How important is a credit card?

One day I fear it will.

A debit card is just a bank ATM card. It is also functionally a credit card if it has either the Visa or Mastercard logo (or maybe another company in a few cases) on it, which is the default for most banks. The reason they want one is so that if you don't return it, they can charge it to that. Rentals are different from buying things in that regard; that is just their insurance policy to lower their odds of getting ripped off.

The difference being using an ATM card as a credit card and just having a normal credit card is that for the ATM card you have to have the money already in your bank account, rather than spending money you don't have and paying it off later. That part wouldn't be relevant in renting a game, however, unless you failed to return it.

I hate credit cards. If you don't have the money, don't buy it.grassdream

I live in Arizona, theres a heat wave, my AC breaks...

I hate credit cards. If you don't have the money, don't buy it.grassdream

I hate credit cards. If you don't have the money, don't buy it.grassdream

What if your water heater breaks down on a holiday weekend where all of the banks are closed. Do you usually keep $500 in cash laying around?

Well, you pretty much need a credit card to buy anything online... Even if you wanna set up a PayPal account, you need a CC to charge accidental overflow.

Also, someone mentioned it already, but you need to build up credit early on so you can get a good mortgage later on in life. You can also get better rates on car payments and insurance payments. Banks will also be more likely to grant you loans.

Now, don't be irresponsible and let the credit pile up. Because then you gotta pay a crap load of interest. Just pay the balance before the grace period ends.

Credit/debit cards are pretty important to me.

Getting gas

- I can fill up at the pump, and save about 5 min every time it get gas. This is really important especially if the gas station is busy, or one of the ones where you have to pay before you pump.

Stores

- it's much easier to swipe a card than to pull out a couple 20's (or closer to exact change) and then fuddle w/ what ever change comes back. This doesn't save much time since you have to sign, and wait for verfication, but it does save you from the hassle of dealing with change.

Banks

- no longer do you check to see how much cash you have when you leave the house, or do you need to worry about what time the bank closes since you can always use an ATM.

security

- if I lose my wallet, or my card is stolen I'm legally protected. I just need to report my card is missing w/in a reasonable amount of time, and even if I don't I can only be charged $50 of fraudulant purchases. W/ cash I'm out of luck.

online

- tons of stuff is much cheaper online, and don't forget about all the crazy stuff you can only buy online. This is really important since I live in the middle of nowhere w/out a best buy, and other specialty stores.

budgeting

I can check my spending habits w/ ease, and manage my budget much better. I got into the habit of buying coffee-esque drinks everyday @ 2.99 they seemed like a bargain, but after checking out my credit card statement I noticed that it added up to over $50 a month. Now I make my own at home and save $40 every month.

Credit Cards can be dangerous if you're not responsible. Most people get into the habit of buying things and not relating the purchase to their budget (if they have one at all). If you don't budget your spending don't even think of using a credit card cause you'll just spend too much, and not be able to pay it back. This is really easy w/ cards that have limits of 5k or more, and before you know it you're in too deep. Luckily I'm not like that and I've had my cards for 7 years with hardly any problems. In fact the only time I've ever been charged an for interest on a card is the time I didn't notice I underpaid my bill by $5.

I hate credit cards. If you don't have the money, don't buy it.grassdream

haha maybe the worst argument ever, not everyone spends beyond their means you know....

It's unfortunate, but it seems credit cards are pretty necessary.

I mean, I have a debilitating fear of debt, so I'd never spend beyond my means. Still though, I can't ever seem to convince the bank I can handle having a credit card. I supposedly need a better credit rating than my nonexistant one, which would likely mean me having to get a cell-phone, which I definitely don't want, unless I get one where I don't have to pay anything monthly, if i don't use it. I don't think those plans exist.

It's unfortunate, but it seems credit cards are pretty necessary.

I mean, I have a debilitating fear of debt, so I'd never spend beyond my means. Still though, I can't ever seem to convince the bank I can handle having a credit card. I supposedly need a better credit rating than my nonexistant one, which would likely mean me having to get a cell-phone, which I definitely don't want, unless I get one where I don't have to pay anything monthly, if i don't use it. I don't think those plans exist.

Lockedge

I didn't even talk to the bank. I got mailings from the credit card companies, and when there was a really good one, I filled it out and sent it back. And then got my carda week or so later.

[QUOTE="Lockedge"]

It's unfortunate, but it seems credit cards are pretty necessary.

I mean, I have a debilitating fear of debt, so I'd never spend beyond my means. Still though, I can't ever seem to convince the bank I can handle having a credit card. I supposedly need a better credit rating than my nonexistant one, which would likely mean me having to get a cell-phone, which I definitely don't want, unless I get one where I don't have to pay anything monthly, if i don't use it. I don't think those plans exist.

muthsera666

I didn't even talk to the bank. I got mailings from the credit card companies, and when there was a really good one, I filled it out and sent it back. And then got my carda week or so later.

That's incredible. I mean, I've never gotten a piece of mail asking if I'd like a credit card. Ever.

I paid off my entire school fees with my earnings from work. 3 years of college paid for in full with no loans, just lots of hours and hard work. Maybe I should have taken a loan or something to improve my credit rating.

[QUOTE="muthsera666"][QUOTE="Lockedge"]

It's unfortunate, but it seems credit cards are pretty necessary.

I mean, I have a debilitating fear of debt, so I'd never spend beyond my means. Still though, I can't ever seem to convince the bank I can handle having a credit card. I supposedly need a better credit rating than my nonexistant one, which would likely mean me having to get a cell-phone, which I definitely don't want, unless I get one where I don't have to pay anything monthly, if i don't use it. I don't think those plans exist.

Lockedge

I didn't even talk to the bank. I got mailings from the credit card companies, and when there was a really good one, I filled it out and sent it back. And then got my carda week or so later.

That's incredible. I mean, I've never gotten a piece of mail asking if I'd like a credit card. Ever.

I paid off my entire school fees with my earnings from work. 3 years of college paid for in full with no loans, just lots of hours and hard work. Maybe I should have taken a loan or something to improve my credit rating.

When I graduated high school, I started getting credit card mailings. Up until halfway through my sophmore year of college, probably. I mean like two or three letters a week, though they started to reduce by the end. Some of them were horrible offers, but there were a couple that stood out as pretty good.

never get one just get a debit card and even then never use that, USE CASHFantasyStyle

And what happens when you want to buy a car or a house? You gonna pay for everything up front, in cash? Most people can't do that. They need a credit card to establish a credit/history and rating to show those who give out loans that they will be paid back.

Getting a credit card is extremely important. When you first get one though, don't spend money you don't have or won't have anytime soon, because the finance charges are ridiculous.