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submitted 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) by Blaze@discuss.tchncs.de to c/personalfinance@lemmy.ml

I know this might just reflect financial culture differences across countries, but let's give it a try

Edit: as a clarification, I meant credit card compared to debit, not to cash

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[-] vita_man@lemmy.world 38 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

I live in the US. I use a credit card for all my purchases because not only does it shift liability from my money to the bank's money, it also pays me a % in the form of cash back and I pay it off in full every month to avoid any interest charges. It's extremely important that my credit card balance is never higher than my checking and savings combined to ensure I really can pay it off in full.

[-] EddieTee77@lemdro.id 10 points 10 months ago

This is exactly my use case. Get free rewards but treat it like a debit card. Don't spend more than you couldn't pay back by the end of the month and you get free perks like cash back or airline points for travel.

[-] SgtSilverLining@lemmy.blahaj.zone 9 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

I use a credit card for all my purchases because not only does it shift liability from my money to the bank's money

Yes! My bank gives me 30 days to identify and contact them about fraudulent charges on the credit card, but only 3 for the debit card. Therefore I don't use my debit card unless I absolutely have to.

A few years ago my local gas station was victim of a skimmer - thank goodness I had the 30 days, because it took them two weeks to realize what happened and contact everyone! I don't check my bank every day for fraud so I would've had to eat those losses if it was a debit card.

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[-] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 22 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

US here. Yes, I use it for everything that I can because:

  • rewards
  • better fraud protection
  • features, like no foreign transaction fees
  • delayed payment, meaning my money can earn interest
  • build credit

I haven't used a debit card in years (though I have two), and I haven't regularly used cash pretty much ever (though I carry some). I actually have like 10 credit cards, though I only regularly use 2.

If I had to pay extra to use credit, I would probably use it a lot less.

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[-] lennier@kbin.social 22 points 10 months ago

In the UK, as long as you are able to track your finances well enough to ensure you repay the balance in full each month (you can arrange for this to happen automatically), there's no reason not to use a credit card.

You should especially use it for purchases over £100 as by law card issuers are jointly liable for problems with goods purchased, so if I have a warranty issue the retailer won't help with I can go through section 75 with my bank

I have never purchased something on a credit card and had it on the balance long enough to pay interest though, the rates are insane.

[-] JonSecadaNightRanger@kbin.social 5 points 10 months ago

Plus, some cards give you points. Which can later be used for things like upgrades on flights.

[-] Tippon@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 10 months ago

This is exactly what I use mine for, and I'm trying to convince my wife to do the same. We've had to buy some relatively expensive things for the house recently, so I've been using the credit card for the extra protection, while she's been paying in cash / debit card.

Luckily, we haven't had any major problems yet, but she doesn't seem to understand that the extra protection is worth it.

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[-] scytale@lemm.ee 15 points 10 months ago

If in the US, there is almost no downside to credit cards as long there's no annual fee and you pay it off in full every month. Most credit cards have some kind of rewards like cashback, miles, discounts, etc., so you gain something from using them. Banks are also very strict with fraud (because it's their money you're spending), so they will most likely side with you if you file a claim for unauthorized purchases. If you used a debit card, it's your money that gets stolen; and while the bank will try its best to recover it, they have less incentive to work for it compared to a credit card.

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[-] funchords@lemmy.sdf.org 14 points 10 months ago

I use a credit card because our laws in the USA protect credit-card purchases better than they do debit-card and other electronic purchases.

Although I use a credit card with revolving credit, I always pay the full balance each month. In this way, it acts as a debit card, but I get the benefits of a credit card. I have to remember to pay it on time, but I can set up autopay even for that.

My credit union (a kind of non-profit bank owned by its members) is the issuer of the card, and it gives a 2% cash award for credit-card usage.

[-] walden@sub.wetshaving.social 3 points 10 months ago

I do this, too. Anyone with any sort of self control should do the same, unless they prefer cash.

Using a debit card is too risky.

[-] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 2 points 10 months ago

I feel exactly the same way. The only case I would recommend a debit card is if it's at a separate institution from your main savings. That way, you'd only lose up to whatever that account has.

