I’ve never been much for apps and this is something Charlie and David don’t like bothering with. But my phone got broke the other day so Charlie downloaded the QT (Quick Trip) app to his phone and when he say how much we could save and that we could get free items he also downloaded it to his dad’s phone.

For me this has been a Godsend because now on mine and Charlie’s morning adventures to QT we’ve been able to save money on our drinks but we’ve also gotten items on sale and even free.

I wanted to ask you a question do you check apps before going shopping or eating out? The holidays are right around the corner. I’ve been looking for ways to make extra money besides just Swagbucks and having the QT app allows me to add a little bit of change to my Piggy Bank everyday which will add up when I go Christmas Shopping.

Now’ I been thinking about everything that comes with app at different places. Gifts. Food. Family. Gas. Holiday gatherings. Shopping. And somehow trying to make the money stretch just a little bit further.

That’s why I started thinking about something we don’t always think about when we’re out shopping. What if we’re already leaving money on the table? Not because we’re spending too much.

Not because we’re buying things we don’t need. But because we simply don’t know about the savings that are available to us. So here at Greatful Moments, we’re starting a new series: I know BUTTERCUP another series but if I can help us save money another series will be worth it won’t it?

On Greatful Moments were going to do something a little different. We’re going to look at the places many of us already visit and ask: Do they have an app? Do they have a free rewards program? Are there digital coupons? Can I earn points?

Have I already earned something? Are there special offers I didn’t know about? And sometimes the question might even be: Is there a freebie waiting for me? Because I’ve been a member of Ollies bargain Basement rewards program and would think I have enough points for something but haven’t ever gotten anything from them.

I plan on calling there main office to check into my account to see if they can tell how many points I have and what is going on with my account because having a app and not getting anything from it is for the birds.

I have a feeling I’m not the only one who has walked into a store, restaurant or convenience store, paid for our purchase and walked right back out without ever realizing there might have been a way to save.

I’m not going to put 25 businesses into one giant article and expect you to remember which rewards program belongs to which store. We’re going one place at a time. If you shop there, you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about.

If you don’t, you can skip that article and come back to it if you ever find yourself shopping there. The fun part of the article is we’re going to look at convenience stores, grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, retailers and other everyday places where a few dollars here and a few dollars there can really add up.

And because we’re right here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, we’re especially interested in the places that we actually see and use around DFW. Come and join us and if you know of a place in DFW that should be on the list leave me a comment and I will get it added to the list.

Here’s the little habit I want us to start developing. Before you pull out your wallet… Pull out your phone. STOP. CHECK. SAVE. Check the app. Check your rewards. Check your coupons. Check your points. Check your special offers. And check to see if you’ve earned something you didn’t even know was waiting for you.

It might only save you a dollar. It might save you five dollars. It might get you a free drink. It might get you a free food item. Or maybe you’ve been shopping somewhere for years and have accumulated rewards without ever realizing it. And that last one really got me thinking.

I know there are programs I’ve signed up for over the years that I don’t always think about. You get the card. You give them your phone number. You shop. And then life gets busy. You forget about it. You don’t check the app. You don’t look at your account. And you certainly don’t think about whether you’ve earned anything.

That’s exactly why we’re going to dig into these programs and make them easier to understand. We’re not trying to become extreme couponers. We’re not telling you to download 50 different apps. We’re simply saying: If you already shop somewhere, it might be worth knowing what they offer.

And while we’re talking about rewards, there’s something else I want you to watch for. Birthday specials are coming! We’re going to be looking at birthday rewards, birthday freebies, special birthday offers and the things you may be able to get simply because it’s your special day.

And believe me… There are some birthday rewards you may not know about. So if you have a birthday coming up—or someone in your family does—you’ll definitely want to keep watching.

The holidays don’t have to be about stressing over every single dollar. Sometimes saving money is about making a better choice. Sometimes it’s about using a coupon. Sometimes it’s about waiting for a sale.

And sometimes it’s as simple as knowing that the store you’re already shopping at has a rewards program. We’re going to uncover those little opportunities together. One store. One restaurant. One app. One rewards program at a time.

So before you spend your money, take a second and ask: “Did I check for a way to save?” Because you never know what you might find. STOP. CHECK. SAVE. And as always, thank you for pulling up a chair and joining me here at Greatful Moments.

Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed. ❤️

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates