Credit cards make you spend more yes or no

1. 57

   Lgaliposted 14 years ago

   Credit cards make you spend more yes or no

   replyreport
   1. 61

      Dawnrosieposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      h yes
      
      o

      replyreport
   2. 56

      guidebabaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Tes, atleast in my case. I often end up spending more than my budget.

      replyreport
      1. 56

         guidebabaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         replyreport
         1. 57

            Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            if you have less limit on them

            replyreport
   3. 72

      relacheposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Credit cards are inert pieces of plastic.  They don't make people do anything.
      
      You yourself have all the control (or not) over your spending habits.

      replyreport
      1. 57

         Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         good take

         replyreport
   4. 59

      Davinagirl3posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Depends on how close to my limit I am. I would say, undoubtedly, YES.

      replyreport
      1. 57

         Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         another good take

         replyreport
   5. 68

      anjalichughposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      It does ease out things but it certainly is a 'debt trap'. The more you have, the more you spend.

      replyreport
      1. 91

         Rochelle Frankposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         See, that's the problem. You don't "have" the money allowed by your credit card-- you are allowed to "owe" the amount.
         For me, I don't feel it eases anything out to be in debt.

         replyreport
   6. 78

      jiberishposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Credit cards don't Make you do anything, just like guns don't kill people.

      replyreport
      1. 57

         Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         what a take good one

         replyreport
   7. 51

      Kadmielsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      of course they do thats half the fun  and ood for the economy since we are a economy of debt

      replyreport
      1. 57

         Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         good take

         replyreport
   8. 61

      Jane@CMposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      No.  For my husband & myself the credit card is used only for things which we cannot pay cash for upfront:
      
      Airline tickets
      Hotel reservations
      Online purchases (rare)
      
      If we use the card, it is paid IN FULL when the bill arrives.

      replyreport
      1. 67

         emievilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I basically use the same tactics as Jane's (pay in full once bill arrives) but I have to admit credit cards do make me spend more. Good thing I manage to get the funds to still pay them all .

         replyreport
   9. 73

      sarovaiposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      More And More until you get struck and start thinking about how to deal?

      replyreport
   10. 57

       akansha1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

       yes

       replyreport
   11. 62

       Nouveau Skepticposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       As opposed to having nothing to spend?  In general people with them will spend more.
       
       That said, it is not true for everyone.

       replyreport
2. 62

   comeflywithme18posted 14 years ago

   definately yes!

   replyreport
   1. 57

      Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      this is the common problem with most of people in north america

      replyreport
3. 93

   Gordon Hamiltonposted 14 years ago

   Unquestionably, yes. What often happens is that the, "Buy now, pay later," factor kicks in. This leads to people frequently buying that which they essentially cannot afford but believe they will be able to do so by the time the bill comes in.
   
   I worked for almost twenty years in both retail and business banking (fortunately now long gone from it!) and have seen horrific examples of people getting in to horrendous difficulties in this respect.

   replyreport
4. 60

   packerpackposted 14 years ago

   I would like to differ. I have a card but I have never overstepped my limit. I always use my card(s) keeping in mind that finally I have to pay!

   replyreport
   1. 57

      Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      same is me too I have 3 cards never go up the limit

      replyreport
      1. 39

         Balineseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         i rare use my credit card - normally  use my  debit card -
         if i use my credit card  and  pay them by direct debit at 100 %  at the end of the month to avoid  any interest !

         replyreport
         1. 57

            Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            enjoy extra benefit more after paying everymonth

            replyreport
         2. 57

            Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            good one

            replyreport
5. 0

   artspeckposted 14 years ago

   I agree with Packerpack, it's all down to the maturity and willpower of the card holder. I have no bother paying my card off monthly. The trick is simple-don't spend more than you can comfortably pay off.

   replyreport
   1. 57

      Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      that is good trick

      replyreport
   2. 0

      ysdataposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Perfectly put.

      replyreport
      1. 57

         Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         maturity and willpower depends upon each person someepople can not resist to spend

         replyreport
         1. 79

            Laura Berwickposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            I think that there is truth to both of these opinions. Maturity and willpower do seem to be of limited supply in todays 20-somethings (and beyond). I think that you need to have a credit card in today's society for emergencies, and to build credit, but that there are many people who should try leaving theirs frozen in a block of ice in the freezer. Then they have it if they need it, but the urge to spend compulsively is reduced by the amount of effort it would take to get the credit card.

