Credit Cards And Buying With Cash / Debit

Startling numbers from one study show that in the United States, 140 million credit card holders have 1.2 billion retail and credit cards (Lynott, 2008). Outstanding balances of

James D Scurlock’s “Maxed Out” focused on the revolving use of credit cards to charge now and pay later and the fact that once the credit card was maxed out another one was sent from the credit card companies and the whole process begins all over again. Scurlock’s essay made the reader aware of the downfalls and hardships that can occur when credit cards are constantly used for purchases compared to Kevin O’Donnell’s “Why Won’t Anyone give Me a Credit Card”.

In business affairs, in a nation’s economy, and in the international scene, money has made its permanent imprint thus credit has been clearly indicated and pertinently stressed. Credit’s advent has brought about numerous benefits to its users and misfortunes to others who get caught in the web of its unwise use. According to Fajardo (2011), credit is the ability to acquire something of value, such as goods, services, securities or money. Moreover, he added that credit transaction usually involves either to pay a definite sum of money. Whenever credit is mentioned, risk on the creditor’s part becomes apparent, thus businesses find best credit risk management.

The liberalization of the money related divisions in Asia has brought about the fast spread of charge card organizations and monetary organizations giving different sorts of purchaser credit. The charge card market in general world has extended radically that the guarantors of outside nations has presented cellular telephone Visas for the comfort of their customers.(Amin, 2008) This, combined with the passage of remote banks, has enormously expanded the quantity of credit cards accessible, and consequently such spending in Pakistan. Despite the fact that charge card was presented in Pakistan decades prior when Habib Bank, the biggest bank in Pakistan, dispatched its gold card, however individuals had scarcely think about this card in view of its extremely restricted issuance. Several years back, Master card was introduced by ABL (Allied Bank of Pakistan), but that also was not get good attention. In year 1994, VISA Card is introduced by Citibank, that give a better turning point to plastic money industry in Pakistan. The working of Citibank no doubt was amazing that open doors for new offerings for the people of our country as well as for financial industry

Attitudes about spending changed drastically. At this point, more people had access to credit cards because credit card companies stopped limiting their customer base to the wealthy, and began issuing cards to people with moderate to low incomes (Garon, 2012, CNN World). This gave Americans a way to purchase goods and services immediately, even if they didn’t have the cash on hand. The seven to eight percent savings rate maintained in the United States from the 1960s to the 1980s plummeted to less than two percent, and remained so until the first decade of the 21st century (Melicher & Norton, 2014, p. 168).

Not only for those seeking to retire, the business motivated economy has transfigured how one must live in order to live comfortably. Building credit through credit cards is often perceived to be the only way in order for a buyer to appear credible. Yet in the quest for the optimal credit score people enter into debt. Considering and evaluating the risks and benefits to credit cards may contribute to opinions towards those flimsy pieces of plastic.

     With religion playing an important role in the average Americans lives, consumerism began to grow in the white and blue-collar workers. Their families started to spend extra cash instead of saving it. Washing machines, dryers, and new cars became commonly bought items. The Homeowner who needed some extra cash, but couldn’t work enough hours to purchase that item when he needed it, started to use personal credit. This began the craze of credit cards. ”The Diner Club” introduced the first credit card in 1950: By the 1970s the ubiquitous plastic credit card had revolutionized personal and family finance”(Henretta, pg.790). The awareness of addition free time was aware

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2010 Americans had $866 billion in credit card debt and its still growing. Huge credit card debt is a huge problem for America and putting credit cards into the hands of kids will only cause more difficulty. Also, there are severe consequences for using credit irresponsibly. In fact, kids do not understand finances and credit enough to use credit cards responsibly. For example, kids who use credit cards won't understand the value of money. Therefore, kids under 18 should not be given access to credit cards.

The government has ensured the money will be repaid through the wage garnishment system. Only a small percentage of consumers endure this process because debt can be collected by numerous means (Arnold). In response, credit debt was virtually non-existent until 1970, now Americans have an average of $3,500. A time used to exist where only the wealthy had access to credit cards, but the credit score industry caused financial companies to feel comfortable with the broadening of credit cards across the population (Indiviglio). Letting consumers purchase those big-ticket items also enables them the ability to spend more holistically. For example, $20 cash is manageable for a few groceries, but a credit card can cover those groceries and a new television simultaneously. Credit cards seem to give consumers an infinite amount of money at their fingertips. After so much debt has risen, creditors resort to the courts. Over a million lawsuits are filed annually concerning credit card debt, which does not seem like a small percentage (Arnold). And through wage garnishment, creditors collect their payment whether the consumer can afford it or not. The consumers should not be treated in this manner for using a credit card in the means that it was distributed for.

Many of our time rely on credit and debit cards when purchasing items. While the two seem identical to one another, failure to know the difference can result in an economic catastrophe on the card owner's part. Debit cards are used as a way to spend money that the consumer already has by withdrawing the purchase amount directly from their account. On the other hand, credit cards allow the card owner to borrow money from the bank, in which the card is issued, up to a certain amount in order to make a purchase which they will pay back to the bank at a later date.

Plastic money is in vogue in today's economy. Paying for what you buy through your credit card is fashionable and convenient. But credit cards are growingly becoming a matter of immense concern thanks to the problem of card debt. The problem of credit card debt arises when consumers buy something swapping their card but are unable to repay the money to the card company within the stipulated time period.

In response to the Credit CARD Act’s intent on fighting against young consumer perdition with debt, new credit card usage has been halved by those aged 18-20 . It is possible that the halving may not be completely related to the Credit CARD Act, and could possibly stem from the recession itself. However, it has played an important role in reducing unnecessary credit for young consumer. The application process has become somewhat prohibitive. That serves, in effect, to limit the amount of people who will try to obtain credit through credit cards. The goal is to limit acceptance for young consumers who find credit to be necessary and feasible.

Students do not have the education needed to use credit cards responsibly. Nellie Mae (August 2007) states

      More parents than ever are sending their teenagers to shopping malls and movie theaters with a piece of plastic instead of pocket change.  "Marketing to students is definitely working, as many of them end up signing for as many as five to six credit cards," say Don Blandin, president of the American Savings Education Counsel (ASEC).  A 1999 survey by ASEC found that 55% of all college students and 7% of high school students have a major credit card.  And nearly a third do not pay their bills in full each month. 

In today’s economy cash or a credit card is needed to meet the basic human need. It is a clear fact that we need cash or credit to purchase items such as food, clothing, to pay bills, as well as buy gas for our daily travels. However, when you are out shopping and discover that you have used all the cash in your possession, which is when we realize that the benefit of having a credit card is very beneficial. Although cash and credit cards are similar in that, they both are used to pay for goods and service. Both can be useful for the card user when they are managed wisely. While both cash and credit card share several differences that can affect the individuals who have them such as being stolen, high- interest rate, and personal identity. With cash you are limited to the amount that is in your wallet or purse, unlike with a credit card, you are allowed to pay for your purchase at a later date.