic store is the place to go for all the official gear from the Beijing Olympics. The deals that can be had on some of the newest and best 2008 Olympic apparel are even more surprising than the USA Baseball team's loss to Korea in their Olympics opener. In addition to items that are already 50% off their original price, there is an amazing selection of memorabilia commemorating this year's Olympics. The NBC Universal Store has products exclusive to their site, Olympic collectibles like pins and jewelry, and even Olympics-specific clothing from designers like Nike and Ralph Lauren. However, just like the Olympics themselves, these products and these deals don't come around all that often, so act now or you'll be more "upset" than USA's Men's Beach Volleyball team against Latvia that you missed these deals. 

Good morning all, hope everyone slept well, and now that you're awake, have I got some eye-opening deals that popped up literally over night! Call it a domino effect, call it what you'd like, but we've got a bevy of sporting goods sites who have increased their rebate percentages so they can help us put even more money than we have before. Plus, with a little clicking around, I was even able to track down a few coupons to make the deals even that much sweeter.

Hopefully everyone who reads this blog is familiar with Foot Locker. They have been one of the largest names in athletic shoe stores for years now, and their sales associates are the easiest people to spot in the mall food court because of their referee-styled white and black striped shirts. If you're familiar with them, then hopefully you're also familiar with the fact that they're one of our merchants, and have been offering you a 5% rebate for quite some time now. The good news is that they have decided to double their 5% rebate up to 10%. It isn't just Foot Locker either, both of their partner stores, Lady Foot Locker and Kids Foot Locker are offering the same 10% rebate now. To sweeten the deal even more, there are two coupons being offered right now that will save you big money: through August 16th, if you use coupon code LKS18GF9, you will get free shipping on all orders over $99.00. If you don't want to spend that much, you can use code LKS18GLK to get 20% off any orders over $75.00. It doesn't seem like they allow you to combine coupons, so do your math and double check it to see which one will be the better bargain for your needs.

If you can't find what you want at Foot Locker, try Champs Sports. I'd say in general that while they may not necessarily have the shoe selection that Foot Locker does, they certainly have them beat in sports equipment. Not to be out done by their competitors, they bumped their rebate percentage from 2% all the way up to 10%. Take advantage of these savings for all your back to school or athletic needs, and use the coupon code LKS18CHFS for free shipping on any order over $50.

Another pair of sites that have upped their rebates to keep up with the trend are Eastbay and their partner site, Final Score. It's strictly a matter of opinion, but I have long felt that Eastbay has the widest selection of sporting goods I've seen gathered in one place. I remember my days as a high school athlete; you knew the day that Eastbay's catalogs had been shipped out because everyone in the athletic department had a copy crammed into their back pocket. It doesn't matter if you are looking for a wrestling uniform, lacrosse gloves, or something as simple as a new baseball bat - Eastbay has it somewhere in their catalog, along with all the shoes you could ever dream of and an expanding clothing selection as well. Save even more using coupon code LKS18AUP to save 20% on back to school deals or LKS18AUG to get 15% off of any purchase of more than $75. Until recently, I thought that coupons were the only way to save at Eastbay, but that was before I found out about Final Score. This partner site to Eastbay specializes in deals on equipment and apparel nearing the end of the season, so they act almost like a clearing house for products at Eastbay, and they have a ton of brand new equipment at a great built-in discount.

So if your kids are trying out for the team this year, if you want to take up a new sporty hobby, or you just want a great deal on some new tennis shoes, be sure to check out any of these sites and take advantage of their increased rebate rates, and tell them Ebates sent you!

Be there live at the Alamodome in San Antonio on April 5 and April 7, 2008, and experience the March Madness frenzy live! The Florida Gators won it all in 2006 and 2007. What team will win it all in 2008? Don't miss your chance to see the Final Four from the best seats in the house with great Final Four tickets from TicketsNow. Start at Ebates, and you get 6% Cash Back on your entire order!

Whether you're a Patriots fan or wear your Giants jersey with pride, you can save big bucks on Super Bowl XLII Tickets at Ebates! Choose from six ticket stores and get up to 7% Cash Back. As of today, remaining Super Bowl tickets start at about $2700. Buy your tickets at Razor Gator  and get an extra $10 off your order by entering code take10off at checkout!

