Why Do Credit Cards Get Such A Bad Reputation?

I guess it is about time I shared an opinionated blog post.  I don't set out to offend, and I doubt this post will offend.  I just wanted to put it out there that what I am about to share is my opinion and nothing more.

I often see people speaking negatively of credit cards.  Most recently, I noticed this on the message boards for Confessions of a Shopaholic, which was essentially a film about a young woman who abused her credit card (review coming soon).  I have no problem with people not using credit cards.  That is a personal choice, regardless of the reason behind it.  That said, it does bother me when people mention their non- use of credit cards in a way that implies that people who do use credit cards are idiots for doing so.

I believe that when used properly, a credit card can be a valuable tool.  There are multiple reasons behind this.  First off, credit cards will not charge interest on any charges paid off by the due date specified on the bill.  This allows for me to purchase items without being forced to carry cash, and I earn cash back in return.  Both of those are very major perks.  Last June my wallet was stolen.  I had a small amount of cash and a couple credit cards.  The cash was gone, but it was an amount significantly less than it would have been had I not been using credit cards for the majority of my purchases.  I promptly canceled all of my cards, and found that one was used for over $200.  I was not liable for one cent of it.  Had I been carrying cash instead, I would have been out $200.

Using my credit card also earns me cash back.  Up to 5% on certain purchases.  Many times, this 5% is available in a category I often purchase anyway, such as gas or groceries.  It could add up to an easy $20 dollars a month, just for buying the same things I'd normally use cash for.

Understandably, credit cards aren't for everybody.  Not everybody can be handed this magical card the allows them to buy as much as they want without paying upfront.  I can imagine that it could be easy to lose track of charges as well.  This is when credit card companies become the bad guy by charging interest.  It is their right, though, as they are loaning a user credit, which in the long run, the credit company is accountable for.  They are also known for changing their terms in a way that is unfair to the user.  This can also be avoided if the user is careful.

Honestly, in spite of the negative aspects, I find credit cards to be very useful.  I also know many people who have gotten themselves into trouble with credit cards, and have written them off with good reason.  Others choose not to use them for a wide variety of reasons, and I hold no objections to that.  On the other hand, I just don't like hearing comments such as "oh, this is why credit cards shouldn't exist" and the next time I pull out my plastic, I hope those who have negative opinions of credit cards don't assume I am up to my ears in debt, because that is far from the truth.

Readers:  No specific questions this time, I would love for you to share you thoughts

Freebies from the Internet

I recently joined a website called Swagbucks.  Out of all the internet "freebies" concepts out there, this one seems to be the most rewarding.  It may take a long time to stack up enough Swagbucks to earn something, but they sure do seem to add up quick.  The concept is that you earn points through various ways and can redeem them for a wide variety of items in the Swagstore.  They have various things from gift cards, to books, to magazine subscriptions, MP3s, TV show episodes.  Maybe you could even save up for a PS3...

There are various ways you can earn the points.  The first and easiest way is to use the search function.  It is a search powered by Ask and Google, so the results are decent.  I do find what I'm looking for when I used the search function.  For some reason there are only two or three pages of results, but I know that if I don't find what I'm looking for by the second or third page, it is time to reform my search.  I have earned close to twenty Swagbucks in just under two weeks by casually searching.  They offer special search sites that feature a specific band or sports team, and the Swagstore from that site will also carry specific merchandise.  For example, I search with The Who, and have access to a variety of The Who merchandise if I choose.

The next way is to refer somebody.  My referral link is on the side bar of the blog, and also where the link above will take you.  For every person you refer, you earn one Swagbuck for every Swagbuck they earn for the first 100 Swagbucks.  If you have many friends, this could add up quickly.

Swagbucks also runs many different competitions or offer random codes for redemption of Swagbucks.  I've gotten an email newsletter with a code, gone on a quick scavenger hunt on a t-shirt website (all I had to do was find a red shirt with Chuck Norris on it, the code was in the product description.)  They do Twitter word contests, trivia, prediction polls, and many other things.

The final way that I've found is through the completion of special offers.  I renewed my subscription to a magazine I normally read anyway, and earned a quick 20 Swagbucks.  Haven't tried Netflix yet?  Sign up for another 75 Swagbucks.  Disney Movie Club?  150 Swagbucks.  Those two things I had signed up to prior to Swagbucks, so I'm a little bummed I missed out.

In just two weeks I've already earned enough points to redeem for a $5 Amazon gift card, $25 dollar Resturaunts.com gift card, several different comic books or gift cards, and a Detroit Lions' pennant, just to give some examples.  This is two weeks of doing no extra work at all, just using Swagbucks in place of Google.  I'll have to post an update when I actually redeem something, but in the mean time, it is definantly worth a shot.