Here’s a Breakdown of the Savings:
Sam’s Club Black Friday Sale:
The TV was discounted to $247.99 during the 2024 Black Friday Sale, saving $82 off MSRP. As a Sam’s Club member, I also received a 3-year warranty extension, adding extra value to my purchase.
Rakuten Cash Back:
Rakuten offered a Black Friday promo of 12% cash back (or 12x American Express Membership Rewards points). This earned me 2,976 MR points, equivalent to $29.86 cash back.
Rakuten is a cash-back and shopping rewards portal that helps you save money on everyday purchases. By partnering with thousands of retailers, Rakuten offers cash back, coupons, and exclusive deals when you shop online or in-store. Its browser extension makes saving effortless by alerting you to cash-back offers and applying coupon codes automatically. For travel rewards fans, Rakuten also allows you to convert cash back into American Express Membership Rewards (MR) points if you link your MR earning card to your Rakuten account. Sign up for free, start shopping smarter, and enjoy a welcome bonus with my referral link.
Pepper Rewards App:
I bought an instant Sam’s Club gift card for $271.13 (including taxes and shipping) through Pepper Rewards, earning 75,916 Pepper points worth $37.96 toward future gift cards.
Pepper Rewards lets you earn points on everyday purchases with partnered retailers, turning your spending into discounts, cashback, or perks. Maximize your rewards with bonus promotions and exclusive deals for even more savings! Pepper points can be redeemed for gift cards at a redemption value of .0005 cents per point (at time of writing). Sign up for free here and use code 619882 to enjoy a welcome bonus.
American Express Bonus Points:
By linking my American Express Business Gold card to Pepper Rewards, I earned 1,084 additional MR points (Pepper Rewards codes as 4X). With MR points valued at 1 cent each (with an American Express bank account), that’s another $10.84 in savings. Transferring these points to travel partners could unlock even greater value.
Final Savings:
With the Black Friday discount, Rakuten cash back, Pepper points, and bonus MR points, I saved a total of $160 on my new TV. Strategic deal stacking made this big-ticket purchase both budget-friendly and rewarding!
Key Takeaways
Stacking deals is a smart way to save big, as shown in this example where multiple strategies combined for significant savings. Membership sales, like those at Sam’s Club, offer exclusive discounts and perks, while shopping portals such as Rakuten provide cash back or reward points during promotions. Apps like Pepper Rewards add another layer of savings by offering cashback on gift cards, and linking credit cards that earn bonus points further enhances rewards. By combining these tools, you can maximize value on everyday purchases and big-ticket items alike. Subscribe for more tips on stacking deals and making the most of your money!
Phillip founded Hacking Your Finances after reaching financial independence in 2024 and leaving his corporate career to follow his passion for helping others optimize their finances. Combining his love for personal finance and travel hacking with years of professional expertise, he provides practical strategies to help readers maximize credit card rewards and achieve their financial goals.
