credit card = wasteful spending?

I have credit cards and I am using it more frequently than my own cash. You wanna know why? because at the end of each year I would have the chance to travel for free. Isn't that is amazing. I guess you can mention advantages and disadvantages. But mainly if you are going to look at it, its more in our personality and character. If your character is cant control with your expenditures then credit cards is not really good for you. But if you know how to control and you are being mindful about your expenses and the monthly income you have, then its really good to have a credit cards. That's how I see it, since my character is somewhat very mindful to all my expenses. I always keep track my receipt and how much I already spend for this week and how much should I spend for the next week and so. That's how I keep it. Then at the end, pay it and used the credit cards again then afterwards I could have the travel for free or any freebies they are offering.

I am not a fan of credit cards the only time I ever had a credit card was when I was young as our local bank gave us all a credit card as part of our bank account. But I always paid if off before the month end. I am a great believer in using a debit card as opposed to a credit card, if you buy something on a credit card it means you generally do not have enough money in your account so you cannot afford what you bought. Where as if you use a debit card it comes directly out of funds that you actually have to spend. My motto is if I can't pay cash for it then I can't afford it.

Ysing a debit card has the same convenience as using a credit card with the added bonus that you cannot spend beyond what you have in the bank. I now have three debit cards and I use them all the time. In fact, the only time I use checks anymore is when I go to an auction and they charge extra for using a debit card. I used to be always running out of checks but now they just sit there in their box.

I would definitely advise against the use of credit cards as they can be very dangerous in the wrong hands! I'm a prime example! I got myself into debt through the use of several credit cards and I'm still paying the consequences today! My debt is slowly coming down now and I am more in control. I can only think of one advantage whereby a credit card would be useful and that is if you are stuck somewhere in another part of the world and you need emergency funds or something yes, a credit card would prove very useful under those circumstances. Anyway, I vowed to myself that I would never get another credit card and I haven't and I'm pleased with the way I handle my money now, I budget on a regular basis and I only spend what I can afford. Andrew

Credit cards are really good, and I think the disadvantages can be blamed on the users of the cards and not on the cards themselves. I use my credit card if I want to pay in installment or if there's an emergency and I don't have cash on hand. Sometimes I also go shopping using my credit card, but I don't go overboard and I only spend what I think I can pay.

I guess it doesn't work for me. I've tried using credit cards before, I have four credit cards in which I maxed all. I cut them all, and still paying for one credit card until now. Hopefully, I'll finished paying for the card next month. Whew! finally!

A credit card can be a useful tool for your shopping needs,as long as you keep control of what you spend and can pay your balance off at the end of each month.. If you are unable to pay it all off and carry a balance to the next month or longer,it becomes an interest gathering lump of debt that can take a long time to repay if you leave it long enough before doing something about it.We've been sold this myth that Credit is good,and that you CAN have whatever you want,NOW..That's just good marketing by the Banks-you get what you want,sure,but then the bank has you by the nose..I saw a cartoon recently illustrating the relative worth of a bunch of people passing a homeless guy asking for change..the individuals had a "Balloon" over their heads with their net worth..one person was in debt with a Mortgage on their house,one was a Student in debt with their loans..the Guy Begging didn't HAVE any debts,and with the cash he'd been given was effectively richer than anyone passing by!

I loved using credit cards until I ran amok and got into debt over my head. With God's help I will get out of debt, but I'm determined never to use credit cards again. If you're disciplined and pay the charges off every month, credit cards can be very convenient; but if you are not disciplined and don't pay the balance off each month, the interest rate is so high these days that you could easily find yourself becoming a slave to the lender.

more disadvantages i think, because it makes us more consume than our ability of finance.