It's a new year, so start working on that new body you've always dreamed of! If you invest in a single high-quality cardio machine like an elliptical trainer, you'll save thousands in gym fees. Elliptical trainers are a low-impact alternative to the treadmill, offering the same heart-pounding workout but with less stress on your  joints. Choose from several top-rated models at Sears: Weslo ($379.99, 4.6 Stars), Proform XP 520 Razor ($499.99, 4.4 Stars) or the Horizon Fitness ($599.88, 4.6 Stars). Sears customers are raving about these three, low-cost elliptical trainers and you will too!

Nike just launched the most far out trend to hit running shoes this year: Nike Vintage Running. The Nike Daybreak debuted in 1977 and became one of the most influential running shoes in history! Relive running's golden age with the Daybreak, Cortez, Waffle Racer, LD 1000, and other styles you'll definitely dig. Your back-to-school hipster will be the coolest kid in class with these colorful kicks, featuring vintage nylon, old-school waffling and those classic 1970's color combinations. Remember to use Ebates' coupons that will save you up to 20% on your entire order!

I'll be the first to admit I don't know diddly squat about football. Touchdown, homerun, hole-in-one, it's all the same to me. I was the kid running away from the ball when we played baseball in junior high. And yes, that was me, huffing and puffing my way through the final quarter of a ten-minute mile, dreaming of the Diet Coke and flip flops waiting for me in the locker room.

My boyfriend is from Chicago, and although he's not a huge football fan, he insisted on watching yesterday's Bears game. My interest in the game was, of course, limited, but I kept glancing at the score for one reason, and for one reason only:  The Super Bowl Shuffle.  If making it to the Super Bowl means the Bears will record a souped-up remix of this jock-jam classic, then I'll root for them like no other. Behold the 1985 Shufflin' Crew in all their awkwardly swaying, saxaphone-wailing glory:

Now, I understand that some of you couldn't care less about watching a twenty-two year old video of the Chicago Bears gettin' their shuffle on, so here is something a little more useful. Did you know you can buy Super Bowl tickets through Ebates? Did you know that you can earn 6% Cash Back on those tickets? Considering the cheapest tickets cost $3465, that 6% can really pay off. You have three choices for ticket vendors: PurchaseTix, TicketsNow and WeHaveSeats. A word of advice: These three merchants do not sell tickets at the same price. I picked a seat at random (Section 101, Row 6) and the price varied at $5040, $5375 and $4810, respectively. Since they all give 6% Cash Back, I would first find my seat, then compare prices.

So, who's ready to get their shuffle on?

A few weeks ago, I posted about a condition now known  as "Wii Elbow". Gamers more accustomed to lazing on the couch were a little surprised by the exertion (seemingly) required to play a game of Wii Sports. I say seemingly because I find the Wiimote responds better to quick sharp motions of the wrist, rather than broad, sweeping arm movements.

Ebates staffer Jen pointed me toward something called the Wii Sports Experiment. In a rather Super Size Me fashion, blogger Mickey Delorenzo decided to test the fitness benefits of playing Wii. He restricted all forms of exercise from his regimen, played Wii Sports for 30 minutes per day for 6 weeks, and recorded the results. Amazingly, he lost 9 pounds, decreased his body fat percent by 2%, and lost 3.5 inches from his waist. Click here to read his story!

Mickey put together this video of his "training"...get ready to get pumped!

It's that time of year again: stores are pushing winter coats to the 50% off clearance section, designers are rolling out their resort collections and of course...swimwear has made its grand debut.

The last few years have brought about stylish options for those of us who love the water (or gazing at it from a safe distance on a blanket) but hate wearing a bikini. Long gone are the days when the only choices were a dowdy one-piece or a bikini more suited for a twenty year old model sprawled on a tricked-out Acura (no offense to the Fast Car readers out there). These days, we have bikinis, tankinis and tanks for every conceivable body type and comfort level.

One of my favorite swimsuit resources is Land's End. They have broken down their inventory of swimwear into categories based on body type. You can "Shop by Anxiety Zone" and find a suit that enhances your waist, bust, hips or thighs. You can mix and match separates because as we all know, your top half might be a size eight while your bottom half is a size twelve (or vice versa). You can order virtually all tanks in one of two cuts: regular torso or long torso. These suits minimize, maximize, hide or display the parts you prefer without comprimising your style.

Honestly, ladies. When sunning and swimming, wouldn't you rather channel Marilyn Monroe than Brooke Hogan? I know I would.

