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 had a credit card once. Started to treated my credit limit as if it were money in the bank. So I got rid and have never had another one.

Also I do know that having a credit card is not a bad thing, I never said it was. It was just not something I ever felt I needed. I am quite financially savvy too, to the pp who is assuming I’m not.

We have a card without a set credit limit and put our new kitchen and new car on it (paid off in full before anyone judges) and it’s bought us 2 long haul trips in business class for our family of 3 this year.

What’s not to like?! It’s literally free money (cash back, air miles, vouchers etc.) for purchases you would make anyway, with the added benefit of increased consumer protection.

Honestly, I think that anyone without one in this day and age probably had budgeting issues and couldn’t trust themselves with one.

I've got loads of credit cards (pay them off the month after if used) but I wouldn't be 'shocked' if someone said they'd never had one. They need to get out more

I've never had one.

No I have never had budgeting issues, I budget every cent. It is all accounted for. I have multiple savings accounts/sinking funds and manage my money very carefully.

Most people have one to help
build up credit rating, earn rewards (eg air miles), spread the cost &/or for price protection.

I don’t have one. I dislike debt and if I can’t afford something I don’t buy it. I’ve never had any trouble travelling on a debit card.
My husband has one tucked away for emergency use abroad but it isn’t used very often.
My girls don’t have credit cards but my son has an emergency one in a age as he’s abroad for ten months, so higher likelihood of needing it. It has a zero balance.
I have a prepaid MasterCard that has a fair amount loaded that I give to each of them when they go abroad for emergency use. Its kept apart from all other cards and cash. It’s only ever been used once - following a mugging.

No credit cards here either OP. Neither does my husband.

I'm 29 and have never had a credit card, wouldn't be approved for one now as currently I don't earn enough. Don't think anyone I know that's my age has one either

36, and have never had one. If I need something expensive then I save up for it.

KatharinaRosalie
Don't you have any issues booking airline tickets, hotels or rental cars? Online shopping?

I don't have a credit card and no I don't have issues because I don't book airline tickets or hotels or rental cars. I use my debit card to pay for online shopping.

A couple of people have referred to extra protection when buying large/expensive items - since I can't afford to buy large/expensive items I don't need the extra protection.

ThatMuppetShow I've used my debit card for online shopping since its inception and have never had a problem.

I don't think anyone should be encouraging people to get a credit card when it's quite easy to do without. There are thousands of people in this country up to their neck with debt on credit cards. Not everyone has the self control of some of you on here.

Everyone I know has one. They are so useful for ensuring you get extra protection on purchases which the law doesn’t provide if you use a debit card. I don’t know anyone in proper debt, or at least not that they admit to , and I’d probably assume someone had a bad credit rating and couldn’t get one.

Despite what the people on this thread post I think it's more unusual to have a credit card that you pay off each month. I really don’t think most people do that.

I don' have one as it would be too easy to slip into just buying this and that on it and then end up with payments that I can’t afford to pay off each month so then it's all the interest on top.

There's no point making out credit cards are always a great grown up decision and everyone uses them responsibly. So so many people have got themselves into big trouble with one.

It only makes sense to have one if you're already great with money .

OP do you not like the idea of the free money you get with them?

I am all for spending what you have in your bank account by living within your means.
Nothing unusual about living possibly debt free. Debt card here.

I am all for spending what you have in your bank account by living within your means

Me too. I still put all purchases on a credit card.

@SayDora... I’m dubious about those facts as it’s all money back from transaction fees that they charge you. For example if you buy an item for 100 the retailer only actually receives 90. I would rather go to a shop and buy it direct and ask for a discount/best deal. Works every time!! 👍🙌

I am all for spending what you have in your bank account by living within your means.

I do that too. I still have a credit card. Never been in debt in my life (apart from the mortgage).

They never appealed. I never make big purchases and I will never need to prove my credit rating. I am not going to go through the hassle of ordering one for something like £150 cashback a year.

Linnylinn1 no credit company as far as I’m aware charges 10% transaction fees.

What, you mean you go into say Costco and ask them what the best price they’ll give you on their goods is? Or Tesco? Or Sainsbury’s? And they give you a discount?

@Linnylinn1 im the same age as you, never had a credit card. had 2 mortgages, my credit score is high 🤷🏻‍♀️

I must point out here that I used to work for a large bank at director level so know a fair amount about how the transaction fees and the reward schemes work.

I'm 28 and don't have one either.

Would maybe like to have one as it offers a bit more protection when buying items.

@Saydora no not places like Tesco. I don’t shop there anyway! I mean if I’m buying tv or Washing machine etc. And I will generally buy clothing online with my debit card and use discount codes.

as for the 10% fee I was just chucking out numbers I didn’t mean those numbers literally.