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How We Got A $1608.43 Cash Back Rebate Check
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That’s right, we recently received a $1,075.98 check from Citi to go with our $532.45 check last month, all part of the greatest cashback plan in the world. Okay okay, I’m only kidding, it’s probably not the greatest cashback plan in the world but the Citi CashReturns card but it certainly softened the blow of paying for a wedding and honeymoon. Citi recently cut the promotion on this card so it fell off my list of the best cash back credit cards but it was hot while it lasted!
For those of you keeping score at home, and motivated enough to divide 1608.43 by .05, the cash back rebate included not only our wedding and honeymoon but almost all the spending of the last three months as well… but weddings are pricey.
So, how do you leverage a 3 month 5% cashback program as best as possible? Don’t apply for it unless you know you have a large capital expenditure in the next three months! This is perfect for big family vacations, weddings, home improvement projects, or anything else that’s expensive. I think that if you’re thinking about spending $10,000 or more ($500 cashback), then applying for this card is a smart move. If you don’t have anything on that scale, don’t apply! You want to save it for when you will have a big expenditure.
One other great thing about this card is that they automatically send you the rebate check, you don’t have to request it. I think it’s ridiculous that all cards don’t do this.
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That’s a nice chunk of cash back! One thing to keep in mind is that by waiting around until you have three months of big expenditures, you’re taking the chance that Citi will stop offering this particular program by the time that occurs.
I can’t imagine why people spend so much on weddings… Ours was a beautiful wedding and very cheap. In fact, my wife’s dress was more than 1/2 of the total we paid.
I know this advice is coming a bit late, but the best way to save money on a wedding is to accept parts of the wedding as gifts from family.
* We held the wedding at our church and the use of the space was free since we’re members.
* My aunt knew a baker and she provided our cake.
* Another aunt is a seamstress and she made all the bridesmaids gowns.
* My parents paid for the reception.
* A friend was our photographer (our only mistake – always get a pro photographer).
* We made what flower arrangements we could and purchased the rest.
* We bought candles and candies in bulk and hand-made all of the table decorations and favors ourselves.
* Our honeymoon was on-the-cheap with a couple of free hotel stays in Branson plus a few days at a bed and breakfast. We drove there to save even more money.
The money we saved helped us put together a down payment on our first house. We saved a lot, built (not bought) a load a memories, and ended up with a house. I think that was a pretty good deal.
I agree with you on the final comment that you made … that credit card companies should automatically send those rebate checks. Of course, I suppose that’s how they make their money – which means that we have to be savvy and demand that we get what’s coming to us. Glad to hear this Citi rebate is different.
Holy cow. I completely forgot about this card when it was mentioned back in August. I’m such a fool as the trip abroad few months ago for a group us was worth opening this card…
Oh well, hope the offer is still around when my sister’s wedding comes around this fall… and hopefully the location takes the rest of the deposit in CC!
that’s a good deal! i was stoked about 3% but I’ll have to check that out!