Any connection?
Buffalo is its own SAC, pretty rare for new guys to start there but possible to get there eventually. Main office is in Buffalo, Albany is a smaller office, the rest are tiny. Syracuse, Massena, and Rouses point are all like 5 agents. Alexandria Bay is 1-2, Rochester I think is an empty desk that some senior agent just checks in at periodically. Maybe 150 agents total in upstate New York? Trying to get to SAC Buffalo would be more realistic than trying to get to a specific RAC office or an RA. Batavia is the only location with an ERO presence and zero HSI presence, it's a processing center. But if you want to be in Batavia, it's within 50 miles of Buffalo so you could live in Batavia and work in Buffalo
MPFFO, formerly MPFU, is largely going away and being folded into existing General crimes offices.
Historically MPFFO offices were located in: Fort Belvoir, VA Hartford, CT Troy, MI Devens, MA Aberdeen, MD Philadelphia, PA Syracuse, NY Columbus, OH Huntsville, AL Atlanta, GA Melbourne, FL Indianapolis, IN San Antonio, TX Dallas, TX El Paso, TX Colorado Springs, CO Moline, IL St. Louis, MO Irvine, CA Phoenix, AZ Seattle, WA Sacramento, CA Hawaii Alaska South Korea Germany Kuwait
So in the old days you found out your location about halfway through the academy. Nowadays, you'll have an opportunity to give your wish list and you'll be given a shorter list from that all within a few weeks/months before starting the academy. You have to select a spot before they'll give you a class date.
I know potential locations is always a big weight on the mind. While this list can change somewhat, I wanted to share the list of offices that are currently open to new agents. Ranked from highest to lowest need, (read: your best chances are higher up).
NEW YORK, NY
LOS ANGELES, CA
EL PASO, TX
LAREDO, TX
PHOENIX, AZ
CHICAGO, IL
MC ALLEN, TX
SAN JUAN, PR
MIAMI, FL
PHILADELPHIA, PA
PORTLAND, OR
ALBUQUERQUE, NM
SAN DIEGO, CA
FRESNO, CA
ATLANTA, GA
DALLAS, TX
TULSA, OK
DETROIT, MI
COLUMBUS, OH
HONOLULU, HI
LOUISVILLE, KY
OAKLAND, CA
BROWNSVILLE, TX
ALBANY, NY
YUMA, AZ
BOSTON, MA
PROVIDENCE, RI
CLEVELAND, OH
EAGLE PASS, TX
RENO, NV
SAN YSIDRO, CA
SACRAMENTO, CA
WASHINGTON, DC
LAS CRUCES, NM
ORANGE COUNTY, CA
LONG ISLAND, NY
SIERRA VISTA, AZ
TUCSON, AZ
NORFOLK, VA
LUBBOCK, TX
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX
LAS VEGAS, NV
RIVERSIDE, CA
NEW ORLEANS, LA
OMAHA, NE
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, MN
NOGALES, AZ
IMPERIAL COUNTY, CA
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
BALTIMORE, MD
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
HOUSTON, TX
VENTURA, CA
TAMPA, FL
CAMDEN, NJ
JACKSON, MS
LITTLE ROCK, AR
STOCKTON, CA
SAN JOSE, CA
SEATTLE, WA
MANCHESTER, NH
MILWAUKEE, WI
MCALESTER, OK
CINCINNATI, OH
TOLEDO, OH
MIDLAND, TX
SAN ANTONIO, TX
MEMPHIS, TN
NASHVILLE, TN
FT. MYERS, FL
BATON ROUGE, LA
SYRACUSE, NY
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA
HARRISBURG, PA
BAKERSFIELD, CA
MEDFORD, OR
TACOMA, WA
KANSAS CITY, KS
FLORENCE, SC
MACON, GA
SAVANNAH, GA
BURLINGTON, VT
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
FORT WORTH, TX
GRAND JUNCTION, CO
DAYTON, OH
YOUNGSTOWN, OH
ALPINE, TX
CLARKSBURG, WV
KNOXVILLE, TN
LEXINGTON, KY
LONDON, KY
JACKSONVILLE, FL
HOMESTEAD, FL
ORLANDO, FL
TALLAHASSEE, FL
SHREVEPORT, LA
BUFFALO, NY
ROCHESTER, NY
SIOUX FALLS, SD
BELLINGHAM, WA
EUGENE, OR
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL
RICHMOND, VA
WINCHESTER, VA
COLUMBIA, SC
RALEIGH, NC
WILMINGTON, NC
CAPE COD, MA
HARTFORD, CT
NEW HAVEN, CT
PORTLAND, ME
GREEN BAY, WI
ROCKFORD, IL
SPRINGFIELD, IL
TYLER, TX
BILLINGS, MT
CHEYENNE, WY
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
GRAND RAPIDS, MI
FLINT, MI
BEAUMONT, TX
GALVESTON, TX
GUAM RESIDENT OFFICE
CHATTANOOGA, TN
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL
GAINESVILLE, FL
PANAMA CITY, FL
PENSACOLA, FL
GULFPORT, MS
PLATTSBURGH, NY
DES MOINES, IA
SIOUX CITY, IA
SCRANTON, PA
SANTA ROSA, CA
ANCHORAGE, AK
BOISE, ID
SPOKANE, WA
TRI-CITIES, WA
YAKIMA, WA
ST. LOUIS, MO
SPRINGFIELD, MO
ROANOKE, VA
SALISBURY, MD
PONCE, PU

