This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
The benefits are just too good to pass up
One of the primary reasons people tell me they don’t use credit cards is because they have trouble paying off their credit card balances in full each month. Consequently, they end up racking substantial debt.
To be a successful credit card user, all you have to do is be a deadbeat (aka, pay off your balances in full each month). Set a reminder or a monthly statement balance payment that is automatic. If you do this, you’ll never have to worry about racking up debt, and you’ll be more conscientious of what you spend, or you’ll get an overdraft fee.
The only thing a debit card should be used for is to pay your credit card balance in full each month.
Benefits of Using Credit Cards Versus Debit Cards
Security. Credit companies quickly reimburse you for fraud or unauthorized transactions. While they are working on canceling the transaction, your actual money is unaffected, which is often not the case for debit card users.
Receive an extra 30 days to pay for something without interest! The typical billing cycle is 28–31 days, which means you can buy something today but not actually pay for it until a month later. This little buffer is valuable – especially in emergencies.
Better quality identity theft protection.
Rewards (e.g., cash, travel, free hotels, travel miles, discounts)
Builds your credit profile – as long as you pay on time.
Transactions are quicker and often require no pin.
Easily track your transactions and see categorized visualizations of your spending.
Never have to carry cash around. However, I recommend always having some cash on you in the case of an emergency.
Establish good habits when it comes to using someone else’s capital. You have to pay back whatever money you spent within 28–31 days or be penalized with interest fees.
Free protection (e.g., rental car protection and phone insurance). I didn’t even know credit cards came with all of these perks until I started reading the documentation that came with my credit cards (go figure). There are a sh*t load of benefits your credit card offers; be sure to check them out. Credit cards from credit unions may offer additional benefits.
Credit cards make excellent secondary emergency funds – as long as you pay off the balance in a reasonable amount of time. If you’re looking for ways to mitigate or offset the interest fees you’ll owe on balances you carry, check out this article, Can I Use A Credit Card As An Emergency Fund? to learn some helpful hacks.
Read the full article here:
11 Reasons Why You Should Pay For Everything With A Credit Card
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.