bandrus1 413 Posted February 16, 2017 I have never carried a credit card balance over from month to month. It would drive me nuts to do pay interest but it surprises me how many people I talk to say they are using their tax refunds to pay off CC debt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strike 3,979 Posted February 16, 2017 Generally speaking, no. But my spending habits can fluctuate so if I end up with a small balance in a given month that isn't paid off I'm not too worried about it. It'll get paid off next month. Most of the time there's little to no balance though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NewbieJr 540 Posted February 16, 2017 Never once in my life. I use a card for almost every purchase I make. And pay in full every month. And then happily collect my 3% cash back every few months. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frank 2,145 Posted February 16, 2017 Nope. Straight cash, homie. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
supermike80 1,286 Posted February 16, 2017 I do. Not excessive but we are not credit free. However we have a plan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bandrus1 413 Posted February 16, 2017 Never once in my life. I use a card for almost every purchase I make. And pay in full every month. And then happily collect my 3% cash back every few months. you get 3% on everything? what CC? I am looking to change maybe. I am same way Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fandandy 3,311 Posted February 16, 2017 I have carried a balance but I don't pay interest. My Amazon card I pay off in full each month and get 5% credit back off Amazon purchases. One recent one I opened was zero interest for 18 months and a $500 credit if I spent a certain amount in 3 or 4 months. Sometimes it's too high to reach but still zero interest. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cyclone24 1,814 Posted February 16, 2017 Nope. Straight cash, homie. Me too...never had one, dont want one. Cash is king. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZeroTolerance 582 Posted February 16, 2017 Pay in full every month, on time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bandrus1 413 Posted February 16, 2017 Me too...never had one, dont want one. Cash is king. how does this even work? you are 300 miles from home and your transmission blows, you carry 4 grand in your pocket? You are out at a store and an amazing deal is offered but you only brought enough cash for what you need? I just dont get it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NewbieJr 540 Posted February 16, 2017 you get 3% on everything? what CC? I am looking to change maybe. I am same way it's a Bank of America cash rewards Visa card. Had it for years. It's 3% on gas and groceries. 2% everything else Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bandrus1 413 Posted February 16, 2017 it's a Bank of America cash rewards Visa card. Had it for years. It's 3% on gas and groceries. 2% everything else I see... I am calling mine this week to see if they offer any other cards Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
supermike80 1,286 Posted February 16, 2017 So far I'm the only one that has told the truth. I suspect every Greek will say they dont. All pay cash with their model wives, 8 in cacks, and million dollar incomes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frank 2,145 Posted February 16, 2017 Me too...never had one, dont want one. Cash is king. I actually use a card for some things. Gas, online purchases, occasionally when I buy something big. I always pay it off, sometimes the same day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NewbieJr 540 Posted February 16, 2017 So far I'm the only one that has told the truth. I suspect every Greek will say they dont. All pay cash with their model wives, 8 in cacks, and million dollar incomesI have all of that except my woman isn't a wife and I don't have a million dollar income. But I seriously have never carried a credit card balance. Other than a house and car, I don't buy things that I can't afford. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bandrus1 413 Posted February 16, 2017 So far I'm the only one that has told the truth. I suspect every Greek will say they dont. All pay cash with their model wives, 8 in cacks, and million dollar incomes Im really not lying. I purchased appliances for my house 60 months no interest and made monthly payments but never with interest. I have never had a major issue requiring me to pay a lot up front and pay it down so it would be only consumer debt in my case. I dont live beyond my needs in that department Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MDC 5,892 Posted February 16, 2017 I have a $5k or so balance. I have the cash in the bank and really can't say why I don't just pay it off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frank 2,145 Posted February 16, 2017 So far I'm the only one that has told the truth. I suspect every Greek will say they dont. All pay cash with their model wives, 8 in cacks, and million dollar incomes Not bragging. I'm actually really cheap. That's why I refuse to pay interest. Paying mostly cash helps me keep up with how much I am spending. It's rich people who don't use cash. I don't make payments on