Putting expenses on a credit card

[LuckyTaxi]

I pay off my balance every month, so this isn't about trying to stretch my money until the next paycheck. I'm also in the process of rebuilding my credit, so I dont have a CC that offers cashback incentives. I'm thinking of putting certain expenses on my credit card and then paying that off every month. I think it'll help me control my finances and see where I'm spending most of my money. I would like to avoid using my debit card if I can and use the checking account to pay bills (i.e. rent, CC, studen loans).

I'm thinking of putting the following expenses on my credit card.

- gas for car
- groceries
- entertainment when going out
- toll charges for daily commute

Has anyone done anything similar? Does it really help?

 

[NikolaeVarius]

Use Card for everything. Treat it as cash.

 

[Leros]

When I first got my card, I used it for repeat essential purchases such as:
- groceries
- rent
- utilities
- gas
- etc

That prevented me from ever being tempted to spend a little extra on something personal like dinner because I have a credit card.

Now I just use it for everything.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

I use my credit card for repeat essential purchases such as:
groceries
rent
utilities
gas
etc

That prevents me from ever being tempted to spend a little extra on something personal like dinner because I have a credit card.

exactly my thought! Knowing that I have $X amount of dollars in my checking account, I would be more tempted to buy that thing i won't need. If I force myself to use a CC, I'll know that racking up the bill is going to hurt me at the end of the month. "Tricking" my brain to think that way definitely helps!

 

[Fenixgoon]

i use my check card for most things, but for bills or large expenses i put them on the CC. i pay it off every month.


cash i treat as "free money". i only consider what is in my account as of my daily online statement. i almost never carry cash.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

i use my check card for most things, but for bills or large expenses i put them on the CC. i pay it off every month.


cash i treat as "free money". i only consider what is in my account as of my daily online statement. i almost never carry cash.

Ah so you do the reverse. I wouldn't consider putting my rent on my credit card. LOL way too large.

 

[rcpratt]

I use my CC for everything that can't be paid through BillPay with my bank. So everything but rent, car payment, utility bills, etc.

 

[jlee]

Ah so you do the reverse. I wouldn't consider putting my rent on my credit card. LOL way too large.

If I could put rent on a credit card, I'd absolutely do it. Cash back FTW.

 

[TheVrolok]

If I could put rent on a credit card, I'd absolutely do it. Cash back FTW.

This. I put absolutely everything I can on my CC, and then just pay it off in full each month. Cash back is wonderful.

 

[speg]

Everything on CC. Everyone knows this.

 

[eldorado99]

I put absolutely everything on CC and pay it off in full every month for the cash back. I have no idea why so many people have problems with this. Don't spend more money than you have, it is as simple as that but so many people can't figure it out for some reason.

 

[Net]

see where I'm spending most of my money.

if you don't already know www.mint.com

if your lucky enough and comfortable enough, they will pull your credit card, checking and/or saving statements. Now owned by quicken.

 

[ponyo]

I charge expenses to credit cards for easy tracking, convenience, and rewards but I know I spend more because I'm charging. If I went to cash only system I would spend less.

 

[Leros]

Ah so you do the reverse. I wouldn't consider putting my rent on my credit card. LOL way too large.

I like using my credit card for large expenses because I get the protection offered by the credit card company. It is especially useful when making online purchases from potentially shady businesses.

Two examples that happened to me in the last few years:

1) A large well known online company was hacked and my credit card information was stolen. My card was used to purchase several hundred dollars of WoW subscriptions. Within minutes, I was called up and notified. The charge was removed and I had a new card overnighted.

2) A smaller local company had their database compromised and my credit card information was stolen. My card was maxxed out by somebody in Russia buying porn. Once again, I was called within minutes of the charge. The charge was removed and a new card was overnighted.

Credit card protection ftw. I had my debit card information stolen by a waiter once and it took nearly a month and a lot of effort on my part to get my money back.

 

[TheVrolok]

Credit card protection ftw.

QFT, aside from the cash back feature, protection is what I like best about using my CC. I also had CC information stolen a few months back and within days I had a new card and the charges removed.

 

[GoSharks]

cash i treat as "free money".

Haha yeah same here. Basically the only time I use cash is for splitting a bill. Everything else goes on the CC.