A great way to save money on your daily purchases (and your larger, less frequent purchases) is to take advantage of a store or brand’s rewards program. Signing up for these programs is free and easy but keeping track of the cards and remembering to bring them with you when you shop can be a huge hassle. Luckily there are apps that help you do this. Mobile apps like Key Ring, Belly, Stocard, and Five Stars help keep your cards organized and in one place. Simply download the app to your iPhone or Android and then take pictures of your different rewards cards. The app stores and organizes the cards for you and you no longer have to remember to bring a particular store’s card with you when you shop- just remember your phone!
Some stores and brands like Walmart or Huggies offer a rewards program in a mobile app. Once you download their app, you scan your receipt or enter the receipt number into the app and the app records your points or, in the case of Walmart, your extra savings.
Other apps such as AwardWallet, TripIt, MileWise, and PointsBuzz help you keep track of frequent flyer miles and compare the best itineraries and ways to purchase airline tickets (e.g., using cash, miles, or points).
If you don’t have a smartphone, you can manage your different rewards cards by being sure to use the same phone number and/or email every time you sign up for a rewards program. That way, if you forget the card, the cashier can look up your account using your phone number or email. By always using the same phone number or email, you don’t have to remember which contact information you used for a particular rewards program. Be sure to do whatever you can to take advantage of free rewards programs so you can save money on items you buy regularly.
-Kathryn M.
Sage Personal Finance 