Julia
In Memoriam
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Credit card which is paid off every month. I'm about to reduce the limit on it, however, after incurring three fraudulent entries of quite substantial amounts.
Living without a credit card
- Thread starter Tyler Durden
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You cannot hire a car in Japan with one. I was in the US in 2010 and had a problem with my credit card. Went to hire a car in New York and they wouldn't accept a debit card. Then same at a hotel in Washington.
I must look broke....
Never been to Japan but I've been all over the US and Europe and never had an issue. Maybe they just didn't like the cut of your jib.
I'm not against having one, it's just when I first moved OS I had no credit history which means no credit card and I just got used to a debit card. I guess if you don't want a credit card just get a charge card like AMEX or Diners.
Two credit cards: a 'full service' one with a high limit and which earns points and usually nets us a $1000 DJ's card each year or so, and a totally free low-limit card (Woolies) to use for online purchases and other high risk activities. Neither card is held with a bank with which I have deposits, so if it comes to an argument, they can't just settle it in their own favour. Both are religiously paid off within the interest-free period.
I'm astonished at how many contributors here don't trust themselves to control their own spending. It really sounds like their nemesis of financial security lurks within themselves. But good, I suppose, that they've recognised it.
BTW, be wary of the free travel insurance, even with the $300 platinum cards -- the T's and C's feature glaring holes which render them unacceptable to me -- we purchase annual travel insurance which works out pretty well.
I'm astonished at how many contributors here don't trust themselves to control their own spending. It really sounds like their nemesis of financial security lurks within themselves. But good, I suppose, that they've recognised it.
BTW, be wary of the free travel insurance, even with the $300 platinum cards -- the T's and C's feature glaring holes which render them unacceptable to me -- we purchase annual travel insurance which works out pretty well.
prawn_86
Mod: Call me Dendrobranchiata
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We were left high and dry in South America when an airline we were supposed to fly went broke 3 days before flight. Rang the insurance company, very helpful, did as they said and booked new flights then claimed when we got back to Aus. Refund came through with no issues.
Unlike previous experience with Covermore where my luggage was lost and they sent an assessor to our house so i could prove i had what i cliamed, and then they only paid out 50%. Avoid Covermore at all costs imo
chops_a_must
Printing My Own Money
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You cannot hire a car in Japan with one. I was in the US in 2010 and had a problem with my credit card. Went to hire a car in New York and they wouldn't accept a debit card. Then same at a hotel in Washington.
I must look broke....
They're Americans, and debit sounds like debt. Credit however...that has a nicer sound to it.
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I had to spend a couple of days in hospital in Budapest back in 2005. Tbh, I thought I was going to die, I had a crazy infection and I was sweating like the proverbial blind lesbian in a fish market. The American hospital cost me $5,000/day and I had to pay up front and then get reimbursed by my insurer. I was in no state to argue but I did think how pointless insurance would be to someone who didn't have $10,000 lying around.
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I would find it hard to live without a CC. I do 2 or 3 holidays each year overseas, so the free travel insurance on my card pretty much more than pays for itself.
Throw in all the FF points I've earned and I'd say for every $ of annual fee paid I've received $10-11 in benefits, with nary a cent of interest paid.
Throw in all the FF points I've earned and I'd say for every $ of annual fee paid I've received $10-11 in benefits, with nary a cent of interest paid.
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Never had a credit card. No desire to ever have one.
I understand people who get one to build up points and they have the money sitting there ready to pay it off at the end if the month.
I understand people who get one to build up points and they have the money sitting there ready to pay it off at the end if the month.
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Got a few credit cards
Pay them off every month.
Get a fair few frequent flyer points.
I love flying in first (International) or business (mix of Dom + Int), for the cost of economy.
There are a ton of forums regarding credit card's and how to maximise FFP's (Frequent Flyer Points), mainly Flyertalk and Australian Frequent Flyer.
I know people who rack up millions of points a year, and fly F around the world, for peanuts.
Pay them off every month.
Get a fair few frequent flyer points.
I love flying in first (International) or business (mix of Dom + Int), for the cost of economy.
There are a ton of forums regarding credit card's and how to maximise FFP's (Frequent Flyer Points), mainly Flyertalk and Australian Frequent Flyer.
I know people who rack up millions of points a year, and fly F around the world, for peanuts.
Trembling Hand
Can be found on the bid
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Ha. I had to pick up a truck this arvo and look what they had on the counter.
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Yes, it's quite possible to live without a credit card. And if you do have one, well, it's only a few years ago that $2000 was still considered about the upper limit in terms of credit limit for most people.
It is also quite possible to live without using a mobile phone, and even easier to avoid social media. It wasn't that long ago that nobody used such things, after all.
And of course if you live in a city then a car can also be considered somewhat optional. It's nice to have, but not essential as such for most.
But with all these things it comes down to a fairly simple equation. For most people, the benefits (practical as well as financial) outweigh the costs (financial or otherwise) and hence they choose to have these things. One is convenience and the other is that not having them does tend to limit your options to some extent. Also the social pressure is substantial as well and a factor for many.
Personally, I have a card and use it for most purchases. It's convenient and costs me not enough to worry about.
It is also quite possible to live without using a mobile phone, and even easier to avoid social media. It wasn't that long ago that nobody used such things, after all.
And of course if you live in a city then a car can also be considered somewhat optional. It's nice to have, but not essential as such for most.
But with all these things it comes down to a fairly simple equation. For most people, the benefits (practical as well as financial) outweigh the costs (financial or otherwise) and hence they choose to have these things. One is convenience and the other is that not having them does tend to limit your options to some extent. Also the social pressure is substantial as well and a factor for many.
Personally, I have a card and use it for most purchases. It's convenient and costs me not enough to worry about.
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Agree Smurf.
I have a CC, doesnt cost me anything, convenient and paid off monthly.
I have a CC, doesnt cost me anything, convenient and paid off monthly.
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