Toshii Talks

I have been using two credit cards for about nine months.

A friend of mine told me before that credit cards are for the poor people only.

Two months ago, I have decided to zero my credit card debt.  Currently, I have two credit cards.  One card has a credit limit more than twice that of the other.  It was so tempting to spend and spend and spend cash that you have still to earn.  That’s true for most of us.

Right now, I am successful in zeroing my first credit card.  One more to go!  I’m sure, by the end of this year, I am zeroing it also.  Yes, I know, I can.

Back to our topic.  After doing lots of swipes and lots of sweat to pay what I swiped for, I learned three valuable lessons about credit cards and how to use them wisely.

1.  Credit cards are useful in online transactions
When you do business online, most of the time, you need a credit card.  You can use credit cards to transact for simply anything online.  You want to buy this and that?  Just enter your credit card number.  You need to book for a ticket?  Just enter your credit card number.  You need to subscribe for a newsletter?  Just enter your credit card number.

Credit cards make our life easier when transacting online.  Yes, it is true that it makes life easier but abusing it makes our life tougher.

Again, credit cards are very very useful in online transactions.  But be responsible.

2.  Credit cards can be used to generate reward points for your favorite charity
Most credit card companies offer “loyalty” points.  Meaning, you get some corresponding points when you use your credit card to purchase something.  Right now, I have more than what is required for me to donate.

I allow some of my friends to use my credit card when they book for tickets online.  Of course, they pay me according to what was agreed.  No, I dont ask for some “percentage.”  I only ask some interest rate when they use my card on the day of my deadliest deadline to pay the credit bill or they could pay after the deadliest deadline.  Technically, I don’t charge a single cent (but I accept donations).

Maybe you’re thinking right now, “Why?”  Simple.  I want to earn points without spending another peso.  Of course, I did all the encoding (Oh, I also don’t charge for encoding data…).  I earned some credit card points and also I helped a friend.

3.  Credit cards can be used to complete a requirement
When you apply for something, sometimes your credit card bill is among the options you can choose from.  I don’t have a permanent home right now.  That means, I don’t have a permanent electricity bill, I don’t have a permanent water bill, and so on.  My credit card bill (even if I still have to pay the remaining balance) saved me.

Credit cards are just cards.  It’s up to you what tag you put on credit cards.

PS. Credit cards are friends, use them carefully.  Don’t abuse them.  You don’t have to cut your credit card.

PS2. Credit cards are very useful when you intend to do home business or any business that you want.
PS3. Do you want to know what happened to my friend who told me that credit cards are for poor people?  He wanted to borrow my credit card to subscribe in an online service he really really really wanted.  I told him, “I thought you don’t need a credit card?”

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