Could you live without your credit card?

For ever odd

We got a credit card a few years back, not because we wanted one, but it was needed to book holidays online, rent a car etc.
Outside of this we rarely use it, we bring it on holiday's in case debit cards aren't accepted, or an unforseen emergency.

I couldn't help but notice, that credit cards are been used to pay for daily shopping, and even buying a round in the local boozer.

- What do you use your credit card for?
- How much is your balance?
- Could you live without it?

BunkMoreland

Use it for most things, cheaper than visa.

snubbleste

Yes.

The Backwards Man

I use mine to buy plane tickets, hotel rooms and socks.

Penny Tration

27, I've never had one and never intend to get one. If I want something, I'll save for it rather than use a credit card. I've booked holidays on my debit card with no issues, hotels have always accepted them, and I carry cash for spending money on holidays.

Frynge

With bank charges being the norm now again it works out cheaper to use my credit card like a charge card so as to avoid fees.

Pat Mustard

For ever odd wrote: »

- How much is your balance?

What is your credit card number?

Can you send on a copy of your photo ID?

hairyslug

I had to get one for a holiday about 10 years back, since then it's been used for emergencies.
Debit card all the way,very rarely use cash

IsMiseMyself

I don't have a credit card and I don't know if I'd ever get one. My mam drilled into us as kids to never buy anything unless we have the cash sitting in our accounts and that's something I've stuck with since.

Thelomen Toblackai

I don't have a credit card just the debit card. If I buy something I want to pay for it there and then not put it off and pay for it with interest a month down the line.

Miaireland

I have one and very very rarely use it. I tend to use my debit card and cash most of the time. The only time I tend to use credit cards is when I am checking into a hotel, some want you to leave credit card details rather that debit card details. However I normally settle my hotel bill with my debit card on checking out.

Doylers

I use mine when I'm poor :pac: So might put going to the dentist on it and tax while I save up over the month to pay it back.

They are a bollox though when you get into proper debt, I worked hard to get mine down to zero the last while and intend to use it as an emergency card while my number26 card will be for day to day since everything is free and has the best conversion rates.

snubbleste

You pay €30pa tax just for the privilege of a credit card.
Why would you do that when there are other options?

the evasion_kid

IsMiseMyself wrote: »

I don't have a credit card and I don't know if I'd ever get one. My mam drilled into us as kids to never buy anything unless we have the cash sitting in our accounts and that's something I've stuck with since.

It's in their interest to have you in debt..

Collie D

Had one years ago and abused it, tore it up and (eventually) paid it up.

Got one a few months ago now that I'm more mature and financially stable. Going to France for Euros next month and have topped it with the price of hotels rather than leaving the cash in current account where it will be spent. Came in handy recently when I lost my debit card and had no cash to get home.

So handy for holidays and emergencies if used sensibly. I've been both a sensible and unsensible credit card holder

The Backwards Man

snubbleste wrote: »

You pay €30pa tax just for the privilege of a credit card.
Why would you do that when there are other options?

Two words

Incidental hold

Speedwell

30 years ago, when I was in 20 and college, I had a credit card, then I lost my job and had a terrible time paying it back. Since then, I have been a credit card refusenik; I can count on one hand the number of times when it has even been an issue. There have been zero times when I needed one and had no other option.

People moan to me about being in debt. I haven't had debt in more than 25 years. None. None whatsoever. Those same people sigh, "I wish I was like you".

Antar Bolaeisk

I only have it for car rental. I generally have to pre-load it to cover the excess.

eviltwin

Don't have one, no intentions of ever getting one.

NIMAN

Got a UK one for emergencies, flights, hotels etc.
Rarely use it. And no annual fee.

Currently have no money on it.

so yes, I could live without one.

smash

For ever odd wrote: »

credit cards are been used

-_-

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

I got one when I was 18, boom time, lots of money. Only too delighted to give me one. I got into so much trouble with it. Disaster. I was making payments that weren't even covering the interest. My dad found out, paid it off and cut it up.
Was recently in the bank and the lady suggested I apply for one "for emergencies", no thanks!

PMBC

eviltwin wrote: »

Don't have one, no intentions of ever getting one.

Excellent idea for some; not for me

Ciderswigger

Pat Mustard wrote: »

Can you send on a copy of your photo ID?

Alright Tesco Mobile, calm down.

Olishi4

Yes I have one. Originally got it for a holiday I think but also if you use it properly, it's a good way to keep your credit rating positive or to start building a credit rating history.

Some places won't give loans/finance if you ever needed it, if you have no credit rating.

Del2005

Thelomen Toblackai wrote: »

I don't have a credit card just the debit card. If I buy something I want to pay for it there and then not put it off and pay for it with interest a month down the line.

You don't pay any interest if you pay it off a month down the line, it's when pay the minimum that interest hits in. You get free money for a month.

Collie D wrote: »

Had one years ago and abused it, tore it up and (eventually) paid it up.

Got one a few months ago now that I'm more mature and financially stable. Going to France for Euros next month and have topped it with the price of hotels rather than leaving the cash in current account where it will be spent. Came in handy recently when I lost my debit card and had no cash to get home.

