I've never had a cc.....ever....anyone else?

[RN4Babies]

I'm 47 years old, and I've never had a credit card. Ever. The only things I've ever not paid 100% cash for are my houses. (Yes, I pay cash for my cars). People say, "How can you get a mortgage with no credit?" I have great credit, actually; my score is in the high 700's. I have a Visa debit card that's tied to my checking account; I use either that or cash to pay for everything.

Is there anyone else out there who has never used a credit card or had payment plans for various things?................

 

[rflorek]

Good for you!! My aunt & uncle are the same way - cash for everything, including cars. They only recently got their first credit card (they are both in their early 80s) because they like to go to Atlantic City, and in order to reserve a room, they needed a credit card.

 

[dogodisney]

WOW! That's great!

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I'm glad that you're able to make this work for you. It's not easy to accomplish things without credit cards in this world. Just getting airfare without a credit card, renting a car, or making internet purchases is complicated by not having a CC. It takes a lot more effort in today's world to function without one. I applaud you, OP.

Personally, I don't view credit or credit cards as bad. I think that it is the abuse of credit that causes problems. I got my first CC in college. That was almost 30 years ago. Right now, I'd say that I have 5 CCs and one store charge card (Kohl's). We've financed cars in the past. I had a student loan in college and we use a finance company that charges $60/year so that we can make monthly payments on DD18's college tuition. When I purchase gas at the pump, I swipe my CC because it's easier than going into the store to pay cash or deal with the hold that gets placed on funds in my checking account by using a debit card. For me, CCs are a matter of convenience.

 

[RN4Babies]

Interesting...I use my debit card all the time to pay for gas in my car, and I've never had any kind of hold; my account is charged for the total price of my gas, nothing more. I also paid for our airfare to WDW with my debit card without any trouble. I frequently use my debit card for purchases on the internet, and again, have never run into a problem doing that.

The only glitch I ran into was last year when I bought new appliances for my kitchen. Evidently, my bank doesn't allow purchases on a debit card in excess of $2,000, so I just went to the bank and got a cashier's check for the total I owed to the appliance store. I truly don't feel much of an inconvenience of not having a credit card, but different strokes for different folks.

 

[DMickey28]

I also don't have a problem using my debit card for many purchases including gas, hotels, rental cars and airfare. If I ever have a purchase over $3500 then I let the bank know and they raise the daily limit for me. Right now it's at $3500 because we bought a bunch of furniture and a tv a while back.

 

[gobraves39560]

We don't use credit cards!!!!! I use my debit card for everything, including paying for our Disney vacations!!! We do have student loans, and a mortgage. It was so easy for us to buy a house. We were fresh out of college, and bought our home. Our credit is excellent, also. Just pay your bills ontime, and that will help your credit score!!!!

 

[soccerchick]

My brother does not have one and he's almost 40. I use mine responsibly and pay off each month.

I would be afraid to travel w/o one for emergencies. Last year at Disney, DD had severe strep and we had to take her to urgent care. Over $300 later, if we had had to pay cash for that, we'd have depleted our OOP money.

 

[BrandyC1974]

My brother (age 29) also has never had a credit card. He does have a car loan and just bought a house. That is the only debit he has.

 

[TheRatPack]

We used to not have one.....we were close to 30 before getting one and it was because of a fiasco that happened with our debit card that we decided to. I just don't like the fact that debit cards are tied to our actual cash.....so we use credit cards for reservations and things like that....that way if anyone does steal our number we can fight it but still have our cash to live off of until it gets worked out.

 

[scanmom]

What company are you referring to about your DD's college tuition? We have 2 DD's in college, and we struggle with paying the ever increasing tuition. I would love to be able to finance it w/o student loans, and am researching every option I can find. $60.00 a year sounds like a bargain!!! /thanks for the info!!

 

[Ava]

We used to not have one.....we were close to 30 before getting one and it was because of a fiasco that happened with our debit card that we decided to. I just don't like the fact that debit cards are tied to our actual cash.....so we use credit cards for reservations and things like that....that way if anyone does steal our number we can fight it but still have our cash to live off of until it gets worked out.

This is why I don't use my debit card for purchases. A friend of mine had her debit card number stolen once and the theif almost wiped out her bank account before she knew it had happened. Thankfully she was able to get most of the money back, but I don't want to take that risk. I only use my debit card to get cash from ATMs; I use a credit card for purchases and pay it off each month.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

We use Tuition Management Systems. The company was recommended by the Financial Aid Office of DD's school. I'm not sure whether they offer their service at every college. We let them know the amount that is needed to meet her tuition each year. They pay that amount to the school and then we repay TMS back over a 10-month period.

 

[clutter]

This is why I don't use my debit card for purchases. A friend of mine had her debit card number stolen once and the theif almost wiped out her bank account before she knew it had happened. Thankfully she was able to get most of the money back, but I don't want to take that risk. I only use my debit card to get cash from ATMs; I use a credit card for purchases and pay it off each month.

