Oh my oh my! I have always collected Air Miles. Hell, I even wrote a book about collecting Air Miles (link posted below). Until two years ago, my Air Miles were always collected in the Cash Miles option. We would redeem our Air Miles every 95 Air Miles to save $10 off at Sobeys for groceries or at Shell for gas. Then we would take that $10 and plop it on our mortgage as an extra payment. Slow and steady wins the race.
The flights I have explored for redeeming have been short haul flights. Any of the weekends that I have explored to take a flight to NYC or Boston, there was always a layover to the destination.
I was flexible and tried a lot of Friday to Sunday options, as well as late Thursday evenings and none worked for me.
When I only have a short amount of time to travel, I find it worth my time and money to buy the direct flight for the under $500 return trip, then redeem Air Miles and pay the $145 taxes and fees. There is a point when I need to determine miles vs time.
Fast Forward to present day. I cashed out Air Miles in July for a trip for 2 to an all inclusive vacation in Punta Cana. Our flights have been changed 4 times. The first change was leaving 2 hours later to arrive in Punta Cana. The next two changes were by 10 minutes only. And the last change was 2 hours later leaving Punta Cana. I am grateful because the trip is to an all inclusive and no plans are booked when we arrive so nothing is time sensitive. And I do have a free trip that cost me 23000 Air Miles and only $900
Our other trip is booked for the end of June to Orlando. I know direct flights aren’t an option. This time of year so I was prepared for a milk run. I got a call that the trip to Orlando was also getting its 4th flight change, this time a layover in a whole different city. AND arrives 2 .5 hours later!!!! This changes my plans in Orlando. We have plans the day we arrive and some changes needed to be made.
The customer service rep told me this happens all the time with travel plans. I have not traveled a lot, but at least one flight vacation a year. I have never had this happen with paid flights. Have I always been lucky, or is this an issue when flying with points? I have been told by many it only happens with points. Please share your comments.
I feel close to done with collecting air miles aggressively. I will continue to use my card but I do plan to try to be more aware with my collecting. I am debating to now put my air miles options to cash miles, and save the miles to redeem for gas etc and bank up the cash since flights are so challenging in my experience.
I did redeem Air Miles 2 weeks ago for 4 passes to Universal Studios. This saved us over $1100 US dollars and cost 14400 Air Miles. Perhaps saving for merchandise only is another avenue I will explore, and also less hassle.
What have been your experiences?
https://www.amazon.ca/Guide-Collecting-Air-Miles-Canada-ebook/dp/B07169ZK5R/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519504128&sr=8-1&keywords=a+guide+to+collecting+air+miles+in+canada&dpID=51LAp7sNrfL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
Saturday, February 24, 2018
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
My week at a glance
I am trying to get back on foucssing on the small things that got us to our financial independance. It truly is the little things that help get you out of debt. Doing small things daily will help you see your money grow.
I thought I would make a list of things that I did to save money
Thursday- grocery shopping and used coupons ( $5.50 in coupons) and collected PC Points at No Frills (400 points, not much)
Received 4 tickets for Universal Studios that were ordered with Air Miles for our summer family vacation. ( airline tickets also paid with air miles and 3 of our 4 hotel nights for universal studios are free with Best Western points )
Friday- 2 free Pizzas from Pizza Delight (in December we purchased 4, $30 gift cards to Pizza Delight and each came with one free 12 inch pizza. We had a dinner planned for Baton Rouge during Christmas and the gift cards could be used there also, so we purchased a few and paid for the meal with gift cards to get the free pizza)
Took my daughter and her friend swimming at the Best Western. I bought a 10 swim punch card for $25 for their Christmas stockings. $2.50 a swim so $5 for a play date that was an hour and a half, well worth it.
