Credit Cards vs Cash
If you are responsible, I would advise getting one, for multiple reasons.
1. Readily available cash that is safe, and by safe, I mean there are safeguards if it is lost or stolen. Cash and debit cards do not protect you like credit cards do.
2. Secure online shopping. That means fraud protection.
3. Having and using a card will build your credit, helping you later when you want a car or home loan, or want to refinance loans.
Really, if you are responsible with your money, you have no reason to not have a credit card. Just make sure you pay off your balance every month so you don't end up owing interest, and it is the same thing as having a debit card, just with more protection.
The cons mostly center around people not being mature enough or smart enough to handle the responsibility of a credit card.
1. They make it easy to spend money. Yep, swipe and boom, $300 gone. NO counting, no second thoughts.
2. They have little perks that end up costing you. Yes, you can get an instant cash advance, but that comes with a huge interest rate that likely compounds daily, which will end up burning you big time.
3. Debit cards come with fee-less ATM withdrawls, usually; not all credit cards do.
The big problem people have with credit cards is they swipe and swipe and swipe and then get upset when they see how much money they spent, at which point they blame the card. Yes, the piece of plastic made them blow $400 on those super cute boots...
So what does Eyes do? I have a debit card at a small regional bank where I keep my measly savings, along with a VISA issued by that same bank; also have a checking account at the bank. I also have a debit card (with checking account) at a national bank, so that I can use ATMs without fees no matter where I am in the country. The accompanying checking account lets me pay my balance instantly rather than waiting for a statement to come in the mail.
I use my credit card for everything. Everything. I only use the debit cards
1. Readily available cash that is safe, and by safe, I mean there are safeguards if it is lost or stolen. Cash and debit cards do not protect you like credit cards do.
2. Secure online shopping. That means fraud protection.
3. Having and using a card will build your credit, helping you later when you want a car or home loan, or want to refinance loans.
Really, if you are responsible with your money, you have no reason to not have a credit card. Just make sure you pay off your balance every month so you don't end up owing interest, and it is the same thing as having a debit card, just with more protection.
The cons mostly center around people not being mature enough or smart enough to handle the responsibility of a credit card.
1. They make it easy to spend money. Yep, swipe and boom, $300 gone. NO counting, no second thoughts.
2. They have little perks that end up costing you. Yes, you can get an instant cash advance, but that comes with a huge interest rate that likely compounds daily, which will end up burning you big time.
3. Debit cards come with fee-less ATM withdrawls, usually; not all credit cards do.
The big problem people have with credit cards is they swipe and swipe and swipe and then get upset when they see how much money they spent, at which point they blame the card. Yes, the piece of plastic made them blow $400 on those super cute boots...
So what does Eyes do? I have a debit card at a small regional bank where I keep my measly savings, along with a VISA issued by that same bank; also have a checking account at the bank. I also have a debit card (with checking account) at a national bank, so that I can use ATMs without fees no matter where I am in the country. The accompanying checking account lets me pay my balance instantly rather than waiting for a statement to come in the mail.
I use my credit card for everything. Everything. I only use the debit cards