The Best Credit Card for Everyday Spending

Let’s talk about personal finances – a topic I feel like people don’t learn about at school. Credit cards are so important to know about and building credit especially at a young age is so vital to your future. You won’t believe it but your credit score determines how much risk a bank is willing to take when giving you a loan for a car, a house, etc. I would assume most of you want to be homeowners / car owners in the future so having a GREAT credit score and paying all your bills on time is something you should strive to do. 

One of my daily readings is The Points Guy. He posts about everything credit cards related  and how to maximize your points. In my career, maximizing points becomes a game especially with all the travel I do, So, I wanted to talk about the credit card I use on a daily basis for everyday purchases. I wouldn’t call it a beginner’s credit card but I also wouldn’t call it a well-polished credit card expert’s card. This card is good for the everyday millennial stepping into the real world and looking towards more financial security. By that I mean NO ANNUAL FEE. It’s easy, it’s convenient, and I’ve been using it for ~5 years so I can tell you that to me, it’s worth it. 

Related: AMEX PLATINUM: Is it Worth it?

DRUMROLL, PLEASE…

The Chase Freedom Unlimited.

 

TELL ME MORE.

This card is a really good everyday card. I’m not biased or anything but Chase is my favorite bank. Their app is super easy to use, QuickPay Zelle is convenient (Venmo who?), and their customer service is always helpful. Maybe I’m a little biased…

I also love American Express (minus their annual fees) but they have great customer service too (I do own the AMEX Platinum and it has its own list of perks). If you’re interested in the big league credit cards like the Chase Sapphire or the Sapphire Reserve, the Freedom Unlimited  can help you start building a relationship with Chase. This way, they’ll trust you enough to allow you get one of their bigger cards. 

OKAY, LET’S GET INTO THE GOOD STUFF.

• NO ANNUAL FEE – we love this!
• The current sign up bonus is $150 in points after spending $500 (totally possible and better than a lot of other cards)
• Flat 1.5% cash back on everything – this means that anything you buy with this card accrues 1.5 points instead of 1 (points, points, points!)

Pro tip: If you already own the Sapphire or the Sapphire Reserve, the points really add up and become more valuable!

• Great beginner card to build a relationship with Chase
• 120 days purchase protection (Swiper no swiping!)

One con about this card is that there are foreign transaction fees so I do not recommend taking it abroad. There are many other comparable cards in the market but this one is easy, inexpensive, and a great everyday card. If you want to enter the big leagues of the Sapphire Reserve and AMEX Platinum, you need to build up credit. The Freedom Unlimited is a great card to start that process.

Also, the rewards are pretty amazing. Chase Rewards allows you to convert your points into cash back or use them on gift cards or travel. For everyday groceries, shopping, bills etc., this card is a great option. You still need a good credit score / an existent credit score to qualify for this card so make sure you start building up that credit with a baby credit card (potential blog post idea?). 

Pin Me!

---

Applying for your first REAL credit card is a big step towards financial freedom so I hope you found this post helpful. Happy swiping!