My Question: Do you open credit cards at the stores you frequent in order to get 5% off?

[Abbybob]

Nope! We aren't applying for any more credit cards.

I have a Target Debit Card, a American Express Blue Card (for when we travel), and a Upromise MasterCard (for large purchases or online purchases) and we only use the Target Card.

We don't use our debit card for online purchases.

[everprincess]

Nope no credit cards. If we don't have cash we don't buy.

[lovemygirls]

The credit cards we do have I get great discounts with otherwise I do not use them. As far as not having cash to pay for items is not the question for me. I always turn right around and pay my purchase off with cash directly from my online checking. For me it's about saving money to begin with. I save a lot of money using my cards on purchases and to me it is worth it.

[MelInKansas]

See, I guess it makes sense if I could just make the payment for my purchase, even on a bi-weekly basis (would seem silly to me to make 5-6 small payments in a month to Target for example) then I am taking the money out and I know its gone. But I know my husband would not agree to having a debit card linked to our main checking account, the last time I had a debit card I opened another account which we would transfer my grocery/spending money into, so it always had less than $300 balance. I still kind of dread the fact that I would have to track that... I don't know. I appreciate everyone else's input.

[Kim1013]

Credit cards are evil. I would stick with using cash only. You will never overspend when using cash b/c when it runs out, it's gone. You will almost always overspend when using a credit card and even debit card. I would stick with what works for you and keeps you on budget.

(oh, and congratulations Melissa! Are we hoping for DD#4 ;)

[jeffcocouponlady]

I was thinking about the same thing many people here were thinking and that is the Target Debit card for those that do not want to apply for a credit card. Now if you are tempted to get a credit card you might want to look into if you can make a payment to your credit card there at the store like Target does. Because what you can do and this is to avoid the interest you can purchase your items with your Credit card then go right over to the customer service desk and make a payment for the amount you just purchased that way you are paying off your credit card on the spot, your avoiding the interest and your still getting your savings for using your card.

But if you open a credit card and pay in payments for your purchase are you really saving anything in the long run?

[jeffcocouponlady]

I was thinking about the same thing many people here were thinking and that is the Target Debit card for those that do not want to apply for a credit card. Now if you are tempted to get a credit card you might want to look into if you can make a payment to your credit card there at the store like Target does. Because what you can do and this is to avoid the interest you can purchase your items with your Credit card then go right over to the customer service desk and make a payment for the amount you just purchased that way you are paying off your credit card on the spot, your avoiding the interest and your still getting your savings for using your card.

But if you open a credit card and pay in payments for your purchase are you really saving anything in the long run?

[MelInKansas]

Well, if you get 5% off your purchases (which I know you do with the credit card) and again there are extra discounts you get for prescription refills and things like that, discounts you can ONLY use on your Target card, then yes, I would save money. I would save 5% more, in addition to all I save with coupons already, and I could go to CS and pay it right off. Not a bad idea.

Kim... my middle DD is the one who wants another sister. Everyone else is voting BOY (well my 2 YO wants a puppy) but of course we have absolutely no control over it now. At this point I'm just hoping it's not twins!