I came across a website that would allow me to help out with the college educations of my children by earning a percent of money on certain items and services that I buy and use. I thought that this was a good idea and I have been using this site for a couple of month now. At current count I had only 11.00 in the account, but this is just after 3 months of use. Over time, the amount will grow and grow. And you can save as much as 10% at some places and as little as 1%!
The Online Website
https://upromise.com is one of the fastest growing online services that will help you to earn money for the college education of your children. You can enter all your children or just one of them, that choice is yours. The money will be divided as you choose it to be. And you can invest your money if choose to do so. I have not made this option as of yet and not sure that I will. But I am thinking about it.
The homepage of https://upromise.com shows you many of the items or services that you can actually earn money for shopping and using your credit card. At any time you can choose links across the top of any page that will take you to your account, how it works, grocery and drugs, services, stores, restaurants, shop online and 529 plans.
On the homepage you will find ‘quick links’ on the right hand side of the page that will allow you to register your credit cards, grocery store cards, drug store cards, apply for a student loan and other things.
You enter your credit card information if you would like to do so and you will get credit for those cards as you use them. I have all of mine registered along with my ATM Visa card, that I use all the time. The money ads up that are for sure.
At the grocery store, which I was able to select my local grocery store, each time I shop there and use my ATM card and my grocery store loyalty card, I get a percentage, plus by buying the Upromise items that I find through out the store I get even more savings.
You can also choose to add your ATT phone bill if you use them, which I do, so each month I get a percentage of that bill back into my account at Upromise. There are 1000’s of grocery products that you will get credit for. You can find an Upromise logo on these items through out your local grocery stores. Some of those items are from Folgers, Coke, Skippy, Kleenex and so many more. You can find a complete listing on the Upromise website. And you have a chance to win a 25, 000.00 scholarship by buying some of these products as well. (This is a current contest only.)
Set up is very easy and it is free! Just follow the easy to understand directions and you are on your way!
You can also see your account information at any time. You can see the pending money and the money already added to your account. Here you can also choose to invest or add credit cards, etc. Very simple and very easy to use.
Other Stuff
Some of the places of service that you can earn money are: (all of the companies are registered Trade Marks of said company)
AAMCO Transmissions
America Online
American AAdvantage
AT&T
Auto Driveaway Co.
Avis
Cendant Mortgage
CENTURY 21®
CENTURY 21® Mortgage
Citibank®
COLDWELL BANKER®
COLDWELL BANKER® Mortgage
Countrywide Home Loans
ERA® Mortgage
ERA® Real Estate
Exxon
First Warranty Group
GM Motor Club
Maaco
McDonald’s
Mobil
Monro Muffler/Brake & Service
New York Life Ins. Co. & Affiliates
Pep Boys
Safelite AutoGlass
Speedy Auto Service
Warranty Gold
There are many ways to save money for this program. The site goes into more detail about the different programs. And just think, you buy a new home using one of these realtors then you get a lot of credit for doing so. Even if you have to get glass replaced you get credit. Buying gas at Exxon or Mobile also adds up! The possibilities of savings are endless!
And you can download the Upromise reminder that lets you know you are shopping online at a select store and earn even more! Now, I don’t know about you all but I like being reminded of that savings!
You can choose a date that you are going to be dinning out, go to one of those choice of restaurants that day and save.
How I Feel
Every time I get use a credit card I have registered, pay my long distance phone bill, or buy the Upromise products I save a little more money towards that college education. I had entered both of my children still at home, but since my next in line is a senior this year she will not get the full advantage of this program. But my son will, so he is the only one on the account that I am saving for. He is 9 and has a long ways to go still! Now mind you I know it will not be a whole lot of money but over the years it will add up and he may have enough to buy some books with. And, I like the fact that my family can also registered their credit cards as well if they want to.
The site is very easy to get around and pretty self-explanatory. There is a help section that is indeed very helpful and I strongly suggest that you read through it.
Now, as much shopping online as I do, I can and do save a lot of money! And of course the weekly grocery shopping I now find even more helpful to my son’s future and me. And, if I buy a GM® car I get credit, or if I fly, not that I fly at all, but if I do and use American Airlines™ then I can credit for that as well.
I have really enjoyed this site thus far and I am happy I came across it. I do strongly suggest once again that you read the help section before joining so that you completely understand how it works. But, it’s pretty simple really, join, buy and save. And I must say that I have been using ATT® for over 20 years and its nice to get something back from them for a change!
And one other thing, don’t expect an over night huge savings. This program will take time to add up the savings. If you have babies, I suggest joining now if you are interested for the savings will be higher for you. And you can add children or remove them along the way as needed. As for me, with my son now 9, like I stated already the savings will not be very big, but for my grandbabies, the savings will.
I hope that this has helped in some kind of way.
God Bless!
©LKD 2003