Credit card strategies and cashback hacks to manage renovation costs

So, you’re embarking on your first home renovation— and all the financial decisions are making your head spin! From the moment you start looking for an interior designer to the day you wrap up the reno, managing costs is always a priority. That’s why today we’re revealing top money-saving hacks and advice on getting the most bang for your buck during your home renovation.

Saving while shopping for your home

One easy way to save money while renovating is to shop on online! Discover great deals at leading online furniture retailers such as Hipvan or Castlery, or explore your options on platforms like Taobao to find budget-friendly furniture pieces. Homeowners get the opportunity to earn up to 8% cashback when you make purchases using a UOB EVOL Credit Card. This means your savings can go even further!

In addition, shop smart and sustainably with the UOB EVOL Credit Card. On top of earning 8% cashback on online and mobile contactless spend, there’s a convenient 0.3% cashback on all other purchases. Enjoy the convenience of no annual fee with just three monthly purchases. With potential savings of up to S$720 annually, it is a sustainable choice for your financial journey. And that’s not all! Set your UOB EVOL Credit Card as the default payment method for your SP Utilities bill to offset up to 100% of your electricity carbon footprint and contribute to a greener future – all part of UOB’s eco-conscious initiative with SP Group!

Look out for sales and promotions, including special discounts you can claim as part of your credit card perks. If you haven’t chosen your credit card yet, choose one that lets you save as you spend so you get your money’s worth while spending on essential items for your house. If you have a UOB One Account* – or would like to sign up for one – you can get up to 7.8% p.a. interest when you spend at least S$500 a month on your UOB EVOL Credit Card and credit at least S$1.6K salary.

*Insured up to S$75K by SDIC

Cutting costs for parents

If you’re a parent embarking on a home renovation with a tight budget, make sure you get something back with every purchase. For instance, if you shop using the UOB Lady’s Credit Card, you can choose the rewards category(ies) that earns you 15X UNI$ per S$5 spent (equivalent to 6 miles per S$1) when you choose and spend on your preferred rewards categories: family, dining, entertainment, beauty & wellness, fashion, transport, and travel. There’s no minimum spend and you can earn up to 3,000 UNI$ (S$1,000 spent) per calendar month as a UOB Lady’s Cardmember, or up to 9,000 UNI$ (S$3,000 spent) per calendar month if you are a UOB Lady’s Solitaire Cardmember.

For parents, you can choose the family rewards category to earn rewards on your kids’ essentials. For example, you can save on daily expenses like groceries and baby items—something that’s really handy when money is tight.

Moreover, you have the flexibility to customise and change the chosen categories every quarter to maximise your rewards as your lifestyle and needs evolve. Since renovations can be very stressful, you can change your preferred categories to dining, beauty and wellness or even travel from the list of seven categories to treat yourself after a tough renovation period while earning more rewards! Your UNI$ earned can be redeemed for rewards, miles, and cash rebates across the widest selection of dine, shop and travel merchants on UOB Rewards+. What’s more, shop with peace of mind with e-commerce protection and enjoy coverage for your online household or furniture purchases.

Besides choosing your rewards categories wisely, you can also enjoy exclusive birthday treats and other curated deals like one-for-one spa promotions, discounts at popular merchants, dining deals, shopping perks and more.

For big-ticket items, do make use of 0% instalment plans such as the UOB Lady’s Credit Card LuxePay. This allows you to indulge in some more luxurious expenses (shoes or bags) while spacing out the payments, with no interest or processing fees for the first six to 12 months.

Keeping costs down after the reno

Even after renovations are completed, maintaining your home and keeping up your daily lifestyle can be expensive. One of the top tips for budget-conscious homeowners is to maximise cashback on your daily expenses and look out for deals and offers on the items you frequently spend on, like groceries, dining, e-commerce, petrol and public transport. The UOB One Credit Card can be a good choice as it comes with up to 15% cashback for new-to-UOB Credit Cardmembers at Cold Storage, Giant, Guardian, Grab, McDonald’s, Shopee, SimplyGo, and more. Plus, exclusive fuel savings of up to 21.15% at Shell and 22.66% at SPC.

Final tips to survive your renovation

Some homeowners think that they can’t get everything they need for their new home because of their budget, but there are ways to save money while still working towards your dream home. To summarise, make use of online platforms like Taobao for affordable décor whilst ensuring you have e-commerce protection. Maximise credit card discounts, cashback perks and special rewards categories to save your funds without needing to compromise on your renovation plans. And don’t forget about the LuxePay plan either, part of the UOB Lady’s Credit Card, which allows you to make those higher-end purchases with peace of mind.

Ultimately, there are lots of ways to make the most of your savings and earn back while spending, you just have to take the first step and sign up for them!