I think that the decision that you make regarding credit cards really depends on the individual. My husband and I decided a year ago that we were done with credit cards because of the fact that they got us into trouble in the past. Since then we've been living on our debit cards and the money that he earns as well as plugging away at the debt that we'd accrued over time. That said, we will probably only get one card back and that would be only for travel purchases in the future.

well personally i don't like using credit cards as hard earned money is wasted in interest paying if you don't pay back the money soon! plus one should know how to budget out things when there is shortage of money! :)

yes credit card was so helpful to our needs and want. credit card is so great because you will buy anything you want. but just need to careful because sometimes this is the reason why people have many debt tothe credit card.

I think credit cards definitely have more disadvantages than advantages, just because they're a risk to keep around if the credit card holder isn't responsible about their spending habits. It's just way too easy to spend way too much when you have a credit card. I don't currently have a credit card, nor do I desire to have one. To me, they're not good things to have.

I think credit cards can be good, for those who know how to use them correctly and take advantage of their advantages. But most people, honestly do not. So a lot of people would really be better off without any credit cards to be honest!

I think whether credit cards will benefit or harm the bearer depends on how the person handles his/her finances. If he is a person that is careful about his finances and wants to have a credit card solely for the benefits but has enough funds to pay for the charges he makes in full by the time the statement comes, then the credit card is a good tool for him to leverage his funds. But if he is using the card because he doesn't have the money to buy something but he is not willing to wait, then that is harmful for his finances. Credit card companies have very high interest rates so borrowing for them is not advisable.

I don't really believe that credit cards are a 100% wasteful spending. Because if you make use of your credit card wisely and you know how to control yourself then a credit card can really be a helpful ally. It really just depends on how you are with your money. If you are someone who spends frivolously and doesn't think about what you are spending, then the credit card will be your own worst enemy. It really just depends on how you look at things. I think credit card helps us keep track of our spending because it is there monthly written on the statement and you get to know what you spend during the month, and we realize where we spend too much on and can right any mistakes cause we definitely see where the money or spending is going. As I said, it really just depends on your way of living and how you choose to use your credit card

Yes, I find my credit card very useful, but I always take a note of what I am spending because I want to pay it in full at the end of each month. Years ago I got into a bit of trouble and found that I was forever paying off debt and it wasn't going down very much. It was because the interest on credit cards was very high and it was like a vicious circle. I eventually got it down to zero and have never run up a debt since and have no intention of doing so. _Derek

I think credit cards are the most lazy, dangerous, and ignorant approach to spending. Sure, they are convenient. But is the risk worth it? Essentially, when you pay with a credit card, you are using someone else's money. You are losing no money when you swipe that card at the checkout. How easy and convenient is it to just swipe that card and not think about what you're spending? How many people write down what they've spent? Slim to none. Then the bill comes, and the majority of people get a surprise. How could they have spent THAT much? I use checks. Sure, I have to write a few words at the checkout. At least I know what I'm spending and I have to be comfortable with the amount before the transaction is complete. At least the visit to the store is not technically a loan I've taken out with a greedy credit card company that charges 16% interest. I am only using the money I know I have. I personally think credit cards have no advantages. I've never used one and never will. It keeps me from purchasing some things, like on the internet, etc., but that's okay. The risk is NOT worth it. Credit cards make buying things convenient? Well, why in the world would anyone want convenience in that?! Whenever you buy something it should be a conscious decision. Perhaps even inconvenient, so we are constantly aware of how much we are spending and on what. When I buy something, I should have the money for it NOW. If I don't, why in the heck am I buying something?!

well having an credit card is a great thing cause it will help you a lot,you can buy anything you want as long as you have a credit card but after that the depth in the bank even you consider your self to be a wise credit card user i don't think that you can stop your self buying something as long as you have a credit card in hand there's no limit so for me getting a credit card is not wise

if you are an impulsive buyer then there is a greater possibility that i would turn out to be what you termed as wasteful spending. it has its pros and cons. if you need money fast in emergency situation then you can rely on it but if you just want to go shopping then better stay away from credit cards as the interest will be a burden.