The Easiest Way to Pocket an Extra $250 — Just for Doing Your Day-to-Day Shopping
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Even as a frugal shopper, you likely do your fair share of day-to-day shopping. There’s the groceries for tonight’s dinner, school clothes for the kids, dog food and kitty litter. The list goes on. What if there were a way to put some money back in your wallet every time you make one of these purchases?
You’re in luck. With the Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards credit card — combined with some strategic shopping habits — you could pocket an extra $250 just for doing your everyday shopping.
Earn $250 in Bonus Cash with the NFCU cashRewards
With the Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards credit card, you can earn cash back on your everyday purchases. When you spend $2,500 within 90 days of opening your account, you could earn a $250 cash bonus1.
There are two types of cashRewards accounts. If you’re approved for a credit limit of $5,000 or more, you’ll get a cashRewards Plus card. If not, you’ll get the cashRewards card. But don’t worry — both cards help you grow your money while you shop. With cashRewards Plus, you can earn unlimited 2% cash back, and with cashRewards, you can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back.
Each card has no rotating spending categories and no limit on how much cash back you can earn. You can start redeeming those rewards as soon as you earn them — there’s no minimum redemption amount, and rewards don’t expire while your account remains open.
As you do your everyday shopping on the path to earning that $250 bonus, you can also benefit from other smart shopping tips to save even more.
Other Smart Everyday Shopping Habits
1. Use Store Loyalty Programs
Many of the stores you love have loyalty programs that regularly offer discounts and special deals. Grocery stores in particular often offer fuel points or cash rewards for purchases you’d make anyway.
Just make sure you don’t overspend on things you don’t need — like grabbing that extra bag of fruit that will go moldy on the counter — just because they’re included in a discount or reward offer.
2. Track Prices and Buy Strategically
Being a smart shopper means being a strategic shopper — and that means keeping a record of prices on your regular purchases, from groceries to clothing to home goods.
You can use a notes app or spreadsheet to log prices over time. When you see the price drop, stock up — especially on items that last or groceries you can freeze.
By employing this approach, you’re buying at the most efficient time and turning price awareness into savings.
3. Buy in Bulk When You Can
Some items you just don’t want to risk running out of — like toilet paper, cleaning supplies or pantry staples that make or break a dish — so buying them in bulk makes sense. You use them often enough that replacing them constantly is more expensive in the long run than purchasing in bulk or through a recurring subscription plan.
4. Use a ‘Waiting Rule’ for Nonessentials
You’re in the store doing your regular shopping, and then you see something marvelous: that pair of boots you’ve seen on TikTok, a carton of gourmet ice cream or an indoor plant that would make your windows look amazing. You don’t need it, but you really, really want it.
Take a breath. Wait 24 to 48 hours. If the item still calls to you — or you can justify it as a necessity — then go for it.
Preventing impulse buys isn’t about depriving yourself; remember, the money you don’t spend is money earned.
5. Find a Credit Card Without a Lot of Fees
Smart shoppers know how to use their credit cards to their advantage by stacking rewards and earning cash back. Truly savvy shoppers go one step further and make sure their favorite credit cards come without pesky fees and hidden expenses.
You already know that your Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards card can help you earn a $250 bonus and offers unlimited 1.5% cash back. But did you know it’s also refreshingly free of common fees like annual fees, balance-transfer fees2, foreign-transaction fees and cash-advance fees?
Bottom Line
Who knew that your daily shopping habits could help bring money back into your wallet? You do now. Ready to add an extra $250 to your wallet? Apply for a Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards credit card here.
1 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)
2 Offer valid for cardholders issued a new cashRewards or cashRewards Plus credit card account. To be eligible for the $250 cash back, you must make $2,500 or more in eligible purchases within 90 days of account opening. 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). Please allow up to 8 weeks after the 90-day period for the $$250 to post to your rewards balance. Account must be open and not in default at the time the $250 is scheduled to post to your rewards balance. Limit of one promotional offer at account opening. Offer valid for accounts applied for between 07/01/2025 and 01/01/2026.
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