Finance tips

Sponsored Post: My Home Entertainment Remodel with Membership Rewards Points Continues!

By Mary Hall | June 13, 2010

Pictured: The new Membership Rewards site makes it easy to engage in shopping without cash as a favorite pastime 🙂

As some of you know who read here, I have been on a challenge from American Express to use Membership Rewards points to redo/remodel my home entertainment area. When I accepted the “Life on Points” challenge, American Express gave me $300,000 glorious Membership Reward points to redo my Home Entertainment center. I accepted this challenge because I am a proud American Express card member since 1994 and the Membership Rewards points are one of the tools I do use for savings. In the past I have bought airline tickets, gift certificates and upgraded my kitchen. So to organize a Home Entertainment center was new, and unknown territory for me. Last week, after much thought and review of Consumer Reports, I ordered a 32’in Samsung Flat Panel TV. Good enough for Mr. Big, good enough for me! I am finally parting with my 20 year old TV with built in VHS. Progress. 🙂

This week, I took the challenge a step further, and I am still giggling with glee over what I was able to order. It’s really an Internet Addict/Blogger’s dream! I ordered a Samsung 5.1-Channel Blu-ray Home Theater system. Who knew American Express Membership Rewards had all the latest gadgets? 🙂 This system will allow me to connect with Blockbuster on Demand, YouTube, NetFlix and Pandora for music and other Internet programs via WiFi. It also has an iPod docking station and wireless connectivity for the speakers. After all , I don’t know nothing ’bout hooking up no electronic equipment. I love that I will be able to stream YouTube Videos onto the TV. Sometimes I like what is on YouTube way more than the programmed shows on commercial TV. Plus, I love seeing all the videos from fellow Bloggers, especially the new ones springing up for the BlogHer conference coming in August.

Pictured: More entertainment resources will now be available to me, as I can feed shows from the Internet to my new TV!

The other thing I am looking forward to with this system, is watching all the new Fashion TV shows that stream live on the Internet, plus runway shows from Designers. Elle.TV and FashionWeek, here I come on the big screen for the LiveStream.

Pictured: I’ll now be able to watch Elle.TV streaming into my home entertainment center from the website. How good is that? 🙂

Watch for further updates on my “Living with Points” Challenge this week. I still have a few points left. Should I get a “Bloggy Cam” or a new “iPod with Video” for the Home Entertainment Center to plug into?

Most important for you dear readers, I’ll also be giving away a $100.00 Crate & Barrel Gift Card this week to give you a taste of shopping with points. Crate & Barrel gift cards are one of the great items available via Membership Rewards that can help you with your home remodeling, or home updating. Watch this space!

P.S.–One more thing, I hate to shop in store for electronics. Is that bad to admit? I love pointing and clicking online after checking Conusmer Reports, User Reviews and product descriptions from the manufacturers. The Membership Rewards site make it easy to save things to your wish list, then go do your Internet research, and come back and order the best deals. I give them a rave for their website user experience.