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Original poster

How much do you owe on your credit card?

28 replies

multitasker · 10/09/2006 11:14

I'm turning into an impulsive shopper - a case of - oh what a bargain I must buy it, it'll be gone next time I'm back - with the result that I'm bunging everything of that nature on the plastic. Am I alone?

OP posts:
charliecat · 10/09/2006 11:15

About £150 over each month that i have to find from nowhere to clear the card.
Generally medicines or shoes or tracksuits or school trips or things that cant not be brought rather than impulse buying.

QueenEagle · 10/09/2006 11:28

I usually pay it off in full every month - don't normally spend more than a couple of hundred quid.

This month it is about £500 due to school holidays a nd a break away for a few days last month. Guess I will clear it within the next couple of months though. I hate owing money and am usually pretty good at not whacking it up.

KBear · 10/09/2006 11:36

I don't have one for that very reason, multitasker. If I haven't got the money, I don't have it. Boring, some might say, but I can't stand owing money. Used to have one, used to be up to eyeballs with a credit card and car loan etc but much prefer not to be. Takes so long to pay off and so much interest. Am sometimes of our mates who stock up at Bluewater when their kids need new clothes or whatever but I just buy bits and pieces each month.

SoupDragon · 10/09/2006 11:37

Zero. It gets paid off in full every month.

DontCallMeMalImMaloryTowers · 10/09/2006 11:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

soapbox · 10/09/2006 11:40

I have a very large credit card bill!

However, it is on a zero interest deal and the money which I would be using to pay it off is safely earning lots of interest in my savings account[smug emotion]

I swop cards at the end of every 0% interest offer but if added all of my credit limits together I'd have over £100,000 of credit available. DH has around the same!

We often joke about what we would buy if we spend one day just maxing out all our cards

Tutter · 10/09/2006 11:41

pay it off every month. used to work in the industry - seen the alternative.

Original poster
multitasker · 10/09/2006 11:43

I think I'll just take it out of my wallet for a month, don't ever owe any more than £200, but a month with no unnecessaries would be a good idea.
I read an article recently about a woman who spent only on absolute necessities for the year and the money she saved was incredible - mind you she did say it was the hardest most miserable time.

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 10/09/2006 11:45

I once read a suggestion that you freeze your card in a block of ice. It's there if you really need it but if you just get tempted, it's a PITA to get it out to use!

motherinferior · 10/09/2006 11:45

I don't have one.

kama · 10/09/2006 11:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

DontCallMeMalImMaloryTowers · 10/09/2006 11:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

wheresmyfroggy · 10/09/2006 11:47

We don't have a credit card.

PeachyClairHasBadHair · 10/09/2006 12:05

Don't have one, got caught once before and we totally avoid them now. I think we owed about £15K jointly (can I just point out only £3k mine BTW) and then Dh lost his job, insurqance period ran out before he could go back (was ill) and we ended up selling the house to clear them. which might soundd rash and was shame, but life is much better this way at the moment, can always reconsider when i am working again.

PeachyClairHasBadHair · 10/09/2006 12:06

(SD_ i do that with my switch, it just amkes the signature strip cme off so you can't use it- so in that way it does work I guess LOL)

Greensleeves · 10/09/2006 12:07

Don't have a credit card. We've got enough peoblems paying off our student debts and our mortgage, we don't need any more millstones around our necks.

Tutter · 10/09/2006 12:08

they are incredibly useful if you use them smartly - you get extra cover with many of them for larger purchases (e.g. if things get lost/stolen/damaged). i use mine for pretty much everythign, then pay off each month. allows you to see exactly what you're spending.

jabberwocky · 10/09/2006 12:47

zero, always try to pay in full. I have been down the alternate road before...

rustybear · 10/09/2006 12:48

I'm one of the 'use it for everything, pay off in full' brigade. I've now got an M&S one & I get loads of vouchers.
I find it really useful as I can see what I'm spending on. I never seem to have any cash on me, but that's probably beause I have two teenagers!

Blondilocks · 10/09/2006 13:08

I always use mine, but it's for things that I'd be buying anyway. I always pay it off in full each month.

southeastastra · 10/09/2006 13:11

i've had one for year but have resisted using it! it's just for emergencies, if i started i would rack up such a bill !

SpaceCadet · 10/09/2006 13:11

i paid off my credit card when i sold the house, and cut the thing up.

Clayhead · 10/09/2006 13:37

Zero but use mine for everything too, pay it off each month. Get lots of cash back/vouchers too.

Gobbledigook · 10/09/2006 13:39

We buy everything on ours but it's paid off automatically each month

Scoobydooooo · 10/09/2006 13:48

Don't have one.