[redmenace]

These people won't leave you alone. Hey this guy pays his bill on time. Oh, he must need a gold card with a $25,000 Limit. Discuss.

[spartan_0214]

the more credit cards people have, the more money that isn't theirs can they spend. Some people get as many credit cards as they can, then live off of those. It's kinda like America's welfare system, it sucks....

[Ford Prefect]

The middle class in America seems to have freed itself of the antiquated notion that you shouldn't buy things you can't afford. I would say it's a big problem that's cause for real alarm, but we have more pressing issues to worry about, like sodomy and flag burning.

[WMCoolmon]

$25k => More debt you can run up => More interest => More money for the credit card companies.

[redmenace]

The middle class in America seems to have freed itself of the antiquated notion that you shouldn't buy things you can't afford. I would say it's a big problem that's cause for real alarm, but we have more pressing issues to worry about, like sodomy and flag burning.

Actually, I never do that. I only ever spend money I have in my bank account. I use the AMX card I have for high price items such as a laptop. But these people are almost as persistent as debt consolidation.

[Ford Prefect]

Well I didn't think you do it, but that's why they offer these ridiculous cards; a good chunk of the middle class is living dangerously beyond its means. And the card companies are like that friend who's a huge enabler. "Dude just drink, you know you're not gonna study tonight."

[achtung]

$25k => More debt you can run up => More interest => More money for the credit card companies.

Unless the cardholder dies.

[Mefustae]

$25k => More debt you can run up => More interest => More money for the credit card companies.

Unless the cardholder dies.

Check. Mate.

[redmenace]

Well I didn't think you do it, but that's why they offer these ridiculous cards; a good chunk of the middle class is living dangerously beyond its means. And the card companies are like that friend who's a huge enabler. "Dude just drink, you know you're not gonna study tonight."

I am just stating for the record. but honestly I feel like I am in the minority some days.

[redsniper]

I think most HLPeople are in the minority one way or another.

[Whitelight]

I guess you have to know how to use a credit card..
Yes the credit card company call and ask what the problem was , I said no problem, I just pay the bill in full when it comes in and hung up on them.
They seem to  think thats a problem, well maybe a problem for them, but not for me.

[BlackDove]

we have more pressing issues to worry about, like sodomy and flag burning.

like sodomy and flag burning.

sodomy

[Rictor]

I'm only just now taking out a VISA, and that's because I have to in order to build my credit, which is itself a retarded concept. But it will stay locked safely away unless I have solid cash money in hand to buy what I need.

And yes, the US does have a major personal credit problem. But really, who cares if the middle class is burying itself under a mountain of financial trouble in order to buy things they don't really need, when you've got an iPod in every pocket and $200 sunglasses on every head. Consumerism uber alles.

[Whitelight]

I don`t have a problem with a credit card, but there are wise and stupid was to use them.. Yes they will get you into deep trouble, but the key words are to not spend more than you can pay back in one or two payments, myself, I send it in one payment and save me a ton of money..

(edit) Oh and there was a time when I did have a problem with credit cards, but that was years ago. I learned from my mistakes..

[BlackDove]

Actually, that just sounds like lack of necessity.

I have my Master Card, and I had to use it up to its limit and then some to pay for my mothers medical bills because she was sick.

I managed to pay them all off, and capped my limit, only now having to pay it all back with the highest interest.

Not really a problem, because the interest I have to pay back monthly is just a small cost for quite a large sum of money that I took from them. When I pay it off back to zero, sure I will have lost some money to them, but ultimately that money on the card will be mine to use if I need it again.

If I didn't have it in the first place to pay those medical bills, I'd be proper ****ed.

[Whitelight]

I got in that endless loop where I was paying intrest and not making any progress, paying it off that is.. Ending up cutting the card in half and getting a loan to pay it off, i know it didn`t make sence to get a loan, but in the long run it worked..
I`ll stick to my guns and keep paying it in full, which works for me.

[Ford Prefect]

And yes, the US does have a major personal credit problem. But really, who cares if the middle class is burying itself under a mountain of financial trouble in order to buy things they don't really need, when you've got an iPod in every pocket and $200 sunglasses on every head. Consumerism uber alles.

I don't have a problem with consumerism-- I have plenty of **** I don't need. But they're called luxury goods because you purchase them with disposable income, not with the pretend money that grows on the magical tree in your backyard. When you have large numbers of people living irresponsibly beyond their means, the economy becomes a ticking time bomb.

[redmenace]

Wall Street Crash Anyone.

[IceFire]

Yeah I think a lot of us here are wise to the credit card system.  Many many others are not and thats why the system works in the first place.  Might be sad but thats the way it is.  And then on the other hand, in a pinch, such as in BackDove's situation, the credit card works quite a few monetary miracles.  In that sort of situation its not consumerism at all.

But yeah...in general...I use my credit card purely as a means of paying for larger items that I'd not feel comfortable carrying around the cash for.  There really is no need to carry more than a little physical cash around these days, but, on the other hand I feel (generally speaking) you should use credit cards to spend money you already have.

[Nuke]

i refuse to get any credit cards untill my student loan is paid in full. i still got well over 11,000 to pay so no cards for me.  now you got to use credit to build credit. paying off my loan is building my credit. you must if you want a house or a car or anything beyond the range of a normal purchase.

im not really a stuff person, i pride myself on having as little stuff as possible. i could never see myself going out for a shopping spree, and maxing out a credit card. if i ever get one, it will be for cover your ass sort of expenses. i dont like living on hair thin financial margins. and buying too much stuff in too short a time is a good way to end up working 60 hour weeks, doing two jobs and never getting any time to enjoy all that stuff you just bought, only for the repo men to take it away because you didnt have enough money to pay the bill.

 i know credit card companies love to jack people. thats the nature of buisness. every time you make a transaction, unless your the person doing the jacking, your getting jacked. that is the way buisness works. credit card compaines love to put people into debt, a person in debt is very profitable. they can make a ****load dragging payments out over a long period time.

anyway should it come to pass that i get diagnosed with cancer tomorrow and am given 3 months to live, im gonna get every credit card out there and go on a 3 month long shopping binge