<p>Which is better for college? I'm new to all this stuff.</p>
<p>haha I though this question would be about accounting classes.
Credit if you know you can pay off your expenses so you can build your credit score. Debit if you're a big spender and might fall into debt.</p>
<p>better yet, get both. use credit and pay with debit! problem solved.</p>
<p>well debit cards can be used as credit... u just have to make sure you have money in the account if you wanna use debit and if you use credit, it'll take 3 days for the bank to deduct money from your account, and if u dont have enough, you'll go in overdraft.</p>
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better yet, get both. use credit and pay with debit! problem solved.
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<p>Thats what I do, hahahaha.</p>
<p>dbguy4eva, I have no idea what your post means.</p>
<p>^ u can use credit on a debit card... im not sure if it boosts your credit points but, it takes money from your bank account directly. but it doesnt take it right away like if you would use debit, it'll just take 3 days for it take money out.</p>
<p>One of the things I'm concerned about is if someone stole my credit card. One can do ridiculous amounts of damage. Also, how important is building credit in college?</p>
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^ u can use credit on a debit card... im not sure if it boosts your credit points but, it takes money from your bank account directly. but it doesnt take it right away like if you would use debit, it'll just take 3 days for it take money out.
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<p>That is not credit. I don't think you understand what credit is. It is using money that you do not have. Debit may work like credit superficially, however, the underlying systems are different. With debit you are spending money that you have put into an account, unlike with credit. That is, unless you overdraft.</p>
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One of the things I'm concerned about is if someone stole my credit card. One can do ridiculous amounts of damage. Also, how important is building credit in college?
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<p>actually, someone stealing your debit card is a lot worse than a credit card since your money is taken instantly and directly from your checking account.</p>
<p>you might as well build credit in college so you have more options for loans and junk when you get out.</p>
<p>and i think most people have an atm card that doubles as a debit...</p>
<p>i have two separate cards, one debit one credit (because i got the debit before i was 18).</p>
<p>my system: small necessities, cash or bcard. debit is for small things where i don't wanna burn through my cash. anything major, like textbooks or filling up my gas tank, is credit. then i use my savings account to pay off my credit card before i have a balance due, so no interest! :)</p>
<p>Building credit is important, if you want to buy a house or a car etc. Pay your bills in full and on time, don't overspend beyond your limitations- Just be financially responsible. (I don;t think joint CC's get credit for you anymore either)</p>
<p>^ Agree with deuces.</p>
<p>I do what haters says. Use Credit, pay the credit balance with debit. I never used debit for anything else but to pay for credit. LOL.</p>
<p>I have both, but I never use my debit card.</p>
<p>how do you use your debit card to pay for credit card?? :confused:</p>
<p>as mentioned above, a credit card is essential if you want to start building your credit history. but a debit card will give you the convenience of plastic without the possibility of going deep into credit card debt.</p>
<p>you have determine if you will be responsible enough to use a credit card wisely before you get one. its not free money. use it only when you know you have the money to pay it off right away. basically, treat it like a debit/ATM card - if you dont have that much money in your bank, dont charge it on your card. </p>
<p>i would recommend getting a credit card and just making sure to be responsible and not to use it recklessly. its always good to start building your credit history.</p>
<p>but for credit card you have to pay it off every month, read your bills and stuff... debit card just swipe and go :)</p>
<p>i'd rather take one minute of my time each month to glance over a statement and pay my bill online than to have to pay deposits for services and higher interest rates on loans later on. ;)</p>
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That is not credit. I don't think you understand what credit is. It is using money that you do not have. Debit may work like credit superficially, however, the underlying systems are different. With debit you are spending money that you have put into an account, unlike with credit. That is, unless you overdraft.
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<p>hmm...</p>
<p>i do understand what credit does.. u can use the debit card as a credit card, but you dont pay the money every month, u will need to put money in the bank within 2-3 business days.</p>
<p>we're not on the same page...</p>
<p>but if you guys are talking about credit cards, then thats different.</p>
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but for credit card you have to pay it off every month, read your bills and stuff... debit card just swipe and go
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<p>Just swiping and going is a poor financial practice. You won't really have a good system of monitoring your $$ which is why most people end up in debt in the first place, aside from college loans. Also, you won't have the slightest clue if some how someone else is tapping into your $$, even if it is just a tiny bit. ALSO this will eventually lead to overdraft.</p>
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i do understand what credit does.. u can use the debit card as a credit card, but you dont pay the money every month, u will need to put money in the bank within 2-3 business days.
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<p>WELL I guess if what you mean is that you have NO money in your debit, you can still use it, meaning using money that you do not have.. which is technically credit. Then you will have to pay that off within 2-3 business days to pay back the credit you use. If you **** up however, you get ****ed in the ass with overdraft. Using your debit this way is pretty risky in terms of overdraft though. I personally would not advise it. </p>
<p>This is technically only credit since you are using money that you do not have. Otherwise it would simply be debit, ie, spending money that you already have deposited in your account. </p>
<p>Maybe we are not on the same page here. Enlighten me.</p>
<p>i always thought debit card purchases draw from your account immediately. or at least a pre-authorization draw to hold the funds in your account.</p>
<p>if thats the case, then debit will never act like credit because the transaction will not go through unless you have sufficient funds.</p>
<p>oh i check online thats how i make sure i have enough money but yeah i guess building credit is pretty important... what if you get a credit card but never use it? does that count as building credit?</p>