Four Ways To Bank Money From Your Credit Card

Welcome to the latest edition of Unlocking Your Greatness with Wendy Bjork.  As an international bestselling author, speaker and guide to others, as well as founder of heartsofwellness.com, it is my mission to help others understand how to make progress forward and live our best lives!

A credit card is a piece of plastic that allows you to make purchases with the promise of paying later. They are issued by banks, finance companies and sometimes retailers, charities and clubs. If you use a credit card wisely, it can earn you rewards or even free money. But if you’re not careful, a credit card can also lead to debt and high interest rates.

A disciplined borrower can use a credit card to earn cash back, free travel or even pay for the big-ticket items like a flat screen TV or an upcoming wedding. The key is to pay off the balance in full each month to avoid the dangers of credit card debt.

The credit card industry is huge and profitable, thanks to the millions of Americans who carry cards. The average American credit cardholder carries about five cards and uses each one for different purposes. The first credit cards were introduced in the 1870s and were based on cash register receipts. The card number was embossed and the holder’s name was printed on the front, which allowed for easy transfer to carbon paper charge slips.

Credit card issuers profit from both cardholders and merchants, who pay interchange fees for each transaction. These are a percentage of the total amount spent on a purchase, typically between 1% and 3%. Merchants also pay annual fees, which can add up over time. Banks also make money off of cardholders in the form of interest fees, transaction fees and other fees which as of recent can range from 12% to upwards of 29%.

Unless you’re a very disciplined debt-free spender, it’s difficult to make significant sums with credit cards, but here are four tips you can leverage your plastic to your advantage, 

MAKE MONEY FROM YOUR CREDIT CARD.

1. The most obvious way to use a credit card to make money is by signing up for a rewards credit card that pays you cash or points when you shop at certain stores. This kind of card can earn you up to 1 percent or more in cash back on certain categories, such as gas or groceries.
2. Another option is to sign up for a card with a 0% interest rate and use it to pay down your current balance before the promotional period ends.
3. Move that money into a savings account or other investments where it can earn a higher return than the rates offered on most credit card savings accounts. 
4. Credit card stoozing is getting more popular these days because interest rates are high and the best cash back credit cards offer decent amounts of money in return. If you’re a bold stoozer, this strategy could prove lucrative. To get the most out of this trick, choose a weekly time to tally your purchases and dispatch the money into your savings account. This requires discipline, but it’s a great way to build up a nest egg while making sure you don’t fall into credit card debt.

What in the world is Stoozing? 

It’s a way of making free cash from credit cards by using their 0% interest introductory periods. It involves borrowing money from a credit card and investing it in a high interest savings account to make a profit.

There are many ways to do stoozing, but the most common is to transfer money from one credit card to another, then move it back again before the 0% period expires. This allows you to maximize the length of time your savings earn interest. It’s important to note that you should only use a 0% credit card for savings or normal spending, and not for debt. Stoozing is not suitable for people with a poor history of repaying debt in a timely manner.

Although stoozing can generate good profits, there are also some risks associated with it. For example, if you do not pay off your credit card balance before the 0% introductory period ends, you will likely be charged interest, which could offset any earnings from the savings account. In addition, if you don’t meet the minimum payment each month, you may incur late fees and damage your credit score. 

Staying vigilant about credit and borrowing is paramount in keeping your credit score high. It affects many areas; everything from your home and auto insurance, to whether you are granted that lease on a new apartment or home. 

For additional information check out Create a Strong Financial Foundation in the #1 best seller Fired Up!  If there is any support I can offer in living your best life, feel free to visit heartsofwellness.com or send a message to media@heartsofwellness.com.  Discovering and living by your personalized playbook are important steps we can create together!