anything. If I can't pay cash, write a check, or pay of the card immediately, I don't buy it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brad GLuckman 518 Posted February 16, 2017 When I was young I got married and divorced quick. I racked up credit card debt fast as all my money was going to lawyers. It is an awful feeling. After that I took the necessary steps to make sure the rest of my life would be debt free. Now I do what Newbie does and just get the rewards and never pay interest Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fandandy 3,311 Posted February 16, 2017 So far I'm the only one that has told the truth. I suspect every Greek will say they dont. All pay cash with their model wives, 8 in cacks, and million dollar incomes It's good you have a plan. I don't know how many offers you get but many will offer a balance transfer for 0% interest for 12 months at 3% of balance transfer amount. Some even come through with 0 balance transfer fee but they are more rare, esp if your credit is not good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cyclone24 1,814 Posted February 16, 2017 Not bragging. I'm actually really cheap. That's why I refuse to pay interest. Paying mostly cash helps me keep up with how much I am spending. It's rich people who don't use cash. I don't make payments on anything. If I can't pay cash, write a check, or pay of the card immediately, I don't buy it. Same here. Its more of a I know how much trouble I'd get in with one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
supermike80 1,286 Posted February 16, 2017 It's good you have a plan. I don't know how many offers you get but many will offer a balance transfer for 0% interest for 12 months at 3% of balance transfer amount. Some even come through with 0 balance transfer fee but they are more rare, esp if your credit is not good. The only way I can belong on this board is to say my credit is outstanding..over 800. Yeah I carry a balance which my wife and I don't like but we, like many americans, overspent some with our first house. And we are making up for that. This is mostly her fault by the way. But.. We have never defaulted, never whined, never asked for gubbermint help..we incurred the debt and we are paying it off. And I'm proud of that Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sho Nuff 719 Posted February 16, 2017 Generally speaking, no. But my spending habits can fluctuate so if I end up with a small balance in a given month that isn't paid off I'm not too worried about it. It'll get paid off next month. Most of the time there's little to no balance though. Pretty much the same. We typically put almost all expenses on the CC and earn stupid Disney Dollars. 95% of the time we pay it off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fandandy 3,311 Posted February 16, 2017 The only way I can belong on this board is to say my credit is outstanding..over 800. Yeah I carry a balance which my wife and I don't like but we, like many americans, overspent some with our first house. And we are making up for that. This is mostly her fault by the way. But.. We have never defaulted, never whined, never asked for gubbermint help..we incurred the debt and we are paying it off. And I'm proud of that He asked if we had a current balance. I do not. It's not a contest. I have my reasons for not having one now. I went through a divorce and in the settlement I took the house and the house debt, the credit card debt, and she took the boat and the car. At the time, close to 8 years ago now, the credit card debt was prolly close to 15 k and I owed maybe 40 k on the house. She got a Mazda Speed6 and a Four Winns 16 footer I think. There was a 8k balance on the car and the boat was paid off so she basically walked scott free, plus I paid for the attorney, she just basically used mine. It was very cordial. I was getting phone calls non stop at all hours over that credit card debt and once paid off I vowed never to do that again and I haven't. I worked my ass off to pay it off and to pay the house off and I did and that Speed6 blew a tranny and she sold it for like a grand and the boat didn't get winterized properly and she basically gave it away. I'm not saying anything about my credit, just answering the OP's question and letting you know, been there done that, and that it's good you have a plan to get out of the CC debt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bandrus1 413 Posted February 16, 2017 The only way I can belong on this board is to say my credit is outstanding..over 800. Yeah I carry a balance which my wife and I don't like but we, like many americans, overspent some with our first house. And we are making up for that. This is mostly her fault by the way. But.. We have never defaulted, never whined, never asked for gubbermint help..we incurred the debt and we are paying it off. And I'm proud of that im rather pissed my credit score dropped about 30 points in the last 2 months because I put my name on a mortgage for my mother to purchase the house I grew up in from my father after they divorced this summer. My mom is the one paying it back but is self employed and does not take a paycheck so she has no proof of income so I needed to sign on along with my brother... so now 33 and 2 mortgages in my name but credit score still in the mid 700's and an ass load of equity Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Honcho 4,035 Posted February 16, 2017 Bout a grand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bandrus1 413 Posted February 16, 2017 im still confused how people who dont have a CC AT ALL manage a crisis situation with no access to their cash Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
