Spend Smarter This Holiday Season by Maximizing Your Credit Card Rewards
The holidays can be one of the most expensive times of the year. Between travel, gifts, decorations, and family gatherings, expenses can add up quickly. Many Monroe households turn to credit cards to keep up with seasonal expenses, but that can lead to complications in the new year.
That doesn’t mean you should avoid credit cards for holiday purchases, especially when there are limited-time seasonal promotions that reward you extra for using your credit card responsibly.
Through December, Ouachita Valley’s Rewards Credit Card earns double points on purchases you were planning to make anyway, helping your money go further while staying in control of your budget.
Plan Purchases With a Purpose
Impulse spending can derail even the best holiday plans, but there are strategies to avoid it:
Create a list of everyone who needs a gift months ahead of time, with a spending limit for each.
Keep a lookout for sales so you’re not paying full price at the last minute.
Stick to your spending limits.
Use the Right Card for the Right Purchase
Credit card rewards programs vary, and not all cards earn points the same way. Some offer higher rewards for groceries, gas or dining, while others provide extra points for online or travel purchases.
Some holiday shoppers get into debt trouble when they open multiple store or airline credit cards to get a discount or points on one-time big-ticket purchases. Instead of taking on several new lines of credit over the holiday season, look for a single card that offers cash back and reward points.
Many members choose the Rewards Visa Credit Card to streamline their finances, earn consistent rewards, and avoid the confusion of juggling multiple store or airline cards.
Track Your Spending in Real Time
Online and mobile banking makes it easy to keep track of your purchases as they happen. Checking your balance frequently during the holiday shopping season may help you stay within budget and avoid end-of-month surprises.
Setting up text or email spending alerts can also be a good safeguard to help you stay within your holiday limits.
Avoid Interest by Paying Off Balances Quickly
Carrying a balance can wipe out any benefit you enjoy from double rewards or cash back. Paying your balance in full each month is the most reliable way to ensure your rewards stay beneficial.
If you can’t manage full repayment during the holiday months, try to pay more than the minimum amount and set up automatic payments to stay consistent. A strong repayment routine not only saves on interest but also protects your credit score through the holiday season.
Shop Safely and Stay Protected
With the increase in online shopping during the holidays, fraud prevention is more important than ever. Always shop from secure websites, look for “https” in the URL, and avoid entering card details over public Wi-Fi. Use the mobile app or online banking dashboard to review your statements regularly for any unfamiliar charges.
The Ouachita Valley FCU Rewards Visa Credit Card includes fraud protection and zero-liability coverage for unauthorized purchases, so you can shop confidently wherever the season takes you.
Make Your Holiday Budget Go Further by Earning Double Reward Points on Every Purchase
Planning ahead, spending responsibly, and taking advantage of special offers like Ouachita Valley FCU’s double-points promotion through December can turn all those holiday expenses into future savings. Become a member of Ouachita Valley FCU and apply for the Rewards Visa to get 2X points while the promotion lasts!
