Monday, February 13, 2012

Where It Pays To Be A Member or Have a Credit Card

Now that I'm out of college and am responsible with my finances I've learned a lot of ways to save money. Living in the country means I shop online all the time. Online shopping has a lot of perks including more options in colors and sizes, additional sales and samples.

If you're like me, I get annoyed every time I shop and the cashier asks if I want to apply for a credit card, if I want one I'll apply for one. However there is one place I have found where it REALLY pays to have a credit card, and that is Kohls. Every couple of months Kohls offers their $10 cash back reward where you get $10 cash back for every $50 you spend. It might not seem like that is very much, but if you add that onto sales and extra percentage off specials they constantly run, it can add up quick. I have gotten some really good deals at Kohls, the ones I can remember off the top of my head are my tri-ply pot and pan set that was originally $330 and I got for just over $100. They were having a one-day clearance as well as Kohls $10 cash back. So not only did I get it for a great price but I got an extra $20 in Kohls cash to spend at a later date. A couple of days ago I got a Columbia winter coat originally $240 on clearance for $45. Kohls is one department store where it pays to have a credit card!

There are other deals where you can sign up to receive email alerts, or membership rewards and get good deals. I signed up with Papa John's online because their online ordering makes placing orders really easy, and I got an email that I received a free large pizza and 2-liter pop for a deal they were running for their members.

SEPHORA is another great place to be a member, today I bought a lipstick and lip gloss online and you ALWAYS get 3 free samples every time you order online (you get to pick out of several options), plus it is my birthday month so I got a free birthday gift (two lipsticks), I also got to redeem my rewards on my rewards card and got a free face wash, and on top of all of that if you spent $25 you got a free lip balm (worth $15). To sum that up, I purchased lipstick and lip gloss and got 3 perfume samples, two lipsticks, one lip balm and face wash for free. Do the math, I got a lot more for free than the money I spent on the lipstick and lip gloss.

PANERA BREAD is also a good place to have a rewards card, I don't go there all the time (maybe 3-4 times a month for a latte) and it seems every time I go in I have something free on my card, either a free drink or a free bakery item (which I usually bring to my husband who has a big sweet tooth).

Tips: If you shop somewhere a lot that offers rewards cards, sign up for one, it doesn't hurt to try. If the rewards aren't good enough to carry the card in your wallet then throw it away!

Happy Shopping!

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