I feel so liberated, not using credit cards anymore

[OhMari]

How much was your purchase at Lowe's. Just curious.

I just saved for the last 3 weeks to pay in cash today for my dd to take the Lifeguarding training $145. I mean do you have expendable cash like that when a unforseen circumstance comes up, or do you save a few weeks, then go buy it.

My dd wanted me to shopping for a one piece suit. She has 2, but she said they are sort of tight. I told her I have enough to put gas in the car and truck and go grocery shopping and go to another store and buy shampoo, cleaning supplies etc. I don't have $60-$75 for swimming suit, especially now when they are just coming out in the store again. She will have to wait.

 

[popeyeohoh]

Congratulations! I am working towards that end myself. Have reduced our credit by $7,000. By the end of the year I am hoping to be debt free!! It has taken 2 years but well worth it.

 

[C.Ann]

My dd wanted me to shopping for a one piece suit. She has 2, but she said they are sort of tight. I told her I have enough to put gas in the car and truck and go grocery shopping and go to another store and buy shampoo, cleaning supplies etc. I don't have $60-$75 for swimming suit, especially now when they are just coming out in the store again. She will have to wait.

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Unless she absolutely has to have it right now, you did the right thing.. It's that whole "instant gratification" that has gotten so many people in trouble with CC debt, car loans they can't meet, etc.. Unless someone is going to die, "waiting" for something is a good thing, not a bad thing..

 

[Cass]

They are handy for unexpected crisises, like vet bills for our cat in excess of 5700.00 it took me a few months to pay that off, but was worth it.

 

[skiwee1]

We love our CC. We use it for all groceries, eating out, buying everything at the stores and everything else. We also pay it off each month. Much easier then carrying cash. I wouldn't want to be toting around $1000s of dollars in cash either!

 

[Honu]

Get a card that has to be paid off each month, like the basic American Express. They do have an extended payment option, but you don't need to participate in it.

I rarely use cash. I put everything possible on a credit card and feel liberated by flying first class to Hawaii a couple times a year for FREE!

I also can better track what I'm spending my money on and I get built in loss/theft insurance for all purchases I charge. It's a great tool, if you use it wisely.

 

[C.Ann]

I wouldn't want to be toting around $1000s of dollars in cash either!

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LOL - it's really not necessary to be "toting around thousands of dollars in cash" and yet still not use credit cards, but I'm sure you are aware of that and how it can be accomplished..

 

[Cass]

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LOL - it's really not necessary to be "toting around thousands of dollars in cash" and yet still not use credit cards, but I'm sure you are aware of that and how it can be accomplished..

I think it can be like that, car repairs 1200+ last month , groceries at least 300.00 a week, christmas shopping was a couple of thousand ++ Ithink what skiwee said is realistic.

Thats why my aeroplan points (Air Canada) add up so quickly

Plus you have a record of where you shopped and what you spend, I lose track of cash too easily

 

[C.Ann]

I think it can be like that, car repairs 1200+ last month , groceries at least 300.00 a week, christmas shopping was a couple of thousand ++ Ithink what skiwee said is realistic.

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Well all I can say is that it's always worked for me - with proper planning there's no need to carry huge amounts of cash on you..

But that's what makes life so great - we can each do what suits us best..

 

[summerrluvv]

You should use a CC and pay it off to keep an excellent credit rating.

Actually that doesn't do much for your score if you pay it off in full each month. Carrying a balance and paying way more than the minimum payment is good for the score.

 

[summerrluvv]

We love our CC. We use it for all groceries, eating out, buying everything at the stores and everything else. We also pay it off each month. Much easier then carrying cash. I wouldn't want to be toting around $1000s of dollars in cash either!

That's where check cards come in handy. Most stores these days even take basic ATM cards (without the VISA/MASTERCARD logo on them). I pay for everything with my Visa check card. Visa check cards have zero liability and it's just as easy as a regular credit card

 

[C.Ann]

Actually that doesn't do much for your score if you pay it off in full each month.

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Correct.. I believe someone recently posted that you are referred to as a "deadbeat".. They want to make interest - not have charges paid off each month.. If they can get you to keep a balance, they can do all sorts of fun things - like raise your interest rate sky high because you paid your electric bill late..

Also your "available" credit can create problems as well..

 

[raammartin]

Also your "available" credit can create problems as well..

Very true. We have usually ended up calling and having the available credit reduced. We don't see a need in having tens of thousands of dollars in credit available.

 

[C.Ann]

Very true. We have usually ended up calling and having the available credit reduced. We don't see a need in having tens of thousands of dollars in credit available.

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A family member recently revealed to me the amount of a credit line they had available if they chose to use it and it was absolutely obscene.. The card got cut up - period..

 

[skiwee1]

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LOL - it's really not necessary to be "toting around thousands of dollars in cash" and yet still not use credit cards, but I'm sure you are aware of that and how it can be accomplished..

Well some days I'd have to make a pitstop home to grab some more $$$ then as I can spend quite a bit in one day. LOL! I believe I was referring to me. I couldn't care less what others do.

 

[skiwee1]

I think it can be like that, car repairs 1200+ last month , groceries at least 300.00 a week, christmas shopping was a couple of thousand ++ Ithink what skiwee said is realistic.

Thats why my aeroplan points (Air Canada) add up so quickly

Plus you have a record of where you shopped and what you spend, I lose track of cash too easily

Exactly. I spend around $300 when I grocery shop too. I spent $1000 on glasses for the 3 of us last week. Don't even get me started on Christmas shopping!

 

[skiwee1]

That's where check cards come in handy. Most stores these days even take basic ATM cards (without the VISA/MASTERCARD logo on them). I pay for everything with my Visa check card. Visa check cards have zero liability and it's just as easy as a regular credit card

That doesn't give us the perks of using a CC though. I like those perks!

 

[C.Ann]

That doesn't give us the perks of using a CC though. I like those perks!

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I guess that's where the waters get muddy.. I'm sure that you enjoy the perks and rewards that you receive from using CC's - but for people who don't care to use them, there are also "perks" and "rewards" that a CC user would never, ever be able to understand..

 

[skiwee1]

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I guess that's where the waters get muddy.. I'm sure that you enjoy the perks and rewards that you receive from using CC's - but for people who don't care to use them, there are also "perks" and "rewards" that a CC user would never, ever be able to understand..

Like what? I still pay it off each month so I can't imagine anything I'm missing? I might spend $12,000 dollars and you bet it will be paid off before we get hit with interest. Do you mean you get some kind of satisfaction in paying cash? Do you think that CC users such as myself miss out on that for some reason? I cannot imagine any perk you get that I don't get seeing as we both do not owe anyone anything? I'm sure you'll come up with something. You always do.

 

[cardaway]

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Correct.. I believe someone recently posted that you are referred to as a "deadbeat".. They want to make interest - not have charges paid off each month.. If they can get you to keep a balance, they can do all sorts of fun things - like raise your interest rate sky high because you paid your electric bill late..

Also your "available" credit can create problems as well..

Who would call anybody in that situaiton a deadbeat?

to the OP. Congrats.