Cash/Check/Credit/Debit
What was the last thing you bought using each on these payment methods, and when?
cash: three days ago, tickets for ice cream social at school
check: coupls of weeks ago, swim team fees for kids and pool rental
credit: today, groceries
debit: couple of weeks ago, groceries, used debit to get cash back
Cash: lunch on Friday ... fried eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms on toast, with coffee and juice.
Cheque (shame on you Monnie, going native): hahahahaha
Credit: autopayment for communications bill.
debit: carpet for living room floor, 6 weeks ago.
Cash: a couple new pens for class; last week.
Check: RITA payment of a whopping $3.14; weeks ago.
Credit: new paintball stuff Tippmann A-5, stock, trigger, barrel, camo pants, etc. etc.; last week.
Debit: dinner at local Mexican restaurant; last night.
cash: group lunch for admin assistant on Friday
check: cleaning ladies last Wednesday
credit: lunch today
debit: ??? it's been years, I think. What with the cash back on my Amex, I don't bother.
Cash: ice cream at the little dairy bar on main street, Friday.
Check: paid $20 on daughter's school lunch account, which conveniently ran out 4 days before the end of the school year (it carries over, of course).
Credit: some groceries--I use my "cash back" credit card and pay off every month.
Debit: $200 withdrawal from ATM last weekend; I have about $25 left.
Checks if it's mailed.
Cash for everything else.
Cheque: I'm not allowed them
Credit: I'm not allowed it
Debit: I'm not allowed it
Cash: this morning at the supermarket
:o
Was up at 03.42 (bad night) and at 05.00 went to check the cashpoint to see if my benefit was through. It was. So went to the supermarket at 07.30 (when the buses started running). Essentials only* I just wanted to be in a warm light place with other people.
*Fizzy water IS an essential as it keeps me from drinking. As I get through 2 x 2litre bottles a day it's just as well it's only 12p!
Cheque: Not that popular over here anymore, except for the *cockies* (farmers) or business owners. I havent had cheques for years.
Credit: I've just consolidated my credit card debit, gone from 12k on 3 cards to 1 card with 6k limit and 0 balance at the moment. :) I use my plastic daily though and basically just pay my wages off it each week. The reward points are great.
Debit: an ATM card? I use this daily, small purchases, cash withdrawals.
Cash: Daily coffee, lunch on days that I dont take it, today to buy Ice Creams.
Hmmm...
Cash: the shop yesterday to buy cigarettes and toilet paper
Cheque: haven't used cheques in years
Credit Card: cut up my credit cards several years ago, am still paying off the balance.
Debit Card: yesterday, bought a download of 'The Eight Truths', which is a Big Finish Doctor Who audio play :P
Cash: Yesterday at CVS to buy a father's day card and an updated road atlas of the area to replace my 20 year old one.
Check: Not in several years, my wife writes the checks to pay the bills.
Credit: Last week, buying gas.
Debit: I have never used a debit card. Except I think my ATM card is also a debit card, and I use that once or twice a month to get cash from my bank. I got cash last week.
Cash - Coffee, yesterday
Check - Paid for Dennis, last year, was annoyed breeder didn't take credit...
Credit - Can't remember...
Debit - Groceries, last thursday
Cash: pint of nonfat milk and four pints of water (I get dehydrated playing out)
Check: rare, but repair people like them... repair of air conditioning for the house
Credit: salads for everybody! and they forgot to make it debit so I signed.
Debit: fuel-up at the
Wawa (for you non philly people, it is the finest convenience store chain on the planet)
Cash: No idea. I did use it a couple of months ago to give change to some dude who came to buy things I posted on craigslist.
Check: monthly bills
Credit: grocery store this morning--we put absolutely everything on the cards and pay them off each month.
Debit: Never. No one gets permission to take money directly out of my bank account. If there's a mistake, it's my problem to get my money back. If there's a mistake on the credit card, it's their problem to make me pay it.
