- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Credit Card For Everyday Expenses
Posted on 4/30/26 at 2:07 pm
Posted on 4/30/26 at 2:07 pm
I've never been a big credit card user, but my reason credit report was an eye opener for me. While I was reviewing it, I found the one thing that dinged my credit was that my credit wasn't old enough.
We tend to use local credit unions, and whenever we have moved (FL-OR-IN-FL in the last 12 years), we find a new credit union, credit card, etc. We also cancel the credit cards from our previous credit union.
As a result, our credit cards are fairly new. And we don't use them that much.
Credit isn't that big of a deal, as we are going to pay cash for our forever home here in Vero Beach, and we pay cash for cars, but I still like to have a high credit score. So my wife and I have decided to look for a credit card that we can use for a lot of our ongoing expenses (groceries, utility bills, etc), so we can take advantage of the rewards programs.
We are about to retire in the next couple of years, so we are thinking that the rewards points/cash could help out with travel. We are looking for something that give maximum benefits - it doesn't have to be an airline or hotel card, but we are looking for generous rewards.
Any suggestions? We don't want to pay high fees, either, at least until we get comfortable doing this and get a feel for how much we are going to earn.
We tend to use local credit unions, and whenever we have moved (FL-OR-IN-FL in the last 12 years), we find a new credit union, credit card, etc. We also cancel the credit cards from our previous credit union.
As a result, our credit cards are fairly new. And we don't use them that much.
Credit isn't that big of a deal, as we are going to pay cash for our forever home here in Vero Beach, and we pay cash for cars, but I still like to have a high credit score. So my wife and I have decided to look for a credit card that we can use for a lot of our ongoing expenses (groceries, utility bills, etc), so we can take advantage of the rewards programs.
We are about to retire in the next couple of years, so we are thinking that the rewards points/cash could help out with travel. We are looking for something that give maximum benefits - it doesn't have to be an airline or hotel card, but we are looking for generous rewards.
Any suggestions? We don't want to pay high fees, either, at least until we get comfortable doing this and get a feel for how much we are going to earn.
6
Posted on 4/30/26 at 2:15 pm to Jax-Tiger
Chase Sapphire Preferred is a pretty good bang for your buck card, especially if you are just starting out using cards. $95 annual fee, currently offering 75k bonus points if you spend $5,000 in your first 3 months from the account open date. It has a lot of good benefits, travel perks, etc. Not saying it is the end all be all card, but it really checks a lot of boxes and for someone that isn't hyper-sensitive to maximizing credit cards as you won't be, it is a very hands off card that you'll still be able to get a ton of rewards from.
I put everything I can on a credit card, in today's world it is almost foolish not to. Just pay the card off every month. Ignore the credit limit, treat it like a debit card as far as how much you can spend on it. You're spending the same amount of your money, might as well get something for it.
quote:
Earn 5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Travel, excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit.*
Earn 2x on other travel purchases.*
Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out.*
Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target,* Walmart and wholesale clubs).*
Earn 3x points on select streaming services.*
Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.*
Plus, each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year. That means if you spend $25,000 on purchases, you'll get 2,500 bonus points.*
I put everything I can on a credit card, in today's world it is almost foolish not to. Just pay the card off every month. Ignore the credit limit, treat it like a debit card as far as how much you can spend on it. You're spending the same amount of your money, might as well get something for it.
This post was edited on 4/30/26 at 2:16 pm
Posted on 4/30/26 at 2:20 pm to GoCrazyAuburn
quote:
You're spending the same amount of your money, might as well get something for it.
Exactly.
Both my wife and I got into more credit card debt than we wanted to when we were younger (before we knew each other) and after we eventually paid it all off, we were credit card averse.
We are comfortable enough that we ain't worried about that, now.
Posted on 4/30/26 at 2:24 pm to Jax-Tiger
I don't know if they are still this way but they were years ago, but you will almost assuredly get declined by Chase when you first apply if you go with them and apply online instead of in person. They seem to make almost everyone go through this whole ordeal to verify identity and will decline you and make you go through some different steps to appeal and such. I somewhat appreciate it as it is just an added headache to help deter some crap from happening, but isn't that big of a deal. Just something to be aware of if you go that route. I'd assume if you apply in person at a physical Chase location, it may a little more straightforward.
