I’ve been all over the map when it comes to using credit cards. I started out badly, going in debt and then struggling to get out. Once I finally got out of credit card debt, I vowed not to touch them because I didn’t trust myself. (After all, I’d already proven that I couldn’t handle the cards.)

But then I had an issue with my debit card that convinced me to give a single rewards card a try.

I set up two rules for myself: no spending any money using it that I didn’t already have sitting there in the bank, and no carrying a balance, EVER. No matter what. (Which of course was made easier by the first rule — no reason to carry a balance when I’ve already got the money in my hot little hands.)

And you know what? Sticking to my rules worked, and I was able to start earning cash back. Essentially getting a small discount on things I would have bought anyway was a nice little bonus. I stuck with just the one up until this past year, when I was tempted by a huge airline miles offer. I’ve since earned enough miles for 2 round-trip tickets anywhere in the world with miles leftover, or three tickets anywhere in certain areas.

As it turns out, there are a lot of credit cards on the market that offer various rewards. I had no idea there were so many options. (For example, there are tonnes of credit cards UK deals, and there are probably just as many offers in the U.S.)

I might be hooked on the idea of rewards cards, but I’m still going to keep my rules first and foremost — because there’s no way I’m ever going back into debt.

What about you? Do you get any bonuses from your cards? Or do you stick to the tried-and-true method of cash?

This featured post is presented by Wealth Quest for Teens.

This week we are featuring family wealth/financial parenting experts Jayne Pearl and Richard Morris. Together, they help families navigate through the dysfunction that comes with having wealth. Part of this process entails teaching families how to analyze and understand their money values, something every family should do! They offer the following 10 Tips for Effective Financial Parenting…

Continue reading Top 10 Tips for Effective Financial Parenting at Wealth Quest for Teens.

This featured post is presented by MoneyCrush.

We bought a new dishwasher on Black Friday, and I feel guilty. Not because I went shopping then (since we usually do, although we rarely buy more than breakfast + an ornament), and not because we spent a good chunk of change (after all, we had the money in our appliance fund.)

Continue reading Shiny, New, and Feeling Guilty at MoneyCrush.

This featured post is presented by The Joneses Are Broke.

Did you see the news about all of the people camping out and lining up in order to buy the new iPhone 4S today? Now, I know I could never be mistaken for cutting edge, but I just don’t get this.

You know what I’d like to see? People camping out and lining up around the…

Continue reading Food For Thought - Joneses Jamboree at The Joneses Are Broke.

This featured post is presented by Family Money Values.

Family meetings can be a great way to build solid relationships, create a family legacy and train the next generation.

A couple of weeks ago I shared our path towards holding family meetings. As a result of that journey, I built a checklist to…

Continue reading Family Meeting Checklist at Family Money Values.