
Miranda is an award-winning freelancer who has covered various financial markets and topics since 2006. In addition to writing about personal finance, investing, college planning, student loans, insurance, and other money-related topics, Miranda is an avid podcaster and co-hosts the Money Talks News podcast.
Doug is a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst who spent more than 20 years as a derivatives market maker and asset manager before “reincarnating” as a financial media professional a decade ago.
Before joining Britannica, Doug spent nearly six years managing content marketing projects for a dozen clients, including The Ticker Tape, TD Ameritrade’s market news and financial education site for retail investors. He has been a CAIA charter holder since 2006, and also held a Series 3 license during his years as a derivatives specialist.
Doug previously served as Regional Director for the Chicago region of PRMIA, the Professional Risk Managers’ International Association, and he also served as editor of Intelligent Risk, PRMIA’s quarterly member newsletter. He holds a BS from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MBA from Illinois Institute of Technology, Stuart School of Business.

The right credit card rewards can help you get more out of everyday purchases you already plan to make. To get the most from a rewards card, choose one that matches your spending habits, pay attention to bonus categories, and pay your balance in full whenever possible.
Getting more from a rewards card doesnât require spending more money. These strategies can help you maximize rewards from purchases you already planned to make.
Rewards arenât the only way to get value from a credit card. Some cards offer introductory 0% APR promotions that can help you finance a large purchase, while others can help you consolidate debt through a balance transfer.
Credit card rewards can help you earn cash back, points, or miles on purchases you already planned to make, but only if you avoid paying more in interest and fees than you earn in rewards.
Use a rewards program that matches your spending habits, take advantage of bonus categories and sign-up bonuses when appropriate, and pay your balance in full whenever possible. If youâve already set aside money for a large purchase or trip, using a rewards card and paying the balance immediately can help you earn rewards without taking on debt.