what's the best way to stay out of credit card debt!
By dafnie
@dafnie (382)
United States
August 1, 2007 1:11am CST
Okay, I don't have a credit card but I probably will soon. One thing I've realized is that a lot of people around me are in debt!! I really really don't want to end up this way! Debt is probably one of the main reasons why a lot of people are always searching for ways to make some extra money...... like, online for example! So... I want ask all of you experienced experts of money..... how could I make sure that I do not end up joing the credit card debt club!?
5 people like this
16 responses
@alstaxidermy (269)
• United States
1 Aug 07
Use it for one designated thing, and that's it! Not shopping either, resist the temptation!!! I have one strictly for emergency use only, and occassionally put like a small gasoline purchase on there just to keep it active and such. My friend has one that she uses just for gasoline and then pays off everymonth, she says for her credit, blahblahblah, but either way, keep it down to one or two only and nothing frivoulous charged on them and you'll be okay.
2 people like this
@dafnie (382)
• United States
1 Aug 07
It would probably be a very very good idea for me to not use a credit card on shopping, talk about crazy temptations! But it'd be really smart to just use it on one designated thing so that the chances of me waisting the money on other things is less! I just need it so that I could begin to establish some good credit for myself, I don't want to start out too strong and too bad! So what's your definition of something that is not too frivolous? Would an item that is $10 fit that description or $100?
1 person likes this
@alstaxidermy (269)
• United States
2 Aug 07
I would say shopping for groceries, gas, paying teh bills, but not shopping in general for clothing and accessories unless they are needed (for work/school) would define frivolous in this case.
@soulsister_16 (738)
• Switzerland
1 Aug 07
Don't apply for a credit card. That's the most straightforward thing I can think of.
2 people like this
@dafnie (382)
• United States
1 Aug 07
Lol, thank you for the straightforward answer. It's so simple huh! That was one of my options but I wanna know if I should not get a credit card (so that I don't get into debt) what are some others ways that I can begin to establish some good credit for myself without making it to risky?
@dafnie (382)
• United States
1 Aug 07
Wow, I never knew that I could freeze my cards. So, if I go shopping and I really want something, once I see that I don't have money I won't want to have to go through the whole process of unfreezing it to buy the item. The main thing here is temptation, so I guess if it's "frozen" then it'll lessen the chances of me spending too much! I think I might go ahead a do a little more research on credit cards to see how it works (I'm kinda new at this, still young and eager to learn)! Thanks for your good response!
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
1 Aug 07
I don't have any credit cards. I do have a debit card but that comes directly out of my bank account. If I don't have the cash for a purchase then I don't buy the item..If you don't pay but only the minimum on your credit card then you will likely pay about three times more, what you would have paid for the item if you would have paid cash...It just depends on whether you can control your spending and make sure you pay on it every month and the more you pay the better...I hope this helped..I prefer not to have them..A lot of people do have them and they do really well...good luck..
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
1 Aug 07
Starting out with one card is good. Go from there and see how you do...I think alot of people in debt ended up getting more cards than they could afford and finally it backfired on them..It is good that you are asking for advice..I hope you get some really good advice...
1 person likes this
@MonAmb (126)
•
1 Aug 07
To make sure you do not get in any credit card debt, do not get one!! They are a great device for stealing money with high interest rates from consumers. I do not own a credit card and i do not want to. If i desperately need money, i would earn the money by any means necessary. Money is a neccessity in this world, and i am just trying to live in this world.
1 person likes this
@dafnie (382)
• United States
1 Aug 07
I totally see where you're coming. I guess that would probably be the smartest way to avoid credit card debt, there's a 100% chance of not getting in debt if there is no credit card! But my question is, how did you begin to establish your credit? I wanted to get one so that I could make small purchases, pay them on time and have good credit... but I wanted to make sure it was an okay idea before I actually did it.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
2 Aug 07
buy the things that you can only afford and use the credit card only for emergency purposes... make sure that you only use the credit card if you can make the repayment... people end up in debt because they buy what they can't afford and when the bill come, they are unable to pay it... i have 2 credit cards but only 1 that i use it frequently... but i make sure that i use it wisely and i make the full repayment every month... just be wise and responsbible and you will be fine... :-)
@dafnie (382)
• United States
2 Aug 07
So I should stay away from buying something that I cannot afford? Hmm, I guess that's safer way to go because then I can pay it back quickly and not end up in debt! Responsibility responsibility! Well since you've already accomplished this and it ain't too hard for you to do, I guess I could probably do it too. Thank you so much for sharing your advice!
