Who uses a credit card?

Ok. I dont own a credit card. I pay everything in cash. Is this why i seem to have NO clothes and no real expensive items (besides my jeans).

Please tell me you girls (and other ones) charge things. I make a NICE salary and i always feel like i cant afford to shop. Clothes, jeans, shoes, coats, theyre just SOOOO expensive

Re: Who uses a credit card?

As far as my husband is concerned, I use cash and my debit card for EVERYTHING. The truth is...I have a secret credit card that I use when I just HAVE TO HAVE something and cash is low.

Re: Who uses a credit card?

I have credit cards but I refuse to use them for unnecessary shopping...

I always use my credit card (debit) that deducts from my bank acct or my Amex which I pay in full at the end of the month...

All that being said, I don't shop nearly as much as it appears to me that some of the girls on here do. Good for them whether they charge or pay in cash but just like you I make a decent salary and can't afford to shop that often. In my case...having a mortgage and a baby (that I am way more willing to spend money on than myself) keeps me from being the true shopping queen that I think lurks deep down inside

Re: Who uses a credit card?

Re: Who uses a credit card?

I "HAD" credit cards, until FH took them away. Now, I can't shop as much b/c all my money goes to pay off my debt. Be lucky you don't have one, it is too easy to get into trouble.

Re: Who uses a credit card?

I don't have credit cards, I only use my bank card which helps out because I give myself budgets.

Re: Who uses a credit card?

I only have a debit card ( ok well emergency CC's but I can't even remember the last time I used one .. at least a 2 years ago )

I don't do what most do and just go shopping often and constantly buy clothes. I Shop in the spring for spring and fall and then I shop again in the fall for the fall and winter. Only exception is if I see a good deal on something I love, or I have a special occasion to shop for ( wedding, christening, christmas with my DH's family etc)

My " Big" aka expensive purchases are all birthday, christmas, or anniversary gifts from DH that I pick out myself

Don't feel bad! I am debt free and love it!!!! Wouldn't have it any other way.

ETA: Also doing one major shop to get me through spring & summer or fall & winter causes me to be very practical with what I buy. I don't buy things that are "in style" or the latest trend b/c it will probably be out of style before the next season. I only buy things I will get alot of wear out of.

Message edited 9/15/2006 4:28:51 PM.

Re: Who uses a credit card?

For the past few years, I've been using my debit card for everything so that I don't overspend and only buy what I can afford. If it was 10 years ago, I would have no problem racking up a large credit card bill, but my priorities have changed, so I now limit my credit card usage. Don't get me wrong, I would love to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe, but buying a house is a bigger priority right now.

Re: Who uses a credit card?

omg DH makes me put EVERYTHING on our Amex card....no matter what it is. He is all about racking up "points". I rarely have cash...prob cause I spend it if I have it.

I also use debit cards a lot.

Re: Who uses a credit card?

DH and I most times do not use credit cards when we shop. For us it is better to pay cash.

Message edited 9/15/2006 7:22:29 PM.

Re: Who uses a credit card?

I charge EVERYTHING on my Amex. But I also pay it ALL of at the end of each month. It is just easier than having to bring cash around, and I only use one card so I don't have to worry about forgetting to pay it.

Re: Who uses a credit card?

Re: Who uses a credit card?

i use my debit for everything so essentially i pay 'cash'

i buy expensive jeans, bags, etc. but i only allow myself 1-2 splurges per month. i don't buy expensive shirts- i wear old navy wifebeaters with seven jeans and a gucci bag. so i figure the $ i save there i can use towards nicer things.

anyway my point is there is a way to have nice things and not break the bank

Re: Who uses a credit card?

Posted by TheLorax

I charge EVERYTHING on my Amex. But I also pay it ALL of at the end of each month. It is just easier than having to bring cash around, and I only use one card so I don't have to worry about forgetting to pay it.

Re: Who uses a credit card?

I charge just about everything to get miles. However I pay off the bill in full every month. I browse a lot but don't buy nearly as often as I used to. I am trying to save for a house, vacations, etc.

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We use plastic for everything and just pay it off at the end of the month. (DH is worse than me...he even uses it for 7-11 purchases! )

Re: Who uses a credit card?

i dont hva e a credit card anymore. theyre too much trouble

Re: Who uses a credit card?

I have a few CC's but honestly, DO NOT FEEL BAD that you don't! most Americans (according to CNN Money) are in huge CC debt. so consider yourself lucky!

an old rule of thumb for using CC's.... if you can't afford to pay cash for it, you shouldn't buy it.

Re: Who uses a credit card?

Re: Who uses a credit card?

Debit card mostly because it comes out of the account right away, and I can curb myself..I do have store cards I use mostly around the holidays but they are paid off as soon as I get the bill, and I have 2 major credit cards only used on vacation or emergency...

Re: Who uses a credit card?

Message edited 9/16/2006 11:38:32 AM.

Re: Who uses a credit card?

Re: Who uses a credit card?

Posted by itsbabytime

Posted by johnsae

omg DH makes me put EVERYTHING on our Amex card....no matter what it is. He is all about racking up "points". I rarely have cash...prob cause I spend it if I have it.

I also use debit cards a lot.

same here. We get cash back for what we spend so DH feels at least its going somewhere But, we don't "carry" debt, we pay the bill in full every month. but, last month, i took a peek and almost died - i started yelling at DH - why is the bill SOOOOOO much. then he itemized everything and my clothes, products etc - well, i won't tell you what they added up to - you would die! it was a total wake up call for me cause i never realized...cash is better because it forces you to account for what you are doing.

also, i have to say, i find living in nyc makes it impossible to shop cheap. i see on the boards all you ladies getting stuff at tj max etc but i don't think ive ever seen any stores like that here. it sucks cause when i have to go somewhere and i want to buy an outfit it is easily around $200 bucks. if you nyc ladies have any tips of good places to shop cheap...let me know! thNks!

Message edited 9/16/2006 11:55:24 AM.

Re: Who uses a credit card?

I have a few credit cards...when i go shopping i try to use my debit card...unless i do a big shopping spree, then i use the CC's....when i get the bill i always pay off the balances...I hate paying finance charges!
I would say get one...they wouldn't give you a large balance right away...my first CC was a $500 limit...you can do some damage with that

Re: Who uses a credit card?