HACK 61 Reap the Benefits of Loyalty

Every store seems to have a loyalty club or rewards program now. And while they don’t make any sense if you only shop at a retailer occasionally—they just tempt you to shop—they make so much sense for places you shop with regular frequency.

• If you do all your grocery shopping at two supermarkets in your neighborhood, of course you want to get those members-only discounts.
• If you find yourself picking up the same items several times a year from the beauty supply store, you might be missing out on rewards points or coupons by not signing up.

The great thing about loyalty programs is that most of them are free, and more and more of them are becoming available to customers without requiring them to open a store credit card. That means if you end up not shopping at that store often or you move away from your favorite location, you won’t have wasted any money or effort in your quest to save.

And don’t forget the power of the humble punch card. Look for cards that offer a discount or freebie once you accrue a number of stamps or hole-punches at businesses like:

• Gas stations
• Car washes
• Hair salons
• Consignment stores
• Coffee shops

It’s easy to lose and forget them, so keep your punch cards in an easy-to-grab spot, like your car’s glove box.