Credit cards...

[Gemsy]

I'm seriously considering getting one, and I'm terrified.
I promised myself I never would.

Discuss

[Popey]

Don't. I got one when I started uni and said I would only use it in an emergency. £150 went on general crap. It's baaaad.

[Gemsy]

Don't. I got one when I started uni and said I would only use it in an emergency. £150 went on general crap. It's baaaad.
My finances are currently really well controlled.
Last night I went to see MLG and it was £2.50 to get in. I drank free water all night. Then Naina gave me £2.50 to drive her home, so I spent nothing.

Actually I spent a pound to put my coat in the cloakroom.
I am watching my money like a hawk... so if I was to get a credit card now, it'd be the best time. However... can I really, truly trust myself? AAARGH I NEED GIG TICKETS

[€ngel]

I promised myself the same thing. But when you order stuff from the internet, you need a card most of the time. I'm also considering it... :unsure:

[Mort]

My finances are currently really well controlled.
Last night I went to see MLG
Kicked Dave into submission about my free EP? lol.

[Sapphire]

I have one and I don't really use it.

Just when I need to buy something and I don't have enough cash, which happens about once every 3 months, I'm really careful with my spendings.

If you're a responsible person and consequent with your money, you won't have any problems.

[Velouria]

I control my money carefully, so I'm very good about paying my entire bill off every month. I know how much money I have to spend each month, so as soon as I spend something on the credit card I take that amount off the figure.

If I were more carefree with money then I wouldn't trust myself to have one. :LOL:

So, get one if you are sure you can trust yourself not to have a shopping binge.

[Gemsy]

I'm not usually very responsible with money though... :LOL:
It's my first month being back on track, and it's going to be a close one. Maybe I should wait a while... But... but... V tickets on Friday...

[Mort]

I'm not usually very responsible with money though... :LOL:
It's my first month being back on track, and it's going to be a close one. Maybe I should wait a while... But... but... V tickets on Friday...
The best credit plan is the national skunging off your mates. 0% per annum intrest rates and no collection agencies get involved.

[Gemsy]

Kicked Dave into submission about my free EP? lol.
lol no :unsure:
I'm rubbish.
Actually, I don't know if they're still making them, 'cause Dave split up with Dan who did all the artwork. :LOL:

[Velouria]

I'm not usually very responsible with money though... :LOL:
It's my first month being back on track, and it's going to be a close one. Maybe I should wait a while... But... but... V tickets on Friday...

Are V tickets released on Friday? :eek: Hmm, I'm thinking about Chelmsford for teh 'Head.

[Gem]

I'm not usually very responsible with money though... :LOL:
It's my first month being back on track, and it's going to be a close one. Maybe I should wait a while... But... but... V tickets on Friday...

Personally, I wouldn't get the card

On the other hand, I'd get V tickets (and psk, they're already on sale ;)) x

[Mort]

lol no :unsure:
I'm rubbish.
Actually, I don't know if they're still making them, 'cause Dave split up with Dan who did all the artwork. :LOL:
:eek:
Oh noes.


Well, Dave can do me a hand drawn front cover. :D

[crazybobbles]

A credit card is useful when you order international stuff that doesnt accept paypal. but the rule of thumb is, more cards....more statements.

Just use overdraft if you're watching your money but require mulla you dont have, credit cards are for those who need money AFTER they've reached the limit of their OD.

I have one but its kept at 0

[Gemsy]

Personally, I wouldn't get the card

On the other hand, I'd get V tickets (and psk, they're already on sale ;)) x
:eek: DANG IT
I've left it too late to get a card for V tickets, anyway.

Basically I've got £180 to last the rest of the month. Which means I can't buy V tickets unless I can live on £120... which is great, but it means I'm gonna go hungry and beerless. :LOL:

MUM! :LOL:

[Gemsy]

Are V tickets released on Friday? :eek: Hmm, I'm thinking about Chelmsford for teh 'Head.
Samey McSame... and I think loads of people are thinking the same thing...
Seriously? MUM! WHERE ARE j00!

