Does anyone live without a credit card?

Question

I have managed to never own one. If I have extra money and I want something, I buy it. No money, to bad, so sad. Is this unusual?

Answer 1

No, I don't use credit cards either. Like you, if I can't pay for it, I don't get it....:)

Answer 2

I am a 22 year old college student, and I have never had a credit card. I have never really felt the need to have one. It would be nice to be able to go out and buy cool stuff like most other people my age, but the way I look at it, when I graduate college, yes. I will have a lot of money to pay back in student loans. But I will not owe thousands to a credit card company. That makes me smile.

Answer 3

Yes.
Usually these are people who don't go into debt and save a lot of their money. So they are quite rare in the U.S. these days.

Ironically because their purchases are not on credit they have bad credit ratings even though they may have a lot of cash saved.

But don't feel sorry for them. Self-made millionaires are often people who save a lot and don't spend much. They'll buy a (used) car every 8-10 years, their house isn't huge, but they're all set for retirement and can probably put all their kids through college.

Answer 4

More power to you! I fell into the credit card trap a long time ago and have regretted it ever since.

HOWEVER, it can actually benefit you if you will open a credit account, use it on occasion, and -- most importantly - keep it paid off. Then when you are applying for a mortgage loan or car loan, you have a strong, established credit record. (You also have a safety net when you're far from home and run into unexpected expenses like car repairs or emergency medical care.)

Living without credit cards is GREAT!

Answer 5

In today's world, yes it is a bit unusual.

But being "unusual" is NOT a bad thing. Being unusual with respect to credit cards, (meaning you don't have any) means you are more responsible.

I'm not saying people with credit cards aren't responsible, but more times than not it is hard to pay them off, keep them paid off and more importantly keep track of where your money is going, maxing them out and such.

Answer 6

No, I don't think it's that unusual.
It can be a handy in the event of an emergency though.

It is also a good way to build up your credit rating though, if you use it responsibly. That way you have a credit history if you plan on getting a car loan, or looking at buying a house in the future.

Answer 7

Good girl!!! My husband and I buy what we need with cash. If we don't have the cash on hand we simply don't buy it. We each had a credit card at one time and it took forever to pay it off and once we did, we cut them in two. It ended up, one purchase we were paying way over what it first would have cost us if we would have paid for it in cash. (We ended up paying triple for it?) It just isn't worth buying now, paying for it later. You go girl. Save up your money, buy what you want when you have the cash. Put away and save for a rainy day. Emergencies come when you least expect it and it's good to have some money to cover it! :)

Answer 8

Yes. I am 50 and have never had a credit card. However a lot of people and company's assume everyone has one and you can't do business at some places without one.When I go to Vegas and tell them I'll pay cash for my room they look at me like I'm crazy.

Answer 9

Credit card is actually a good thing.....Just use it and go back home and make a payment right away. it builds ur credit history which will help u if one day u plan to buy a house.

Answer 10

All I have is a debit card. If I don't have the money to buy something I want, I save for it. Never had a credit card. Don't want one.

Answer 11

I don't think its totally unusual. Once in awhile I'll just pick up a pre-paid one if I just want to make an internet purchase or two. Other than that I only use store cards.