I finally got my GREEN CARD!

Oh no, I'm not thinking of going to the United States or anything like that...no, not that kind of "green card".

I'm talking about the S-Card!

Okay, let me rewind.

There are two very distinctive types of grocery stores here, "K-Market" and "S-Market" stores.  The K-Market card accepts a "points card" called a "Plussa Card".  This card is free, allows you to get discounts in store and the more often you use it at a certain location - you receive coupons for that store!  Very handy.  As well, you can accumulate money onto your account and it is directly deposited to your bank account!  (If I remember correctly).  But it can take quite awhile - unless you always shop there and spend quite a bit of money.
This Plussa Card is also accepted at Antilla, which is one of the major chain department stores in Finland.

Then there is the "S Bonus Card" which is, yes you guessed it, green in color.  The S Card can also be a bank card - however, I have a bank card already and have opted just for the bonus card myself.
There is a 20� start-up fee and you have 2 years to pay back 100�.  This is a one-time fee and considering the benefits of the S Bonus Card - a very cheap fee!
I paid my 20� start-up fee immediately and you can opt to pay more towards the 100� or accumulate the funds via your grocery shopping.  So I'll be doing the latter - I'll just use my S Card where accepted and as I spend, the money I earn will automatically be deducted from the initial 100� I owe.
To obtain a S Card (of any style) - you must be a permanent resident or a citizen of Finland.  Bring your ID and your Kela card, that shows your Finnish Social Security Number.
Some popular places to use your S Card would be at Sale (smaller grocery store), S Markets, Rosso Pizza, Hesburger and SOKOS (Antilla's rival department store and a bit more upscale than Antilla).

So your "S-Points Account" (seeing as I don't have the bank card version) will be credited on the 10th of every month.
Here's a little bit more information in regards to how much you need to spend and what kind of percentage you get in return: (Copied from the booklet from SOKOS)

Amount Spent Per Month              Bonus %                    What You Earn (per month) 
900�                                                      5                                        540�
800�                                                     4.5                                      432�
700�                                                      4                                        336�
600�                                                     3.5                                      252�
500�                                                      3                                        180�
400�                                                     2.5                                      120�
300�                                                      2                                          72�
200�                                                     1.5                                        36�  
50�                                                         1                                           6�

So after you pay your 100� membership fee (this is per card - so if your spouse or kids want one - this fee is for each person who carries an S Card) - the money is just added to your S account and -you go from there!

I know of people who have saved up their funds on their S Account and bought themselves brand new washing machines!!!

As well, several restaurants and other locations, provide a discount on your meal or services!

So needless to say, I am thrilled that I have one now.  I was long over-due and I mostly didn't have one for the last year or so - out of pure shyness.  I didn't want to go to someone and apply because their applications are all in Finnish!

But I did it today and the lady I dealt with spoke English and filled out the form for me!

I am one step closer to being "Finnish"!