Do you save first, then travel, or travel and go into debt?
Feb 10th, 2009, 09:12 AM
#83
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We use our CC for EVERYTHING. Really, EVERYTHING. However, we don't spend money we don't have for ANYTHING so the bills are paid in full each month and we have never carried any CC debt. Trips are no different. If we can't afford the trip, then it needs to be rescoped or shelved for another time.
I can't imagine taking on debt for anything other than a home. Not even a car. Paying interest on a depreciating asset or an experience is not worth it in my mind.
taitai
I can't imagine taking on debt for anything other than a home. Not even a car. Paying interest on a depreciating asset or an experience is not worth it in my mind.
taitai
Feb 10th, 2009, 09:39 AM
#84
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Author: taitai
Date: 02/10/2009, 01:12 pm
We use our CC for EVERYTHING. Really, EVERYTHING. However, we don't spend money we don't have for ANYTHING so the bills are paid in full each month and we have never carried any CC debt. Trips are no different. If we can't afford the trip, then it needs to be rescoped or shelved for another time.
Same here!
Date: 02/10/2009, 01:12 pm
We use our CC for EVERYTHING. Really, EVERYTHING. However, we don't spend money we don't have for ANYTHING so the bills are paid in full each month and we have never carried any CC debt. Trips are no different. If we can't afford the trip, then it needs to be rescoped or shelved for another time.
Same here!
Feb 13th, 2009, 05:55 AM
#92
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DH and I have traveled to all the US states except Hawaii. We pay cash all the way. Except we do carry one credit card for gas/hotels. But as soon as the bill comes in it is paid off. If one has to go into debt they should not go. Obviously they cannot afford it.
Feb 13th, 2009, 06:26 AM
#93
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Can't believe I haven't responded to this one - Our airfare & place(s) to stay will typically be paid for well in advance (up to a year at times). The only costs we incur on the trip are food, entertainment, some transportation, etc. We usually take ample cash but will also use the credit card for the ease of doing business as well. When the bill comes, we pay it off. The answer, I guess would really be both, but we never really go into 'debt' per se.
Feb 13th, 2009, 07:59 AM
#95
We put absolutely everything on our cards for the miles.
We don't spend any more or less than if we were walking around with a pocket full of cash.
The only difference is I pull out a card when paying instead of cash.
The balance is paid off every month.
I have found something interesting.
At times when we've made a very large purchase such as hurricane shutters (we live in South Florida), part of the purchase price of a car, etc I have found that for some reason the Visa bill doesn't arrive that month. Then the next one has interest on it.
Of course we complain and it's removed.
The last time we made a large purchase my wife reminded me and when the bill didn't arrive when it usually does we called, got the balance and sent a check.
We don't spend any more or less than if we were walking around with a pocket full of cash.
The only difference is I pull out a card when paying instead of cash.
The balance is paid off every month.
I have found something interesting.
At times when we've made a very large purchase such as hurricane shutters (we live in South Florida), part of the purchase price of a car, etc I have found that for some reason the Visa bill doesn't arrive that month. Then the next one has interest on it.
Of course we complain and it's removed.
The last time we made a large purchase my wife reminded me and when the bill didn't arrive when it usually does we called, got the balance and sent a check.
Feb 13th, 2009, 02:00 PM
#96
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The cedit cards we use for travel are automatically drafted by the CC company . . that way we do not have to worry about missing a payment.
When we travel, it is usually for and extended periods of time ( 1 -2 months )
For cash while travelling, we use the ATM's . . that way we are never carrying a lot at any one time.
We do not use Debit Cards because of the difficulty recovering a disputed or illegal charge
When we travel, it is usually for and extended periods of time ( 1 -2 months )
For cash while travelling, we use the ATM's . . that way we are never carrying a lot at any one time.
We do not use Debit Cards because of the difficulty recovering a disputed or illegal charge
Feb 13th, 2009, 11:11 PM
#97
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We never, ever, go into debt for travel. For one thing, once you've gone, you've been.
For another, we're not hardly home yet before looking forward/planning our next excurions
For me, personally, it is ridiculous to receive/pay a bill for anything consumed previously - a hotel stay, meal, whatever...and can't even imagine paying ridiculous interest rates on same!
More often than not, we prepay everything - for the HUGE discounts primarily. So, most or all of the trip is paid for when we go, at significantly lower rates and no interest!
In addition, we save shopping and dining out for travel, and actually do little shopping and moderate dining.
For another, we're not hardly home yet before looking forward/planning our next excurions
For me, personally, it is ridiculous to receive/pay a bill for anything consumed previously - a hotel stay, meal, whatever...and can't even imagine paying ridiculous interest rates on same!
More often than not, we prepay everything - for the HUGE discounts primarily. So, most or all of the trip is paid for when we go, at significantly lower rates and no interest!
In addition, we save shopping and dining out for travel, and actually do little shopping and moderate dining.
Feb 14th, 2009, 06:43 AM
#98
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Myer- one of my "bigger" credit card purchases was buying land in Mexico (San Felipe). They let me buy half of it with credit card which was 20K. I loved getting the miles. Of course, I paid it off in full that month; treat it like a cash purchase but just get the miles.
Feb 14th, 2009, 12:32 PM
#99
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I would never take a trip and pay for it later. I always have my airfare and some other things paid in full before I go. I have the rest of the money I have saved in two accounts and use my ATM. If I charge something, the money is in my account to pay for it as soon as the bill comes in.
I can relax, I can shop, I don't have to worry about anything I'm spending as long as it's within the money I have to draw on, of course. To take a trip I couldn't afford and have to pay off for months is just not the way I want to travel.
I can relax, I can shop, I don't have to worry about anything I'm spending as long as it's within the money I have to draw on, of course. To take a trip I couldn't afford and have to pay off for months is just not the way I want to travel.
