Do you play the cash back credit card game ??

Yes, I use a cash back cc. I also use online coupons and cash back clubs. The retail establishments are charging extra to offer these "deals", so if you're not using them, you're missing out and over paying for those goods and services. I used to be in retail. Yes, it's a game, so why not play? We also use hotel points, airline miles, and restaurant coupons/discounts. We save enough using AAA discounts to pay for the yearly service. Cash incentives add up.
Senior discounts seem to be going the way of the Dodo bird. When I ask about them from places that offer senior discounts they usually tell me I'm too young to qualify {early 60's}. A penny saved is a penny earned.
 

I love my Kroger cc . I put my insurance payments on it for the points. Got a $20.00 check today from them to spend at Krogers. I am going to pay it off 10 days before the due date anyway. Might as well make a few dollars. I hate there is not a Shell station near me to use the fuel points. I don't drive much any more so that would not matter. I use the digital coupons on things I actually use. They also send out paper coupons on things I buy there the most. There is always a free product coupon included. Usually we have a free Friday digital coupon also. I don't care that they track my spending and send me coupons for the things I buy the most. I only use a card that gives me cash back or rewards of some sort. And yes I am that person that will pick up a penny I see on the ground in front of me. Picked up two dimes yesterday!
 
What game? Using a credit card to pay for purchases and getting a return on money spent is common sense money management. Having what you want or need then paying for whatever 30 days later from an interest bearing account may not amount to much but coupled with cash back it beats zero return.
 
Yep; we also use a cash-back credit card, paid off monthly. A few years ago we paid for new windows for the house on one card; that was quite a nice little "bonus." I also use the rebates websites (Rakuten and MrRebates) for additional cash back.
 
C'est Moi said:
Yep; we also use a cash-back credit card, paid off monthly. A few years ago we paid for new windows for the house on one card; that was quite a nice little "bonus." I also use the rebates websites (Rakuten and MrRebates) for additional cash back.
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I use Rakuten also. Got a 9.44 check from them this week. To remember to go through them was a problem until I taped a sticky note to my computer as a reminder before ordering online.
 
Knight said:
What game? Using a credit card to pay for purchases and getting a return on money spent is common sense money management. Having what you want or need then paying for whatever 30 days later from an interest bearing account may not amount to much but coupled with cash back it beats zero return.
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You will find usually those who don’t care about their money are the same people who usually talk of investing in diversified funds as gambling ...they are usual so far removed from being financially knowledgeable that many of these actions go hand in hand
 
I used to play the "Get our card, and we'll give you $200 if you charge $3,000 in the first 90 days!" Well, I made over a Grand with a few cards, that way, but then I took a look at all of my cards, went through the hassles of paying this one, that one, the other one, every month, and just said, "To Hell with this BS. I don't need those extra bucks, really!" Now, I use one card that gives me points, each month. I redeem them for a hundred dollars every few months. Much easier, no hassle. I do have a card that I've had for almost thirty years. It's not a great card, in truth, but it boosts my credit history way up, so I keep it.
 
terry123 said:
I love my Kroger cc . I put my insurance payments on it for the points. Got a $20.00 check today from them to spend at Krogers. I am going to pay it off 10 days before the due date anyway. Might as well make a few dollars. I hate there is not a Shell station near me to use the fuel points. I don't drive much any more so that would not matter. I use the digital coupons on things I actually use. They also send out paper coupons on things I buy there the most. There is always a free product coupon included. Usually we have a free Friday digital coupon also. I don't care that they track my spending and send me coupons for the things I buy the most. I only use a card that gives me cash back or rewards of some sort. And yes I am that person that will pick up a penny I see on the ground in front of me. Picked up two dimes yesterday!
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terry...so you have the Kroger cc? The lady keeps asking us in the store. We didn't want to get one as we have Amazon, Visa & Discover already. Wondering what is the extra bonus for that card and if it would be worth getting. Hmmmm. Kroger is kicking butt an taking names with Amazon & Wallmart. They're prices are usually less that either of them. Good for you!
 
mathjak107 said:
You will find usually those who don’t care about their money are the same people who usually talk of investing in diversified funds as gambling ...they are usual so far removed from being financially knowledgeable that many of these actions go hand in hand
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Yeah, when you think about it getting up in the morning is a "gamble" isn't it...and driving on that freeway for sure is.
I have known some people that were extremely wealthy that thought that way though, ultra conservative I mean.
 
Liberty said:
Yeah, when you think about it getting up in the morning is a "gamble" isn't it...and driving on that freeway for sure is.
I have known some people that were extremely wealthy that thought that way though, ultra conservative I mean.
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Being wealthy and Not making efficient use of what you have is one thing ..having to grow your assets efficiently and having that wrong mentality about investing is another thing
 
I don't have any CC's anymore..but my mother has that option where if you use it so many times in a month you get cash back.

So when we go shopping she tries to use it as much as possible..if I need something I give her cash and she uses her card.

She always pays the balance off every month so no interest.
 
