Earn miles while saving and paying for college | Coffee Break Ep31 | 10-28-24
Oct 29, 2024
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Explore innovative ways to earn miles while saving for college! Learn how to use rewards credit cards and gift cards effectively to fund educational expenses. Discover the best methods for purchasing college gift cards and leveraging them for tuition payments. Unravel strategies to maximize rewards with minimal fees, and find out how to stack cash back or miles for greater benefits. Delve into the advantages of utilizing a 529 savings plan for penalty-free access to funds, turning expenses into earning opportunities!
Utilizing rewards credit cards to purchase Gift of College gift cards allows individuals to earn miles while saving for college expenses.
The 'double dip' strategy enables further rewards accumulation by funding 529 plans and paying tuition with credit cards, maximizing educational spending benefits.
Deep dives
Earning Miles While Saving for College
Using rewards credit cards to purchase Gift of College gift cards enables individuals to earn miles and points while saving for college, whether for themselves or for loved ones. These gift cards facilitate 529 college savings plan contributions or can be applied to student loans, providing a unique opportunity to generate rewards from expenses that would typically occur. For example, when using a credit card with a rewards program that offers bonuses for grocery shopping, one can earn substantial points on each purchase of these gift cards. By strategically using their rewards cards, individuals can accumulate miles for the very expenses associated with education, effectively turning ordinary spending into valuable rewards.
Best Options for Purchasing Gift Cards
Certain grocery stores and gas stations are identified as optimal locations for buying Gift of College gift cards, particularly those that allow a $500 load with minimal fees. Stores like Brookshire Brothers and H-E-B in Texas, along with California chains like Foodmax and Lucky, may offer convenient purchasing options where significant points can be earned based on specific credit card rewards. For instance, someone using an Amex Gold card at a grocery store could earn four points per dollar on a $500 gift card purchase, resulting in a considerable point accumulation. In addition, online purchases from platforms like giftcards.com might currently have no fees, allowing users to earn additional rewards while investing in college savings.
Double Dipping on Rewards Payments
The concept of 'double dipping' is highlighted, where individuals can leverage credit card rewards both while funding a 529 college savings account and when paying college expenses. This strategy involves buying Gift of College gift cards, funding a 529 plan, and then using credit cards to pay tuition or fees, thereby earning additional rewards on those expenses. For instance, if someone uses a credit card to make a $20,000 payment towards tuition that meets spending requirements for a welcome bonus, they could potentially gain rewards from both the initial purchase and the tuition payment. While there are potential logistical hurdles, like store limits on gift card purchases, the opportunity to accrue extensive rewards on educational expenses is an appealing strategy for many.
In today's coffee break, we'll talk about how to earn miles while saving for, and paying for college. There are mileage earning strategies for contributing to college savings, paying for college, or paying towards student loans.
(01:23) - Use rewards credit cards to buy "gift of college" gift cards
(07:56) - Use either of above to earn welcome bonuses with ANY card
(08:37) - The Great Double Dip for earning while saving for college, and then again while spending for college
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Music Credit – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads
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