Despite all the warnings and events about credit card use and abuse, there are still a lot of highly evolved people who still wants to have everything swiped. And it’s not hard to see why; there are definitely some major reasons why they wouldn’t let Mr. Swipey go, such as having to pay 1 bill instead of 8, earning perks and freebies like cash back or building up credit history. But we all have to know how to use credit cards wisely to avoid getting burned.

Here are some of the guidelines to make your cards work for you:

1. Make sure you pay your balance each month. You may have heard this a lot of times already, but this is honestly the most important and a hundred percent necessary rule to get ahead financially.

2. Another important rule is to pay your credit card near its due date each month so you can maximize your bank interest. You’re not keeping a balance, but waiting until right before the payment is due lets you hold on to your money which means it’s earning more interest in your bank account.

3. Make sure every credit card that you use works for you in some way. It’s better if you’re using a different card for gas and another one for car fuel. This way, you’re able to track down how much you money you use for this things. And of course, make sure you have the best cash back credit cards so shop around and compare to decide which is right for you.