I'm in the same boat. I refuse to have the VISA logo on my debit card, and refuse to use it for anything other than ATM Withdrawals. I figure that I'd rather have the risk of someone wiping me out be with a credit card company than with my bank account.

However, I've had cc's for thirtysome years, and have yet to run up a balance on one. I record every purchase in my checkbook, to keep track of my spending every month. They're convenient and in many places, faster than cash. Funny thing is that I have more credit available than I know what to do with.

 

[Maggimus]

I just skimmed the thread so I am sorry if this has already been said (if it hasn't I'm surprised)...

One NEEDS a credit card. At Least open it, pay it off in a full each time the bill comes in to prove that you CAN make payments, and then let it go.

Chances are, you WILL need credit. My husband does finance for a living and deals with a ton of people who use cash only. That's a great system- we don't finance anything either unless we get rewards that are amazingly worth it, and then we pay it off each month.

You may have GREAT credit-- but you probably have no credit history. You may have one or two things showing on your bureau- but honestly-- with the best of scores that might not get you financed if you really needed to. You must have good ongoing credit history.

I suggest opening a credit card (not a debit card)... and putting a few things on it that you would normally already purchase, and paying it off every month. You need this, I PROMISE.

Dh's grandmother has EXCELLENT credit- she is in her 70's.... but only ONE bank can finance her because she lacks enough credit. She has maybe one or two things... you need MANY. You need to prove to these companies that you aren't in good standing just on one or two transactions-- but that you are consistent each and every time. They don't care that you pay for your cars and houses in cash (which is GREAT by the way)... they care that you pay borrowed money back well.

Again, I think its WONDERFUL that people pay cash for things... DH and I do this too. But having credit in this day is very important. Things can happen in life that can make a very stable environment very shaky (deathly illness/hospital bills, loss of a job, etc). You may not ever need your credit (and I hope you don't)-- but let it be there to fall on just in case you ever do!

I did just want to add that credit cards are not the ONLY way to build your credit-- but they are the fastest way (esp. since you haven't ever had one). It is also a great way to ESTABLISH credit (if you have NONE). Wait until you get a credit card offer in the mail and have someone sign on with you that has credit-- make those payments in full every month and you have suddenly established credit.

 

[jessily]

My boyfriend has never had a credit card and if he can help it, never will. Ironic thing is, he works for a credit card company. He uses his debit card for everything. I have a credit card that is paid in full each month and have gotten some great rewards back from it. I use my credit card to pay a lot of bills online and make online purchases. It gives me an extra sense of security that if someone gets ahold of my credit card number the money is not coming directly out of my bank account and there will be some time to sort it out. My boyfriend had a slew of purchases made on his debit card and while the bank sorted it out and he got his money back, he was without that money for a few weeks.

 

[jakoky]

well, first i have to say good for you , cash for everything truly is incredible!!! but for me, my "paid in full, no interest ever" cc is why i am on my 4th disney vacation in 4 1/2 years...i get airmiles for every dollar i spend and then i use them for free passes into disney....we leave on friday and i got 4 free, and my mil used her airmiles and bought our 5th one....a 1200 dollar (canadian) saving for me...i do realized cc get many people in trouble, and thankfully for us they are a great thing!!!
sharon

 

[Chicago526]

I'm also in the "credit cards aren't evil" camp. When used wisely, they can be convienant and benificial. I've got enough miles on my United Airlines card to get two free upgrades to Hawaii, and still have miles left over. All that for buying things I'd be buying anyway. I stick to my budget so I know the CC is causing me to over spend. I also get purchase protection and a few other perks.

But, everyone needs to do what they feel most comfortable with. Some people find CC's to be too tempting to have under any circumstance, other's just feel they do just fine with cash only. That's cool! Those that do cash only do need to have a bigger safety net, and ways of getting extra cash in an emergency though, especially while traveling.

 

[PinkRhombus]

I think it is perfect possible to go through life without one. It just depends who you are.

Even if you did go to Disney, and run into $300 worth of medical expenses that you did have to pay cash for...ATMs are everywhere. It would be worth the couple dollars in ATM fees if it was not your bank. Or you can go in a grocery store, buy something small, and choose "additional cash back". I know I can get up to $100 or maybe a little more, cash back that way. You could do a couple of transactions like that and have no fees to pay.

But...we don't go out of town without our credit card though. Everything goes on it.

 

[CoP Luv]

This is why I don't use my debit card for purchases. A friend of mine had her debit card number stolen once and the theif almost wiped out her bank account before she knew it had happened. Thankfully she was able to get most of the money back, but I don't want to take that risk. I only use my debit card to get cash from ATMs; I use a credit card for purchases and pay it off each month.

Same here: only for cash and to pay bills. I use one credit card - have a few for backups - and pay it off at the end of the cycle. I use it for everything, but just to rack up rewards! For me, using a credit card just makes me more $$ - rewards and no annual fee.