I have had several cards. I have used them and gotten into trouble.

1 Good: car rentals, hotels, reservations
2 Bad: shopping, online ordering (Its just too easy)
3 Ugly: using them to help my business (Needless to say... the business failed)

So now I find myself dreading the bill collectors 15 times a day. I am doing my best to work with them, but I am failing horribly.

Lesson learned. Pay them off every month and only use them if you have to.

Credit Cards, handy but troubling.

Good: Payments Online or places where it is not good to carry around cash.
Bad: Large Payments, Shopping, Buying expensive make-up/clothes
Ugly: Not paying them off and letting the interest stack up.

It is very important to manage them well if you want to stay debt free.

Good: I use my card for purchasing online products and services
Bad : I tend to pay the minimum due
Ugly : I incur over the credit limit purchases

The credit card must be used wisely.

Good- I use mine mainly to make hotel reservations and for any car rentals. And I try to pay it off as soon as I can.

Good : very useful during emergencies.
Bad : Shopping when something is necessary.
Ugly : When i carry huge balances and ever changing interest rates.

Just use a visa bank card at your local Credit union or bank. I am able to rent a card, hotel, buy stuff online, stores and etc..... They even protect you against fraud.

Credit cards are great, it's the people that use them incorrectly that are bad.

Credit cards offer one of the best ways to build credit and offer a lot of protection.


DEBIT CARDS:
I personally only use my credit card or cash. I don't carry or own a debit card. So we are clear, when speaking of debit cards I am referring to the ATM style cards with the VISA/MC logos that allows you to do debit or credit when used in a store. I do own and use a ATM card that does not have a VISA/MC logo, it only allows you to use it at a ATM. With a debit card it is to easy to steal and use. Even if you do not carry the card. If you do get hit with your card stolen and used, you money in the bank is gone. The bank will have to do an investigation which will be on their time so it may not be fast. You also may not ever collect the full amount. During that time you could have transactions going through like a house payment that may bounce or other debit card transactions. Now you will get hit with little or no money to pay your bills causing them to be late, possible fees from your bank, and create a big nightmare. If you are interest in getting a ATM and canceling your debit card, speak to your bank. Or, if you are opening a new account, you must request a ATM only. Banks now days send debit cards by default since it makes them money.


CREDIT CARDS:
If you use your credit card for daily purchases and pay it off in full every month and someone steals or uses it, now your dealing with the banks money instead of yours. Trust me, the bank will be all over it since it's their money. You also won't have to worry about recouping lost cash from your account, still have your cash, and you build credit every month. You also may be able to capitalize on other benefits such as cash back bonuses, rental car insurance, and extended warranties on products you purchase.

CASH:
If you carry cash, your only able to lose or have stolen the amount you are carrying and no more.

If you have trouble using your cards wisely and can not budget your money, you have other issues that need addressing which is of no fault of the credit card companies or anyone else for that matter.

Good: Earning cash back or rewards and being able to earn interest in my savings account until the credit card payment is due.

Bad: Potential headache if lost or stolen.

Ugly: Finance charges if you slip up and miss your payment deadline even by an hour. Hence, use online account management and schedule payments ahead of time or enroll in auto-pay.

Credit cards are good if you know on how to use them wisely such as rewards cards give you money, miles or points back when you use them. But if you have high interest rates and spend more then what you could afford then they will get you in trouble.

I have seen people go out and buy clothes because they are 15% off and put them on their credit cards with 23% interest. What rewards are worth the interest on credit cards? Looks good on paper but putting it into practice is difficult.