Oh...by debit did you mean Direct Debit mandates? Cause if so I have about £150 a month assorted DDs. I assumed you meant debit card.
Cash: ice cream at a fast food place after taking the pups to the vet so they each got a little bit, then we ate the rest
Check: water bill (they can't do e-pay or auto debit :right: )
Credit: this morning for online purchase - LED flashlights for an upcoming camping trip
Debit: groceries a week ago, to get some cash back
Oh...by debit did you mean Direct Debit mandates? Cause if so I have about £150 a month assorted DDs. I assumed you meant debit card.
yeah, i meant debit card
What about other forms of payment??
Cashier's Check: mortgage
Paypal: a part to try to repair the dryer
Barter: bottles, one type of beer for another type of beer
Just happened, update Debit: Cellar monthly colo bill
I assumed debit didn't include ATM withdrawals; I do those about once a month. I'm down to my last $8, so I probably should head over there sometime this week.
The cafeteria here at work takes credit cards, and doesn't ask us to sign the slip so it's ultra-convenient. I've taken to carrying my Amex in my pocket instead of my wallet. Sure, I've got a kajillion $2.28 charges every month -- but hey, it's 3% back baby!
Debit here is a big thing.
The majority of people use it every day, rather than draw cash from a cashpoint (ATM) or face credit card charges.
My parents, for example, use debit for 90% of their transactions. There is almost always something they need or Grandad needs on a daily basis, so it goes via debit. It's the same as cash after all, just less worrying than carrying cash for a 69 year old (Dad). Also they have records in case anyone queries Grandad's income and expenditure.
What about other forms of payment??
Cashier's Check: mortgage
Paypal: a part to try to repair the dryer
Barter: bottles, one type of beer for another type of beer
Just happened, update Debit: Cellar monthly colo bill
I don't think I've ever used a cashier's check..... maybe for the deposit on the house?
Paypal, prolly the tip jar
barter: I'm married, need I say more? :p
Western Union - once, to pay the mortgage, expensive and shitty
Electronic check - many bills, in fact it was hard convincing Verizon to stop!
Money order - not used
Oh...by debit did you mean Direct Debit mandates? Cause if so I have about £150 a month assorted DDs. I assumed you meant debit card.
yeah, i meant debit card
That's what I was thinking too--I don't do debit cards either. It's just as easy to steal a debit card number as it is a credit card number, IMHO. The difference is with one they take the credit card's money and I'm not liable. The other, they take my money, gone gone gone, then I may or may not be able to get it back.
Check: Rent
Cash: Tip for girl at the buffet Saturday.
Debt: Dinner at buffet.
Credit card: Don't even have one.
There's a $50 limit on your liability if your debit card or its number is lost or stolen.
Debit here is a big thing.
The majority of people use it every day, rather than draw cash from a cashpoint (ATM) or face credit card charges.
My parents, for example, use debit for 90% of their transactions. There is almost always something they need or Grandad needs on a daily basis, so it goes via debit. It's the same as cash after all, just less worrying than carrying cash for a 69 year old (Dad). Also they have records in case anyone queries Grandad's income and expenditure.
I pretty much live on my debit card. I rarely carry actual cash, beyond a few quid for bus fares and a coffee. I don't use credit cards any more. And there's onyl a charge on using debit cards if the purchase is less than £6.50 and then it's only .30p.
cash: bread at the bakery on the weekend
cheque: don't have a cheque book
credit: daryl's birthday present
debit: can't recall
We mostly use our credit card for everything and just pay it off at the end of the month. The main way I use my debit card is when I transfer money to it to withdraw cash to pay for things like bread and milk, or tuckshop for the kids. We rarely write cheques either, especially not for personal expenses, but occassionally for business purposes, and then of course it's a business cheque, so doesn't count for this purpose I don't think.
Cash: SoBe's and Cheetos for kidlet on the way home from work today.
