What’s [actually] in your wallet?

It’s a simple enough question. And no, I don’t mean the pocket diploma ‘Ma Tech gave you after you graduated. I mean your credit cards. And if you don’t have any, for the love of all that is holy, you need one. I have 9. Credit cards are your friend. You have to use them responsibly, but there is almost no reason to pay for anything with a debit card. Ever. Unless there is an extra fee to use a credit card, you should only be using cash to help those in need or pay your tuition or your taxes.

If you use them responsibly and apply at the right time, you can receive thousands of dollars in bonuses for money you were already planning to spend. Why not take that trip to the Bahamas? Even better if your bank pays for it!

I’m going to keep this first post simple and tell you what cards are in my wallet, their annual fees, and the core of their rewards structures. I will go into more detail on each card that I still believe to be relevant and include a link for you to use to take advantage of a sign up bonus in later posts. As a note, I will be posting referral links, so both you and I will get something if you are approved. If my referral isn’t as good as an offer I can find without it, I’ll be sure to tell you and you can choose which to click.

So without further adieu, here’s my current inventory:

1. Chase Sapphire Reserve (My Favorite) [$450 AF, 3x Ultimate Rewards Points on All Travel and Restaurant Purchases, 1x Ultimate Rewards Points on All Purchases
2. Platinum Card for Schwab from American Express [$550 AF, 5x Membership Rewards Points on Airfare and Hotels (via Amex Travel), 1x Membership Rewards Point on All Purchases]
3. Chase Freedom [$0 AF, Rotating 5x Ultimate Rewards Points Categories, 1 Ultimate Rewards Point on All Purchases]
4. Chase Southwest Premier Rewards [$99 AF, 2x Rapid Rewards Points on Southwest Purchases, 1x Rapid Rewards Point on All Purchases
5. Delta SkyMiles Gold Card from American Express [$0 AF 1st Year, $95 AF After, 2x SkyMiles on Delta Purchases, 1x SkyMile on All Purchases]
6. Discover It Card [$0 AF, Rotating 5% Cash Back Categories, 1% on All Purchases]
7. Spirit Airlines World Mastercard [$0 AF 1st Year, $59 AF After, 2x Free Spirit Miles Per $ Spent]
8. BarclayCard CashForward Card [$0 AF, 1.5% Cash Back on All Purchases]
9. Blue Sky from American Express [$0 AF, Old Card, Not Recommended]

If you are shocked by the cards with the highest annual fees, don’t be! I will tell you how to get more than that out of each of those cards every year.

Thanks for reading!