Forum Topic: Why get a credit card?

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snow-templar

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Posted at: 5/4/07 04:54 PM

snow-templar FAB LEVEL 09

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Really, why? My parents want to get me one. I know that people use it often compared to cash, but this is the way I see it.

Pros
You barrow money and pay it later which, if paid an full, does not cost extra.
If you continuously pay on time, you get a good fanacial score whoch means lower intrest rates on other loans possibly.

Cons
You miss one payment and your low intrest rate that you had goes through the roof.
The is also the universal default terms of the contract that say that if you miss one payment on any other bill, even if it is completely not related to your credit card bill, then the credit card company holds the right to immediately raise your intrest rates. Then you get into debt and start paying off credit card bills with other credit cards and then eventually you file bankruptcy.

I mean, the better rates on other loans is great and everything, but I would figure that by the time I need a morgage, I wouldn't have thta long of a record anyways so the deal isn't all that much better. Also what if something happened so i couldn't make thta monthly payment? I get totally screwed on my record and intrest rates. I can't see why I can't just open an intrest bearing checking account and get a debit card. It seems a lot easier to me and you can't spend more money than you have, and over time you gain money instead of lose it. Also if I was to go into a dealership and try to negoiate a price on a car, I could garentee you that I would get a better deal by paying in cash than by credit card.

So Newgrounds, why do I need a credit card?


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unowned

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Posted at: 5/4/07 04:56 PM

unowned EVIL LEVEL 07

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so you can buy fig newtons without monies

dats what idoo


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Darklilangel23

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Posted at: 5/4/07 04:56 PM

Darklilangel23 EVIL LEVEL 25

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its so you can buy videogames xbox360 and playstation 3 among others

Dark Kisses In Sweet Places


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UltraPulse

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Posted at: 5/4/07 05:00 PM

UltraPulse DARK LEVEL 20

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So people don't need patience.

i answered it :P

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Evark

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Posted at: 5/4/07 05:03 PM

Evark LIGHT LEVEL 43

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You've pretty much got everything covered that I could have thought to tell you in terms of Pros/Cons between the two. Personally, I chose 3 years ago to opt into the Debit Card mentality of life, with a couple of positives associated with it that you might not have thought of (useful for convincing your parents that debit cards are the way to go):
1.) Checking accounts. You get some experience balancing your checkbook, with the only major penalty involved with being wrong being a 20 dollar bounced check fee (and that's only if your account can't cover a check you've written... provided you keep some amount of money in there normally you should be all set).
2.) Interest. You could hook a debit card up to a savings account and you'd basically be the one accrewing interest by letting the money sit when you didn't need to use it instead of using money that isn't yours that you'll have to pay back later either at exact cost or PLUS interest.
3.) Just as functional. Debit cards can be used pretty much flawlessly in lieu of a credit card, just make sure you have the correct option set up. Also: with a debit card you've got a little bit more in terms of fraud protection, as your bank is watching out for suspicious use and will be in touch with you if they suspect that there's a problem. Sure, credit cards offer this protection also, but a stolen credit card is a lot more of a problem in terms of immediately damaging your credit history than a stolen debit card is.
4.) Debt. You're never in debt when you use a debit card. Credit cards just kind of add in an unnecessary middle-man in terms of money transfer. Just like you said: what happens if you (for some reason or another) can't make a payment on time? Sure, your parents might be there to help you out, but with a debit card the money is already spent, so you aren't as liable to be able to forget that you've spent it and spend it again elsewhere, only to find that it's come back to bite you at the end of the month.
5.) Bills? Fuck that. The only monthly statement I want is the one that shows me how much interest my money has accrewed from sitting safely in a bank account.

I could be a little bit biased though.

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skreetch

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Posted at: 5/4/07 05:04 PM

skreetch EVIL LEVEL 13

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To get debt

Don't care

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biggieprice

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Posted at: 5/4/07 05:07 PM

biggieprice EVIL LEVEL 18

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If you get one with a good credit limit, don't charge much, and make the payments in full on time, your credit score will be much higher than usual.

I guess Business Dynamics class really did help me somehow :D


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disingenuous

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Posted at: 5/4/07 05:12 PM

disingenuous FAB LEVEL 36

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I personally don't own one and neither does my husband. I figure if I don't have the money now... I doubt I'll have it later unless I start making more money. In our checking account we keep a certain amount for emergencies and the rest we spend on what we need. We pay our mortgage, cable, phone, internet, property services, utilities and whatever we want.

I think they're just more trouble than they're worth.

looking good and dressing well is a necessity. having a purpose in life is not.

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KerfuffleMach2

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Posted at: 5/4/07 05:12 PM

KerfuffleMach2 DARK LEVEL 17

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At 5/4/07 05:03 PM, Evark wrote: A lot

You make very good points. I don't disagree with you. I myself have a Debit card. The only reason I would get a credit card would be for those unexpected things. Like if you car dies, or you go to the hospital. Just for times when you need to pay for something now, but you can't.


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TheLameSauce

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Posted at: 5/4/07 05:14 PM

TheLameSauce EVIL LEVEL 17

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pro: reading credit card bill might improve your spelling.

m u s i c !