Check: Electric bill yesterday
Credit: Don't own credit cards-bought car on credit nearly 2 years ago though
Debit: (This used like VISA but immediately withdrawn from account?) If so, all the time!! Ok, yesterday at the grocery store.
Cash: put money on my school account today (used in pop machines and cafe)
Check: electric bill, last Thursday
Credit: yesterday...rollerblades :) (I don't use credit much, and pay it off or close to off each month...rebuilding credit rating
Debit: Never had a debit card
Cash: Coffee every morning
Check: electric bill - Fookers want to charge me $10 to make a phone payment. :headshake
Credit: Last Thursday - Cell phone bill & large purchases only (free points.) I'd use it all the time, but I'm just uncomfortable having a balance more than $500. It all comes out of the same account anyway and it saves me interest to use my debit. They are both "insured" As UT said I'm only liable for the first $50.
Debit: Weekly food at the supermarket Saturday
cash: truck stop scale fee
check: um....set up my Direct Deposit in October (again!)
credit: paid em off years ago and don't have one but will eventually to increase credit limit
debit: my friend, I use it all the time for cash or small purchases
NOTE: If you use credit cards, you should NOT pay them off each month...carry a balance, even a small one. If you don't, the credit report shows you as carrying the maximum charge and not paying on it. Show steady use, not too much, not too little, carry a small balance and keep the payments up. That way if you suddenly need, oh, a car, you look better on paper.
NOTE: If you use credit cards, you should NOT pay them off each month...carry a balance, even a small one. If you don't, the credit report shows you as carrying the maximum charge and not paying on it. Show steady use, not too much, not too little, carry a small balance and keep the payments up. That way if you suddenly need, oh, a car, you look better on paper.
That's counter to everything I've ever heard anyone state ever.
NOTE: If you use credit cards, you should NOT pay them off each month...carry a balance, even a small one. If you don't, the credit report shows you as carrying the maximum charge and not paying on it. Show steady use, not too much, not too little, carry a small balance and keep the payments up. That way if you suddenly need, oh, a car, you look better on paper.
Um, no. Urban myth built up by the card companies.
I think he's right though.
that is, it's BS about carrying a balance being good.
If you pay off everymonth you do not get shown up as "carrying maximum balance -that's BS. But if you have huge credit limits, that can stop you getting credit even if your score ids good, because you have the potential to have a huge balance. Whether your cards are maxed out, have a small balance or are paid off has no bearing on this. If you want to be prepared in case you suddenly need a new line of credit, make sure your credit limits are not too far above what you actually need. credit card companies will often raise them with the minimum of notification. You can request that they be reduced. our primary CC once got up to about 20K limit :rolleyes: if we had ever got close to half of that we'd've been in deep doodoo.
I think he's right though.
no, he isn't. he's right that paying off your full balance every month doesn't mean it'll be easy to get a loan, but keeping a small balance is no different. it's all about potential balance. if you have the potential to max out your cards to half your salary and have a mortgage, no-one is going to give you an additional 20K line of credit even if you pay off all your cards every month and your mortgage on time.
When you go to get a loan, they assume you're using the whole limit of your card, so it goes toward your total amount of prior debt.
whether you pay it off or keep a small amount carry over, it makes no difference (eta: to your credit rating) if you're never late with your payments.
keeping a small balance shouldn't be a problem either, as long as it is small, but remember that if you never reduce it, it looks like your income is maxed out and you don't have room for any more payments, regardless of what your income/potential credit ratio is. also, you are pating interest for no good reason. you pay off your card every month -no fees, no interest.
omg ali, is that twice in a week? :lol:
In fact, even if you never pay it off and keep it close to its limit, as long as you make your minimum monthly payment it wont affect your credit rating one little bit.
Finance companies want to see evidence of your ability to make payments. They want to see major purchases paid for over time (carrying a balance), not just using your credit card like a cash/debit card and paying it off every month.
