Thought Provoking Thursday
Thought Provoking Thursday
Thought Provoking Thursday's goal it to offer a new-ish perspective to saving on necessary items aside from our grocery and household needs. Each week I will bring an idea to the table to share how I personally tackle areas of my own family's spending. I am hopeful that my faithful readers will feel the freedom to offer more advice through comments below each post.
How do YOU spend your gift cards?
Me? I'm a squirreler-awayer! I LOVE to have 'Fun Money!'
Currently, our family has a collection of 39 gift cards to drug stores, department stores, restaurants, grocery stores, iTunes, movie theaters, home improvement stores and a couple of little gift cards that I have received as rebates. Isn't it interesting that some companies are now sending rebates in the form of credit rather than a check.
I've written about rebates before, and how our family saves each rebate check throughout the year and saves the money for Christmas gifts. Since I earmark rebate money received for our end of the year spending, I had a hard time knowing exactly what to do when a rebate credit card was sent instead of the typical check.
At the very beginning of the year (January, I think) I purchased two Oil of Olay products and earned a $15 rebate card. (You know me, I purchased the products with store rewards so that I would earn the $15 rebate FREE and clear of my own finances!). A few weeks after mailing my rebate information, I received my rebate card... and I sat on it.
It is pretty typical for me to want to hold on to my 'Fun Money' until the last possible spending moment, just to ensure that I am purchasing something that I really want. And so I waited until the week of August 31 (the rebate card's expiration date) to make my final $15 spending decision. (Its one of my quirks, sorry!).
My thought, when I first received the rebate card, was to purchase items that I would earn rebate checks from- so I'd still be placing that money in our rebates received account, but that proved harder to do than I had anticipated. I felt like the summer season was a bit dry for 'good' rebates.
Then I considered purchasing diapers (it goes without saying that I'd match a sale with coupons... right?), or something else to lessen our families 'real money' spending. I just couldn't find the 'prefect deal! (Hello quirk!!!)'
So finally, I settled on purchasing a $15 Walgreen's gift card (since I have plenty from CVS from transferring prescriptions). I decided that spending the $15 a little bit at a time was better than blowing the funds on just another something.
So my Walgreen's gift card now allows me to spend my rebate money without the pressure of an expiration date! And true to form, I just began spending my August purchased gift card last week!
I've posted about purchasing glucose monitors to donate- especially when you are able to purchase the monitor for FREE after a coupon + you can earn store reward money (Extra Care Bucks at CVS and Register Rewards at Walgreens'). Last week I spent $.90 (tax) from my Walgreen's gift card on a glucose monitor and then earned $5 in store rewards.
And since Register Rewards are actually Manufacturer's coupons, I spent my Register reward money at the grocery store, and purchased ground beef for our family. *NOTE: not all stores will accept the Register Reward from Walgreen's even though it specifically states that it is a Manufacturer's coupon. Ask your grocery store manager the next time you are shopping in your store. I have had luck with Meijer grocery stores, in fact the Walled Lake, MI location is my favorite!
So here is the quick chain of events:
1. Spend store reward money to purchase rebatable items... $0
2. Earn a $15 credit card... +$15
3. Purchase a store gift card with the rebate card... +$15
4. Purchase an item, pay the tax (- $.90)... +$14.10
5. Earn store reward money from the purchase... = +$19.10
6. Spend store reward money on meat, an item that makes a larger financial impact on our grocery spending. (Hmmm, my quirk payed off!)
The moral of this story is to encourage you to become a thoughtful spender. Don't just run out and spend your gift card (or even store reward money for that matter) on the first item that you set your eyes on. My early in the year purchasing allowed my late in the year meat buying for my family.
Are you looking to just buy stuff, or are you looking to spend less on the items that your family consumes?
14 comments:
Aacckk, I spend them almost immediately! I usually spend them on things needed for the family, but I like your idea much better. How nice it will be next holiday season if I have saved my rebate money.
I have to get more organized about rebates, though. I buy the items but have only sent away for rebates a handful of times; I often forget because I do not have them organized and then they expire. Any help from you or your faithful followers?
PAM
I'll dedicate a post to that... although I am not perfectly organized myself!
That would be great, Laura...thanks so much!