Maybe I've been spoiled by California "winter", but it has felt pretty darn cold in the Bay Area (although I'm sure Al Gore would disagree). So cold, in fact, that we have been forced to move the office equipment, television and sofa and hibernate in the smallest room of our four bedroom apartment.  I'm fairly certain the last time our building saw a caulking gun was in 1894, when the caulking gun was invented. At this point, I'm done wasting money on space heaters! Some might say it's time to move, but I say it's time for a vacation!

To me, nothing sounds warmer than a cruise to the Carribean, Bahamas or Mexico. For those of you who still have a little money leftover after heating your home for the winter, here are some of the most discounted cruises available:

 
• Expedia's Cruise Getaways Sale: Cruises to the Carribean or Bahamas start at $189 and Mexico starts at $219!
 
• Priceline's Cruise Blowout Sale: Get a free iPod Shuffle when you book a seven night cruise. Also, last minute cruises have been heavily marked down! Carribean cruises start at $179, Bahamas at $199 and Mexico at $219.
 
• Travelocity's Carnival Cruise Upgrades: What fun is a cruise if you're holed up in a tiny cabin? Travelocity is offering Free Stateroom Upgrades if you book a cruise by February 15th. Carribean cruises start at $229, Bahamas at $239 and Mexico starts at $229.

Now, I may be jumping the gun here with the exercise bit (mark my words- after New Year's, you'll be eating this stuff up like creamy, delicious sugar-free pudding).

If you're the type who likes to stay fit but can't stand dry exercise blather, then check out Fitness Fixation! It's one of my favorite blogs (this coming from someone who was sore for three days after Wii Boxing).

Fitness Fixation is written by Kelly Mills: a mom, fitness instructor, Ebates member (wink wink) and all-around fierce lady. Kelly will be featuring several products available through Ebates on an upcoming blog.  To get a feel for Fitness Fixation, here's an excerpt from her About section. Enjoy!

Okay, here’s the dirt on me: I’m a big-time exercise fiend, I teach fitness classes, and I  run five times a week. I’ve done races and triathalons. I also write about health for a living.

However, for the majority of my life, I believed I was not an athletic person. I thought this was just how it was: I’m not left-handed, I’m not perky, I’m not athletic. I never played any sports and I thought sweating was something to be avoided. In school I was picked for teams somewhere between the kid on crutches and the kid with the inch-thick glasses who grew up to run a computer company and now owns three small islands. If you threw a ball to me I’d run away from it. I probably caught more balls with the back of my head than I ever did with my hands. I got straight C-minuses in high school P.E., which is basically the best grade you can get if you spend most of the period hiding under the bleachers... I dabbled a little in exercise at various points in my life, mostly at chain gyms, and mostly without enthusiasm...

So now I’m kind of a jock and I think you can be one too, if you are so inclined. Or just get in better shape or whatever. But no matter what you do, you shouldn’t have to feel crappy about yourself. Unless you are into that sort of thing.

 

Update: Kelly's fitness wish list is up! Check out which gifts she suggests for your beloved fitness fanatics.

True, it's been years since I've carved a pumpkin, but when did pumpkin carving kits become so sophisticated? Isn't there a kind of stoic elegance in the 'three triangles and a mouth' model I specialized in as a child?

If you've been looking to add an air of royalty to your jack-o-lantern's visage, check out the Disney Princess Carving Kit. The lowest price can be found at eToys.com and KBToys.com, who both sell it for $10.99 with 3% Cash Back at Ebates. There's also a Pirates of the Caribbean  Carving Kit. Come on, who wouldn't want Johnny Depp's face glowing on their front porch during the chilly autumn nights? Anyone?

For advanced pumpkin carvers, the Dremel Pumpkin Carving Kit is available at Hechinger.com or Home Depot for $19.99. If, to you, 3-D pumpkin carving is akin to sculpting the next Sphinx, try the basic carving kit from Spirit. At $5.99 with 7% Cash Back from Ebates, you really can't go wrong.

Finally, because I find this hilarious, here is a pattern from which you can carve a jack-o-lantern resembling Bob Marley:

Looks like you've got some decisions to make before October 31st. Princess Jasmine? Three triangles and a mouth? A three dimensional representation of the Mona Lisa?

Thanks to fabulousfoods.com for the Bob Marley image!

