Stroke of Genius!

You guys! Today I had an AMAZING idea! Today I opened a second checking account only to be used for gas money. Alright, I know you have no idea why this idea is so amazing, but stay with me! First you're going to need a little back story.

My Budget

As you know, I graduated from Purdue University (boilers.) in May and immediately started working full-time, on salary. What you may not know, is that i am terrible with money. I knew that the only way I was going to be able to have money for everything I needed was to create a hardcore budget. I also knew that I need to be paying off my credit cards and student loans as much as I can now, while I just have me to support. first, I used excel to create a killer budget where I can see every paycheck I'm getting for the year and plan out when I'll be able to pay for what. I'm really terrible with excel so what ever you're picturing is probably giving me too much credit. My second step was switching to a system where I use cash to pay for nearly everything. I got this idea from Dave Ramsey but I didn't actually read his book. I just read enough reviews to get the picture! I even bought this sweet wallet on Etsy that has separate pockets for each category (like gas, groceries, spending money, etc.) allowing me to keep my cash on me but still separated. Specifically to this post, every paycheck I set aside at least $125 for gas. I say at least because if I know that I'll be traveling, like to Indy or Cinci, I budget a little more. 

Speedy Pay Card

Recently Speedway Gas Stations started offering a program where you can link your Speedway Rewards Card directly to your checking account and use your rewards card to pay for your gas. As an incentive to join this program they offer you a 12 cent rebate on gas for the first 90 days and then a 7 cent rebate on gas after that. I believe you also earn double points of fuel, the points being redeemable for merchandise. Now I know that 12 cents isn't a lot, but when gas is $3.59 like it is here, I'll take what I can get! I wanted to do this but I didn't want to leave my gas money in my Chase checking account because the only money I keep in there is for rent, my gym membership and my Chase specific payments (loan, credit card, savings acct). 

Stroke of Genius

This morning, it just hit me. I was at Purdue Employees Federal Credit Union (PEFCU) making a payment on my credit card when I realized that if I opened a checking acct with them, I would have an account that I could link to my Speedy Rewards Card! Instead of keeping the normal $125 in cash on me for the two weeks, I just need to withdraw it from Chase and then deposit however much of it I want at PEFCU! "It's brilliant brilliant brilliant I tell you!"  

You may be thinking something along the lines of "...this sounds like a lot of work just to save 12 cents on gas..." and you're probably right. But I'm an impulsive person and once I get an idea in my head, I'm going to do it. I've already opened the checking account and I'm just waiting on Speedway to confirm my new account :) I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!

Side Note

This blog is my 10th for January! I cut it a little close, but I hit my target and thanks to that I get to add an additional $10 to my jar! Now I have to go stare at my budget for a little while and figure out where it's going to come from... : P

Thanks for reading!

Lauren