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 From: spamsucks@crazyhat.net 
  
 In message <_Jwle.1288$mN.14929@news1.mts.net> "TC" 
  wrote: 
  
 >* Paying 18% credit card interest is less convenient than cash. Ever read 
 >the fine print boys and girls? 
 >Consumer debt is at an all time high. 
  
 I'm paying exactly 0% interest on my credit card.  I carry an average 
 balance of $2000 and have gone as high as $4000 (With a $10000 limit), 
 and have paid a grand total of $0 in interest so far this year. 
  
 >* There is no privacy in purchases when using a credit card. Having privacy 
 >INCREASES my convenience in the long run. 
  
 True, but I don't really have a big problem with this right now. 
  
 >* When you have a credit card, it is much easier to go overboard on 
 >spending. There is nothing tactile about credit cards as it is with money. 
 >When you have a $1000 cash in hand, and you spend it, you're wallet is flat. 
 >There is no substance with a credit card. To me, that is less convenient. 
  
 I don't need something tactile, I can use my mind to track my dollars. 
  
 I realize that this doesn't work for everyone, but it does for me. 
  
 >*Why get a credit card when you have money with which to pay? To me, 
 >applying for a credit card is less convenient than cash in hand. 
  
 Sure, the application is harder then not applying. 
  
 Of course if I get mugged with $1000 cash, I'm out $1000.  If I get 
 mugged and lose my credit card, I'm out a 3 minute phone call, plus I 
 have to be available the following day to sign for my replacement credit 
 card. 
  
 If I pay for a brand new Palm and I get in a car accident on my way home 
 from the store, I get another brand new Palm, no charge. 
  
 If my Palm dies 366 days after I bought it (on a one year warranty), I 
 get it repaired/replaced for free. 
  
 If I fly to Texas to hang out with some friends and get back to my hotel 
 room and find all my stuff stolen, I get all my stuff replaced. 
  
 >*People don't learn to save up for something using a credit card in the 
 >"must have it now, instant gratification" society. When you have to save up 
 >for and earn something - you value it more. 
  
 You can still save up and pay using a credit card -- There are more 
 advantages then the "credit" aspect of it. 
  
 >*If I want to buy something and the vendor is not set up to take credit 
 >cards? How convenient is that. Cash is never a problem. 
  
 I actually deal with two vendors that don't accept cash.  Pic'n'del is 
 one, a computer hardware wholesaler is the other. 
  
 >*The credit / debit card system costs are built into the products you buy as 
 >overhead, did you know that? 
 >Everyone could save 3-5% less if they just stopped using credit cards. 
  
 It costs money to deposit cash to a bank (on a business account) -- In 
 addition, there are other overheads dealing with cash, including 
 possibility of loss/theft, increased risk of robbery, increased 
 insurance rates (due to increased risk of robbery) 
  
 >On large purchases I demand at least 5% off for cash payment, and I get it. 
  
 I realize this isn't a large purchase, but I get a discount for using 
 credit card (vs cash) at the Chinese place two blocks from here. 
  
  
 -- 
 "If it weren't for my horse, I wouldn't have spent 
 that year in college" 
  -- Lewis Black 
  
 --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05 
  * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)