I've seen too many stories of people losing their savings because of a compromised debit card.

[-] Frog-Brawler@kbin.social 10 points 10 months ago

I use a credit card for everything, especially large purchases that don't charge an additional transaction fee to use the card. I also pay it off each month. I get 3-5% back when I use it. It would be quite stupid/lazy not to take free money, while also keeping my credit score at 847 (last I checked).

[-] dhork@lemmy.world 8 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

American here. Not only do I use credit cards for all of my purchases (and pay them off every month, so no debt builds up), but I am finding it increasingly hard to use cash on a daily basis, even when I want to. I used to prefer cash, especially on trips, as a way to control spending when needing to stick to a budget. But now so many places here have stopped taking cash altogether, or shuffle cash purchases off to a separate process which takes longer. I still carry cash, but find I rarely use it.

But all the different types of electronic payments now are confusing. I recall getting stuck at an airport once, and sitting near a place that had food for a few hours. They took cash, credit, and Google Pay, but not Apple Pay. I was amazed by the number of people who end up walking away when they realized that, and who didn't have an alternate way to pay.

[-] Deftdrummer@lemmy.world 8 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Use a credit card for every single purchase that will allow it. I have the Amazon prime rewards card, and we order our dog food and many household items from there at 5% cash back.

I acquire cash back and it goes towards the balance each month. I pay the balance in full each month, thereby reaping the rewards (free money) and never pay a cent in interest. Been doing this for years.

Another reason I do this is because I do not want my routing and account numbers online with any business.

One small breach of your bank account and your life savings can be gone. I'm not trusting any big business with that, not to mention the fraud protections other users have mentioned.

If you can exercise discipline it's a no brainier.

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[-] Blaze@discuss.tchncs.de 7 points 10 months ago

I never did, because in Europe people don't need to build a credit score, and it is usually advised to only use money you have.

Anecdotal evidence, but the only people I know that use them have a tendency to overspend.

[-] virku@lemmy.world 8 points 10 months ago

Norwegian here.

People here with shitty economic sense overspend using them and end up in debt. People with good economic sense use them for most of their transactions to get cashback/other benefits like bonus flights, etc. Some credit issuers also negotiate good deals with shops where you get the reduced price if you pay with their card.

We also use them for better fraud protection (liability shifts to the bank) and we usually get travelers insurance from the card issuer if more than half the price of the trip is payed with their credit card.

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[-] kier@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago

Argentinian here, and same.

I just feel comfortable spending with the money that I have, and forgetting about it.

[-] Tippon@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 10 months ago

Where in Europe, if you don't mind me asking?

I'm in the UK, and we have to build a credit score if we want to get a mortgage, a loan, or any sort of finance, unless it's from somewhere predatory like a payday lender.

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[-] CADmonkey@lemmy.world 6 points 10 months ago

I'm in the US. I use my credit card for utility bills, groceries, gas, and whatever else I'm buying during the month. Anything like a mortgage or car payment I pay from my bank account. Every month I pay off the card so I don't get interest charges.

[-] deconstruct@lemmy.world 5 points 10 months ago

I use credit cards for almost all purchases.

As long as you pay it off completely monthly, even modest perks make it an easy choice.

[-] BruceLee@lemmy.ml 5 points 10 months ago

In France, most of people don't even realised that credit cards shown in american TV productions aren't like our (debit) cards.
But that's totally normal when you see someone paying with a card to assume that they have indeed pay, rather than assuming that they have indebted themselves despite being able to afford the product.

[-] greensage@lib.lgbt 5 points 10 months ago

American here, 99% of the time I use credit cards. It's just generally easier than carrying cash and nearly all vendors accept it. Beyond that I get a % back as points to trade for gift cards or in my case plane tickets. Another item is that if I get robbed I can quickly recover or head off any lost money.

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[-] worfamerryman@beehaw.org 4 points 10 months ago

Totally! I always pay it off each month so there is no interest and I get tons of points.

