4 ms·

That's all true, but as a consumer I think a percent or two is worth the conveniences that cards offer. I pay for virtually everything with cards. I rarely even

That's all true, but as a consumer I think a percent or two is worth the conveniences that cards offer. I pay for virtually everything with cards. I rarely even carry cash. Cash is bulky, dirty, inconvenient to get, and has absolutely no loss protection. I pay my balance in full every month, so I don't pay finance charges. If you can't do that, then don't use cards. They will eat you alive. Understand that most of the benefits/points that are offered are paid for by people who carry a balance. If you can manage them and keep the balances paid, the points are just icing on the cake. I rarely pay for hotels anymore, for example.

AceJohnny2 8y ago
> If you can't do that, then don't use cards. They will eat you alive. I like to think as credit cards as tax on the poor to feed the rich.
- AlexTWithBeard 8y ago
  I would call it a tax on those with poor financial planning skills.
  - AceJohnny2 8y ago
    Also, yes. But not only. I recommend this wonderful essay into the trials of being poor, which isn't necessarily because you're bad at financial planning: https://whatever.scalzi.com/2005/09/03/being-poor/ https://whatever.scalzi.com/2005/09/03/being-poor/ Also this recent HN posting and discussion, about the "Vimes [from Discworld] Boot Theory": https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18793259 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18793259
    - AlexTWithBeard 8y ago
      Read the "being poor" article. Conclusion: I'm poor.
  - moosey 8y ago
    That would be great if it weren't a prisoner's dilemma at that point. There is no getting away from the fees, so I must get a credit card, but that means that all of my purchases are tracked. If you don't think this is important, you haven't been paying much attention.
nothrabannosir 8y ago
> but as a consumer I think a percent or two is worth the conveniences that cards offer Yes, but we're also paying for that guy's international flights. I don't care how little it is: I don't want to pay for that. Buy your own vacation. For the record: good on him for taking the points. 100% his prerogative. My problem is purely with the eventual cost being amortised across other customers, even non-CC customers.

AceJohnny2 8y ago

> If you can't do that, then don't use cards. They will eat you alive. I like to think as credit cards as tax on the poor to feed the rich.

AlexTWithBeard 8y ago
I would call it a tax on those with poor financial planning skills.
- AceJohnny2 8y ago
  Also, yes. But not only. I recommend this wonderful essay into the trials of being poor, which isn't necessarily because you're bad at financial planning: https://whatever.scalzi.com/2005/09/03/being-poor/ https://whatever.scalzi.com/2005/09/03/being-poor/ Also this recent HN posting and discussion, about the "Vimes [from Discworld] Boot Theory": https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18793259 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18793259
  - AlexTWithBeard 8y ago
    Read the "being poor" article. Conclusion: I'm poor.
- moosey 8y ago
  That would be great if it weren't a prisoner's dilemma at that point. There is no getting away from the fees, so I must get a credit card, but that means that all of my purchases are tracked. If you don't think this is important, you haven't been paying much attention.

nothrabannosir 8y ago

> but as a consumer I think a percent or two is worth the conveniences that cards offer Yes, but we're also paying for that guy's international flights. I don't care how little it is: I don't want to pay for that. Buy your own vacation. For the record: good on him for taking the points. 100% his prerogative. My problem is purely with the eventual cost being amortised across other customers, even non-CC customers.