You may have a rewards credit card, but are you making the most of it? Having a cash-back or miles card is a good resource - make it work for you by putting money back in your pocket. Most people pay their bills every month by check when they could use their credit card instead.
Save at least 1% on all your bills simply by paying them with your credit card. Some debit cards also offer cash-back rewards, so you may be able to use those as well.
Here are a few key points to consider when using this money-saving strategy:
Spend often, Pay Often
The more you use your card, the more your rewards will add up - so spend often. In order to save money, get in the good habit of paying your credit card bills immediately - pay often. When using a system like this you don't want to be paying credit card interest on your bills, that defeats the goal saving money. Paying a few days interest should be ok, but don't let the balance add up to the point where it cancels your rewards savings.
Check your contract
Some cards will not offer you rewards if you make payments too quickly, so check your contract for the minimum period. You want to get rewards for the bills you pay, then repay in full before paying any sizable interest. If in doubt, give a call to your customer service department. You don't need to tell them the whole story, just ask whether you still get your rewards if you pay your balance in full every month.
Bonus: Building Credit
As a bonus, you can improve your credit rating by showing regular activity and payments on your card. Over time this may help qualify you for better interest rates - an added bonus.If you have credit card rewards, you might as well use them.
This "cash-back on bills" strategy won't work for everyone, but if you have the discipline there is money to be saved.