Saturday- Filled up car with gas at Canadian Tire. Paid with Canadian Tire gift cards that were on sale for 10% off at the Super Store a month ago. Also collected $1.46 in Canadian Tire money that in the summer I will cash in all the points for pool chemicals
Ate lunch at the Super Store and paid $15.40 for the 4 of us to have sandwiches, nachos and dip, bananas, and quiche, We brought water from home, and took it into the store with us. We ate in the Super Store at the tables set up for in store purchases
We had packed snacks and ate those as we shopped and did our errands
Value Village-I took a bag of clothes into the store to donate and received 15% off my next purchase. I used this at the checkout, and I am also a member of the loyalty program, just give your phone number and they collect points, when you receive so many points you get a percentage off of your purchase. I bought 2 pairs of sneakers, winter boots and a pair of brand name shorts, all for my daughters. Watch the prices, some things were crazy high prices and not worth buying. My girls also bought books, buy 4 get the 5th one free.
Grabbed coffee at a coffee shop called something Cabin. I asked them if they have a loyalty card, sure enough they did and I got stamps towards a free one. (I have a wallet just for when I am in the city and I keep all loyalty and gift cards that are in the city in this wallet. At some point I may go back to that coffee shop, if I don't, it won't to add it to the wallet.)
Shopped at Michael Kors store, my favorite store. I have a few things that I have wanted there for almost a year. I found the item for half price! The wallet was a splurge but I have been waiting to use my budget for it when it was on sale. They always have a few red pieces discounted after Valentine’s Day. Also if you go to the store they have a sale section. I was happy!
Supper was at Moxies. I had bought Sobeys Gift cards for the bonus 95 Air Miles when I bought $200 in Sobeys gift cards. I then purchased Moxies gift cards with the Sobeys gift card. We just drank water. My meal was huge, as soon as it came I cut it in half to take some home. The kid meals were also big, and half came home. We ate the leftovers the next day.
Sunday
Shopped at the grocery store for the pink sticker items. Bought lots of bread and meat for the freezer. On the way out of the store as I checked the receipt I noticed $1.25 wasn't taken off of my total and I went to customer service and got that money back. SCOP doesn't count on pink stickers, I asked.
Took the kids to the movies for Family Day. I used the buy 1 get 1 free voucher from gift cards received at Christmas. The snacks were 2 popcorns from the vouchers at Christmas. Scene points were also collected. We brought water bottles with Pepsi and 2 water bottles to drink. I also brought a bag of skittles to share.
Monday
Went to gas station and paid $2 to vacuum car and $2 for the Lysol wipes that I got on sale a few months ago and cleaned the car. Lots of money saved compared to the price of paying someone to detail the car for me.
I went to Lawtons with the intent of spending $35 on Compliments products to earn 95 Air Miles. I walked through the store, and didn't find any products on sale. I realized I truly only needed the Compliments Brand Band Aids, and the other items would be purchased just to earn Air Miles. I returned the other items, got what I needed, spending only $3.85 I paid using my Sobeys gift card, Lawtons and Sobeys are owned by the same company and the gift cards are interchangeable. Also my work received a Lawton's discount card that is scanned with each purchase for a surprise amount of money off.
I thought I would make a list of things that I did to save money
Thursday- grocery shopping and used coupons ( $5.50 in coupons) and collected PC Points at No Frills (400 points, not much)
Received 4 tickets for Universal Studios that were ordered with Air Miles for our summer family vacation. ( airline tickets also paid with air miles and 3 of our 4 hotel nights for universal studios are free with Best Western points )
Friday- 2 free Pizzas from Pizza Delight (in December we purchased 4, $30 gift cards to Pizza Delight and each came with one free 12 inch pizza. We had a dinner planned for Baton Rouge during Christmas and the gift cards could be used there also, so we purchased a few and paid for the meal with gift cards to get the free pizza)
Took my daughter and her friend swimming at the Best Western. I bought a 10 swim punch card for $25 for their Christmas stockings. $2.50 a swim so $5 for a play date that was an hour and a half, well worth it.
