As I always say, DEBT IS NEVER YOUR FRIEND. Only spend the money you have, and not all of it either

[fpb]

http://www.cracked.com/funny-4179-credit-cards/

Comments

[la-mariane.livejournal.com]

That's why I don't even have a credit card and refuse every time my baker tries to sell me one. Some practices of the banks are just legal robbery in my opinion.

[la-mariane.livejournal.com]

I'm tired and I can't spell, damn it! My banker tries to sell me credit cards, my baker is much nicer and gives me croissants.

[fpb.livejournal.com]

I did wonder. I only have a debit card, which can only spend money I actually have, and I always refused to have an overdraft limit on my account. I've learned it the hard way.

[shezan.livejournal.com]

I have only a debit card with my (nice) bank in Britain. In the US, I had to INSIST MANY TIMES to repay ENTIRELY at the end of the month whatever credit card bills I incurred. The system was GEARED to only let me pay minimum. Screw you, Citibank.

In France, "credit" cards basically work as debit cards you repay at the end of the month (giving you a couple of weeks' grace, in fact) unless you have specifically arranged with your bank to pay on tick. Also, "Usury" rates are illegal: currently this cannot exceed 21% for small consumer loans (it falls to around 18% above €3,000 and under 11% when you borrow more than €6,000). IOW, we are all descended from French peasants WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN DEBT.

[fpb.livejournal.com]

Likewise we from the boot-shaped land. (With a few exceptions, alas.)

[fpb.livejournal.com]

P.S.: you and la_mariane are fellow countrywomen.

[elegant-bonfire.livejournal.com]

When I worked for *big department store* we had a regular customer who would come in, make the minimum payment on her store credit card, and immediately buy more shoes (probably other stuff as well, but I worked in the shoe dept.). She handed me a copy of her statement one day, as she didn't have her plastic card with her---she owed more than $14,000! On a store credit card! All I could think was, "Dude,*big department store* OWNS your ass."