Loyalty Cards, Frequent Shopper Cards - I Love those Cards!

I am writing this article for two reasons. First, I want to share the importance of signing up for loyaltly cards at establishments, even if you don't go there much. There are free products to be had, and they are yours for the taking. Even if that taking takes years and years and years!

My second reason for writing this is to let everyone know that the TGI Friday's Gold Point card is about to expire. So, if you have one in your wallet, go to your nearest TGI and cash in your points for certificates they have available. You can go to http://www.fridays.com/goldpoints/ to check your balance and see what TGI's offers for those points. You don't want to lose them.

So, here is my story. I got my TGI Friday Gold Card in the 90s sometime. If I had to guess, I would say around 1996. Yes, it is probably 11 years old ( has the program even been around that long ). Either way, I rarely go to TGI Friday's anymore. And, I wouldn't say I went alot back then, either, but every once in a while I did. And, we tended to go their alot for work parties ( birthdays, baby showers, etc for co-workers ). So, I always handed them my card and they would usually put the whole parties tab on my gold card. It was a fast way for me to rack up the points.

Irregardless, I am getting off point here. I hadn't looked at this card in years. In fact, I wasn't even sure I still had it until my mother told me that they were expiring the card. I don't know where she heard it, but I immediately looked in my wallet...and there it was...behind some other rarely used cards. I checked the balance, and guess what? I have enough for a $15 dining certificate and 3 appetizer certificates!! I was excited! So, I am cashing them in and well, you might see us eating at Fridays on an upcoming Saturday Savings article from me! BECAUSE, if you go to the Friday's website right now, you can get $5 off $15 coupon. Yippee! OK...we will have to see if they will use the coupon with the dining certificate. I am hoping and I will keep you posted on the outcome. Also, if you sign up for their newsletter, you will get a coupon for a free appetizer ( so I guess I get 4 free appetizers now ). Bonus!

Here is another great example of why I sign up for these cards at restaurants, stores, etc. When my husband and I were first married, we had a pizza shop down the road called Marco's. We LOVED it. And, they had a little card you could get stamped, and after so many pizzas...well, you got one free! We moved out of town and I held onto the card...I don't know why. WELL......guess what just opened up down the road from us? MARCO's. We were so excited, and I took my card in and they punched it. It is about 4 years old!! Because of that, we are 2 pizzas away from a free pizza.

I have also signed up for stores such an Lane Bryant, while I was shopping with my mother. Even though I can't shop there, I love getting their coupons in the mail. I can give them to my mother, use them to buy her presents or give them to others who want them. For example, over Christmas, we got her a new winter coat. It was originally $150. It went on sale, then they had this one day coat clearance before Christmas, plus the coupon I got in the mail...PLUS my discounted 20% gift cards I bought. Do you know how much I paid for that coat? Approximately $30!!!

And, I just got a 20% off coupon from Ace Hardware because I am a member of their program. Plus, I have access to my 20% off Ace giftcards, so I am combining them and heading up there to buy some furance filters and other items we need and aren't as easy to find at the grocery/CVS/Walgreens on clearance.

One last example...I know I am tiring you out! But, you may be able to use this one today. If you go to Freebies 4 Mom, she has a link to $10 free on your Dave and Busters card. So, if you have one of those powercards lieing around...get your free $10! This will be another cheap Saturday out for us. We can bypass the restaurant and just play with the kids in the arcade for a bit!

So, my point..if you happen to find yourself in a store or restaurant, and you don't think you will ever be there again but they have a frequent shopper program, sign up ( if free ). You will get great deals and you just never know when you might use them. Even if it is years and years later. I think I am going to buy a small change purse and stick all my "in"frequent shopper cards in there and stick down in my purse. I will keep the cards I actually use a lot in my wallet.

And, finally, you can sell coupons on Ebay. So, when these frequent shopper programs send you them in the mail, you are set. I buy alot of coupons there, and have sold some, too. You will want to read the terms and conditions of your particular coupon, as well as read Ebay's coupon policy, but it is an easy way to get rid of coupons that others may need ( and you couldn't find someone to give them to).