I popped into Staples today and decided to buy all of the rebate and penny items in one fell swoop so that I could take advantage of the $5 off $30+ purchase coupon in the weekly ad. So I bought:
1 Zebra Mechanical Pencils 10-pack @ $4
1 Pentel RSVP Ballpoint Pens 5-pack @ $4
2 Staples Multipurpose Paper Ream @ $6.99 each
1 HP Everyday Photo Paper 50-pack @ $9.99
2 Staples Pink Cap Erasers 12-pack @ $0.01 each
2 Staples Ruled 3×5 Index Cards 100-pack @ $0.01 each
Subtotal: $32.01 + tax
Total after coupon: $27.01 + tax
Will Receive Easy Rebates – Zebra Mechanical Pencils 10-pack – $4; Pentel RSVP Ballpoint Pens 5-pack – $4; Staples Multipurpose Paper Ream – 2 x $5.99; HP Everyday Photo Paper 50-pack – $8.99
Total Rebate: $28.97
Pre-tax profit: $1.96
I paid $2.36 in sales tax, so my actual cost was $0.40 for all of these items. Not bad at all, and I picked up some items we will use and some items that I can give to my sons’ teachers when school starts. 
Banner ad via MySavings.com.
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I always get the rebate minus the amount from the coupon so it is only what I paid. Do you notice if that happens to you or not?
No, but I can’t remember ever using at $/$$ coupon with a rebate before … here’s hoping for the full amount!