We all know managing money and sticking to your budget can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to big purchases and making smart choices at checkout. That’s why we teamed up with financial content creator Kara-Jayne from Live Savvy SA to bring you her three best credit card tips for everyday life and smarter spending.
1. Choose a Credit Card That Maximises Rewards
First and foremost, it’s about choosing a credit card that offers the best possible perks for your lifestyle. Look for one that offers maximum cashback, travel miles, discounts, lounge access, and any other rewards that align with what you love. For example, I personally use the Discovery credit card because it gives me all of the above and more. It’s not just a payment tool, it’s a way to get rewarded for what I’m already doing.
2. Treat Your Credit Card Like a Debit Card
The second big tip is to use your credit card as if it were a debit card. In other words, I have my entire income paid directly into that credit card account and run all my expenses through it. This way, I’m never actually going into debt, I’m just using it as a tool to keep my credit score healthy (yes, a good credit score matters) and meet those spending thresholds that are tied to earning rewards. By treating it like a debit card, I naturally hit those thresholds and keep everything in balance.
3. Don’t Use Your Credit Card for Unaffordable Big-Ticket Items
Finally, I strongly believe in not viewing a credit card as a ticket to buy things you can’t afford. I never treat it as a way to go into debt for big purchases. Instead, I see it purely as a rewards system. I only spend what I can cover in full, avoiding interest entirely. That way, I’m always on top of my finances and never paying extra for things I can’t afford upfront.
The Smarter Way to Spend
With these three simple, easy-to-implement tips, you can get more out of every swipe and make your money work harder for you.
Our bonus tip? Use Float. It’s a better way to credit card.