Using credit cards or taking items in loan are just the same. They’re both giving you headache. That’s because using credit cards in purchasing items and paying services is just like taking a loan for those items or services.

Let’s consider the comment posted at my post, “Benefits and Privileges of Having Metrobank Credit Cards“:

What Privilege are you talking about?

They make money on your purchases and charge you a nice sum for interest and finance charges, should you ever be late on your payment!

I have had LOUSY SERVICE WITH METROBANK CARD

I live in the province and mail comes in late, so I had my credit card bill auto debit from my bank account.. BIG MISTAKE! Metrobank card protects their merchants interest not the card holders (honorable they may be or not). My Dream cable was charged on my metrobank card, when my cable box broke, there was no way for me to stop them from charging my card though no service was provided. Metrobank card said only the merchant can stop the transaction. LESSON LEARNED.

I have had my gold card for 5 years, paying the annual fees and using it only for emergency or precarious situations like charging P 300,000.00 downpayment for my wedding then paying for it in full when the bill comes. Then comes CHRISTMAS CHEERS!

Last week, I was called on by Metrobank card collection services and was told of a 15k bill which i was yet to receive. This week, I again received a call asking why I have not paid the balance and that I have to pay in order to have my card unblocked. WHAT THE F***K!

Hey people! IT”S FREAKIN CHRISTMAS and the busiest month of the year not only because of the Holiday but at work too with the closing year. I may not have paid my bill on time for a variety of reasons but for last FIVE YEARS I have paid the interest and finance charges as a consequence. But to block my card on Christmas week for a 12k bill? I later learned that 3k of it was interest and finance charge for the Oct. bill that I paid in full. It’s just too much.

Okay. This is not really about the Metrobank Cards. If your using credit cards from any of the cards-suppliers whether Metrobank Cards, Citibank or whatever, then you might experience similar things as described by this comment.

Is there anyway we can avoid the fate of that commentator?

Yes! There is always ways to avoid such things. You only need 1 thing, and that is “SELF DISCIPLINE.”

I am not saying that you are not disciplined. What I mean is that we need to employ some limitations in using credit cards just like what we’re doing in some other things. If you tend to spend your cash wisely, then you need to use your credit cards wisely too.

When I say, “Spend your cash wisely” what I mean is you need to make sure that the amount that you spent is lower than the amount of your income. Those who are wise saved little money from their income. Those who are wise are applying limitations on their expenses. Those who are wise are disciplined enough to spend their money.

But how to become wise in using credit cards?

You know, I am a first time user of the credit cards. So, I only have little experience in using it. But I understand also a little thing about wisely using credit cards, this can be done by doing the following:

Paying Services

Busy people tend to find ways to save time in doing personal or family-related transaction such as paying their bills on telephone, cable TV subscription, mobile phone subscription, etc. And those who own credit cards are tempted to use their cards in paying those.

But did you know that you can pay bills without using your credit cards but still saved time in doing these transaction? Remember that there banks that offer services that let you pay your bills through ATM machines, Phonecalls or even by text message and the charges are directly debited from your personal savings account. Now, why not use these services instead of using your credit cards? With this, you’ll avoid not only the hassle in paying your bills but also the charges when using credit cards.

Buying Goods

I’m sure you’ll bring with you your credit cards when you go to mall for shopping. But did you know that you can still avoid using your credit cards in purchasing goods without even bringing cash with you?

Why not apply for debit cards. I’m sure your bank is offering debit cards, and it’s even better than credit cards. Or If not, you can use your ATM cards. I know there are establishments that accept ATM cards in paying those shopped goods.

So, what’s the use of getting credit cards if we’ll not use it?

I know that your main goal in getting credit cards is to experience ease in purchasing goods and paying bills. But if you really want to avoid such fate as described by the comment we talked above, then you need to consider other ways in purchasing goods and paying bills instead of using credit cards… or by considering what I suggested above.

This of course doesn’t mean that your credit cards are useless now because you can use your credit cards during emergency situations like when you don’t have money to pay your bills or to pay the goods your family need. You can even use your credit cards if your purchasing goods through the internet.

What I really want to tell you is that avoid using credit cards if there is still other ways of paying bills and goods which will still give you ease in doing them. Use your credit cards only if you’re in emergency.

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