Saturday- Filled up car with gas at Canadian Tire. Paid with Canadian Tire gift cards that were on sale for 10% off at the Super Store a month ago. Also collected $1.46 in Canadian Tire money that in the summer I will cash in all the points for pool chemicals
Ate lunch at the Super Store and paid $15.40 for the 4 of us to have sandwiches, nachos and dip, bananas, and quiche, We brought water from home, and took it into the store with us. We ate in the Super Store at the tables set up for in store purchases
We had packed snacks and ate those as we shopped and did our errands
Value Village-I took a bag of clothes into the store to donate and received 15% off my next purchase. I used this at the checkout, and I am also a member of the loyalty program, just give your phone number and they collect points, when you receive so many points you get a percentage off of your purchase. I bought 2 pairs of sneakers, winter boots and a pair of brand name shorts, all for my daughters. Watch the prices, some things were crazy high prices and not worth buying. My girls also bought books, buy 4 get the 5th one free.
Grabbed coffee at a coffee shop called something Cabin. I asked them if they have a loyalty card, sure enough they did and I got stamps towards a free one. (I have a wallet just for when I am in the city and I keep all loyalty and gift cards that are in the city in this wallet. At some point I may go back to that coffee shop, if I don't, it won't to add it to the wallet.)
Shopped at Michael Kors store, my favorite store. I have a few things that I have wanted there for almost a year. I found the item for half price! The wallet was a splurge but I have been waiting to use my budget for it when it was on sale. They always have a few red pieces discounted after Valentine’s Day. Also if you go to the store they have a sale section. I was happy!
Supper was at Moxies. I had bought Sobeys Gift cards for the bonus 95 Air Miles when I bought $200 in Sobeys gift cards. I then purchased Moxies gift cards with the Sobeys gift card. We just drank water. My meal was huge, as soon as it came I cut it in half to take some home. The kid meals were also big, and half came home. We ate the leftovers the next day.
Sunday
Shopped at the grocery store for the pink sticker items. Bought lots of bread and meat for the freezer. On the way out of the store as I checked the receipt I noticed $1.25 wasn't taken off of my total and I went to customer service and got that money back. SCOP doesn't count on pink stickers, I asked.
Took the kids to the movies for Family Day. I used the buy 1 get 1 free voucher from gift cards received at Christmas. The snacks were 2 popcorns from the vouchers at Christmas. Scene points were also collected. We brought water bottles with Pepsi and 2 water bottles to drink. I also brought a bag of skittles to share.
Monday
Went to gas station and paid $2 to vacuum car and $2 for the Lysol wipes that I got on sale a few months ago and cleaned the car. Lots of money saved compared to the price of paying someone to detail the car for me.
I went to Lawtons with the intent of spending $35 on Compliments products to earn 95 Air Miles. I walked through the store, and didn't find any products on sale. I realized I truly only needed the Compliments Brand Band Aids, and the other items would be purchased just to earn Air Miles. I returned the other items, got what I needed, spending only $3.85 I paid using my Sobeys gift card, Lawtons and Sobeys are owned by the same company and the gift cards are interchangeable. Also my work received a Lawton's discount card that is scanned with each purchase for a surprise amount of money off.
Monday, February 12, 2018
Cash Back and Money Makers For My Readers
There are many ways to earn a little cash back. Here is a list of sites that I use to make a bit of extra money or bonus points. Please click on the referral links as I receive a bonus for you joining. In most cases you also receive a bonus from signing up from me.
Checkout 51 : it has been a while since I have found things on the list that I purchase, but it is good to have in your Money Savings Folder. Upload your receipt and you can cash out when you hit $20
https://checkout51.app.link/6qdfYwuwVQ
Ebates: Log in and earn cash back from your online shopping
Caddle: Shop as normal, and Upload pictures of your receipt for cash back, offers change on Thursdays
https://caddle.ca/signup/referral/57f933eb86129
Swagbucks: Earn points from daily internet searches, surveys and online shopping. Points redeem for gift cards
http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/Donats
Ledger Web: Online Survey Site, Cash out at $20
https://legerweb.com/SJJ39
Carrot : You need to enter a postal code for Newfoundland or BC and it tracks your steps on phone or FitBit earn Petro Points, Scene Points, or Aeroplan Miles
Downloand the App Carrot Rewards UserCode: meghand8753
Checkout 51 : it has been a while since I have found things on the list that I purchase, but it is good to have in your Money Savings Folder. Upload your receipt and you can cash out when you hit $20
https://checkout51.app.link/6qdfYwuwVQ
Ebates: Log in and earn cash back from your online shopping
https://www.ebates.ca/referrer?referrerid=dmI00Ysp2yY%3D
Caddle: Shop as normal, and Upload pictures of your receipt for cash back, offers change on Thursdays
https://caddle.ca/signup/referral/57f933eb86129
Groupon: Purchase vouchers for restaurants and activities as well as merchandise
Swagbucks: Earn points from daily internet searches, surveys and online shopping. Points redeem for gift cards
http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/Donats
Ledger Web: Online Survey Site, Cash out at $20
https://legerweb.com/SJJ39
Carrot : You need to enter a postal code for Newfoundland or BC and it tracks your steps on phone or FitBit earn Petro Points, Scene Points, or Aeroplan Miles
Downloand the App Carrot Rewards UserCode: meghand8753
Sunday, February 11, 2018
Food Prep
This morning as I sat drinking coffee I felt relaxed. A feeling usually reserved for Sunday mornings.
