Online Shopping tools
Useful tools for shopping at websites other than Amazon.
Credit Cards to Keep
When not chasing a credit card signup or 1 year bonus, these are the cards I regularly use. They all offer straight cash back and have no annual fee (except one). Higher cash back/travel points (especially for frequent flyers/hotel users) are available from cards not mentioned here. Store cards may offer a higher percentage but use points that expire within a month and/or can only be spent at the store.
US Bank Smartly Visa 2% to 4% Cash back
The best no-annual-fee card for Costco/Walmart/all other categories (exclude travel and niche rotating categories). Requires a saving account (mediocre 3.5% interest rate) with $5,000 for 2.5% cashback, or other thresholds for higher cash back percentage. This card can be your sole credit card if you don't want to think about categories, or as the permanent backup card. If your annual spend for these is more than $10,000 ($833 monthly) like most average Americans, you may want to apply for a card that has an annual fee such as American Express.
Alternative Alliant (Visa Signature) 2.5% Cash back
This card has a rather annoying setup, but can be worthwhile as it only ties up $1000 rather than US Bank's $2500. Cashback redemption minimum is $50, as a statement credit or direct deposit (only into Alliant banks). Takes 1 or 2 months to setup (initial rate is only 1.5% cash back), until a month of the $1000 requirement in their checking account and 1 automatic transfer is setup. Although, you might as well go for their other $100 bank account signup bonuses. Although higher bonuses have been offered in past. For more info, see DoctorOfCredit.
Citi Custom Cash (Visa) 5% in select category
Unlike other 5% cards, you don't need to do any quarterly setup for this card. However, the cash cap is the lowest with $500 monthly (returning you a max of $25 per month). Whichever category you spent the most will be auto-selected. I use this solely for Supermarkets. You can also buy physical gift cards (Best Buy, Home Depot/Lowes, Amazon, etc.) from certain supermarkets to get an effective 5% with some manual labor.
US Bank cash+ (Visa) 5% in select category
This card requires you to select 2 categories online, a month before every quarter. However, you can select the same categories each time or plan a major purchase since the categories rarely change. The monthly cash cap is $2,000 (returning you a max of $100 per month). I use home utilities and cell phone. Other categories include gyms, "tv/internet/streaming", electronic stores, furniture stores, sporting good stores, department stores, ground transportation, fast food, movie theaters, and "select clothing stores".
Chase Freedom Flex (Visa) and Discover, 5% in rotating categories
These 2 cards feature an ever-changing calendar that requires you to signup online a month before every quarter.
Costco Anywhere 4% gas, 3% restaurant
However, churning cards (Amex, etc. with annual fees) also offer 3% for restaurant, with better rewards.
Alternative Capital One Savor (Mastercard), 3% restaurant
Alternative USBank Altitude Connect (Visa), 4% for gas and travel
See more aggregated info at CreditCardGuide.
household-product Review sites
Be wary of the review sites from your top google search with nothing but top 5 or top 10 amazon links. Those low quality sites are often reviewed by someone who has no hands on experience with any of the products or regurgitated from ConsumerReports (which you can often get free from your library or torrent).
Here are a few quality review websites with hands-on experience in order of preference:
RTINGS for electronics
- NY Times - Wirecutter
You can also check out their deals page.
They have a history of pay-to-play corruption so take the higher-end ($1000+) suggestions with a grain of salt.
DIY tool reviews: ProjectFarm youtube.
As Seen on TV reviews: Freakin Reviews.
SlickDeals - search for limited time offers
Deals may include physical or digital visa giftcards, combined with credit card offers on office supply stores such as Staples and OfficeDepot.
Online Giftcards
Discounts from 5% to 15%. Stores that are frequently in stock include: Target, HomeDepot, Lowes, AirBnB, Apple, Bed Bath & Beyond, Kohl's
In order of preference: CardCookie, Raise.
| Discounts from 5% to 15% | Not instant. May take 24 hours to receive the cards from email |
| Can purchase with credit card | Risk if you don't use giftcard immediately. |
Cashback (Shopping Portals)
Nearly all will prompt you to install their browser addon (not needed but can be convenient). Amazon and similiar websites usually don't offer cashback on anything besides affiliated products (ex. Fire tablets).
CashbackMonitor See more info at CreditCardGuide.