credit

The Truth About Credit Card Debt

Myth: Aren't there positive uses of a credit card? Like rebates and airline miles?
Truth: Responsible use of a credit card does not exist. Credit card debt is a major problem in America.

There is NO positive side to credit card use. You will spend more if you use credit cards. Even by paying the bills on time, you are not beating the system! But most families don't pay on time. The average family today carries $8,000 in credit card debt according to the American Bankers' Association.

Now let's talk about the rebates. If you were using a credit card at 5%, you would have had to have spent $80,000 to get $4,000 rebates on new cars that lost $6,000 of value when you drove them off the lot. That is not a good deal!

Cash vs. Credit Cards
When you pay cash, you can "feel" the money leaving you. This is not true with credit cards. Flipping a credit card up on a counter registers nothing emotionally. If you use credit cards instead of cash you will spend 12-18% more. This is money you could have saved.

If you "have to" use plastic, I suggest a debit card. I use them for travel and the occasional convenience of ordering something over the Internet or phone. Other than that, I use cash.

Personal finance is 80% behavior. You need to cut out habits that make you spend more. You do not build wealth with credit cards. Use common sense. When you play with a multi-billion dollar industry and you think you're going to win at their game, you are naive. You cannot beat the credit card companies. More

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What is this?

Find out the financial myths that are prevalent in today's culture. Dave gives you the truth and dispells the myths:

• The Truth About Debt
• The Truth About Debt Consolidation
• The Truth About Debt Management
• The Truth About Debt Help
• The Truth About Debt Reduction
• The Truth About Bankruptcy
• The Truth About Budgeting
• The Truth About Life Insurance
• The Truth About Teens and Credit Cards
• The Truth About Money and Relationships
• The Truth About Debt and Relationships

This content is provided by DaveRamsey.com and may be used only in its entirety with all links included. Dave Ramsey is changing the face of America by helping people eliminate credit card debt and get on the path to being debt free.