General Card Categories

Help Me Find the Best Card For Me - A super simple online tool that will spit out the best credit card offers available based on your information. It takes just two minutes and can save you loads of money if you find the best card for you.

Reward Cards - Surely you deserve to be rewarded but not all reward cards are the same. Look at the range of reward cards that are available.

Lowest Rate Cards (Purchases) - If you carry a balance make sure you are shopping by interest rate.

Tip: There really isn't such a thing as a fixed rate card. Card issuers can change your interest rate with as little as fifteen days notice.

Lowest Rate Cards (Cash Advances) - If you have to take a cash advance at least do it at the lowest interest rate. However, if you don't have to take a cash advance, don't do it.

Lowest Introductory Rate Cards - Thinking of using my super simple commonsense way to pay off debt for no interest? If you are, look for the longest introductory period and lowest interest rate.

No Annual or Monthly Fee - It would be a mistake to shop for a credit card simply based on if they charge a fee or not. Instead take a look at the value you might receive for using that card. It makes sense to pay a fee for a card as long you are getting a real benefit from the card.

Cards for Specific Purposes

Business - If you rack up business related expenses it makes sense to have one card that you use only for business expenses. Not only does it make it easier to deal with expense reports but if you are self-employed it is a real blessing to have all of your business expenses on one statement that can be easily dealt with at tax time.

Catalog - I'm typically not a big fan of store or catalog cards but as long as the card reports to the credit bureaus you can use it to build or rebuild your credit. Worth considering at least if you find yourself in that situation

Poor Credit - If you have poor credit and are looking for a credit card you've got two choices. If you insist on an unsecured credit card you have to understand that your interest rate is just going to be high because based on your credit report, you are a high risk. If you want to avoid a stiff interest rate but you want to rebuild credit then I've got two easy steps for you to rebuild your credit without paying out the nose.

Pre-Paid - Love them, love them, love them. Much better to use than a debit card. A debit card provides direct access to your checking account and does nothing to improve your credit. Pre-paid cards also control identity theft losses and credit card fraud since the only funds that can be accessed are those on the card.

Important Credit Card Reward Tip:

You can easily and silently get an additional 1%-10% cash back on many purchases you make or restaurants you already eat at by enrolling in the Upromise program. There is even a Upromise credit card that gives you even more benefit. It is free and while the site is geared toward college savings, your money will sit in an account until you want it transferred. You don't have to use it for college, use the free money you'll save as mad fun money to spend on yourself. Hey, basically this is free money you are throwing away by not participating. No cost to enroll or maintain an account.

Airline Reward Cards - I'm not a fan of airline reward cards. It is estimated that 75% of airline miles are never used. The actual value of an air mile is about four cents and then you've got black-out dates and other travel restrictions to deal with. You can do much better by shopping for the best ticket cost when you go to travel and you can schedule the flight that fits you best. That being said you might enjoy the benefits of one of these cards that allow you to fly on other airlines if you are using a card for business reimbursable expenses. Hey, if your company makes you use your card you might as well get some personal benefit out of it.

Auto Reward Cards - Not a fan of these at all. They seem so silly and useless when there are much better reward cards available.

Cash Reward Cards - Hey, if someone wants to give me cash back for purchases I make anyway, what the heck. These can be good deals as long as you do not carry a balance. Combine these with my Upromise tip above and you can put some serious money back into you pocket by doing absolutely nothing.

Finance Reward Cards - Worth looking at.

Gas Reward Cards - I like gas cards that give you cash back for buying gas. It is something we have to do regularly and often the rewards are much better than just a simple cash reward card. Combine this reward with the percentage back when you participate in the Upromise program and you can get up to 5% back on gasoline purchases.

Hotel Reward Cards - Only consider these cards if you will actually use the reward points. Much like airline reward cards, you don't get the benefit unless you actually accrue enough points to redeem.

Other Types of Reward Cards - Again, great benefits if you actually use the reward points.

Retail Reward Cards - Again, great benefits if you actually use the reward points.

Travel Reward Cards - Again, great benefits if you actually use the reward points.

Secured Cards - Here are the facts. If you've had credit problems and you are still searching for an unsecured credit card than a secured card is for you. Put up a deposit and get a reasonable credit limit. If you are thinking that you can't afford to give up a deposit to open the card you should think twice about if you can really afford to have an unsecured credit card. In that case look at the pre-paid cards. I filed bankruptcy in 1990 and used a couple of secured cards to rebuild my credit fast. Today you can use a secured or pre-paid card to get back on your feet.

Student Cards - You might be against students having credit cards. Well I'm against war and famine but it happens anyway. If you don't shop smart for the first credit card, you or your child will probably wind up with any old card so they can get a free seat cushion or T-shirt. A credit card used responsibly helps to build credit. Graduates will need good credit to get an apartment, insurance, car loan, etc. No doubt, students have an easier time getting a credit card. Credit card companies know that if they can get their card into the hands of a student they will probably keep it for a longer time. Bottom line - students will be marketed to on campus, in the mail on the phone, in magazines, on television or in the bookstore. At least work with your child to help them pick a smart card that works best for them.