            replyreport
            1. 57

               Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               very nice take thanks

               replyreport
               1. 71

                  alekhouseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  I've heard of the ice block trick before. Wonder if it works. I think credit cards make spending easy for most people. My hats off to the CC owners who are in control and don't have a problem.

                  replyreport
                  1. 57

                     Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     nice one

                     replyreport
6. 52

   MSmithHubposted 14 years ago

   Definitely yes and easily fall in debt due to it.

   replyreport
7. 60

   knmentertainmentposted 14 years ago

   Credit cards encourage spending and cause inflation. People tend to buy regardless of cost when using credit.

   replyreport
   1. 57

      Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I agree ,that is the problm with many people

      replyreport
   2. 57

      Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      that is realty

      replyreport
8. 77

   ripplemakerposted 14 years ago

   No I buy only the things I can afford.

   replyreport
9. 61

   sassychicposted 14 years ago

   Nope! I dont have one but I really think with all that crap with Wall Street and Credit Card companies that I really want to live in a tree and negociate if one walnut is better with a squirrel or fight over vegtables with a rodent in my backyard.
   
   Screw that crap, sorry but if there's going to be more work ethics as bad as it has been with that stuff who wants anything to do with a credit card?

   replyreport
   1. 57

      Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I am not against them but I use them very carefully pay bill in time

      replyreport
10. 61

    lisafwg01posted 14 years ago

    I think the reason so many people get in trouble with Credit Cards is because they buy into (no pun intended) the false sense of security that the little piece of plastic offers them. They rationalize their overspending by thinking "I don't have the cash for this purchase but I have X amount on my card and can pay it off later." Meanwhile, they are spending more than they are bringing in, barely making minimum payments and paying ridiculous interest rates all so they can have the latest "thing."

    replyreport
11. 61

    Lady_Eposted 14 years ago

    Capital Yes! Impulse buying.
    
    What I do now is anytime I go shopping, I leave my Credit Cards at home.....

    replyreport
    1. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       leave my Credit Cards at home....really strange

       replyreport
12. 70

    waynetposted 14 years ago

    Yes, they bully me and say that I'm an overspending idiot and I must spend more and more...here take the card, take it!!
    
    Spend it, Spend it!!!!

    replyreport
    1. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       very nice

       replyreport
13. 59

    Zeta Sficoposted 14 years ago

    Definitely yes for most people.

    replyreport
14. 59

    Pete Maidaposted 14 years ago

    We never carry a balance so anything we put on the card we know we are going to pay soon.  That prevents us from going crazy with credit cards.

    replyreport
15. 61

    Princess Kariposted 14 years ago

    yes

    replyreport
    1. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       so majority is yes

       replyreport
16. 67

    lumberjackposted 14 years ago

    i don't have one!!!!!!!!!!!

    replyreport
    1. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       good for you

       replyreport
       1. 57

          Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          you have real money no plastic

          replyreport
17. 57

    Lgaliposted 14 years ago

    Credit cards encourage spending and cause inflation-nice said

    replyreport
18. 0

    wordscribe41posted 14 years ago

    Yes, they propel me into the "I'll deal with it later" mentality.  Dangerous stuff.

    replyreport
    1. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       that is correct make us spend more

       replyreport
19. 81

    Whitney05posted 14 years ago

    No. Buy what I can afford and pay at end of the month. Or just buy what I absolutely need, and if it's more than I can afford at that moment, I only buy it if I know I have the money to pay it off in savings if needed.

    replyreport
    1. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       wise spending

       replyreport
20. 57

    Lgaliposted 14 years ago

    I love the credit card with points or airmiles

    replyreport
21. 57

    Lgaliposted 14 years ago

    any body like these airmiles?

    replyreport
22. 89

    Stacie Lposted 14 years ago

    Credit cards definitely make me spend more;actually they don't "make" me,they make it too easy to pile up the debt.
    One simple solution is to carry your credit card statement with you at all times .
    When tempted to buy on credit ,just whip out the statement and that should stop any temptation you will have.LOL

    replyreport
    1. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       how about no just one card with very low limit

       replyreport
       1. 89

          Stacie Lposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          yes, and when you go over the limit,a siren rings and they announce over a loudspeaker that your credit card was declined! LOL
          That would definitely stop the spending....

