Originally Posted by
jrivers010
Thanks for your point of view/explanation.
first, i only have a discover it, a crappy wellsfargo cc, and my CF. so, unless i am using for rotating categories, most i get is 1%.
the vanilla vgc i bought (more to be elaborated down below) had a purchase fee of 5.95 (which sucks.. since its higher than the $4 ones at SM you just pointed out) so $18 rounded up. $1500 5% back 75. net 57
with my 1% cards for a $1500 is $15 back. difference of $42.(elaborated below).
I think that if you are going to participate in MSing, one of the first things to do (besides reading
) is to get the best CC you can afford to obtain CB or miles. This of course requires more reading of various blogs and even Reddit in order to determine which one is appropriate for you.
Originally Posted by
jrivers010
No. that assumption is not correct. i dont have any prescriptions/drugs i have to take. i was partaking in practicing MSing (soon to be elaborated down below on this as well) and realized I can do the first $x as an organic spend on my current medical and traffic fees i have/had. So using a GC for this purpose is (hopefully) a 1 time thing.
May I make a suggestion that you simply buy one WG's Vanilla VGC of low denomination and see if your provider will take it as payment for your medical/legal bill. If so, then you can continue on your way as originally planned. If not, you can use it organically with experience and knowledge gained. BTW, as long as your MO at WM is less than $49.99, you can also use it at WM for MOs. (just not practical or very profitable.) Read up on this as well since certain Vanillas are also a no-go at WM.
Originally Posted by
jrivers010
So for all the "elaborated below" notes i made. I agree with you 100% on this metaphor/statement here. But, i get a profit of $42, with a wallgreens that is on the drive home from work (literally on the road that i take). And, I am new to MSing. this gives me an opportunity to learn on something thats solid. I have done alot of reading and asking questions (to alot of peoples anger on reddit) and got tremendous help on this forum. I want to get a hang of this before I start doing it when it really counts (i.e. MSing to meet min spend for bonus. MSing to get the bonus rewards for buying GC at staples, etc. basically the hot deals i always read about).
But unfortunately, i may have to stop this at this particularity Walgreens. the only VGC they have are vanilla. and from my understanding, WM doesn't accept anything vanilla brand. and i dont have a DG or FD store near me.
I never said not to do it. I just think that the money earned is not worth the time and effort, but YMMV. For experience, it is certainly worth doing. I wasn't trying to belittle your efforts either.
I do use my Discover and Freedom 5% CB when the category fits. However, the 3 month amounts are so low that they can be met with organic spend for my family so I do not need to use any special technique to get the bonus.