And then I need Download tickets.
And Tool tickets.
And Dresden Dolls tickets.
And maybe this drum 'n' bass night...

damn

[Velouria]

Samey McSame... and I think loads of people are thinking the same thing...
Seriously? MUM! WHERE ARE j00!

And then I need Download tickets.
And Tool tickets.
And Dresden Dolls tickets.
And maybe this drum 'n' bass night...

damn

I may go and see Tool at Hammersmith.

[Gemsy]

I may go and see Tool at Hammersmith.
Same. :LOL: :LOL:
What a year it's going to be...

[Claire]

It's not so bad if you do what I do, pay the whole balance off every following month. That way you only use it for important things cos you know you'll be paying it off soon. Like, I booked a holibob to Rome on it, and then it'll be paid back next month, but that way we could get cheaper flights etc cos we did it earlier :)

Don't go for minimum payments, you'll never pay the thing off! (Have plenty of mates in that situation, heh)

[Popey]

They are released Friday to the public but Virgin mobile customers get em now. :D

EDIT: On and it's going to be all about the Staffordshire!

[Gemsy]

It's not so bad if you do what I do, pay the whole balance off every following month. That way you only use it for important things cos you know you'll be paying it off soon. Like, I booked a holibob to Rome on it, and then it'll be paid back next month, but that way we could get cheaper flights etc cos we did it earlier :)

Don't go for minimum payments, you'll never pay the thing off! (Have plenty of mates in that situation, heh)
That's the sort of thing I'd need it for, definitely. It's just gash when tickets are announced for gigs unexpectedly and my bank account is empty.

I love www.moneysavingexpert.com :happy:
I don't like this sentence: "What this means for John is that even if he never spent on the card again, and just made the minimum repayments, it would take him 40 years and 5 months to pay off and cost £6,300 in interest."

[reenap]

I actually work for a credit card company..so...just be careful with your card..read all your terms and agreements before you do anything...otherwise you'll get 'screwed over'. If you know the funds are going to be there to pay it off eventually then you don't have a problem. I always pay off my entire balance each month so I avoid any extra hidden fees and shit like that.

[Gemsy]

I actually work for a credit card company..so...just be careful with your card..read all your terms and agreements before you do anything...otherwise you'll get 'screwed over'. If you know the funds are going to be there to pay it off eventually then you don't have a problem. I always pay off my entire balance each month so I avoid any extra hidden fees and shit like that.
I'm intending to do the paying off in full malarkey... hopefully. :LOL:
I have researched a little bit and I think it's a choice between the No Hassle Platinum badboy:

http://www.capitalone.co.uk/web/raid/templates/cardlist_temp_10_001.jsp?page_id=10200&context_id=2&pageId=10200

or one with my bank. Hmm.

[kazzie]

Credit Cards are evil! your told never ever get one and you always tell yourself it!

But you always get one....:LOL:

You cant live a normal Life without a little fun and a lotta debt! Bet get an egg Card, They are Ginni pig approved!:happy:

[Stecloud]

I used a store card once, to buy a jacket at a discount, and paid the balance off strsight away the next morning. If you are absolutely sure you'll have it paid off in full before the interest takes effect then I say go for it. Nothing wrong with playing the system every now and then.

[Gemsy]

Cool. :happy:
The Capital One card's had loads of bad reviews. I'm looking at Egg now, haha.

[Stecloud]

You can even pay off the balance on another card and keep swapping if you know how to work the system real well. Although I don't recommened that, as if it fails it can bite you in the bum real hard. I've heard of people who have owed thousands to credit card companies, for years, and never had to pay an extra penny of interest because they did this - but they're experts.

[Mort]

You can even pay off the balance on another card and keep swapping if you know how to work the system real well. Although I don't recommened that, as if it fails it can bite you in the bum real hard. I've heard of people who have owed thousands to credit card companies, for years, and never had to pay an extra penny of interest because they did this - but they're experts.
That was a plan I had. Pay off one card with the other and then when thats cleared pay off the new card with the old and cycle it.

