Use a Credit Card for most expenses?

[Jawo]

Originally posted by: lozina
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

I do pretty much the same...if you use your CC responsibly, you will not get in trouble!

 

[BCYL]

I use CC for almost everything (I usually don't even carry any cash), and pay it off each month...

With cash you don't get any rewards, with CC you get cash back, it's a no-brainer

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: MrDudeMan

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.

so you are ignorant and paranoid.

Sure, but in the case of an overcharge or fraud. I'm not going to be overdrawn while it gets sorted out.

 

[necine]

I use cash. I don't like paying for things with a CC and then paying the CC. I'd rather just cut out the middle man. I do sometimes use CC and currently have about 400 balance I'm paying off.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Yes, I ring up about $1500/month on my two primary cards, AMEX SkyMiles Platinum and Citi MasterCard Platinum Dividend Select. I pay them both off in full every month.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
Sure, but in the case of an overcharge or fraud. I'm not going to be overdrawn while it gets sorted out.

You still get your bill ~20 days before the money is withdrawn. So you do have time to fix any problems well before any money is taken out. If you can't do it in that time, cancel the autowithdrawl before the due date and write a check for the amount.

I do see your point, and many agree with you. But, in virtually every situation, your concerns are not a problem.

 

[spacelord]

CC for everything, and always pay in full. Get 1-5% back on all purchases..

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: shoRunner
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.

Agreed, I pay for everything with a CC that I can. I pay my rent with check, as well as the utility bills. And the CC bill, of course.

It just doesn't make sense not too, IMO. And if a place doesn't accept a credit card? Then they don't want my business!

 

[edro]

Wow... It looks like it's time to get a new credit card with rewards and try this new method.

 

[PingSpike]

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.

Agreed. If they fvck up the bill...whats easier? Getting your money back after the fact...or getting them to fix the bill?

 

[Golgatha]

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.

QFT. I'll only do bank withdrawal if I have to initiate the withdrawal online. I will do automatic withdrawal if they'll put it on a credit card for no extra fee, as I can always dispute the charge with the credit card company (they have more lawyers than I have access to). I use credit cards for everything I can and pay the balance in full about twice a month. I only keep two or three credit cards on my person at any given time and only use my main two (Visa and Discover) regularly.

 

[daveymark]

actually, I use a CC for everything. It's a novel idea that I orginated. looks like my idea is catching on

 

[azilaga]

Yep. Love to use the credit card for points/miles, and pay it off. Recent tax bill is more than I could pay off, but my interest rate is very low. Also makes expenses a lot easier to track in Quicken when all I have to do is download activity.

 

[Yossarian]

why do some of you make multiple payments on your credit card every month if you're just paying it off in full anyway?

 

[cessna152]

How do you NOT pay your CC bill in full? I never understood that point. Why spend if you don't have the funds to back it up?

I rarely carry cash and pay for pretty much everything by CC. Its one of the best ways to build good credit.

 

[GeneValgene]

Originally posted by: cessna152
How do you NOT pay your CC bill in full? I never understood that point. Why spend if you don't have the funds to back it up?

I rarely carry cash and pay for pretty much everything by CC. Its one of the best ways to build good credit.

yes...you'll get raped in interest if you carry a balance from month to month

 

[Homerboy]

debit card for everything and online payment via my bank for bills

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: kranky
Never have used and never plan to use a debit card. Credit card for everything, pay it in full every month.

Same.

What advantage does cash, check or debit card have over a credit card?

None (assuming you payoff your balance in full every month).

 

[Imaginer]

Debit card FTL.
Check card FTL.
Cash.... if I have to but still FTL.

Credit card.... benefits per use.... builds credit like no other (if you pay on time)... dont keep a running balance after the past due date per statement = FTW!!!

 

[azilaga]

Originally posted by: Yossarian
why do some of you make multiple payments on your credit card every month if you're just paying it off in full anyway?

For me, just to get it out of the way. It's quite painless when done online. Don't know how many here still write checks.

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
CC for everything, paid off at the end of the month.

<^>

 

[zoiks]

I'd pay my rent using my CC checks if I could get miles in return for the money spent. Sadly they do not allow miles for check transactions.
Other then that I use my CC for all my transactions.

 

[dr150]

You'd be remiss not to take advantage of a cash back or other rewards card.

I personally use AMEX Starwood which has netted me 5 star hotels for free in Hawaii and Europe and has helped me top off frequent flier accounts so that I could fly for free.

I also use fee free (when there's promos) Frequent Flier cards (Visa, MC) such as American or United when my AMEX isn't accepted, which is abut 5% of the time.

You can also have a cash back card in lieu of FF card as your Visa/MC card if that floats your boat more.

Regardless, an AMEX Starwood should be the base. There's lots of talk on other forums about taking advantage of such cards. Go to Fatwallet.com (finance section) or Flyertalk.com (credit card and Buzz section) for more info.

 

[allisolm]

Originally posted by: Yossarian
why do some of you make multiple payments on your credit card every month if you're just paying it off in full anyway?

I don't understand that either even with azilaga's answer.


I pay for most things with a credit card and pay it off every month. I pay most bills through online bill pay but I initiate the payments. I don't like at all the idea of automatic payments where companies have withdrawal power over my money in my account. Call it paranoid if you want but I agree that it would be harder to get the money back if an error is made (and I did get a $10,000 water bill once which could have played real havoc with my balance if the money got taken out and I then had to fight to get it back. No thanks.)

 

[sunzt]

I don't know if this is true or not, but I've heard that if you use your credit card too much, it will actually lower your credit score.

Is that true? I guess from the way some of you use your CC that it might not be, but I'm not sure if it is true for everyone.