Do You Use Plastic or Cash? | Golden Skate

Do You Use Plastic or Cash?

Ladskater

~ Figure Skating Is My Passion ~
Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 28, 2003
I recently applied for an American Express card and have only had a Visa card for about five years. I try not to use my charge cards much, but lately have resorted to charging things more. Not a habit I am used to. I looked up information on the use of credit cards and discovered this eye opening information about the secret history of credit cards.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/credit/eight/responsibility.html

I hope I don't go overboard with my credit cards. I can't believe how many people buy even the smallest purchase - like gum - on their credit card!!!
 

sillylionlove

Medalist
Joined
Oct 27, 2006
Thanks for posting that link. It's very interesting. I use my debit card for almost everything. But I don't consider it a credit card even though I use it as such because it comes directly out of my checking account. I use the credit function because I get points for rewards. I learned my lesson about using credit cards like free money....it's not!!!!!!!!! But I think with the downturn in the ecomony more people are using credit cards for everything...gas, groceries...even gum. I mean they take credit cards at fast food places!! I have a tendency not to carry lots of cash around.
 

merrywidow

Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 20, 2004
I only use my credit card when I actually have the money to cover the purchases. That way I never pay monthly service charges. I pay the bill as soon as I get it.
 

Tonichelle

Idita-Rock-n-Roll
Record Breaker
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
I don't have a credit card, I only have a debit card so if the money isn't in my checking account I can't swipe the plastic....
 

Dee4707

Ice Is Slippery - Alexie Yagudin
Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 28, 2003
Country
United-States
I use my credit card for everything but I also pay off my bill every month no matter how much it is. I gain interest on my money for that month. If you can't pay off the bill I don't suggest using the card for everything.

Dee
 

demarinis5

Gold for the Winter Prince!
Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 23, 2004
I use my credit card for everything but I also pay off my bill every month no matter how much it is. I
Dee

I agree and that is what I do. The problem is that folks overspend and the credit card companies encourages this behavior, why not they make millions in interest on consumers . Credit card debt is a very hard lesson to learn and I would not wish it upon anyone. A wise woman (my mother) once told me no matter how successful you become do not live beyond your means. I try to follow her advice.
 

heyang

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
I use my credit card for everything but I also pay off my bill every month no matter how much it is. I gain interest on my money for that month. If you can't pay off the bill I don't suggest using the card for everything.

Dee

Me, too. Right now, I'm very fortunate to have a very good income and my parents taught us [by example] not to buy something new when what you have still works. My monthly+ luxury is a massage - even there I economized by joining Massage Envy. However, my 'new' car is 9 years old now and my 'old' car was purchased used from my uncle who bought it in 1997. The 2nd car is for my mother to drive when she's around.

In addition to the bit of interest in delaying interest, I have rewards cards with Best Buy and Barnes & Noble; therefore, I get some 'free' stuff, as well. I used to have a Continental Airlines rewards card, but I found that I haven't flown Continental for the last several vacations - thus the change to other companies.
 

AwesomeIce

Match Penalty
Joined
Mar 13, 2008
I have one card that i use quite frequently, because I get reward points on it that I can redeem either for cool gifts, or use as credit towards my balance. I really only use it on large purchases, though.
 

Tonichelle

Idita-Rock-n-Roll
Record Breaker
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
yeah if and when I can afford to have a credit card I want a Visa Chase that earns rewards points towards Disney merchandise/travel! :laugh:

I'm ways off from one of those, though.
 

dorispulaski

Wicked Yankee Girl
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
Country
United-States
I use my credit card for everything and pay it off every month.
Two advantages:
1. All my purchases go towards hotel points.
2. I get a report at the end of the year that groups my spending into categories and makes it very easy to work on my tax return.
 

Grgranny

Da' Spellin' Homegirl
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
I use credit cards a lot. I always pay them off every month. I will not pay interest. Stupid. I bought a card at our grocery store. I paid $270 for $300 worth of groceries. I get points for a lot of the cards I have. A number of them give you coupons, etc. if you use them. I use a debit card once in a while. :clap:
 
Joined
Jan 30, 2004
We use our credit cards extensively. But we always pay the balance every month.
We get cash back on Discover which we apply to the balance when we have enough to do so. We sign up for all their specials for extra cash back bonuses...such as now 5% when you shop at certain stores such as Dept. Stores (K-Mart), Home Depot, Lawn & Garden Centers and Home Improvement Centers. Starting July it's gas.
We get cash back rewards on American Express and Visa, too.
I used the rewards from our Visa card to trade in for Sears gift certificates and that is how I bought my new camera a little over a year ago.

Edited to add: Our Visa is an AARP Visa card so their are perks we can use with that if we ever get around to traveling, renting a car or something like that.
 

dlkksk8fan

Medalist
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
I have a visa credit card I use and pay in full each month. The only outstanding balance I have is a Best Buy card (no interest for 2 yrs), that I bought my computer on. I'll probably pay it off before that time.
 

heyang

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
I have a visa credit card I use and pay in full each month. The only outstanding balance I have is a Best Buy card (no interest for 2 yrs), that I bought my computer on. I'll probably pay it off before that time.


I did the same when I bought my 50" Sony Bravia LCD HDTV in January. I had the money to pay for it, but paid it over 6 months instead.

Edited to add: purchased a new dishwasher at Sears with a Sears card since there's no interest for a year.
 

dlkksk8fan

Medalist
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
purchased a new dishwasher at Sears with a Sears card since there's no interest for a year.
Did the same thing with my new refrigerator from Sears (only a six months no interest).
 
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