PAM
[url=http://loveepicentre.com/map.php][img]http://loveepicentre.com/uploades/photos/11.jpg[/img][/url]
single parent online dating [url=http://loveepicentre.com/advice.php]nelly dating ashanti[/url] nudist dating site
free dating kansas city [url=http://loveepicentre.com/]dating clothes 40 s male men[/url] rich in nyc dating
creative dating tips [url=http://loveepicentre.com/success_stories.php]newsgrounds dating sims[/url] dating the edgy girl
[url=http://loveepicentre.com][img]http://loveepicentre.com/uploades/photos/3.jpg[/img][/url]
on line dating copperas cove texas [url=http://loveepicentre.com/]top dutch dating site[/url] meet dating video
sugardaddie dating [url=http://loveepicentre.com/faq.php]revealing dating[/url] canada dating online service
wealthy men dating site [url=http://loveepicentre.com/articles.php]dating in jacksonville florida[/url] littlebitta dating sd
pearson eductation ebook access code http://audiobookscollection.co.uk/it/TYPO3-4-2-E-Commerce/p226890/ connie rage green blog ebook [url=http://audiobookscollection.co.uk/Network-Administration/c2157/?page=2]ebook reader recommendations[/url] claims processing ebook free download
sewing software patterns http://buyoemsoftware.co.uk/product-37082/Ailt-PDF-to-All-Document-Converter-5-4 what software uses microsoft personal sql [url=http://buyoemsoftware.co.uk/de/product-14870/SpaceObServer-3-0]ad creator software[/url] adobe pdf 7 professional writer software
[url=http://buyoemsoftware.co.uk/product-14548/CaptainFTP-4-5-Mac]CaptainFTP 4.5 [Mac] - Download OEM, Software Sale, OEM Software[/url] windows mobile with zone software
[url=http://buyoemsoftware.co.uk/product-37038/Pika-Jpeg-To-Icon-Converter-2-0][img]http://buyoem.co.uk/image/5.gif[/img][/url]
world time clock software http://buysoftwareonline.co.uk/fr/product-36779/SQLBackupAndFTP-6-0 panelbuilder32 download software [url=http://buysoftwareonline.co.uk/de/product-10452/Microsoft-Office-Enterprise-2007]win xp software[/url] best file recover software
[url=http://buysoftwareonline.co.uk/product-37088/AVS-Document-Converter-2-1]AVS Document Converter 2.1 - Software Store[/url] government employees software
[url=http://buysoftwareonline.co.uk/es/news-30/Windows-Azure-users-will-have-to-pay-from-next-month][img]http://buyoem.co.uk/image/3.gif[/img][/url]
[url=http://redbrickstore.co.uk/products/baclofen.htm][img]http://onlinemedistore.com/3.jpg[/img][/url]
neighborhood pharmacy http://redbrickstore.co.uk/products/endep.htm anagen pharmacy new zealand [url=http://redbrickstore.co.uk/catalogue/1.htm]sample cvs pharmacy receipt[/url]
cle elum pharmacy http://redbrickstore.co.uk/products/viagrx.htm michigan pharmacy technician license requirements [url=http://redbrickstore.co.uk/products/strattera.htm]strattera[/url]
the y pharmacy http://redbrickstore.co.uk/products/cialis-professional.htm pharmacy equations [url=http://redbrickstore.co.uk/products/viagra.htm]business plan pharmacy[/url]
college of pharmacy ohio http://redbrickstore.co.uk/products/erectalis.htm international pharmacy forum [url=http://redbrickstore.co.uk/products/adalat.htm]adalat[/url]
[url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/minocin.htm][img]http://onlinemedistore.com/2.jpg[/img][/url]
nps pharmacy http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/erectalis.htm how to check on an online pharmacy [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/avodart.htm]overseas pharmacys[/url]
health pharmacy drug and medications s sildenafil http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/benicar.htm rite aid pharmacy hayes va [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/buspar.htm]buspar[/url]
purchase omeprazole pharmacy http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/dilantin.htm cvs pharmacy jobs [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/diclofenac.htm]discount pharmacy purchase zyrtec[/url]
pharmacy technician certification classes in texas http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/catalogue/b.htm washington state pharmacy association [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/finpecia.htm]finpecia[/url]
[url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/zyloprim.htm][img]http://onlinemedistore.com/1.jpg[/img][/url]
online drug canadian pharmacy http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/allegra.htm p s rexall pharmacy inc [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/sustiva.htm]isc portsmouth pharmacy[/url]
tarceva speciality pharmacy florida http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/hard-on-oral-jelly.htm mn board of pharmacy [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/zofran.htm]zofran[/url]
certificate in geriatric pharmacy usa http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/evecare.htm online pharmacy prescription [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/categories/cardiovascular.htm]canada online pharmacy cardizem cd actos norvasc[/url]
massachusetts college of pharmacy and health http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/zyrtec.htm hartzell pharmacy pa [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/rave--energy-and-mind-stimulator-.htm]rave energy and mind stimulator [/url]
[url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/lasuna.htm][img]http://onlinemedistore.com/12.jpg[/img][/url]
pharmacy license test http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/provigrax.htm cvs pharmacy prescription [url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/himcolin.htm]pharmacy tech jobs in luke arizona[/url]
homemed pharmacy llc http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/ponstel.htm idebenol mexican pharmacy [url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/indinavir.htm]indinavir[/url]
long term care pharmacy reibursement in alberta assisted living http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/tadacip.htm annual university pharmacy [url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/prazosin.htm]pennsylvania board of pharmacy[/url]
westboro pharmacy ottawa http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/categories/anti-depressant-anti-anxiety.htm valtrex online pharmacy [url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/chloroquine.htm]chloroquine[/url]
[url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/coreg.htm][img]http://onlinemedistore.com/6.jpg[/img][/url]
post nasal drip life pharmacy http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/contact.htm offshore pharmacy ezetimibe [url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/catalogue/d.htm]epainmedsglobal reviews order pharmacy waiting barry[/url]
ahf pharmacy lauderdale florida http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/herbolax.htm university compounding pharmacy [url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/ed-discount-pack-1.htm]ed discount pack 1[/url]
pharmacy steroid http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/metoclopramide.htm duloxetine hcl 20mg canada pharmacy [url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/septilin.htm]national certification exam for pharmacy technicians[/url]
quigleys pharmacy http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/triphala.htm epic pharmacy ins [url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/fincar.htm]fincar[/url]
zhengjx20160328
rolex replica watches
michael kors bags
nike running shoes
coach factory outlet online
air jordan shoes
fitflops shoes
under armour outlet store
hermes outlet
coach outlet
louis vuitton borse
valentino bags
lululemon athletica
valentino
mizuno running shoes
coach factory outlet
coach factory outlet online
abercrombie & fitch
ray bans
reebok outlet store
adidas shoes
converse sale
pandora charms
supra store
fitflops outlet
canada goose uk
true religion jeans
ugg sale
hermes belt
michael kors bags
adidas gazelle
michael kors
ray ban sunglasses
nike blazer
supra
bottega veneta shoes
calvin klein dresses
nike cortez shoes
cheap ray ban sunglasses
gucci outlet online
mcm handbags
Post a Comment