http://www.moegreenbacks.com/ en Copyright 2006 Sat, 09 Dec 2006 15:31:38 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Remember back in the 80s, 70s, 60s when truly sophisticated business people would pull out a Diners Club or a Carte Blanche Card. It was mysterious and prestigious because you didn't have one in your wallet. You were lucky to get a crappy Visa or MasterCharge (the old name for MasterCard). Believe it or not these cards are still around. Citibank has bought both brands and issues these cards with a MasterCard logo on them, so you can use them wherever MC's are accepted (virtually everywhere). But, are they worth it in today's competitive credit card market? Do they still have superior perks and benefits that make the elite spenders want them. Not really, but I am tempted to get one anyway. Here's how they stack up ... http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/12/diners_club_and_carte_blanche.html http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/12/diners_club_and_carte_blanche.html American Express Carte Blanche Credit Cards Diners Club Sat, 09 Dec 2006 15:31:38 +0000         uTango (sounds alot like uPromise :) has just launched a coalition rewards program where singles, engaged couples and newlyweds can earn points for their online purchases with the eventual goal of cashing out. ... for get this ... $2500 to $1,000,000 ten to thirty years in the future. The way it purports to work is that couples earn six "tango dollars" for every one dollar they spend online at participating merchants. If the couples spend a minimum of $5000, $10,000 or $20,000 per year at these merchants they can earn $2500, $5000 or $10000 after ten years or $250,000, $500,000 or $1,000,000 after thirty years. Let's dig in and see if the math makes sense. ]]> http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/12/utango_are_these_guys_for_real.html http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/12/utango_are_these_guys_for_real.html Thu, 07 Dec 2006 19:59:45 +0000         Google is trying to buy your attention to alert you to their new payment method. And as far as I am concerned they have made a compelling offer - $10 off of a minimum purchase of at least $30. There are literaly hundreds of online merchants where the offer is valid. You can add a further $5 off (that's 50% off a $30 purchase) if you register your Citibank card as part of the process. The only downside -- you can only enjoy the discount once. Here's where you can find out more -- Google CheckOut Happy Shopping, Moe ]]> http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/12/post.html http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/12/post.html discount google online Thu, 07 Dec 2006 17:19:46 +0000 Staples has a fairly decent rewards program. If you don't mind getting a few flyers inthe mail, it's definately in your best interest to sign-up Here are the highlights -- 2% cash back up to $15 per quarter once you spend over $200 in that quarter -- once you reach $1000 in total yearly spend, your reward goes to 5% up to $30 per quarter -- 20% back when you spend more than $50 per quarter at the Staples Copy Center up to $200 per quarter -- AND perhaps the most important --- FREE SHIPPING for Online oders regardless of the amount spent My one complaint ... Staples should get off their lazy ass and offer a rewards-based credit card, now there is no rewards incentive for signing up and using their private label credit card http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/12/staples_rewards_why_the_heck_n.html http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/12/staples_rewards_why_the_heck_n.html big box retail cash-back retail rewards Staples Tue, 05 Dec 2006 14:20:45 +0000 Many airlines will allow you to buy 5000-15,000 extra miles per year if you are a few short from being able to redeem for a free ticket. The cost ranges from x - y, which may seem expensive but if you are just a few short it may be well worth it when compared with actually buying a ticket. Below are links to the various airlines that sell miles .... http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/12/buy_frequent_flyer_miles_if_yo.html http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/12/buy_frequent_flyer_miles_if_yo.html Alaska Airlines American Airlines Bristish Airways Delta frequent flier frequent flyer Midwest Airlines Northwest Airlines US Airways Virgin Atlantic Sun, 03 Dec 2006 05:54:48 +0000 PFBlogs.com is an aggregator of (yes you guessed it) personal finance blogs and they have just started synidcating good ole Moe. Thanks to the folks over there. http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/12/thanks_to_pfblogscom.html http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/12/thanks_to_pfblogscom.html Fri, 01 Dec 2006 23:05:55 +0000 Canada-based Points.com has come along way since its humble beginnings back in the hayday of the internet. Basically points.com is place where you can track, swap, share, give away, (nominally) buy, or redeem points from your airline frequent flyer and hotel frequent stay programs. In my not so humble opinion here are the 3 best things about Points.com (in reverse order ala David Letterman) 3) Gift / Share - I am the greediest bastard on the net, but I am not above giving my mom my ff points so she