That's what Jim told me anyway...
I know. Wonders will obviously never cease. ;)
Finance companies want to see evidence of your ability to make payments. They want to see major purchases paid for over time (carrying a balance), not just using your credit card like a cash/debit card and paying it off every month.
That's what Jim told me anyway...
yebbut that's not credit cards (per se, although most of these types of things these days like to give you one just in case you want to owe them more.....). that's like getting new windows in your house, taking the credit option and paying it off. they do not see what you actually bought with your credit card.
Finance companies want to see evidence of your ability to make payments. They want to see major purchases paid for over time (carrying a balance), not just using your credit card like a cash/debit card and paying it off every month.
That's what Jim told me anyway...
Of course, but as far as CC's go, as long as you don't miss your payments you still look good on paper, if your total amount of debt isn't higher than what the finance company deems to be payable/affordable.
Everything you ever wanted to know about credit, credit scoring and ratings -
MyFico.com
I pay for a membership and have credit improvement goals (which do not involve revolving credit just yet). Great site and advice....
ps...paying it all off every month is not good (for your rating), nor is closing out an accounts or two if you think you're overextended. :headshake
one thing to note.....
many of these stories about how to get a good credit rating are told by people who have fucked up and are not yet totally fixed. It's like a religion. You have to have faith and you will get to heaven, even if it seems illogical sometimes. Unlike advice on fixing broken relationships, it's probably better to turn to the people who do have good credit scores and ask them what they do. Finance companies are not necessarily to be trusted as advisors, either. duh. You think they're really going to tell you how to fool them?
and there, while I was typing, stormie proves my point. You pay for membership to a site that gives you tips on how to improve your credit rating? :eek:
ps...paying it all off every month is not good (for your rating),
We pay ours off every month and have done forever and have a great credit rating. debunked.
Yeah...our credit rating is great and we pay ours off every month too.
So Stormie -sorry to seem to be picking on you but you're currently my most real example- would you pay membership to this site if their advice was to pay off as much as you can and reduce your credit limits where possible? And that was it?
my understanding of credit ratings after having worked in the banking sector (admittedly quite a few years ago) is that your actual rating is only affected by black marks when you miss payments, and even then, it's normally a manual process for a company to 'report' your default. Also, it's possible at times to negotiate with companies you've defaulted with to have those defaults removed from your rating.
Right. and it's that rating coupled with your potential balance (i.e. what you could owe if you maxed out everything tomorrow) that determine whether you can get a new loan or not.
If you pay for debt counselling/credit record advice, is it in their interests to help you get out of debt/improve the situation quickly and efficiently? or just slowly enough that you can see progress so you think it's working? i bet they offer a "maintenance program" once you're finally clear of debt and your rating is OK.
oooh it's the ali and monster show....who'd'a thunk it :lol:
I think that question should go in the navel gazing forum. lol
poor old stormie, I'm sorry, I'm really not picking on you, you just popped up right in the middle of me letting off steam....
What are you all steamed up about?
people with bad credit records dispensing bad credit advice....
lol...is something that doesn't affect you really worth getting steamed up about though?
no, that's why I like to let off a little (guffaw)
(is "let off" just a brit euphemism?)
nope...it gets used by people less crass than me over here too. :)
I have a really simple plan for improving/maintaining my good credit rating.
I pay my bills on time. :)
Seriously, I am a simple gal - I figure, if you have to play games to get a good credit score, I don't want to play. How hard can it be? Buy stuff, sometimes on credit - I like the "x months same as cash" deals; this is a good way to build credit without paying interest.
We do that a lot but generally only one loan at a time. We're going to have two of those going soon, 'cause we NEED a new a/c installed! But both are due to be paid off soon, it's not going to be a big problem.
if I carry a credit card balance, it's for a really good reason - a short, short term loan vs. unplanned spending. Therefore I know it'll get paid off in 3-4 months. If I need a loan longer than that, I get a home equity loan.
