Which method do you use to pay monthly bills?

[clifish]

Damn!!!
I read the first two articles, I'll read the rest in the morning.
Thank you very much, we might not go the C.C. route after all, even though we do pay them off each month normally.

I only read the first two so far, Still going to use the card. I never carry a balance, have enough emergency funds to access. I will choose to pay cash if I think the fee from the merchant is too high as some restaurants are up to 4%.

I don't agree with the statement made about using a debit card instead. I have witnessed first hand with my daughter, that you don't get the same protection as paying with a cc....I still and never had a debit card linked to any bank account.

 

[clifish]

I run everything through my Wells Fargo Active Cash card. Gets 2% back. A couple bills charge for credit cards, those I set to auto pay from checking.

Side bar, We also have the executive Costco membership that gets another 2% back. And try to buy as much there as possible for savings. the 2% covers the membership cost. Then use the Wells card there so its actually 4% back at Costco.

I also get 5% back when filling my tank with the Costco card and they are cheaper per gallon as well.

 

[mneeley490]

I pay the monthly bills online thru Bank of America. Day to day stuff, mostly use my Costco Citi card, then pay it off every month. It adds up. Citi is sending me a rebate check this month for around $600. I think that's separate from the Costco rebate (also have the Executive membership card.)

 

[sandyut]

CC are much safer too. Any issues and I just dispute the charge and they take care of it. They have always refunded the disputed charge. I bought a refer from a big box store and it was acting up, couldnt get the store or manufacturer to do anything. Disputed the charge=free refrigerator. I did have documentation of all the run around BS from both the store and LG.

I never use dept cards for that reason, mucher hard to get money back on an issue or scam charge.

 

[MileHighSmokerGirl]

Not trying to knock anyone, but a lot of people have a misconception that a credit card is safer than a debit card.

Not true.

Your bank will offer you the same protection as a credit card for unauthorized charges.

Debit card has a pin # to withdraw cash from the ATM and make purchases at the POS.

Credit card has a pin # to withdraw cash from the ATM. Unlike a debit card, you usually sign at the POS instead of entering a pin #.

Debit vs. Credit: Which Is Better?

Debit or credit? When you’re faced with that choice at a store, which one is best for your finances? Find out here!

www.ramseysolutions.com

The ONLY OTHER difference I've encountered is at Budget Car Rental they told me I needed a credit check since I didnt have a credit card and then denied me a rental with a 787 credit score...

So I went next door to Alamo and rented a car for $30 extra (super annoying to my budget but not a deal breaker) with my debit card.

 

[ifitsdeadsmokeit]

I use online bill pay at my credit union for almost everything. I have a couple bills go on cc but only because I get a discount. I go in each month and tell it how much to pay. I could set it up to auto pay but I dont trust anyone that much. I have written maybe five checks in past few years. Venmo and paypal come in handy at times too.

 

[Norwester55]

I use online billpay at my credit union also except for the one place that doesn't accept online bill payments. For them I have to send a check. A couple books of checks last me for years!

 

[SmokyMose]

I pay with a mailed check whenever possible. That's mainly utilities or med bills.
I guess I'm "old school", but I just don't trust the internet. The only things I have on auto-pay (which I hate) is auto insurance and internet to a Chase card. Nothing is auto from my Debit/Checking. The bank handles property tax and homeowners insurance and I rarely use credit cards and couldn't care less about points....

 

[JckDanls 07]

I pay with a mailed check whenever possible. That's mainly utilities or med bills.
I guess I'm "old school", but I just don't trust the internet. The only things I have on auto-pay (which I hate) is auto insurance and internet to a Chase card. Nothing is auto from my Debit/Checking. The bank handles property tax and homeowners insurance and I rarely use credit cards and couldn't care less about points....

That's us to a T right there... Only difference is we only have one autopay... And that's her cell phone for a discount... Otherwise it's all checks... She enjoys doing it (kinda) and it gives her something to do.... Exercise her mind...

 

[Hijack73]

Not trying to knock anyone, but a lot of people have a misconception that a credit card is safer than a debit card.

Not true.

Your bank will offer you the same protection as a credit card for unauthorized charges.

Debit card has a pin # to withdraw cash from the ATM and make purchases at the POS.

Credit card has a pin # to withdraw cash from the ATM. Unlike a debit card, you usually sign at the POS instead of entering a pin #.

Debit vs. Credit: Which Is Better?

Debit or credit? When you’re faced with that choice at a store, which one is best for your finances? Find out here!

www.ramseysolutions.com

The ONLY OTHER difference I've encountered is at Budget Car Rental they told me I needed a credit check since I didnt have a credit card and then denied me a rental with a 787 credit score...

So I went next door to Alamo and rented a car for $30 extra (super annoying to my budget but not a deal breaker) with my debit card.

I disagree a bit. All of your points are correct.

Credit cards do often provide you with an extra cushion of warranty. I've never had to use that so I cannot speak to the process. I know the process exists.

I've yet to lose a chargeback case with a credit card company. This is the ultimate protection.

My credit unions - you bought it and it doesn't work right? Tried to get your money back and seller refused? Tough.

My credit cards - I bought it and it doesn't work right and you tried to get the seller to make it right - you get your money back. Every time in my case.

My credit unions - I bought this online and it doesn't match the description and I can show I tried to get the seller to make it right? It's mine, no money back.

