Perhaps by now the term Smallenfreuden is more familiar to you than it was a month ago when I first posted about it on my blog. In that time, I’ve caught the commercials, read the tweets and of course have been enjoying the Smallenfreuden lifestyle.
I’ve been tweeting about my Smallenfreuden purchases this past month, on everything from coffee at Tim Hortons to summer clothes for my kids. This campaign has been a great way to get me into the routine of using my debit card less and Visa card more.
Why would I want to?
Simply put, my debit card doesn’t give me any rewards – and the credit card I’m switching to from my current bank will. I’ve read some amazing stories of bloggers who have amassed substantial rewards (think flights, vacations and cash back) simply by moving all their purchases from their debit cards to their credit cards and paying off the bill at the end of every month.
That part is very important. You don’t want to get swipe-happy with your Visa card and then not keep track of or not pay off your accumulated debt for the month. You have to be smart with this method of accumulating rewards, no doubt about it. But with some organization, attention to your banking account, and savvy shopping – you too can be sitting pretty with credit cards rewards.
I didn’t find it difficult at all to use my Visa instead of my debit card this month and no one gave me a funny look when paying for my coffee daily with it either. The only minor hiccup was that often times cashiers assumed my card was a debit card (as many debit cards now have a Visa or other credit card symbol on them) so they enter it incorrectly and it takes a moment to re-swipe. No big deal, happy smiles all around (I’m always happy getting coffee!)
You Can Smallenfreuden Too – And Win Big!
Check out the Visa Canada Facebook page and learn more about The Visa Ultimate NHL® Experience Contest! Just by using your Visa card between May 10, 2013 and June 30, 2013 on purchases under $100 – you’re automatically entered to win! This contest is HUGE!!!
The prize consists of a trip for four (4) (winner and three guests) to attend two events in 2014: The 2014 NHL® Winter Classic and one game of the 2014 Stanley Cup® Final. Approximate retail value of the prize is $20,000 CAD based on a Vancouver departure, although the actual retail value will vary depending on the point of departure and destination.
In the spirit of the fun of shopping and the Smallenfreuden lifestyle, I have a great giveaway for my readers today! Someone is going to win a $100 Prepaid Visa Gift Card. The mandatory entry question is easy – what is one Smallenfreuden purchase (a Visa or CC purchase) under $100 lately that has made you smile. See? Simple. Good luck everyone, and don’t forget to check out the bonus entries too!
My favorite tea while running early morning errands
A treat from the Bulk Barn
Bought a few veggies I needed for my meal.
I have been doing this for a year now! Even when I go to the post office to mail a letter I use my cc to charge the stamp! Everyone thinks I am nuts, but when I show off all the rewards I get for FREE I am the one who is laughing! (Just the other day I used my saved up Home Outfitters gift cards from doing smallenfreuden to get a $600 Calphalon pot set for FREE!)
a quick snack of some fries for my girls at the park!
We always use our credit card. Many happy vacations later are the reason why.
Last thing i bought that made me smile was a pair of shoes for $3.50 at a second hand shop!
A Blizzard at DQ!
Mini Donuts at the Forks with my girls!
A trip to the movies! I always use my Visa for small purchases… very rare anything on there is over $100 lol
A Ball Glove for my little guy 🙂
Coffee at Tim Hortons!
Chocolate from Lindt Outlet shop
My daily timmies stop!
some pretty yarn!
I like to use my Visa for grocery shopping. since that’s the most money I spend in a week. I put almost all my purchases on this card, actually, as I’m hoping to gain a nice credit rating. But I always make sure to pay it off!
My sons pool for the summer he will have a blast min it and do will I 🙂
A Big Nate book for my son. i love when he requests books!
A cute skirt for my daughter
movie theatre tickets
A new pair of shorts!
Milk, bread whatever I need. Almost everything I buy. Everywhere I can use it for the rewards. Only buy what I need and pay off when I get my bill. You are right you have to be smart using this method of payment.
I picked up breakfast at McD for the family this past weekend.
I use my visa to buy books for my kobo!
I bought coffee for a friend with my VISA!
I bought a snack for me and my son – potato wedges – YUM!
I created moving announcement cards with a picture of my baby girl. Just ordered them last night. Can’t wait to send them out, as family and friends are sure to love them.
Lemonade at Tim Hortons for my boys!!!
Free car clip (with FPC), paid only taxes 🙂
A frosty waffle cone from Wendys as a special treat.
Hot chocolate for our family at our local coffee shop.
This morning I forgot my lunch and bought two Michaelina’s for $2 with my visa card – it made me smile because I got to eat!
We went to Vancouver the other week to visit our eldest daughter. We went out to a South Indian place and had the best lunch which came to about $50. It was a smallenfreuden that had much meaning!
I bought nail polish and flip flops 🙂
Lunch out 🙂
Ice cream as a treat to myself for exercising and eating healthier
We had fish and chips when visiting the Thousand Islands.
My fiancé and I went to see a movie together for the first time in over 4 years!!!
My Starbucks re loadable card of $25 that way I never run out
A month-to-month subscription to Julep nailpolish!
Went out for dinner with a friend and I treated.
A tub of Gummi Cola Bottles
I put everything on my cc for the rewards! Even when I run up to the grocery store for just one thing
I nice pair of boots that my daughter was excited to receive that were on sale for under 35.00
A four pack of Smurf socks!
The last Smallenfreuden purchase I made that me me smile was buying my daughter and myself a Ice Capp to take on our walk on the beach.
Iced caps for my son and myself
Coral Nail Polish! Makes me feel like summer will finally get here.
a couple of Jonathan Kellerman books from Indigo -can’t wait to read them.
Movie tickets and snacks at the theatre
A lunch out with my sister and mother.
a movie ticket purchase 🙂
My bath product purchases
Dollar store birthday party hats for my daughters birthday. 🙂
Tickets to an amusement park.
Movie tickets =)
A sweater at Plato Closet $8.00.
A coffee with my son at Tims.
I bought some yarn that I wanted and it was only $6.97
Omega capsules – on sale fro $10.88
A new pair of jeans for myself!
A pedicure I treated myself to!
I bought a soon to be single friend a ‘Grow your own cowboy’ toy. We are quite certain it will be an improvement over her cheating ex-husband. This made us both smile!
Pregnancy test!! 🙂 🙂
A new pair of super comfy shoes!
a gift my friend’s little girl.
Groceries, so I could cook a nice dinner for my hubby.
My husband and I got to go on a movie date a couple of weeks ago. We put the tickets and our popcorn on our Visa.
I smallenfreudened movie tickets and munchies for my daughters’ birthday outing this weekend with their 2 friends. It was so nice to see them having so much fun!
coffee capsules that I enjoy after dinner everyday.
I bought some running gear to help with my exercise program. I am very happy to have the right gear.
Parking meters — it’s so much more convenient than scrounging for cash.
I bought some clothes online for the kids.
A pair of flats that I bought online, they are soo cute!
I use my visa for every gas purchase!
Dinner out with my family
thanks
Used my Visa to buy a manicure service!
ice cream 🙂
Life insurance policy comes out every month for $4.12. Lol
New book to read
yes some new make up :))
Fav book
my new bottle of scope. it leads to more kissies which alway makes me smile
family swimming trip
Dinner out! Because honestly, I hardly ever do it so it always makes me smile!
Weight Watchers fee – I’m getting closer to my goal.
Mani pedi
Hair products for my 6 year old’s crazy curls!
A new pair of shorts.
Thank You!
coffee and a fresh bagel with lots of cream cheese
Passes for rides at the carnival!
chocolate! hopefully soon something to help my waivering willpower 😉
Lunch out with my husband 🙂
Just found your blog. First I hear of smallenfreuden. I’ll start today!
A coffee at Starbucks