Sometimes I mess up and pay a bill late, but generally all that gets me is a late fee. I think you have to be >30 days late before it affects your credit rating.
you sound like a gal with a decent rating.....
I don't know what it's like over there, but you basically have to not pay a monthly bill for at least 3 months in a row before it's even close to going on your rating (in general).
LJ will know as he reviews credit histories every day
Well, I tell ya...never once in my life have I had a problem getting a loan or a credit card. We've bought houses three times, gotten five car loans, refinanced mortgages twice, gotten three home equity loans, and bought many appliances, carpets, and electronics "x months same as cash."
The only problem I have with loans is applying in my own name, because I am self-employed. And I still think I could, I just don't choose to because it can get complicated -- their systems just aren't set up for those who tend to get paid $5000 one month and $500 the next. :) So I just let hubby do it.
The whole credit score game is really simple. All you have to do is buy stuff using the appropriate form of credit (meaning, don't use a credit card for something you could get a home equity loan for) and pay it off on time. Take out credit cards wisely, with a purpose in mind, and be disciplined enough to use them for that purpose. Resist temptation to fiddle with your accounts any more than need be--the length of time you have an open account in good standing counts for more than almost anything else.
The whole deal with the credit card limits is to keep them at a reasonable ratio to your income level - and it's fine to leave the balances at zero. Too little open credit means you might not know how to use credit wisely - they don't know if you've only got a $500 credit card limit by choice or because the banks don't trust you enough to give you more. Too much open credit means you could conceivably go out tomorrow and max it all out, even if it's currently at zero.
There's no game to it, really. Just behave sanely and make your payments, keep it up over time, and you'll be fine.
this is actually an area that I have experience in. REAL actual non made up experience.
Your credit score is a constantly changing thing. The information that effects it is typically posted once per month by each reporting creditor......at varying times. It has many factors. One of those factors is availability of revolving credit(credit cards). If you have a $20,000 credit limit on your Visa and have $2000 balance, this will HELP your credit score. you have 90% available revolving. If you have a $19,000 balance, you're more of a risk and your score will plummet.....even if you always make that payment on time. NOW>>>>here's the worst part<<< if your score is low, and the CC companies check periodically.... the CC company may be able(based on your card holder agreement) to RAISE YOUR RATE! talk about fucking you long and hard.
But monster.....just so you know....available credit is a good thing. having had High credit (meaning having had a large balance reported to the bureau at one time) and currently having a low or zero balance is a positive thing. You could have a $15k limit on a card, but if the highest balance ever reported was $3k.....a human credit analyst will only count is as $3k worth of experience.
As for car buying power......you can slip thru automatic approval programs with all revolving credit history...if you have a high score, and long enough time in the bureau...and adequate income to afford the projected payment...but when an analyst looks at the file, they like to see previous Installment credit (car payments, mortgages, fixed payment loans) that are at least 50% of the applied for amount.
this is actually an area that I have experience in. REAL actual non made up experience.
snip
But monster.....just so you know....available credit is a good thing. having had High credit (meaning having had a large balance reported to the bureau at one time) and currently having a low or zero balance is a positive thing. You could have a $15k limit on a card, but if the highest balance ever reported was $3k.....a human credit analyst will only count is as $3k worth of experience.
large balance cleared is way different from retaining small balance.
and yes, nice when you get to deal with humans.
may be a sahm now, but I've sold credit cards, cancelled credit cards and approved them n my murky past... as well as having awesome credit now ;) that's sort of like not made up experience too, just so's you know and all.....
LJ will know as he reviews credit histories every day
right. and none of the rest of us can possibly know what we're talking about. Tell me, does he never approve loans that people default on?
yeah....I'm just saying that I know of what I speak. Not that you don't. retaining a small balance is relatively irrelevant. pattern of payments made on time, and available credit on an account that has been at a high point at some time is a helpful formula.
also....when you said that taking credit advice from people that have bad credit steams you.....that's kind of like not taking advice from a doctor that's been sick.
