It's time to bring back usury laws.

[notyoueither]

The roll of government? Is that like the bagel of religion?

I'm not surprised that a zealot of the market doesn't grant that governments rightly play a roll in regulating society, including contracts.

[Ben Kenobi]

Who would put their rent on a cc? I can see plenty of reasons why that would be a bad idea.

To me its always good to just have all the options available-- A local Asian restaurant give 10% off for cash so I usually pay cash-- Buying furniture I have seen times where there are big discounts for cash, but sometimes I'll use the card for the points or sometimes I'll use the 'don't pay a cent for *" option (although on those you have to watch any processing or admin fees they levy, but on a large purchase, paying NOTHING for a year or more can be beneficial)

It can be, but again, most of the large purchases I've made were on cash, and got 10 percent discounts. That saves me well over and above what a cc benefits would ever offer.

[Asher]

Who would put their rent on a cc? I can see plenty of reasons why that would be a bad idea.

Name one?

Helps build credit rating, you get rewards for using the card, you're never going to get an NSF charge if your paycheque and rent cheque don't line up by a day or so (I get paid biweekly, so it's annoying sometimes). You also get essentially a 30-day free loan out of the credit card, which if you're smart with it works to your advantage.

It can be, but again, most of the large purchases I've made were on cash, and got 10 percent discounts. That saves me well over and above what a cc benefits would ever offer.

Ben...if you have a credit card this doesn't mean you can never pay cash again. They are not mutually exclusive.

If somebody wants to give me a 10% discount for paying cash, I'll go for it. But 99% of places don't do this.

You've got a retarded position on this issue.

[Asher]

Why We Spend More Using Credit Versus Cash
You are probably paying more than those credit card rewards are worth

You always do have a skill at funding the most worthless articles on all of the internet and attaching them to threads for my amusement.

[DinoDoc]

You always do have a skill at funding the most worthless articles on all of the internet and attaching them to threads for my amusement.

You also have an amusing way of posting text that rarely says anything of value.

[Flubber]

Why We Spend More Using Credit Versus Cash
You are probably paying more than those credit card rewards are worth

Thanks DinoDoc for the articles but they merely state the obvious. Since I pay Zero interest the interest rates are irrelevent to me. I am also very disciplined on my card use as is evidenced by the fact I zero the balance twice per month. IF I want something, I don't buy it until I have saved enough to zero the balance upon purchase. My card does carry an annual fee BUT my points/flight rewards are worth more than the annual fee and all the extra insurances etc etc are just gravy.

I do understand that people generally spend more than if they have to go in their own pocket. I don't. I budget and follow the budget. (I do payroll deduction such that with employed contributions and matching I am saving 22% of my gross as an example)

You Can be disciplined. And if you are, credit cards can work for you. They make oodles of money because most people are NOT disciplined

[Flubber]

You also have an amusing way of posting text that rarely says anything of value.

hmmm does anyone on here say much of value??

[Asher]

hmmm does anyone on here say much of value??

My words are digital gold.

[Flubber]

But Dino those articles were pretty basic and also pretty irrelevent as a response to my credit card habits

[DinoDoc]

hmmm does anyone on here say much of value??

Sometimes. I have been given cause to rethink my position before.

[Flubber]

My words are digital gold.

Well these words above were amusing

[Asher]

But Dino those articles were pretty basic and also pretty irrelevent as a response to my credit card habits

You said in many more words what I said in one simple sentence.

[Flubber]

Sometimes. I have been given cause to rethink my position before.

Oh I often rethink positions-- IN fact I constantly reconsider my views on things even if I do not end up changing my views. For instance you could change my views on credit cards but it would be a tough sell. I know my costs and benefits and have done the analysis to make sure it was worthwhile for me

[Flubber]

You said in many more words what I said in one simple sentence.

At one time lawyers were apprently paid by the word or length of documents (so I am told). Perhaps it is hard to kill those habits

[DanS]

What does building a credit mean? Establishing a good credit history? What benefits does it have? Lower rates on future loans?

Yes, lower rates on future loans. You are given a credit score by each of three credit rating agencies based upon various factors, such as the size of the loans you have outstanding, have you paid your loans on time, etc.

Do many people use credit cards for their primary purpose, unlike Asher? Why do they do so? It might make sense here, with higher inflation overtaking the interest, but why do they do that in the US?

Sometimes I use credit cards for their primary purpose. It is good for me to minimize the amount of cash that I have on hand to cover out-of-the-ordinary expenses, and thereby maximizing my investments in somewhat less liquid but higher-returning assets, like stocks.

When I was in college, I maintained a balance based on the probability that I would earn more once I got out of school and could pay the balance off. I also used it to even out "lumpy" income from various jobs.

Many others in the US rely on credit cards for their primary purpose. Some people can't handle credit very well, unfortunately. They haven't been taught how to use credit effectively or they are unable to use credit effectively.