So handy for holidays and emergencies if used sensibly. I've been both a sensible and unsensible credit card holder

When you use a credit card you have protection from the bank, when you load it with cash a lot of these protections are gone. You are always better off using the banks money and then paying off in full, since banks will chase their money if there's a problem but they don't care about yours.

Mr Bank cut mine in front of me a number of years ago. I was an awful divil with it. Holidays, handbags, luxury skin care, expensive hotels, you name it. It had to be done. I got in to awful debt with it. So now I'm credit card free and debt free

HalloweenJack

I'm 28 and have never had and won't think about getting one til I have a steady job.

I've lasted this long perfectly fine without one.

biko

I have several cards but use cash as much as possible.

#notracking #cashisking

o1s1n

Penny Tration wrote: »

27, I've never had one and never intend to get one. If I want something, I'll save for it rather than use a credit card. I've booked holidays on my debit card with no issues, hotels have always accepted them, and I carry cash for spending money on holidays.

The problem with this is if someone skims your debit card online they are literally emptying your current account - which you've to try to recoup from the bank. Its a direct link to you cash.

If someone does the same with your credit card it doesn't threaten your current account. If something goes wrong it's just credit that's stolen, which you can just let the bank deal with. You still have all your money.

Its a really useful extra layer of protection when buying online. There's not a chance I'd enter my debit card details into a site, ever.

Valentina

Got rid of my credit card last year and don't regret it for a minute. Now my only debt is my mortgage.

If I want to buy something online I either use a prepaid card or give the cash to my OH and put it on his credit card.

Penny Tration

o1s1n wrote: »

The problem with this is if someone skims your debit card online they are literally emptying your current account - which you've to try to recoup from the bank. Its a direct link to you cash.

If someone does the same with your credit card it doesn't threaten your current account. If something goes wrong it's just credit that's stolen, which you can just let the bank deal with. You still have all your money.

Its a really useful extra layer of protection when buying online. There's not a chance I'd enter my debit card details into a site, ever.

I know, my sister's debit card was skimmed and it took a few weeks to get the money back from the bank.

That's why I also have "emergency" cash in my purse at all times, and some savings that a trusted family member holds for me in their safe.

As for online shopping, I only use trusted sites, haven't had any issues.

biko

After a particularly wild night in a club I don't carry cards when I drink

jh79

o1s1n wrote: »

The problem with this is if someone skims your debit card online they are literally emptying your current account - which you've to try to recoup from the bank. Its a direct link to you cash.

If someone does the same with your credit card it doesn't threaten your current account. If something goes wrong it's just credit that's stolen, which you can just let the bank deal with. You still have all your money.

Its a really useful extra layer of protection when buying online. There's not a chance I'd enter my debit card details into a site, ever.

I have a seperate account for debit card transactions, transfer money into it using my banking app when i need to buy something online or in a shop. Never use the debit card on my main account.

theteal

I've had to rent cars several times over each of the last 6ish years and I refuse to pay for their own inflated insurance policies so I need the CC for the excess deposit. Now that I think of it, that's very possibly the only time my CC gets used. I'd normally go with the visa debit card for standard purchases.

Lia_lia

I got one when I was 19 when I went to America for a summer "just incase". The max is €650 so can't go too crazy with it. I used it quite a lot when I was a student as I was often broke. Didn't use it for about 3 years until this year when I needed it again. Handy to have but don't need one with a €1000+ limit.

Yamanoto

snubbleste wrote: »

You pay €30pa tax just for the privilege of a credit card.
Why would you do that when there are other options?

Because a credit card offers a level of security & convenience the other options cannot match. Try checking into a decent hotel , renting a car without jumping through hoops or disputing a transaction you believe to be fraudulent with these other options & the benefits of having a cc would become abundantly clear.

I travel with work quite a bit & routinely use my visa card for hotels, rental cars & even flights on occasion. By the time the card falls due for payment, I'll have had expenses reimbursed & settle the balance in full. There's no way on earth I'd be dipping into my current account to cover such expenditure & tbh €30pa is a modest price to pay for what the card delivers in terms of pure convenience.

Spanish Eyes

Only have it for hiring cars on holliers, and security deposit at hotels.

Use Debit card for everything else.

Like many, in my youth a CC was free cash, but it wasn't was it? Hard lesson learned there, never to be repeated!

Handy to have for emergencies if the other cards don't work or something like that. Otherwise, I suppose I could live without it if I didn't have to hire a car now and then!

Collie D

Collie D wrote: »

Going to France for Euros next month and have topped it with the price of hotels rather than leaving the cash in current account where it will be spent. Came in handy recently when I lost my debit card and had no cash to get home.

It's a good idea but if there's a positive balance on it, my understanding is that it won't be covered if anyone skims it etc, money will be 100% gone.

I have a couple, one with a tiny limit and one with a less tiny limit. Got it raised a while back to go on a holiday, no bother. Pay em off each month. Have more than enough cash to cover them if I were ever stuck.

