Sort of Parenting related - Credit Card ?

Ok, so maybe this is me trying to justify my shopping addiction for DD but how many store cc's do you have? I am tempted to apply for gymboree and cp. It seems if I don't have the money to shop at the time, if I put it on a store card I pay it off in full when the bill comes. But not so easy if it gets mushed in my major cc bill. So am I being rediculous here? Plus they all seem to have really great rewards. Like Gymboree you save 5% off every purchase on the card.

Re: Sort of Parenting related - Credit Card ?

I have none...

I put all our purchases on a Chase bru/tru card and we earn 10 dollar gift cards...We put all of our expenses on the credit card and pay it off the end of the month...

Re: Sort of Parenting related - Credit Card ?

I have some store cards, actually I just paid them all off. I had the same mentality...charge it then pay off when the bill comes. It didn't quite workout that way though So now, I still use my Gap one, but I charge very little so I know I can pay it off, and still earn rewards certificates.

Re: Sort of Parenting related - Credit Card ?

Zero store cards, everything goes on one of two cards we have. It gets paid off every month. We get points on our one card, so it pays for me to use that one for everything.

Re: Sort of Parenting related - Credit Card ?

The only store cards I have are Macy's (left from my single days), Kohl's and Children's Place. I just got a CP card because they offered me 25% what I was buying the other day and I saved a ton, since I was getting a whole bunch of stuff for the summer.

I keep the store cards because I like all the coupons and discounts I get. I don't use them that much, and everything else goes on a card that gives us cash back.

ETA - we pay off all credits cards in full each month, so the discounts are worth it for me.

Message edited 3/27/2009 10:38:56 AM.

Re: Sort of Parenting related - Credit Card ?

I have a few store cards but make sure to pay them off each month. I have them to get the discounts. And usually use them to get the discounts and make a payment right there afterwards so i dont have to worry about it.

Re: Sort of Parenting related - Credit Card ?

I have a Gap and Gymbo card only to know what I spend on clothes so I don't get out of hand. If I put it on another card it gets all mashed in and I have no idea. I am trying to limit my spending. They help.

Re: Sort of Parenting related - Credit Card ?

One which I've used twice.

I find you're better off on getting a rewards card or paying cash. If you don't pay that balance off at the end of the month, that 5% discount can cost you 20% more.

Re: Sort of Parenting related - Credit Card ?

Only Kohl's for the coupon deals. I would never get store CC's. We pay our regular CC in full every month though.

Re: Sort of Parenting related - Credit Card ?

None.

Re: Sort of Parenting related - Credit Card ?

I got rid of all my store cards years ago. I had too many and it's not good for your credit ratings. I also found I simply spent more b/c of coupons, etc buying things I didn't need.

All I have/use is my Amex, and I get rewards on that so it all works out IMO. I think the store cards are a bad idea, I get so annoyed when they ask me at checkout if I want one b/c I can save 10% on my purchase and then when I say no, they keep asking.

Re: Sort of Parenting related - Credit Card ?

I have a Gap one as well as some others... jcrew, banana, v-secret. I hardly use the last couple.

I shop at Gap A LOT so it pays to have it for me since i get coupons all the time. I just pay it off each month.

Message edited 3/27/2009 10:26:49 AM.

Re: Sort of Parenting related - Credit Card ?

I have one main card and one back-up that I have never used.

My main card is cash back so I use it for everything and pay it in full every month.

I only apply for store cards if I am making a HUGE purchase ($500-1000 or more) and then I pay it off and cancel it immediately. I've only done this maybe 2-3 times my whole life.

I think it hurts your credit to have too many open cards. When they look at your credit rating they are looking at the availability of every open credit card you have. Meaning if you have $1000 limit on 10 different cards, even if you never use them, you have the capacity to charge $10,000. Not sure if I am explaining myself clearly . . .

Re: Sort of Parenting related - Credit Card ?

Only Kohls because they have amazing coupon deals. Everything else gets debited(cash) so that cc bills don't pile up

Re: Sort of Parenting related - Credit Card ?

I have 2 - only because they offer really good coupons all of the time. I am thinking about getting the 1 we talked about though.

Re: Sort of Parenting related - Credit Card ?

None for DS as of yet.

I do have Gap, Ann Taylor and Lord & Taylor for me (although Gap is more him these days)

Re: Sort of Parenting related - Credit Card ?

I have a Target for the rewards and coupons - anything else goes on my AMEX

Re: Sort of Parenting related - Credit Card ?

Gap card for the rewards
Macy's card - cancelling
BRU card - got it for the discount. Will cancel - DH is going to apply to replace his MC and then add me.

We ultimately want two major credit cards (one under each name as the primary) and then one or two store cards but no more.

Re: Sort of Parenting related - Credit Card ?

I have Children's Place because I also have a lot of kids to buy presents for during the year. I have two boys and a baby on the way so I get some use out of the discounts. I'm not a fan of Gymboree and find their prices to be kinda high so I wouldn't get any "reward" from having a card from them.

Oh, I also have a Kohl's Card which is my favorite. You get extra money off a few times a year for using their card.

Re: Sort of Parenting related - Credit Card ?

None. I just don't think they're worth it in the end.