“Using your credit card to earn rewards right now is a great strategy,” O’Keeffe Merrick says. If you’re in the market for a new card, it’s the perfect time to sign up for one, too. The perks that come with opening an account this season are good, and what’s better than earning a little financial *reward* for yourself while you shop for others? For instance, Chase Freedom — which already offers cash back on everything from dining to travel purchased with a Freedom Flex℠ card — currently has some enticing deals for newcomers: Within the first three months of opening a Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Freedom Flex card, you can earn $200 when you spend $500 in purchases. Plus, starting January 1st, new cardmembers can also earn 5 percent cash back at the grocery store (excluding Walmart; still a huuuge win during inflation), at Target (on purchases up to $1,500), and on the gym memberships that go hand-in-hand with the start of a new year (#resolutions).
