Do credit cards irk you?

To keep things simple I only have one card, a Mastercard. One problem I've had is that they don't send you your new card until right before the old one expires. Last time my expiration date was May of 2017. That means the card is good until May 31st. However I started to get notices from netflix at the beginning of May saying my card had expired and I needed to update my information. But that was just an annoyance. They still charged my card and it went through. The other problem was I wanted to go on vacation near the end of May and into the beginning of June. But I had to wait until that new card came so I wouldn't be out of town with an expired credit card. My new card is good for three years so I won't have that problem again for a while.

The other bigger problem was when I went to Canada. I called both Mastercard and the Credit Union that issued my card and told them when I would be going and they both assured me that there would be no problem using it in Canada. But as soon as I crossed the border my card started to get rejected. I couldn't call Mastercard or the Credit Union because my burner phone wouldn't work in Canada. Fortunately I had plenty of cash. It was US cash but the Canadians were for the most part very good about taking it at the going rate of exchange. When I got back I complained to both Mastercard and the Credit Union about having my card denied and they both blamed the other one, so I don't know who dropped the ball.
 

I have no CC debt. I always use my VISA/Debit card as debit. That way it comes out of my checking right away.

I also have a Citi Simplicity card that I got when I wanted a computer and TV because it offered no interest for 18 months which I paid off in exactly 18 months via automatic transfers of monthly payments out of my checking. That way I was never late.

Now, I have set up a money market account for easy access to liquid cash for large purchases so I don't have to use the Citi Card nor pull from investments. Therefore, I don't need the Citi Simplicity Card anymore. But I read not to close out the CC card or it would lower my credit score.

Does anyone know of a reliable site that offers a free score and copy of history? Maybe I can just get my financial adviser to do it for free.
 

What irked me the most about Discover is that the clerk called me on my land line. I said I was me,and, "yes" I was putting through a purchase, and to allow the transaction through. She said, "O. K. try it now". It wouldn't go through. We did that over , and over, and over, till it dawned on me that they were never going to put it through. They successfully stopped fraud. My life is subject to "unusual behaviors". But one thing in my life is certain-I'll never use that card again.
 
Lara said:
I have no CC debt. I always use my VISA/Debit card as debit. That way it comes out of my checking right away.

I also have a Citi Simplicity card that I got when I wanted a computer and TV because it offered no interest for 18 months which I paid off in exactly 18 months via automatic transfers of monthly payments out of my checking. That way I was never late.

Now, I have set up a money market account for easy access to liquid cash for large purchases so I don't have to use the Citi Card nor pull from investments. Therefore, I don't need the Citi Simplicity Card anymore. But I read not to close out the CC card or it would lower my credit score.

Does anyone know of a reliable site that offers a free score and copy of history? Maybe I can just get my financial adviser to do it for free.
Click to expand...

You can request a free copy of your credit report from each of the major credit bureaus once each year.

https://www.transunion.com/article/...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CMmgrZ7VhNYCFVFFAQodSPEKSw
 
Using Debit is handy, but it allows a Third Party to get into the picture. I prefer all my transactions to be between only the Seller and Myself, with nobody else sticking their beak into my checking balance!

I'll handle the deduction and write the check, thank you!

Hal
 
I have to carry a couple checks with me for services from those who ask for them, with there being a charge to them for accepting cards. I don't like it, but I like doing business with them and I follow the rules. Otherwise, it's just me and my Debit Card, and if need be...my Credit Card.

The one time I was a victim, a drug store check-out thief kept my card when I had charged my meds during lunch hour & in a big rush. She was even stupid enough to tell her co-worker what she was going to do. She had 2 cars filled up with gas, and was merrily shopping at a mall as I drove home from work. The bank recognized the repetitive charges and called me on cell, and confirmed I didn't have my card.

A clerk managed to stall her, and she was arrested in a department store before I got home. She'd charged $2400 in less than an hour after getting off work at 5. A half doz messages had been left by my bank, and they called again to tell me of the arrest and to cancel/
reopen the account. All that to say, other than this thief, I love the convenience of the cards. I've had no other problems with bank cards and love the way they were so on top of this crook's actions.
 
Absolutely not. We have a number of them and like to keep our credit score as high as possible. Just bought a new car and were prepared to put 50% down and pay the rest off in 2018 by taking a larger distribution from our portfolio. I wanted to split the amount needed for the car into two years' distributions so we wouldn't need to pay any additional income tax.

Instead, we were offered a 60-mo contract at zero interest if we put 15% down, so we did that. The finance mgr said we had some of the highest credit scores she'd seen recently. We were in and out in 1/2 hr, start to finish.

If it weren't for our acupuncturist and my massage therapist needing checks, we'd never have to write any. DH and I always carry some cash but it lasts forever (relatively speaking, LOL) since we hardly ever use it, except to go to the movies once in a while, or buy something under $10.
 
I have just one credit card (VISA) which is handy for emergencies and on-line purchases. I've never had a problem with it. I pay off the balance monthly, so haven't paid interest on it in years. I try to live within my means, so I usually leave my credit card home when shopping. The only exception is when I intend to make a specific planned purchase.
 
I wouldn't want to go without my cards. I use my United card for miles, so I can upgrade to Business or First Class.
 
Credit cards are a handy "convenience"...IF a person manages their finances properly, and doesn't run up debt they cannot quickly pay. The amount of credit card debt, by household, is generally reported as between 7 and 8 thousand dollars. People who are carrying that kind of balance on credit cards are probably in debt on virtually everything...house, cars, even buying groceries with a credit card. These are the same kinds of people, who, when they retire, have little other than Social Security to rely on for income. Nearly everyone has a period in their lives, when they are first starting out on their own, where buying things on "time" is almost a necessity....but the smart ones work hard to reduce that debt and reach the point where they never have to pay interest on anything.
 
I use mine for almost everything, and pay it off in full every month. Which is why I get a chuckle when these annoying telemarketers keep trying to convince me that by switching to their bank, I can reduce my
credit card interest. Reduce it from what? Zero?
 

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