The only thing I use a debit card for is to get cash from a machine.

I've never understood any real advantage of using a debit card for purchases. I always pay off my credit card in full, so when I charge something it may be up to 5 or 6 weeks before I have to pay for it at absolutely no additional cost to me. Why do people want to "lose" their cash from their checking accounts immediately when someone else will "fund" you for free for a month or more -- and give you FF miles or other advantages to boot? (Although I guess some debit cards will also give you that last benefit, too).

NeoPatrick, some of us aren't so good at budgeting so if we use the debit card the money shows as "gone" in our accounts. If we use the credit card, we might forget about the purchase and accidentally overspend that month. Nothing is worse than getting a much higher credit card bill than you were expecting because you forgot about some purchases!

I agree with NeoPatrick -- that's the way I do it, but I have the funds to take care of the balance once the bill arrives.

Monica makes a good point also. Some can't seem to manage their charging as well as others, and it might be better to pay as you go. There's no one shoe to fit all.

One way to never overspend when you use a credit card is make sure the cash is in the bank before you make a purchase. In other words use the credit card as others use a debit card. By looking at it this way you can pay the bill in full when it comes in and no harm done. Why not get the 5% cash back, air miles or what ever is offered. Its free.

Husband and I are both very good at "managing our charging" - but with joint checking account, debit card works best for us. That way I don't have to manage his charging or he mine - on-line banking lets us know the balance and avoid situations where he buys an expensive suit and I buy yet some more shoes in the same month.

And since savings, retirement, payment to son's college and mortgage - all the big things - disappear automatically from our account, it is nice to be able to see exactly what is left before the fact, rather than when credit card bill arrives.

I only use my credit card for car rentals and emergencies. Everything else is paid in cash (usually via debit cards). I like the control it gives me. If I have the money in the account, I buy it. If I don't, I don't. I also don't put all my paycheck into the checking account at once. I move it in stages so that I have to think before I buy something unplanned.

I have found that I buy a lot less now than when I used my credit cards, but what I do buy I really really am happy with.

OK, I guess I now understand why some people like the debit cards -- it just doesn't make sense to me.

I guess if you are unable to figure out that you can't charge more than you have in your checking account, then having somebody tell you each time is a good idea. in other words if you use a debit card they'll tell you that you can't buy anything more and deny the purchase, but with a credit card you'd actually have to figure that out for yourself. Using a credit card and NOT spending more than you can afford does require a little common sense.

Gee, Patrick, that sounds a bit patronizing. I have eliminated credit cards and my husband and I recently made a switch to no credit cards in an effort to simplify, not because we don't have enough common sense to manage our money. My time is money, as I currently run two businesses. Not having to worry about statements and bills for my personal or business spending makes things easier all the way around. For both personal and business we use debit cards with miles. Everything is on one statement, easily exported to Quickbooks. My bookkeeper is happier and I have an instant and immediate handle on what is going where. It has nothing to do with spending until the card is denied or not being able to budget funds.

As for renting cars with debit cards I have done it several times with no problem or credit check. I do have a real VISA tucked into my wallet, but I've not had to break it out since we went "no credit." My bank account always has sufficient funds to cover the $250 - 300 withdrawal from the account when renting a car. When I am in L.A. I rent from Fox Rentals and they gladly accept debit cards with a return ticket. I have also recently rented from Budget, arriving late at night in San Diego and renting at the airport location. No problems, no credit check. But I do understand that not all locations will accept the debit card as a deposit. Heck, some Enterprise locations even accept a cash deposit when renting.

we're in our late twenties and are still climbing out of credit card debt leftover from our early 20's, so now that we're on track, we don't spend money we don't have- pay cash (debit) for everything unless it's an emergency or a really big purchase.

None of our credit cards have fancy perks like miles-- we're waiting to sign up for those once we're 100% debt free (and we're also working on college loans repayments).

