Super Savers, have you ever written a story that ended up predicting your own future? Well, that’s exactly what happened to me! In addition to this blog, I also write a fictional blog series called Smart Spending Stories with Cash Pyle. In the story “Cash Pyle and the Gift Card Strategy,” Cash, my thrifty main character, uses his saved earnings and holiday gift cards to buy a smartwatch. At the time, it was just a savvy spending strategy I’d write about—until last week, when I lived out the same scenario myself. Here’s how it all went down:
I recently embarked on a self-improvement journey and created a vision board to keep myself focused on my goals. One of those goals? To lose 25 pounds. I figured a smartwatch or fitness band could help track my steps and sleep, so I added that to my vision board. I’d used Fitbit fitness bands in the past but decided to branch out this time. After researching Apple Watches, I found a model with the features I wanted and set my max price at $199 plus tax.
The next challenge: how to pay for it. My budget is tight, so I needed to fund this purchase outside of my usual expenses. I regularly answer surveys and play mobile games for extra cash, so that seemed like the best way to make it happen. Unlike Cash Pyle, I didn’t have anything valuable to sell, but if I did, I would have considered that option, too.
As I continued my research, I realized that the Apple Watch’s short battery life (2-3 days) wasn’t ideal. My old Fitbits lasted a week between charges, so I pivoted toward fitness-focused devices with longer battery lives. That’s when Garmin caught my attention. Garmin watches aren’t cheap, but I wasn’t deterred. With the help of AI and Honey (a price comparison browser extension), I found a model with a retail price of $300 but had been on sale for as low as $187 new and $180 used. Even better—it boasted a three-week battery life!
At this point, I’d love to tell you I was laser-focused on earning that money. But, in reality, I got distracted and didn’t make much progress—until fate intervened. One day, while wandering the electronics section at Sam’s Club, I spotted a Garmin watch on sale for just $114 (a $50 discount). The sale was set to end on March 31, meaning I had about two weeks to gather the funds.
On the ride home, I did some quick research and confirmed that $114 was a fantastic deal, especially for a watch that far outperformed the Apple Watch in battery life. When I got home, I checked my survey panel and rebate app balances. With a little more diligence, I realized I could make this happen before the sale ended.
For the next two weeks, I got serious about my side hustle. I focused on surveys panels that paid out in PayPal cash and played mobile games with apps that rewarded me with Walmart or Sam’s Club gift cards. By March 27, I had $86.57 in PayPal cash and a $25 Sam’s Club gift card—almost the full amount! The remainder, including sales tax, came from my budgeted healthcare and health products fund.
And just like that, I walked into Sam’s Club, made my purchase, and turned my vision board goal into reality—all while sticking to my Super Saver ways! So the next time you set a goal, remember that creativity, patience, and a little hustle can make it happen. And who knows? Maybe one of my future Smart Spending Stories with Cash Pyle will inspire your next big buy!
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