Post
Topic
Board Economics
Re: Credit cards | A scam or a tool?
by
Fortify
on 17/11/2021, 18:46:58 UTC
What's your thought about credit cards? Do you consider them a banking fraud, just to trick you to spend money you don't have, or a useful tool if used correctly? Do you have one yourself? In my case, as a student, I was issued a university card, which features a low yearly fee but also a considerably low credit limit. However, I often use it to pay bills in interest free installments (Car insurance for instance) and my gas expenses, which provide a decent cashback (I'll fill up my car once or twice a year for free).

On the other hand, there are quite a few shops here that also offer interest free installments, that way, I was able to purchase a bicycle for my girlfriend, when the budget was quite limited.

The trick on credit cards is to use them wisely, not spending more than you can afford, always pay in time, otherwise you'll get a huge interest on your balance, while at the same time, you're building a credit score.

What's your take on this? Are you against credit card usage?

The only person who would label a credit card a "scam" is someone who is clueless about the world of finance or extremely bad at handling money. Credit cards can be very beneficial, although the laws and protection that it gives you can vary between country. In some countries it will act as an extra buffer against fraud on certain purchases. It also essentially "loans" you free money over the space of a single card statement which can be very helpful. It should always be paid off in full however, otherwise you will pay exorbitant amounts in fees and you should probably not use one because you borrow more than you can afford. As with many things in life, if you use it responsibly then it can be an excellent facility - just do your research first.