So since we can't just pay off the credit card bills in full each month yet, we avoid using when possible.

here today, then I certainly wasn't talking about you -- you offer some reasons valid for you. Perhaps my post was "patronizing" but I'm sorry I just don't "get" someone saying, "if I go shopping with a debit card and there's only $500 in my checking account then I know that's all I can spend, but if I have only $500 in my checking account, I'm unable to figure out that with a credit card I still have to limit my purchases to that same amount. But I do realize that if a person is unable to control spending only the amount of money they have, then perhaps the debit card IS a good idea. But I do understand it. It's not unlike an alcoholic who can't stop with one drink. I can. Some can't control their spending and need help also.

Another thing to consider. Some can not get or no longer can get a credit card for one reason or another.... Their only option is the debit card or carry a wad of cash. I will not carry the debit card. Don't like the "credit" feature offered with no pin required being attached to my bank account. I like the buffer a credit card provides since an unauthorized transaction is only against a credit line. I will use the old ATM card because of the pin requirement.

Neo - I think you meant me.

I have never had to have my card denied to know when I was short on money. I am quite capable of knowing when my account is low. I simply find that I am much more aware of what I'm spending my money on when I "see it" getting deducted out of my account as I go (especially since I don't keep a huge amount in my checking account).

I did the credit cards before (paying in full each month), and I never saw much of a benefit and it was harder to remember what I'd spent and when until that statement came. And of course, they all have a different due date that never seems to correspond with payday.

And, by using just debit and cash, that's one less bill I have to pay next month. I hate paying for dinner 3 weeks after I ate it.

I have a VISA/Debit/ATM card. I disabled the VISA portion of the card because if lost, someone could empty out my checking account using the VISA portion without having to use a PIN. Also, when the VISA was activated, I used it in a couple of places where the charges were accidently run thru the machine twice. While I eventually got the duplicated debited charges from my checking account back, it was a pain in the arse getting it done.

I understand BofA will immediately put the money back into your account once you report it, but my bank won't. I would have to write up a disputed charge report then get some bureaucrat to approve it.

Check with your local institution for their rules in this situation.

Then you have an ATM card. Why not refuse the Visa debit card entirely and just ask the financial institution for The ATM card, that is what I did. Its used only at an ATM. Never for point of sales transactions. I use my credit cards same as most use a debit card, you are doing this when you pay in full each billing cycle.

NeoPatrick - I am fairly good at math and my memory has not started to fade yet. But between bills paid from checking account, purchases and cash withdrawels, husband and I have perhaps 40-50 transactions per month from checking account.

My brain is filled with far more important things than keeping this running total in my mind, nor do I want my dinner conversation with my husband to be "how much did you spend today on the credit card" - so with a debit card I always know how much is in the account.

Could I do it with a credit card - sure - but this is easier for me.

Gail, forgive me, but I guess that's the point I don't get. I think one of the things I don't like about debit cards is that you need to remember every transaction and go home and record it in your check book, to make sure you don't overdraw before a monthly deposit is made or base it on the day of the month of an automatic payment from the checking account. With all your monthly numbers, I'd think that would drive ME crazy, keeping track of the timing of it all.
Plus, I don't get why you'd have to remember to tell your husband how much you spent on the credit cards today, but you don't have to remember how much you spent on your debit cards. What's the difference? Assuming you have a computer you can also check either one anytime on line if you really forget.

Some people do things one way, and some people do things the other way. That's what makes the world go round.

"Some people do things one way, and some people do things the other way. That's what makes the world go round."

That's really the point that some people on Fodors don't seem to get. I'm often amazed at how far some people will go to try to convince others that their position is the one and only logical way. To them, any other way just lacks common sense.

Also what some people don't "get" is that some of us are curious why people do things a certain way. I'm curious why people find it "easier" to use a debit card rather than a credit card. That's why I keep saying "what am I missing?" Several have explained reasons why debit cards work for them. Perhaps I'll learn somehing I've missed. Is that a bad thing?

I'm sorry, if my curiosity about why it is easier to remember what charges one makes on a debit card than it is to remember the charges one makes on a credit card. If such questions bother you, perhaps you should skip over them?

I'm not aware that I've made any attempt to convince people that "my way is better" if that's what some of you are implying.