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Yes, we have (USED to have) credit cards, but we decided, my wife and I, to cut them all up, pay them down, and go cold cash. This is in preparation for retirement, in about another 2 years. We cannot find anyone on these forums who will admit to misusing credit cards. And yet - I think we can all agree that many Americans are misusing them. Just nobody on these forums!
I am not afraid to admit that at times, we did misuse them. Carried balances , the whole nine yards. Paid everything on time, great credit score, BUT we found that it was cramping our lifestyle. Too much money going to pay down debt for something that was probably already used and gone. But it is so easy, on the front end (buying) to pull out that plastic...
We agreed, no more. We also agreed that we cared NOTHING for "FICO scores" or credit reports. We are not applying for any credit - so why worry about having a high FICO score??? We figured that it was the merchants and big corporations behind these credit bureaus anyway - and we were right. Just another scheme to see how many gullible Americans can be lured into the credit/debt trap. They are making money off anybody who uses the plastic. They know very well that everybody runs into tough times sooner or later, and will use that card for something that will require carrying a balance! If it never happens, then the person has no pulse. It's just the way life works.
So...we decided that was going to be it. Gone, long gone, just about paid and wonder of wonders! We actually have extra CASH at the end of the month ! That gets socked into retirement savings. I just can't figure out, where are all the indebted Americans going bankrupt by the day? Perhaps they just don't post on these forums!
We use credit cards for gas, prescriptions as we get cash back. Thing is as soon as bill arrives we pay in full immediately. Mortgage-thankfully we are mortgage free.
We use credit cards for most purcheses but always pay at the end of the month.We only use checks to pay some bills and cash for odds and ends.Most use credit cads that offer gas discounts and cash back tho.
I despise credit cards for experiential reasons, but they seem a necessary part of life. Emergencies, and who can carry the cash around. Many stores, etc., balk at getting a check payment, also. I have only one credit card, and it's the kind you have to pay back every month...I have not chosen the option to stretch out payments with interest. I pay it within 10 days of receiving the bill.
I consider myself fortunate that I can do this at this time. It's a very real problem that many people have no other option but to stretch out payments and pay absurdly high interest, sometimes for necessities.
We cannot find anyone on these forums who will admit to misusing credit cards. And yet - I think we can all agree that many Americans are misusing them. Just nobody on these forums!
I just can't figure out, where are all the indebted Americans going bankrupt by the day? Perhaps they just don't post on these forums!
*shyly raises hand* I used to be one of the people you can't find.
I had 7 credit cards, all on the verge of being maxed out all of the time. It wasn't eating out & having my hair & nails done, it was a paycheck that did not go up as fast as gas/groceries/insurance/etc.
My paycheck covered the bills, but there was nothing left for food or gas or anything. At that time I did not have a computer, a cell phone, cable, or anything that was not an absolute need. I was having to buy groceries & gas on credit, and I was drowning in debt. I hated every minute of it.
I made the tough decision to sell my house, quit my job, and move out of state to start my own business. I paid off those credit cards, cut them up, and never looked back. Is my business successful? Not really. Do I buy food and pay 17% interest on it? Not anymore.
Yes, we have (USED to have) credit cards, but we decided, my wife and I, to cut them all up, pay them down, and go cold cash. This is in preparation for retirement, in about another 2 years. We cannot find anyone on these forums who will admit to misusing credit cards. And yet - I think we can all agree that many Americans are misusing them. Just nobody on these forums!
I am not afraid to admit that at times, we did misuse them. Carried balances , the whole nine yards. Paid everything on time, great credit score, BUT we found that it was cramping our lifestyle. Too much money going to pay down debt for something that was probably already used and gone. But it is so easy, on the front end (buying) to pull out that plastic...
We agreed, no more. We also agreed that we cared NOTHING for "FICO scores" or credit reports. We are not applying for any credit - so why worry about having a high FICO score??? We figured that it was the merchants and big corporations behind these credit bureaus anyway - and we were right. Just another scheme to see how many gullible Americans can be lured into the credit/debt trap. They are making money off anybody who uses the plastic. They know very well that everybody runs into tough times sooner or later, and will use that card for something that will require carrying a balance! If it never happens, then the person has no pulse. It's just the way life works.
So...we decided that was going to be it. Gone, long gone, just about paid and wonder of wonders! We actually have extra CASH at the end of the month ! That gets socked into retirement savings. I just can't figure out, where are all the indebted Americans going bankrupt by the day? Perhaps they just don't post on these forums!
Great answer. I am 34 y/o although, I have NEVER owned a C.C. before, i did rack up students loans and as far as I am concerned, paying those loans off was enough to teach that I DID NOT NEED nor WANT C.C.'s.
I have one credit card that I usually use for online purchases. Like most who have posted in this forum, I pay the bill in full once I receive it.
Over 10 years ago, I was about $25,000 in debt, when I was young and foolish. That was a very expensive lesson to me on how to put a lid on my carefree spending using my credit cards. I have been debt-free for over five years now, and it's the ONLY way to be for me!
Have an AMEX we use for all household expenses that is paid off in full every month. It works out very well as we just have the bills autocharge to the card, and groceries and everything as well, and then pay it in full every month rather than paying each bill separately.
Also, we can run reports on their website showing where we spent our money. Showed that we needed to cut WAY back on eating out!
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, the whole nine yards. Paid everything on time, great credit score, BUT we found that it was cramping our lifestyle. Too much money going to pay down debt for something that was probably already used and gone. But it is so easy, on the front end (buying) to pull out that plastic...
and wonder of wonders! We actually have extra CASH at the end of the month 
! That gets socked into retirement savings. I just can't figure out, where are all the indebted Americans going bankrupt by the day? Perhaps they just don't post on these forums! 
That was a very expensive lesson to me on how to put a lid on my carefree spending using my credit cards. I have been debt-free for over five years now, and it's the ONLY way to be for me! 
