Arco gas stations

[jcp123]

Interesting. Who do you rent cars from? I know Hertz will accept them only as a final form of payment, but not to rent/pick up the car.

[Xist]

For some reason, I always rented from Enterprise. I forget why!

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Xist

So, "Top-tier" is meaningful?

I don't give it much attention, but all other things being equal (distance to gas station, price), I'd take the Top Tier fuel over non-Top Tier. While I've never had a problem with fuel delivery, more detergent probably helps more than it could harm.

Since you bring up credit cards, I accrued seven thousand dollars in credit card debt while I earned my first Bachelor's...

Still, am I just costing myself money by using my debit card instead of credit?

It sounds like you used the CC for good reasons. Carrying a balance on a credit card is for emergencies, and tooth pain and transportation fall under that definition. Other options instead of a CC is borrowing money from relatives/friends, pawning, or defaulting. Of course, the best thing is to have an emergency fund set aside.

I probably made a couple thousand dollars last year from credit cards via signup bonus points and purchase rewards (some of it Manufactured Spending). I've never paid interest on a CC because I have it set to automatically pay in full every month from my checking account.

You are missing an opportunity to earn rewards when you use your debit instead of credit. That said, I have a high interest checking account that requires me to make 12 debit transactions every month. I use the debit card for small purchases under $20 so that I can meet this requirement, and use the CC for larger purchases.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by Xist

Ha! Who pays two hundred dollars a month for gas?! That cannot be real!

People who drive big SUVs and pickups.

The question in my mind is who pays $500/month for utilities, or $150 for eating out.

[gone-ot]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

People who drive big SUVs and pickups.

The question in my mind is who pays $500/month for utilities, or $150 for eating out.

Utilities = people living in Arizona during the SUMMER with old, inefficient A/C units that run APS-electric bills to over $350-$400 per MONTH.



Oh, in case you wondering, APS = "A Public Scewing" in centeral AZ.

[j12piprius]

Originally Posted by Xist

am I just costing myself money by using my debit card instead of credit?

I think not, because you only spend what you need with a debit card, but credit cards have the incentive to spend more. The best way to get cash back, is to not spend it in the first place.

[j12piprius]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

Utilities = people living in Arizona during the SUMMER with old, inefficient A/C units that run APS-electric bills to over $350-$400 per MONTH.

That is surprising. I lived in Tucson for a year in the 1980's and hardly used the a/c at all. Were I to live there again, I would use other means for keeping the house cool. In central Cali, I've only used heating (wood fire) one time this winter, and never use any a/c. Granted, this is a moderate climate.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

Utilities = people living in Arizona during the SUMMER with old, inefficient A/C units that run APS-electric bills to over $350-$400 per MONTH.

Oh, in case you wondering, APS = "A Public Scewing" in centeral AZ.

Seems more like a series of lifestyle choices to me:

#1 = Choosing to live in Arizona in the summer
#2 = Choosing to run the A/C
#3 = Even when it's old, inefficient, you don't have decent insulation, etc.

IOW, it's more like masturbation than screwing :-)

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by johnlvs2run

I think not, because you only spend what you need with a debit card, but credit cards have the incentive to spend more. The best way to get cash back, is to not spend it in the first place.

It's not a matter of debate. People must spend some money, and it's possible to save money by putting purchases on a credit card rather than a debit card. Earning some % back is better than earning nothing back on purchases.

That said, for those that don't exercise proper self-restraint (delayed gratification trait), using a debit card might be a better choice. Although I still see people with poor self-restraint get into a mess with debit cards by over-drafting their accounts and accruing fees on top of their normal spending. I over-drafted once on a debit card when I was in high school, but other than that, I've never paid any banking fee including interest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0rSXjVuJVg

[freebeard]

For me the pump clicks off wherever I've asked the friendly attendant for it to do, then I follow them inside to get a written receipt for my cash.