Cash Cards VS Credit Cards
A guide that describes the differences between cash and credit cards and the advantages of each.
What is the difference between a cash card and credit card?
It’s not unusual for individuals who have previously struggled with debt to avoid using credit cards. Although there are several advantages of paying with cash cards, as well as numerous reasons to use credit cards.
In an emergency, Cash Cards are the safest option. If you have an unnecessary large expense—such as an unplanned payment, vehicle maintenance, or a broken appliance in your home—you may depend on Cash cards for more substantial emergency transactions. Cash cards are a smart way to keep track of your expenses.
Also when you’re traveling, a credit card is the best way to pay. Anything from booking your flight to arranging for your accommodation and car rental can be done using a Credit card. The majority of credit cards now provide rewards for using them. If you run your own business or have to charge something on your job, all of us need to use a credit card for work expenses. It’s better to use a credit card for this so you won’t have to pay anything upfront.
Key Points
- Use your credit card to make purchases in order to earn reward points.
- Using a Cash card to pay for regular costs such as groceries, dinners, and so on is the safest option and there’s no risk of overspending.
- Credit cards are convenient to use and safe, making them an ideal way to cover a big purchase.
When should you use a Cash Card?
You could be best served using a cash card if you’re using a credit card to spend above your means or to pay for daily expenses that you couldn’t otherwise afford. When you use a Cash card, you’re essentially doing a cash transaction, so you won’t have the same problem as when you use a credit card to charge transactions you can’t afford. Using cash cards to pay reduces the risk of overspending. Since you can’t invest more than you have, there’s no chance of overspending and being unable to pay off the bill by the end of the cycle, resulting in interest charges.
When not to use a Cash Card
Cash Cards can seem to be a better option because there’s no risk of overspending or incurring heavy overdraft fees, but the stakes are also higher when it comes to fraud. Using Cash cards can be risky, too and you should avoid using a high risk payment processor. If you use unbranded ATMs, you raise your chances of becoming a target of skimmers. Although skimmers can be detected on bank ATMs as well, they are less common due to the existence of security cameras. At pay-at-the-pump stations, you swipe your card before filling up your tank, because the gas station has no idea how much the actual bill would be. Since there is no one monitoring the card reader at gas stations, they are an ideal location for fraudsters to set up a skimmer. Don’t use Cash Card if you do not have enough money to keep swiping during your trip. Like gas stations, self-checkout lines don’t have an employee by each card reader. If you can pay cash in these instances. There are more convincing reasons to pay with cash than just outsmarting a scammer
“If you don’t have any debt, using a cash card is a great way to stay out of it.”
When to use a Credit Card
Credit cards are easy and safe to use. A credit card can be an excellent way to safeguard a large purchase. For goods purchased with the card, most issuers offer purchase insurance and an extended warranty. Your responsibility for unauthorized payments made on a lost or stolen credit card is limited by federal law and credit card fraud protection policies. To replace the lost card, the credit card issuer will send you a new credit card, also with a new account number. Many credit cards reward you for your purchases. Points may be exchanged for goods, hotel stays, airline miles, or cashback. If you have the funds, it might be worthwhile to use your credit card to make transactions in order to gain reward points. Using credit cards, and all of their benefits and rewards, can be a financially sound decision.
Cash Cards and Credit Cards both have their place and time. Each payment method has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
When not to use a Credit Card
You shouldn’t use your credit card when you’re not able to pay off the balance. With credit card debt at an all time high, it’s wise to think twice before using your card. Think Twice About Swiping When You Don’t Know Your Available Credit. This ensures that the purchase will be denied if the amount you’re trying to charge will bring you over your credit limit. If you chose over-the-limit protection, however, your card issuer can authorize you to exceed your credit limit and charge you a fee. The more credit card debt you’re carrying, the harder it will be to qualify for a mortgage. That’s because lenders look at your credit utilization, which is how much of your credit balance is used. High credit card balances mean high monthly payments, and that could increase your debt-to-income ratio. Don’t Use Your Credit Card When You Already Have Debt. You can’t afford to use your cards if you have credit card debt. Instead, pay off the balance before making any additional payments, or you risk being caught in a debt cycle. If processing fees are passed on to the cardholder, credit card purchases can cost you more. When you pay those bills with a credit card, such as college tuition, rent, insurance premiums, utility bills, and federal or state taxes, you might be charged a convenience fee of 2% to 3%.