conversation: User (Dave40863): "Sorry, I had to bring this up. In almost every thread about credit cards people bring their Dave Ramsey-esque mindset about these evil pieces of plastic that will slaughter your family at night and rape your dog. Maybe not quite that dramatic, but you get the point.\n\nThe problem is not that the banks are out to steal your money (well, I'm sure they would love to) or that the system is rigged against you. It is that you can't look yourself in the mirror and admit that you have a self control problem. Credit card debt is usually a result of poor spending control or poor planning. Stop blaming a piece of plastic for your shortcomings.\n\nThat's all.\n\nEdit: Ok that's not all. Don't you absolutely hate being in line behind someone who pays with cash or check at the grocery store? Then they drop some change on the floor and it is just an unmitigated disaster. \n\nEdit2: Wow this blew up! I am still trying to read all of the comments. Most of them have valid points about the shady marketing techniques of the companies that issue credit cards. I would say to always be skeptical and research before acting, and you'll save yourself a lot of pain.\n\nEdit3: I never expected to see such a victim mentality in here. No one is forcing you to incur debt. We live in a society where ignorance is often punished and financial ignorance is no exception. Do I think we need to provide a sturdier financial learning foundation for young people? Yes, sure. All these excuses are just sad though. "
  Self: "They can be a really useful tool for people that have the discipline and the ability to pay them off every month. I like my card because I accumulate rewards points, and I don't actually pay for things right away. My grace period is 28 days which means it can be almost 2 months before I pay something I have charged. "
  GoldenChrysus (GoldenChrysus): "Well, this is true, but this line of thinking is also dangerous. It permits people to buy things they won't have the money for or be able to afford until 2 months later, which is a huge reason people get into debt. "Oh, I don't have the money for this new TV now, but I'm sure I can figure it out within 2 months, so I may as well go ahead and buy it."\n\nI personally don't put anything on a card card I couldn't pay for right now with a debit card after all my future planned expenses. The credit card merely serves to consolidate expenses, reduce risk, and provide rewards, not offset my expenses until months later. This is also why I pay my statements as soon as they close, not 25-30 days later on the due date, as I don't believe in waiting as long as possible to pay something that you owe right now, it also makes budgeting far easier, and it frees up my credit line sooner rather than later."
  the_fail_whale (the_fail_whale): "Is that really the only expense we expect people to delay with credit cards? TVs?\n\nI work less during uni semester in order to attend class, but am guaranteed full time hours in the vacations.  I need to know that when rent comes around, I can pay the full amount on the right day, so that when I move again I can present a ledger that shows perfect payment record, or I can forget about living in this area.\n\nA credit card provides immediate access to cashflow as needed on a tight income, while knowing I can make the minimum repayments for now and then pay it all down in the holidays. This applies to rent, my son's school fees, groceries needed before pay day, etc. We don't have nor want a TV. \n\nAs a result I have a great credit score and they offer to extend my limit every time I pay it off. \n\nSo I can't see that credit cards are just about satisfying ridiculous luxury items instead of a means of keeping creditors happy during times of reduced income. Personal loans tend to take longer to come through and aren't necessarily as good a deal as low interest cards with a chance of paying some items off in the interest free period."
  ScrewedThePooch (ScrewedThePooch): "What landlord is letting you pay rent with a credit card? Unless he/she is charging you $20 in fees each time."
  sirin3 (sirin3): "Fees for CCs are illegal in many states"
  ScrewedThePooch (ScrewedThePooch): "&gt;Fees for CCs are illegal in a few states\n\nFTFY\n\nEleven states—California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Oklahoma and Texas—and Puerto Rico have laws that prohibit merchants from charging consumers with surcharges on credit card transactions.\n\nhttp://www.ncsl.org/research/financial-services-and-commerce/credit-or-debit-card-surcharges-statutes.aspx"
  JMV290 (JMV290): "I'm in Massachusetts.  \n\nHow can National Grid charge 2 dollars for me to pay my gas/electric bill with a credit card?  Also, the university where I work/attended has a 2.75% fee on credit card transactions when used to pay for classes"
  ScrewedThePooch (ScrewedThePooch): "There may be an exception for utility companies and government/state-owned organizations to keep the overall costs lower."
  JMV290 (JMV290): "I wonder if it also has to do with both of my examples not directly taking payments. National Grid takes card payments through Western Union (I think) while check and ACH are through their own billing platform.\n\nThe university uses a third party to process transactions and it may be similar with how their credit card payments are handled. "
  