• About
  • Credit Card Basics
  • Mortgage Basics
  • $40K Challenge
  • Aunt Doris
  • Grandfather Says
  • Privacy
  • Archives
  • Insiders

Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

How Do I Choose the Best Cash-Back Credit Card?

By Len Penzo

Readers: This is article 11 of 25 from my no-nonsense “Credit Card Basics” quick-reference series.

credit card basicsA cash-back rewards card pays you money for every purchase you make so you’ll want to make sure you maximize your dividends by using the following strategies:

Compare interest rates and annual fees. Rewards cards typically have higher APRs than most other cards. As a result, you’ll need to keep the interest rate as low as possible if you plan on carrying a monthly balance otherwise the resulting cost may exceed the value of your rewards.

Keep it simple. Look for cash-back cards with simple terms and minimum restrictions.

Look for a card that conforms to your spending habits. This will allow you to take advantage of various premiums above the basic cash back percentage that may be offered for certain categories such as groceries and fuel.

Read the fine print. This is especially important when it comes to spending thresholds. When a card says you can earn cash-back up to some percentage, it usually means you have to spend over a certain amount before reaching that level.

Avoid cash back limits. Yes, they’re out there. After all, why limit how much you can earn if you don’t have to?

Photo Credit: GotCredit

Related Posts:
  • How Do I Choose the Best Balance Transfer Credit Card?How Do I Choose the Best Balance Transfer Credit Card?
  • How Do I Choose the Best Rewards Credit Card?How Do I Choose the Best Rewards Credit Card?
  • How Do I Choose the Best Air Miles Credit Card?How Do I Choose the Best Air Miles Credit Card?

Leave a Comment May 12, 2016

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Question of the Week:

How long have you been working at your current job?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Recent Posts

  • Black Coffee: The Fed Quietly Mans Its Battle Stations
  • 5 Things To Consider Before Buying Home Insurance
  • What Is Tissue Engineering?
  • Grandfather Says: Run, Run, Rudolph!
  • Great Tips and Strategies for Successful Mortgage Refinancing
  • 14 Kitchen Hacks for People Who Can’t Cook
  • How Much Gold and Silver Should People Own?
  • Black Coffee: Smiling Faces and Reassuring Voices
  • Expecting the Unexpected: Managing Finances When You Become Disabled
  • 100 Words On: Why Buying in Bulk Is Not Always a Smart Idea

Disclaimer

This site is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and the content herein should not be mistaken for professional financial advice. This website accepts advertising in the form of monetary and other compensation; as such, topics of discussion are occasionally influenced by these advertisers. Occasionally, some articles may also include affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, this blog earns a commission if you click through and make a purchase (for example, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases). Remember, you and you alone are responsible for the decisions you make in life, so please contact an independent financial professional for advice regarding your unique personal situation.

Popular Now:

  1. 1. Sneaky Pizza Delivery Fees Are Here to Stay (and Why It’s Your Fault)
  2. 2. Debt Elimination: The Pros and Cons of Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps
  3. 3. Drop the Guilt: How to Splurge Without Beaking the Bank
  4. 4. How to Find a Low-Priced Plumber Who Won’t Rip You Off
  5. 5. 11 Retirement Saving Tips for Twentysomethings (& Older Folks Too!)
  6. 6. 16 Extreme Ways to Increase Your Monthly Savings
  7. 7. Why I Prefer a Spreadsheet to Track Expenses and Manage My Finances
  8. 8. The 13 Most Important Items to Keep In a Fireproof Safe
  9. 9. Be Careful, Priceline Users: Name a Wrong Price and You May End Up in Jail
  10. 10. Len Penzo dot Com: Celebrating 10 Years and 10 Million Page Views!

All-Time Most Popular:

  1. 1. 19 Things Your Suburban Millionaire Neighbor Won’t Tell You
  2. 2. Dear Friend: Here Are 41 Reasons Why I’m NOT Lending You the Money
  3. 3. Why Your Expensive Luxury Car Doesn’t Impress Smart People
  4. 4. If You Can’t Live on $40,000 Annually It’s Your Own Fault
  5. 5. 21 Reasons Why Corner Lots Are for Suckers
  6. 6. 4 Smart Reasons Why College Isn’t for Everyone
  7. 7. 18 Fast Facts About Social Security Numbers
  8. 8. My Ketchup Taste Test: Upset! Guess Which Brand Topped Heinz
  9. 9. Why I Prefer a Spreadsheet to Track Expenses and Manage My Finances
  10. 10. Here’s a Simple Trick for Getting Credit Card Interest Charges Waived

Copyright © 2019 Len Penzo dot Com · All Rights Reserved · Designed by Nuts and Bolts Media

Copyright © 2019 · Penzo on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in