Your experience with credit cards?
By Hope
@1hopefulman (45123)
Canada
October 28, 2018 4:12pm CST
Do you use credit cards or do avoid using them? Have you found them practical or have they been a problem? How do you feel about them? Do you have any?
What has been your experience with using credit cards?
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When I got a credit card in my early twenties, not long after I had a few of them. It wasn't long where I had abused them and I was in debt. I went to the bank for a loan to pay them off and got rid of all but one.
Almost 50 years later, I still have only one and I usually pay whatever I owe each month. It took me a while but I learned how to use credit cards responsibly and for convenience.
40 people like this
45 responses
@DianneN (246720)
• United States
28 Oct 18
My mother told me to establish my own credit when my kids were little. So I got my first card. And I bought anything I wanted, only paying the minimum balance, because I didn't know any better.
. Somehow my husband found out about it and hit the roof when he saw how much I owed. He paid it all off and explained how to use cards correctly. 
. We have 3 cards now that give us air miles, and all double, triple, and quadruple points. We pay each statement in full every month.
. Somehow my husband found out about it and hit the roof when he saw how much I owed. He paid it all off and explained how to use cards correctly. . We have 3 cards now that give us air miles, and all double, triple, and quadruple points. We pay each statement in full every month.4 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
29 Oct 18
That's what I did when I was young, I did not use credit wisely but thankfully I learned and the one I have has served me well for decades. 
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
30 Oct 18
@amadeo Sorry that somebody tried to steal your identity. That's terrible! It probably caused you a lot of problems.
@amadeo (111948)
• United States
30 Oct 18
@1hopefulman no they caught this and save me a lot of problem
@dodo19 (47050)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
28 Oct 18
I do have a credit card, and I'll admit that I haven't always used it in the best way, but I am learning. I have learned how I should use it. I'm still trying to pay it off, but I will be careful with it. Thankfully, I don't have a huge balance on it. It might take some time to pay it off, but it's not horrible and I am learning.
3 people like this
@dodo19 (47050)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
29 Oct 18
@1hopefulman Yes, they can get us into trouble for sure. I have learned my lesson and am trying to fix it.
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
29 Oct 18
I think that many of us misuse them and some of us finally learn how to use them to our advantage. They are useful but can get us into a lot of trouble if misused.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215403)
• Chile
28 Oct 18
I use a credit card because it is mandatory when you travel to another country. But I have never abused it.
2 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
30 Oct 18
@marguicha You are very wise and use the card only when you need it because of travelling. 
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215403)
• Chile
30 Oct 18
@1hopefulman I cannot live over my budget more than what I need to.
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
30 Oct 18
That's what I do also and find it very convenient and know exactly what my purchases were and where. I also like the air miles that we now can redeem is cash.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
31 Oct 18
@paigea Nice! Where are you thinking of going?
1 person likes this
@paigea (35678)
• Canada
30 Oct 18
@1hopefulman hoping to use the airmiles for a flight this winter!
1 person likes this
@mesbakh (2284)
• Indonesia
30 Oct 18
@1hopefulman cash and paypal and transfer for online transaction
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
•
26 Nov 18
I don't have a credit card.. only a debit card, actually two debit cards.. I have never liked the idea of being indebted to anyone.. however there are times when you need a credit card.. some international purchases require it.. then I use my husband's card... we keep that only for unavoidable situations.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
26 Nov 18
You have it all covered and use your credit card wisely! 
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
•
27 Nov 18
@1hopefulman I have seen my friends make a mess of their lives.. so my husband and I decided to keep it this way.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458006)
• Switzerland
29 Oct 18
I have a credit card because it is much more practical to pay with a credit card than with cash in our days. I have set a low maximum amount per month and I pay every end of the month. It's for me only a way to pay, it must not become a source of easy credit.
2 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
29 Oct 18
I do the same thing and have done so for decades. I learned the hard way and I was made to realize how to use credit card (I only have one) responsibly.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458006)
• Switzerland
30 Oct 18
@1hopefulman I have always been careful with my credit card, it's not a way to get easy money.
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
30 Oct 18
So, you decided not to have any anymore. Is life better that way?
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
31 Oct 18
@rakski Very good! There is nothing wrong with that attitude and way of life!
1 person likes this
@rakski (112925)
• Philippines
30 Oct 18
@1hopefulman I think so, no debts. If you want something, you have to save.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34356)
•
1 Nov 18
I have many and use them very responsibly. They can be useful in certain department stores where having one provides you with some extra perks like discount coupons. I try to always pay off any credit cards on time to avoid interest. Although I have a number of cards I mainly use one to charge things. If I have the cash on hand that is my first preference in paying for anything. Don't like debit cards because I worry about my pin number remaining secret.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
2 Nov 18
Yes, there are some advantages in having some store cards but these days I make so few purchases to need them and I hate carrying a fat wallet.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
4 Nov 18
@dgobucks226 Yes, that was so funny! I have a friend that has a wallet that is so full that he always has a hard time putting back in his pocket every time he takes it out.
