Utilizing Your Resources

Do you have discounts right at your fingertips that you’re not using? Employee discounts, membership cards or rewards programs – it’s time to start taking advantage of your resources.

Many employers provide incentives for their employees, such as discount movie tickets or savings on gym memberships. According to MarketWatch, if you are a AAA member who is a Target customer, you can save 10 percent on all online orders. Or, if you are a Discover Card member, you can get 15 percent off flower orders at 1-800-Flowers.

If you have dozens of membership or credit cards, it’s time to pull out the paper work and find out your bonuses. But you’re going to have to do the work. The companies are probably not going to repeatedly inform you about their perks. As many people often say, reading is fundamental.

MarketWatch reports the average consumer has nine credit cards, belongs to four loyalty reward program and is a member of at least one association or club. However, if you find it daunting to keep track of all of them, a new Web site is designed to lend a hand.

DealMine.com is a one-stop reference for popular discounts/rewards programs and memberships. At the site, consumers can explore savings in four categories: credit cards, miles and points programs, associations and clubs and unions.

Membership programs listed include AARP, American Express, BJ’s Wholesale Club and Delta Sky Miles. Consumers can even store their membership numbers so they will be in a central location when they later need them. DealMine.com also allows visitors to compare prices on a variety of merchandise.

The lesson: Start utilizing your resources today.

What are the savings/benefits you receive from your membership cards or rewards programs? Write in to The Pinch to let me know.