I am sure I am not alone with feeling stress when I think about managing the work week and running kids around to various activities.
A few weeks ago I didn’t food prep for the week and I felt behind the whole week.
I placed an order with my friend Denise that sells Tupperware for 4 more Food Savers. They are well worth the money as they not only keep produce fresher for longer, but they make me want to prepare my produce and obtain my money’s worth.
Pineapple, grapes, strawberries, carrots and melons are all cut and ready for fast snacks.
My daughter has to bring a fruit tray to an activity tomorrow night.
Pineapple was 1.99, $6 on 2 large bags of grapes I am sure less than half will be in this tray, 2.50 melon, strawberries were 2.50 and will put vanilla yogurt as the dip. I ball park the tray will have cost me about $9 and fruit my daughter will eat. Saving money and no waste!
I also planned out my meals for the week:
Monday spaghetti and Caesar salad with garlic toast
Tuesday butter chicken and rice (vh sauce,highly recommend it) will make large batch in the rice cooker and save some for another meal
Wednesday corn chowder and fresh bread maker bread
Thursday fajitas and rice
Friday Last free Pizza Delight 12 inch pizza voucher (these expire at the end of the month)
I also can’t believe that I missed this game changer news: ground beef can be fried and then frozen for meals! I am definitely out of my comfort zone in the kitchen but this time saving advice sure made my day!
What are your go to recipes?
I am sure I am not alone with feeling stress when I think about managing the work week and running kids around to various activities.
A few weeks ago I didn’t food prep for the week and I felt behind the whole week.
I placed an order with my friend Denise that sells Tupperware for 4 more Food Savers. They are well worth the money as they not only keep produce fresher for longer, but they make me want to prepare my produce and obtain my money’s worth.
Pineapple, grapes, strawberries, carrots and melons are all cut and ready for fast snacks.
My daughter has to bring a fruit tray to an activity tomorrow night.
Pineapple was 1.99, $6 on 2 large bags of grapes I am sure less than half will be in this tray, 2.50 melon, strawberries were 2.50 and will put vanilla yogurt as the dip. I ball park the tray will have cost me about $9 and fruit my daughter will eat. Saving money and no waste!
I also planned out my meals for the week:
Monday spaghetti and Caesar salad with garlic toast
Tuesday butter chicken and rice (vh sauce,highly recommend it) will make large batch in the rice cooker and save some for another meal
Wednesday corn chowder and fresh bread maker bread
Thursday fajitas and rice
Friday Last free Pizza Delight 12 inch pizza voucher (these expire at the end of the month)
I also can’t believe that I missed this game changer news: ground beef can be fried and then frozen for meals! I am definitely out of my comfort zone in the kitchen but this time saving advice sure made my day!
What are your go to recipes?
Join Guess Who's Cheap on Facebook, and on Amazon A Penny Saved is a Mortgage Paid, and A Guide to Collecting Air Miles in Canada
https://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_7?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=a+penny+saved+is+a+mortgage+paid&sprefix=a+penny%2Caps%2C206&crid=R06CXF8JG0RFTuesday, February 6, 2018
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