SAVE SMARTER with Upromise by Sallie Mae

posted by Stacie on October 5, 2015 // Comments Off

Thank you to Upromise by Sallie Mae for sponsoring this post! As always, all opinions are my own.

Saving for college is something that is almost always on my mind. After having our third child, it really became a concern. I want all of my kids to be able to go to college if they want and I don’t want them to have to struggle or juggle multiple jobs while they are doing it.

When I became pregnant with my first child many years ago, I signed up for Upromise by Sallie Mae. I knew that I could save money for college for my kids (and even myself if I wanted to) all with the purchases that I make every day. I never shop online without going through Upromise and to date, we have several thousand dollars saved for the kids.

WHAT IS UPROMISE?

Upromise is a rewards program where shoppers can earn cash back for college with everyday purchases. It is free to join and to date, Upromise members have collectively earned more than $900 million and counting, helping families contribute to college tuition, expenses and loans. Members can allocate their cash back earnings in several ways to help save, plan and pay for college. By simply starting your online shopping at Upromise.com at hundreds of online retail partners such as Target, Apple, Best Buy, Macy’s or Old Navy, families can earn 5% back for college on eligible purchases. Upromise members can earn up to 5% cash back just by shopping with Upromise partners —including more than 850+ online stores and 10,000+ restaurants, grocery and drugstores. Popular online retail partners include Macys.com, Staples.com, Groupon and more.

In addition to saving 5% when shopping online, users can earn an additional 5% when shopping online with the Upromise MasterCard, totaling 10% cash back for college. Money earned through Upromise can be put in an eligible 529 college savings plan, put towards eligible student loans, deposited in a Sallie Mae savings account such as Upromise GoalSaver.

When earning cashback through Upromise, be sure to go through Upromise.com to get to your favorite sites, or download the RewardU toolbar, so your account is credited.

Upromise members can:

Transfer earnings to eligible 529 plans or high-yield savings accounts
Apply earnings to student loan repayment
Request a check for cash for books and other expenses
Split up earnings across multiple beneficiaries

GET TO KNOW UPROMISE GOALSAVER

Upromise GoalSaver is a no-fee, no minimum balance savings account that serves as the perfect entryway for families who have not yet started saving for college, but aren’t financially ready for a 529. What better way to celebrate than getting a jumpstart on saving with Upromise GoalSaver. Upromise GoalSaver is saving made simple that also rewards you.

Upromise GoalSaver is a simple, straightforward and free online savings account that allows families to save for college, and other goals, all in one place:

Upromise GoalSaver is not a 529, nor an ESA—it’s a completely free program that allows families to save for college, a nest egg, an emergency fund or all of the above
Through the GoalSaver program, families can set and track multiple goals through a single view – one per child, for example – without having to open separate accounts

The hard part isn’t saving for college, it’s getting started. Start today with Upromise!