Have you ever used a credit card to get something for nothing? We have one credit card, which we use and always pay off the balance each month. By using our card we are able to earn points for purchasing items including plane tickets.
Several years ago our daughter and son-in-law moved to Europe. Then they informed us they were expecting! How was I going to be able to travel to be with them when the baby was born? Luckily we had been using our card, paying off the balance and accumulating points. We decided to put everything we could on the card and continue to pay it off each month. End result, I was able to fly to London after our granddaughter was born on a “free” ticket! An experience I wouldn’t have missed for anything.
I would only suggest using this method to buy something like a plane ticket if you are disciplined enough to avoid the credit card trap. The last thing you want is credit card debt hanging over your head. Early in our married life we got into credit card debit and we have vowed to never go back there.
However if you are disciplined you can use a credit card to pay regular monthly expenses and earn points at the same time. Such items such as your groceries, gas or car repairs can all be paid with a credit card. You must be committed to paying off the balance when you get your statement however. Using credit makes it much easy to over spend. Do a little research to find out what card works best for you, there are different cards, which offer different rewards. Don’t get more than one credit card. You have to track your spending before the statement comes in and keeping track of your one card will be more than enough.
Don’t purchase anything for which you don’t already have the money in the bank. If you find you cannot be disciplined DO NOT use this method. Remember it is far easier to go into debt than it is to get out of debt.
Nancy on the Home Front 