“If you can get a no-annual-fee, 2% cash back card, that’s surprisingly hard to beat.” Rossman says the key to making credit cards work for you is to pay off your balance in full each month.

Citi Custom Cash Card members earn the following rewards: 5% cash back on purchases in the top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent (then 1%) 4% cash back on ...