[lukevdp]

Here are the results to that question:

Question EF3. Suppose that you have an emergency expense that costs $400. Based on your current financial situation, how would you pay for this expense? If you would use more than one method to cover this expense, please select all that apply.

Put it on my credit card and pay it off in full at the next statement 33%

Put it on my credit card and pay it off over time 16%

With the money currently in my checking/savings account or with cash 45%

Using money from a bank loan or line of credit 3%

By borrowing from a friend or family member 10%

Using a payday loan, deposit advance, or overdraft 2%

By selling something 6%

I wouldn't be able to pay for the expense right now 12%

Other (please specify) 0

Refused 2

[MiroF]

So a minority able to cover it with assets is what I'm seeing

[slg]

I don't see a financial difference between these two.

>Put it on my credit card and pay it off in full at the next statement 33%

>With the money currently in my checking/savings account or with cash 45%

If you are paying your credit card off in full every month, you aren't really going into debt, you are basically just working on a Net 30 payment schedule like a lot of businesses. Personally almost all of my monthly expenses (besides rent) go on credit cards that are paid in full every month. That method earns rewards and offers protection that wouldn't come if I did the exact same thing with my debit/checking account.

[danans]

It's a poorly worded question for sure. It really should have been broken into multiple parts:

Q: Yes or No: Do you have the money on hand to pay for a $400 emergency expense in totality without the need to borrow money or sell something to cover it.

If yes, would you pay with

- debit/cash/check

- a credit card that you will pay off at the next bill.

If no, which of the folowing methods will you use to pay?

- long term credit card debt

- ask a family member

etc ...