To think this is not abnormal?!

[Linnylinn1]

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!!??

I do think it is unusual to not have had a credit card. However despite having various different credit cards over the past 20 years, I would have been just as clueless in this conversation as I've never done a balance transfer. To me that is unusual. Credit cards are very useful for the added protection for buying expensive items and as a way of managing your money but the balance should be cleared every month otherwise it's not good money management. (The one exception to this rule is for zero percent interest deals where the money is budgeted for and the balance is cleared before the zero percent deal finishes).

It's not abnormal but uncommon. As pp's have said it's not about needing it. It's having it to build credit, protect purchases or for certain situations like hotels.

Also lucky you never needing credit. Maybe they thought you were being smug?

You should always use a credit card to make big purchases (over £100) as you get protection that way eg against company going bust. You don't get that with a debit card.
My dh hasn't had a credit card in about a decade but having one and using it regularly (even just for small purchases) and paying it off immediately will help build up your credit score for if you need a mortgage, loan in the future etc.

People often think they're being financially savvy not having one but sadly it's the other way around!

You don't need to incur any interest.

I’ve never had one either OP! Neither had DH.

*has

I've never "needed" one but I always use mine. You get protection on purchases, inc a level of insurance, I get cash back, and it's good for your credit rating. Tbh the only people I know that don't have them are the people who are pretty clueless about finances

33 and never had one and don't think I ever will.

@Iwouldbecomplex Agreed! I pay for absolutely everything on my credit card and pay it off in full each month. Get extra protection for big purchases, work expenses don't come out of my bank account AND I rack up enough points about every 18 months for a free holiday/free flights/free hotel.

Nope don't have one. Debit card is good enough for me.

Neither me nor DP have ever had one (early 30s). I don't understand when people say you need them for credit rating, mine is fine (I checked it) and we didn't have any issue getting a mortgage. I don't make any big purchases (never bought a large appliance or car or anything) and don't drive so don't think those reasons apply to me. I do get the point about having access to credit for emergencies though (though I have savings). I guess if I needed to make a big purchase and wanted the protection I'd get one.

I don't have work expenses either, if I ever travel for work they pay the travel costs so I don't have to pay and then claim back.

I’ve had one for 25+ years. I’ve never paid a penny in interest, but over the years have received hundreds of pounds in vouchers and money back schemes. I don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t want one 🤷‍♀️ I guess it’s all the same people who don’t have a nectar card/ boots card, etc... I just like getting stuff for free

I used to but haven't had one now for about 20yrs.

Was too mean to pay the annual fee when it was introduced

I'm 28 and this year was the very first time I got a credit card, never had one up until now and it was just because unfortunately too many big expenses all happened at once, once I've payed it off I don't plan on using it again
Haven't even set it up with a PIN so I can't be temped

I've never used one for credit and mine's automatically paid off at the end of every month.

But I'd be really nervous about paying for anything big (especially flights or holidays) on a debit card. The protection that a credit card gives is priceless.

Every single time we have hired a car abroad, which is a few times a year, the choice has been a deposit of around 1000 euro, or pay extra for the zero excess option.

I'm not giving them an extra £100+ of my money for nothing, so I get insurance in the UK for a fraction of the cost and let them take a credit card deposit.

I always find it shocking when people I know tell me they have a credit card! Especially when they bring it up about how they carelessy put things on that credit card. Don't get me wrong, we are not well off at all - in fact this month we had to drop into our overdraft to buy this week's food shop - but I have been bought up to do anything I can to avoid a credit card.

It is fairly unusual these days.

Plus debit cards don't offer you anywhere near as much protection online.

I don't have one. I had one a couple of years ago but managed to overspend using it. Paid it off and cut it up.

So do I ittooshallpass.
Normally get up to £1000 of JL vouchers a year.

I've never had a credit card either, I've never needed one.
I've only got a debit card now with no overdraft.

I think this is typical thinking of people who don't have one. THat it's virtuous to not use a credit card as it's debt/ buying things you can't afford/ dangerous etc

Every single thing I buy each month comes off my credit card which means I rack up John Lewis vouchers (free money), can make big purchses (protection) and grow my credit rating. All paid off every month and no interest.

Why wouldn't you have one?

You sound a bit smug to be honest .. we have a credit card and use it for everything but pay it off every month , we get points and cash back and make it work for us .. it's not just for borrowing .. we have no debt .

Normally get up to £1000 of JL vouchers a year.

Isn't that a spend of about £10k per month on your credit card?!

I have an Amex for the bonus Avios at the moment but we probably won't renew once we have to pay. Also have one which doesn't charge fees/interest for use abroad, which we use while on holidays. Both paid off monthly so no risk of excess debt.

I don’t know anyone who has one. The only people I know who have had them in the past ended up getting into trouble with them struggling to make repayments so I don’t think they’re a good thing at all.