[Popey]

You can even pay off the balance on another card and keep swapping if you know how to work the system real well. Although I don't recommened that, as if it fails it can bite you in the bum real hard. I've heard of people who have owed thousands to credit card companies, for years, and never had to pay an extra penny of interest because they did this - but they're experts.

My mum. :happy:

She does it all the time. If you look at her purse she looks like shes in shed loads of debt she's a credit whore and switches from one an other to get the "new customer" deals.

[Gemsy]

That was a plan I had. Pay off one card with the other and then when thats cleared pay off the new card with the old and cycle it.
Stoozing. ;)
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1076883546,34894,

[Gemsy]

My mum. :happy:

She does it all the time. If you look at her purse she looks like shes in shed loads of debt she's a credit whore and switches from one an other to get the "new customer" deals.
Your mum's officially known as a "tart". :LOL:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1107182516,76509,#tartor

[Claire]

Cool. :happy:
The Capital One card's had loads of bad reviews. I'm looking at Egg now, haha.


What bank are you with? I just have my HSBC one, pays itself off every month, no interest, sorted.

Though the 3 grand limit is a tad scary :LOL:

[kazzie]

My mum. :happy:

She does it all the time. If you look at her purse she looks like shes in shed loads of debt she's a credit whore and switches from one an other to get the "new customer" deals.


that was my plan also! but with my luck ill go through every CC company then run out..:(

[Gemsy]

What bank are you with? I just have my HSBC one, pays itself off every month, no interest, sorted.

Though the 3 grand limit is a tad scary :LOL:
Awww, yeah, I think I might stick with my main dudes HSBC.
I was looking for some with cool cashback deals, but it doesn't look like it's much to get excited about anyway.

[Gemsy]

Done it. :unsure:

[kazzie]

Done it. :unsure:


Oh what did you get? Welcome to Debt Life :LOL:

[Gemsy]

Oh what did you get? Welcome to Debt Life :LOL:
I just applied for one with my bank. I already have savings, my account and a £4K personal loan with them, so they'll love me. :LOL:

[kazzie]

I just applied for one with my bank. I already have savings, my account and a £4K personal loan with them, so they'll love me. :LOL:

What no Guinea Pig tested card :(

[Gemsy]

What no Guinea Pig tested card :(
Nah, hahaha... I know I can trust teh bank.
All the others have conflicting reviewage, I got all beefed off with it and just went back to good ol' HSBC

[Gem]

:eek: You've done it!

That's it... it's all downhill now :p

[kazzie]

Nah, hahaha... I know I can trust teh bank.
All the others have conflicting reviewage, I got all beefed off with it and just went back to good ol' HSBC

ah HSBC! Catchy adverts to!, I dont know which one mine is.. All I know that its in the mothers name so she knows what im getting :$ I still have to pay it off though..

So whats first on the "I have a Credit card lets bust it!" list :LOL:

[Keys]

£6 billion profit last financial year. hSBC cannot be anything less than awesome :yesey: i love HSBC. If it were a person id marry her.

[Gemsy]

ah HSBC! Catchy adverts to!, I dont know which one mine is.. All I know that its in the mothers name so she knows what im getting :$ I still have to pay it off though..

So whats first on the "I have a Credit card lets bust it!" list :LOL:
:LOL: I reckon it could very well be in little bits this time next year. :unsure:
:eek: You've done it!

That's it... it's all downhill now :p
Gah... I know! :LOL:

:unsure:
I might have to keep it in the freezer so I have to thaw it out to use it. :LOL:

[gocanux]

What interest rates do they charge on credit cards in the UK? Here it's "1.5 percent" but that's comppunded monthly, so it's more than 18 percent per year, outrageous.
We have an Alaska Airlines (the biggest carrier out of Seattle, with links to BritAir, Quantas, etc) Visa card, and we put EVERYTHING on it, but always pay it aALL off every month. The main rule of credit cards is, NEVER carry a balance, as the interest will kill you. But we like our flyer miles, they get me to Muse shows!

