Catch me tomorrow morning on WTHR Weekend Sunrise at 7:45 AM! Here’s a sneak peek of some of the money saving tips I’ll share.
Everybody wants something for nothing. And every once in awhile, it can come true. Reward points are a great way to snag everything from gift cards to movie tickets and more. Everyone probably knows about collecting airline points and credit card rewards {you know how I feel about credit cards . . . no reward is worth being in debt} and you may have heard about My Points but here are a few of my favorite reward programs and how to best maximize them. All are free and easy to use!
Swagbucks
What it is: An internet search engine that rewards you for simply doing your routine internet searches.
How you get points: Not every search is a winner but Swagbucks randomly rewards you with “Swagbucks” on a regular basis. You can also get them for completing surveys, watching online videos, printing coupons, taking advantage of special offers, referring others & more.
What you can cash in for: My favorite is the $5 Amazon Gift Card which only “costs” 450 Swaybacks but there are a wide array of prizes from high end electronics to charitable donations.
Sign up for Swagbucks here!
Shopkicks
What it is: Shopkicks is a smart phone app that offers rewards.
How you get points: You score them merely for walking in stores and have the opportunity to gain “Kicks” for purchases made with linked debit cards, looking through mobile catalogs, scanning items in store, and referring others.
What you can cash in for: Gift Cards and charitable donations. You can score as many as 200 “Kicks” for walking into a store and it only takes 500 to snag a $2 Target Gift Card.
Special Notes: Coupons are also available on the app.
Sign up for Shopkicks here!
My Coke Rewards
What it is: A rewards program for purchasing Coke Products
How you get points: Enter the codes found on Coke caps or packaging either online or via the app.
What you can cash in for: Coke product coupons, magazine subscriptions, gift cards, small electronics or my favorite Movie Tickets!
Special Notes: Even if you don’t drink Coke products you can find codes at the office or ask others who won’t enter them to collect them for you. On Wednesdays, Coke offers special rewards points “deals.”
Sign up for My Coke Rewards Here!
Pampers & Huggies
What they are: Rewards Programs for the two big diaper companies – Pampers & Huggies.
How you get points: Enter codes from purchased Huggies or Pampers. Find codes online, no purchase necessary.
What you can cash in for: Kids products or toys, gift cards.
Special Notes: Even if you don’t buy diapers, I find codes on a regular basis and post them here so you can be part of these rewards programs. Find plenty of Pampers Gifts to Grow codes here.
Sign up for Huggies Enjoy the Ride or Pampers Gifts to Grow!
Disney Movie Rewards
What it is: Rewards Program for purchasing Disney Movies.
How you get points: Enter codes from purchased DVDs or scan movie tickets to collect points.
What you can cash in for: Disney Products, Disney Movies, Gift Cards
Special Notes: Even movies seen at the dollar theater qualify for rewards points.
Sign up for Disney Movie Rewards here!
Restaurants
What it is: Many restaurants offer rewards programs where you scan a card and collect points toward free food or beverages.
My Favorites: Panera, Qdoba, Starbucks, McAlister’s Tea, Papa Murphy’s, His Place {Local Coffee Shop}
What you can cash in for: Typically free food or drinks
Special Notes: Always ask your favorite establishments – especially locally ones – if they have similar programs so that you can collect stamps, punches, or scans. Typically you’ll get a freebie on your birthday, too. Starbucks is currently offering $5 to new members of My Starbucks Rewards who register a gift card {through 3/14}. Read Starbucks Rewards: Join & Snag $5 to find out more.
Hotels
What it is: Many hotels offer rewards programs where you collect points toward free stays.
My Favorites: Wyndham, Marriott Rewards
What you can cash in for: Typically free stays or discounts.
Special Notes: Don’t forget to tell employees that you’re a member before checking out and make sure your stay is applied. Plan your trips based around collecting points, too.
Honorable mention rewards programs – Banking debit rewards, Kroger Fuel Rewards, Smart Phone apps like ibotta & endorse, and cash back shopping sites like Ebates.
Special Royal Disclaimer: NO rewards program is worth going into debt. It’s not a deal if you’re still paying for it in the long run. Stay away from offers that sound too good to be true because they probably are just that.
What are your favorite rewards programs? What kinds of items have you scored from them?
*This post contains affiliate and referral links. So while you’re finding out about great rewards programs, you’re also helping the Royal Family build up their emergency fund more quickly. And for that, we royally thank you. For more on my disclosure policy, go here.
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