WalletRehab - Ways to save money

Free money - It’s for everyone!

Would you pick up $100 dollar bill up off the street?

Sure you would. Some people might try to look for the owner, but I guarantee, almost everyone will pick that juicy piece of paper up off of the ground. You just got lucky right? It was fate! And without anyone around, it can’t possibly a trap!

Would you take $100 from a complete stranger?

Probably not. Or at the very least, you would ask, “What’s the catch?” It is natural to be suspicious of strangers who are giving things away for free.

Upromise - Free money for college

Upromise is one of those deals that seems to good to be true, but it isn’t. The company’s goal is to help families contribute to their children’s college funds. According to the website, their goal is to help motivate families to start saving money for their children’s college education in the most painless way possible.

Upromise works simply. As you spend money at certain vendors and stores, a percentage of your sale goes to your Upromise account. Your Upromise account can be tied to your child, your niece or nephew, or your friend’s child. This account can be used towards educational savings accounts or student loans.

Upromise the company itself is owned by Sallie Mae. Sallie Mae is one of the largest student loan corporations in the country.

Why should I get involved?

You should sign up if you:

a. Spend money with a credit card.

b. Know someone deserving who has to pay for college.

So, if you don’t have a credit card, stop reading.If you don’t know anyone who has to pay for college, no sons, daughters, nephews, nieces or nice paper boys, stop reading. Everyone else, read on. Upromise is essentially free money on the ground. You don’t get to keep it; you have to give it to someone else.

How does it work?

You register your credit, debit and store cards. As you make purchases using your cards at various merchants, you get rebates taht are applied directly to your college savings account. The problem with a lot of programs like this is that they are often tied to small, unknown brands and companies. Upromise itself is linked to some large companies that sell necessities, like:

• Exxon gas
• McDonald’s
• New York Life Insurance
• Bed Bath and Beyond

And when you buy from certain brands, including and not limited to:

• Nestle
• General
• Tylenol
• Zest

How do I signup?

Electric light bulbs

1. Basic information

2. Credit Card application, During the registration process, you will be asked to apply for a Upromise credit card. A Upromise credit card will give you:

• Groceries - 10% college savings on 7,000+ items
• Gas - 2% on all eligible gas purchases at Exxon and Mobil locations
• Everywhere - 1% on purchases

3. Credit, Debit Store card registration

4. Register your students.

Seriously, what’s the catch?

Companies that partner up with Upromise do it for one reason, to help build brand loyalty. Let’s say you like to eat at McDonald’s. Knowing that by eating at McDonalds you are helping your son pay for college will just motivate you a little more to eat there. The more you feel like eating at McDonald’s is a good thing, the more loyal you are. And brand loyalty is something very important to companies.

Upromise is something great to sign up for. If you already use a product that is partnered with Upromise, then you should continue to do so. But don’t, I repeat do not, buy a product only because of UPromise. Like couponing, Upromise is something that will help you maximize your returns on necessities, things that you already buy.