This Week’s Money Map:

• 🌴 Why MaxMyPoint is magic for booking hotels with points

• 💸 The money in your bank account loses value every day (and what you can do about it!)

• 😎 Building credit without credit cards

• 📩 What the finance?!: The cash-stuffing craze

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 🌴 Why MaxMyPoint is magic for booking hotels with points

Booking rooms at wildly popular hotels using points is a pain in the you-know-what. But I recently found MaxMyPoint.com, a tool that makes it so much easier to find rooms available with points at the most desirable hotels in the world. Let me tell you how this site saved me hours and scored me free rooms at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui!

The MaxMyPoint homepage showcases the most popular luxury hotels across the globe, providing a snapshot of the percentage of nights with points availability and the value of the points currency. When you click on a hotel listing, that’s when the real magic happens…

MaxMyPoint gives you a calendar view showing which rooms are available for points and the cash price. The calendar shows you standard room availability and suite availability. The Conrad Bora Bora Nui is notoriously challenging to book on points, but this tool allows you to find the standard room nights that let you use free night certificates or points from the Hilton loyalty program.

In another scenario, let’s say you’re looking to book a room in Cabo San Lucas. The search tool allows you to browse multiple hotel loyalty programs for points-based rooms and cash costs, making it much simpler to find the right hotel for the best value for your points. Looking for two nights at The Cape, a Thompson Hotel? Grab two nights in March for 35,000 points per night — a value of almost 2.5 cents per point.

The tool is free to use for a maximum of ten searches per day. However, MaxMyPoint also offers a paid subscription that allows you to use more search features and set up alerts for when rooms become available. 

💸 The money in your bank account loses value every day — Let’s fix that now!

Idle cash loses purchasing power every day.

I recently worked on a financial plan with a woman heading into retirement who had a large portion of her wealth in a bank account, earning about 0.25% interest. Most of us sleep better knowing our cash is safe in the bank. But here’s the truth: if your money is just sitting in a standard savings account with low interest, inflation is quietly chipping away at its value.

Let’s break it down. Imagine you have $100,000 in a typical bank account, earning 0.5% interest. Over 20 years, you’ll have around $110,490. The original number has grown, right? Well, not exactly. When adjusted for inflation, that amount is effectively worth only $61,200 in today’s dollars — a 40% loss in real purchasing power over those 20 years.

What can you do to combat this loss?

• Minimize cash balances in checking and savings accounts.

• Invest in assets that outpace inflation, such as high-yield interest accounts.

• Consider stock index funds or consult a financial advisor for tailored advice.

• Monitor your cash accounts every three to six months to ensure you’re not keeping too much cash at lower returns.

High-yield interest accounts are generally safe, and of course, investing in stocks or other assets involves some risk. But if you’re thinking long-term, the bigger danger might be allowing your money to slowly erode at low-interest rates.

😎 Building credit without credit cards

You’ve worked hard to get where you are. But if your credit history is shaky — or doesn’t exist — it can feel like doors keep slamming shut. Don’t worry — you don’t actually need a credit card to build a solid credit score. Whether you’re 20 or 60, these practical, proven strategies can help you boost your credit without worrying about the high interest rates of credit cards. 

Turn rent into a credit win
Paying rent every month? That’s more than just a bill — it’s a chance to build credit. Services like RentTrack ($6.95/month) or RentReporters ($9.95/month) report your on-time payments to credit bureaus, giving your score a lift. Ask your landlord to report your rent directly to the bureaus. It’s free and skips the service fees. Bonus: Check if your lease already includes reporting — some big property managers do this quietly.

Make everyday bills count
Paying your phone bill, internet, and utilities can do more than keep the lights on — it can boost your credit. Sign up for Experian Boost (free) and link those payments in minutes. Your score gets a bump for bills you’re already paying. Add less obvious bills — like your water or trash service — to eCredable ($25/year) for extra points. Set everything on autopay to avoid late payments, which can drag your score down fast.

