Do you use credit cards or not?? (pay, rent, account)

[Ron.]

I just want to see how many people live without using credit cards.


How many of you are actually in a position to pay cash for everything(excluding mortgage) ?

[Skywings]

I'm able to pay cash for everything, but I use credit cards for the convenience of not having to carry either a checkbook or more than $200 in cash around with me. I pay all credit card balances in full every month; those guys don't ever make a dime on me, and it lets me keep my money in the bank for those few days or weeks longer. I also have a dedicated credit card that I use for Internet purchases only; again, it gets paid in full each month.

I also earn 'reward points' on those cards, which in turn I redeem for gift certificates to Amazon, which is where I buy all my books, CDs, DVDs, etc.

[politically_correct]

I have a relative who works at a grocery store and he says as time passes fewer and fewer people are using cash. This is especially true for people under forty. I charge on my Citicorp Mastercard all my grocery and gasoline charges and all my utilities. From this we get enough Thankyou points for two round trip airline tickets a year. This is worth about $800. Why use cash for these type of purchases with the nice perks?
We do pay the bill in full every month and do not buy anything we can not afford or pay immediately. It is not free money, just the perks are!

[Oobie119]

My husband and I have used them in the past but have quickly learned to live without them.. We are in our 30's and see so many of our friends use them irresponsibly, it's nuts. Debt makes us crazy so we decided to chuck them unless its for airline tickets or such..

[sgresident]

we use credit cards for everything! we pay the full amount each month. I rarely have more than $20 cash on me at any time.

[lionking]

I owe $200 dollars right now on it,that will be paid off by the end of the month.I use them for convenience,you need one to buy online but these days but I pay it off.

I'm seeing my CD and money market account dwindle in paid interest so that means I'll be spending even less.If it gets to the point where my money savings isn't making money I might as well at that point use the money and buy another house this time cash and have no rent or mortgage.

5% on a CD or moneymarket was a nice monthly cash flow,now it's down to 3%,don't want to buy a house but maybe I will if this keeps up.

[Magnum Mike]

Originally Posted by ChicagoRon

I just want to see how many people live without using credit cards.

The only reason I would ever use my credit cards is to keep my credit score high. I buy something for less than $100 every 6 months or so, then pay it off.

Originally Posted by ChicagoRon

How many of you are actually in a position to pay cash for everything(excluding mortgage) ?

I am, and that's probably because I'm not paying interest on credit cards.

[Noc]

I just started to strategically use my CC. since the Debt card came out until 2 years ago I haven't used CC. I'm using them now to increase my CC score more and better positioning myself for future loans real estate or commercial. I'd love to hit 800 CC score So I use one and pay it off at the end of the month.

[belovenow]

Originally Posted by ChicagoRon

I just want to see how many people live without using credit cards.


How many of you are actually in a position to pay cash for everything(excluding mortgage) ?

My wife and I use credit cards for nearly all purchases. We always pay the bills in full each month as well. The cards we use give us between 1-5% cash back on all purchases. We thus make money by using the cards. A good deal for sure.

[heydade]

if you don't use credit cards....you don't build your credit. If you don't build your credit, your FICO score will not be as high. Responsible use of credit cards IS important to build your credit and make it a stellar score (750-800)