Is is possible to live without a CC in 21st century?

LittleMissAspie

Mags_cat wrote: »

I've experienced bank fraud - someone once lifted £2500 out of my account in three transactions. The bank credited it back within two days and were very good about sorting out charges incurred.

This can't happen with a credit card, they can take money off it but at least you will still have money in the bank for bills. Whereas with debit card fraud they can empty out your account and leave you with no money for food etc until the bank sorts it out. So that's one advantage of a credit card.

I only ever use my credit card online, purely for fraud and protection reasons. I could easily live without it.

callum9999

I've been able to use debit cards in any hotel I've stayed in. Instead of freezing however much they would on the credit card (if they do actually do so?) they do it on the debit card. A bit annoying if you needed the money in there but it's always been fine for me.

Jammi

I could live without my Credit Cards, however there is absolutely no reason for me to do so.

I enjoy the benefits and convenience of using credit cards without incurring any of the possible costs. With Cash-back, stoozing opportunities and regular Interest Free offers (I love MBNA ), my relationship with credit cards has been a win-win affair. Long may it last.

Derivative

The only real reason to use a CC is purchase protection and interest free credit for the ~50 days.

Using it for 'emergencies' implies to me you have some sort of ridiculous credit limit or you're banking on an earthquake destroying your house with no cover.

edit: Oh, and of course any cashback offers/eligibility for high interest savings accounts. My point is that using a CC for a £600 'emergency' implies you really should worry about not having £600 in savings...

originalmiscellany

Yes you can! I've had a bank card for the past 15 years, and have had a credit card for 4 years, but have never used it...
I would happily get rid of it except as others have said, it's useful "emergency" cash.

You can live without a credit card if you budget and live within your means, and don't view it as free money to tie you over on a month to month basis

Jammi

In my opinion credit cards dont work very well when used solely for "emergencies".

If the card remains unused for a significant period of time the issuer may close the account or impose a dormancy fee. Better to place an emergency fund in a savings account, at least that way it earns interest.

Torry_Quine

I have never had a credit card so obviously you don't need one.

Barneysmom

I'm 48 and have never had one.
Years ago I decided that to have one would be to make a conscious decision to live in debt. So I never bothered and have never missed it.

fiendishlyclever

Barneysmom wrote: »

I'm 48 and have never had one.
Years ago I decided that to have one would be to make a conscious decision to live in debt. So I never bothered and have never missed it.

You don't need to live in debt because you own a cc. I've had one for years and pay it off every month. All you need is a little willpower...

Barneysmom

You could say that about saving up for things too, I just bought hubby a 40 inch Sony Bravia cash. Saving up feels better to me than paying off a debt - each to their own though