[Gemsy]

What interest rates do they charge on credit cards in the UK? Here it's "1.5 percent" but that's comppunded monthly, so it's more than 18 percent per year, outrageous.
We have an Alaska Airlines (the biggest carrier out of Seattle, with links to BritAir, Quantas, etc) Visa card, and we put EVERYTHING on it, but always pay it aALL off every month. The main rule of credit cards is, NEVER carry a balance, as the interest will kill you. But we like our flyer miles, they get me to Muse shows!
:LOL: I'm hoping to never have to worry about interest rates.
Paying off every month I am. :cool:

I hope
ahem

[Meep]

Credit cards are confusing :(

A friend of mine was telling me some good things about them in terms of fraud protection which is tempting but still .. scary.

[Wendigo]

I've had mine for a couple of years without a single problem. Not so scary.

[moocow]

i have one.. i use it for internet purchases only..

I only use it if i have the money to pay it off...

i pay it all off every month...

Never had to pay any interest

[Gemsy]

lol thread
I didn't get one in the end, I got turned down. :LOL: Still debt free. :cool:

[JoBear]

I love my credit card but I think you have to be responsible and have self control to own one. I don't think anyone whose a student should have one at all. It's a good thing when you use it simply to get up to 55 days interest free before its due.

I only recently haven't been able to pay it off before its due and it's been pretty good to have as I was unemployed for 3 months after returning from England due to my bad financial situation over there. But I've been smart, as my interest rate recently went up to 22.5% and applied for a new one to replace it. I get to transfer my balance due to a much better rate of 6% for six months and I plan to have it all paid off within then.

I was reading about how the bank before now considered me a free loader on my credit card (they recently offered me a $4000 limit for a good history!) and hence some of the reason the interest rate has gone up.

[moocow]

i have an interest free overdraft so even if i don't have enough money to pay of my card and am in danger of having to pay interest. I pay it off anyway and go into the red on my current account..but it dusn't matter because i'm interest free.. Weeeeee

[JoBear]

i found it surprising how common overdrafts are in the uk and how normal it seems to be in the red on them - a lot harder to get here, the bank tends to give them to students interest free, but its just a ploy to get them stuck with the bank when they become earners. its so much easier for me to get a credit card.

[moocow]

i found it surprising how common overdrafts are in the uk and how normal it seems to be in the red on them - a lot harder to get here, the bank tends to give them to students interest free, but its just a ploy to get them stuck with the bank when they become earners. its so much easier for me to get a credit card.

yeah that true, i know tons of people who have maxed out there over draft and are like £2.500 in the red.. i couldn't deal with that. the worst i have ever been is £200 and when i get paid it pulls me right back into the black. if you max out your over draft your bank hates you and refuses to play ball if you need anything.

[CELEBRITY_HITMAN]

Credit cards are teh spawn of satan.

[Meep]

yeah that true, i know tons of people who have maxed out there over draft and are like £2.500 in the red.. i couldn't deal with that. the worst i have ever been is £200 and when i get paid it pulls me right back into the black. if you max out your over draft your bank hates you and refuses to play ball if you need anything.
Hmm yeah, with my overdraft I said that I'm only spending money if I know my next loan installment will cover it. Does mean I get sent back into the red quite quickly after loan day though.

To be fair I did have my laptop die on me quite early last semester so wasn't expecting such a big replacement payment and have been on tight money ever since. Hopefully will be better next year though.

[Madam Harkonnen]

Try getting an account with a debit card instead - then you're not spending money that you don't have :)

[Kymii]

Me thinks they're talking about additional cards to the ones they own.

I don't have a credit card, just a £1000 overdraft, which I spilled into by £39 over Christmas. But I wasn't really in debt as I have money in an ISA, I just couldn't transfer said money 'cause the banks wouldn't talk to each other. ¬_¬

[Sarah]

I wish I was only going into the red by about £40!

I am going to max out my interest free overdraft this month. Again. So much fun!

[Kymii]

I wish I was only going into the red by about £40!

I am going to max out my interest free overdraft this month. Again. So much fun!