Looking for the keysets in title, as well as possibly some other variatons of dolch (mint dolch etc). Looking to pay around 250-300+ per set, depending on condition.
Please leave a comment before pm'ing, thanks

Since I actually needed mayo this week I was happy to notice a stacked deal for 30oz Hellmanns jars: BOGO + a digital coupon. Here's how it breaks down and compares to actual prices at competitors.
Publix Shelf Price = $8.99 digital coupon for $2 off one = $6.99 BOGO = $4.49 each BOGO w/ Coupon = $3.49 each
Winn Dixie Shelf price =$9.49 BOGO = $4.75 each
Wal-Mart Shelf price =$5.98 Sale price = $4.98
Target Shelf price = $5.99 Sale price = $5.49 each
Aldis $6.59 via instacart assuming average 12% markup for Insta, shelf price = $5.88
(In all fairness Aldi's is a guesstimate as I didn't actually go into one so could only estimate shelf price based on the average markup for Instacart.)
Not only is Publix the clear winner for name-brand mayo this week, it's 30% less per jar than Walmart. Even without the dig coup, it's 9.8% less. By the time I need to buy mayo again, this or another brand will be BOGO again so I am confident that even without a dig coupon I'll still pay less at Publix than any other store.
It is true that to get it at the $4.49 per-jar cost you have to pay the $8.99 for 2. But the idea of buying more than you need right now to pay less per unit/oz is not a new one. It's common knowledge (I hope) that for say, a can of coffee, the smaller can is going to cost you less right now at check-out, but the larger can is actually cheaper per ounce so saves you money in the long run. Buying in bulk to save in the long run is what makes places like Costco so successful. BOGOs are no different. You might not need that second jar of mayo right now, but you will eventually need it.
And the BOGOs are a constant. There are some things that seem like they are almost always BOGO for some reason, like Nature Valley bars and flour tortillas. Some things cycle regularly as BOGO or 2for$X like Fresh Express bagged salads and berries. Almost every week (not always, but almost) there is at least one brand of coffee BOGO, one brand of cheese BOGO, one brand of cereal BOGO, one brand of coffee creamer 2for$x, .... And if it's not BOGO or 2for$x this week, it will be soon again. The regular local shoppers know this (and if they don't, they aren't paying attention so shouldn't be griping). But because I'm in FL where we have so many visitors, it always amuses me when they are all "Wow! This is buy one, get one free, Honey!" and they throw stuff in their cart like they happened on a once in a lifetime deal.
Point is, comparing Publix "shelf price" to other prices is not a fair comparison because the "sales" are so constant and regular enough that the "shelf price" is almost meaningless.
Here's some more actual price comparisons I noted after a rare venture into a Walmart this last week.
International Delight & CoffeeMate creamer is $3.97 at Walmart. Shelf price at Publix is $4.59. But it regularly goes on sale, as it is now again, 2 for $7, making it only $3.50 - $0.47 less than WalMart.
Ears of corn? $0.50 each at Walmart (and it looked like shit), $0.40 at Publix where we'll peel it for you, too.
A gallon of Great Value Orange juice - $7.48. A gallon of Publix brand orange juice - $7.19.
A head of broccoli or cauliflower - $2.97 at Walmart, $2.99 at Publix.
One red dragonfruit at Walmart - $4.96. $3.99 at Publix.
Green cabbage (per pound)? $0.87 at Walmart, $0.99 at Publix. But for that extra $0.12 we at Publix will cut it and wrap it just for you so you don't have to buy the whole head you cheapskate. Ask them to do that for you at Walmart (if you can even find an employee) and see what happens LOL.
Prices are fluid at all stores, ever changing, there will always be stuff that's more at one store or another and stuff that's less at one store or another. If people are willing to go to 2-3 different stores to complete their shopping (as many in here say they do) then it shouldn't be any trouble for them to mind the sales and plan ahead.
Moving on -
People complaining in this sub LOVE to use the term "price gouging" as rage-bait I guess. But all you're doing is making yourself look like an idiot for not knowing that 'price gouging' has an actual legal definition WHICH DOES NOT APPLY HERE. Likewise everybody saying how "greedy" Publix is. Ya'll understand that Publix is not a charity right? That it's a for-profit business? And what's the #1 goal of a business? To make money!! And then there's the "I work here and can't even afford to shop here" argument as if that actually means anything. Do you know how many places/industries that is true for?
And while I am off on my own f'ing rant here - I could go to Miami Beach and reserve a room w/ two beds at the Four Seasons for $2,210 a night, or I could reserve a room w/ two beds at the Bikini Lodge for $68 a night. Both will provide a place to shit, shower and sleep but which do you think is going to be a nicer experience? Is the Four Seasons "price gouging" & "greedy" because you personally can't afford their rates? No, they're clearly just catering to a different market. If you think Publix is out of your league, fucking deal with it. For everyone crying about how they won't shop Publix anymore, I am sure there is an equal number of people (who are not crying on Reddit) that would never set foot in a Walmart.
Bashing Publix seems to be what all the cool kids are doing now, everyone wants on that bandwagon, but the ignorance and entitlement in most such posts is just jaw-dropping. I'm just a peon clerk, I don't "drink the koolaid" or "bleed green" so I don't actually care that you're bashing Publix. What bothers me is the lack of facts and logic in most of the rantings.
[/end rant]

