Anyone Here Who Doesn't Own a Credit Card?

[Redstone5]

I gave up all my credit cards when I did a debt consolidation a few years ago. It's annoying not having a credit card, but also great not having the worry since I'm still a recovering "credit card junkie".

Now that I've done so well paying down my debt, I'm starting to get those credit card offers in the mail again.  I was wondering if anyone here gets by without having a credit card at all? Not having one makes car rental, travel bookings, and online shopping a hassle, but I'm considering never getting one again as it makes my money situation so much simpler.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good pre-paid credit card in Canada?

[redbird]

Some people do here, sure.

Many people here though seem to use credit cards though. Some churn them for the rewards. I personally don't bother with churning, but I do pretty much 100% of my spending with a credit card for the additional protections + rewards. If you pay it off every single month, you don't have any interest or fees (annual fee of some rewards-rich cards people here like excepted).

Being Mustachian and using a credit card requires financial self-control though, which you may not be at the point at yet. So I can understand wanting to avoid them.

[Redstone5]

Some people do here, sure.

Many people here though seem to use credit cards though. Some churn them for the rewards. I personally don't bother with churning, but I do pretty much 100% of my spending with a credit card for the additional protections + rewards. If you pay it off every single month, you don't have any interest or fees (annual fee of some rewards-rich cards people here like excepted).

Being Mustachian and using a credit card requires financial self-control though, which you may not be at the point at yet. So I can understand wanting to avoid them.

I'm finding that it works better for me to ask my Mom to put a purchase on her credit card for me if there isn't another option, and then I pay her back right away by e-transfer directly from my bank.

There's nothing like having to explain to your mom why you desperately need that lipstick that changes colour on your lips and can only be ordered from a company in Hawaii to make you rethink an ill-considered purchase.

[alsoknownasDean]

My bank offers a Visa debit card. I can use it like a credit card everywhere. For online purchases and the like, that's enough.

Does your bank offer a Visa or Mastercard debit card?

I did go without a credit card for ages, but signed up to one last year.

[Papa Mustache]

We use our debit cards for local purchases (day to day stuff) but use the credit card for out of town purchases and large purchases. Paid off each month.

[Redstone5]

My bank offers a Visa debit card. I can use it like a credit card everywhere. For online purchases and the like, that's enough.

Does your bank offer a Visa or Mastercard debit card?

I did go without a credit card for ages, but signed up to one last year.

I bank at a small credit union that doesn't offer them, so I'd have to get a new account at a big bank to get a VISA or MC debit. I might do that next year, when I feel like I've got a hold of my financial situation.

[Redstone5]

We use our debit cards for local purchases (day to day stuff) but use the credit card for out of town purchases and large purchases. Paid off each month.

I think that's the key. I need to wait until I feel that I can be disciplined, and also when I have enough income coming in to pay the card off each month. We were so strapped for cash before I left my ex that I was buying groceries on the card and never able to pay off the balance.

[Enigma]

My aunt doesn't trust banks and keeps everything in cash at home.  (No credit cards)
Also I knew of a friend that went through bankruptcy (no credit cards but also terrible credit)

There are a lot of consumer protections of using a credit card.  I have known multiple people that have had fraud related to their debit cards and have been screwed with fees and bank battles to get money back from their lost funds in their accounts.