[BillinghamJ]

Putting exactly the same spend on a credit card rather than a debit one does not conflict with living within your means. Making use of credit facilities does not mean being in debt or doing anything wrong.

It's the same in the UK - there's a world of benefit in showing that you're able to use credit products responsibly and there is no risk or any cost if you just treat a credit card like it's a debit card.

[dazc]

There is a risk that you can't pay the bill. Losing your job may still mean you can at least pay the minimum but it can sometimes be the start of a slippery slope.

Anyone who says 'it can't happen to me' either has very rich parents or is a fool.

[cheapsteak]

Or they never carry a balance on their card

Responsibly using CC isn't about "relying on future income to pay off present debt". If you have 5k in the bank, don't spend more than that, and pay it off at the end of the month (or if you're paranoid like I was right out of school, pay it off every week)

[BillinghamJ]

Yeah originally I paid mine off every few days, means there's essentially zero risk

[BillinghamJ]

If you can't trust yourself, sure. But most people do have the ability to simply not spend more than they have in their bank account and then pay off in full even before they receive a statement. Even if you lost your job, you'd still be fine.