can come see me (and cook for me and clena my filty house :) ) more .... http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/12/best_things_about_pointscom.html http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/12/best_things_about_pointscom.html Frequent Flyer frequent flier frequent flyer hotel loyalty programs points points.com reward programs Fri, 01 Dec 2006 22:50:41 +0000 This is a great contrast to the Chase Freedom Card that I wrote about in the last post. Bank of America truly did something new here. However, the Keep the Change program can be easily gamed to get to the $250 per year maximum reward. Here's how it works ... http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/12/bank_of_america_keep_the_chang.html http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/12/bank_of_america_keep_the_chang.html bank of america cash-back debit piggy bank visa Fri, 01 Dec 2006 03:23:02 +0000 This is by far the lamest excuse for innovation in the rewards / loyalty world that I have seen in decades. The claim to fame of the Freedom Card is that you can alternate back and forth between points and cash-back. Seriously, this should be called the Boredom Card. I can't belive that they would spend the big bucks required for primetime TV ads on a such a ho-hum value proposition. Here's what you get ... http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/12/the_freedom_card_what_the_hell.html http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/12/the_freedom_card_what_the_hell.html cash-back Chase loyalty points rewards Fri, 01 Dec 2006 03:07:38 +0000
Technorati Profile]]> http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/11/getting_claimed_in_technorati.html http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/11/getting_claimed_in_technorati.html Wed, 29 Nov 2006 04:03:06 +0000 Many of you may have heard of Ebates.com (and hopefully you're smart enough to use it regularly). Ebates almost always gets you the best rebate and frequently allows you to double or even triple dip with other sales, coupons, store credit cards, etc. Here's how it works ... http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/11/ebates_will_almost_always_get.html http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/11/ebates_will_almost_always_get.html discounts Ebates rebates savings Mon, 27 Nov 2006 02:21:02 +0000         Here's a stellar opportunity to save $200 per year on purchase you need to make anyway. Shell Gas and Citbank have teamed up to offer a Shell co-branded credit card. You get 15% back on all gas and Jiffy Lube purchases for the first sixty days and 3% back on all other purchases if you apply for a card before the end of the year. After the initial 60 day period, you save 5% on all gas and Jiffy Lube purchases and 1% back on all other purchases. ]]> http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/11/save_200_next_year_with_the_sh.html http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/11/save_200_next_year_with_the_sh.html co-branded cards gas rebates rewards shell Wed, 22 Nov 2006 01:47:55 +0000         I am sure many of you receive the weekly or bi-weekly coupons coupns for 20% off of a single item at Bed Bath and Beyond. In my (not so) humble opinion this is the best recurring coupon you're going to get. The dirty little secret about these is that, despite what they say printed on the front, they never really expire. I have used them three months after their supposed expiration date and only on one occassion have I even been asked by the clerk. I said that I must have brought in an old one by mistake. She winked and conspiratorially told me that it would anyway. Of course they are counting on the fact that you will buy more than one thing, so (needless to say) don't. Make your list of things (the more expensive the better) and buy one per week or save them up. I have never actually tried using two at one time, but I have had my wife stand in one aisle and me in another and use two coupons (on one item each) in the same store visit. Happy Shopping, Moe ]]> http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/11/cest_recurring_coupon.html http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/11/cest_recurring_coupon.html Bed Bath and Beyond big box retail coupons home decorating Tue, 21 Nov 2006 15:24:17 +0000 I'm sure you have been asked time and time again when you buy something that costs more than a couple of hundred dollars whether you would like to apply for a store credit card. The clerk usually promises you some sweet benefit like 10% off of the purchase or free interest for a year. Here's how it usually works ... http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/11/store_credit_cards.html http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/11/store_credit_cards.html cash-back co-brand cards points private label cards rewards store cards Tue, 21 Nov 2006 14:52:40 +0000 Welcome to the inaugural post on MoeGreenbacks.com. Here at Moe's we are dedicated to sharing the best ways for you to save money by using coupons, rebates, rewards programs, loyalty systems, frequent flying/staying/shopping programs, credit cards and more. http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/11/moes_mission.html http://www.moegreenbacks.com/2006/11/moes_mission.html Sat, 18 Nov 2006 16:06:22 +0000