To think always clearing a credit card is not typical?

I clear mine every month. I have it because it's safer online than using a debit card.

Paid off in full every month.

I buy big things on it and pay it off over time. .i think thats pretty standard.

Got a Coop members' credit card with Coop Bank for the cash back. Pay it off each month. Get about £40-50 back pa now but of course a lot more when I had children at home and spent ( a lot) more!

Clear it every month. I do have another card with a balance I'm paying down but its 0% interest. I aim to pay it off before the 0% offer expires.

I retired 3 months ago, and am in a place in my life where I charge everything all month, get 2% back as a reward, and pay it in full every month. But, I well remember the lean years when children were small, bills were big, savings were meager, so I don't judge anyone for having to carry a balance. There were times DH and I needed car repairs, or replacement appliances, or just life smacked us, and that was what credit was for. Most lives have ups and downs, most people have been very, very broke and had times when they were thrilled to have extra!

This is the thing.

Most MNers don’t need a credit card but still choose to have one (not sure why) but it means that they can afford to clear it every month.

For the majority of the population, credit cards are used for unexpected costs as most incomes only just cover the basic bills and so of course these don’t get cleared every month.

It entirely depends on your income OP.
If you have a decent one, then you should not be using it/clearing it every month.

I use mine for the points & consumer protection & clear it in full.

got a cc at 18 to improve credit score and get consumer protection, have paid in full monthly ever since - now 46. I was also brought up to save for what you want or need, DGF wouldn’t even have a mortgage - he regarded all debt as dangerous. Obv incredibly rare today but still a good principle overall.

The ex and I spiralled into debt (not through extravagant spending, but definitely spending beyond our means). There was more than £20k on cards, and we (well, I) paid a fortune over the years in interest. Clearing it seemed a dream, but once we'd gone out separate ways (for different reasons) I got myself in a position to clear the debt. I shudder at the thought of the amount of interest, but now it no longer dominates my life, I just don't dwell on it.

I clear mine monthly. I wouldn't put something on it unless I knew I had the money in another account to pay for it.

This is a very naive and privelidged comment.Not sure why you need a credit card if you can pay it all off every month anyway 🤔 unless it's to improve credit score.

Yes I clear it. My credit limit only goes up to what I could afford to pay every month. I only use it for the protections really.

Tbh I’ve never had a credit card. Never needed one and when I thought of it last year none would give me one as I’m a student 😂

I’m in awe of people who do but most people I know don’t manage too

Depends. If it charges interest then I assume most will clear but if 0% then enjoy and just pay the minimum payment and clear down the line. Or balance transfer when the time is right.

I have both. Air miles card that I clear each month. Use it for shopping and fuel. Big holiday each year is paid with it to get the miles then pay it straight off.

I also have a card I'm paying back which has about 2k on it. 0% interest deal.

I clear mine monthly, , because I’m too tight to give banks any interest payments. 😉

Always cleared it monthly.

If you mean me, it's so the amounts on my credit report are smaller, among other things.

I think most people use a credit card for convenience rather than to borrow money. I've had them all my life and always paid off every month.
DH gets cards with an interest free period. Whacks the full amount on and invests it, then pays it off when the interest free period ends. I think there's a name for it

I clear it every month if it means I'd pay interest. If it is 0% interest, I pay the minimum and stick the rest in a savings account for when the offer runs out.

There will be many people who are unable to pay theirs off in full, so I feel grateful that I can.

Mine is cleared every month. I don’t spend what i don’t have, however, as i order online a lot i prefer the added protection offered so always use it. I also collect more points for vouchers etc using it.

it means my money goes in and most of it goes straight out on it but it means it’s paid off and i have no debt. I know a few people who have thousands on cards as take holidays and buy lots of stuff on credit but i know more who use it like me. Only money i owe is mortgage

There are two big patterns around credit cards. Basically, the difference is between people who have the money and people who don't.

1. People who actively use credit cards to get benefits like miles, customer protection, ... paying in full and never paying any interest.

2. People who are used by credit cards. Using it as a preapproved loan, but maxing it out, paying a lot in interest, and sometimes paying a credit card with a credit card.

I suppose there are some people who are not paying it fully every month, but just paying it over a reasonable timeframe, but I suppose those people are often just temporarily between the groups 1 and 2, if they manage to balance their money, they get back to the group 1, otherwise it is a slide to group two.

I’ve cleared mine monthly since being in my 30s