Blame The Kids For All That Red Ink

[Lone Gunman]

Originally Posted by K C Muffin

I remember the same thing happening when my youngest went for his Freshman Orientation. They were offering a T-shirt for signing up. Son wanted the T-shirt. He signed up. The card came to the home address. He and I agreed that I would keep the card and if he were ever in a "pinch" he'd use it. He never did use it and I think I cut it up a couple of months ago - he's been married for two years! There were a bunch of them signing up that day - even with their parents watching. I guess some parents think their kids can be trusted with a $2 or $3 grand credit balance. I knew better.

I was lucky mine didn't even want the t-shirt. I just put him on my discover card to use for emergencies he's used it once for gas to come home 2 years ago for Christmas.

[Army_of_One]

Originally Posted by TexKan

I don't own a credit card......... I have found living within my means and having a savings put aside is a whole lot cheaper.........

How do you rent a car, purchase an airline ticket or reserve a hotel room? Having at least one credit card is almost a necessity these days?!??? I keep two cards just for those reasons.....(and shopping on ebay but that's my little secret)

[Bubba]

Originally Posted by Army_of_One

How do you rent a car, purchase an airline ticket or reserve a hotel room? Having at least one credit card is almost a necessity these days?!??? I keep two cards just for those reasons.....(and shopping on ebay but that's my little secret)

I don't own a credit card either, but I can answer this question. I shop online for most everything except groceries. I am a frequent buyer and sometimes seller on eBay. It's all done with my check card that carries the VISA logo. It is accepted just like a credit card. In fact when I use it at a store they seem to always ask; "credit or debit?" My answer is always credit, that way I don't have to enter a PIN number in public in view of others and possibly camera phones. All the "charges" are then withdrawn directely out of my checking account.

[TexKan]

Well that's how I do it......... I find if I keep bout 2 -3K in the checking account I can cover anything I would possibly buy on credit. I have been doin this bout 4 years now. Works great - I don't get depressed at Xmas, there isn't really anything I can't "secure" with my card - I'm the one in control of my $ and keeps those "impulse buys" down. My motto is - If I want it and really can't afford it - I don't buy it. Makes life real simple, I don't have anything but my house note and it's done in 2007. Good life.....