I do use one of them shopping a fair bit since it's contactless so it's very handy

I was very glad to have the tiny limit card recently as the details were stolen somehow, bank were on the ball and rejected an attempted Argos purchase for more than the limit as potential fraud, rang me, etc. I've literally only used it on paypal so who knows

The one I had was I think a 10k limit or something stupid.

Malari

I got one in my early 20s when I was going to the US. Just for emergencies. I never abused it, but I find it really useful for bookings, etc. Stuff you don't want to pay for in advance, or to make a payment when you won't have the cash for another month. I think I've only paid interest on it once, and that was because I had day slippage - just completely forgot to pay until a couple of days too late!

Amirani

Use mine for most day to day purchases. It's essentially like a charge card though, gets cleared with a direct debit from my current account every month - no fees.

Much more convenient for certain things than a debit card. Allows you to put most of your money into a term deposit account because of credit period rather than needing to keep it earning 0% in a current account.

Spanish Eyes

bluewolf wrote: »

It's a good idea but if there's a positive balance on it, my understanding is that it won't be covered if anyone skims it etc, money will be 100% gone.

I have a couple, one with a tiny limit and one with a less tiny limit. Got it raised a while back to go on a holiday, no bother. Pay em off each month. Have more than enough cash to cover them if I were ever stuck.

I do use one of them shopping a fair bit since it's contactless so it's very handy

I was very glad to have the tiny limit card recently as the details were stolen somehow, bank were on the ball and rejected an attempted Argos purchase for more than the limit as potential fraud, rang me, etc. I've literally only used it on paypal so who knows

Same as yourself, was abroad, and I do not know how it happened, I am so careful LOL, but the day I returned the card was being used to book holidays. Not by me. Bank on straight away, and refunded quickly, I had to sign an indemnity, and all was well.

Keep on eye on your internet bank stuff folks, fraudulent use can happen to anyone, no matter how careful you think you are!

razorblunt

Use an AmEx on a reward program that I use almost as a current account, clear it off every Wednesday and Saturday so I don't get hit by the APR on monthly bills.

For ever odd

For ever odd wrote: »

.......

- What do you use your credit card for?........

I use CC for everything possible, I pay them off 100% monthly so in addition to the must have element for booking and buying online etc I significantly reduce transaction costs on ATM withdrawals / debit card purchases etc.

It's also free credit for 30 days.

Great value all considered imo.

Spanish Eyes

Deleted User wrote: »

The one I had was I think a 10k limit or something stupid.

I also have a stupid limit, but kept it thank you, on the basis that if I was abroad and had to have medical treatment, or get home in a hurry, I could pay on the spot, and claim it back later through travel insurance. Just peace of mind.

snubbleste

snubbleste wrote: »

You pay €30pa tax just for the privilege of a credit card.
Why would you do that when there are other options?

Are the other options free?

Grab All Association

Off-topic but get a 3v voucher from your local shop and register it in your friends (or enemy) name then order

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Inflatable-Sheep-Stag-Hen-Party-NEW-/291399147500?hash=item43d8be1fec:g:aMMAAOSwPhdU-LbX

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/INFLATABLE-BLOW-UP-MAN-WOMAN-SHEEP-COMEDY-STAG-HEN-NIGHT-PARTY-FANCY-DRESS-/121277758672?var=&hash=item1c3cb7bcd0:m:mcaFASvdaYMID-QN88HfazA

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/I-LOVE-MY-DILDO-Humorous-Novelty-Fun-Themed-Womens-T-Shirt-/111001731041?var=&hash=item19d837ffe1:m:m_OKKR8YexUfNGq_Ps_3QyA

The invoice will be in their name making it appear like they ordered the items themselves.

failinis

IsMiseMyself wrote: »

I don't have a credit card and I don't know if I'd ever get one. My mam drilled into us as kids to never buy anything unless we have the cash sitting in our accounts and that's something I've stuck with since.

Exact same here.
My mum does have a credit card but it was only used for emergencies (flying to London when sibling was suddenly in hospital and such things).

Penny Tration

Yamanoto wrote: »

Because a credit card offers a level of security & convenience the other options cannot match. Try checking into a decent hotel , renting a car without jumping through hoops or disputing a transaction you believe to be fraudulent with these other options & the benefits of having a cc would become abundantly clear.

I travel with work quite a bit & routinely use my visa card for hotels, rental cars & even flights on occasion. By the time the card falls due for payment, I'll have had expenses reimbursed & settle the balance in full. There's no way on earth I'd be dipping into my current account to cover such expenditure & tbh €30pa is a modest price to pay for what the card delivers in terms of pure convenience.

what kind of hassle do you experience booking hotels with a debit?

I've booked the Gresham, a Hilton, a Raddisson (all in Ireland), some 4 stars in London, all with a debit card and no issues.

My dad booked and paid for an 18 day trip to the Seychelles (flights, hotels, transfers, no travel agent bollocks) all with his debit card too, with no issues.

Beasty

Still remember the number of my first credit card. Alas it's end date was some time around 1982

At one stage I would and would pretty much max out my credit. Could get over 50 grand now across various cards now if I wanted to. Pay off whatever i do spend every month though.

I could certainly live without a credit card nowadays. Not sure my kids could live without it mind.....