Frugal do: Cash in on your credit card rewards today!

July 6, 12:50 PMLA Frugal Living ExaminerTheresa Ward

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Money and Credit Card  © Susan Leggett | Dreamstime.com

Just a quick frugal tip for those of you who are forced to use credit cards to get by – cash in on those rewards!  If you have a rewards card, don’t chuck your rewards notice in the recycle bin.  For years I did just that, not knowing exactly how these types of programs worked or assuming there had to be a catch.

Several weeks ago I received one such notice in the mail, and being a newly born frugalista, decided to cash in.  With my twenty rewards points I could get a gift certificate from one of hundreds of participating stores and restaurants, including movie theaters, bookstores and online vendors such as Amazon and iTunes.  Knowing I needed some basic summer t-shirts, I went with The Gap; my twenty points earning me a $25 gift card to the retailer.  Honestly, it was that easy.  One quick selection online, and my gift card arrived in the mail in less than a week.  Why would you continue to ignore such easy money?

I also recently cashed in on my rewards miles from my airline credit card.  Seriously, folks, don’t let these miles go to waste.  Many companies actually take away your miles if they go unused for too long.  Best advice: use them to visit that loved one who happens to live by the beach. 

So if you have to use credit cards and sticking them in the freezer inside a giant ice block just isn’t an option, go with a card that gives back and, by all means, TAKE, TAKE, TAKE!