55 - The Calendar Strategy: How to Automate Your Dining Discounts (And Never Pay Full Price Again)

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I recently did something a little crazy—but financially brilliant. During the holiday sales, I stocked up on restaurant gift cards. You know the ones: “Buy $100, Get $25 Free.” I bought them for my favorite local spots: the Irish pub around the corner, the pizza place we love on Fridays, and the nice steakhouse we save for special occasions. Mathematically, I was already winning. By getting $125 worth of food for $100, I had locked in an instant 20% discount on my future meals. But then I thought: How can I stretch this even further? The gift cards are great, but they are only one part of the equation. Most of these restaurants also offer weekly specials—Half-Price Burgers on Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, Kids Eat Free Wednesdays, or Happy Hour appetizers. If I used my discounted gift cards only on nights when the food was also discounted, I wouldn’t just be saving 20%. I’d be saving 50%, 60%, or even 70% off the regular menu price. The problem? I can never remember which restaurant has the ...
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54 - A New Credit Card with a 5% bonus and $35 cash back

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We all have our shopping rituals. Some people clip paper coupons; others hunt for promo codes online. My ritual involves strategy—stacking the right credit card with the right membership at the right moment to squeeze every possible dollar of value out of a purchase.

This past Black Friday, I executed one of my best "savings stacks" of the year using a new tool in my wallet: the OnePay CashRewards Card from Walmart.

If you’ve been ignoring store credit cards because you think they’re traps, I usually agree with you. But this one is different. By combining this card with a strategic Walmart+ free trial, I unlocked 5% cash back on everything I bought, snagged a $35 welcome bonus, and enjoyed free, lightning-fast shipping without paying a dime for membership.

Here’s exactly how I did it, and how you can replicate this strategy right now to save on your own holiday shopping or grocery hauls.

The Strategy: Stacking for Maximum Value
Most people just sign up for a credit card and hope for the best. I prefer a plan. My goal was simple: buy the things I needed for Black Friday (plus stock up on groceries) while getting the highest possible return on my spending.

Here is the "stack" I used:
  • The Card: I applied for the OnePay CashRewards Card (no annual fee).
  • The Membership: I signed up for a free 30-day trial of Walmart+.
  • The Spending: I used the card during Black Friday sales for gifts, electronics, and household staples.
  • The Result: 5% cash back on everything, a $35 cash bonus, and free same-day delivery.
Let’s break down why this specific combination is so powerful.

Step 1: The OnePay CashRewards Card
This is the engine of the strategy. The OnePay CashRewards Card is Walmart’s new credit card (replacing the old Capital One version you might remember).
  • Here are the base rewards:
    • 3% Cash Back: On purchases at Walmart (in-store and online) for regular shoppers.
    • 1.5% Cash Back: On all other purchases everywhere else.
    • $0 Annual Fee: Essential for any store card strategy.
But here is the kicker: If you are a Walmart+ member, that 3% rate jumps to 5% Cash Back on all Walmart purchases—online and in-store.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: "I don't want to pay $98 a year for a membership just to get extra cash back." I didn't want to either. That’s where Step 2 comes in.

Step 2: The "Free Upgrade" Trick (Walmart+ Trial)
You do not need to pay for a full year of Walmart+ to get the 5% rate. You just need to be a member.

I signed up for the free 30-day trial of Walmart+ right after getting approved for the card. Instantly, my account status upgraded, and my card began earning 5% cash back instead of 3%.

What you get with the free trial:
  • 5% Cash Back: On every single Walmart purchase using your OnePay card.
  • Free Shipping: No order minimums (even for a $5 item).
  • Free Grocery Delivery: Same-day delivery from your local store ($35 minimum order).
  • Video Streaming: Free subscription to Paramount+ (perfect for holiday movies).
  • Gas Savings: 10¢ off per gallon at Exxon, Mobil, Walmart, and Murphy stations.
By timing my application with the start of my free trial, I turned my Black Friday shopping into a 5% savings event without paying a penny in fees.

Step 3: The $35 Welcome Bonus (Easy Money)
On top of the 5% back, the card currently offers a $35 welcome bonus after you spend just $75 in the first 30 days. This is one of the easiest bonuses to hit. A single grocery run or one decent holiday gift knocks it out.

I spent over $75 on my first Black Friday order. The $35 bonus hit my account shortly after. That’s basically a free week of groceries, just for using the card.

Step 4: My Black Friday Haul (Real-World Results)
Once my "stack" was active, I went to work. I ordered gifts for the family, some electronics I’d been eyeing, and stocked up on household essentials.

The Math:
  • Order Total: Let’s say I spent $500 on Black Friday deals.
  • 5% Cash Back: Earned $25 in rewards.
  • Welcome Bonus: Earned $35 extra.
  • Shipping Costs: $0 (Saved roughly $15-$20 on shipping fees thanks to Walmart+).
  • Total Value: $60 in cash/rewards + Free Shipping.
  • That is a 12% return on my $500 spend ($60/$500). Try finding a traditional bank card that gives you 12% back on your holiday shopping!
Step 5: The "Exit Strategy" (What Happens Next?)
My 30-day free trial is still active, and I’m using it to the fullest. I’m currently stocking up on non-perishable groceries (canned goods, paper products, pantry staples) and having them delivered for free to maximize that 5% cash back window.

Once the trial ends, I have two choices:
  • Keep Walmart+: If I find I’m using the free delivery and Paramount+ enough to justify the $98/year (or $12.95/month) fee, I’ll keep it. The 5% cash back alone pays for the membership if you spend about $2,000 a year at Walmart (roughly $166/month on groceries).
  • Cancel Walmart+: If I cancel, my card simply reverts to earning 3% cash back at Walmart. And honestly? 3% back on groceries with a no-annual-fee card is still an excellent deal. Most other cards only give 1-2% on superstore purchases.
Who Should Do This?
This strategy is perfect for:
  • Holiday Shoppers: If you have more gifts to buy, the 5% back + free shipping is unbeatable.
  • Grocery Shoppers: Walmart prices are already low; getting 5% back on top of that fights inflation effectively.
  • Anyone who wants $35: The low spending requirement ($75) makes this low-risk, high-reward.
How to Execute This Strategy Today
  1. Apply for the OnePay CashRewards Card: Go to Walmart.com and search for "OnePay Card." The application is quick, and you can often shop instantly upon approval.
  2. Activate Your Walmart+ Free Trial: Sign up for the 30-day trial on the Walmart app or website. Set a reminder on your phone for 28 days from now to decide if you want to keep or cancel it.
  3. Shop & Save: Use the card for your holiday shopping, grocery runs, and gas fill-ups to maximize that 5% rate.
  4. Enjoy the Perks: Watch some movies on Paramount+, get your groceries delivered to your door, and enjoy the cash back rolling in.
I’m all about “optimization”—finding the smartest path from A to B. This card + trial combo was the most efficient way to handle my holiday spending this year. Even if you only use it for one month, the savings are real, the perks are fun, and that $35 bonus spends just like cash.

Have you tried the new Walmart card yet? Let me know your strategy in the comments!

Disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor. Credit card offers and terms can change. Please read the full terms and conditions on the application page before applying.

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