Credit card companies offer a variety of perks for signing up to use their credit cards. Because the industry is so competitive, these rewards can be quite enticing.

When choosing the right credit card for your circumstance, it’s important to think clearly about which type of reward you will most benefit from. For that reason, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 reward credit card offers:

1. Gas & Fuel based rewards

With today’s rising gas prices, many people are drawn to credit cards that offer cash-back on gas and fuel purchases. If you drive a lot, this can be a great rewards card for you. Some gas credit cards offer up to 10% back. But you should also be careful. Many cards only offer cash back on gas, some even at just one type of station. All other purchases will get you either nothing or a low rate for all other purchases. Plus, these cards tend to have higher interest rates so you’ll never want to carry a balance.

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APR or Annual Percentage Rate is the true interest rate you’re paying, on an annual basis, on your credit card contract or financial agreement.  This include hidden costs and fees. Knowing the APR should allow you to compare rates among lenders.

The APR includes:

• All fees
• Insurance
• Interest

Once you know the yearly amount of your interest and fees combined, you can do a comprehensive comparison. If you have good credit, you’ll most likely get a credit card with the lowest APR. If you’re applying for a credit card and you’ve never had one before, expect to pay a higher APR. Still, with all the numbers in one tidy APR figure, you’ll have an easier time finding the best rate.

If you’re looking to purchase a house or car, your lender will probably want to look into your credit rating to make sure you’re not a risk.  Your credit rating details your spending habits, but more important, it tells about your payment habits. It should go without saying someone who pays off debts in a timely manner will have a higher credit rating than one who doesn’t always meet his obligations.

While a credit rating is a good indicator of who is a good candidate for a loan, if an applicant has no credit history at all, and therefore no credit rating ,he may also have problems applying for a loan - even if he’s never been in debt his life.

To get a credit history the best thing to do is to apply for a low interest credit card. Use it to make purchases and pay off your balance right away. Soon, you’ll have an excellent credit history, an excellent credit rating and all will be well when you apply for a loan.

Keep in mind that using a credit card to live beyond your means is the best way to ruin your credit history, so use it wisely and responsibly.

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Owning credit cards is a responsibility. They’re a convenience, not something to get you the good things in life you can’t afford. With this in mind, one should always enter into credit card ownership with knowledge and a sense of obligation. Here are some of the top credit card mistakes.

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Most Americans over the age of 18 have at least two credit cards each. From cashback rewards to single monthly payments, credit cards can be handy for sure.

However, they can also be trouble, especially for those who don’t take the time to educate themselves as to how to use credit cards smartly.

Even so, there are some people who simply cannot get credit cards because of bad credit or other reason. For those who can’t use credit cards, or those who don’t want credit cards, there are ways to get along without. Behold:

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My wife and I have a shared phobia.

… Credit Card statements.

Now you are probably either thinking “What the -” or sitting there hugging yourself, nodding in agreement.

It’s not so much the statement itself, rather the feelings it triggers and what it represents.

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As gas prices in the United States climb closer and closer to $4, no one is celebrating.

However, people who want to save on gas have several tricks up their sleeves. None of these make the pain of gas prices go away, but they can help to reduce the impact.

1. Gas rewards credit card
Use a credit card that gets you 3-5% cash back either at all gas stations or at your favorite. If you limit your options to a single gas station, you will often be rewarded with 5% or more cash back.

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I’ve saved $5000 in the last five years by using a credit card for all my purchases. When I look back at the amount, it amazes me.

Over the last five years I’ve put all my major purchases, from groceries and car down payments to gas for my car and oil to heat my home. When I first started, my card was called Chase Freedom and now it is called Chase Perfect but throughout that time I received 3% cash back on all gas purchases and 1% cash back on everything else.

Doesn’t seem like much, but it really does ad up.

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