I'm technically £314 in the red, but some cheques I wrote haven't been cashed yet, going to have to find out about that. Ahh shit.
Thank God next term's rent is £300 less and I still get the same amount of student loan.
Phew.
Ok, so, no spending money over Easter for me.

[Evilduck]

I currently have 3 overdrafts, 2 of which are maxed out. Uni is evil with money :(
I also have a credit card but I never bothered activating it.

[moocow]

I currently have 3 overdrafts, 2 of which are maxed out. Uni is evil with money :(
I also have a credit card but I never bothered activating it.

two maxed out over drafts? how do you sleep?

[ryanbmuff]

two maxed out over drafts? how do you sleep?

Horse tranquilizer?

[moocow]

Try getting an account with a debit card instead - then you're not spending money that you don't have :)

yeah but i have a debit card that i use aswell.. and if i'm in the red..but still want some money, i can still get it out.. it just puts me further into the red. so i'm still spending what i don't have.. (yet) getting paid soon.. w00t

[CottonCandy]

Ha, I don't even know if I can get a credit card here being a bloody foreigner, I suppose there's some good coming with that...

[moocow]

Horse tranquilizer?

thats where the money goes.. vicious cycle.

[JoBear]

Ha, I don't even know if I can get a credit card here being a bloody foreigner, I suppose there's some good coming with that...
i was offered a credit card in the uk, you just have to live there six months for most of them.

[Evilduck]

two maxed out over drafts? how do you sleep?
I just try to forget about them most of the time. :erm: I've had to pay my own tuition fees this year though, so thats mostly to blame.

[Mandy_]

Aghhh. I'm all good and in no debt whatsoever with them but my card seems to cause me constant anxiety.:( I'm thinking of cutting it in half. But that would be silly as I'm responsible with it. ARG.

[danioteriffico]

I've had my CC for over 8 years, and sometimes it's maxed out and sometimes it's paid off, but currently I have debt of about $2,000 which isn't too bad. But you must ask yourself 1st, WHY do you wanna open an account? Is it for "just in case", or to go to concerts, etc..? credit cards will open a world of new purchasing possibilities for you, but remember, you have to pay it back plus interest....I suggest you stick to a debit card.

[Gemsy]

lol hai there bot bot

I just folded my credit card up so I don't use it. :awesome: can't bring myself to cut it up though, might need it ffs. :chuckle:

[ʘ]

5326 1009 8773 5991
12/2014
772

http://lolmart.com/files/2011/03/harry-potter-come-at-me-bro.jpg

[Lucy]

5326 1009 8773 5991
12/2014
772

http://lolmart.com/files/2011/03/harry-potter-come-at-me-bro.jpg

:LOL:

[Max]

5326 1009 8773 5991
12/2014
772

http://lolmart.com/files/2011/03/harry-potter-come-at-me-bro.jpg

Did Samanthrax hack your account or something?

[ʘ]

Did Samanthrax hack your account or something?

lol liek tots not wut?

That girl couldn't hack into her own home through the front door even if she had a key (and she doesn't - probably lent it to someone)

[Gemsy]

5326 1009 8773 5991
12/2014
772

http://lolmart.com/files/2011/03/harry-potter-come-at-me-bro.jpg

wicked I'll just cut mine up and use yours then thanks lololol

[Meep]

It's so easy to keep this shit at zero with online banking :happy: Got my card just as some sort of credit rating boost and I pay off the balance every few days.

[Miran-duh]

That's why I got mine too. I put absolutely everything on it and pay it off weekly. Get points to spend on gift vouchers (usually for a hardware place lately, but they do Lush and bookstores too) and free travel insurance. Doesn't cost me anything as I used to work there. :chuckle:

[Niamh]

Aaah, shut up everyone with your zero balances. :LOL:

I owe £750 on mine, plus a £1600 overdraft. :LOL:

...:(

[Noodles]

Aaah, shut up everyone with your zero balances. :LOL:

I owe £750 on mine, plus a £1600 overdraft. :LOL:

...:(
You're not doing as bad as my friend, he's in for around £4,000. He's currently stoozing it all over the place.

