If you’re like me, you probably shop online constantly, from groceries and school clothes to that last-minute birthday gift. I used to click “buy” without a second thought until I realized how many points I was leaving behind.

You can set things up so that earning with Rakuten becomes nearly automatic on both your phone and your desktop. Let me help you do it.

Up until now, Bilt points have been notoriously hard to earn; you could basically do it through rent and one card. Within a week, Bilt announced two big shifts: you can earn through Rakuten right now, and starting in February, you’ll be able to earn on your mortgage too.

We’ve all been there, you’ve had a long flight and everyone is tired. Instead of getting the keys and leaving the airport, you hit the dreaded line at the rental counter. It’s moving slower than the DMV, yet the drop in your patience level is accelerating. Then you remember that I taught you how to skip the rental car line with your credit card perks, and the the beginning of your trip becomes a breeze instead of a burden.

Find the right tools with travel search app to help you book that points vacation of your dreams.

When that welcome bonus lands in your account, it feels exciting… until you start wondering, “Okay, but how do I actually use these points?”
I know it can feel overwhelming, but I’m here to help.

If you are going to spend money on new clothes, backpacks, and tech, why not earn points or cashback while doing it?

I thought I had my premium card setup figured out. I had my go-tos for everyday spending, a clear favorite for lounge access, and a system for rotating through welcome offers on a regular schedule. But a recent change from one of the biggest banks in the points and miles world just shifted the landscape—and it’s made me pause and rethink what my “keeper” cards actually are.

My first minimum spend was like $3,000, and thinking I had to spend that amount kind of freaked me out. But here’s the secret, if you track your spending, you will find you probably spend that much anyway.

It started with a moment of sticker shock. I was pricing out a Universal Orlando vacation for our family of six—and when I saw the total, I actually laughed out loud. Not the fun, theme-park kind of laugh. The “surely this is a mistake” kind.