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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:
OtraCosaMariposa · 24/10/2019 17:26

Does anyone have a recommendation for a card which gives cashback on supermarket shopping?

Depends where you shop. Asda, Tesco, Sainsburys and Waitrose all have their own cards. Moneysaving Expert is always a good place to look for best buys.

Slappadabass · 24/10/2019 17:27

Me and my OH are in our 30s and only just have our first card, the only reason we got it is for wedding things, It will be paid off and I doubt we will keep it, I can see why they are handy but we prefer not to be in debt. I do think it's unusual, most people have them.

Greenglassteacup · 24/10/2019 17:27

I’m not superior or sneery, I just don’t want anything to do with credit cards, I have a current account debit card and that’s fine for me, never needed anything more than that.

Puppytooth · 24/10/2019 17:28

Never had a credit card and never intend to, I have a store card though and that’s bad enough - I find it odd what trivial things people find odd Hmm

SoyDora · 24/10/2019 17:28

I can see why they are handy but we prefer not to be in debt

I think a lot of people misunderstand credit cards to be honest. I put all my purchases on a credit card and have never been in debt (except my mortgage).

Bottledate · 24/10/2019 17:29

We had trouble with our first mortgage application because DP had no credit card and no mobile phone contract, so little proof of credit.

I have had one since I could get one in order to buy things from the internet!

I have friends who buy everything on various credit cards to benefit from point and air miles etc.

None of these reasons support getting a credit card to avoid bills or buy things that are not otherwise affordable.

PancakeAndKeith · 24/10/2019 17:32

I have 3.
One with my bank which I get cash back on.
One John Lewis card which I used to use when you got extra points for paying for your Ocado shopping on it.
An Amex gold card for the reward points, insurances and lounge access.

I only do my usual spending on them and then pay them of as soon as possible, not at the end of the month.
I’m spending just as I would be normally but I’m getting money back.
With Amex you get the first year free and then a charge. However you can cancel before the end of the first year and not get charged. You can just take out another card and get all the same rewards.

PulpPixie · 24/10/2019 17:32

I pay everything on the credit card then pay it off at the end of the month. It’s not about spending when you can’t really afford it.
I think people who buy big purchases on a debit card are idiots.

Pud2 · 24/10/2019 17:33

Why does buying a big purchase on a debit card make you an idiot PulpPixie?

KanelbulleKing · 24/10/2019 17:33

I in my 50s and have never had one. To be honest, they scare me. I'm not the best at budgeting and I'd be up to my eyeballs in debt before I knew it.

flowerycurtain · 24/10/2019 17:34

Which credit card gives you Costco vouchers?

HoldMyLobster · 24/10/2019 17:34

I don’t spend money I don’t have

I spend the free money, points and airmiles that the credit card gives me. Does that count as spending money I don't have?

Chicago next month, four of us, for $60. Thank you Chase Sapphire.

Lockheart · 24/10/2019 17:35

It's definitely unusual.

They're not in any way compulsory of course but they're useful if you ever find yourself in a tight spot financially so I always have one, just in case I need to pay an emergency bill or something.

megletthesecond · 24/10/2019 17:35

It's unusual to not have a credit card.
But personally I think it's odd to have to keep balance swopping. They might be overspending.

MonsteraCheeseplant · 24/10/2019 17:35

I never used to but changed my mind because of the protection from online fraud, the credit rating issue and the cash back/ John lewis vouchers. I have my balance automatically paid off every month, what's not to like?

sonjadog · 24/10/2019 17:35

I have hired cars abroad numerous times and I have not infrequently seen people refused cars because they have a debit and not a credit card. Which would not be fun if you are standing there at the counter with your family at the start of a two week holiday. So for that reason alone, if you are going to be hiring a car, I would get a card.

SoyDora · 24/10/2019 17:36

Which credit card gives you Costco vouchers?

Ours is an American Express.

BetterEatCheese · 24/10/2019 17:36

My family hate them and I thought they were just for people who were spend thrifts, as taught to me by my mum. Now I'm learning more it makes more sense to have one than not

namechanger2022 · 24/10/2019 17:37

If you ever listen to the consumer rights chap on the radio (Dean Dunham?), he always advises to put purchases on a credit card because of the protection it gives. Even putting part of the purchase on a credit card protects you.

For example, if you were having building work done and you paid a couple of hundred deposit to the builder via credit card you would then be protected if everything went tits up (I think you are protected for up to 30K).

They are only a Bad Thing if you don't pay the balance off each month.

Pud2 · 24/10/2019 17:38

I’ve also had an issue with a hire car. They insisted on a credit card, even though I’d pre-booked online. I got one after that for that reason. Also use it to pay for holidays because of the level of protection offered.

AudTheDeepMinded · 24/10/2019 17:39

My DH only just got one (in his 50s). I've only ever had one and that only in the last 15 years. I don't do online banking either. I'm a total dinosaur.
Oh, and I still use cheques regularly.

ThatMuppetShow · 24/10/2019 17:39

I am always shocked that people do online shopping on debit cards - sounds madness - or just dangerous.

You don't even have to wait until the end of the month to transfer the money, you can it pretty much straight away if you need peace of mind.

No one HAS to have one, it's just odd to read some of the reasons why some people don't.

ICouldBeSomebodyYouKnow · 24/10/2019 17:43

Before we got married last century DH explained credit cards to me like this:

"I work every day, but I only get paid at the end of the month. Using a credit card, I can buy what I need throughout the month, then settle the bill once I've got paid."

It made sense to me, so I got one of my own. We just pay them off as soon as the bill comes in. There are other benefits such as protection from fraud etc as mentioned above, which is standard (it's the law).

Original poster
Linnylinn1 · 24/10/2019 17:44

So I have done some looking around as I wasn’t understanding the “better protected stance” and that doesn’t apply where I live. I am apparently just as protected when using my debit card! I’m not in the uk.

OP posts:
beethebee · 24/10/2019 17:44

Isn't it difficult to travel without one? As far as I remember not all hotels, rental cars etc will accept debit cards for deposits.