loyalty points, are they worth it?

[steve208]

Ok i am slightly addicted to spending and getting points with tesco and nectar. I have signed up for offers and get lots of coupons giving me bonus points. I live with my parents so need to save money to move out. Are the points a con to get me to waste my money for the illusion of getting something back like a free day out.

Would i be better to say to myself each time i was going to spend a voucher to put what i would have spent in a jar insted and save?! this is more of a help me decide rather than i want to know the answer before i get people saying i have answered my own question.

[talger2722]

I have often thought this myself. I also collect nectar and tesco points. I think it's best to put it into perspective and ask yourself the question:
Am I only spending money with these companies to gain points?
I think that generally the answer is probably no. The points are usually an afterthought, and therefore a bonus!
If your answer is yes, and the thought of gaining reward points is the reason you are spending, then I would definitely review your purchases and put the money in a pot. My husband and I spent about �1500 in Tesco's over a 3 month period once, and received �75 in reward vouchers. Not a great saving, but "every little helps"!!

Why don't you get your parents to buy your vouchers off you and save that money?

[beejaybee]

I`ve joined the food club, also the wine club & the healthy eating club at tesco. You`d be surprised how many extra points you get. In my last statement I had �16:50 in vouchers.

[beejaybee]

Forgot to say that my weekly shopping bill is only between �50/60.

[moonshadow]

You could make your Tesco vouchers worth 4 times more with clubcard deals pick up a catalogue instore.There are lots of ways of saving for example �9:30 of Tesco vouchers would buy a years subscription to House Beautiful magazine normally this would cost �37:20 and RAC rescue package �25:75 in Tesco vouchers normally �103.If you use these deals as presents then the money you normally spend can go into your moving out fund.

[sir.prize]

As talger2722 says: If you shop with a particular supermarket JUST for the points, then you can do much better than make it a religion. Pensioner friends of mine told me that they usually spent �55 each week at Tesco; that equates to 52 weeks at �55 = �2,860. So they decided to do their shopping every 10 days instead, but spent �65 each time. That equates to 36 weeks at �65 = �2,340 per year. A �520 annual saving, or �10 per week over the year. That is far better than points which really are "Very Little Help".

[cookiee69]

i shop at sainsbury's and have collected nectar points over the last 5 eyars.
a few weeks ago I decided to kit out my spare room, and cahsed in my nectar points at debenhams. i had �90.
It's not so much for 5 years of shopping, but it was a new pair of curtains and a couple of posh cushions for free. So yes, i reckon it was worth handing over my little card every time.

[chazza]

I think they are worth it if you are buying something you would be buying anyway, and not paying any more for it!

I always buy my petrol at the supermarkets and collect points that way (unless it is cheaper elsewhere!)

[jessiedog]

If you are going to buy the product anyway then it is a good deal. And, getting points for your shopping is always good as if you shop where they don't give points you will still pay for your shopping but not get the extra. However, if you have the time it always pays to shop around for the best deals and in-store offers. Not good as a saving scheme to move out though - it would be better to put regular money away in an interest account.

[Hellion]

I shop mainly in Waitrose but I do occasionally go to Tesco and get points through PowerGen - I usually spend my points on Gin or Pimms!!
My friend does her weekly shopping in Tesco pays with her John Lewis Card (which she pays off every month) that way she gets Tesco points and John Lewis points, I guess if she paid her monthly John Lewis account with a Marks and Spencers & More card she get M &S points as well!