Natwest gave me a credit card...

Venusflytrap

never-in-doubt wrote: »

Leaving a slight balance on your card will actually improve your score with the bank, internal score, and will also show other lenders from your credit file that you are good with money.

I'm confused: Do lenders consider someone who cannot fully pay back what they spend each month responsible? If I were to lend someone £100 quid up front because I trusted that they would pay me back by 'x' date, and they only paid me 80% of the loan - how likely am I to want to lend to them again?

Paying in full in each month could lead to problems in later life

:eek: Nonsense!
Only "problems" I can see is having too many top credit card deals to choose from if you are an indecisive person. :rotfl:

Paying in full each month makes you more likely to be accepted for CCs offering rewards and cash back to <you guessed it!> customers who pay their balance in full each month. :T

Neato

Atom wrote: »

You should have binned it 2 years ago if you can't trust yourself !!

It worked fine when I had it for emergencies/small purchases and could easily pay it off. I also checked my credit rating before and after and it has increased, so keeping it has paid off.:money:

It was only due to not being paid that I put living expenses on it. Since I knew work would eventually sort out their problem it wasn't an issue. I've just pre-empted having little money in the near future and I'd rather try and live within my means than have the temptation of using the card.

mynameisclare

I pay my card in full every month, and my credit reports don't show a zero balance. I guess because I've already bought new things by the time the payment for last month goes out, so there's almost always something on there.

There's nothing inherently wrong or dangerous about using a credit card. Tell yourself it's the same as a debit card, and treat it as if the money is coming straight out of your account.

guesswho2000

Venusflytrap wrote: »

I'm confused: Do lenders consider someone who cannot fully pay back what they spend each month responsible? If I were to lend someone £100 quid up front because I trusted that they would pay me back by 'x' date, and they only paid me 80% of the loan - how likely am I to want to lend to them again?

Absolutely, as long as they make their minimum payment as required by the terms of their credit agreement and don't exceed their limit. Of course there are other criteria which affect the credit score, such as percentage of credit used, but, for example, a credit limit of £2000, with £1000 used, on a revolving account (such as a credit card), is fine, as long as payments are up to date!

Atom

Neato wrote: »

It worked fine when I had it for emergencies/small purchases and could easily pay it off. I also checked my credit rating before and after and it has increased, so keeping it has paid off.:money:

It was only due to not being paid that I put living expenses on it. Since I knew work would eventually sort out their problem it wasn't an issue. I've just pre-empted having little money in the near future and I'd rather try and live within my means than have the temptation of using the card.

Good intentions

LovelyLeeds

Neato wrote: »

I'm not going to pretend I'm good with money - I'm not,

Then you have answered your own question. If you have survived so far without credit, why introduce it into your life? It is a temptation which could overtake your good initial intentions.