Any ideas one places to stop or visit? We want to stay overnight at least 2-3 places.

Here are the goodies.

Finally finished off that $35 May IB bonus!

Total: $77.61

Coupons: None!

Total Cash Back: $107.28

Final Cost: -$29.67 - Money Maker

 
Here is the complete break down and sites used. The stores are listed in the breakdown image. I don't include sites that take any receipt on my breakdown.
Note: Individual deals vary by user for most apps. If you don't have the deals right now, you can try checking back later.
 
My Guides

1. All rebate apps/sites I use and/or know about
   
2. How I do my hauls
   
3. Beginners guide to using rebate apps/sites - for those who don't know where to start
   

 
If you aren't interested in this kind of thing, please keep your comments to yourself. If you don't like what I buy, you can buy different products. If you don't like hunting for deals, you can do surveys, microtasks, games or whatever else you like instead. There is no need to discourage other users just because you aren't interested in the same things!
 
If you don't need feminine hygiene products, toothpaste, soaps, etc - consider donating them to your local women's shelter, church, or school!
 
Some Additional Deals

• $10 back on 7 Kellogg's Products (specific products only) - Military Commissaries only - Refund is a digital gift card (includes Prepaid visa - view the website for all the options) - Expires 5/31/24 - (Thanks to u/Kicker774 for mentioning it!)
  
• Nature Valley Wafer or Breakfast Bars (specific products) - Free after Rebate - PayPal or Venmo - Void in CT, RI, ND, and Miami Dade County - Expires 8/31/24
  
• Nature Valley Lunch Box Bars, Mott's Baked Bars, Fiber One Donuts (specific products) - Free after Rebate - PayPal or Venmo - Void in CT, RI, ND, and Miami Dade County - Expires 8/31/24
  
• Fresh Fizz - Free can at Fresh Thyme - Venmo or PayPal
  
• Painterland Sisters Yogurt - Free at Whole Foods (PA, VA, MD, DC) - Venmo or PayPal
  
• Pepsi - Free after Rebate. Expires 6/17/24
  
• Tru Water - Free can at Walmart - Venmo or PayPal
  
• Fromm Diner Can - Free after coupon. (It's pet food)
  
• Painterland Sisters Yogurt - Free after rebate. PayPal or Venmo. Whole Foods only.
  
• Beneful - IB + SK
  
• Suja Protein Shake - Free at Target in-store or online.
  
• Coffee (Any?) - You get a coupon for up to $10 in free coffee when you buy 3 participating special K cereals. I don't see anything mentioned about specific brands, but I also don't quite know how it works. - Expires 5/30/24
  
• Gooey - Free after rebate - Venmo/PayPal - (It says Walmart at the top, but it also says "from any store")
  
• Perfect Bar - One free bar - PayPal, Venmo, Amazon - Rebates are often instant
  
• CHKP - Free after Aisle - Fairway, Whole Foods, ShopRite
  
• Dr Elsey's Cat Litter - Up to $22 back on a bag up to 40 lbs when you purchase at Target, Walmart, or a local business pet store. You need to cut out the barcode and mail it in with the receipt. One rebate per person/household/address. Must submit within 90 days. There's also a handful of $1 coupons on this page.
  
