It may seem counterintuitive to use a credit card to save money, but with responsible usage it’s more than possible. To be clear though, “responsible” is the key word in that sentence. Credit cards are a valuable asset only when they are handled with care. Amassing large debts, failing to pay your statement every month or buying more than you can afford to chase rewards could have potentially catastrophic, long-term effects on your finances.

Assuming you manage your credit well, having a card which rewards your everyday spending will net you solid returns. Let’s say you spend a high percentage of your disposable income at grocery stores. If you hold a grocery rewards card, you could earn robust returns on that spending. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (Terms apply, see rates & fees), for example, earns 6% cash back back on your grocery spending up to $6,000 per year. That’s $360 back to you annually—assuming you max out the spending cap. More to the point, that’s $360 you would not have earned if you paid for those groceries with a debit card or cash.

But it doesn’t have to be grocery spending: There are all kinds of cards that target all types of consumers. You can earn rewards with credit cards for gas, online shopping cards and even cards for specific stores. If you can identify the areas where you spend most, you can find a card that rewards those expenses. In the end, that means money back in your pocket for spending you were going to do anyway.