Business Expenses = Free Points

Some companies make you sign up for a corporate credit card, and all credit card purchases must be made on that credit card.  This post will be entirely useless to you, so feel free to move on and check Facebook again!

Most of you however will work at a company that merely reimburses you for expenses.  You pile up the charges on your credit card, then submit the receipts later.  This is a fantastic thing.

The reason it is so great is because with the right card, you can rack up the points without ever spending a dime of your own money.  It important to do your research on your points card and choose what is right for you.  I am not here to re-invent the wheel, so you should really just check out these sites which compare credit cards for you so that you make sure you get the best deal for what you want, whether it is travel, gift cards, or cash back. 

http://www.moneysense.ca/debt/credit-cards/canadas-best-credit-cards-of-2015/

http://www.greedyrates.ca/blog/best-travel-credit-card-canada-2015/#.VeUr3ZVRHX4

No matter what, we can safely refer to these as "points".

Let's say you don't want to use credit cards - you always spend more than you have.  This will still work.  You get a credit card only for corporate purchases.  Keep it in your office desk drawer until you need it even.

Assuming you have that credit card, you are going to be making money off of doing your job.  For example, I had a Costco MasterCard which gives me cash back (to Costco).  It's 1% for most purchases, 2% for gas, and 3% for restaurants.  Let's say you work at a company that lets you take clients out for lunch, has a decent amount of travel, and also makes you plan (and pay for) the company family barbeque.

Restaurants - $2,400 per year
Gas - $600 per year
Groceries for BBQ - $1,500 per year

So, what's the grand total?
$72 + $12 + $15 = $99

Now, you need to make sure you are going to pay for the annual fee.  I used to have a RBC Rewards Visa card, and I took two university students to Oregon for a competition once.  This was the benefit (other than the great trip!):

Flights (3) return plus insurance - $3,000
Hotels (3 rooms for 2 nights) - $1,200
Meals - $600
Total = $3,800 = 3800 points

What can you get for 3800 points? A 25$ gift card to the Bay, which might be enough to stretch to buy gifts for a friends baby shower if you buy everything on sale.  Or you save up for a year, and have enough to buy presents for a wedding you have next year.  It all helps.