Should I start charging daily things to my CC?

[illusion88]

I charge almost everything to my debit card. I am never overdrawn (although it has happened in the past, but that was because my paycheck bounced) and I rarely carry cash. I remember how much money I have in the bank and don't spend what I don't have. I do have a CC from my bank, wells fargo, and I use it on occasion. It does have a $300 balance on it, but I am paying it off quickly. I have never been late or missed a payment on the card and usually pay double the min.

Anyways, I was thinking, once I have it all paid off should I start using it for my daily purchases and then pay it off at the end of the week/month? Isn't that how you build credit, by using the danm thing? I have used it in the past to pay for tuition and books, as well as some larger purchases.

Wouldn't it be better to get a card that has some sort of rewards, cash back or something? I figure I can treat it just like my debit card and pay it off with my checking account every month. Does this sound crazy?

 

[mwtgg]

I rarely, if ever, use my debit card anymore.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: illusion88
I charge almost everything to my debit card. I am never overdrawn (although it has happened in the past, but that was because my paycheck bounced) and I rarely carry cash. I remember how much money I have in the bank and don't spend what I don't have. I do have a CC from my bank, wells fargo, and I use it on occasion. It does have a $300 balance on it, but I am paying it off quickly. I have never been late or missed a payment on the card and usually pay double the min.

Anyways, I was thinking, once I have it all paid off should I start using it for my daily purchases and then pay it off at the end of the week/month? Isn't that how you build credit, by using the danm thing? I have used it in the past to pay for tuition and books, as well as some larger purchases.

Wouldn't it be better to get a card that has some sort of rewards, cash back or something? I figure I can treat it just like my debit card and pay it off with my checking account every month. Does this sound crazy?

That doesn't sound crazy at all IMO illusion88, I stopped using my debit card for all my purchases ever since I picked up a CC that offers airline miles for almost every dollar that I spend, way better than the "rewards" program that my debit card offered in my situation, I hope this helps

 

[xanis]

If you're responsible financially, then I see no problem whatsoever with it. I personally prefer using cash for daily purchases, but that's just me.

 

[TheChort]

Originally posted by: mwtgg
I rarely, if ever, use my debit card anymore.

same here...i charge most purchases on my credit card, and pay it off fully at the end of the month. That way i don't end up essentially paying more for things than they are worth, and I build my credit it the process.
I'm 24, and I'm up to a $10,000 limit on my card (I usually charge $800 - $2000 per month)

 

[Brainonska511]

Pick up some kind of rewards credit card and use that to pay for everything. Make sure you pay it off in full every month.

I don't use my debit card, except when I need cash from the ATM or am making a deposit at my bank. Everything gets charged to my Citi Dividend card, which I've received a $63 check from within the first 8 months (I would have had more if I got it before I started driving). Now I'm building my way back up to another $50 check.

 

[Mo0o]

I never use my debit card anymore, only the odd atm visit. Everything gets charged to credit and paid off every month

 

[msparish]

I charge everything to my rewards card. Received $480 cash back for the last year. Just don't spend any more than you would have with your debit card and it works very well.

 

[Aimster]

don't do it.

unless your credit bill at the end of the month is a lot. If it is small stick to debit.

I went a month or two putting random crap like 7-11 coffee on my credit card, and they reduced my limit. The next month I decided to play their game and I put my school tuition and books on it. They upped my limit back to where it was.
It all depends on the credit card company however. Mine plays that game.

 

[Gunslinger08]

I charge all of my expenses. I get 1-5% cash back on everything, along with the protection of a credit card. Yes, most debit cards offer the same protection, but it can take a lot of fighting to get your lost money back into your bank account.

 

[illusion88]

So what rewards card should I get? I am mostly interested in cash back or something that saves billions on gas.

 

[Brainonska511]

Citi Dividend:
Earn 5% cash back at supermarkets, drugstores, gas stations, convenience stores and utilities including cable for 6 months, and 2% thereafter. Plus, 1% cash back on other purchases with this credit card.
-You need to build up $50 in cash back before you're eligible for a check from Citibank. I also believe it is capped at $300/year in cashback. Unlimited through their "Bonus Cash Program," but that isn't that good.

American Express Blue Cash (provided you spend more than $6500/year):
5% back from supermarkets, gas stations and drugstores
1.5% back on everything else
If you spend less than $6500/year (overall), the numbers are 1% and .5%, respectively.
-IIRC, the AMEX credits your statement with the rewards money.

 

[illusion88]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
Citi Dividend:
Earn 5% cash back at supermarkets, drugstores, gas stations, convenience stores and utilities including cable for 6 months, and 2% thereafter. Plus, 1% cash back on other purchases with this credit card.
-You need to build up $50 in cash back before you're eligible for a check from Citibank. I also believe it is capped at $300/year in cashback. Unlimited through their "Bonus Cash Program," but that isn't that good.

