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PayPal Debit Card vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO)
PayPal Debit Card
47 positive (85%) · 5 mixed (9%) · 3 negative (5%)
Trust + time weighted: +80%
AI summary — not a quote
The PayPal Debit Card is highly regarded in the credit card community as a 'sleeper' pick for its 5% cashback on a user-selected category. It is particularly valued for its broad definition of 'groceries,' which includes major retailers like Costco, Walmart, and Target—stores often excluded from traditional grocery category rewards. While it requires more manual maintenance than a standard credit card, it offers a high reward rate with no credit check.
Pros
- 5% cashback on a selected category up to $1,000 in monthly spend.
- Unusually broad grocery category that includes Costco, Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs.
- No credit check required for approval as it is a debit card.
- Instant cashback rewards rather than waiting for a monthly statement.
Cons
- Requires manual category selection every single month via the PayPal app.
- Users must manage account funding or set up auto-reloads to ensure transactions aren't declined.
- Some users report technical issues with the card or specific categories (like utilities) not appearing for everyone.
Top excerpts
PayPal Debit Card - 5% Restaurants ($1,000/month) . . . Big sleeper is the PayPal Debit. I love this community; shout out to the commenter that put me on to this card.
I'd definitely add the PayPal debit card to your quiver. It'll get 5% back on a selected category up to $1000/Mo in purchases. ... No credit hit (since it is a debit card) and instant cashback.
The common recommendation for PayPal Debit is groceries (and it includes Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs as grocery)
While Amex is nice to have, stuff like PayPal Debit and the Kroger card I have would mostly be able to replace it in terms of grocery spend.
Your shopping is ideal for PayPal Debit (5% at all those stores)
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO)
13 positive (100%) · 0 mixed (0%) · 0 negative (0%)
Trust + time weighted: +100%
Top excerpts
I currently have only $4k invested in my brokerage account purchasing VOO and SCHG.
Your money will go farther if it is invested in index/mutual funds than it would in a whole life policy.
mostly have been putting extra cash into VOO/VTI/VXUS sorts of things.
I would either 1. (Low risk option) put it in a HYSA and leave it alone. 2. (Higher risk option) Or invest in some index funds. VOO, VTI, FXAIX are all very good and popular options.
I like the idea of a brokerage account invested in VOO with monthly deposits as she continues to work.