[Popey]

I recently got one to build my credit. Currently got roughly £2k on it from various festivals, gigs, insurances, etc. and projected to pay it off in 9 months. It's like a little credit baby :LOL:

After that I'm 100% debt free only to then take on the biggest debt of my life. YAY FIRST TIME BUYER!

[Miran-duh]

That's not so bad :LOL: just think when you get like a srs fulltime job after uni, it'll be easy as pie to pay off.

My sister has racked up $10k credit card debt. Ages ago I told her to do a balance transfer and pay it down as quick as she could. She just maxed out both cards :facepalm: She's finished uni now so I'm hoping she'll do something about it!

[ninja]

That's not so bad :LOL: just think when you get like a srs fulltime job after uni, it'll be easy as pie to pay off.

My sister has racked up $10k credit card debt. Ages ago I told her to do a balance transfer and pay it down as quick as she could. She just maxed out both cards :facepalm: She's finished uni now so I'm hoping she'll do something about it!
Ugh, same situ with my brother (ie 10k debt). Although he racked up his debt after uni...
Worries me so much, it's causing him huge anxiety.


I'm too scared to get a credit card. My debit mastercard seems to serve me fine :unsure:

[Lucy]

No cards of my own currently but I have £1600 of mine on a card in my boyfriend's name, not bad though considering 18 months ago I had nearly £4k of debt. Bf is stoozing to the tune of £4k at the moment too.

[NicT]

It's so easy to keep this shit at zero with online banking :happy: Got my card just as some sort of credit rating boost and I pay off the balance every few days.

You actually don't build up as good a credit score by paying off monthly as you do by owing on it though, ironically!

[theimpressiveclergyman]

Stamp duty gets me every year, I think it's due soon too :LOL:

Also, today I learned the term "stoozing"!

[ʘ]

Same...

[Niamh]

I don't understand credit rating stuff at all. I've missed about three payments in 2 years, but I've always caught up, and I pay the minimum off every month. Is this good or bad for my credit rating?

[NicT]

I don't understand credit rating stuff at all. I've missed about three payments in 2 years, but I've always caught up, and I pay the minimum off every month. Is this good or bad for my credit rating?

Missing payments is bad. Minimum apparently not great, but can be better than paying in full as you show you manage debt. If you don't miss payments!

I think it is a balancing act and each lender has its own criteria as to what they look for.

[Miran-duh]

They would secretly like minimum payments the best, as they make the most profit that way :LOL: I bet you get offers to increase your limit?

[NicT]

They would secretly like minimum payments the best, as they make the most profit that way :LOL: I bet you get offers to increase your limit?

But for credit scoring not every company will agree! Minefield.

[theimpressiveclergyman]

How long can you skip minimum payments for? With mine I think the minimum payment is taken out automatically. That said I think I've only paid it once or twice as I'm always falling over myself to get the whole thing paid before the bank repossess my house/break my legs/kidnap my family for ransom etc.
For someone with a credit card, I'm awfully scared of credit cards. :LOL:

[NicT]

How long can you skip minimum payments for? With mine I think the minimum payment is taken out automatically. That said I think I've only paid it once or twice as I'm always falling over myself to get the whole thing paid before the bank repossess my house/break my legs/kidnap my family for ransom etc.
For someone with a credit card, I'm awfully scared of credit cards. :LOL:

Before what? Skipping payments is bad, but I think they would get a bit funny with you / send the boys round after about 3 in a row. I'm not volunteering to find out for you though!:LOL:

[Niamh]

Missing payments is bad. Minimum apparently not great, but can be better than paying in full as you show you manage debt. If you don't miss payments!

I think it is a balancing act and each lender has its own criteria as to what they look for.

I don't have enough money to pay off more than the minimum :chuckle: Just worried in case I've fucked up my credit rating!

They would secretly like minimum payments the best, as they make the most profit that way :LOL: I bet you get offers to increase your limit?

They've never once offered! (which is good, as I would have taken them up on it probably)