Saving suggestions

[#1]

Hi fellow Upromise members. I just logged on to check my account balance, and was happy to see that I have earned over $5,600.00 saving with Upromise over the past 6 years. I thought it might be an encouragement for other members to see that you really can save significantly for college. In addition, that $5,600 from Upromise has grown in my college saving plan to over $8,000--which will keep growing and eventually pay for a year of college for one of my kids! My advice to all of you that are looking for tips to save more, is to know the program well, and be patient. The money grows in your account over time and really adds up. Use your Citi Upromise mastercard for everything (as long as you are responsible and pay your bill monthly). We also sold a house and did a mortgage with affilated partners, which added close to $1000 to our account. You might not be buying/selling now--but chances are you will in the next few years. Also, if you eat out, use the Upromise affiliated restuarants. We have found awesome new places to eat this way when we decide to splurge and eat out. I hope this email encourages others! --Mary

[#2]

Very encouraging news, Mary! Sounds like you've
used all the "ins and outs" that I keep preaching
about, especially using the Citi UPromise MasterCard
for every purchase! Much continued success to you!

[#3]

That's pretty interesting! I'm happy to hear that. I'm saving to put money towards my student loan for school. I don't have any money yet in my account. But i've been doing things to get money in my account!

Erin

That was nice encouragement!

[#4]

Continued Encouragement… Mary, I second your comments… I am a major supporter of the program and have likewise seen similar results. My keys for success have gone something like this… 1.) Get familiar with the Upromise website and periodically reeducate myself on the new information that is provided. Having my account balance staring me in my face via the toolbar helps to keep it on top of mind along with the reason I am doing it… for my lovely two year-old daughter. 2.) Aggressively utilize the Citi Upromise Mastercard to maximize the savings while remaining responsible and paying off the balance monthly. Aggressively utilize can be defined as… payment method of choice; automated monthly bill payments; as well as clever ways like working with the auto dealer to make a down payment and now you can utilize the Auto Buying Program to assist in the purchase of a vehicle; putting money on a gift card to purchase discounted gas or by purchasing McDonalds Arch Card for each vehicle rather than using cash. I have even gone as far as to determine which suppliers I spend the most money with throughout the year in order to educate them on the program and explain why they need to consider becoming a Partner Company. 3.) Utilizing the shop on-line feature especially during the holiday times. The free shipping always helps. 4.) Recently I joined e-Rewards to capture additional savings for just a few minutes of my mind and time. 5.) Don’t forget tax time is just around the corner and so is H&R Block which will contribute to your account as well.

Be patient, every penny counts and leverage every dollar you spend because in reality you are contributing to a child’s future and the future of our nation. EdW

[#5]

I have also been using e-Rewards, and I was sticking it out until I reached the $100 mark so that I could cash it in for $50 in my Upromise account. I was making over $20 a month in eRewards currency, so I should have reached $100 very soon. Unfortunately, the higher my e-Rewards account got, the less survey offers I was sent. I have been at $90 for almost a month now with no survey offers. My profile is completely updated. I can't think of any reason why I would have stopped receiving survey offers. Do they send you less offers when you get more money? Should I just cash in $50 in e-Rewards for $20 at Upromise so that I can keep getting survey offers?

[#6]

NO NO NO Don't give in to temptation and cash in for less than the 50 dollars. I felt the same way and then all of a sudden I got several surveys and made the 100 level. I now have almost 50 dollars on my way to a second 100. Never cash in for less than the 50 dollars because you are settling for a much lower percentage of your earnings. It will happen, I assure you.

[#7]

I am encouraged by the talk about e-Rewards. I have recently signed up for the program. I am still learning about it. I was reading about when you capture the savings and that you shouldn't do it before $100 so that you can get $50 in UPromise. I am not following. Why doesn't $100 equal $100? Can you please explain?
Thanks.

[#8]

Well the thing is, e-Rewards is not run by Upromise, they are just a partner company. You take surveys at get "fake" e-Rewards money. You then use your e-Rewards money to "buy" rewards--in this case, different amounts of money on Upromise. With $50 in e-Rewards money, you can buy $20 on Upromise. But if you pay $100 of you e-Rewards money, you get $50. See how it works? The longer you earn e-Rewards money without cashing it in for real money, the more real money you can eventually get. Fortunately, the $100 e-Rewards/$50 Upromise tier is the highest it goes, so you aren't waiting forever.

But, back to my original question. Is it abnormal for surveys offers to stop coming? Does it have anything to do with my account being near the $100 level? Is anyone else experiencing a lack of offers, and if so, is your account also at a high amount? If they slow down your offers when you are getting ready to cash in, that is a dirty trick.

[#9]

See http://community.upromise.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=up-members&tid=254 for a response to your eRewards question.

[#10]

I love this community because whenever I have problems I logon and find people with the same problem who offer different ideas and encouragement. I had set a goal of trying to achieve at least $5.00 a week in e rewards. I got up to $86. and didn't receive a survey in 2 weeks. I aggressively logon trying to catch every survey i could as often the time limit would pass after 3 hours. Then I got a survey for $18.00 which disqualified me after I said no to giving my user id and password. Finally I received another survey for $19 which I qualified for and have since redeemed my $50.
So be patient your time will come soon.
Since my membership in 2002 I have earned over $1400. for my grandson. I average $300 a year between Citi and on line shopping. I make sure I pay off my account automatically every month so i don't have to pay interest. You don't want to increase costs as you earn money.