Posted on 4/30/26 at 2:38 pm to Jax-Tiger
A couple of things to look at
-if you pay the balance off every month the interest rate on the card doesn't matter
-if you are looking for card to cumulate points to travel pick one that meets your needs
(for example if you are looking for airline miles- United Mileage card is great for overseas travel, while Southwest doesn't fly to Europe/Asia or look at which airline have hubs close to your airport)
Southwest every few months roll out offers that include a companion pass, in which your partner flies free with you.
-if you pay the balance off every month the interest rate on the card doesn't matter
-if you are looking for card to cumulate points to travel pick one that meets your needs
(for example if you are looking for airline miles- United Mileage card is great for overseas travel, while Southwest doesn't fly to Europe/Asia or look at which airline have hubs close to your airport)
Southwest every few months roll out offers that include a companion pass, in which your partner flies free with you.
Posted on 4/30/26 at 2:53 pm to TigerintheNO
I have a Fidelity Visa that pays 2% back on everything. You can do a lot of tricks with travel points and other things with other cards where you can get more than 2% back on specific purchases but I like to keep things simple and credit my account with 2% cash. My cash rewards get deposited to a Fidelity money market fund that I transfer to my trading account whenever I want.
Posted on 4/30/26 at 3:04 pm to PlanoPrivateer
quote:
Fidelity Visa that pays 2% back on everything.
I like that. I have a Fidelity account as well. They had better not reject me...
Posted on 4/30/26 at 4:19 pm to Jax-Tiger
Citi Custom Cash gives you 5% back on your first $500 spend on a category of your choice each month.
Usually I'll use it for either groceries or restaurants until I spend $500, and then switch to continue using whatever travel rewards card I have at the time (Currently an AMEX Delta).
Usually I'll use it for either groceries or restaurants until I spend $500, and then switch to continue using whatever travel rewards card I have at the time (Currently an AMEX Delta).
This post was edited on 4/30/26 at 4:20 pm
Posted on 4/30/26 at 4:46 pm to Jax-Tiger
To keep it simple you can get a Savor card from C1.
We use it for anything to do with food and 3% cash back. Groceries,take out,restaurants.
Have a wells Fargo card for everything else.
No yearly fee.
I get a new personal and business card every year that gets me around 1k every year in introduction bonuses.
We usually get back another 1k -2k in cash back.
Business card racks up a heap more.
Chase card for Amazon and 5% back on those.
I only do cash back,I have no interest in travel rewards. For you it might be better.
We use it for anything to do with food and 3% cash back. Groceries,take out,restaurants.
Have a wells Fargo card for everything else.
No yearly fee.
I get a new personal and business card every year that gets me around 1k every year in introduction bonuses.
We usually get back another 1k -2k in cash back.
Business card racks up a heap more.
Chase card for Amazon and 5% back on those.
I only do cash back,I have no interest in travel rewards. For you it might be better.
Posted on 4/30/26 at 7:23 pm to Jax-Tiger
Costco visa through Citi
Costco visa Citi Card
Don't worry about credit scores if you aren't looking at major purchases (mortgage, car loan, business loans).
Costco visa Citi Card
Don't worry about credit scores if you aren't looking at major purchases (mortgage, car loan, business loans).
Posted on 4/30/26 at 9:31 pm to Jax-Tiger
Wells Fargo card with 2% back on everything.
Amazon Prime Visa for 5% back there.
Walmart CC for 5% back on all Walmart purchases
Amazon Prime Visa for 5% back there.
Walmart CC for 5% back on all Walmart purchases
This post was edited on 4/30/26 at 9:32 pm
Posted on 4/30/26 at 9:41 pm to SG_Geaux
I have a capital One Venture which 2% back on every category and an Amex Blue preferred with is 6% back on groceries and 3% back on gas.
Page 1 of 1
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News