supermike80 1,286 Posted February 16, 2017 im still confused how people who dont have a CC AT ALL manage a crisis situation with no access to their cash They're perfect. Everyone on this bored is perfect. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fandandy 3,311 Posted February 16, 2017 im still confused how people who dont have a CC AT ALL manage a crisis situation with no access to their cash How would you buy something online? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bandrus1 413 Posted February 16, 2017 How would you buy something online? that too Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
penultimatestraw 473 Posted February 16, 2017 I use a credit card for just about everything and rarely carry cash. Never carried a balance. I've had the card about a decade and never used the reward points. Same with frequent flier miles. So saving money on one hand while wasting it on the other. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cyclone24 1,814 Posted February 16, 2017 How would you buy something online?Debit card. I can only speak for our situation. My wife has a credit card that she buys things with. I do not. I bought two cars with a check for the full amount. I just don't believe in them...she pays her balance like clockwork. Id be surprised if both spouses dont have one....its possible...you may have the coin to pay cash, and hope you dont have a crisis. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Honcho 4,035 Posted February 16, 2017 Bout a grand. ETA: It's 200 dollars less now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
penultimatestraw 473 Posted February 16, 2017 The only way I can belong on this board is to say my credit is outstanding..over 800. Yeah I carry a balance which my wife and I don't like but we, like many americans, overspent some with our first house. And we are making up for that. This is mostly her fault by the way. But.. We have never defaulted, never whined, never asked for gubbermint help..we incurred the debt and we are paying it off. And I'm proud of that I think I hurt my credit score by cancelling all but one card and freezing my credit. But if you aren't taking out a loan, why does credit score matter? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bandrus1 413 Posted February 16, 2017 Debit card. I can only speak for our situation. My wife has a credit card that she buys things with. I do not. I bought two cars with a check for the full amount. I just don't believe in them...she pays her balance like clockwork. Id be surprised if both spouses dont have one....its possible...you may have the coin to pay cash, and hope you dont have a crisis. ohh, ok I figured no CC meant no debit when people were saying straight cash Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KSB2424 3,083 Posted February 16, 2017 I'll be the first not to lie. We have a credit card balance right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fandandy 3,311 Posted February 16, 2017 Debit card. I can only speak for our situation. My wife has a credit card that she buys things with. I do not. I bought two cars with a check for the full amount. I just don't believe in them...she pays her balance like clockwork. Id be surprised if both spouses dont have one....its possible...you may have the coin to pay cash, and hope you dont have a crisis. I always thought you never use a debit card online. Not guaranteed against fraud like a credit card? Maybe that's changed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
penultimatestraw 473 Posted February 16, 2017 Debit card. I can only speak for our situation. My wife has a credit card that she buys things with. I do not. I bought two cars with a check for the full amount. I just don't believe in them...she pays her balance like clockwork. Id be surprised if both spouses dont have one....its possible...you may have the coin to pay cash, and hope you dont have a crisis. I used a debit card exclusively for a while, but I thought they offered less protection if involved in identity theft/fraud. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cyclone24 1,814 Posted February 16, 2017 I always thought you never use a debit card online. Not guaranteed against fraud like a credit card? Maybe that's changed. Oh that I don't know. About all i buy is off amazon though? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frank 2,145 Posted February 16, 2017 im still confused how people who dont have a CC AT ALL manage a crisis situation with no access to their cash I have way more in the bank than the limit on my card. How? In 2015, I spent about $16,000 for the year. In 2016, it was about $18,500. That's bills, food, gas, everything. I do use a card sometimes, but never for something I couldn't pay cash for. I don't think any of this is bragging. I'm a cheap bastard with a decent job. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites