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When I signed up for my very first travel rewards card, I remember staring at the welcome offer and thinking, “That sounds amazing… but how am I actually going to do that without blowing my budget?” The minimum spend was like $3,000, and thinking I had to spend that amount kind of freaked me out. But here’s the secret, if you track your spending, you will find you probably spend that much anyway.
What is a Minimum Spend?
If you are new to this, a minimum spend is the amount of money you are required to put on a new card within a certain time frame. So, you also need to be aware of the time frame itself! Spend what you need to meet that minimum spend, then don’t spend any more! Earning the points only works if you aren’t carrying a balance and increasing your spending to earn those points. The goal here isn’t to buy more stuff, it’s to be strategic and intentional. Here’s some tips to help with that strategy.
Time Your Card Around Big Expenses
Think about timing…do you have Christmas spending coming up? Buying something bigger than normal? Back-to-school shopping? Open a new card and get that welcome offer! I always try to open a new card when I know we have extra expenses coming up anyway. I once met a $4,000 minimum spend almost entirely by paying for our kids’ summer camps, groceries for two family reunions, and school supplies. It wasn’t fun to spend the money, but we were going to spend it anyway. And I got a vacation out of it, which definitely softened the blow. These cards are a good place to start.
Prepay Your Budget
Another thing I like to do is prepay for future spending. If I’m already at the grocery store, I’ll use the new card to buy gift cards for places I know I’ll shop at later, like Target or Amazon. This helps me move future budgeted purchases into the minimum spend window without buying anything extra. You can also buy Visa or Mastercard gift cards to offer even more flexibility.
You can also prepay for lots of things that you might have to pay for anyway. Some ideas include prepaying for a few months of utilities in advance, kids activities, gym memberships, or school fees.
Use the Right Card for Every Purchase
To stay consistent, I set a weekly reminder to double-check which card I’m using. During that minimum spend window, the new card becomes my go-to for everything, groceries, gas, streaming subscriptions, even registration fees. It’s too easy to swipe the wrong card when life is busy, so I try to make the right one as front-and-center as possible.
I also like to temporarily remove my other cards from my wallet or mobile wallet so I’m not tempted to use the wrong one out of habit. Just for those 2–3 months until I’ve hit the bonus. You also want to make sure that your partner is using the right card. Often, I will carry around the physical card and my husband will have that same card on Apple Pay. Then we are doubling up on helping to meet that minimum spend.
Look for Bills and Services That Accept Cards
Some utility providers, daycare centers, and insurance companies accept credit card payments. They may charge a small fee from time to time, but if I’m just a few hundred dollars away from a bonus worth $750 in travel, it can be totally worth it. I’ve used this to cover things like our water bill, phone bill, and even orthodontist payments. Be OK with paying those small fees!
Depending on your provider, you might also be able to pay your mortgage or rent using a service like Plastiq or Bilt, though those often come with fees that cancel out the value unless you’re in a pinch. Make sure you are vigilant. Small fees are worth it, big fees aren’t.
Don’t Overlook Everyday Essentials
Sometimes we forget just how many things are in our normal budget: medical co-pays, pharmacy runs, school fundraisers, holiday gifts, and Costco stock-ups. These aren’t extra expenses. They’re regular life, and they absolutely count toward your minimum spend for that welcome offer. Look at your monthly budget. Utility bills, subscriptions, insurance, etc., all add up much quicker than you might think to hit that minimum spend. Even small things add up. Think about kid birthday gifts, school photos, sports registrations, or family dinners out. It all helps move you toward the bonus. I know math isn’t fun, but if you add up your expenses and see that meeting that minimum spend is easier than you think, you might just change your mind.
Team Up for Shared Expenses
One of my favorite go-to strategies is offering to pay for shared expenses—then having others pay me back. It’s especially handy for:
- Group Airbnbs
- Teacher gifts
- Party supplies
- Lunch with friends
You’re not spending extra; you’re just being the one to swipe the card. I once covered a group dinner for friends and had everyone Venmo me afterward—it added $500 to my spend without affecting my budget at all.
Plan Ahead and Don’t Rush It
Again, the best strategy I’ve found is to map out my upcoming expenses before I even apply for the card. That way, I know what’s coming and I don’t feel pressured to spend just to hit a goal. If the math doesn’t work? I wait a month or two. The offers usually cycle back around, and it’s not worth blowing my budget to chase a deal. I know that budgeting can be hard, and it takes a little bit of organization, but when you get free flights to Kauai (true story) with a welcome offer, it makes it much more worth it.
What I’d Recommend to Other Moms
This isn’t about spending more. It’s about being intentional with the spending you already do. I’ve paid for flights, hotels, and even theme park tickets by putting regular expenses on the right card.
If you’re looking for flexibility, partner access, and family-friendly perks, here’s my list of favorite flexible points cards. I personally use Capital One cards for simple redemptions and travel credits, and they’ve made the process so much easier.
Want more smart ways to earn? You might also like my post on how to stretch your points with positioning flights, why you never have enough miles, or how we saved thousands on a Universal Orlando trip.
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