I'm a big fan of making sure to find ways to get something for things that hit your cash flow on a regular basis. People usually do this by choosing a rewards credit card that gives you points, miles, or cash back for purchases you make on the card. This makes a ton of sense because most debit cards do not give you a darn thing for using them for purchases. The money just comes out… and we move on.
But let's take it a step further to see how we can even get even more of a benefit for some things we do as we live our financial lives. I am now a fan of signing up for Customer Loyalty programs with all my favorite local retailers to get discounts and special offers for frequenting their businesses. In this day and age of digital footprints, I'm ok with giving up some of my information (i.e. my cell phone number and spending habits with these retailers) so that I'll be able to get discounts or offers tailored towards the things that I regularly buy. Here are 4 that I really like:
- BurgerFi Rewards. Anyone who knows me, knows that this is my favorite place in Atlanta to get burgers. Their patties are head and shoulders above the flavor of anywhere else I've been, and their "Greenstyle" option is fantastic for folks like me who don't eat bread. Because I'm always going to go, I enjoy that I'm always working towards getting $5 off an order and free shakes and fries (which I give to friends or my kids).
- Shell Fuel Rewards. Here's a pretty good one that gives cross benefits from several retailers. If you download the Fuel Rewards app, you can get a $.05/gallon discount on Shell gas. Because I'm a T-Mobile customer, I also get an offer every Tuesday for an additional $.10/gallon discount for my weekly fill up. Because it works with other retailers like local restaurants and online retailers, I was happy to see that after a night out to dinner with friends I had accrued an additional $.50/gallon discount.
- Kroger Fuel Rewards. This is similar program for Kroger grocery stores that gives you points for every dollar you spend on groceries that can be cashed for discounts off gas purchases. A monthly grocery bill of $450 will get you a $.45/gallon break. Certain offers and purchases in the store will also give you 2x to 4x multipliers to build up points faster. You can cash in the gas discounts at either Kroger or Shell gas stations.
- Fivestars. Several of the local businesses around my office have signed up for this program. In exchange for customer's cell phone numbers, the businesses will text you offers and discounts whenever they've got a special they'd like to run. I usually see 15% to 20% discounts, but I was able to take advantage of a "Buy One Get One" dinner offer for my wife and I at the My Stir Fry down the block. It was an "off night," we were free, and one of us got to enjoy a great fresh, free meal.
As with any of these rewards plans, the one thing to be careful of is to not "go broke saving money" though. Make sure that you keep things within reason and don't accrue points for the sake of doing it, all the while blowing out your weekly or monthly budget.
Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. oXYGen Financial is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS. Kestra IS and Kestra AS do not provide tax or legal advice.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual.
If you would like to receive more information on making smart money moves for your future, be sure to contact us today!