{Best Loyalty Programs of 2013}

Extreme couponer Kathy Spencer and author of “How To Shop For Free” lives off a yearly income of $45,000, feeding her family of six on just $4 dollars per week. One of her money-$aving secrets: Kathy only shops at stores that she knows will show her some serious customer appreciation. Here, she breaks down the loyalty programs that will save you the most cash this year. Did someone say fiscal cliff?!

Ann Taylor, “Perfect Rewards” Program

How it works:
When you open an Ann Taylor Rewards credit card, you’ll earn 5 points for every $1 spent at Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft. Other perks includes a $15 coupon to use during the month of your birthday and exclusive coupons and discounts mailed to you all year.

The bottom line:
With Ann Taylor’s point system, every 2,000 points earned ($400 spent) gets you a $20 off coupon towards anything in the store.

Insider’s tip:
You can stack deals and coupons at Ann Taylor and The Loft. Sometimes they have sales that are 40% off, and then they’ll offer different coupons or a savings card that says something like: spend $50 get $25 off. So if a brand new shirt was $50 and then you get 40% off, that brings it to $30, and if you had $25 off $50 that would bring it down to $15.

Stop and Shop Card

How it works:
When you open a Stop and Shop card in the store or online, you’ll receive exclusive weekly specials, manufacturers coupons, personalized coupons mailed to you based on your shopping habits, Stop and Shop Real Deal specials (sale items that last for more than one week), and manufacturers coupons printed right on your receipts when you check out.  Every dollar you spend at Stop and Shop using your Stop and Shop Rewards card translates into one point.

The bottom line:
With Stop and Shop’s reward program, every 100 points earned ($100 spent) gets you 10 cents off of every gallon per fill up (up to 22 gallons) at any Stop and Shop or Shell Gas Station. Just present your Stop and Shop rewards card to the gas station attendant when you pay, and your discount will be added.

CVS Extra Care Card

How it works:
Open a CVS ExtraCare card online or in a CVS store. You can scan and save the card to your smart phone so you don’t have to carry it in your wallet. The CVS ExtraCare program gives you access to coupons online as well as printed coupons on your receipt. When you link your email to your ExtraCare card, you’ll receive weekly discounts that you can send directly to your ExtraCare card, or print out and use at the store. Using your ExtraCare card also earns you ExtraCare bucks, which can be used as cash on anything in the store with a few exceptions (alcohol, tobacco, and lottery tickets).

The bottom line:
For every purchase you make (excluding alcohol, tobacco, and lottery tickets) you earn 2% back in ExtraCare Bucks. ExtraCare bucks are distributed quarterly. So, if you spend $100 quarterly at CVS, you’ll receive $2 back to use on CVS purchases.

Sephora V.I.B Beauty Insider Club

How it works:
When you open a Sephora card online or in store, you become a Sephora Beauty Insider, giving you access to exclusive sales and products only available to those in the program. You get a free gift on your birthday, as well as a free eyebrow shaping. Each dollar you spend earns you a point.

The bottom line:
When you earn 100 points (by spending $100), you get your pick of a deluxe beauty sample. You can also wait until you earn 500 points ($500 spent), when you’ll qualify for a deluxe sample set.

The Body Shop Love Your Body Rewards Program

How it works:
Pay $10 per year, for a Love Your Body rewards card and membership. Your rewards card will get you 10% off of all in store and online purchases at The Body Shop. Members get $10 dollars off at The Body Shop on their birthday, invitations to members-only in-store events, special savings during customer appreciation days, and sneak previews of new products. For every $20 dollars you spend you earn one point, for all purchases over $50 you earn two points.

The bottom line:
Four points (a minimum of $80 spent) earns you $15 off your purchase, and 8 points (a minimum of $160 spent) earns you $25 off your purchase plus a free year membership renewal.

Insider’s tip:
Need a place to host a party?  The Body Shop will close down one of their stores for you and your friends and provide either a brunch of mimosas, coffee, and bagels, or a night of champagne. Each person in your party receives a free mini facial, hand massage, makeup application and samples completely free of charge.

Dunkin Donuts Dunkin Perks Card

How it works:
When you load up a DD card with a minimum of $2 and register it online, you’ll receive a coupon for a free medium beverage of your choice. Cardholders also get a free medium beverage on their birthday.

Papa Ginos Rewards Card

How it works:
Every dollar you spend with your free Papa Gino’s rewards card, you earn a point. You’ll also have access to exclusive members-only offers and promotions throughout the year.

The bottom line:
For every 50 points you earn ($50 spent), you get $5 to spend.