Holiday Shopping Challenge with American Express {$250 Giveaway}

I’ll admit it: every year I think “I’m going to shop early this year and be finished with everyone on my list so I’m not stressed out.” And every year I find myself scrambling to finish shopping at the last minute. One of the bad things about my method is it makes it difficult to budget because I find myself shopping hectic at the last minute. Totally ridiculous given that I’m “The Shopping Mama”, right? Well, it’s true. This year I have a new tool for setting and sticking to a budget. With our American Express card we can shop and stretch our budget using Membership Rewards points.

About the American Express Membership Rewards Program

We recently signed up for our first American Express card so I’m still learning about the Membership Rewards. Here are basics and the key benefits:

• Earn one point for virtually every dollar you spend.
• There is no limit to the number of points you can earn.
• Points have no expiration date.

Using Points

• Use points for retail purchases and access to dining and entertainment events.
• Use points to book travel or transfer points to frequent flyer and guest programs.
• Use points toward Gift Cards or Certificates for yourself or a friend.

Earning Points

• Earn up to 10X points on over 300 brands by shopping at MembershipRewards.com/Earn
• Earn 2X points when you book travel at americanexpress.com/travel
• Earn points when you use your Card for everyday purchases

Holiday Shopping Challenge

American Express has challenged me to stay on budget by using a combination of a gift card and Membership Rewards points to shop for five people on my holiday shopping list. You know I love a good challenge, particularly one that involves shopping, so I’m excited to get started on my hunt. I was really pleasantly surprised when I took a cursory glance at everything you can buy with Membership Rewards Catalog. For one thing, you can use Membership Rewards points to shop at Amazon or redeem points for gift cards to shop your favorites stores. Or you can shop directly from American Express through the shopAmEx website. I definitely think I’ve found some winners for my sister and father-in-law and will show you all my purchases next week, so stay tuned to see what I’ve picked out.

In addition to redeeming Membership Rewards, American Express has challenged me to shop at least one small business. You know we’re a big supporter of Small Business Saturday and encourage everyone to think about how you can “shop outside the big box” store this holiday season. There are so many great “mom and pop” stores both online and in brick and mortar storefronts and, in addition to finding unique gifts, it feels great to support a small company. There’s a children’s boutique in Montgomery that I’ve been hoping to check out and this shopping challenge is a great reason to get over there and pick out a toy or two for the kids.

Shop! Make the most of your card and make sure you’re registered to earn Membership Rewards with your American Express. Stay on budget by using points you’ve earned and don’t forget to shop and support small businesses this holiday season.

Win! $250 American Express Gift Card!

How to Enter: Leave a comment with a tip for staying on budget when holiday shopping.

Earn Extra Entries – valid only after completing first mandatory entry. Leave a separate comment for each you do, please.

• Follow American Express AND The Shopping Mama on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. You may do this every day, just leave a link when you do.
  Win a $250 American Express gift card @TheShoppingMama http://t.co/IR9YunYU
  
• Like The Shopping Mama on Facebook.
• Share this post on your Facebook or comment on our Facebook wall.
• Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or RSS.
• Sign up for the The Shopping Mama Newsletter.

Giveaway ends December 15. Open to US residents only.

The American Express shopping challenge is a compensated program. As always, opinions are my own.