We'll actually I didn't find it, my wife did. She's nick named Frugal Betty around here.
She never ceases to amaze me and yesterday was no different. There's an envelope that shows up in my mail that I habitually throw away every few months. It comes from my bank but it's not the one with the bank statements. I've filed in the trash as junk mail for as long as I can remember, but this time my wife opened the mail.
Apparently, according to ‘Betty' we have lots of points. Points? I didn't even know we were playing a game let alone racking up points. Am I winning? Turns out whenever I use my card for anything I earn points. I'm not a big credit card guy. I use it, pay it off or at least keep the balance low so I don't really pay attention to that stuff. But every time I've ordered my clients a gift basket this year and put it on my card, I've earned points. Yea! I've had a pretty decent year considering the doom and gloom from the talking heads, so I've ordered quite a few client gifts this year. Which means I've got a few points.
My favorite online site for client gifts is WineCountryGiftBaskets.com by the way, but that's another post.
I guess It's more accurate to say, I had points. My wife spent a considerable amount of time on the computer, spending them. She sent me an email with a tally. I was impressed me.
2-$25 Target cards (thats an anyone gift)
$50 Cabela's Gift Card (my 22 year old son obsessed with fishing-or mine)
$25 Barnes & Noble (that will go in a mother in laws basket)
$50 Home Depot (Father in law)
2-$25 Restaurant Gift Cards (brother and sister n law)
$10 Petsmart (puppy food - we're expecting a litter of English Springer Spaniels on the Dec 5th)
4-Starbucks Cards ( a staple)
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And those are just the ones from one bank. After she got on a roll, she also took care of the nephews and my best friends grandbaby with some really nice gifts. One I can't wait until it comes in. It's a circuit electronic car thingy that got rave reviews on Amazon.com and retails for over $60...it's educational, cool and the 6 year old will love it. I think we are pretty close to having Christmas close to done and I haven't really spent anything yet. I'm probably lucky I have a smaller family (being an only child) but it was pretty cool to spend points instead of cash.
Frugal Betty doesn't stop there. She's been on Restaurants.com lately, but that's another post.
So this year instead of watching Elf and drinking Baileys and Coffee while wrapping presents that we ran out and got the night before, we'll be done early, maybe even get to bed early. So if you haven't thought to look, check out your reward points on those credit cards and accounts. You might be in for a nice little surprise like I was. Start now and they'll be here in time for Christmas.
If you don't have any points to spend, but want some more frugal ideas....you'll have to email my wife. She's the queen of frugality......but that's another post!
I Wish Everyone A Wonderful Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
Brian R Barnes ~ Focus Home Loan Solutions
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