Alright, let's dive into the plastic fantastic world of credit cards! These little rectangles can make or break your finances, so getting savvy with them is key. We're here to level up your credit card game with some killer strategies.

Buckle up for five top-tier tips and tricks that'll turn you into a credit card ninja in no time!

#1 - Master the Reward Points Hustle

Time to get those reward points working overtime! Choosing a credit card that gives back every time you swipe is like hitting the jackpot on your everyday buys – whether it's cashback, travel miles, or merchandise points.

Keep an eye out for sign-up bonuses and special category earnings—sometimes they're generous enough to fund a mini getaway or slash your holiday gift expenses.

Just remember the cardinal rule: don't spend extra just to score points. That way lies madness and a maxed-out card. Be wise, capitalise on what you'd normally buy, and watch those perks pile up!

#2 - Choose a Credit Card with the Perks You Need

Not all credit cards are created equal. It's like picking out the perfect toppings for your pizza – you’ve got to select what suits your taste. So, look for a card with benefits that match your lifestyle.

Are you always on the go? A travel rewards card can get you lounge access and free luggage check-ins.

More of a homebody? Then cashback on groceries and streaming services might be right up your alley.

Do you spend a lot on gas and groceries? In that case, the AT&T Points Plus card from Citi could be the ideal credit card for you.

The main idea is to snag that plastic that plays nice with how you live and spend, turning every swipe into value—just ensure those annual fees don't eat into the benefits pie!

#3 - Clear Your Balance Without a Sting

The trick to keeping your credit card from biting back is simple: pay off that balance like it's hot – because honestly, it is. Don't let the interest pile up; make full payments before the due date rolls around.

Think of it as defusing a ticking debt bomb each month. Automate those payments if you can; that way, you'll never miss a beat or get hit with late fees. It keeps your credit score looking shiny and reduces stress knowing you're not collecting financial dust bunnies under your fiscal bed.

Keep your debt low and your creditworthiness high—that's how you play the long game right!

#4 - Adopt the 30% Rule

Here’s a nugget of credit wisdom to chew on – keep your card balance under 30% of your credit limit. It's lovingly known as the credit utilization ratio, and it's a big deal in the eyes of lenders.

By sticking below this threshold, you show that you're not just another spendthrift and that you maintain a healthier credit score. This isn’t just for show, either; it gives you breathing room for unexpected expenses without maxing out your card.

Monitoring this ratio is like keeping an eye on your financial fuel gauge — too high and you risk stalling your credit health, too low and you might not be leveraging your available credit effectively. So, keep it balanced for smooth financial cruising!

#5 - Harness the Power of Purchase Protection

Lastly, lean in for a little-known card trick—many credit cards come strapped with purchase protection that's like a stealthy financial bodyguard. This nifty feature can protect you against theft or damage on new purchases for a spell after you've bought them.

Dropped your new phone? No sweat if it's within the policy's time frame.

Before you shop, scope out cards offering this perk and understand their coverage limits and claim processes—it varies from ninja to sensei level among issuers.

Use it wisely though; while it’s a handy backup, don't let it encourage reckless spending on items under the guise of protection.

From free gourmet food and bring in your pet day, to napping pods and haircuts on site; companies like Google offer a variety of incentives and benefits to employees. Unsurprisingly, they hold a rating of 4.4/5 on Glassdoor, with 92% of its employees stating that they would recommend the company to a friend.

Many organisations struggle with attracting and retaining suitable staff. With the nature of today’s competitive job market, companies have to pull out all the stops in order to attract the highest calibre candidates.

Reboot online marketing conducted a survey of 1,200 marketing professionals on the benefits they are being offered at work and what their top 3 work benefits would be, if they could choose:

• 66% stated their company offers benefits/ incentives.
• 70% of employees say it makes a difference to their motivation and job retention.
• 25% would take one job over another because it offers more/ better incentives.

A wide range of unconventional incentives are offered in companies, and companies aim to choose the most unconventional and adventurous benefits to excite employees:

• Flexible hours: 16% of respondents reported they had flexi-time at work. Some companies have taken this to extremes, scrapping the 9-5 for no set hours! However, abusing the policy may result in serious consequences.
• Student loan reimbursement: With student loans setting students back a monstrous £27,000, there is a growing trend for companies to offer student loan repayments, with 6% of those surveyed offered this incentive.
• Pets: Companies are offering ‘bring your pet to work’ days and reimbursements of pet insurance, 3% are offered pet related incentives.
• Health care on site: 4% of those surveyed state that their company offers health care on site, which saves employees taking time off for appointments.
• Volunteer: 5% of those surveyed stated their company offers time off to volunteer in order to gain new skills and enhance wellbeing.
• Staff holiday: 15% said their company offer staff holidays – from Spain, to Singapore and Australia!
• Pampering: Companies are offering pampering and massages in the office whilst they work – however, this isn’t common with just 2% in our survey receiving the luxury!
• Adrenaline: 10% of respondents said their company offers adrenaline fueled activities such as bungee jumps, plane rides, and rock climbing sessions.
• Concierge: Sick of those annoying admin tasks? Have a holiday to plan? Law firm BLT offers staff a concierge to carry out such tasks. Just 1% stated receiving this benefit.

Shai, Managing Director of Reboot Online comments: “I think it's important to offer incentives and benefits to employees to show them you appreciate their work. I like to keep my staff on their toes; maintaining the thirst to learn and achieve, while ensuring there is never a dull moment. I take my staff boxing training with an ex-European champion every Friday, even giving them the chance to “hit the boss”, which has proven popular! I recently organised a competition, with the prize being a flying lesson. I noticed the difference it made with motivation levels and when meeting targets almost immediately.”

Suzy - head of PR – London: “It may not be one of the most important factors when applying for jobs, but the benefits and incentives offered by one job can give it the pull over another one, which doesn’t offer benefits. For me, job progression in a company is important. I don’t want to work in the same role for years, without eventually receiving more responsibility.”

Respondents rated their top incentives:

Monetary benefits such as reimbursement for travel and bonuses were predictably popular, though not as popular as benefits to do with job flexibility, such as flexi-time, which was chosen by 58% of respondents, more annual leave allowance (55%) and early finishes (30%).

The benefits taking top position were related to job progress. For example, the provision of on-the-job related training, which was chosen by the majority of respondents (60%), receiving greater responsibility and involvement in side projects (35%) also featuring in the top 10.

Overall, it has become clear that benefits and incentives are increasingly offered, and it is a factor candidates use when searching for a job. However, benefits are not the only factor for retention. A competitive pay packet and the possibility of career progression are too of paramount importance to prospective employees.

(Source: Reboot Online)