Everyone needs a bank in today’s world, unless you want to simply store your money under a matress.  When it comes to banking, you’re going to want a bank that’s more than just a bank.  You’re probably going to want great customer service, a good interest rate, and possibly a good location, so that you can go there when you need be.

When you’re looking for the perfect reward banking account, there are some things that you should look at in order to find exactly what you need.  Here are some tips that I followed in order to find the perfect account.

What kind of rate are you getting? Before you sign the application page, you’re going to want to check out a few reward banking websites that compare rates.  Never just apply to a bank that has the best rate, because you can find out that the bank isn’t so stable.  Use websites like GoTalkMoney.com, and Money-Rates.com to find the best rates online in today’s market.

Know the safe and sound rating: As I mentioned in the first tip, you’ll want to make sure that your bank is going to be stable.  This is where Bankrate’s safe and sound rating will come into play.  This rating will allow you to see exactly how safe the bank truly is, and how safe you’ll be banking with them.

How’s the customer service? The thing I love about the Internet is that I’m able to look at how anything fares with other people.  If it’s a bad company, you’ll know about it online.  This is why I will recommend that you check out reviews on the bank you’re interested in, before applying.

Know the fees: Some banks, and their rates look great on paper, but when you dig deeper into the accounts, you’ll find out that there are hidden fees.  Make sure you know your monthly maintenance fee, as well as the others.  By law, banks need to tell you this.

Keep these tips in mind when it comes to banking.  Do your homework, and check out at least 5 banks.  As long as you do this, you shouldn’t have a problem finding a great bank.

If you’re in the market to find a cash back credit card, you’re in luck, because there are a lot of them out there, even when the economy isn’t doing that hot.  If you’re looking for cash back cards that offer more than cash back, such as a bonus, you may be in luck, because I’m going to show you how to find them.

Most cards work the same way

When I say this, I’m talking about how many credit card companies structure their cash back.  Most cards don’t give you a flat percentage back, but instead, they will give you a certain percentage back on particular categories.  For example, one card may give you 3% on groceries, while the other gives you 3% on gas, and only 1% back on groceries.

See if the bonus lasts

Many credit card companies want to sucker you into getting a card that isn’t for the long term.  Instead, many people don’t read the fine print, and find out that the card bonuses are only going to last for a few months, rather than the length of the card.  This is why it’s important to read the fine print in terms of your credit card.

Do your homework

There are a lot of cards out there, like I said, but make sure you don’t apply for the first one you see.  Since many major banks offer reward cards like this, make sure you compare apples to apples.  See which one will work best for your budget.  If you travel a lot, and buy lots of groceries, you’ll want to find one that benefits you in regards to those spending habits.

There are many bonuses when it comes down to cash back cards.  Just compare at least five different cards to get an idea on what you truly want.  When you find one that you can use, apply for it, pay it off in full each, and every month, and you’ll reap the benefits!

When you’re looking for a credit card, you’re probably wondering if you should either apply for a low interest based credit card, or a card that’s going to offer you a bunch of rewards, whether it be cash back, or some other type of incentive.  I think both types of cards are the best, but before we get close to judge, let’s take a look at which one will work best for you and your wallet.

Pay if off in full – earn rewards

I’m always a fan of paying off my credit cards in full.  This way, I don’t have to worry about the interest rate.  If you do the same thing, you won’t have to worry about the interest rates as well.  This way, when you pay off your card in full, you can get rewards, rather than an interest rate that you don’t have to worry about anyways.

Get stuff for money spent

Instead of having a low interest rate, and paying less to the banks, why not pay your card off in full, and get rewarded?  Let’s say that you spend $100 in one month, and you get 100 points.  You may find that if you spend $1,000 with your card, you’ll be entitled to a small gift card.  I know it doesn’t sound like a lot, but you’re getting something just for using your card!

Low interest is great for intro rates

If you’re going to transfer a balance from one card to another, the low rate cards are the way to go.  You’re going to pay less in interest, and you won’t have to worry about paying the higher rate you’re paying today.  This works out great for those looking to transfer a balance from something like a mortgage, car payment, etc.

In the end, you’re probably seeing where I’m going with this one.  If you pay off your card in full, you won’t have to worry about your interest rates.  Instead, I would look toward getting rewards.  As long as you’re good with your money, you won’t have to worry about interest!

If you’re on the hunt for a new credit card, especially one in the cash back category, I wanted to point out a few cards that you can find today in the cash back credit card market.  I’ll give you a quick description on each card, and how you can benefit from each one to save the most money.

Discover More(SM) Card: The Discover More(SM) card is one of my favorites when it comes to getting rewards.  You’ll get a 5% cash back bonus on items such as travel, gas, and even the movies.  If that’s not all, your cash back can potentially reach 20% if you buy through their website.

Citi Forward(SM) Card: The Forward card is relatively new in the credit card market.  This card is great, because it will reward you based on your spending behavior.  The better you are with your bills, the more you’ll get in rewards.  For example, if you make a purchase, and stay under your credit limit for 3 billing periods in a row, you can get a 2% purchase APR reduction.  On top of that, you can get 5 reward points for every $1 spent on dining, books, movies, and music, while getting 1 point for everything else.  You can exchange these points for great things like gift cards, and more.

Iberia Bank: Iberia Bank isn’t that well known among many, but it does offer some decent rewards.  You’ll earn a flat 1% on all purchases made, regardless of what you purchase.  With no expiration dates, no limits on cash back, and no annual fees, this is a simple, yet great choice for rewards.

In 2009, these are my top three choices when it comes to reward cards.  They are all different, and each personally can benefit from them.  Be sure to look at the application, and see if it’s something made for you.