5 things to do in the new year
Now is the time to sort through your to-do list and prioritize getting your health and finances in order for 2011.
Score a better rewards card
Card issuers, burned by defaults, now view merchant fees as their most reliable source of profit. That's led them to dangle richer rewards and bulked-up bonus offers to the customers who swipe the most.
"Those with excellent credit who are aggressive chargers will get the best offers," says Curtis Arnold of CardRatings.com.
The Chase Freedom card, for example, will throw in $100 cash back after you spend $800 in the first three months; United Mileage Plus Select Visa offers 30,000 bonus miles plus a $50 credit toward an air ticket after you spend $250. To find the best card for you, go to cardratings.com or nerdwallet.com.
NEXT: Use your vacation days
Last updated January 04 2011: 4:45 PM ET
