Points and Rewards Programs

We had some friends over recently, one of whom drinks Dr. Pepper like it's going out of style. I mentioned my Coke points and told him that Dr. Pepper had a program too. It doesn't seem to be right for him.

I will always fail to see how, if you pay for a product that offers a reward program, how you don't take that reward. The arguments seem to be based on time spent on the program or the low rewards.

Sure, it may take a year to save up enough points to do something, but after a year it's nice to have something to show for my caffeine habit!

I used my Coke points this year for holiday gift shopping. Little things like small amount gift cards and magazine subscriptions are easy enough to earn. I have people helping me with this. My mother saves the reward codes off of her CocaCola 12 packs, my friends save their caps for me when they hit the gas station, etc. If I know a Coke drinker who doesn't use their points, you can bet I farm them to my own account.

Now, I don't think you should all have an obsession with money-saving like I do, but fail to see the point in the waste of tossing out the little rewards we get while you complain about the prices of the same goods. To me, it's like having a Sunday paper and not clipping coupons or shopping at a grocery store every week and never getting their discount card. Money may not grow on trees, but you can keep more in your pocket with some gentle vigilance.

What to do if you want to start these things? Check out your rewards programs and get accounts. Decide how you want to use it. With grocery stores, you'll save money, but with things like drug store rewards or soda rewards, you get freebies, discounts, and prizes. I use mine as a "Christmas Club" type thing. It's one way I save for the holidays. For you, it might be a once a year treat for yourself, school supplies for the kids, or something else. Which rewards you use will help you decide how to stretch those points the most.

Here's a list of brands/stores/products that offer some kind of reward.

Godiva - one free piece of chocolate a month at their stores. Sign up online at their website

Grocery stores - almost every grocery store has a discount card!

Wallgreens and CVS both have programs. CVS Rewards is great.

Coke and Dr. Pepper both have programs

Huggies and Pampers both have points programs

Department stores - check with your local clothing stores to see if they have a frequent shopper reward

Restaurants - just like department stores, ask if they have a discount card

Finally, get on EVERYONE'S email list. You'll get some annoying announcement emails, but you'll get coupons and birthday freebies too!