SmartyPig

Articles about 20-something’s lack of financial planning and poor money choices pepper most of the media outlets right now. Entry-level jobs are hard to come by, mounds of debt tend to accompany college diplomas, and poor financial choices are all too common. Contrary to those thoughts, Money Saving Lisa, also in her 20’s has big savings goals for herself and relies on SmartyPig to help her reach them.

You see Lisa has big plans for her 30^th birthday; I’m talking $5,000 in the bank kind of plans. She has no designated use for the money, like a new car or home, but she does know that at some point in her life that money will come in handy and when it does, she’ll be ready for it. And if Lisa never needs that money for an emergency and instead decides to decorate her home, or go Christmas shopping, she notes cashing out that $5,000 to one of SmartyPig’s Retailer Gift Card providers and receiving up to 11% cash back. That’s $550 extra bucks! Just think of the Cyber Monday deals you could get with that kind of cash.

SmartyPig takes the effort out of saving and rewards you better than anyone else, just ask Lisa. If you want to make the most money for your money, SmartyPig is the place for you!

Wishing you successful saving.

Sarah Foss, SmartyPig’s Media Mad Woman 
SFoss@SmartyPig.com

Black Friday Bonus Shopping is a weekend you and your family can’t afford to miss, and this year it starts early! From 9:00 AM on Thursday, November 24th until 11:59 PM Monday, November 28th, earn even MORE cash back with over 50 limited-time offers from your favorite brand-name retailers. To access these sweet deals starting Thanksgiving Day, log into your SmartyPig account, search the Cash Back Offers for your existing Cash Rewards Card, and click the link provided to the store. Then pay with your Cash Rewards Card on checkout.

We invite exisiting Cash Rewards Card holders to make the most of holiday shopping with SmartyPig. Shop and earn cash back – it’s our special gift to you. Standard SmartyPig Cash Rewards Card guidelines apply. Happy Holiday shopping!

Good Luck With Your Goals.

So you say you’re already conscious spenders. You’ve cut back on lattes, you don’t frequent expensive stores, and you’ve trimmed your bills where you can. Even the most frugal can still find ways to cut back, believe it or not – and the WSJ agreed this week when they suggested ways to “Save $10,000 by Next Thanksgiving.” That’s a lot of money, so I’m all ears.

Author Brett Arends reminds us of some of our favorites including: riding your bike to work, cutting cable, and ditching the landline. He goes a bit further to remind of us activities like refinancing your home, getting creative on vacation expenses, and using eBay and Craigslist to rid yourself of clutter (and earn some dollars while you’re at it!) Arends also urges consumers to move their money to a place with no existing fee structure and high interest. Exactly like SmartyPig. And we know that if you’re reading this, you’ve probably already taken that step. But why not push the envelope a bit more and challenge yourself to cut back on one or more of these “extra” areas and then tuck your found funds into one of your SmartyPig goals. You’ll be an even more conscious spender and several dollars closer to that much needed vacation or holiday gift goal!

Wishing you successful saving.

Sarah Foss, SmartyPig’s Media Mad Woman 
SFoss@SmartyPig.com

Mandi Woodruff’s story is one all too common this financial day in age. She graduated from college, scored an awesome job (with an even better salary,) and started spending like it was her second job. A short 10 weeks later her entire department was laid off. Mandi found herself not only jobless, but also emergency fund-less, with a poor credit score and no back up plan to boot.

Mandi did not take her situation lightly; she dug in her heels and started climbing out. She spent time cleaning out her accounts, getting to know her numbers (credit scores and otherwise,) and of course, budgeting. Additionally, she stopped ignoring her savings accounts. “Before you even start worrying about a 401(k) or investments, you should have emergency savings,” said Mandi’s personal finance mentor. She immediately stopped looking at her savings account as a formality and began working towards her emergency fund goal. If job loss struck her again, at least she would be prepared.

Take it from Mandi and start, or drop a few bucks in your existing emergency fund today. We at SmartyPig hope you never need it, but won’t you sleep better knowing its there?

Wishing you successful saving.

Sarah Foss, SmartyPig’s Media Mad Woman 
SFoss@SmartyPig.com

Black Friday is just around the corner. And whether you begin your shopping on the most popular day of the year, or the 23rd of December, I’d be willing to bet you’d like to cut your expenditures in any way you can. Holiday cost cutting tips are everywhere and MSN.com chimes in this week with five of their favorites. You’re aware of the need to plan ahead, budget accordingly, and the idea of doing something nice for someone; an act that costs you nothing at all. But have you considered gift cards yet this year?

I’m not just talking about giving gift cards, but that is certainly one of the most popular and economical options this year. I’m talking about buying discounted gift cards to shop with. Like one of the many options SmartyPig offers: Macy’s, Best Buy, Gap, and Old Navy to name just a few. And the best part? Well, the cash back of course. And at up to 11% back, the average consumer spend of $700 on holiday gifts has now just earned them close to $80. That’s a nice holiday gift for you, or a dinner and movie with your spouse.

The holidays are expensive. Period. But this year it’s more important than ever to make all of your pennies count. Cash out your goal today to one of many SmartyPig gift cards to get your shopping and saving done in one swoop!

Wishing you successful saving.

Sarah Foss, SmartyPig’s Media Mad Woman 
SFoss@SmartyPig.com