Educational Rewards Programs

From Brick-Sized Reward Cards to Smartphone Convenience: My Journey with Digital Loyalty Apps

Not too long ago, I was the proud owner of what can only be described as a makeshift brick of rewards cards. Each shopping trip meant dragging along a hefty, cumbersome pile, created from subdivided plastic pages and secured with 3-inch binder rings. This mobile monstrosity, assembled with love and a bit of creativity from the scrapbook section at Tuesday Morning, was my solution to managing a growing collection of loyalty cards. One day I found myself with extra time on my hands and actually alphabetized the entire pile. While it served its purpose, it was far from convenient.

The struggle of managing physical cards became clear each time I reached into my purse or pocket, only to be greeted by the weight of that unwieldy pile. And let’s not even get started on those awkward moments when I’d have to fish out a specific card in the middle of a busy store.

The Digital Revolution

Enter the world of digital convenience. My salvation came in the form of apps designed to replace my card-crammed binder. I discovered a couple of noteworthy options: CardStar and Keychain Rewards. These apps promised to streamline my shopping experience by allowing me to enter my rewards card information into my phone, eliminating the need to carry physical cards.

While I looked at Keychain Rewards, I chose to use CardStar. Over time, CardStar evolved into StoCard, and is now owned by Klarna. The app’s name is still StoCard. Link to where you can get the app.

Embracing Klarna

Klarna, the latest iteration of the app that began as CardStar, offers a user-friendly experience with a sleek interface. The key benefit is the ability to store all my rewards card information digitally. Instead of rifling through a bulky pile, I access my rewards cards with a few taps on my phone.

However, the digital transition isn’t without its hiccups. Occasionally, I encounter stores where the barcode on my phone doesn’t seem to work. Fortunately, most cashiers are usually understanding and can manually input the barcode if needed. There’s also a handy notes section for each card, where I jot down any specifics related to my rewards accounts, like special instructions or alternate phone numbers.

The Phone Number Conundrum

One challenge I’ve faced is managing my phone number across different rewards programs. Occasionally, I’ve had to update my phone number with various companies due to changes over time. If a store’s rewards system is linked to an outdated number, it can create confusion at checkout. To mitigate this, I use Klarna’s notes feature to record the phone numbers associated with each store. As I find time, I update my number with each company to ensure everything is current.

The Future of Rewards Management

The shift from physical to digital rewards cards has significantly simplified my shopping experience. It’s a reminder of how technology can transform even the most mundane tasks, making our lives easier and more organized. As apps like Klarna continue to evolve, I’m hopeful for even more seamless integration and improved functionality.

In the meantime, I look back on my pre-cellphone days with a mix of nostalgia and relief. The digital age has indeed made it possible to leave behind that brick-sized pile of cards, offering a more streamlined, modern approach to managing loyalty rewards. The collection of cards has been relegated to a box somewhere in storage. So, if you’re still hauling around a similar stack of rewards cards, it might be time to consider going digital. Your back—and your purse—will thank you!

Get the Stocard app!

Showcase Cinema has a fun and rewarding summer reading program developed to encourage young children to read during the summer months, Bookworm Wednesdays entitles kids to free movie admission to a select children’s film when they present a book report at a participating Cinema de Lux, Showcase, or Multiplex Cinemas box office.

Accompanying parents or guardians and children under six years of age receive free admission and do not need to submit a book report. Bookworm Wednesdays will resume in summer 2024.

https://www.showcasecinemas.com/programs/6075-bookworm-wednesdays/

$10 Student Performances at the Detroit Opera House

To get $10 tickets to any of these performances, contact Kim Gray at the Opera House and reference Account #173105 “Kimberly Hooper – MiGHT Homeschool”. This is the account that was set up for homeschoolers. You will get the $10 group rate if you reference this account and pay the Opera House directly for your tickets. Tickets will be held under your name at the will-call table. If for any reason you cannot go after paying for your tickets, there is no refund, but someone else can go in your place if you make arrangements for them to use your tickets. Seating is not reserved, so get there at least 30 minutes before the performance starts for the best seats.

To order tickets: Kim Gray 313-965-4631 or e-mail kimg@motopera.org

For parking and directions: http://www.motopera.org/visit/directions.html

La Boheme Opera: Friday, November 12, 2010, 11:00am http://www.motopera.org/1011/boheme.html

Too Hot to Handel Jazz/Gospel Concert: Friday, December 3, 2010, 11:00am http://www.motopera.org/overview/events.html

Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre: Friday, March 4, 2011, 11:00am http://www.motopera..org/1011/alvinailey.html

The Magic Flute Opera: Friday, April 8, 2011, 11:00am http://www.motopera.org/1011/magicflute.html

Rigoletto Opera: Friday, May 13, 2011, 11:00am http://www.motopera.org/1011/rigoletto.html

Remember: Your tickets will not be mailed to you They will be held at the will-call table under your name. Use the reference number to get the $10 price when you order your tickets, otherwise the non-group rate is $35!

from Kimberly Hooper
248-719-3999

Four Seasons Bowling Center (Hillsboro, OR) Games for Grades incentive program for free bowling. 15 game limit and the offer is good for current grading period only. For more information visit https://www.fourseasonsbowling.com/GAMES-FOR-GRADES.html

Ask your favorite bowling alley near you if they also offer a program.

McDonald’s Students with a straight “A” report card receive: Kindergarten-5th grades – free Happy Meal. 6th-12th grades – free Value Meal. I had emailed McDonalds to verify this information. Their response is basically since each McDonalds is independently owned & operated, any educational reward program is handled by each store. It would be best to ask your nearest location if they participate in such a program and what it entails.

Download, print and track progress with Chuck E. Cheese Rewards Calendars and Behavior Charts for Kids. https://www.chuckecheese.com/activities-and-downloads/ There are over 20 different pdf’s to download. There is a good grades chart to download.

Chuck E. Cheese’s program used to be called Chuck E. Cheese’s Tokens For Grades.

Pizza Hut’s BookIt Program Parents set monthly reading goals, and Pizza Hut provides special rewards to recognize children’s reading accomplishments. View their Resources page for program guide, tracking calendars, game pieces like story box and story spinners, and many other reading fun and comprehension pdfs you can download.

BOOK IT! is open to homeschool families with PreK-6th grade students (ages 4-12). Parents set goals, track reading and reward their students, all in their digital dashboard. Program runs from October-March.

All parents with students in PreK-6th grade (ages 4-12) can enroll in Camp BOOK IT!, their summer reading program. Program runs June, July, and August.

https://www.bookitprogram.com/programs