Most people think that they must be a certain age
(such as a senior citizen) to “upgrade,” but some banks/credit unions offer them
for other reasons. Businesses like loyal
customers. During a recent such “check-up,”
I learned that my bank offers an upgrade to a credit card account if you have a
direct deposit of a certain dollar figure each month.
During this appointment, I was searching for a credit card with a 0% interest rate to pay down my debt quickly. The two credit cards I had been using both raised my interest rate in 2012. Now after transferring those balances, I have a year to apply all of my payments to the principal and drastically reduce the overall balance! Win for me!
Does your credit card offer anything like points or mileage credits? Do they expire if not redeemed? My cards are ones that offer points. Granted, I must “shop” from their online catalog of items. After looking at what I could obtain with my points, my best choice was to choose gift cards.
Their other choices of household appliances and sporting goods required lots of points for items that did not interest me. For the points I have earned, I could receive golf balls or an iron. Instead, Vic and I can go out to eat twice at different restaurants (date time and no dishes to do) for $25 off with each gift card. Remember to read the terms and conditions, which could include shipping costs if you chose the merchandise over gift cards.
Another way that I have saved money is by ordering my checks from a company other than my bank. When I checked last year, it was more than $50 for the bank checks. The ones I selected were about 1/3 less and I actually received 25% more checks, plus there were more choices in designs.
During this appointment, I was searching for a credit card with a 0% interest rate to pay down my debt quickly. The two credit cards I had been using both raised my interest rate in 2012. Now after transferring those balances, I have a year to apply all of my payments to the principal and drastically reduce the overall balance! Win for me!
Does your credit card offer anything like points or mileage credits? Do they expire if not redeemed? My cards are ones that offer points. Granted, I must “shop” from their online catalog of items. After looking at what I could obtain with my points, my best choice was to choose gift cards.
Their other choices of household appliances and sporting goods required lots of points for items that did not interest me. For the points I have earned, I could receive golf balls or an iron. Instead, Vic and I can go out to eat twice at different restaurants (date time and no dishes to do) for $25 off with each gift card. Remember to read the terms and conditions, which could include shipping costs if you chose the merchandise over gift cards.
Another way that I have saved money is by ordering my checks from a company other than my bank. When I checked last year, it was more than $50 for the bank checks. The ones I selected were about 1/3 less and I actually received 25% more checks, plus there were more choices in designs.
