The Road to Rewards

Over the past few weeks, I've hopefully helped my readers save money in various aspects of your life. I've given tips on ways to save on food, on couponing, conservation, different ways to shop, online grocers, and other tips and tricks that I find save not only time but money. What I haven't mentioned is how to save when you have no choice but to spend. Even the most frugal or thrifty person is going to have to go out and shop or spend money at some point. Even so, there's a way to earn back some of your hard earned money that you have to eventually spend. That way? It's called a Rewards Card.

Rewards cards are wonderfully simple, credit-card shaped blessings. These little pieces of plastic keep track of money spent, and in some form give it back to you! The idea probably started with those stamp/punch cards that places like smoothie stores offered, where each store visit would earn you a stamp or a hole punch. Now that idea has evolved into an intricate rewards system with benefits, balances, and even credit cards. Most stores nowadays, the smart ones anyways, have a rewards system or a credit card with benefits. As for myself, I have quite a few rewards cards from stores such as Hot Topic, CVS Pharmacy, Panera Bread Co. I asked a friend what they had in their wallets, and was surprised to find that not only did she have these but also Starbucks, Build-a-Bear, Victoria's Secret, Borders, Khol's, and other places I'm pretty sure she'd only been to once because they were in different states. Just goes to show that signing up for these cards is so simple, and the rewards are so enticing, that just about everyone should have them.

Rewards vary with the type of card you have. With some cards the idea is simple: buy a certain number of these, or come here a certain number of times, and you get this and that free; the cycle then repeats. With other rewards systems, the the one offered by Starbucks, the possibilities are endless. Not only is membership tiered (Welcome, Green, Gold, with Gold being the best), but one can even lose the top membership if they become inactive. Between the three levels of membership there are free birthday drinks, free refills, free syrups/milks and add-ons, free drinks every 15th purchase, and other coffee-related rewards that are all listed on the website. Some rewards cards are credit cards, like the ones offered by Khol's and Victoria's Secret (so my friend tells me). According to her, discounts and offers are mailed to your home or emailed, and can only be used with the card. She also informed me that points are awarded for purchases, and were kept track of so that ever certain number points you get a cash reward. Sounds complicated, but for people who have a favorite store the credit card option may be a good fit for you.

One last thing I'd like to point out on rewards cards is that they don't even have to be cards! Many stores are keeping it trendy and putting out applications that one can download to smartphones and other app-compatible devices. What better way to keep that store in mind than by seeing their app every time you use your phone, tablet, or other smart device? I'm telling you, these stores think of everything to get your money. At least they're nice enough to give some of it back.


Sources:

Sources:
http://www.starbucks.com/card/rewards
Starbucks.Virginia: 2011. Starbucks Corporation, n.d. Web. 13 March. 2012.

http://mypanera.panerabread.com/
PaneraBread.com.Virginia: 2012. Panera Bread, n.d. Web. 13 March. 2012. 

https://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/user/extracare/extracareCVS.com.Virginia: 1999-2012. National Association Boards of Pharmacy , n.d. Web. 13 March. 2012.