Are you/could you be credit card free?

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2003
Are you/could you be credit card free?
16
Fri, 01-22-2010 - 9:56am

Have you gone to an all cash lifestyle? If not, do you think you could?


How important are credit cards to you?


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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2008
Fri, 01-22-2010 - 10:25am

I was CC free until Christmas when I know I do my larger shopping and used them that one weekend - but they are all paid for, no interest and back in the safe, and I got the Kohls and Cabellas discounts from using them.




iVillage Member
Registered: 01-12-2010
Fri, 01-22-2010 - 10:30am

I do cash. I like cash.
But I also like pumping gas with my 5 kids in the vehicle & not having to go inside to pay lol, so we use debit cards for stuff like that.

As for CCs, we've obviously used them too much. However...I will still use them because camping is our "thing" and we have to make online reservations in Feb in order to camp all summer (limited camping season here, so things get filled up pretty darn quick!).

But other than that (unless a custody battle comes & slaps us in the face, that's what has undone us before...I don't see us having a $10,000 Custody sinking fund in place any time before the kids turn 18 lol) I can't see us using CCs at all. Way too many problems.

~ Melissa ~ ‎"We need to find the courage to say NO to the things and people that are not serving us, if we want to rediscover ourselves and live our lives with authenticity." - Barbara de Angelis
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-18-2004
Fri, 01-22-2010 - 11:11am

I use cash as much as possible.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-02-1999
Fri, 01-22-2010 - 11:56am

We have not used a credit card in about a year. And hope to never use one again.

We've gone back to "old school" as much as possible, using cash and checks whenever we can. For all other occasions, we use the debit card and count it as a check in our register.

The only importance I'm putting on credit cards these days is in paying them OFF. :)










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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2008
Fri, 01-22-2010 - 12:08pm

Always have two to three credit cards since I was in college. They are important because they are convenient; and I see no reason to give them up since I pay the balance in full every month.

Credit cards are not emergencies, poor planning and spending habits are. (Kind of like "guns don't kill, people do").

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-14-2008
Fri, 01-22-2010 - 1:05pm

BF and I have 3 cards (one mine, two his) and I have one business. I have carried a balance once two years ago when I needed tires for about 3 months. When I bought my store from my ex husband I paid off the balance of the credit card and have not carried a balance since. We don't carry a balance but I like having one to keep my credit rating nice. I was divorced a few years ago and have had to build a credit rating in my own name. I also like to book hotel rooms with it. We rarely go anywhere but it is nice to do that and get a good deal. In the past I have brought cash and just paid cash when we check out.

The problem with credit, is that there are so many different kinds. Just because you don't have a credit card balance doesn't mean you don't have debt. I have lots of other debt in the form or car payments, a credit line for work and a loan, and a mortgage. I'm just lucky they are all at really good rates.


iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2010
Fri, 01-22-2010 - 1:18pm
I'm like you I have no credit card debt (anymore - YEAH!)
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2007
Fri, 01-22-2010 - 2:01pm

I am CC debt free but I have two credit cards in my name.

Lilypie First Birthday tickers
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-24-2007
Fri, 01-22-2010 - 4:39pm

I'm with Lucy on this one.


I'm debt free, but I still use one credit card regularly (for grocery points, for ordering on-line or to use for hotels).

Kate


empty purse

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-10-2009
Fri, 01-22-2010 - 8:12pm

We use our credit card still monthly but pay the balance off every month. My goal is to stop using it and go all cash. But we are not at that point (almost there). Before we bought more unnesecary purchases because it didn't feel like money. But now we are a lot more careful and know how much we want to spend at the store ect. We will always have one but I would like to use cash to hold us more accountable to our budgets that we have put in place. We have other debts that are "good" car, student loans, house but I would like to get rid of those except mortgage and save more while I am young. My goal is also to decrease our cost of living so that we can work at jobs we enjoy and not just for the money. Also, to have money to travel but

Liz

student loan paid off 2010

Bathroom remodel loan paid off 2013

Pending Car loan to be paid by the end of 2014!!!!!

 

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