@Anonymous wrote:
If you are low on cash to pay it off then I am not sure I understand why you are trying to spend your limit!?
@pizza1 wrote:
The only problem with paying large lumps to insurance, util, etc... Is that I need to have to extra cash to pay it off. Right now I'm a little depleted because of my move. I had to pay movers, stock pantry and fridge, pay rent, and that lowered my savings a lot. Some of you might remember I had a huge tax debt that I just paid off a few months back, and was staying with my parents to get that paid for. Once that was done I moved out. So I'm basically starting my savings from scratch.
+1
Bonuses are nice, but don't overextend yourself for a bonus. If you can hit the bonus by altering how you spend for things (e.g. use CC instead of Check, Debit, or Cash), then great. If you have to buy more things to hit the spend requirement, it might not make sense. Now if it is a really small amount or if the bonus is worth more than the additional spend you need, it might make sense, but the Venture bonus is a travel credit and not actual cash. Don't put yourself into significant debt for a bonus.
I don't rent, so I don't have the option to pay rent online. But some online rent payment websites will let you pay by CC and cut a check to the LL. This often works well for people wishing to hit a spend threshold with low spend outside of rent. Even if the LL does not accept CCs it is not a problem as long as they accept checks by mail because you pay the website by CC and they mail a check to the LL. You will have to pay a small processing fee for the service. Rentpad linked by one of the other posters (https://www.onradpad.com/paymyrent) allows you to do this. Others have also mentioned how you can prepay expenses or buy a giftcard or prepaid card. While I would not recommend you make a habit of buying prepaid or giftcards with your CC unless you want your accounts closed, occasional giftcard purchase is unlikely to get you any AAs. Frequent giftcard purchase on the other hand can be one of many signs of MS and might get your CCs closed.
Good financial habits are more important than a bonus. When your financial situation is solid, you can sometimes afford to spend a little more than normal for a bonus. However, if you are worried about slipping into past bad habits or if your financial situation is a little shaky, do not overextend yourself for a bonus. Bonuses are nice, but CC debt is worse.
