ElshaUK

I can see both sides of the story! I agree with having a credit card - the peace of mind when ordering online is worth it for me, however....I have run up debts on my cards and now do not use them at all in a bid to get them paid off.

I will most likely be taking a debt back with me to Australia and continue to pay it off from over there. I will never allow myself to get out of control again. I will endeavour to pay off my cards every month (if I have used them), although in Australia I didn't have this problem and I attribute it to 2 things

1. I layby'd something, if I wanted it.
2. I wasn't homesick and using 'shopping' as an emotional crutch

It is down to the individual and if you feel you can keep your card in control then good luck to you. If you have a problem with budgets and spending, then I'd say 'approach with caution'



Susan

ohippy

It totally depends on the type of person you are. I get my monthly wage paid into my bank account. I then use my credit card for everything that month and, at the end, pay off my card in full, earn interest on my wage for the month and gain money off with my card. So I win all round. I never spend money I haven't got and only owe money on our mortgage - we have no other debt. That, however, is our personal choice. If I was made redundant I'd be very happy with my pay off and, as hubby is a brickie, he has absolutely no chance of being made redundant !!!

Heather

ROBnCAZ

More very valid comments. I guess at the end of the day, it's a matter of personal preference and the kind of person that you are.

My reasons for hating credit cards so much are the obvious ones........I made mistakes with several of them years ago! Fortunately, I made it through and now have an immense dislike for the term 'credit', however it is presented to me!

I certainly have absolutely no intention of ever being in debt again, save the obvious liek mortgages, business loans etc.....

Final word from me on this topic, I respect all of your arguments and just hope you trust yourselves enough

ohippy

I do find it hard with some shop assistants though - they struggle to understand when I say I don't want any credit and harp on about how cheap the APR is etc. Sometimes I have to say that I have such a bad credit rating I can't get credit just to make them shut up !!!

Tiawamutu

Do they have chip and pin yet in Aus?

oliverandlisa

yes

Tiawamutu

WOOHOO!!!!

wsbtroyno21

I used to think like that too....until I got mugged one day when I had just withdrawn my rent money from the cashline machine (back in the UK I may add). I now only carry small amounts of cash and much prefer the safety of debit/credit cards. Each to their own I suppose...whatever works for you personally. If you are a sensible, organised person then having a credit card doesn't mean having debt. It just gives you peace of mind and security.

Wendy

woogle

Just going back to the Nationwide account, I went there yesterday & they
recomended their E-bank account to put the house sale funds in,with I think 4.75% interest,& said you could just move money into the flex-account as you need it,& then set-up a direct debit to from flex-account to clear full credit card balance each month.
Only trouble was,their E-banking only transfers money into another Nationwide account & not to any other banks.

annqldau

Not a problem the credit card bit as you can just state you want another bank account to pay it off doesn't have to be nationwide one.

I use my Nationwide Credit Card in Aus but pay it with my Smile bank account direct debit as signed for on Nationwide Credit Card Direct Debit request just put other bank in instead of them. I get Uk cash out with my Nationwide card from flex account. And pay other direct debits with my Smile account...complicated life...LOL.

You can move money on a regular basis between accounts ie. Smile and Nationwide by Direct Debits are occasionally via Standing Order just do it from one bank to your account in another in your name.

lacey21

Ok Woogle took your advice adn phoned up Nationwide now I have the papers and am going a head getting a nationwide account, the one from the Yorkshire is too complicated, so I am doing this instead.

thanks for the imput woogle and I hope the house sale is going through great. Hugs to Anne also

hugs Lace x

annqldau

Nationwide does the best rates for spending abroad of any of them and allows you to leave money in the UK for last minute bills then bring across later when everything sorted and still get good rate for it... .

Fionast

I discovered when i was in Oz last year and buying Xmas pressies that if you pay by cash you get a deacent discount though mainly in specialist stores like elictrical outlets - I never got 1 in any of the shopping centres. The only thing is you need to ask for the discount or you won't get it!

I have to say I have a credit card as well and find it usefull for some purchases. I am very wary of getting into debt so I tend only to use it if I have the money and then pay the value I spent a few days later onto the credit card via online banking. I also make sure they keep my limit reasonably low (ie £500) that way I can't go over board. If I want to make a larger purchase then I simply put my card into credit a few days prior to making the purchase - for example the application fee to DIMIA!

sharon_gareth

Nationwide Credit Card, Barclaycard or any other credit card when you first arrive in Oz is a must in my book. Makes paying for your first few weeks accommodation and the deposit on the car rental soo much easier.

Once settled and you have your aussie credit card then still keep your british one, as long as you have funds in the UK to pay off each month. Great for buying birthday and xmas prezzies for the folk back in the UK.

As for my aussie credit card I would not be without it. I pay everything with it even my household bills and pay it off at the end of each month in full. Of course its important to not run up a debt but if your only using it to buy all those essentials that you need should not be a problem.

The bonus is that you get reward points on your credit card (mine is with HSBC) which you can save up until xmas. My reward points have given me $500 worth of spending at Myers to look forward to. Not a bad reward for using a bit of plastic instead of cash.

stockers

I have one small problem!! (and a warning for others)...Nationwide will only give me a cash card not a debit or a credit card. Have to lodge an appeal, as apparently I don't have enough credit history! I'm 27, have Lloyds accounts, store cards, student loans and savings accounts. What do you need to have to have enough credit history?! You can only use the cash card in ATMs which display the Cirrus sign - does Australia have these? I'm still going to be paid by my UK company whilst I live in Oz so getting this sorted is pretty important - I don't want to lose loads in commission!! I'm not holding my breath their useless staff (long whinging story I won't go in to here!!) will manage to sort it before I leave - this saga has already been going on for 2 months!!

Debbie