September 21, 2016

How to Use Cash-back Cards to Furnish Your New Home

Once you’ve closed the deal on a new home, you’ll need to furnish it. If you don’t have much money to spend, using cash-back credit cards can help offset the costs of new furniture.

While many rewards credit cards offer points for specific items such as hotel rooms or airfare, cash-back cards refund a percentage of your spending in the form of a credit on your statement or in your bank account. If you aren’t a big traveller, a good option is a cash-back card, which offers the flexibility to use your rewards for whatever you wish – including beautifying your home.

Here’s a list of four of our favourite cash-back credit cards:

1. MBNA Rewards World Elite

The MBNA Rewards World Elite card provides 2% cash back on all eligible purchases, and its annual $89 fee is waived for the first year. You’ll receive 10,000 MBNA Rewards Points, a $100 value, after your first purchase. To qualify for the card, you must have an annual income of more than $70,000 or a total household income above $120,000.

2. SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express

With the SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express, you’ll earn 5% cash back on all purchases (up to $400) made within the first six months. After that, you’ll get 1.5% back on the first $100,000 you spend each year. If you’re able to spend more than $100,000, the cash-back rate falls to 1.25%. Referring friends can earn you even more: You’ll receive $200 cash back for each approved referral up to a maximum of $3,000 a year. The card’s annual fee is $79, and you only need an annual income of $15,000 to apply.

3. SimplyCash Card from American Express

The SimplyCash Card from American Express is great because it doesn’t have an annual fee. For the first six months, you’ll earn 5% cash back at grocery stores, gas stations and restaurants (up to $250). After the welcome rate ends, you’ll receive 1.25% cash back on all your purchases. Referring a friend will get you a bonus of $100 cash back for each approved referral up to a maximum of $1,500 a year. To qualify for the card, your annual income needs to be just $15,000.

4. Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card

Last, but not least, is the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card. There’s no annual fee, and for the first three months you’ll earn 4% cash back in two or three out of 10 available spending categories (for example, you can choose furniture, home improvement, grocery, and drug stores as well as gas stations). When the introductory period is over, you’ll continue to earn 2% in two of your chosen categories. But if you choose to deposit the cash in a Tangerine Savings Account, you’ll be bumped up to three spending categories. On all other spending, you’ll receive 1% cash back.

The Bottom Line

Buying a home may leave you with a little less money, but spending responsibly with a cash-back credit card can help recoup a few bucks you can use to decorate your new place.

RateHub.ca is a website that compares mortgage rates, credit cards and deposit rates with the goal to empower Canadians to search smarter and save money.