Sam's Club Members - Ditch Those Discover Cards!

     Some friends of mine run a small business and purchase all of their business related items at Sam's Club. They asked me how they could save more by using my MaxCashBack methods.  I learned that they did have a Discover card, and were using this credit card (the only one accepted by Sam's Club) to make all of their purchases.  They thought that they were getting 2% cash back.
     I did a little research and learned that Discover has one of the least attractive cash back rewards systems of the major cards.  See my post earlier this month on Best Cash Back Rewards cards here.  To make a long story short, one does not even begin to earn 1% cash back on a Discover card until after $6000 in purchase have been made.
     So, what does a loyal Sam's Club member have to do to get the type of savings I routinely find with other merchants?  The light bulb finally went off in my head today.  USE A WALMART GIFT CARD!!  Because Sam's Club is owned by Walmart, all Walmart gift cards are honored by Sam's Club, both online and in stores.  These gift cards can be readily purchased at a discount (see how to do this and save 5-10% here). Better yet, these gift cards can be purchased using a good cash back rewards credit card like the Chase Freedom Visa card or the Fidelity American Express card through any of the gift card resellers.
     Now, Sam's Club members can realize big cash back savings like the rest of us, instead of settling for the 0.25-1% cash back rewards typically earned by Discover card holders.  Let me know in the comments below if you found this tidbit of information helpful.  Thanks!

Visa Freedom & Discover More Cardholders: Don't Forget to Enroll for 2nd Quarter 5% Categories

  Every quarter, Chase and Discover change the categories in which their respective cash back rewards cards  can earn 5% cashback.  This coming quarter, starting April 1 (no fooling), the categories will change, and in order to benefit from the new 5% cash back awards, one must re-enroll or the cash back rewards will default to the normal amount.

For Chase Visa Freedom cardholders, purchases in the following categories will earn 5% cash back rewards if you enroll for the bonus.  All other purchases will earn 1%.

Home Improvement 

Home Furnishings 

Lawn & Garden

For Discover More cardholders, purchases in the following categories will earn 5% cash back rewards if you enroll for the bonus.  All other purchases will earn cash back at whatever the current rewards rate has earned:

Home Improvement

Department Stores

Clothing Stores


The enrollment period starts today, so log in to your account and be sure to sign up for your 5% cash back for this coming quarter.

AARP Visa Rewards card - 5% back on everything

My new AARP credit card arrived this weekend.  Now, as a moderately aged young man, I will confess that I have been a member of AARP for some time.  In fact, I already have an AARP Visa credit card.

   So why did I order another one?  Because AARP is offering 5% cash back on all of my purchases for 6 months.  No spending caps.  No exclusions.  No small print.  Just 5% off everything you purchase.

   If you pay off your credit card every month like I do, then this is like giving yourself a 10% pay raise without having to grovel in front of your boss.

    Oh, and did I mention that the card is interest free for 1 year, just in case you can't pay it off in full right now?

   For those of you who do not qualify for AARP, well all I have to say is "Enjoy your youth!"

Help jump start this economy.  Get yourself this card and use it.  After 6 months, I will probably retire my card for good.  What about you?  Do you think this is a good deal?  Tell me your thoughts in the comments below.