American Express Blue Cash (provided you spend more than $6500/year):
5% back from supermarkets, gas stations and drugstores
1.5% back on everything else
If you spend less than $6500/year (overall), the numbers are 1% and .5%, respectively.
-IIRC, the AMEX credits your statement with the rewards money.

So have you used the American Express Blue Cash?
Is it accepted in most places?

 

[BobDaMenkey]

Originally posted by: illusion88

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
Citi Dividend:
Earn 5% cash back at supermarkets, drugstores, gas stations, convenience stores and utilities including cable for 6 months, and 2% thereafter. Plus, 1% cash back on other purchases with this credit card.
-You need to build up $50 in cash back before you're eligible for a check from Citibank. I also believe it is capped at $300/year in cashback. Unlimited through their "Bonus Cash Program," but that isn't that good.

American Express Blue Cash (provided you spend more than $6500/year):
5% back from supermarkets, gas stations and drugstores
1.5% back on everything else
If you spend less than $6500/year (overall), the numbers are 1% and .5%, respectively.
-IIRC, the AMEX credits your statement with the rewards money.

So have you used the American Express Blue Cash?
Is it accepted in most places?

The only place I've ever found my Amex not to be accepted was at Fry's Electronics. Every other place that I've made a purchase accepted my Amex no problem.

I've got a Blue card, but not the cash back program. I use my points to get B&N gift cards. They've got lots of other options too.

 

[brtspears2]

I use the following combo of cards for my daily expenses:

Chase Cash Rewards Plus - (this card is not available anymore) - 5% gas, grocery, drugstore, 1% everything else
Amex Costco TrueRewards (Requires Costco membership) - 3% for eating out, 2% on travel, 1% everything else (rebate is sent via check yearly in Feb.)
Discover Card - quarterly, they have catagories that give 5% cash back. (Travel, Home/Clothing, Gas/Hotels/Summer Travel, and Eating out). 1% on everything else.

Beware, never carry balance on these cards. 17.99%+ APR on these.

 

[Patt]

I used my CC for everything so that the rewards points accrue, and soon I'll be flying with my wife and child to Europe on points. However, I have never carried a balance, and always pay it off as quickly as possible, especially when buying something pricey.

 

[potato28]

Can't stand CC's... always use my Debit/ Interac around here.

 

[PottedMeat]

I never did understand the point of a debit card - funds are directly transferred out of your account to the merchant immediately, with a credit card you can charge whatever you want up to a limit and you get a list of everything to be paid off at the end of the month and you get a tiny bonus. Also if you can't pay it all off at once you don't have to.

 

[SoulAssassin]

It won't "build credit" for you but, as previously stated, with a good rewards card you can put some $$ back in your pocket if you're disciplined enough.

 

[kranky]

IF you have the discipline to
- not charge more than you can pay for every month in full; and
- pay every month on time

You should absolutely use a rewards card and charge everything. I've collected well over $1,000 in cash back over the last four years. And I could have done a little better but I won't charge charitable contributions (don't want to stick the charity with the transaction fees).

 

[habib89]

if you're gonna pay it off every month for sure, then go for it

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: illusion88

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
Citi Dividend:
Earn 5% cash back at supermarkets, drugstores, gas stations, convenience stores and utilities including cable for 6 months, and 2% thereafter. Plus, 1% cash back on other purchases with this credit card.
-You need to build up $50 in cash back before you're eligible for a check from Citibank. I also believe it is capped at $300/year in cashback. Unlimited through their "Bonus Cash Program," but that isn't that good.

American Express Blue Cash (provided you spend more than $6500/year):
5% back from supermarkets, gas stations and drugstores
1.5% back on everything else
If you spend less than $6500/year (overall), the numbers are 1% and .5%, respectively.
-IIRC, the AMEX credits your statement with the rewards money.

So have you used the American Express Blue Cash?
Is it accepted in most places?

I don't actually have the Blue Cash card, but if you spend over the $6500 amount, it is probably the best card to use. I have the Citi card on the old 5% back for Gas/Groceries/Drugs and 1% everything else, but I've been thinking about getting an Amex Blue Student to get more Skymiles and slightly better benefits on compared to only 1% cash back from Citi since I don't spend too much.

 

[dartworth]

My debit card has a rewards program...

points


WTF is wrong with the edit function?


https://www.nationalcity.com/s...nal/points/default.asp

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: dartworth
My debit card has a rewards program...

https://www.nationalcity.com/s...nal/points/default.asp">points</a>

But it doesn't have the same protections as a CC. And rewards on CCs tend to be better than the rewards programs on debit cards.

 

[dartworth]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511

Originally posted by: dartworth
My debit card has a rewards program...

https://www.nationalcity.com/s...nal/points/default.asp">points</a>

But it doesn't have the same protections as a CC. And rewards on CCs tend to be better than the rewards programs on debit cards.

Agreed for the most part...but it is a nice feature for a debit card.

Considering I have over 20K points already