Amen. The credit card is not the problem. Your spending habits is the problem. They are both a piece of plastic. It's not the credit... it's the swiping.

I can't believe anyone else has reponded to this!  A debit card has nothing to do with a person's credit.  Debit cards are electronic checks - they are used at checkout to pay for things just as if you are writing a check.  The transaction posts electronically to your checking account.  Most banks don't charge for the card or fees to use it.  It saves the bank the cost of processing paper checks and reduces their overall operating costs.  Most debit cards can be used as an ATM card and most do not charge a transaction fee if you visit an ATM that is part of their network.  The convenience of debit cards is the reason people use them so much.  Some people can overdraw their account with a debit card just as people do with paper checks.  It is likely that the method of payment (card or check) has little to do with whether a person is responsible in the way they handle their checking account.  

I agree with this post.  I use a credit card for everything.  I pay the balance at the end of each month, and get a "discount" because I use a cash-back rewards card.  (American Express Blue Cash).  It does take some degree of discipline.  I do not buy things I couldn't otherwise pay cash for.  I find paper money quite filthy (not that my credit card is "clean" but I worked as a bank teller for a few months and my hands were black from this occupation.)

Credit cards additionally have insurances built into them in case of some fraudulent situation.  

I rarely use even 1/3 of the available credit on my card, and am also saved any embarrassment from having a card rejected (if one were able to find a card that prevented a person from making a purchase if the balance was diminished.)

Overall, I think the problem stems from our country's lack of financial education and awareness.  People who use debit cards actually think they are being quite saavy for it.  The sad thing is, they're not.  

Our public education system lacks fiduciary education.  (For example, how the Federal Reserve works, interest, taxes, stock etc.)  I am fortunate enough to have had parents who ensured I was aware of how money works in this country and the world.

I haven't used my debit card in years and use my credit card exclusively as I have some form of protection with it from fraud and I get 1-3% cash back.  I pay my bill probably 3x a month online.

I use a debit card for almost all of my purchases, except for a few select things I purchase online just to guarantee safety - although if you use your debit as "credit" and not "debit" you are still guaranteed protection.  I do pay my credit card balance every month, but I don't see why I need to put EVERYTHING on my credit card.  I guess I don't want to see a huge bill at the end of the month.  Also, me and my husband got into credit card abuse before we had kids and paid them off a month before our first was born - and vowed never to get into that trouble again.  I think I might be tempted to forgo paying the whole balance on a credit card, if say we were "short" that month.

I use my debit card as a convenience for accessing my checking account without the hassle and inconvenience of carrying cash, or paying interest on credit card.  I deduct each purchase same as I would a check. I am in process of switching expenses over to credit card instead, so as to take advantage of the higher reward rates.  But all in all, responsible use of a debit card is convenient and not a problem for most people.

There are many reasons to use a debt card

My bank started to provide a pretty good rewards debit card, just like a credit card.

Many people living in US temporarily (students or H1 visa holders) cannot obtain a credit card without a credit history and a green card so they rely on debt cards.

Some people who are prohibited from obtaining credit for religious reasons, use debt cards as a lesser 'evil'. I wonder if there is an institution for them that does not make money on interest at all, just services debt transactions. I guess that would be ideal solution for those who cannot obtain credit at all.

I think this is a personal choice now. Many people like the security of a stash of cash and use credit for emergency only.

Since debt or credit card often is the only way to rent something or buy something online, you really do need some sort of plastic in your wallet.

According to studies, if you use a credit card you are more likely to buy 20-30% more than if you used a debit card.  The psychology of it coming right out of your checking account limits your spending.  I'll take a 20-30% savings over any credit card rewards program.

Before debit cards, people had to write checks. Remember standing in long lines at the grocery store waiting for everyone to fill in blanks on their checks? Then debit cards come along, and speed!

It is simple banking. Comparing a debit card to a credit card is really apples and oranges. You would not equate using a credit card to writing a check. Same difference.

Before debit cards, people had to write checks. Remember standing in long lines at the grocery store waiting for everyone to fill in blanks on their checks? Then debit cards come along, and speed!

It is simple banking. Comparing a debit card to a credit card is really apples and oranges. You would not equate using a credit card to writing a check. Same difference.