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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this is not abnormal?!

380 replies

Linnylinn1 · 24/10/2019 16:19

In work today one of the girls asked me something about a credit card and transferring a balance. I said “oh don’t ask me I have never had a credit card, I don’t know anything about them!” She was totally shocked that I don’t have one (as were the rest of the office!” AIBU to think it’s not THAT shocking!!??

OP posts:
KatharinaRosalie · 25/10/2019 08:02

The level of consumer protection is the same for both credit and debit cards

Consumer protection laws may be the same and yes in theory you can go and demand refunds if an item is defective, no matter what payment method you used. I have not seen a debit card that offers the extra protection you get with a credit card though.

G5000 · 25/10/2019 08:07

People do get into financial difficulties and a lot of people prefer not to have one. That's totally reasonable as far as I can see

Yes sure. If you know that you can't help it and would immediately shop up to limit and never pay it off - makes sense not to have the temptation. This does not mean that all people who have credit cards have them because they cannot budget and need to live beyond their means.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 25/10/2019 08:13

I only got one recently to help my credit rating. I use it to do my food shop and pay it off in full at the end of the month.

I was very financially irresponsible in my early 20s, if I'd got one then I would have maxed it out within hours. I did that with an overdraft at age 18 and took years to pay it back.

AngelsOnHigh · 25/10/2019 08:20

Spiddy, just thought I'd throw that in. I often wonder if anyone reads responses.

Now I know they do.

Original poster
Linnylinn1 · 25/10/2019 08:55

@KatharinaRosalie there is NO extra protection here no section 75.

OP posts:
Gwenhwyfar · 25/10/2019 08:58

"I did that with an overdraft at age 18 and took years to pay it back."

The bank is to blame here. Why did an 18 year old, presumably not on a high income, have an overdraft facility going into thousands?
I know of unemployed people who receive ads for credit cards.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 25/10/2019 09:01

Gwen no idea. I was on minimum wage and I had absolutely no concept of what an overdraft was, I thought it was free money. I didn't realise I would have to be paying fees on it so I spent the whole lot (£1000). Spent the next 3 years in poverty as I was not living with my parents so I was paying rent and bills too as well as paying the overdraft back.

KatharinaRosalie · 25/10/2019 09:01

So credit card providers themselves offer nothing? No insurances, no benefits?

Gwenhwyfar · 25/10/2019 09:02

"If you’ve had phone contracts, a car on finance etc etc and already proved yourself credit wise then you’re not going to need to do that."

Not really true. I had a phone contract many years ago - I use pay and go now - but my credit rating is low because I just haven't had enough debt. I'm in my 40s, not just moved out of my parents'!

Spidey66 · 25/10/2019 09:06

@AngelsOnHigh Grin

Original poster
Linnylinn1 · 25/10/2019 09:07

@KatharinaRosalie as I said no s75 like Uk And as far as I can they both just offer a chargeback service.

OP posts:
Original poster
Linnylinn1 · 25/10/2019 09:08

And @KatharinaRosalie PPI also

OP posts:
Gwenhwyfar · 25/10/2019 09:14

Wax - credit is handed out too easily and even pushed on people sometimes.

OldEvilOwl · 25/10/2019 09:37

I don't have one. I'm 43! I don't have an overdraft either. I have savings and use them if I need anything extra

Chillisauceboss · 25/10/2019 09:51

I've only had one once for a few weeks whilst travelling as a emergency back up. Never actually used one and I'm 33

Damntheman · 25/10/2019 09:55

I'd say it's unusual but not shocking or abnormal to not have a credit card. I was in my early thirties when I got mine! I only use it to buy plane fares really because it gives an added level of insurance protection in case of cancellation. I don't really like credit cards either OP, they feel a bit dangerous financially!

KatharinaRosalie · 25/10/2019 10:06

I get travel insurance (medical, cancellation, delays, luggage) for free for the entire family, rental car insurance, theft and damage protection for items bought with credit card - that's not due to consumer protection laws, but card providers. My debit card does not offer that.

broomzoom · 25/10/2019 10:14

I just remembered that DH has one with a high limit for emergencies/natural disasters. He's a bit of a pessimist but wants it as back up if for example his bank was in trouble & there was a run on it or if he needed a lot of money quickly but couldn't wait to access savings/go to a branch & he always takes it abroad for similar reasons.

Original poster
Linnylinn1 · 25/10/2019 12:48

@KatharinaRosalie I find it hard to believe that is all “free” are they not all paid for by the annual fee on your card??!! We have travel insurance for the year for very little and extra cover through our health insurance (needed here as no NHS) , as for theft/damage of items that is also covered under home insurance.

OP posts:
HoldMyLobster · 25/10/2019 12:56

The car insurance we get with our Visa credit card can be really handy. We saved about $1000 when we rented two cars in Italy and were able to decline the insurance they wanted to sell us.

Tighnabruaich · 25/10/2019 15:09

I’ve not got one. If I haven’t got the money for something I don’t buy it.

Sunflowersok · 25/10/2019 15:13

I’ve only just got one to build my credit rating (I’m 29). I feel like a modern woman.

Mummyshark2018 · 25/10/2019 15:16

I don't have one. Racked up debt in my twenties and now that I earn better I don't need one. I just use my debit card. My dh has a few but he travels for work so uses it then until he is reimbursed.

ArnoldWhatshisknickers · 25/10/2019 15:48

You don’t need a credit card to get a mortgage

No, you don't. My daughter took out her mortgage last year age 23 having never had a credit card, phone contract, any bills in her name (they were in her flat mates) or any debts aside from her student loan.

It isn't necessary to have much credit history to take out a mortgage.

Wherecanwegetoff123 · 25/10/2019 16:02

I have one. Using it to build my credit rating to get a mortgage in a few years time