Want to get Cash Back when you buy pumpking carving supplies? Join Ebates now!

 

So, you'll notice that today is a big day for The Daily Cash Back! Much like the gal in this classic film, the blog received a glamorous makeover. Though instead of a donning a new crop top and highlights, it's now being hosted by Typepad and has a stylish new header, thanks to the graphic design gurus here at Ebates.

ALSO- the 'comments' function is much more easy to use- no more waiting hours and hours to see your comments published. Why not try it out? Tell me what's on your mind!

Now, to the matter at hand: An Ebates staffer sent me a great coupon code yesterday afternoon. Rumor has it that upon making a purchase at Footaction.com or ChampsSports.com, the following codes will hook you up with an employee discount of 30%.

These merchants aren't affiliated with Ebates, so I can't guarantee that these codes work, but why not give it a shot?

These expire on August 27th, so hurry on over! Unless of course you're looking for a new day job at Foot Action- then you can just use the real employee discount. You know, that might be a good plan. Think about it; you'd be up to your neck in all the discounted Pumas you could possibly want with nary a care about things like coupon codes...or rent. Or your cell phone bill.

Foot Action
*Use promotion code EM34FF68 at checkout (8/24-8/27)

or

Champs Sports
*Use promotion code EM20FF68 at checkout (8/24-8/27)

So what if I spent my entire weekend watching Queer as Folk? This is about poultry, people!

If  you're looking for a new pair of running shoes and you're hoping to do  a little more globe-trotting than marathoning, then why not get your  new kicks from Le Coq Sportif?  They're cooler than similar shoes from Puma or Gola, because no one  will know what brand of shoes you're wearing. Imagine how baffled  people will be when you lift up the leg of your Diesel jeans to reveal a proud and colorful rooster! You can say you picked them up in some quaint little boutique in Montmarte!

The best part is that this is one chicken the masses haven't devoured, so they are often on sale. Eastbay has a Pick Your Price sale right now, and you'll find lots of Le Coq Sportif sneakers for $29.99-$39.99! Yoox.com has an even bigger selection of colors at the same low prices.

Check out the Le Coq Sportif homepage. It's in French, and it's a Flash site (so can't be  translated), but it's still worth checking out the pigs in sunglasses,  chickens wearing sneakers- you know, the kinds of things one looks for  in a good website. Maybe you can woo some cute Frenchman (or  Frenchwoman) to translate it for you over a romantic dinner of brie and  baguette. Or poulet!

 

The moment has finally arrived! Welcome to the premier of The  Daily Cash Back, the official blog of Ebates. My name is Rebecca, and I'll be featuring the top  deals and savviest shopping tips on the web offered through Ebates! Be sure to come back often so you  can stay on top of the latest deals we have to offer!

The hottest thing right now is green. No, not the color of  your aunt’s avocado-hued fridge from the ‘60’s, but being a little more aware  of how your purchases impact workers and the environment. You may be thinking,  “Well, I’d sure love to buy those organic, fair-trade, free-range ,  solar-powered coffee beans from the Chilean mountains, but for $25 a pound? NO  THANKS.” Not so fast! You can still do your part to make Earth-friendly  purchases but keep plenty of green in your wallet.

For  instance, check out REI.com. They’re having a July 4th Sale and  Clearance on clothing, camping gear, footwear and more with markdowns at 25-30% off. If you haven’t gotten a membership to  REI, I recommend that you do so, pronto! Any Joe Schmo can get discounts during  the seasonal sale, but only REI members get hooked up with a nice fat refund  check at the end of the year. The more you spend, the bigger the refund- gotta  love those Bay Area consumer co-ops (businesses that are co-owned by the  customer). Top this off with 3% Cash Back from Ebates and you’ll have two Big  Fat Checks to look forward to! Be sure to take a look at their Organic Cotton  separates for men and women that’ll come in handy for yoga, summertime hikes  through Yosemite, or even just a walk around the block.

And  that fancy coffee I mentioned earlier? Start at Ebates (to get your Cash Back!)  and check out the shipping special for MotherNature.com. They’ve got several varieties  of fair trade, organic whole bean coffees by Green Mountain that are delicious!  Their Breakfast Blend has been getting great online reviews and would be  perfect for your first cup of the morning. Pick up some of their green-friendly  Divine Dark or Milk Chocolate as well and enjoy free shipping on the whole  order!