Some times, people have to make choices about what bills they can pay.......credit ratings can suffer as a result. It doesn't mean they don't understand how it all works.
also....when you said that taking credit advice from people that have bad credit ....that's kind of like not taking advice from a doctor that's been sick.
hmm well I'd take advice from a doctor who was better, but not one who'd been perpetually sick and was stillcoughing and spluttering. Better analogy for what I said, I think you'll find.
Why don't you both say you know what you're talking about, but from different perspectives? ;)
Some times, people have to make choices about what bills they can pay.......credit ratings can suffer as a result. It doesn't mean they don't understand how it all works.
sometimes. But usually poor understanding of their situation or poor financial choices is what got them there in the first place, so for all of the people out there wanting to offer advice, they wouldn't be the highest on my list.
whatever.
Anytime, fresh....
It has been said that those who choose to study psychology/psychiatry are in need of the most help themselves. If we assume this is a fact, then it forms the same conclusion as people with bad credit history being able to give good advice.
I think the first thing they'd say is, "Pay your bills on time idiot". lol
... or, live within your means.
If you are bleeding, look for a man with scars.
lumberjim, I'm glad you chimed in because I have a question for you.
I have my eye on a car, and went so far as to fill out the online credit application for the dealership. Having had financial problems in the past, I hoped that my current income would play into it. I've heard nothing back from them. Another dealership, for which I did NOT fill out a credit application, emails me all the time.
I wonder if it's just slackage on the part of the first dealer, or if there is a problem. Do they tend to even look at those things as more than a way to start contacting you, if it's your first contact?
What do you suggest I do? They want to sell a car, right? The car is well within my price range, and payments would be no problem, but if they won't finance me I don't know what other options I have.
Any help would, um, help. :)
... or, live within your means.
If you are bleeding, look for a man with scars.
Absolutely. But not one who's still bleeding or has crusty pus-filled scabs ;)
----------------
yay shawnee, you bring the thread some purpose!
Absolutely. But not one who's still bleeding or has crusty pus-filled scabs
I'll take the doctor who was not sick, but who healed the man with all the scars. ;)
It has been said that those who choose to study psychology/psychiatry are in need of the most help themselves. If we assume this is a fact, then it forms the same conclusion as people with bad credit history being able to give good advice.
I think the first thing they'd say is, "Pay your bills on time idiot". lol
And definately don't be an idiot and get a divorce or laid off, or god forbid, both within a short time of each other. You may as well just go catch the short bus.
True, Stormie...life throws you that kind of crap sometimes, can't we be more than just numbers?
I just thought of a new industry that should take off: Psychology Lending. They'll look at your credit ratings, sure, but they'll also sit down and talk to you and ask you things like "Now, WHY would you just sign the house over in the divorce because it was easier on you emotionally?" and gauge your current situation and ability to have your shit together.
I say this jokingly but it's not a bad idea. :)
And definitely don't be an idiot and get a divorce or laid off, or god forbid, both within a short time of each other. You may as well just go catch the short bus.
Eh proof of that one! The divorce hurt a lot, not only emotionally, but also financially when you find all that your ex was hiding from you. OH, and that she is still trying to get loans and such in your name. That'll hurt your credit rating - A LOT.
But letting the creditors know what happened and making regular payments can help improve your score.
Then after a couple year you can talk to your buddy and he'll find you the car of your dreams AND tell you the best way to get the loan.... People like that make a big difference in MY world. They are overwhelmingly outnumbered by assholes who are just out to make a buck.
[COLOR="White"](Thanks again Jim, I still love my car)[/COLOR]
Absolutely. But not one who's still bleeding or has crusty pus-filled scabs ;)
:lol:
I'll take the doctor who was not sick, but who healed the man with all the scars. ;)
Depends. What if he went to the doctor with mild dandruff?