My credit cards - I bought this online and it doesn't match the description and I tried to get the seller to make it right? It's mine, got my money back.

 

[MileHighSmokerGirl]

I disagree a bit. All of your points are correct.

Credit cards do often provide you with an extra cushion of warranty. I've never had to use that so I cannot speak to the process. I know the process exists.

I've yet to lose a chargeback case with a credit card company. This is the ultimate protection.

My credit unions - you bought it and it doesn't work right? Tried to get your money back and seller refused? Tough.

My credit cards - I bought it and it doesn't work right and you tried to get the seller to make it right - you get your money back. Every time in my case.

My credit unions - I bought this online and it doesn't match the description and I can show I tried to get the seller to make it right? It's mine, no money back.

My credit cards - I bought this online and it doesn't match the description and I tried to get the seller to make it right? It's mine, got my money back.

I haven't had that issue with Navy Federal Credit Union. I haven't ever lost a chargeback.

I used to bank with Bellco but that "credit union" is complete trash.

 

[normanaj]

Not trying to knock anyone, but a lot of people have a misconception that a credit card is safer than a debit card.

Not true.

A CC is absolutely safer.

Why?Unlike a bank debit card it does not directly debit from your checking account but from your line of credit,that in itself makes it safer.

Regardless of the protections provided by the issuing bank of your DC when you get scammed that money is gone from your checking account until the bank makes good on it and that can take time.With a CC that same scam just shows up on your bill until the CC issuer makes good but you still retain your liquid assets in your checking account.As long you have the self control to use your CC like you would use your DC and pay the balance on it every month a CC is absolutely a safer way to buy.

I have 13,500 reasons why I know the above to be true.

 

[yankee2bbq]

i use the “five finger discount” if you know what I mean.

Banjo man out.

 

[Brokenhandle]

Been screwed over using a debit card and trying to get my money back. Not once using a credit card. Many places don't take checks anymore, thus my movement to using credit cards. Add to that the increase of mail theft and warnings from banks not to trust this method of payment much.
I pay any bill I can with credit card to earn the cash back. Pay it off every month. Except if it's a business that charges the 3 to 4 % fee to use credit cards. Common sense... if I get 1.5% cash back but a business charges me 3 to 4%, that's a no brainer.

Ryan

 

[MileHighSmokerGirl]

A CC is absolutely safer.

Why?Unlike a bank debit card it does not directly debit from your checking account but from your line of credit,that in itself makes it safer.

Regardless of the protections provided by the issuing bank of your DC when you get scammed that money is gone from your checking account until the bank makes good on it and that can take time.With a CC that same scam just shows up on your bill until the CC issuer makes good but you still retain your liquid assets in your checking account.As long you have the self control to use your CC like you would use your DC and pay the balance on it every month a CC is absolutely a safer way to buy.

I have 13,500 reasons why I know the above to be true.

Honestly, you could just use Privacy.com and you go in the app load the virtual credit card up and pay your bills and get the same protection as a credit card without exposing your debit card into or risking the info.

Virtual Cards To Protect Your Payments | Virtual Payment Cards

Virtual payment cards shield your true debit and credit card numbers online. Generate secure virtual card numbers everywhere you spend and protect against fraud.

www.privacy.com

You can disagree all you want. It doesn't change the facts.

Visa Debit/Visa credit card have the same protections.

Mastercard debit/Mastercard Credit Card have the same protections.

 

[Hijack73]

@MileHighSmokerGirl - credit unions and banks and credit reporting agencies disagree. But you are free to believe whatever you choose to believe. Navy Federal offers members zero liability - that's a perk of that particular institution. Federal law mandates credit card fraud protection, it's not up to particular institutional policies.

https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/are-credit-cards-safer-than-debit-cards/

Consumer Protection: Which Option is Best?

Credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payments each have pros and cons. When should you use each?

www.ccfcu.org

https://www.citizensbank.com/learning/when-to-use-cash-credit-debit.aspx

These are facts.

 

[clifish]

Sooo, what CC do you have that you are happy with? Looking for a new everyday card.

 

[Brokenhandle]

Sooo, what CC do you have that you are happy with? Looking for a new everyday card.

I use a Capitol One CC that I use as my daily use. Have a Bank of America one but don't use it as much. On the Capitol One I get 1.5% cash back on everything. Probably out of convenience, just keep using it but I don't like change. I don't believe there's an annual fee on it. Not sure of interest rate since I pay it off every month. They like me using it as they keep raising my credit limit without me asking.

Ryan

 

[sandyut]

Sooo, what CC do you have that you are happy with? Looking for a new everyday card.

Wells Fargo active cash.

 

[Gonna Smoke]

I use a Capitol One CC that I use as my daily use. Have a Bank of America one but don't use it as much. On the Capitol One I get 1.5% cash back on everything. Probably out of convenience, just keep using it but I don't like change. I don't believe there's an annual fee on it. Not sure of interest rate since I pay it off every month. They like me using it as they keep raising my credit limit without me asking.

Ryan

I'm the same Ryan and there is no annual fee on my Capital One card. The Citibank card I have is the one I've had the longest and use the least. They used to charge an annual fee of $75, I think. I called to cancel it and told them why, they stop charging me the fee. Still have it, but only Sheila uses it.

CC companies don't like people like you and me who pay off our balance every month...