Credit Cards - Your opinion on them

[MrG]

I just got off the phone requesting a credit limit increase with Standard Bank, that got me thinking. Whats the general perception currently associated with credit cards?

Do you have one, do you manage it responsibly?

[Murph]

I had three at one point in my life. Paid two off and cancelled them. Now I have one that I only ever use for things like Steam, Take 2 and so forth.

[czc]

Credit cards are useful. I think it makes payment easier but you should have the money you are going to spend.

[Xero]

No renting a Car without one
As long as you manage a credit card properly and make sure that you reap some sort of benefit from it, I suppose there's no harm in having one
I do know OF a guy though that has 6 and maxes out one of them each month to pay off the others

[matt]

I use my credit card for everything. However, I tend to keep it in a positive balance as much as possible. I usually just top it up every now and then (usually owe R1-2K on it), and put in a R2-3K. It's just convenient, don't have to draw cash, or pay transaction fees

[Frederik Mundey]

It can get you in a whole lot of shit. Like take me for instance.
I have 2 credit cards.
Both over the max now.
I couldn't pay last month as I had o pay my son's doctor bills.
They phoned me at night, over weekends, sent me letters and sms's.
Now I have to pay double this month.
So we have about R1000 less for groceries.
Nice hey?

NOOOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Voicy]

I love mine. I use it as a debit card, by paying for everything - and then at month end I clear it with savings. Builds credit history and I can purchase things online / rent-cars-as-xero-said / book accommodation and plane tickets etc.

If you use a credit card when you don't have money reflecting in other accounts to match it, you start running into problems.

[Grimspoon]

Had one, got rid of it. My debit card works perfectly for online purchasing etc.

Cash is king. If you don't got it, don't spent it

[Azimuth]

I use a credit card for just about everything; I very rarely use cash. I'm responsible with it, though, and pay it off in full every single month. I have a perfect record with the thing, the bank must hate my guts.

[Kiruna]

I usually have mine fully paid up and use for emergencies / buying steam games only, but had to use it for a expensive unexpected horrid surprise, so now back to paying it off again. Should be done in a few months.