Depending how old you are, your parents (or grandparents) told you never to use credit cards. “Get one for emergencies, but never use it. It’s the devil. It will give you a paper cut.” This is what the Baby Boomers taught their kids, so this is the advice I received growing up as part of Gen-X. As a loyal representative of my generation, it was therefore imperative that I had to get one. More accurately, I had to get several.
Fast forward several years, especially the years where most aforementioned cards met tragic demises in the Fellowes cross-cut paper shredder. What those years taught me was not to be afraid of credit cards, but rather how to exploit them in order to get things for free. There are three steps to getting free things with credit cards: 1) Obtain a “rewards” card that accumulates points for every dollar you spend; 2) Use that card for everything you purchase, as practical; and 3) Pay off the balance each month so you never pay interest fees.
My first “rewards” card accrued points towards MGM-Mirage resorts in Las Vegas. I used my card for everything: bills, insurance, groceries, restaurants, cat dentist, flights… you name it. When I’d visit Las Vegas, I’d have coupon certificates for hundreds of dollars, usable at any MGM-Mirage resort. (Room upgrades, shows, dancing elves, buffet pigouts, etc.) When the stock market crashed in 2008, Las Vegas suffered, and the sponsoring bank soon cancelled that program. My card was transitioned to a generic rewards program, where I could use points towards products or services using a rewards shopping website. Meh. Since then, I had nearly forgotten about the points, but still used my card religiously.
Fast forward to three weeks ago, when I decided I should probably learn French for a trip to Europe I’m taking next year. In high school, I managed to earn a D+ in Spanish through lack of studying and trying to use Dos Equis as a verb on my Final. This taught me that my learning style (or lack of) does not easily cater to absorbing a new language unless it involves restaurant menus.
“Hmm… I see these commercials for Rosetta Stone. Maybe I should look into that.”
I looked into it. The complete 5-Level French pack retails for $499. Ce sont des cornichons cher! But they claim it’s a new way of learning–so unlike my high school experience. So unlike matching words on restaurant menus to their pictures. It was worth a shot, so I scoured the Internet for coupons, deals, and promotions. Nothing. And that’s when I remembered this credit card and the 100,000+ points I have been accruing over the past several years.
Sure enough, the bank’s shopping website was affiliated with Best Buy, and a simple product search revealed I had enough points to not only obtain Rosetta Stone French 1-5, but German or Italian as well.
It arrived on my doorstep a week later. Total cost to me: $0–for simply using my credit card for things I would have bought anyway using some other method. I’m only in my second lesson so far, but already I’ve got the skills to identify a Frenchman swimming or eating an apple.
Au revoir!
Jeffrey Feil is a producer/screenwriter living in the Los Angeles area. A California native, Jeff spends his time relaxing by his backyard pool, writing captivating screenplays, frightening his neighbors, entertaining his three cats with pretend mice, and exploring the versatility of common household items. He also dabbles in photography, voice acting, and kitchen fire management. His charm and sarcastic sense of humor create an eclectic mix of intrigue and sophistication, which pour through his literary works like nacho cheese. He is the recipient of several top honors, including the prestigious Mrs. Schumacher 5th Grade Perfect Attendance award.