• ABoxOfPhotons@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    For a while, i wondered why Americans tend use their credit cards instead of debit cards but then it occurred that they are encouraged to use credit cards because you cant get into debt using debit cards and debt is very profitable.

    • Bassman1805@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      There’s that, but there are also more legal consumer protections against fraud with credit cards than with debit cards.

      • vic_rattlehead@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Also debit cards don’t earn cash back or points. I visit my cousins on airline points. Monitor your cards and make sure you don’t exceed your budget, same as a debit card.

      • 0110010001100010@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        You also have to have credit to get loans. I ran into this issue when I bought a house. I hadn’t had a credit card in years because it was too easy to get into debt. The only thing that saved me is I am on one of my folks credit cards for rare emergencies if I’m watching their house and something goes awry (like the dehumidifier shits all over the basement floor and needs replaced).

      • NoSpiritAnimal@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        I’m gonna wait and see if you can figure out how your statement relates to credit cards being more profitable for the ruling class than debit cards…

    • mean_bean279@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      It’s also because a lot of people see the rewards as ways of getting free money. However that’s really only the case if you pay your card regularly. As well some Americans truly don’t have the required income to live. So they go into debt. It’s terrible, sad, and wrong on so many levels, but it’s a major part as well.

    • weirdbeardgame@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Frankly I use my credit card as my debit card. Hell I don’t even have a physical debit card. Why you ask? Rewards points.

  • eek2121@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    This could be another indicator that we are going into recession. I did not read the article (because who does that? 🤣) but when you look at rising credit card debt combined with the mass layoffs, it usually means folks are on their last legs, financially speaking.

    That is assuming there actually is a problem with higher credit card debt and the topic is ‘t being sensationalized, of course.

    Another indicator to watch out for is falling revenue in earnings reports. Falling revenue, particularly in retail and consumer goods spaces means recession is inbound.

    I firmly believe that, absent some additional support, we will enter a recession within 2 years.

    Note: I don’t claim to be an economist, but I am old and I have lived through a few of these downturns.