• Free bag of Like Air Puffcorn - Refund via PayPal or Venmo. Must purchase in-store or for curbside pickup. Expiration date unknown.
  
• Kellogg's Promotions - Various stuff ranging from coupons for free products, movie tickets, various merchandise, and more.
  
• Various Sampoll offers
  
• Offers on Aisle Referrals: Halfday Rockstar - Buy 2 get $5 back. No gas purchase needed. Can do every other week. Free HOP Water (using my ref will give me another rebate offer) Pays out via PayPal or Venmo
  
• Various freebies on Ibotta.
  
• Various deals I've done in previous weeks can still be done.
  

 

Afterthoughts

So, as expected, my Weekend Warrior bonus was terrible. $1 for 10 rebates. Regardless, I knew I would need to make two trips to the store to finish my big bonus, so I figured I might as well get that extra dollar. I didn't bother posting my weekend haul separately since it wasn't really a good haul on its own. My midweek bonus was as expected though, which let me easily finish off this month's big bonus! Today's trip (trip #2) probably could have been better, but I barely slept last night and didn't look for the absolute best deals. That's perfectly okay though!
I found it a bit amusing, but almost everything from my rebates will be given away or donated this week. I'm only keeping three things plus the two cat foods. Normally I keep around 30-50% of my hauls, but I didn't even notice what deals I picked until I was separating things into the keep vs donate piles.
 
Brandclub has some higher paid surveys now. I saw a lot of $0.65 and $0.60 get added. I wish we could sort by highest paid so I didn't have to hunt them down.
 
Care Club is ending. You can earn rewards through 5/31, and have until 6/30 to redeem. This really sucks for me because I have ~$15 worth of rewards in my account, but my only options are Ulta (which I don't use) or Venmo (which I can't use). I was saving up for Amazon. I never bought things specifically for the points, but still. I'll probably just get the Ulta gift cards and sell them on Raise or something.
I saw someone mention that the rebate section on Alexa is basically closing on July 10th. The app said you couldn't see or active new deals after that date. I don't see it mentioned on my app though, but I also rarely used it since it constantly had trouble crediting.
 
Also, apologies if there's any silly mistakes in this post. I can barely keep my eyes open right now. Time to go take a nap.
 

Time Spent

My haul earlier this week wasn't really planned. I just grabbed things I knew about from previous weeks, and the Colgate which someone told me about. It probably added 5-10 minutes to my trip mostly because it took me a bit to figure out where the Hershey bars got moved to. I spent about 15 minutes planning today's trip this morning. I was in the store for about an hour and 20 minutes as I finished planning what to get and, as always, getting my regular groceries. I did spend a good chunk of that time in the clearance aisle because I saw something cheap and was trying to figure out which size I needed.
 

Food From Deals

Here's an idea: Mix up a white cheddar Mac a Roni, with your choice of ham, sausage, chicken, pork, or one of the vegan meat alternatives. Add a little soy sauce, and some green peas if you wish. You could even add some extra butter and milk (or plant based milk) to make it a bit creamier. Serve with a slice of buttered toast or some Jasmine Rice. Perhaps make a little Banana bread for dessert. (Note: Everything mentioned has Ibotta deals available.)
 
Here's some things I've made in the past: High Protein Tomato Crackers, Hot Sausage Cups, Peanut Butter Fudge & Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge, Chocolate Cherry Pie
 
Do you guys want me to continue showing things I've made using ingredients I got from rebate apps on these posts? Let me know in the comments, or you can vote on this poll if you want to remain anonymous.
 

Mini FAQ

• If you're new or confused - check out the guides near the top of the post. They go into detail about everything.
  
• I'm from the USA and these posts are tailored as such, but this post of mine does list things from other countries that I know about.
  
• My posts are tailored to being money makers to suit this subreddit. There are tons of great deals that aren't money makers but can still save you a lot of money.
  
• A lot of what I get is given away to friends, family or is donated. I do this more as a hobby than anything.
  
• I generally do not share my spreadsheet since the one shown in this post is not the one I actually use (it's put together with a script from my usual spreadsheet) and there are a ton of little things that will give you wrong values if you don't know about them and even then you have to be careful. It's super easy to make a spreadsheet with Google Sheets though.