This Overlooked Shopping Hack Could Put $250 in Your Bank Account

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Most people think saving money at the store means hunting for coupons or waiting for a sale. And while those things definitely help, there’s one simple strategy that often gets overlooked — even by smart shoppers. The best part? It doesn’t require changing what you buy at all. 

If you’re already spending money on groceries, gas, household essentials and everyday purchases, shopping with the Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards credit card could pocket you an extra $250 just for doing your everyday shopping.² 

Get Cash Back for Things You Already Plan to Buy 

When you use the Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards credit card for everyday purchases, you can earn cash back automatically — no extra work required. You’re not buying more things or changing your routine; you’re simply getting rewarded for purchases you were already going to make. 

Here’s how it works: 

When you spend $2,500 within 90 days of opening your Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards credit card, you earn a $250 cash bonus¹. For most households, that’s an amount they’ll hit naturally just by covering normal monthly expenses. 

Plus, you can earn unlimited cash back on your purchases — up to 2%, depending on your card type². And right now, if you transfer a balance within your first 60 days, you’ll get a 1.99% intro APR for 12 months from account opening. After that, a variable APR between 14.15% and 18% applies. Plus, there are no transfer fees³.  

You already have to make these monthly purchases; you might as well earn cash back while you’re at it. 

Use It the Smart Way 

Of course, the goal isn’t to spend more. It’s to get more value from the purchases you already plan to make. 

That means sticking to your normal shopping habits, paying your balance in full each month to avoid interest and treating the rewards as a bonus — not a reason to overspend. When you use it this way, this simple shopping hack becomes a long-term money strategy. 

Bottom Line 

Ready to start getting rewarded for the things you already have to buy? Apply for the Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards credit card^* today and you could put an extra $250 back in your wallet.* 

^*By submitting your application, you are applying for a cashRewards card account. If your application is approved for an account with a credit limit of less than $5,000, you will receive a standard cashRewards card that earns 1.5% cash back. If your credit limit is $5,000 or greater, you will receive a cashRewards Plus card that earns 2% cash back. The benefits of a standard cashRewards card differ from those of a cashRewards Plus card. 

² cashRewards Plus credit cards earn 2% cash back per dollar spent on eligible purchases. cashRewards credit cards earn 1.5% cash back per dollar spent on eligible purchases. Eligible purchases are purchases for goods and services, minus returns and other credits. Eligible purchases do not include fees, interest charges, balance transfers, gambling, convenience checks, cash advances, or other cash-equivalents (e.g., money orders, gift cards, prepaid cards). For more information, view the cashRewards (Visa® or Mastercard®) and cashRewards Plus (Visa Signature® or World Mastercard®). 

³ As of 2/2/2026, rates range from 14.15% APR to 18.00% APR, are based on creditworthiness, and will vary with the market based on the U.S. Prime Rate. ATM cash advance fees: None, if performed at a Navy Federal branch or ATM. Otherwise, $0.50 per domestic transaction or $1.00 per foreign transaction. Balance transfer offer: Application must be submitted by 06/30/2026. Offer valid for balances transferred from non-Navy Federal credit cards within 60 days of account opening. Balance transfers are not eligible to earn rewards. Maximum total transfer amount is limited to your available credit line. Balance transfers using convenience checks are excluded from this offer. If you transfer a balance with this offer, interest will be charged on purchases made with your credit card unless your purchases have a 0% APR or you pay the entire balance, including any transferred balances, in full each month by the payment due date. Limit of one promotional offer at account opening. Navy Federal reserves the right to change or end this offer at any time without notice. 

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