Liberty said:
terry...so you have the Kroger cc? The lady keeps asking us in the store. We didn't want to get one as we have Amazon, Visa & Discover already. Wondering what is the extra bonus for that card and if it would be worth getting. Hmmmm. Kroger is kicking butt an taking names with Amazon & Wallmart. They're prices are usually less that either of them. Good for you!
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You get 2 points for in store purchases and one point for purchases outside of the store. Each month on my cc statement it shows how many points I have accumulated. The checks are sent quarterly. I just got a $20.00 check, a free coupon for a pint of Hagadaz ice cream, 1.50 coupon off soft drinks if I buy 10.00 worth. I don't buy that brand ice cream as it is expensive but it is often on sale with a 1.00 off. I buy the cokes/Dr. Pepper when they are 4/11.00 as they are this week. So I will pay 9.50 for 4 (12) packs with the coupon. There were also sour cream coupons, bakery coupon, etc. Its tailored to what you usually buy. The coupons I don't use I give to the folks at the condo office who use them. Putting my car and house insurance on the card gives me points. I am going to pay them anyway so I like getting the points from my card. BTW, I misspelled the ice cream name but you know what it is. Also love the digital coupons on the website. I always check my receipt to be sure my coupons are taken off. Right now if you buy 35.00 worth you can use the pick up service free. That is good for me if I don't feel like getting out and going in. Otherwise it costs 4.95. If they make a mistake they will correct it right there when they bring your order out.
 
terry123 said:
You get 2 points for in store purchases and one point for purchases outside of the store. Each month on my cc statement it shows how many points I have accumulated. The checks are sent quarterly. I just got a $20.00 check, a free coupon for a pint of Hagadaz ice cream, 1.50 coupon off soft drinks if I buy 10.00 worth. I don't buy that brand ice cream as it is expensive but it is often on sale with a 1.00 off. I buy the cokes/Dr. Pepper when they are 4/11.00 as they are this week. So I will pay 9.50 for 4 (12) packs with the coupon. There were also sour cream coupons, bakery coupon, etc. Its tailored to what you usually buy. The coupons I don't use I give to the folks at the condo office who use them. Putting my car and house insurance on the card gives me points. I am going to pay them anyway so I like getting the points from my card. BTW, I misspelled the ice cream name but you know what it is. Also love the digital coupons on the website. I always check my receipt to be sure my coupons are taken off. Right now if you buy 35.00 worth you can use the pick up service free. That is good for me if I don't feel like getting out and going in. Otherwise it costs 4.95. If they make a mistake they will correct it right there when they bring your order out.
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Did you get the "best customer" or whatever they call it coupon book recently? Love that, as all the coupons are for things you usually purchase. Really like Kroger. Its been my fav grocery for many many years!
 
Floridatennisplayer said:
Everything possible goes on Southwest.
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Son has so many points with Southwest each year, his companion flies for free.

Personally don't like to travel, but its nice if you have to you get those points. We used to on Contintental - flew at least 25,000 miles a year. Upgrades to first class were the prime reason to get the points!
 
mathjak107 said:
we recently took a whole vacation to Chicago .. airfare for two and a 5 star hotel cost us nothing , just using points
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Sounds good to me. We once did that...went to Europe first class. If you have to travel anyway, it makes it a bit less painful to join those airline clubs.
 
I opened an argument a few years ago, about the confusion a senior might experience by playing the 'rewards' game. I later decided to join the 'game'. I acquired a few cards all with no annual fee. All were rewards based plus bonuses cash back since I seldom stay for periods of time in hotels or fly. It's a personal choice. I found that I did make extra cash but as a result I also acquired more items than I found were as useful as it seemed when I was ordering.

I personally had been on a cash basis since 2012, put money in the bank & avoided the pitfalls of credit. After 3 years I still find that my reasons are valid. It was confusing to time my purchases, the credit bureaus wanted me to carry a small debt from month to month. I had to keep charging to get to the mythical 3-6% balances that are the optimum for the 'free' sites. I found myself obsessing about my cards, balances & FICO (FAKO) scores. I wasn't any better off as a result that the savings I had been banking was now being used to keep my credit card issuers happy, other than me needing a larger wallet to carry the cards.

Free money! my backside, nothing is free the ones who make out are the retailers and/or card issuers. They made 2.5% to 3+% on everything I bought. I found I get a better return by comparison shopping than I every could by favoring one card over another, I now end every month even with the money going back into my savings. I will carry the cards - unused as much as possible until they either cancel them for non-use or emergencies. My credit union debit card is acceptable everywhere.
 
let me say this " the credit bureaus want me to carry debt " is bull ..... we have not had debt in 25 years .... we charge everything we can and pay it off even before its due ... we both have credit scores over 820.... that is a myth. sorry but you fell in to the trap of believing your own bull sh*t

we also have premium cards like the chase sapphire reserve .

https://www.magnifymoney.com/blog/building-credit/should-you-carry-a-balance-on-a-credit-card/
 

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