They also give tons of other benefits, like accidental damage and theft protect on stuff for the first 30 days, double the manufacturers warranty, if I die over seas they will cover the cost to repatriate my body (I live in a foreign country)

There are tons of other things, too. Just don’t care to list them off. I do have to pay about $200/year to have the card, but I think it’s worth it due to the points back.

[-] Dagwood222@lemm.ee 4 points 10 months ago

If you get a cash back/rewards card and pay in full every month, you get paid for shopping.

[-] d3Xt3r@lemmy.nz 4 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

NZ here, I use it for online purchases. Credit cards have the advantage of extra fraud protection, as well as having a safety net of being able to do a chargeback in case the seller does fraud or something. I don't need to pay any interest on it either because I make use of the interest free days. I have a direct debit set up so the bill gets cleared on its own every month, so I don't forget and accidentally pay interest or something.

[-] Chariotwheel@kbin.social 4 points 10 months ago

I don't. Used to have a prepaid credit card, but the services is gone now. I am seriously considering it for some time now, given that a lot of services, especially US based, require credit cards.

[-] James_Ryan@feddit.de 3 points 10 months ago

I have one to shift large expenses to the end of the month. Just to have more room. I dont spend money I dont have or saved

Based in germany

[-] Usernameblankface@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

No, because if I use the credit card issued by my bank, I have to remember to pay it back. The bill doesn't appear the same day, so I have to check back a few days later. Just long enough to forget half the time. There is no automatic payoff, so I see it as a trap to charge interest from me.

Edit, I'm in the USA

[-] Frog-Brawler@kbin.social 3 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Consider downloading some kind of checkbook ledger app. Anytime you get paid, re-balance it and make sure it's correct. Then, use it for EVERY purchase that isn't cash. Once you get into the habit of not needing to re-balance it, switch 100% of your purchases to credit card, and keep the habit up. When it comes time to pay your credit card bill, you will have the cash you need to pay it off, and you will also be building credit which will give you more purchasing power down the road.

[-] Im14abeer@midwest.social 3 points 10 months ago

Are you not aware of the grace period? If you pay your bill by the due date no interest is charged. You get to use the bank's money for the better part of a month for free.

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[-] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 2 points 10 months ago

Get a better credit card. I have like 10, and they are all automatically paid every month. Go with one of the big credit card issuers, like Chase, Discover, Citi, or Capital One.

But it absolutely is intended to trap people into paying interest. They want you to charge more than you can afford to pay back, but if you have a healthy amount of cash in your bank account, you'll never need to worry about paying interest with a credit card. I haven't had an issue with autopay in over 10 years of using credit cards.

[-] walden@sub.wetshaving.social 2 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

You can get email reminders when your statement comes out. You don't pay interest on anything until a month after the statement.

For example:

Buy an apple on Jan 1st. Statement sent to you on Feb 1st. Interest starts March 1st unless you pay it off before then.

You can set up autopayment, but it'll be for the full statement balance once a month.

[-] iamericandre@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago

US resident, I use a rewards card for most purchases because I earn points that I can redeem for plane tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars etc. I also make sure to pay the balance off every month to avoid interest.

[-] th3dogcow@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Japan here. I use credit or cashless payments linked through credit almost exclusively. It makes it easy to manage family finances, as although there are no joint bank accounts here, you can have family credit cards. So one card for family expenses, and another for personal expenses.

Plus by default, credit cards in Japan are basically charge cards; they are paid off every month by direct debit. There is no interest in this case. You can also split payments over two months without incurring interest. Also, many credit cards offer bonus payment (typically workers receive summer and winter bonuses, card companies allow you to delay payment until that time without incurring interest).

[-] unknowing8343@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 10 months ago

In Europe they are basically featureless, and the only people I have seen using them were those who struggle with consumerism.

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[-] alex@jlai.lu 2 points 10 months ago

(I live in France. They are not a thing here.)

[-] alchemy88@lemmy.team 2 points 10 months ago

I've only really used them when theres a 0% offer and I've been making a big purchase. I use my debit card day-to-day.

[-] abc@lemmus.org 2 points 10 months ago

No. I'd rather not owe the bank anything.

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this post was submitted on 21 Aug 2023
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