Every year, the holiday season seems to sneak up on us like The Grinch sneaks up on Whoville, ready to ransack our wallets and leave us stunned.  But it doesn’t have to be that way!  With a few general tips/strategies and a few Penlanco FCU special events, you can get ahead of The Grinch so your holiday season stays merry and bright.

Gift Card Rewards

This is a savings strategy you can take advantage of throughout the year, not just during the holidays. If you’re enrolled in your grocery store’s rewards program (and if you’re not, it’s worth signing up), keep an eye on weekly promotions featuring bonus points on gift card purchases.

For example, GIANT Choice Rewards recently offered 10X Choice Points on select gift cards, including popular brands like DoorDash, Lowe’s, Starbucks, and Ulta Beauty. Promotions like this allow you to earn significantly more rewards points than you would through everyday shopping. Those points can then be redeemed for discounts on groceries or gas.

Here’s where the strategy pays off: when a gift card promotion features stores or restaurants you already know friends and family enjoy, purchase those gift cards in advance and set them aside for birthdays, holidays, or special occasions. You’re essentially buying gifts you were already planning to purchase while earning bonus rewards that reduce your own expenses.

With a little planning, gift card promotions can help stretch your holiday budget, lower your grocery or fuel costs, and make gift shopping easier when the season arrives.

(P.S. thank you to our member Amanda who made us aware of this! See example below.)

Credit Card Rewards

Just like grocery rewards programs, this is a strategy you can take advantage of throughout the year, not just during the holiday season. If you’ve been earning rewards points through your credit card purchases, you may be able to redeem those points for gift cards, merchandise, travel, cash back, or other rewards. If you see gift cards or merchandise that a loved one would enjoy, consider redeeming your points early and checking another name off your holiday shopping list.

Of course, responsible credit card use is essential. Avoid carrying a balance greater than 30% of your available credit, make payments on time, and don’t spend money on purchases you wouldn’t normally make just to earn rewards. Instead, use your credit card for everyday expenses you were already planning to purchase, such as gas, groceries, or monthly bills.

We’re big fans of Penlanco FCU’s Everyday Rewards+ Card, which you can learn more about here, especially if you regularly use a credit card for everyday purchases. Don’t let the rewards you’ve earned go unused. Put those points to work and turn them into holiday gifts, savings, or other valuable rewards when the holiday season arrives.

Penlanco FCU Holiday Specials

Here at Penlanco FCU, we strive to help our members and make their lives easier whenever we can, and the holiday season is no exception! We have a few special events lined up for members, along with a savings option you can use all year long to help prepare for the season.

• Fee-Free Gift Cards in November and December — Starting November 2nd through December 31st, Penlanco FCU will waive the activation fee on all Visa gift cards purchased at the credit union. If you’re already planning to give gift cards to friends or family, this is an easy way to save money. Rather than purchasing gift cards elsewhere and paying $5 or more in activation fees per card, you can purchase them at Penlanco FCU and pay $0 in activation fees during this promotional period!
• Free Photos with Santa — Another holiday savings opportunity Penlanco FCU is offering its members is Free Photos with Santa on Saturday, December 12th. Bring your family (and well-behaved pets!) to have your photo taken with Santa for free. It’s a great way to get into the holiday spirit while saving money at the same time. Get your free ticket(s) to this family event here.
• Save for Next Christmas — Finally, Penlanco FCU offers a savings tool that’s available year-round to help with holiday shopping: our Christmas Club Account. It’s an easy way to save throughout the year while earning a little more interest than a standard savings account. There’s no minimum balance requirement, and at the end of September, your Christmas Club balance is automatically deposited into your regular share account, making those funds available for your holiday shopping needs. It’s that easy!

With these savings tips, tools, and opportunities, you can prepare for the holidays all year long and reduce the stress that often comes with seasonal spending. That way, your budget doesn’t become a lump of coal, and you can focus on enjoying time with family and friends when the holidays arrive.