Financial Goals For 2025 - Use Credit To Your Advantage

Lets start our New Year Resolution now!

Looking for the perfect credit card to kickstart your financial goals this fall? Whether you're rebuilding your credit, racking up travel points for your next adventure, or simply looking to save more with every swipe, this season brings some of the best credit card offers to help you hit your targets. From generous cashback rewards to zero-interest perks, now is the time to ensure your wallet works for you!

Finding the right credit card is key to building credit, earning travel rewards, and remaining financially responsible.

Here’s a tailored guide to help you select the best card to meet these goals:

1. Build Your Credit Score When starting to build or rebuild your credit, look for credit cards designed to help you grow your credit responsibly:

• Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card: This card offers cash back rewards while helping you build credit with a no archive annual fee.

Card Benefits: No Annual Fee: You can build credit without worrying about annual fees.

Cash Back Rewards:

Earn 1% cashback on eligible purchases right away.

The cashback rate can increase up to 1.5% after 12 on-time payments, rewarding responsible card use.

Additional cashback between 2% and 10% is available at select merchants.

Credit Limit: Offers a credit limit of $300 to $10,000 depending on creditworthiness, which can be higher than many starter cards.

No Security Deposit: Unlike secured cards, the Petal® 2 Visa® does not require a deposit, making it a more accessible option for those who want to build credit without upfront cash.

Tracks Credit Score: The app offers tools to monitor and understand your credit score as you work to improve it.

No Foreign Transaction Fees: Great for travelers, the card doesn’t charge fees on purchases made abroad.

• Discover it® Secured Credit Card: A secured card where you can start with a deposit, but earn cashback while growing your credit score.

• Card Benefits:

• No Annual Fee: Like the Petal® 2, there’s no annual fee, making it a budget-friendly option.

• Cash Back Rewards:

  • Earn 2% cashback at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.

  • Earn 1% cashback on all other purchases.

  • Discover matches all cashback earned in your first year through their Cashback Match program.

• Refundable Security Deposit: You’ll need to make a security deposit of $200 or more, but this deposit is refundable if your account is in good standing.

• Build Credit: Your activity is reported to all three major credit bureaus, helping you build or rebuild credit over time.

• Credit Score Monitoring: Provides free access to your FICO® Credit Score so you can track your credit-building progress.

• Automatic Review for an Unsecured Card: Discover automatically reviews your account after seven months to see if you can upgrade to an unsecured credit card and get your deposit back.

Both cards are great for building credit, but the Petal could be a better option if you're looking for a card with no deposit. If you’re comfortable with a deposit and want to earn higher cashback at specific categories like gas and restaurants, then Discover is a solid choice.

If travel rewards is what you’re looking for then these are some of my favorites:

2. Earn Travel Rewards for Future Adventures Many credit cards offer excellent travel rewards, helping you accumulate points for future trips:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Known for its generous travel rewards and flexibility in how you use them—great for women who love to explore new destinations.

• Card Benefits:

·       5 points per $1 spent on all travel booked through Chase.

·       3 points per $1 spent on dining (including eligible delivery services and takeout).

·       3 points per $1 spent on select streaming services.

·       3 points per $1 spent on online grocery purchases (not including Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).

·       2 points per $1 spent on travel not booked through Chase.

·       1 point per $1 spent on other purchases.

·       Through March 2025: 5 points per $1 spent on Lyft.

• Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card:

Card Benefits:

• 10X points on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Travel℠ (after earning your $300 travel credit)

• 10X points on Chase Dining purchases booked through Chase Travel℠

• 10X points on Lyft purchases (through March 2025)

• 5X points on flights booked through Chase Travel℠ (after earning your $300 travel credit)

• 3X points on dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out

• 3X points on other general travel worldwide (after earning your $300 travel credit)

• 1X points on all other purchases

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: With this card, you can earn unlimited miles on every purchase and use them toward travel expenses.

Card Benefits:

• Unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

• 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel

• Unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases

• Cardmembers will receive a $300 credit annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel.

• The card pays 10,000 bonus miles on the account anniversary, starting on your first anniversary. As of September 2024, TPG values those 10,000 miles at up to $185 when utilized with Capital One's transfer partners.

• Cardholders, authorized users, and up to two guests per visit will get complimentary access to Capital One Lounges.

3. Budget-Friendly Options To stick to a budget, choose cards with no annual fees or low interest rates:

• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: This flat-rate cashback card offers 2% on all purchases, helping you stay on budget and earn while you spend.

Card Benefits:

• 2% Unlimited Cashback: You earn a flat 2% cashback on every purchase, with no category restrictions.

• No Annual Fee: A great perk if you're looking to avoid extra fees while still earning rewards.

• $200 Welcome Bonus: After spending $500 within the first three months, you can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus.

• 0% Intro APR: Enjoy 0% introductory APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months, helping you manage bigger expenses without paying interest.

• Mobile Phone Protection: Pay your monthly cell phone bill with the card, and get up to $600 in protection against damage or theft (subject to a $25 deductible).

• Visa Signature® Benefits: This includes access to travel and emergency assistance services, 24/7 concierge service, and more.

  • Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card: A 0% introductory APR card that’s ideal for large purchases, giving you more control over your finances without interest for a set period.

• Card Benefits:

0% Intro APR: One of the most attractive features is the 0% introductory APR for 21 months on balance transfers and 12 months on purchases. This is ideal for paying off existing debt or making large purchases without accruing interest.

No Annual Fee: Like the Wells Fargo card, there’s no annual fee, making it a budget-friendly option.

Free Access to Your FICO® Score: Your online account allows you to regularly monitor your FICO® score, helping you track your credit-building progress.

24/7 Customer Support: Citi provides round-the-clock customer service.

Citi Entertainment®: Get special access to event tickets, presales, and more.

"The only way you will ever permanently take control of your financial life is to dig deep and fix the root problem." – Suze Orman.

Credit-building and travel-reward options provide unique benefits, and budget-friendly choices ensure you can find a card that matches your financial goals without extra costs. For more in-depth finance tips.

Using credit cards wisely can be a powerful tool for improving your FICO score and financial stability. Select the card that aligns with your goals, and let it help you build a secure financial future!