          replyreport
          1. 57

             Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             good warning

             replyreport
23. 69

    Anamika Sposted 14 years ago

    I now know very well to control my spending and do not spend on anything that i cannot afford. But when i got my first Credit Card it was not so.

    replyreport
    1. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       cards are bad if we overboard

       replyreport
24. 0

    dennisemattposted 14 years ago

    saying credit cards MAKES you spend more money is like saying McDonald's MAKES you fat.If a person is an impulsive shoppser, they will be, with or wihtout a credit card. But it is easier to go crazy with a card........dont ask me how I know......

    replyreport
25. 68

    Ladybird33posted 14 years ago

    For me Yes, Yes and more Yes's!!! So I use cash only...smart, huh? If I don't have, don't spend

    replyreport
    1. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       cash spending is good idea but I think card are good to use if wisely I am scared of taking so much cash

       replyreport
    2. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       cash only good idea

       replyreport
26. 55

    andromidaposted 14 years ago

    No.

    replyreport
27. 59

    Azur Moon Wolfposted 14 years ago

    Definitely not.  I only have one credit card and I only use it for the points.  Also, I only ever use it if I already have the cash for it in the bank.  The only debt I carry month to month is my mortgage payment - if I want a new car or the newest gadget I wait until I have the cash (also, by waiting a month or two the price usually goes down on most new things!).  If more people lived within their means or actually below their means, America wouldn't be in such the huge mess it is now.  I knew someone who actually froze their credit cards in water in the freezer so that if they wanted to use it they had to go home and wait for it to thaw out - usually by that time they realized they didn't really need whatever it was they wanted.

    replyreport
    1. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       wow you have all best advice

       replyreport
    2. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       good one

       replyreport
28. 80

    Princessaposted 14 years ago

    Yes

    replyreport
29. 0

    sandieganlizposted 14 years ago

    YES for most because it's a bank/rich-person stating, "here is some money for you to borrow and pay me back later, though, I will charge you about 20% of the cost for using it." Okay!
    
    No is for those who only see it as a security blanket or a bad temptation.
    
    Either way, it's advantageous to have because whether one uses it or not, it gives you the advantage of adding more $-bills to one's name/portfolio. And, here in the U.S., a lot of us want to be defined by how many $-bills we have behind our name, or, we want that extra power in case of emergency so that we don't plunder.
    
    If we spend it on frivolous things, we might regret it later and become angry with our own self for having such debt behind our name. If we get caught in an emergency, it is a lifesaver, but, with consequences--we have to pay it back, obviously. But, no big deal if one has other forms of security--savings, insurance, etc. Overall, I think credit cards just give a false sense of power, but, are useful in case of emergency.

    replyreport
30. 64

    Mishaposted 14 years ago

    Answering the title question - no

    replyreport
    1. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       thanks misha for nice and long answer

       replyreport
31. 80

    Bard of Elyposted 14 years ago

    Definitely no!

    replyreport
32. 70

    BundleBoyposted 14 years ago

    I guess it gives you a false hope and makes you spend more.

    replyreport
    1. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       false hope or no hope?

       replyreport
33. 90

    RedElfposted 14 years ago

    I find I can usually ignore the siren call of the credit card. Leaving them home does help but most stores can just look you up under your phone number, so that doesn't always work. Love the ice block idea, though. Might suggest it to a couple of friends . Seriously, though, I find it hard not to overspend at Christmas, and the cards certainly make it easy to go over budget.

    replyreport
    1. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       very nice take

       replyreport
34. 72

    Enelle Lambposted 14 years ago

    They can be a tantalizing trap for the unwary...hell even the credit savvy people can get caught over spending - and if you pay minimum payments, the interest will kill you...speaking from experience here LOL...

    replyreport
    1. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       nicely said tantalizing trap

       replyreport
    2. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       yes

       replyreport
35. 62

    sweigandposted 14 years ago

    They don't if you know how to use them. Some people don't realize that a credit card is not their own actual money! Don't spend what you don't have!

    replyreport
    1. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       very good take

       replyreport
36. 68

    Beth100posted 14 years ago

    They lure of buying what you want on credit is too tempting.  This is a definite "Yes" as the credit card companies are the only ones benefitting from their usage.

