I mentioned in an earlier article that I’d used my PC Points to pay for a Switch 2 in it’s entirety. One of the consequences of that transaction was seeing the lowest balance in my app since beginning in 2018.

On August 16th my balance was 16,331 points or $16.33. I decided I would use the opportunity to screenshot my balance changes to track how quickly I earned my points through regular collecting. Just under two months later my new balance is 314,966 or $314.96. Here’s how I did it.

The truth is I didn’t do anything exceptional. I simply used the systems I’d already setup and kept to my planning.

1. Use my PC Financial Mastercard for all purchases. Gain 1% back at any retailer, and up to 3.5% back from Loblaws (Superstore & Shoppers)
2. Buy my gas at Esso or Mobil to automatically get extra points while also using the PC Mastercard
3. Get bonus points every month for my payroll deposit
4. Get bonus points for paying bills over $100
5. Shop on 20x (or 25x) bonus days at Shoppers. Remember, only on Saturdays when they also have regular sales and in-store bonus points

That’s about it. My personal goal is to see how long it takes to get back to 1 million points (aka $1000) but that’s more of a game than anything. If they offer a really good redemption I may buy a new appliance or household toy (robovac maybe?). Otherwise I can use my points to pay my credit card off (at 70% of the value it’s still worth it!). This would justify some birthday/xmas purchases coming up this fall.

I hope the simplicity of my system inspires you to use some of these techiques, or come up with your own entirely! I’d love to learn other ways to exploit, erm, I mean, maximize the systems out there.

As always, thanks for reading my Internet Nomads.