Who's still using.....

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2008
Who's still using.....
19
Mon, 03-30-2009 - 2:24pm

credit cards....................


And is it bothering you?


Are you able to pay off the balance in full each month?


I haven't used my c/c's since July 2008. I honestly don't ever know if I'll be "ok" to trust myself to use them. For the trip we are taking in April we are booking everything and such on our debit card. Just wondering who is still using them and asking why?


(I'm not asking to judge anyone - I hope those that know my posts know I am not that kind of person.)


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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-28-2006
Mon, 03-30-2009 - 2:37pm

I do have some credit cards. Things like Shell and Lowes. Lowes has no balance and Shell is paid off every month. Other than that I don't trust myself. I am not going to get back in to a mess again. They are too hard to get out of!


Great Topic!


iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2008
Mon, 03-30-2009 - 4:04pm

I shredded the cards on January 23, when we filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Norma


"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus


iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2005
Mon, 03-30-2009 - 4:12pm

I have no credit cards so I use my debit card for everything.


I do need to get one credit card to start rebuilding my credit, I think I'm going to go with a secured card (I'll probably wait until the end of the year to get it) and then use it for something I normally purchase (gas, groceries, etc.) and pay it in full every month.

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Wedding
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2009
Mon, 03-30-2009 - 4:17pm

Yes, I have two credit cards and a store card (Best Buy, are they still in business)?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-14-2008
Mon, 03-30-2009 - 4:31pm

I have one credit card. I did have a balance owning on it due to new tires(for a truck I no longer have!!) But as of January 2008 I have never carried a balance. As soon as a charge shows up online(i don't really use it that often) I pay it. I don't use it unless I know I can pay off the balance right away or within a week. I have my efund if I need it. I don't use my personal credit line, only to pay it down. I really hope no major emergency comes up that I have to use my efund or personal credit line. I have this dream that when my credit line gets really low I will pay it off with some(not all) of my efund and then build up the efund again. Hey, It could happen!! No, no, it WILL happen.

I like my credit card for two reasons:
1. I like to build reward points for using it.
2. It is convenient for booking things like swimming lessons or hotels(LOL, I have never done this because I can't afford a vacation but I like the IDEA!!)

If I carried a balance I would have extreme anxiety over it!



iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2008
Mon, 03-30-2009 - 4:36pm

I have not used a credit card since January 1, 2009, not long, but it is a start.




iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2003
Mon, 03-30-2009 - 4:53pm

I sure do have a CC! I'm not happy that I let it get out of control, but I am happy with the rewards I get.


For most of my adult life I had a CC and only carried a balance on other time (when I was in my last year of university I ran out of money so EVERYTHING went on the CC). I started working fulltime and paid if all off within three months.


I was always one to put everything on the CC and then come home and pay it off immediately (online banking means I have unlimited free bill pays). I earned a ton of free groceries, never carried a balance and never paid interest.


Fast forward to two and a half years ago. I moved across the country, bought a house and was completely unprepared for it. I had a paycheck lost (by the employer) so I went 8 weeks without being paid. During this time I racked up $10000 in CC bills. I paid $4000 off when my lost paychecks came in, and then found myself with $6000 in CC debt, a new mortgage, bills I wasn't used to paying and behind the eightball.


Since then I have paid off almost $5000 and should have it gone by May or June.


My plan then (counterintuitive as it may seem) is to move my car loan (at 9.5%) to my CC (at 5.97%). I have opened another CC account that will be used for the autopays, and gas and groceries. This one pays 2% cash back and gets paid out in November (so its bonus Christmas savings).


I think CC's have their place if you can use them properly. I am going to slowly test myself out and see how I do. If nothing else, I will leave the autopays ont there and earn myself a few dollars for Christmas!


Bex -


"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift -thats why its called the present."


Bex -

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-12-2007
Mon, 03-30-2009 - 5:40pm

I use one that I pay in full each month.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-24-2007
Mon, 03-30-2009 - 6:23pm

I agree with Bex.

Kate


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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2008
Mon, 03-30-2009 - 8:56pm
I still have credit cards. I have my cell phone automatically put on one and I pay it monthly. I had the cell phone company put it on there to earn the points. Thus far I have not changed it, and I am not sure if I will. I will still use the credit card to shop on-line (which I do seldomly) or to reserve hotels, etc. I really hope that I will not resort to using them again. In order to avoid doing so, I still need to budget and keep putting money in my savings accounts.





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