Ride someone else’s good credit
Know someone with great credit — a parent, spouse, or friend? Ask to become an authorized user on their credit card. You don’t even need to use it — their on-time payments can boost your score. Make sure you pick someone reliable, though — if they miss payments, your credit takes a hit, too. Ask them to call the card issuer and confirm your name gets reported to the bureaus — some cards don’t do this automatically.

Tap into small loans
Need a little cash for something practical? Platforms like LendingClub offer loans as small as $500. Use it for a smart purchase — like tools for a side gig — and pay it back quickly. It shows you can handle debt well.

Unlock hidden credit from payment plans
If you’re paying off tuition, furniture, or even a new phone in installments, check if those payments get reported to credit bureaus. Some schools and stores do this without advertising it. Ask your dentist or doctor if they report medical payment plans. A few do, turning routine bills into credit gold. Just make sure you pay on time.

Boost credit with insurance
Your car or renters insurance could quietly build your score. Call your provider — companies like Progressive and GEICO might report payments if you ask. Bundle your policies (like car and home) to cut costs and possibly double your credit benefit. It’s a win-win if they report it.

Let your savings shine
Got a steady $200 or more in your bank account? UltraFICO (free) rewards you for it. Link your account, and your saving habits can nudge your score up. Move that cash to a high-yield savings account (like Ally at 4% APY). You’ll earn interest while building credit, so your money works twice as hard.

Negotiate with utility companies
Here’s a trick most people miss: Some utility companies — like electric or gas — will report your payment history if you request it. It’s not common, but it’s worth a quick call. Politely ask customer service if they can report to Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. If they say no, link the bill to eCredable instead.

Join a lending circle
In some communities, friends or family pool money into a “lending circle.” Each month, one person gets the pot, and everyone’s on-time contributions get reported. Nonprofits like Mission Asset Fund run these with credit reporting built in.

Building credit without a credit card is totally doable — and it’s smart. You’re skipping debt traps while opening doors to better loans, housing, or even jobs (yes, some employers check credit). Ready for more ways to win with money? Visit MoneyGeek.com for practical tips on credit, savings, and reaching your goals.

📩 What the finance?!: The cash-stuffing craze

You’ve seen them on TikTok and YouTube — those colorful envelopes stuffed with cash, racking up millions of views. It’s called "cash stuffing," where you tuck physical money into labeled packets for rent, groceries, or fun. It’s simple and satisfying, right? Let’s peel back the curtain to see how it works — and how you can do better.

Why it hooks people
Cash-stuffing feels good. You watch your money pile up in neat little envelopes. When one’s empty, you stop spending — no overdraft surprises or debt traps. Plus, those cute binders and labels turn budgeting into a craft project. It’s hands-on, and that’s why it’s a hit. 

The catch they don’t show
But there is a flip side: carrying cash everywhere is a gamble. Lose your grocery envelope and your month’s toast. Also, your money just sits there in the envelope, earning nothing — no interest, no growth. Tracking spending gets messy without digital tools. Some stores won’t even take cash anymore. Worst of all, it doesn’t build your credit history, which you’ll need for big moves like a home or car loan.

Smarter moves to win
Skip the envelopes and try this instead. Open a high-yield savings account — rates are hitting 4% to 5% in 2025, way better than zero. Set up automatic transfers from your checking account right after payday. Name them for goals: “Rainy Days,” “Vacation,” or “Car Fix.” Budgeting apps let you apply the envelope system virtually while still keeping spending in check. Turn on debit card round-ups to save spare change without thinking. Stash extra in a low-risk CD for a guaranteed boost. Call it “lazy cash flow” — it works while you chill.

Your money, your power
Cash-stuffing might kickstart your budgeting habits, but it’s like walking when you could sprint. Instead, picture this: your savings grow, your goals get funded, and you’re in control — no cash lost under the couch.

Start small — move $20 to a named account today. Feel that win? That’s your future thanking you. Build a system that lasts, and watch your money — and peace — stack up.

Smart Cents gives you actionable tips and mindset shifts to help you reach your financial happy place. Thanks for being a part of our community.

The MoneyGeek Team

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