Savvier Shopping
December 18, 2008
It’s too late now, but it occurred to me that for all of my agonizing over finding the best price and fit in a new laptop, I neglected to fully maximize possible cashback options.
I did use ebates.com for a 1% cashback rebate. (If anyone wants a referral, we each get $5.)
That’s about $7 back, if they include cashback on tax.
I did use my Citi card that offers 2% back on all purchases in Thank You points.
That’s 1466 Thank You points.
However, I did not think to use my Chase Cash Plus card at the grocery store for 5% cashback rewards. [“Wait, what?” you ask. I know, I’m getting there.]
If I had gone to Vons/Safeway, using my Chase card to purchase a $700 Best Buy gift card, I would have earned 3500 points. That’s the equivalent of $35 because 5000 points can be redeemed for $50 cash, instead of a piddling 1466 Thank You points which cash out at an average rate of 6000/12000 points for $50/$100 gift cards.
Hmph. I could have stopped by the grocery store on my way home from work on Monday and more than doubled my cashback, in actual cash. Careless, I tell you. Miss M, you can still benefit from my mistake!
I used ebates this year for christmas shopping, we’re getting almost $50 back! Another alternative if you shop at Ralphs, they have a “rewards” system that is 1% back. They are doing triple points for gift cards right now, so 3%. My cash back card is 3% at grocery stores but if you wait to cash in you get 3.75%. Then buy through ebates on a double reward day. Unfortunately my car needed $1600 in repairs yesterday so I’m holding off for now, but you’ve given me some great ideas.
Miss M: I didn’t know that about Ralphs, that’s a great addition to the cash back. Good luck with the upcoming buy!