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This subject is really OT for this blog, but it is so good I don't think you'll mind, especially today being Black Friday and all.

Right now, Microsoft is offering a cash-back deal for online purchases you make through certain retailers, even up to 30% as of this writing (although many items are 2%-8%), and best of all --  the program is FREE!

Here are the juicy details:

1. Go to the Program's URL, which you will find here: http://search.live.com/cashback.aspx.
2. Read the details of this deal and if you agree, sign up.
3. You can search directly for items on the site and when you find a retailer you like, you will see what discount you will get back on the transaction.
4. As of this writing, you are limited to 12 uses of this promotion, up to $2500/year on eBay transactions, and $200 cash-back, per transaction; see promo details for other restrictions or limitations.

Now for the REALLY juicy part!

Secret Trick: How to Get HUGE Discounts on eBay purchases!

Use this secret trick to get much higher discounts from eBay (at the time of this writing!):

1. After you have already setup your cash-back account, go to Windows Live search (live.com)
2. Do a search for an item you would like to buy
3. Look for search result items with a little gold icon:

Notice the little gold icon with the dollar in it?

Notice the text below that: "You may get 30% off with PayPal if eligible." That doesn't mean you WILL get 30%, but you MAY...it depends on the item you buy.

More Notes:

1. If you are planning on using eBay, you MUST click the link with the little gold icon in order to get the discount, as it communicates with eBay to let them know this is a cash-back purchase.
2. Do NOT open a new browser to get to eBay from the gold link, or you may not get your discount
3. There is a time limit, as of this writing, of 60 minutes from when you click the link until it expires.
4. The discount also seems to vary from non-existent, to 15%, 25%, and the highest I have seen is up to 30% for select items.

Also, you will see this when you get to eBay:

One additional note for eBay purchases: this promotions ONLY works with the "Buy it Now" option.

Here is an additional thread you might want to check out regarding the promotion, at slickdeals.net.

OK, I'm off to use my discount! Chime in with a comment or two and let me know if you used it, and how much you saved. Until next time, we'll solve our problems Bit by Bit.

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EDIT: I thought you might like to see some "proof" that this works, so after making a large purchase on eBay today, I used the Windows Live Cashback as described above to get $200 back!

It takes 60 days for the rebate, which is why you will see the words "pending" for the money. Later.