Depends. What if he went to the doctor with mild dandruff?
There, again, you're supposed to be smart enough to avoid the scalpel-wielding doctor with the crazed look in his eyes and the maniacal laugh. But that's just me (no, the scalpel-wielding doctor is not me.)
60% of bankruptcies are tied to medical bills. It seems unfair to blame people for their lack of 'living within their means' when the evidence points to a much larger issue.
Fair point there.
Perhaps they should just die within their means? (joke :rolleyes:)
lumberjim, I'm glad you chimed in because I have a question for you.
I have my eye on a car, and went so far as to fill out the online credit application for the dealership. Having had financial problems in the past, I hoped that my current income would play into it. I've heard nothing back from them. Another dealership, for which I did NOT fill out a credit application, emails me all the time.
I wonder if it's just slackage on the part of the first dealer, or if there is a problem. Do they tend to even look at those things as more than a way to start contacting you, if it's your first contact?
What do you suggest I do? They want to sell a car, right? The car is well within my price range, and payments would be no problem, but if they won't finance me I don't know what other options I have.
Any help would, um, help. :)
PMing you
from Pie's link:
"92 percent of these medical debtors had medical debts over $5,000, or 10 percent of pretax family income," the researchers wrote.
that means their GROSS annual income was $50,000 or LESS. That is not a large number.
Many of them were virtually treating them as ATM's. Many were taking out home equity loans and living off the increase in their home's value. That ride ended rather abruptly. Living beyond their means created the situation, their unfortunate medical expenses just pushed them over the edge.
Also, most of them already had insurance. Therefore, insuring additional people who don't have any currently is not going to change this specific issue.
“The traditional reasons for bankruptcy — illness, divorce and job loss — haven’t gone away,” said Deborah K. Thorne, an assistant professor of sociology at Ohio University whose expertise is in consumer debt and bankruptcy. “With houses no longer A.T.M.’s for paying bills, that escape route is gone.”
It is a three pronged problem.
Illness is a part of it, it always has been, but job loss and divorce rates are at all time highs. They are the real culprits in my opinion, not the health insurance situation. Too many lived for too long on credit and now its time to pay for it - they are. The medical situation is more of an excuse for poor money management than anything else.
I'm assuming that figure about bankruptcies is only US? I highly doubt that'd be the case here, thanks to our public health system. ;)
:lol: Ali you naughty little shit-stirrer. Next thing we know you'll be suggesting another safari or something.
"It may sound boring" says Leroy, "but you can't get away from the fact that if you borrow you will eventually have to pay it all back - plus some!"
"The old wisdom that you need to set something aside for the rainy days whilst the going is good seems to have been forgotten by people, too many of whom have been relying on increasing asset prices, such as their homes, to get them out of trouble. "
Thanks to lumberjim's guidance and advice, I've made actual contact with the dealership and am working on the process.
I would have just given up.
Thanks jim!
FTR - this week I have acquired a Pay As You Go credit card.
I researched it thoroughly before committing (although in fact I am not committed, if I leave the balance at £0 for 6 months it is cancelled).
There are no monthly or annual fees either.
It just means when (I mean IF) an internet bargain comes along, I don't have to borrow someone else's card. And if I keep £10 on the card I don't have to worry about it being cancelled.
It's not credit, but it has the benefit of credit without the risk. Yes it costs more (in top up fees and per transaction fees) but they are all up front and no danger of l'il Miss Irresponsible racking up debts.
Those are a good idea, and very handy when you need a credit card. Good move, SG!
:lol: Ali you naughty little shit-stirrer. Next thing we know you'll be suggesting another safari or something.
OK ok...I was having a jab, but I definitely wont be going so far as to suggest another safari. lol Doomed...doomed I tell ya! ;)
What's this cash thing I keep hearing about?