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hongkongexpress

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Posted at: 5/4/07 05:26 PM

hongkongexpress LIGHT LEVEL 35

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I've paid back my loans, after years of uncontrolled fiscal self control. I'm more wiser on loans, student loans, and mortgages. People say credit cards are the devil. But they're not. If you use them wisely then they can be useful, example if you have lots of kids and a few pets, and don't have the money on hand to buy the necessary supplies to keep them alive for a few more weeks, untill you get a pay check.

as for me. I'm hardly using credit cards again. I've got Visa writing me all sorts of "oh please come back" letters. pbbbbbbth to them. lol.. But remember Interact is just as deadly, if you think of it as your non stop source of cash.

Now look at most of Suburbia! up to their eye balls in debt! like, my personal rule, if I don't have the money I don't buy. being an Omega male, (ie loser star trek fat..... comic book guy from Simpsons), one can save a tonne of money, and use that money for important things, like -

investments (so that they eventually reach the top, OR stock up survivalist supplies should the Alpha males start a war of Bio-and Nuclear apocolypse, also allowing me to use Alpha males skulls as drinking mugs in the end).

-Vacations (while they are busy waddling their many children, from their sexual conquests these Alphamales, are just another yuppie at Disneyland, having MORE stress), while I spend my much saved Omega-man money relaxing on a beach (like Patrick does. from Office Space) eventually the many children of Alphamen, would stab them in their backs. lol.

=And non debt related consumer products that doestn't take credit cards.

Credit cards are useful for paying for school courses though, if you want to work hard, and taking upgrading to get a better job. I suggest massage threapy, (that way you can get a job on a cruise ship (again you're an omega male, servant, but you get killer tips, while those Alpha Males who gave you a tip, had to work stressfully hard), also with massage therapy you're making the world a better place by taking someone's else pain away. and making good money.

But for stuff like playstations and what not. Think about this..... it's 500 dollars for a system, at like 15% you re paying (15 percent more!). for a dude who just smiles at you like a moron? hell YOU should open a electronic store then. lol.

Like Donald Trump is up to his toupee in debt. When the creditors start calling in, all we'll see is a big fat road pizza underneath Trump Towers! He's been in debt for decades. He doesn't use the money he makes, to make more money to sustain his high living.

With the Saudi princes, (they take business courses, ie Bin Ladin's family), and diversifies and now they're almost invincible. and controls the debt to revenue ratio. I've learnt to do that. by using the credit card for important purchases. like college books yes.

So credit for college books = good.
credit card for college beer= bad!

Let the rich alpha babies have their floozies now, in the end you'll win. because you don't have a debt on boat, car, house, RV and other rediculious things. and when you're 50, you'll still have your hair, and less stress lines!

While the couple that wanted to spend on things right away..... end up robbing you with ninja masks and voice changers, and dancing around making robot sounds (Dick and Jane).

At 4/22/09 12:38 AM, MultiCanimefan wrote: Raped by hongkong. NEXT.

Yeah, that was one champion of a post, wasn't it? -Zerok


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36Holla

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Posted at: 5/10/07 07:08 PM

36Holla DARK LEVEL 31

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The American Express Card-Dont steal home without it!

Why get a credit card?

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PM me for BBS or review abuse.
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HellzYeahCCR

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Posted at: 5/10/07 07:20 PM

HellzYeahCCR LIGHT LEVEL 09

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At 5/10/07 07:08 PM, 36Holla wrote: The American Express Card-Dont steal home without it!

Willie Mays Hayes knows where its at.

So.. How's your wife and my kids?

Jason Becker, will of steel. | Django Reinhardt, the greatest.

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Idocreating

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Posted at: 5/10/07 07:21 PM

Idocreating LIGHT LEVEL 25

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Make a comprimise, get a Debit Card and you won't be able to go in the red.


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MissingNYC

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Posted at: 5/10/07 07:24 PM

MissingNYC EVIL LEVEL 33

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they are CONVENIENT... but dangerous... i have 1... and i barely ever use it (although my vet just about maxed it out)... damn cat... anyway, just have one to start with... but dont go all shopping crazy like my brother in law did.. he HAD to file bankruptcy... he ALMOST lost his home

MissingNYC

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UndeadTemplar88

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Posted at: 5/10/07 07:29 PM

UndeadTemplar88 LIGHT LEVEL 15

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Meh, I'd rather use a debit card and cash for now, and never have to worry about paying debts for now.

Debt is a bitch


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HandsomePete

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Posted at: 5/10/07 07:32 PM

HandsomePete EVIL LEVEL 39

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Posts: 6,237

Credit Cards rock...
"If I miss one payment I turn gay..."

Dude, seriously, do you know how much a minimum payment is? It's like... .5% of your balance... It's EASY to make AAAAlways *Spoken as Depressed Persian Towtruck man*

You can get just about whatever you want, without carrying cash, most cards have rewards programs, interest is not nearly as bad as people make it out to be, having one improves your credit; making it easier to get a car or home in the future.

Credit cards rule, as long as you're not a total fuckup at life.

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TheFaces

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Posted at: 5/10/07 09:59 PM

TheFaces LIGHT LEVEL 26

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The point of a credit card is for large purchases that you can't make all at once such as cars, houses, basically anything over $5000. It would just be inconvenient to drop that much money all at once, and unless you have extra funds to support you after a purchase like that, then it makes things very difficult.
And at 18, you should be building a good credit rateing by purchasing small things that you can pay off on the credit card all at once so as to avoid the interest, and at the same time making it so that when it comes time to pay for something like a house or a car, you can get financial backing to do so.
Are you seeing my point?


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MichaelHurst

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Posted at: 5/10/07 10:54 PM

MichaelHurst FAB LEVEL 23

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Posts: 4,618

i agree with you


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