We have a credit card that gives 6% cash back on groceries, 3% on gas and some discounts on streaming services. It blows my mind that every few months I can cash out a $200 or so credit towards my balance. I needed to buy those things anyway and have autopay set to the full balance each month so it really is free money. So if you can get one, absolutely a credit card that gives cash back. The one I mentioned is Amex Blue Cash Preferred but there other options out there that give other bonuses, like 2% back on everything or 6% back on something up to a certain cap.
And almost nobody is, or the credit card companies would be broke instead of trillionaires.
Cc companies make most of their money from the fees they charge merchants.
Blows our minds that yanks think they’re getting money back from a credit card company, rather than realising they’re handing the company extra money every time they use their card, and the company gives them a bit of it back after they’ve finished with it
Groceries cost the same with or without a credit card. The store is paying the card every transaction, not the user. Annual fee cards need more scrutiny and are often not worth it unless you’re playing the travel points game (and what a game it is). No card in existence is worth it unless you pay it off in full every month.
They even have non-cashback/points perks that are worthwhile, like rental car/travel/phone insurance. My family has saved hundreds with free phone insurance from a card. My screen stopped working, and I got a new one for $30 from an authorized repair joint, which otherwise would have cost like $300.
So, yes, cards do give you free money so long as you don’t hold a balance.
If you pay the entire statement balance every month then you don’t pay interest.
Yeah I’m Australian, I have a free credit card I live off all my money goes into my offset loan against my house and at the end of a 45 day cycle I pay off the credit card and have never had to pay a dollar towards it.
Over the years though I have gotten free flights and cash back etc.
Not always true? Hell, I have a credit card for 8 years and have-gotten big £ back. I pay £2 for it a month, but if I have two direct debits bank refunds it.
It literally is free money as long as you pay it off each month.
It boggles my mind how people fail to see it. If you’re bad in money? It ain’t for you. Interest can mount up but it doesn’t take that much self control to not blow 5k when you’re only taking 3k home.