Yes, that was so funny! I have a friend that has a wallet that is so full that he always has a hard time putting back in his pocket every time he takes it out.1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34356)
•
4 Nov 18
@1hopefulman Yes you are right there Hope! That fat wallet reminds me of a Seinfeld episode where George uses his fat wallet to store so much stuff he can't close it, lol.
This small section of the episode is for entertainment and nostalgic purposes only! WBTV monetized this clip and they will earn money from it, not me. Seinfe...
1 person likes this
@Courage7 (19633)
• United States
28 Oct 18
They have been a real blessing to me but out of necessity only.
I had some years ago and did not do so well with them spending on things I did not really NEED.
Now I have some great ones once again and have used them very wisely.
I still have some debt but nothing I cannot handle at this time.
The trick is not to overspend. And pay them off right away.
My credit score is top of the line and I worked hard to keep it that way.
2 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
29 Oct 18
You have done well! I do think that having one makes life easier. These days they accept credit cards everywhere and if used wisely we can even earn from the points that they give.
2 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
30 Oct 18
I see! So then you have to always carry cash with you or do you write checks?
1 person likes this
@Janet357 (75656)
•
30 Oct 18
@1hopefulman i always bring cash with me. I think i only issued checks twice- when we bought our house, which we sold two years later hhaahh
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
9 Dec 18
@Nevena83 Well, at least you are not in debt.
1 person likes this
@Nevena83 (65282)
• Serbia
9 Dec 18
@1hopefulman When I have money, then I spend it when I do not have it then I suffer.
1 person likes this
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
11 Sep 19
I have grown to hate credit cards. I used to have a debit card which allowed fee free spending worldwide. Then they got rid of all their customers on 31st August 2017. Now I have a debit card which is only fee free in Europe. Outside Europe I need to use cash or a credit card. I don't like coming home to big debts. I wish to go away from using credit cards.
1 person likes this
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
13 Sep 19
@1hopefulman I am planning not to get anymore debts. I will budget more carefully.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
13 Sep 19
@maximax8 Very wise! I learned about not having debts in my twenties and it was a good lesson.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
12 Sep 19
I also hate debts! I use my credit card for convenience but always pay the whole amount each month.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (169940)
• United States
29 Oct 18
I tend to be a bit irresponsible with credit cards, but I am training myself to be better. I have been steadily paying one of them down..although I must confess, I did slip yesterday and bought an item of clothing. Hey, it was a great price!
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
29 Oct 18
I think that many of us are irresponsible. It seems you are doing pretty good as most people owe thousands on their credit cards.
"The average Canadian holds $3,954 in credit card debt as of Q3 2016, up from $3,946 in Q4 2015 - a year-over-year increase of 1.96 per cent."
Find Canadian consumer statistics on credit card debt, delinquencies, credit scores, debit cards and more
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
6 Nov 18
Yes, it takes a lot of control to use credit cards wisely as we see so many people having lots of debts.
1 person likes this
@flapiz (22402)
• United Kingdom
6 Nov 18
@1hopefulman I don’t want to have debts so I’d rather just spend within my means.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
30 Oct 18
Nice! Are you able to get air miles with the debit card?
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
29 Oct 18
i have no credit card but i do have a debit card.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
30 Oct 18
Interesting! How does a debit card work?
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
31 Oct 18
@1hopefulman i have debit card that was now expired but i registered another one. it is where i withdrew my PayPal money from the defunct Bubblews.
the payment should be directly deducted from my money in the bank.
1 person likes this
@db20747 (43426)
• Washington, District Of Columbia
29 Oct 18
This is the post 4 me!!! I Had credit card mania!!! I have credit cards now!!! I keep getting extensions and not using it wisely!! I want 2 use them to make more money but instead end up using them to buy things!! I'm only paying the interests right now and keep getting extensions!!! There's gotta be a way out of this madness!!!
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
29 Oct 18
There has to be a way! What I did worked for me. I went to my bank. Met with the manger. He consolidated all my debts. Gave me a loan Then I had one amount to pay each month. I tore up all my credit cards except one for emergencies and with self-control I never got into that situation ever again.
1 person likes this
@db20747 (43426)
• Washington, District Of Columbia
29 Oct 18
@1hopefulman That is a very good way!!! I keep using up what I pay back!!! Debt consolidation is a good way 2 go!!!
