Use a Credit Card for most expenses?

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
Do you use a credit card for most of your expenses, then pay it off (or most of it off) each month?

I have always used a check card for almost all my expenses, and a credit card for stuff I didn't want to pay for at once (unforeseen expenses, tires, toys, etc.).

I have been rethinking this process and I might use a credit card for everything (groceries, lunch, clothes, everything), then paying it off each month.

What do you guys do?
 

kranky

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
21,019
156
106
Never have used and never plan to use a debit card. Credit card for everything, pay it in full every month.
 

MSCoder610

Senior member
Aug 17, 2004
831
0
71
Option 1 - don't see any reason not to, as long as you can keep track of what you spend. You get a free grace period to pay it off, cashback (5% on groceries/gas with the Citi Dividend one), etc.
 

Descartes

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
13,968
2
0
I use a credit card for two reasons: I get 5% rebates on groceries, gas, etc.; I earn points for free flights. I pay it off every week.

There was a time when I had so many expenses that I was getting free flights every other month. It adds up!
 

pontifex

Lifer
Dec 5, 2000
43,804
46
91
i try to pay for as much stuff as i can in cash. online orders i use paypal whenever possible. credit card gets used when i can't use cash or paypal.

i don't usually pay it off in full every month but i try to pay as much as i can, which is usually 4-10x more than the minimum payment.
 

GeneValgene

Diamond Member
Sep 18, 2002
3,884
0
76
Originally posted by: MSCoder610
Option 1 - don't see any reason not to, as long as you can keep track of what you spend. You get a free grace period to pay it off, cashback (5% on groceries/gas with the Citi Dividend one), etc.

exactly...there is no excuse for not doing this

you get cash rebates (5% on gas adds up quick!!), and it tracks all your spending

 

b0mbrman

Lifer
Jun 1, 2001
29,470
1
81
(1) Yes, and with how easy it is to access my accounts on the internet, I see no reason not to.

I pay my balance off every ten days (Citi only allows 4 payments a month)
 

farmercal

Golden Member
Mar 23, 2000
1,580
0
0
Not a good poll. I use a credit card when it's convenient for online purchases and when I may be short of cash or don't have the checkbook. I prefer to pay as I go and not accumulate a large credit card balance. Been there before and don't intend to ever get there again.
 

lozina

Lifer
Sep 10, 2001
11,711
8
81
99% of the time I use CC's. Only use cash if I'm at a store and it's something really cheap- like a $5 magazine or something.

edit: and pay in full every month
 

Demon-Xanth

Lifer
Feb 15, 2000
20,551
2
81
Credit card for buying/paying stuff over the internet. Debit card for in person. Checks for stuff that gets mailed. Pay off every month :)
 

dullard

Elite Member
May 21, 2001
25,647
4,160
126
I do the smartest possible financial method: CC for everything possible, cash for the rest, and pay off the CC in full each month.

Debit cards are for suckers.
Checks are for those who cannot handle a CC.
 

GrammatonJP

Golden Member
Feb 16, 2006
1,245
0
0
Use CC for almost everything.. except for fast food.. people stare you down when the machine can't take the card...

never use debt card.. harder to dispute plus some places don't offer reward points.. i manage to rack up 5k monthly
 

Kelemvor

Lifer
May 23, 2002
16,928
8
81
I don't use cash for anything unless it's under $1 or so. I haven't written a check in many years except when I had to pay my parents for something.

Most (if not all) credit cards give you something for using it (airline miles, points, cash back, etc) so using your debit card is just costing yoruself more money because you don't get anything back from it.
 

Demon-Xanth

Lifer
Feb 15, 2000
20,551
2
81
Originally posted by: dullard
I do the smartest possible financial method: CC for everything possible, cash for the rest, and pay off the CC in full each month.

Debit cards are for suckers.
Checks are for those who cannot handle a CC.

My landlord doesn't take CCs, and my utility companies charge a fee to use CCs. And I pay my CC with a check.
 

shoRunner

Platinum Member
Nov 8, 2004
2,629
1
0
credit card will save you money (up 5%) and you are protected against fraudulent purchases, and you are building credit at the same time. i never use anything but my credit card.
 

dullard

Elite Member
May 21, 2001
25,647
4,160
126
Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
My landlord doesn't take CCs, and my utility companies charge a fee to use CCs. And I pay my CC with a check.
I do free autowithdrawl for any situation like that. I don't have to buy stamps, buy checks, or remember to pay a bill. Of course, this isn't for everyone since you must remember to cancel it a month ahead of time if you need to make a change.
 

BlueFlamme

Senior member
Nov 3, 2005
565
0
0
CC for everything except for certain bills (gas/electric) that charge additional fees.

Reasons:
A) Rewards, nothing like getting my money back and I always pay the balance in full at the end of the month.
B) Track expenses. My memory sucks when it comes to what I have spent with cash, but I can download all of my CC and check transactions directly into Money

Of course I spend cash when necessary, but a lot of places no longer require a signature on charges under $10 so it really is getting closer to the speed of cash when compared to cashing a $20.
 

Demon-Xanth

Lifer
Feb 15, 2000
20,551
2
81
Originally posted by: dullard
Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
My landlord doesn't take CCs, and my utility companies charge a fee to use CCs. And I pay my CC with a check.
I do free autowithdrawl for any situation like that. I don't have to buy stamps, buy checks, or remember to pay a bill. Of course, this isn't for everyone since you must remember to cancel it a month ahead of time if you need to make a change.

I have this thing about keeping the people that want my money seperate from the people that have my money.
 

MrDudeMan

Lifer
Jan 15, 2001
15,069
94
91
Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
Originally posted by: dullard
Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
My landlord doesn't take CCs, and my utility companies charge a fee to use CCs. And I pay my CC with a check.
I do free autowithdrawl for any situation like that. I don't have to buy stamps, buy checks, or remember to pay a bill. Of course, this isn't for everyone since you must remember to cancel it a month ahead of time if you need to make a change.

I have this thing about keeping the people that want my money seperate from the people that have my money.

so you are ignorant and paranoid.
 

dullard

Elite Member
May 21, 2001
25,647
4,160
126
Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
I have this thing about keeping the people that want my money seperate from the people that have my money.
To each their own. But that doesn't affect my original post. CC for everything possible. The fact that you found a few examples where you don't think it is possible doesn't change my point.