    replyreport
    1. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       very nice

       replyreport
    2. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       i think we enjoy them if we pay in time.

       replyreport
37. 57

    anujagarwalposted 14 years ago

    It always depends on person to person how they take the credit card. If you will see it as a plastic money, you are supposed to spend more but if you know, you have to repay the amount on time, you will not swipe it unnecessarily. I have just written a hub on the smart use of credit cards, to know the credit cards better and do not make it as a burden for you.

    replyreport
    1. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       very nice hub about this

       replyreport
       1. 57

          anujagarwalposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Thanks Lgali. I use credit cards regularly and couple of times, they helped me to pay un-expected huge bills instead of taking a loan or asking someone's help.

          replyreport
          1. 57

             Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             yes i do same too but i always try to apy without late fees

             replyreport
38. 57

    Lgaliposted 14 years ago

    credit cards are good if we control our spending

    replyreport
39. 65

    kmackey32posted 14 years ago

    Yes credit cards make me spend more and cost ya more than ya spend because of the interest!

    replyreport
    1. 57

       anujagarwalposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Credit cards can make you spend more only if you are not paying the due amount on time. If you are paying your dues on time, credit cards are quite useful and beneficial.

       replyreport
    2. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       good take

       replyreport
40. 61

    Jane@CMposted 14 years ago

    No, only spend what I can afford & rarely use a credit card unless I'm purchasing online.

    replyreport
    1. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       good advice

       replyreport
41. 61

    love my yorkiesposted 14 years ago

    I deff spend more if I have my credit card with me.  However, am trying to curb the credit card monster and get back to being more responsible with it.

    replyreport
    1. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       good take

       replyreport
    2. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       very nice name credit card monster

       replyreport
42. 62

    Mac Missionposted 14 years ago

    Yes exactly it doesnt spend it just screw like anything

    replyreport
    1. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       very harsh words

       replyreport
    2. 57

       anujagarwalposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       lol

       replyreport
       1. 57

          Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          very funny name

          replyreport
43. 91

    Rochelle Frankposted 14 years ago

    No. Cards don't cause overspending. Cards are inanimate objects. At the most, they are tools. Like any tool they can be misused.
    People who overspend cause overspending.

    replyreport
44. 61

    frankiectlusposted 14 years ago

    I haven't had a credit card in over ten years.  I have learned to live within my means and not try and purchase anything that I cannot pay for in cash.

    replyreport
    1. 57

       anujagarwalposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       That's really nice frankiectlus. But in India, if you want to book some flight tickets, you must have a credit card. They do not accept cash, I faced this problem two years back. Also there are things that you wanna buy online and can pay only by credit card. So if you are using your card where there is a need, it does not harm in any way. For me, I have always found it helpful.

       replyreport
       1. 57

          Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          good one

          replyreport
    2. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       very nice i follow same theory no money do not buy throgh cards until i have enough to buy that thing

       replyreport
45. 61

    frankiectlusposted 14 years ago

    If I need to pay for something with a card, I will use my debit card.  Same as cash.  If there is no money in there, than I can't afford it.  But I do understand the need for plastic.  Not having a credit card does cause some entertainment.

    replyreport
    1. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       VERY NICE way avoid credit card

       replyreport
46. 57

    Lgaliposted 14 years ago

    i love my airmiles credit card today I ordered a ipod touch

    replyreport
47. 57

    Lgaliposted 14 years ago

    yesterday I bought new game with my credit card points..this is extra benefits

    replyreport
48. 42

    Philucposted 14 years ago

    Absolutely yes, I spend more with a credit card - and I never go over my limit.
    I would spend less if I didn't have a card with me since I rarely carry any cash.  I also spend more when I do carry cash.  In short spontaneous spending goes up.

    replyreport
    1. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       good take

       replyreport
    2. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       good one

       replyreport
49. 80

    Bard of Elyposted 14 years ago

    Definitely no! I only use my card for online purchases and I don't do a lot of that!

    replyreport
    1. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       good take

       replyreport
50. 0

    isis_dreams2002posted 14 years ago

    oh yes and that is why I do not have one anymore

    replyreport
    1. 57

       Lgaliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       thanks

       replyreport