January 9, 20188 yr Outside of gas, I can’t remember the last time I didn’t pay cash. You're missing out! Get yourself a good credit card that has perks that what you . I use Delta Skymiles card and am actually redeeming my points this year for two separate trips one flight to the Caribbean for $80 and one flight out to Utah for $100.
January 9, 20188 yr Because of the rewards, we pay for everything with credit cards. We'll get at least 2 round trip airline tickets a year for free. About the only thing we use cash for is tipping.
January 9, 20188 yr About the only thing we use cash for is tipping. I always try to tip with cash. Even if I pay with a credit card, I leave the tip in cash as often as possible.
January 9, 20188 yr The obvious response here is why? Because it's easier to stay on budget that way. The average person spends somewhere between 15-20% more each month when using plastic compared to cash.
January 9, 20188 yr Agreed and I often use cash for gas as well To clarify, I use my debit card for gas, so technically it's cash. Haven't used a credit card in a very long time.
January 9, 20188 yr I think its harder to stay on budget with cash. I think pulling up an app on my phone telling me how much money I have and how much spent it on helps me much more. Unless you are carrying receipts around for everything it’s hard to track cash. Not if you budget everything out before each month begins it's not.
January 9, 20188 yr Because it's easier to stay on budget that way. The average person spends somewhere between 15-20% more each month when using plastic compared to cash. I get that. But I’m also in the using my credit cards for everything camp. I have a miles card, a cash back card, and a points card that I use depending on the situation and what gets the best rewards. After using the card, I immediately make a payment for the amount spent using the phone app linked to the card. You just have to be disciplined to make that payment right away. This prevents me from overspending, and is really no different than using cash/debit. There’s simply too much value to be found in credit cards these days to not take advantage of the rewards that are available.
January 9, 20188 yr I get that. But I’m also in the using my credit cards for everything camp. I have a miles card, a cash back card, and a points card that I use depending on the situation and what gets the best rewards. After using the card, I immediately make a payment for the amount spent using the phone app linked to the card. You just have to be disciplined to make that payment right away. This prevents me from overspending, and is really no different than using cash/debit. There’s simply too much value to be found in credit cards these days to not take advantage of the rewards that are available. You're in the very small minority who does that though.
January 9, 20188 yr You're in the very small minority who does that though. Maybe so. In my circle of friends and family, though, almost everyone has gone this route. Not everyone pays right away like me (in which case I probably am in the minority), but many are paying for everything with their cards and paying off in full monthly. I pretty much pay for everything but my mortgage. With bills, I set up the auto payment with my credit cards, then an auto payment on the credit card for the bill amount the same day. It does take a few extra minutes to set everything up, but the free plane tickets, hotel stays, etc are well worth that little extra time. Trust me though, I know How easy it is to get in over your head. I went through a stage in my 20’s where I used credit beyond my means and dig myself a pretty deep hole. It took several years to dig out, and I went through a 5 or 6 year period where I didn’t use any credit cards. After getting a job that requires me to travel though about 8 years ago, I had to get a CC, and that’s when I discovered the beauty of credit card rewards. I’ve been all in now for the last 5 years or so.
January 9, 20188 yr Because it's easier to stay on budget that way. The average person spends somewhere between 15-20% more each month when using plastic compared to cash. I’m not doubting that but where did you get that data from?
January 9, 20188 yr Not if you budget everything out before each month begins it's not. Just to clarify are you considering a debit card as cash because I’m not.
January 9, 20188 yr I get that. But I’m also in the using my credit cards for everything camp. I have a miles card, a cash back card, and a points card that I use depending on the situation and what gets the best rewards. After using the card, I immediately make a payment for the amount spent using the phone app linked to the card. You just have to be disciplined to make that payment right away. This prevents me from overspending, and is really no different than using cash/debit. There’s simply too much value to be found in credit cards these days to not take advantage of the rewards that are available. I do this as well. I hardly ever carry a balance on my card for more than a couple days. I don’t use my credit card for small purchases but I do for gas, groceries, and for any purchase over $50.
January 9, 20188 yr Just to clarify are you considering a debit card as cash because I’m not. I use my debit card for gas. Everything else is straight cash homie...
January 9, 20188 yr Maybe so. In my circle of friends and family, though, almost everyone has gone this route. Not everyone pays right away like me (in which case I probably am in the minority), but many are paying for everything with their cards and paying off in full monthly. I pretty much pay for everything but my mortgage. With bills, I set up the auto payment with my credit cards, then an auto payment on the credit card for the bill amount the same day. It does take a few extra minutes to set everything up, but the free plane tickets, hotel stays, etc are well worth that little extra time. Trust me though, I know How easy it is to get in over your head. I went through a stage in my 20’s where I used credit beyond my means and dig myself a pretty deep hole. It took several years to dig out, and I went through a 5 or 6 year period where I didn’t use any credit cards. After getting a job that requires me to travel though about 8 years ago, I had to get a CC, and that’s when I discovered the beauty of credit card rewards. I’ve been all in now for the last 5 years or so. I currently only have 1 credit card but I’ve been toying with the idea of getting a delta credit card simply based on the fact that you get a free checked bag. That alone is worth it if you fly even a couple times a year. If you travel a lot you would be an idiot not to have a delta card. It’s literally free money.
January 9, 20188 yr I use my debit card for gas. Everything else is straight cash homie... If that works for you then by all means do you.
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