@DuoMaxwell (953)
• United States
2 Aug 07
Buy debit cards, or even gift cards instead. At least you have real money inside your debit/gift cards instead of imaginary money inside credit cards.
Use cards that have real money that you don't have to owe, but don't overspend with those cards. Avoid trial offers that cost more than the debit card has money inside.
But definitely stay away from credit cards, because as of what I learned in high school, in the jungle of life, credit card users are prey, and credit cards, along with debt, are the predators and hunters, and if you aren't careful with credit cards, you could wind up financially endangered, or even financially extinct.
@kishusia (1066)
• India
22 Sep 07
If you don't have a credit card and you do not want to join credit card debt club then don't go for it. It will only bring tension. Make your purchases in cash. I don't have a credit card and I am free of all tensions. My husband had a credit card of a large international bank. He had lot of tension. Ultimately he had to get it canceled and had to pay the bank all sort of charges. Now with no credit card he is free of tension.
@larskie23 (866)
• Philippines
9 Aug 07
consider first your needs. credit cards are just fine, as long as you have your limit on spending. dont buy too many things unnecessary. and most of all, pay your exact monthly bill so you wont get the interest and it gets too high, have it in installment.
@dafnie (382)
• United States
2 Aug 07
I totally agree with you. Self discipline is something I think I have. Like right now, I'm trying to save up some money for my next box of contacts and I have been tempted to buy so many items in the past week but I didn't do it. I'm still saving up the money! And I would not like to take my procrastinations into paying bills also because I do procrastinate at school when I need to do my homework and stuff, guess I gotta work on that! With all these wonderful tips that everyone's been giving me, I think I might be fine!
Thanx for your good input! :)
@dreamy1 (3811)
• United States
1 Aug 07
Just don't get in the habit of using a credit card. Pay cash for everything. If you want something but don't have the cash for it, wait until you have the money, or don't buy it period, or by something cheaper. A credit card is fine to have to help you establish credit just don't go crazy with it. It's not fun paying down debt, I know because I'm trying to pay down a couple thousand dollars and it's not fun. Just use cash or get a debit card so that way it takes the cash out of your account right then.
1 person likes this
@dafnie (382)
• United States
1 Aug 07
Smart way to go. Just use cash! I would if I had some, but I guess I could save up. I don't want to start out and just ruin my chances of having good credit! I totally forgot about the debit card choice, I'll go for that because I know that I'd be very picky about taking money out of my account (I had a friend who at one point in time had $17 left in her account, crazy huh!)
@greenbeach456 (12)
• United States
2 Aug 07
don't use the credit card. Once you get it, it is hard not to use it. If you keep using cash, then you can not over spend.
@dafnie (382)
• United States
2 Aug 07
Yeah I've heard this alternative a lot. I guess it's kind of like.. if you don't want to increase your chances of getting pregnant, go for abstinence! 100% effective!
Yes, I do think that if I just don't have a credit card at all then of course I could never get into credit card debt, but I'd really like to begin to work on getting good credit. I've heard that if you don't have any credit at all, then you might as well put yourself in the same boat as someone who has low credit. Are there other ways besides credit card usage that I could get some credit for myself?
I'm hoping someone helps me out with some alternatives... thanx for your response! :)
@bafywinston (106)
• Philippines
18 Nov 07
get a good paying job so that you have money to spend.
credit cards are like an addiction, best not to start one.
a debit card is better, acts like a credit card when buying online or shopping around. you spend what you can afford.
believe me, it is hard to clean up a pile of mess.
@simplyshawn (650)
• United States
7 Aug 07
Cut up all your credit cards! That's one sure fire way to NOT use them. It's a habit and once you start using them, eventually (for most people) it gets out of control.
These days you can use debit cards for the same purchases as credit cards. The point is you save the money first and spend it second.
Your thinking has to be different than all your friends or you will still end up in the same trap.
If you don't know where to go I would suggest reading Dave Ramseys book, The Total Money Makeover. It's a financial plan on how to manage the money from your own paycheck.
We wish we'd read this book years ago.
I wish you luck and common sense.
@pcade1 (13)
• United States
9 Aug 07
If this is your first card the important thing to do is to establish a good credit history. So use it for just one thing - say gas or groceries. Everytime you get gas, use it. Then at the end of the month make sure you pay the whole thing off. This will establish a good history, and just remember to always pay it off every month.
